Tag Archives: cooking

Create Your Own Grass-Feed, Beefy Snacks

Create Your Own Grass-Feed, Beefy Snacks
Posted on August 26, 2011 by Alina Jesien
Posted in Food & Drink, Uncategorized Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

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

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Camping with Wine: Now Less Impact, More Fun

Camping with Wine: Now Less Impact, More Fun
Posted on June 17, 2011 by Alina Jesien
Posted in Food & Drink, Sports & Fitness, Uncategorized Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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.

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

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Recycling How To: Butane Fuel Canisters for Camping Stoves

Recycling How To: Butane Fuel Canisters for Camping Stoves
Posted on February 24, 2011 by Alina Jesien
Posted in Sports & Fitness Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Many state and national parks prohibit backpackers from making open fires for cooking because of the environmental impact of burning wood and for safety reasons. Thus, many campers carry along a gas or liquid fuel camping stove to facilitate their backcountry cuisines. When choosing a fuel type, many people steer clear of gas camping stoves because of the waste that they produce in the form of steel gas canisters. Until recently, it was fairly difficult to dispose of these butane gas canisters in a responsible way. So how can you recycle a camping stove gas canister?

The allowances and procedures vary greatly by location. Some eco-conscious towns actually allow you to toss your gas canister in the recycling bin, while others have special drop off locations. To find out, check with your local recycling authority or ask at a nearby camp or ski shop. Some cities ask that you just make sure that the gas canister is empty, and that you mark it as such with a Sharpie before recycling. While most camping stove gas canisters are steel or aluminum and can be recycled, many locations are wary to recycle fuel cylinders due to the obvious safety risks involved in processing containers of explosive, compressed gas.

There is a better way.
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Entertaining in the New Year: Organic, Healthy, Fair Trade Recommendations

Posted on January 6, 2011 by Johanna Elias
Posted in Food & Drink Tagged , , , , ,

For many of us, spending more quality time with friends and family tops our New Year’s resolution lists for 2011. In our hectic lives, it is so important to take time to relax and enjoy our loved ones, even when there isn’t a major holiday involved. You can start by planning a festive gathering this year that does not need to be fancy, but rather heartfelt, featuring yummy food, some bubbly and a crowd of your nearest and dearest.

Here are some of my suggestions on how to get creative with your 2011 soirees:

Organic Sparkling Wine

New Year’s Eve isn’t the only time to break out the bubbly. Champagne and sparkling drinks make any occasion fun and lively and feel like a celebration.

If you’re trying to be more “green” this year, how about trying one of many delicious organic selections? The folks over at the Organic Wine Company have several options. The Organic Wine Company says its wines are made of certified organically grown grapes and that it promotes “environmental responsibility.”

If you are in the mood for something fruity, how about the Blanquette de Limoux Brut Bernard Delmas at $19.99 per bottle? It is a delicious sparkling wine with hints of green apple and lemon flavors.

Or if you prefer a trendy bubbly, consider a bottle of 2009 Prosecco Riva Moretta Perlage at $16.99 per bottle. It has a clean and crisp taste and remains a very popular choice.

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The Fozzils Bowlz: An Eco-Friendly Must-Have

Posted on December 15, 2010 by Alina Jesien
Posted in Sports & Fitness Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Sifting through the ever-growing mounds of outdoor gear currently available to backpackers and outdoor enthusiasts alike is no easy task. I try to narrow the field by looking for products that keep both my pack weight and environmental footprint small.

Versatility and durability are qualities to be praised. By carrying a folding bowl in my backpack, I’ve found a must-have item that fits the mold. Imagination has played a major role in the many uses I’ve discovered for this bowl when it’s either a flat piece of polypropylene or in bowl form. Its history includes performances as a plate, cutting board, fan, cover, bowl, cup, hat and knife to name a few. The jack-of-all-trades design allows me to carry and consume less as it often takes the place of its paper and plastic counterparts at picnics and day outings. Read more »

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Quinoa with Spinach, Onion, Goat Cheese and Cranberries

Posted on May 14, 2010 by Johanna Elias
Posted in Food & Drink Tagged , , , , , ,

Having trouble figuring out what to have for dinner?  Not sure how to put ingredients together in a fun, new way?  We here at Izzit thought we would introduce a weekly recipe post to help assist you in your weekly dilemma!  The recipes will be easy, delicious and healthy and you will also get fun factoids about each recipe!  We welcome feedback about any recipes that you try and any ingredients that you would like to have featured in future posts!  So, go get your aprons and your appetites and let’s get started… Read more »

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The Best Composter for You

Posted on March 23, 2010 by KC Stover
Posted in Home & Garden Tagged , , , , ,

Composting can feel like cheating it requires so little effort. Composting has many variations depending upon the scale needed and space available. It is a great way to reduce the amount of household waste and to create fertilizer and great additives for your soil. A compost system can be as simple as a pile leaves or can be easily constructed at home. For those of us that would rather purchase a composting setup, here are my recommendations for the following categories: Read more »

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Recycled Utensils by Lamson & Goodnow

Posted on July 6, 2009 by Beth Graddon-Hodgson
Posted in Food & Drink, Home & Garden Tagged , , ,

lamson-goodnow-green-turner

Cookware and cooking utensils tend to be anything but green and sustainable; they can break down, releasing toxins into food so diners end up with secret ingredients like phthalates (yum) in their eggs and they rarely last longer than a handful of months or years if you’re lucky. High end cooking utensils sometimes claim to have less terrible effects than their cheaper counterparts, but often they just use misleading marketing tactics to claim that they are eco-friendly, such as using recycled packing to sell the fact that they’ve gone green. Read more »

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Great Chefs Cook Vegan – And Make a Gorgeous Cookbook

Posted on June 1, 2009 by Jim Hayes
Posted in Entertainment, Food & Drink Tagged , , ,

great-chefs-cook-vegan-coverLooking for a fancy-pants vegan recipe to whip-up for your next dinner part or romantic dinner with that special meatless honey?  No?  Maybe you should be!  Whether you’re a dedicated vegan or not, there’s little doubt that eating down the old food chain is one of the greenest choices you can make, and with Great Chefs Cook Vegan by Linda Long, you’ll certainly not lack for vegan inspiration around the kitchen.

The skill and experience gained through Long’s many years of writing and photographing for vegetarian and vegan cooking magazines are on full display throughout this great cookbook.  Not only does she gain access to 25 of the world’s great chefs, but her photographs and the book’s layout are exquisite. Read more »

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