want a tip on going "green"? check out "rebinders"

regular readers know that i usually write about food...local, organic or sustainably grown food...and share recipes that follow the philosophy " use the best quality possible ingredients and then don't muck it up with overly complicated techniques".  but real food is only one way to be a bit greener.  today i want to tell you about a company i discovered that is helping to promote landfill diversion (a philosophy we strongly support) and has created some really cool products.

i received samples of eco-friendly notebooks, binders, folders, cd covers and notepads from a company call rebinder with a request to review them.  my policy regarding product reviews is:
1. i only blog about products i like and would personally use AND
2. the items must reflect our "live a green life of style" motto.

let me tell you...rebinder really meets the criteria...i am a fan.

a bit about rebinder from their website info page:

"Each year, over 500 metric tons of toxic PVC ends up in landfills as the result of vinyl binders that people use. Today we should expect more. Products should be made in our country, with our workers, out of responsible materials with the intention that no landfill be required. ReBinder meets that demand.

ReBinder is the only true zero waste office supply manufacturer and the brand of choice for customers looking for sustainable, quality office supplies. Assembled by a local, AbilityOne certified disabled workforce, all ReBinder product materials are sourced from responsibly managed forests and verified FSC and SFI certified sources. With each purchase of ReBinder products, solid waste, greenhouse gas, energy, tree and water consumption are reduced.

"ReBinder products have recently been nominated for the Best Office Products in North America. Learn more about our product line and how they stack up against traditional vinyl binders.

Making products responsibly means considering the source of the materials, the use of the products and where they end up at the end of their life. When used for Sales & Marketing, Events & Training or simply every day internal use, our innovative, durable and practical products raise both brand and environmental awareness while helping responsible organizations reduce solid waste and lower their carbon footprint.

Together, our customers have saved:
-Millions of pounds of greenhouse gases
-Millions of gallons of water
-Tens of thousands of trees
-Tens of billions of BTUs of energy
-Hundreds of tons of solid waste

As a privately owned business in Seattle, Washington, our philosophy embraces a balanced approach to providing exceptional value to our customers with products that reduce the environmental footprint of our industry and our customers."

rebinder sent me samples of their cd sleeves  (called  re-play and resleeve eliminating the need for plastic cd, dvd and computer disk sleeves and cases),   tab dividers (retabs),   recycled notebooks (rebinder) , a presentation folder ( repocket) and a really cool (my favorite) composition notebook (rewrite).  the items are made from recycled corrugated cardboard or chipboard.  their "kraft paper" brown look is clean and elegant with a terrific feel.  i love they way they look.  i would use them for storage, filing and organization at both home and work offices.  my only call out is i don't think they would be durable for heavy daily use....but all other needs...perfect.  i have begun to use my samples...will keep you posted on the durability factor.

i love the eco-friendly components of this product line.  i love the look.  i admire their commitment to strong corporate citizenship and giving back demonstrated with their hiring a certified disabled workforce.  good people, terrific items...check them out. 

to view their line and  to learn more about the company, please visit the rebinder website. 
 
best,
diane
 
diane padoven

founder/president
napa farmhouse 1885™
"live a green life of style™ "

do you like us? really like us? then please join our facebook fan page


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I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

contest winner announced!

happy to announce that lynn from "lynn quilts a lot" is the winner of the granola gourmet granola bar giveaway.  she commented:

"What's not to love about a company making a product they're proud of and having a philosophy to back it up. Thanks for a very candid review. I'm off to check out their web site."


congratulations lynn!  please email me with your mailing info... napafarmhouse1885 at yahoo.com.

thanks to everyone for entering.  and try these granola bars...really, really good...

best,
diane

diane padoven
founder/president

napa farmhouse 1885™
"live a green life of style™ "

do you like us? really like us? then please join our facebook fan page

to receive special offers only available to our preferred customers, please sign up for the mailing list on the right hand side of this post...  

delicious double dark chocolate cookies that are "pretty" healthy? really?

happy valentine's day!  actually, we have two things to celebrate on february 14th.  valentine's day is obvious...but it is also the third anniversary for my blog.  so don't you think chocolate is required to truly commemorate the day?  last year i shared my recipe for dark chocolate truffles in the post chocolate for valentine's day and they have become an oft requested treat.  this year i decided to focus on chocolate cookies but, with my post cleanse guilt, wanted to create something that was a bit healthier than a standard version but equally delicious. 

i used extra virgin olive oil instead of butter, agave nectar in place of white sugar and substituted unbleached white Whole Wheat flour for the more typical white all purpose flour.  other ingredients include excellent quality dark chocolate (both dutch process cocoa powder and bittersweet choc chips), organic unsweetened shredded coconut, and coarse grey sea salt.  result?  a not too sweet, fudgy, soft, intensely chocolaty taste...with bit of crunchy salt that explodes in your mouth every few bites.  the chocolate, coconut, salt combination knocked me out...and has become my new favorite chocolate cookie. 

a few friends stopped by today...always happy to have tasters...and they insisted on having the cookies with red wine for dessert...works for me!

try the cookies and let me know what you think...and happy valentine's day everyone.  are you making your loved ones a special dessert?  if so, please share in the comments section of the post.  and thanks for all your support, feedback and comments this past year...i appreciate each and every one of you...

**note, i encourage you to try the cookie recipe exactly as written but, if chocolate and sea salt is not your thing, just substitute regular  kosher salt for the coarse grey salt...however, give it a try my way first...really, trust me on this**

"pretty healthy" double chocolate cookies
(makes 24)

1 1/2 cups unbleached white whole wheat flour
1/2 cup unsweetened dutch process cocoa powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp coarse grey sea salt
3/4 cup agave nectar
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 organic egg
1 tsp pure vanilla ( i like madagascar)
1/2 c organic flaked coconut
1/2 c bittersweet chocolate chips (60 % cacao)
preheat oven to 325 degrees.  line 2 baking sheets with silpat or parchment paper.  set aside. sift together all dry ingredients into medium bowl.  in separate small bowl, whisk together the agave nectar, e.v.o.o, egg and vanilla.  pour wet ingredients into dry and, using a wooden spoon, stir until combined.  fold in coconut and chocolate chips.  drop by tablespoons onto prepared sheets (i use a medium ice cream scoop).  bake for 15 minutes and let sheets cool on racks.  you can store in airtight containers for a couple of days...but best the day they are baked.

ooh, one more thing...it is not too late to enter the granola bar giveaway.  just leave a comment after the post and you will be entered...contest ends february 22nd...good luck!

best,
diane

diane padoven
founder/president
napa farmhouse 1885™
"live a green life of style™ "

do you like us? really like us? then please join our facebook fan page



to receive special offers only available to our preferred customers, please sign up for the mailing list on the right hand side of this post...

does a delicious tasting granola bar really exist?

i attended the fancy food show in san francisco last month.  this has become an annual event for my sister susan and myself.  we go to check out the current "foodie" trends, meet with suppliers, search for potential products to carry (we found our grapeseed oil vendor there last year) and eat, eat, eat.  everyone offers samples of their food...and this leads to 3 days of eating everything you can imagine...chocolates, cheese (tons of cheese), health foods, snack foods, prepared foods, condiments, baked goods... you name it...it is probably there to taste.  i first wrote about the show last year in a post titled "what is fancy food anyway?"

this year was a tiny bit different for me and i WAS ON THAT CLEANSE!  who goes to an event all about tasting amazing food only to be restricted by the "no white flour, white sugar, caffeine, alcohol, dairy, processed or hydrogenated foods" limits of a cleanse?  answer = me.  crazy!  so while my sister was enjoying delicious treats, i was limited to things like honey, rice crackers, vegan seafood (sounds crazy but actually really delicious...will blog about this later), organic frozen fruit, vegan cheese and mayo substitutes, the few salsas made without added sugar...an aside, it is crazy how many prepared foods contain sugar...do we really need sugar in salsa, pasta sauce, crackers, cereal, etc?  really manufacturers?  but i digress.  i also sampled about a zillion granola bars...partly because i was hungry, partly because i had to taste something.  you know what?  nothing knocked my socks off.  not horrible, just not memorable.

so i must admit that i was less than enthused to receive in the mail a few days later a box of granola bars to sample.  the request was to taste and then blog about them.  my "policy" regarding product reviews is to blog about items that i like.  you won't find me writing scathing reviews about products i dislike...i mean, just because i don't like something doesn't mean you won't. but if i like something...i mean really like something, i want to tell the world.

world...let me tell you about the granola bars from a company called Granola gourmet.  these bars are delicious.  they sent me one of each of their four flavors:

Ultimate Berry
Ultimate Fudge Brownie
Ultimate Mocha Fudge
Ultimate Cran-Orange

and, while they are all really good, i did flip for the fudge brownie...fudgy, moist, kinda like the best part of cookie dough but baked...does that description even make sense? the company's website states the bars are:

100% Natural
No Wheat No Dairy
Kosher
Vegan
Very Low Sodium (20-35mg)
10-12g Whole Grains
530-590mg Omega-3’s
Handmade in California

they are sweetened with agave syrup, are 70 % organic and really, really good.  i fell in love with the company when i heard their story:

"Founded by Jeff Cohen (a diabetic) and his family. Granola Gourmet Energy Bars are made with 100% natural and wholesome ingredients. Frustrated by a lack of snacks that did not cause a blood sugar spike, but that also tasted good Granola Gourmet was born. Granola Gourmet uses ingredients that are low or very low on the Glycemic Index, because of this Granola Gourmet Energy Bars convert to sugar more slowly.


From humble beginnings in the family kitchen the bars were made in small batches and became a family tradition. Soon his teenagers began getting requests for new flavors from their friends. Hollywood Television Shows and Movies began buying the bars for the cast and crew. Granola Gourmet became a local family business success.

Our founder, as a Type 2 diabetic, wanted to create a product that is healthy, tasty and filling that could meet the needs of diabetics, as well as athletes and health conscious consumers. Granola Gourmet™ Energy Bars contain 10-13g Whole Grains and 391-590mg Omega-3’s. For those with other dietary requirements, these Energy Bars are free of wheat and dairy, low sodium(15- 35mg), and are kosher, vegetarian & vegan and non gmo. Handmade in California.

Finally, a substantial energy bar that is tasty, chewy and crunchy and portion controlled. Satisfying your hunger and fulfilling your sweet tooth. They are an energy bar and don’t have the high sugar, fat and sodium content of some of the popular protein bars."

the company donates a portion of every purchase to fight diabetes and they are actively involved in events supporting the American Diabetes Association & Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).

so there you go, a company making a delicious and healthy product using quality ingredients and they give back...i really, really admire this company.  Check them out at Granola Gourmet.  to learn more about this company follow them on twitter and join their facebook page. the ultimate bar is available on amazon right now..a pack of ten for $14.46 reg 19.99.  you can find other retailers on their website.


want to try them for free?  we are partnering with granola gourmet to give samples to one lucky reader.  all you have to do is post a comment in the box below...the contest winner will be selected on february 22nd.  you can post as many times as you like...so post away!
best,
diane

diane padoven
founder/president
napa farmhouse 1885™
"live a green life of style™ "

do you like us? really like us? then please join our facebook fan page


to receive special offers only available to our preferred customers, please sign up for the mailing list on the right hand side of this post...


I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

are you part of the green smoothie craze? want three recipes?

i have started drinking a green smoothie every day for breakfast.  this started last fall during the "cleanse" i told you about.  i admit that i was a bit skeptical regarding the taste...figured this would be one of those "doesn't taste good, but good for you so suck it up diane" moments.  you know what?  they actually are delicious.  who knew?

actually, a number of my friends knew.  my friend karen has been doing this for years.  she is a certified nutrition educator, a talented chef and authors a wonderful blog cook 4 seasons.  i continue to learn so much from her regarding the science of nutritious ingredients. so i started with her green smoothie recipe because i knew it would help me accomplish my goal of adding more greens to my diet and because i knew it would taste really good. 

then i started the infamous cleanse.  my friend laura started the "community cleanse" with the premise that a group of people cleansing at the same time could offer support, ideas, recipes, etc to ensure everyone achieved success.  she also advocates starting the day with a green smoothie...and her version really amps up the vegetables...frozen peas, red bell pepper, wheatgrass...to name a few.  i tried her recipe and, once again, it was surprisingly delicious.  she adds apple and it is amazing how sweet this makes it without any added sweeteners.  try laura's smoothie by clicking here...you will need to go to the bottom of the page.

i took components from each of these green smoothie recipes to create the one i make most often...i like adding a few more vegetables, but i wanted the protein that comes from almond milk and nut butter.  i also like to mix it up a bit...some mornings i will follow laura's recipe exactly, sometimes karen's, sometimes mine...and i am constantly tweaking based on whatever is in season...or looks good at the organic market...or what i have on hand.  and, you know what...the expression "breakfast is the most important meal of the day" has never been more true.  i honestly feel energetic, focused and more alert just by following the green smoothie craze.  give it a try...craze?  or lifelong habit?  stay tuned...

farmhouse green smoothie
1 cup almond milk
2 1/2 tbsp brown rice protein powder (i use jarrow's vanilla flavor)
8 leaves organic kale (i use lacinto kale)
1/2 bunch organic italian parsley
1 stalk organic celery
1 organic apple
1 organic banana (i chop up bananas and store in freezer for my smoothies)
1/2 cup fresh or frozen organic blueberries
1 tbsp peanut or almond butter (optional)
2 tbsp organic flax oil

chop or tear fruit and vegetables into large pieces.  add all ingredients to blender.  chop, pulse, puree until mixture is smooth.  serve immediately.  (makes 2)

ok...so once in a while (especially sunday mornings) i do feel like something else for breakfast...eggs? pancakes? waffles?...  i try to sneak in a green smoothie for lunch and/or ensure i am getting a ton of greens in something else i eat that day.  are you trying to incorporate more fruits & vegetables into your diet?  how?  what is working for you?  please share in the comments section below...

best,
diane

diane padoven
founder/president
napa farmhouse 1885™
"live a green life of style™ "

do you like us? really like us? then please join our facebook fan page

to receive special offers only available to our preferred customers, please sign up for the mailing list on the right hand side of this post...