IzzitGreen » Food & Drink

Greener, Healthier Cooking with GreenPan

Alina Jesien — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 17:34:09 +0000

Leading a sustainable lifestyle isn’t always convenient and making an eco-friendly purchase isn’t always an option. GreenPan was launched in 2007 in Belgium and quickly became an international company that understands these barriers and put solutions at the root of their company philosophy. GreenPan provides a wide range of cooking solutions through three main product lines: cookware, professional cookware, and ovenware that are all up to any culinary challenge, and the best part is, you don’t need to change a thing about the way you prepare your food.

A Cleaner, Healthier Non-Stick

Traditional non-stick pans use a synthetic material called PTFE or Polytetrafluoroethylene, the common brand name being Teflon®. PTFE has great non-sticking properties, but unfortunately it can also release fumes when heated to high temperatures. GreenPan wanted to avoid this toxic substance and created their own patented non-stick technology called Thermolon™. Thermolon™ will never release toxic fumes at any temperature because the natural ceramic non-stick surface is made from minerals instead of plastics and made without PFOA which is another polluting synthetic that is used in the production of other non-stick technologies. In fact, during the process of applying the coating to the pans, GreenPan’s use of Thermolon™ produces 60% less CO2 emissions than other processes using synthetic materials.

Beautiful Tools for Cooking and Baking

GreenPan invests significant resources into healthy and eco-friendly technologies research and this is obvious when reviewing their product line up. Any chef can immediately benefit from GreenPan’s attention to shape and design that pays off big time with superb heat conduction and even heat distribution for perfect browning and deliciously crispy frying every time. These details also allow amazing results at lower cooking temperatures than needed with synthetic-coated pans. Check out this beautiful skillet from GreenPan’s Stockholm collection. The elegant design and ergonomic handle are assets to any cuisinier.

GreenPan cookware is beautifully crafted for superior comfort and concern-free stability. As seen in this Broiler Tray from GreenPan’s Dubai collection the smooth rims make it easy to clean, cover and handle, even with clumsy oven mitts. With unmatched innovation and a constant concern for health, ease of use and the environment, it’s no wonder that GreenPan cookware is officially recommended by the prestigious Cooking Club of America for professionals and weekend hash slingers alike.

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Image Credit: GreenPan

Justin’s Nut Butter Review: Re-Fueling Made Delicious

Alina Jesien — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 15:20:09 +0000

November is National Peanut Butter Lovers’ Month and boy, oh boy am I a pb lover! Seriously though, what’s not to love? With an impressive nutritional report card including protein, fiber, vitamin E, iron and potassium it’s not surprising that peanut butter has been credited with many health benefits such as reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and protection against both Alzheimer’s and type 2 diabetes. To some, peanut butter’s health claims may seem confusing considering that pb contains moderate amounts of saturated fat and sodium. However, a Harvard doctor recently pointed out that peanut butter has a proportion of saturated to unsaturated fats similar to olive oil, provides several important nutrients and also has an incredible potassium-to-sodium ratio. And just in case you need more convincing, here are 10 Reasons Peanuts Improve Health.

This celebration of my favorite, gooey substance prompted a quest to seek out the best good-green peanut paste the market has to offer. My discovery of Justin’s Nut Butter was the end of my search. Justin’s sent me a generous box of goodies from which I stuffed my pack for a hiking trip in northern Portugal. Read on to see why my hunt ended with Justin’s and how nut butter made my trip.

The Justin’s Difference

Justin’s all started in Boulder, Colorado in 2002 when founder, Justin Gold, longed for a tastier peanut butter. From that dream Justin’s Nut Butter has taken an amazing foodstuff and done the impossible. Justin and his company have created a superior peanut butter and in the process managed to completely re-conceive the category. So, how is Justin’s Nut Butter better? Please review the following steps. Start with super high-quality, natural and organic ingredients that are sustainably harvested and sourced as locally as possible. Then add a proprietary grinding method that boosts yumminess and consistency. Combine with innovative packaging that facilitates on-the-go consumption and mix with a company dedicated to reducing its environmental footprint. The result? A delicious, nutritious, and ingenious snack that will blow your mind.

The simple ingredients in each of Justin’s products make them easy to love, whether you’re into Vegetarianism, Paleo, Slow Carb, South Beach, Atkins’ or just being healthy. Justin’s products are certified gluten-free by the GFCO, certified Kosher by Scroll K and use only PPO-free almonds. Aside from the aforementioned amazingness, Justin’s also offers variety. Check out each of the ways that you can enjoy Justin’s creations below.

Squeeze Packs

A seriously perfect snack for hiking, traveling or munching at work. Justin’s squeeze packs offer a super convenient way to eat nut butter on-the-go. I figured I would mostly add nut butter from the packs to apples or crackers, but found myself just as happy eating it plain. It reminded me of my childhood when I would shamelessly steal heaping spoonfuls of peanut butter right from the jar. Regaining some of my long lost courage, I noticed myself several times desperately massaging the last bits of nut butter from my squeeze pack, only to catch my boyfriend boldly ripping open the package to lick the inside clean. The packs excelled one night as a surprisingly satisfying dinner during a seemingly never ending journey aboard Portuguese public transportation on our way north to the Peneda-GeresNational Park. From Justin’s wide scope of eight squeeze pack flavors, I was sent the Honey Peanut Butter Blend and Chocolate Hazelnut Butter Blend. Both of the flavors have a rich, natural and grittier texture that you can almost chew for pure satisfaction. Justin’s Nut Butters use palm fruit oil that is sourced from a sustainably harvested, organic farm in Brazil to minimize oil separation. Not only does this provide excellent texture but palm fruit oil also has no trans-fatty acids and contains less saturated fat than many other oils. Once again, the quality shows. For me, the Honey Peanut Butter Blend flavor is the perfect combination of salty and sweet thanks to the unique coupling of sea salt and honey and a very faint sesame after taste. The peanut butter packs were a fabulous comfort food as the small pools of water in our tent slowly crept towards my sleeping pad. I thought the Hazelnut flavor would just taste like Nutella, but I was hit instead with a genuine hazelnut taste and hint of salt that lacked the artificial, over-sweetened, way-too-creamy faults of that other frosting stuff. The packs are generally easy to open, but can require some extra muscle with very cold hands. Plus, REI just published some great tips for sleeping warm and it recommended eating peanut butter right before bed to give your body something to burn. No wonder I slept so well! Oh, and don’t forget to knead!

Jars

There can never be too much of a good thing, and that’s where Justin’s Jars come in. Not only are they filled with nut butter goodness, but all of Justin’s Jars are PETE-1 recyclable and BPA-free. If you’re not in a rush and have something more relaxing in mind, screw open a jar and enjoy any of the eight better nut butters on one of your favorite snacks. Make sure to try out each of the hazelnut, peanut and almond varieties. Here are some great recipes using peanut butter to check out, or there’s always just your spoon.

Peanut Butter Cups

Peanut butter cups are another fond memory from my childhood, specifically the hundreds that I consumed in the weeks following Halloween. Available in both milk and dark chocolate versions, Justin’s Peanut Butter Cups offer a refreshing look at a classic. In both flavors there is a pleasant absence of that cheap, milk taste and high quality peanut butter makes all the difference. The shell is made from decedent, fair-trade, organic chocolate that is Rainforest Alliance Certified. Using such virtuous chocolate, no wonder Justin’s decided to coat it on thick. The harder, more substantial shell provides a beautiful match to the normally overpowering peanut butter taste. Justin’s Peanut Butter Cups provided a particularly welcome lunch desert as we rested near a stream and bridge described by a local trail guide as, “a naturally well conceived scenario.” The dark chocolate mixed with peanut butter is an entirely new and wonderful experience, but even the milk chocolate flavor holds happily little resemblance to the unhealthy candies I enjoyed as a child. It’s like a peanut butter cup all grown up.

Sustainability

Aside from its earth-friendly kitchen, Justin’s takes steps throughout the business to reduce its impact on the environment. For a trip through their supply chain, visit Justin’s “Dirt on Nuts” to explore the company’s carbon footprint and what it is doing to reduce it. Already, the Justin’s headquarters is solar powered through panels in front of the office and sustainable packaging has become a priority. While Justin’s cardboard packaging is currently made from 100% recycled paper constructed using only wind power and dyed with Zero VOC inks, the company has also embarked on a unique journey towards a sustainable squeeze pack. The ultimate goal is 100% renewable packaging that can be composted at home, but the plan includes realistic stepping stones of 33% and 66% renewable packaging along the way. On the social side, Justin’s also supports Conscious Alliance in its work to distribute food to Native American Reservations through monetary contributions and of course, healthy food donations.

So, spread the love and make sure to spoon, squeeze and smear it on thick!

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Image Credit: Justin’s, Alina Jesien

Get to Know a Great Cause and a Great Winery

Kent Shanklin — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 13:13:54 +0000

We all know that our beloved Izzit is passionate about the outdoors – after all, that’s where he’s from. So when he learned about all of the great things the organization Get to Know Your Wild Neighbours was doing to help promote the national parks of Canada and the United States, not to mention improve everyone’s interactive learning experience with nature, Izzit immediately said “sign me up!” And after a long day out on the trail, what’s better than a soothing glass of chilled Ice Wine from one of Canada’s premier wine producers, Summerhill Pyramid Winery, who donate a portion of every purchase to the Get to Know Society.

First, the mission: Get to Know aims to provide folks – both young and old – with a simple and enjoyable way to get engaged with local green spaces. Ironically, Get to Know realized that one of the best ways to get people outside was to use something that ties most people to their desks…technology. The result is something they aptly call National Treasure. By incorporating technology in a truly different and unique way, they’ve created a fun and interesting interactive program that enhances the nature experience of the individual, while at the same time expanding their knowledge of the world’s wonderful biodiversity that exists beyond the computer screen. To learn more about Get to Know and all the great things they do, please visit www.gettoknow.ca.

Speaking of national treasures, the beautiful Okanagan Valley and the award-winning wines from Summerhill Pyramid Winery should be on everyone’s must-have list. That list, along with the bottle of Summerhill Pyramid’s 2007 Riesling Ice Wine we were tasting at the IzztGreen Corporate Headquarters went mysteriously missing last Friday. Coincidentally, Izzit was witnessed leaving work a bit early (but after sipping a little of this elegant wine from a renowned vintner, who could blame him if he indeed made off with it). We’re sure there’s a good explanation!

Although the stunning Okanagan Valley region of British Columbia produces many delicious wines that rival anything coming out of Washington State, Summerhill Pyramid is rightly famous for their Ice Wines. What makes these wines so unique is that they can only be made in cooler climates. Because the grapes are left on the vine to freeze before fermentation, only the water freezes, leaving the sugars intact. The resulting harvest output is smaller, sweeter and more highly concentrated. Both the 2007 Riesling and Pinot Noir Ice Wines are beyond excellent and worthy as daily sippers as well as make perfect holiday gifts. For more information please visit www.summerhill.bc.ca and for our American customers located in states that allow wine shipments, please visit www.summerhill.bc.ca/Wines/USA-Customers.

As if producing stellar wine isn’t enough, Summerhill Pyramid Winery also has a longstanding commitment to the environment. About 80% of the total grapes used in production are Certified Organic, and their stated goal is to reach 100% in the near future. They have achieved Certified Production status in their cellar and their Kelowana vineyard is in the process of applying for their Demeter Biodynamic certification. So beyond the fact that the wines are elegant and delicious, you can rest assured that in buying Summerhill Pyramid products, you are supporting a business that truly cares about the environment. They’re partnership with Get to Know is just “icing on the vines!”

So, please join Izzit (wherever he is) in raising a glass of Summerhill Pyramid in toasting and supporting the Get to Know mission!

Everyone loves the dentist…right?

Kent Shanklin — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 14:15:50 +0000

OK, let’s be honest here, common phrases such as “it’s like getting teeth pulled” didn’t come from anybody’s “fun” experience in the dentist chair. Matter of fact, nothing’s quite as unsettling as being tilted back with a stranger’s hands in your mouth, sharp instruments coming at you, and that annoying little sucking tool hooked to the side of your mouth. But it’s a fact of life, because after all, total body health really does start in the mouth. And oral hygiene is critical in maintaining a healthy heart, and staying on top of your game.

While we haven’t seen innovation in the oral care space in some time, a company in Oregon has emerged as a real leader in organic and sustainable oral care products. Since 2003, Tooth Soap® has grown to become the best natural, non-toxic alternative to toothpaste. Tooth Soap®, made with organic whole foods, natural and wildcrafted sustainable ingredients, flawlessly cleans teeth and gums by scrubbing fissures and pits in teeth (the most common place for cavities) to remove oils, residues and other contaminants. Tooth Soap® leaves teeth absolutely clean allowing re-mineralization of teeth to occur naturally. They offer a complete line of oral and beauty care products, and even have products for pets. But certified kosher toothpaste? Who knew!

The United States Patent and Trademark Office has deemed their products to be novel, and will be issuing the patent in the coming months. Now that’s great news, and quite an accomplishment. At IzzitGreen, we love innovation, we marvel at thinking outside the box, and we absolutely support and admire the little guys taking it to the big guys. And we’re here to help. It’s not only the American Way, it’s the GREEN way!

So check out our friends at Tooth Soap® to purchase their entire line of oral and beauty care products, and ask for them at your local health, beauty, and grocery store. They stand behind their all natural products 100% and offer a 90-day no-hassle, no-questions-asked guarantee.

Everything’s Better with Justin’s Butters!

Kent Shanklin — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 18:55:29 +0000

As avid hikers, outdoor lovers, and regular “on-the-go-Joes,” IzzitGreen couldn’t have been more excited to come across organic peanut, almond, and hazelnut butters from Justin’s in Boulder, Colorado. We nearly passed out when we found out that Justin’s also makes milk and dark chocolate peanut butter cups. Just think – a tastier and healthier version of that famous candy that rhymes with “pieces.” Needless to say, we’re hooked.

There are so many things that we like about Justin’s – all of their nut butters are made in small batches to preserve premium quality standards and fresh taste; they source local and organic ingredients as often as they can get their hands on them; they have innovative “knead & squeeze” packets that are easy to shove in pockets, briefcases, and lunch boxes; and they’re focused on sustainability and reducing their environmental impact and footprint. The fact that they’re Rainforest Alliance Certified just puts the icing on the cake…or the chocolate on the nut, in this case.

Justin’s is not only delicious, they’re made with the highest quality and most healthful ingredients money can buy. And it shows in the nutritional benefits: each one of the delicious flavors has 6-7 grams of protein per serving and is completely free of trans fats, hydrogenated oils, gluten and dairy. They’re also low in carbohydrates, completely vegetarian, and certified kosher. And if that’s not enough, the nutrient-rich almonds have been shown to help lower blood pressure and cholesterol. So if milk “does a body good” as they say, then Justin’s just might “do a body better!”

Founded as a cottage industry by Justin Gold in 2002, Justin’s has grown into a successful national brand with a loyal following of passionate customers. Look for Justin’s at your local grocer or order their products online at Justin’s Online Store. And while you’re at it, check out our mutual friends over at Conscious Alliance. They’re partnering with bands we listen to every day to collect and distribute food to those in need. Such a great concept, and we’re on board.

Portions of this review were taken from www.justinsnutbutter.com.

Create Your Own Grass-Feed, Beefy Snacks

Alina Jesien — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 14:05:29 +0000

Consumers have already helped fuel a revolution in the fruit and vegetable business by asking the simple question, “where did this come from?” Hopefully we can apply that same question and exert the resulting pressure on ranchers everywhere to take a good look at how their animals are raised and treated. The revolt against industrial agriculture is on the horizon. Being the environmentally-concerned carnivore that you are, I bet that you’re looking for a more sustainable way to enjoy beefy snacks.

Happy Cows, Happy Earth

Slant Shack Jerky makes meaty snacks made with 100% grass fed beef from cattle that is raised with nothing but love at the Vermont Highland Cattle Company in Orleans, VT. The result is premium meat that is naturally lean and tender without the use of hormones or growth stimulants, just very happy cattle. The Cattle Company makes huge efforts to be sustainable and even rotates their animals through various pastures to preserve biodiversity, soil fertility, and to eliminate the water pollution that almost always accompanies confined animal feed lots. Slant Shack Jerky and the Vermont Highland Cattle Company are returning beef from its current role as cheap fast food, to its roots and rightful place as a quality, luxury meal.

Make it Your Own

Slant Shack Jerky is unique for other reasons as well. Mainly, that you wear the chef hat. Through Slant Shack’s Build-a-Jerky tool you have the liberty to choose your own meat, marinade, rub and glaze for a super-fresh, made-by-you meat treat. These artisinal snacks are designed for fun and make a great personalized gift. But if you’re not feeling up to the challenge, you can always opt for the pre-formulated Chef’s Choice and still end up with a jerky that is more tender, and more flavorful, than you could imagine. So go ahead, don your hat and combine superior beef with quality, all-natural ingredients to create the perfect jerky.

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Image Credit: Slant Shack Jerky

Kate’s Organic Bars: Worth Their Weight in the Norwegian Mountains

Alina Jesien — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 16:17:04 +0000

Some might call my selection process of items to bring on a backpacking trip slightly “intense”. While packing for an eight day trek through Norway’s Jotunheimen National Park my elimination process followed suit. So, when I decided that I could do without that additional pair of socks, thicker pair of gloves and paperback book to make room for a supply of Kate’s Real Food Organic Energy Bars, it was no small matter. “These better be good,” I thought as I reluctantly threw a favorite pair of wool hiking socks into the “stay” pile. The small space I had created was a perfect fit for the five different flavors of Kate’s Bars that she had generously sent me to review the week before.

After working on an organic farm, company founder Kate Schade made organic a priority that is exemplified in all of her bars. These wholesome treats use all natural and organic ingredients from the honey and fruit to the oats and seeds. Kate offers five distinct flavors but all of the bars share some common characteristics. Every bar utilizes multiple flavors that work together brilliantly. They look a little bit like bird food, but don’t let that deter you. The bars stay together remarkably well and are seemingly uncooked, like no-bake cookies, but they have no problem packing in a satisfying crunch. Each bar is dense and satisfying with energy ranges from a hearty 190 calorie snack to a body-fueling 360 calorie meal bar. The compact bars and fast-acting energy can be perfectly described as fire starter cubes for your body. Here’s my take on each of the flavors.

Grizzly Bar

The Grizzly is one seriously meaty energy bar. You don’t just nibble on the Grizzly. You rip off a chunk and you chew and chomp for a satisfying meal. It’s like Kate made the best gorp ever, and then smashed it into a block the size of a soap bar. The Grizzly has a really nice combination of peanut and fruit flavors, and also makes use of an incredible honey-dark chocolate blending, that leaves a satisfied sweet tooth and a brick of energy ready to burn. Bye-bye Snickers bars.

Tram Bar

The Tram Bar was Kate’s original energy bar and I can see why she decided to launch a business after the reception she must have received for her first try. The Tram bar is another not-messing-around bar that is similar to the Grizzly, however the Tram uses milk instead of dark chocolate. This solid hunk of energy was a most welcome companion during a particularly treacherous ascent early in the trip that involved steep boulder clambering and a pack that seemed all of 30 pounds too heavy. The Tram Bar has smoother, sweeter taste that I preferred, while my boyfriend preferred the dark flavor of the Grizzly. Each to his or her own.

Caz Bar

The Caz was by far the most exotic of the bars. It has this great spicy aftertaste that lingers behind and smells a little bit like Christmas time. The chai tea flavors and sesame seed crunch really make meaningful additions. My boyfriend and fellow critic claimed that the Caz was, “The most original energy bar that I’ve ever tasted.”

Handle Bar

I think that the Handle Bar bar was my least favorite of the lot, but I would guess that my dissatisfaction is almost entirely due to my lack of a real love for cherries. However, if you are a cherry-lover, have I got a treat for you. Kate’s Real Food has done a wonderful job of incorporating high quality cherries into the Handle Bar. We’re not talking about small dried up tart cherries, but full, moist and sweet morsels. The interesting thing about this bar is that the chocolate and cherry flavors really almost mask each other until, BAM! At which point you encounter the pleasant zip of cherry or smooth comfort of chocolate.

Stash Bar

The Stash Bar was my favorite of the five bars that I tried. The Stash packs this awesome sea salt aftertaste that is almost sweet for a very pleasant experience. I really enjoyed the medley of flavors that this bar offers and they all seemed to work together while I still felt like I could taste each and every one. You just have no idea until you try one of these. Seriously.

In the end, after being thoroughly humbled by chain-lined descents, trail running Norwegian high schoolers and white-out conditions I reflected on my initial compromises. In hindsight, it was obvious that I was more than rewarded for my daring sacrificial decisions with originality, perfect flavor synergy and sweet, sweet energy. To Kate’s Real Food bars. Thanks for just being real.

Follow Alina on Twitter for the latest good-green stuff in sports, fitness and outdoors!

Image Credit: Erik Strahler, Alina Jesien, Kate’s Real Food

Camping with Wine: Now Less Impact, More Fun

Alina Jesien — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 12:13:38 +0000

Clif Bar & Company has built its success on providing quality organic products for the adventurous at heart. With their release of the Climber Pouch this April the tradition continues.

The Clif Family Winery and Farm

The Clif family has been making high quality wines on the Clif Family Winery and Farm in Napa Valley since 2007, where they grow, as well as source their fruit from local and North Coast farms that have demonstrated an environmental commitment to organic and sustainable farming methods. The Clif Family Winery and Farm itself became CCOF certified in 2009, due to their production methods that sustain the natural resources of the local community and increase awareness of organic and sustainable farming. The winery is also a proud member of 1% for the Planet and 1% of all Climber Pouch sales go to this wonderful organization. The owners of the Clif Winery, Gary and Kit, also offer some unique visiting options through their Velo Vino visit that combines a cycling excursion with wine tasting, hopefully in that order.

The Climber Pouch

The new Climber Pouch is touted to be an “all terrain wine transport” and some serious design work has gone into the product and packaging to make it just that. The 1.5L wine pouch has an increased convenience factor thanks to the punched hole towards the top; perfect for a carabiner attachment to any pack. The pouch is sturdier than a typical glass wine bottle, not to mention a lot lighter on your way to the campfire. The pouch also has an 80% lower carbon footprint and creates 90% less waste than two typical glass wine bottles. Once empty the pouch can be rolled up and stuffed anywhere, and on the rare occasion that you don’t drain the bag in one go, the pouch can be resealed and retain its freshness for up to one month!

The Climber Pouch is currently available in a “crisp, unoaked Chardonnay and a juicy Cabernet Sauvignon.” Go ahead, you deserve to wet your whistle after your next adventure.

Follow Alina on Twitter for the latest good-green stuff in sports, fitness and outdoors!

Image Credit: Clif Climber Pouch, Clif Family Winey and Farm

‘Green’ Your Easter Basket from the Basket to the Treats

Izzit Green — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 17:09:37 +0000

Easter is a time of chocolate overdoses and egg hunts. Spring flowers are finally unfolding their brilliant colors and baby buds are reemerging from their long winter’s nap. Everything is turning green again, so why don’t you too?

An organic Easter basket can be a simple thing to put together. Here are some tips for pulling together green, recycled and organic components for the basket:

The Basket

The most important part of the Easter basket is, well, the basket. Handwoven is your best bet.

Ten Thousand Villages, an organization that sells fair trade handmade gifts from “thousands of disadvantaged artisans in 38 developing countries,” has a two-handled, oval date palm basket which could work nicely as an Easter basket. Ten Thousand Villages “encourages artisans partners to use environmentally friendly processes, sustainable natural resources and recycled materials to ensure each product has been crafted responsibly.”

The retailer Bellacor also offers a mini quilter’s basket, made by Eco Displayware, a company which produces “only eco-friendly products . . . made from sustainable materials (all are either biodegradable or recyclable.).”

The Grass

The plastic grasses sold in bulk in neon pinks, purples, greens and blues may add some color to your basket, but they will also permanently add color to the landfill they’ll end up in.

Instead, try stuffing your basket with the biodegradable “grass.” Century Novelty sells biodegradable Easter Basket grass by the bag.

Nashville Wraps also sells eco-friendly “Green Way” Recycled Color Tissue Shreds made from 100 percent recycled tissue shred by the bag in a wide variety of spring-like colors.

The Eggs

What would an Easter basket be without eggs? Start off with all natural, cage-free, hormone- and antibiotic-free white eggs like these from Nature’s Yoke. Organic white eggs are difficult to find, but look for cartons with labels like “Certified Humane,” ”Certified Organic” or “SlowFood USA.”

Egg dying is one of the best parts of the Easter season. Methods abound for naturally coloring your eggs with ingredients from your local produce shelf. If you want to color an egg pink, hardboil the eggs with some beets. Want yellow? Throw lemon peels into the boiling water with the eggs. Toss in spinach while hardboiling to get green. Mix in about one tablespoon of vinegar to make the color take. Let the eggs soak a while for richer colors.

You could even add all-natural patterns to your eggs. Pick some ferns or leaves with pretty patterns. Grab an old pair of nylons or cheesecloth, lay the decorations on the egg and wrap it all together tightly inside the nylon/cheesecloth. Boil with peels of a red onion and a tablespoon of vinegar for about 30 minutes. Let them dry, unwrap them and enjoy your beautiful, rustic Easter egg.

The Chocolate

Looking for the classic chocolate Easter bunny? Izzit found some organic options.

Burlington, Vermont-based Lake Champlain chocolatiers make a 5.5 inch organic chocolate bunny in either dark chocolate or milk chocolate. Both versions are USDA certified organic and wrapped in “compostable cellophane gift bags and tied with a festive ribbon woven from yarn made with recycled bottles,” the company says.

A vegan option is offered by Vegan Essentials in the form of a 6.8 ounce, solid, organic dark chocolate Easter bunny.

Organic Jelly Beans and Lollipops

Can’t forget about the jelly beans, now can we?

Illinois-based Surf Sweets makes USDA certified organic gummy candies and jelly beans from organic fruit juice and sweeteners that are free of corn syrup, GMOs and artificial colors. Their jelly beans come in cherry, grapefruit, grape, lemon, strawberry and orange flavors.

Looking for some lollipops? The Natural Candy Store sells USDA certified organic, high fructose-free lollipops — made by the Massachusetts-based Strawberry Hill Confectionery – which come in cute Easter shapes, like the orange flavored bunny, the lemon flavored duck and the green apple flavored Easter egg.

Vegan Peeps

What about the classic marshmallow Peeps? Well, a company named Chicago Soydairy makes a vegan version of them called, Dandies Tweets. Chicago Soydairy also has a number of eco-friendly initiatives at its manufacturing facility for which they buy green energy credits and recycle 80 percent of their waste, according to the company’s web site.

Their orange flavored bunnies and lemon flavored chicks are sold via Vegan Essentials and come in packs of three.

Organic Stuffed Bunny

One last addition to your playful Easter basket could come in the form of one of Mary Meyer’s adorable Organic Little Sprouts bunnies.

Then, after all this green, eco-goodness, the only footsteps left this Easter will be those of the Bunny.

By Stephanie M. McPherson

Image credits : ImagesfromBulgaria.com/Creative Commons, Ten Thousand Villages, Nashville Wraps, Lake Champlain Chocolates, Surf Sweets, Chicago Soydairy/Vegan Essentials, Mary Meyer Toys.

Fixings for an Organic, Green Passover

Izzit Green — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 15:55:40 +0000

When you get ready for Passover – which starts at sundown on April 18 and runs until April 26 — a huge focus is on the food, namely the matzo and the elements of the ceremonial Seder plate. When families gather for festive Seder dinners, brisket and matzo ball soup also may play some kind of role as well.

So what to do if you’re a green, organic type of person who wants to be eco-conscious as you celebrate Passover? IzzitGreen’s got some suggestions for you:

Organic Matzo

You eat a lot of matzo during Passover week, not just during Seder dinners. And if you want to go the organic route, you’ve got a few options.

A couple of matzo makers specialize in Passover fare using organic spelt: The New Jersey-based Matzah Online sells 100 percent certified, organic spelt, handmade matzo. Haddar also has an organic, whole grain spelt matzo that it sells which is Kosher for Passover.

Another option comes from Whole Foods which sell Aziz organic Passover matzo, made from organic whole wheat and is certified USDA organic.

If you like to cook/bake with matzo meal for your Passover week dishes, Kemach offers organic matzo meal that’s Kosher for Passover, made from whole grain organic spelt and certified USDA organic.

For your matzo ball soup — which, of course, won’t be as good as Bubbie’s — Shibolim sells an organic whole grain matzo ball mix. You can also use organic, free range, low sodium chicken broth from Imagine Foods which is Kosher for Passover.

Organic Beef Brisket

Looking for your brisket to be “green” as well? Izzit found a couple of retailers selling brisket, organic style:

Rocky Mountain Organic Meats sells organic, grass-fed beef brisket roasts that have been smoked with mesquite, apple or hickory wood.

Park East Kosher, a New York City-based Kosher butcher shop, will ship its organic brisket to you in time for your Seder feast.

The Seder Plate

When it comes to the ingredients for the Seder plate – a hardboiled egg, bitter herbs like horseradish, a shank bone, charoset (apple mixture), a vegetable and lettuce – there are plenty of opportunities for you to green them up and not just by using organic vegetables and by making your hardboiled egg of the free range, organic type.

For the bitter herbs, otherwise known as horseradish, you could sample some organic horseradish made by the California-based Organic Horseradish Company, which claims it’s famous for its hot, they call it “volcanic,” horseradish.

Another Seder plate star is a sweet dish called Charoset (or haroset), made with apples and nuts. It’s easy to convert this to an organic version by using organic apples, organic walnuts and organic honey.

Organic, Passover-Themed Apparel

Looking to get the young ones at your Passover gathering a little something to celebrate the holiday?

Jewish Shirts and Gifts sells an infant onesie made from 100 percent organic cotton that offers a wry sense of humor when it comes to all the matzo eating with its “Got Matzo?” design. CafePress also sells a Passover-themed matzo T-shirt for toddlers made from 100 percent organic cotton.

Image credits: MatzahOnline, All in Kosher, Amazon.com/Rocky Mountain Organic Meats, Organic Horseradish Company, Lara Ferroni/Epicurious., CafePress.