"My pink birthday." "My purple birthday." Turning the big 3 has been the talk of the house for the last few weeks. OK, months.
Birthdays and Christmas has always conjured up images of piles of plastic packaging, wrapping paper, tissue, bows and about 4,000 wires to tie every possible moving component in place. As my baby becomes much less so, I fear that's a trend that just won't quit any time soon.
Take my friend's son's birthday last weekend, where no less than 15 neighbor children crowded the place with presents galore. (The interesting thing was he was far more interested in the interactive stuff or even a book on submarines than the action-hero equipment that would likely break within days.)
Our own gift-giving for our child has been obscenely practical - this week, she'll receive PJs and shirts from us, chapstick (a huge deal for preschoolers!) and ponytail holders from the baby, with the "big gift" being an apron and chef hat for my budding cook. It's been hard convincing others that my child doesn't know what she wants for gifts - she doesn't know she has that choice! - and that she isn't big on any cartoon or other marketing character. It's not like we visit the toy aisle at Target, or watch Saturday morning cartoons. Yes she knows Elmo, Dora and High School Musical (thanks, Aunt Stacy), but she doesn't have to have them in her eyes yet.
My sitter: What would she like for her birthday? Does she like Dora?
Me: Well, I guess she likes it, but she hasn't really asked for anything.
Sitter: (Confused expression.)
Me: Honestly, she likes my scrapbooking stuff to play art with. Or cooking.
Sitter: Oh, does she like toy dishes to pretend?
Me: No, she likes the real thing.
Sitter: (Silence).
Me: She always likes to cook with me, and she also likes playing with her "baby 'matoes" in the garden too.
Sitter: (Pauses.) Well, maybe I'll get her some Crayola stuff.
Excellent!! In fact, nothing would please her more than things that tap into her creativity, particularly if it will divert her from trying to experiment with the ink-stamps-on-carpet look again.
My in-laws, however, were determined that she needed a little toy kitchen. Aside of the huge amount of space that one of those things take, I was a little concerned. After all, kids' interests change so quickly. Not to mention, where do little plastic toy kitchens go once they're outgrown? They have to go somewhere. As they sent us the money, we ended up going to a used kids' store, where we found the ultimate kitchen in her eyes. ("Mommy, let's take this home," she uttered breathlessly as we saw the kitchen from the store's doorway.) One kitchen saved from the landfill, and we had enough left over to buy some dishes - real ones and pretend - and she's been slaving away at such culinary creations as strawberry soup, salads and cupcakes all weekend since.
It's one little - or in this case - large thing I can do to foster my child's imagination and still make a small difference toward the massive amounts of junk we create each day. So maybe my daughter's "pink birthday" isn't the greenest in the sense we won't have spudware or recyclable plates. But by thinking creatively in our gift giving (and reusing those gift bags and tissue papers just one more time) we're taking one small step.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Stinky spaghetti: A CSA-inspired recipe from my little chef
Few things are as fun - or aggravating - as having your child help out in the kitchen.
My little chef has tagged along with me for as long as she could walk. Whether it's time in the kitchen or an exploration of the local farmers market, my little foodie has always been at ease with new tastes, shapes and colors.
This weekend, we went to the farmers market to round out what we'd received from the CSA, and she wanted to help cook as soon as we got home. It was literally an "add this" and "this one, too, Mommy" way of cooking. I had no idea how it would turn out, and I have to say, I was impressed! (Keep in mind there are no real amounts to share, so this would be best done by eyeballing or taste).
The name, of course, comes from the amount of onions and garlic scape involved. It was enjoyed by us all, and even the baby enjoyed an abbreviated version of mushed summer squash and rotini.
Stinky Spaghetti
1 lb. pasta
2-3 T. olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
6 green onions, diced (use whole thing)
3 garlic scape, diced
1 large yellow summer squash, chopped
1 large zucchini, chopped
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
oregano
basil
Cook pasta according to directions. Heat large skillet and add olive oil. Sautee' onion, green onions and garlic scape until tended. Add squash, zucchini and cherry tomatoes and heat through. Add a few ladles of pasta water and oregano and basil to taste. Drain pasta. Add pasta to pan and toss completely. Serve with parmesan, if desired.
My little chef has tagged along with me for as long as she could walk. Whether it's time in the kitchen or an exploration of the local farmers market, my little foodie has always been at ease with new tastes, shapes and colors.
This weekend, we went to the farmers market to round out what we'd received from the CSA, and she wanted to help cook as soon as we got home. It was literally an "add this" and "this one, too, Mommy" way of cooking. I had no idea how it would turn out, and I have to say, I was impressed! (Keep in mind there are no real amounts to share, so this would be best done by eyeballing or taste).
The name, of course, comes from the amount of onions and garlic scape involved. It was enjoyed by us all, and even the baby enjoyed an abbreviated version of mushed summer squash and rotini.
Stinky Spaghetti
1 lb. pasta
2-3 T. olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
6 green onions, diced (use whole thing)
3 garlic scape, diced
1 large yellow summer squash, chopped
1 large zucchini, chopped
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
oregano
basil
Cook pasta according to directions. Heat large skillet and add olive oil. Sautee' onion, green onions and garlic scape until tended. Add squash, zucchini and cherry tomatoes and heat through. Add a few ladles of pasta water and oregano and basil to taste. Drain pasta. Add pasta to pan and toss completely. Serve with parmesan, if desired.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Cooking with CSA: A few successes to share
Recipe planning is key to making the CSA experience a success, I'm convinced. I am finally getting the hang of planning meals around the veggies, rather than figuring out what vegetable can go as a side dish.
Our family experimented with several new recipes this week. Here are some of our cooking successes I'd like to share:
- Spring vegetable pasta
- Spring asparagus and new potato salad
- Fajitas
- Radish supreme
- Baby zucchini
- Barbeque chicken pizza
loosely adapted from a Basil Zucchini recipe from the Memphis Herb Society's 1995 book, Today's Herbal Kitchen.
2 c. sliced zucchini
2 T. minced garlic
2 T. olive oil
1 c. cherry tomatoes
3/4 c. chopped fresh basil
1/4 c. chopped fresh oregano
1/2 lb. button mushrooms
1 lb. pasta
Cook pasta according to directions. Drain, reserving water.
Sautee garlic and zucchini until tender. Add tomatoes, basil, mushrooms and oregano. Cook 5 min. or until tender. Add a few ladles of pasta water and drained pasta.
Serve with parmesan, salt and pepper to taste.
Rating: Adults: 5 Kid: 4 (enthusiastically eaten, but reminded mom that "Tomatoes make me sad.")
Spring asparagus and new potato salad
from Andrea Chesman's 1998 book, The Vegetarian Grill
6 T. olive oil
Juice of one lemon
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 lb. new potatoes, halved
1 lb. asparagus
12-16 c. salad greens
parmesan
Combine olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper. Toss potatoes and asparagus to coat. Grill potatoes, turning every 10 minutes or so, about 30 min. Grill asparagus until limp, about 8 min. (Be sure to reserve marinade.)
Arrange salad greens on plates. Top with grilled asparagus and potatoes. Drizzle remaining marinade on top. Sprinkle with parmesan.
Rating: Adults: 5 Kid: 5 (assuming kid liked it; no noise was made at all during dinner!) A definite repeater.
Yes, Paula Deen does fajitas, too. We found this recipe on the Food Network Web site. Aside of the prep work to chop, it is easy work and the spices are awesome.
Rating: Adults: 5 (Once I picked out the green peppers) Kid: 3 (loved the chicken, not keen on the veggies).
Radish supreme is a radish and shallot-based dish from our CSA program. *
Rating: Adults: 4 Kid: 3
Wash and chop zucchini. Put in saucepan with water about 1/2 to 1" deep. Cook medium-high until tender. Drain and cool. Place zucchini in blender; blend until smooth. Serve or freeze within 1 day.
Rating: 5 (couldn't get enough of it!)
Barbeque chicken pizza
Pizza is a fabulous activity for little chefs. This homemade invention was the result of a desperate need to clean out the fridge--and thankfully worked.
refrigerated pizza crust
2 c. leftover rotisserie chicken
2 green onions, minced
2 garlic scapes, minced
1/4-1/2 c. barbeque sauce (we use Jack Stack)
8 oz. mozzerrella
Assemble pizza. Bake according to directions on pizza crust package.
Rating: Adults: 5 Kid: 5 (There were no leftovers!)
[ Edited January 28, 2009 to remove the name of the Indianapolis-based CSA which we participated following disparaging remarks by their representatives. Removed link to the radish supreme recipe, which is hosted on their blog, on Jan. 30, 2009 following multiple communications from this business. Apparently radish recipes are threatening to them! :-) If you would like the recipe for Radish Supreme, please e-mail me at goinggreenmama at gmail. ]
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Golf carts? Go for it…
Golf carts are going beyond the green these days to become a greener alternative to your car.
More and more people are toying with this mode of transportation beyond the golf course. I’ve seen it just blocks from my house, even though we’re far from a grocery store or other retail and about a mile from the nearest gas station.
Several Indiana towns allow golf carts as alternative forms of transportation, and others are debating the safety. Four states actually have on their books laws against golf-cart usage on public streets, according to the Indianapolis Star.
If a cart has safety lights, then why is this any more of a safety concern than the casual cyclist, or someone on a scooter?
Writes Star reporter Tim Evans:
According to the Associated Press, citing studies reviewing U.S. emergency room records, 1,000 Americans are injured each month while riding golf carts.
Only half occurred on streets or residential property. The report continues:
Cyclists must ensure they follow safety rules, whether it’s proper hand signals, reflectors or helmets. With a little common sense on the part of the riders and similar safety features for golf carts, there’s no reason why this mode of transportation shouldn’t be an option. In Gas City, Indiana, the Star reports:
Still, if you’re looking to save costs, you’ll need to weigh the cost of acquiring a cart with the benefit of the gas you’ll save over the long term. According to the Star, golf carts can be found for as little as $2,500, and can cost about 3 cents a mile to operate.
If you’re looking for something a little more upscale, there’s the Neighborhood Electric Vehicles, which retail around $8,000, according to the Christian Science Monitor.
Not ready for a golf cart? Find other ways to save gas on your commute and daily living.
More and more people are toying with this mode of transportation beyond the golf course. I’ve seen it just blocks from my house, even though we’re far from a grocery store or other retail and about a mile from the nearest gas station.
Several Indiana towns allow golf carts as alternative forms of transportation, and others are debating the safety. Four states actually have on their books laws against golf-cart usage on public streets, according to the Indianapolis Star.
If a cart has safety lights, then why is this any more of a safety concern than the casual cyclist, or someone on a scooter?
Writes Star reporter Tim Evans:
So why are bicycles allowed to share those same roads, but not golf carts?The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does not recognize golf carts as on-road vehicles, so they don't have to meet the same federal safety standards as automobiles. McGwin said he isn't opposed to expanding the use of golf carts but said safety must be addressed. That includes requiring operator training and seat belts.
…Dennis Rosebrough, spokesman for the state Bureau of Motor Vehicles, concedes the law is unclear. He said the BMV's stance is that golf carts cannot be registered with the agency, "so, in theory, they should not be on the roads."
According to the Associated Press, citing studies reviewing U.S. emergency room records, 1,000 Americans are injured each month while riding golf carts.
Males aged 10 to 19 and people older than 80 had the highest injury rates….
falling or jumping out of carts accounted for the largest number of injuries, 38
percent.
Only half occurred on streets or residential property. The report continues:
... golf cart injuries are hardly an epidemic. According to the database from which the studies were derived, there were 35 times as many injuries blamed on bicycles in 2006, and golf carts were also far outstripped by injuries blamed on vacuum cleaners, roller skates and swing sets, among others.
Cyclists must ensure they follow safety rules, whether it’s proper hand signals, reflectors or helmets. With a little common sense on the part of the riders and similar safety features for golf carts, there’s no reason why this mode of transportation shouldn’t be an option. In Gas City, Indiana, the Star reports:
Carts must be equipped with head-, tail- and brake lights, a windshield and a triangular slow-moving-vehicle emblem. Drivers must be at least 16 and provide
proof of insurance when they register their carts each year with the police department. The carts may not be used on state highways and may cross them only
at designated intersections with traffic lights.
Still, if you’re looking to save costs, you’ll need to weigh the cost of acquiring a cart with the benefit of the gas you’ll save over the long term. According to the Star, golf carts can be found for as little as $2,500, and can cost about 3 cents a mile to operate.
If you’re looking for something a little more upscale, there’s the Neighborhood Electric Vehicles, which retail around $8,000, according to the Christian Science Monitor.
The vehicles run on batteries, carry license plates, and can be legally operated on thoroughfares with speed limits up to 35 miles per hour – at least for now.Before you hop on board the golf cart trend, make sure it meets your lifestyle. If you’re currently facing a heavy commute, live long distances from retail, your church or workplaces or other places you often frequent, or have small children, this might not be right for you just yet.
Not ready for a golf cart? Find other ways to save gas on your commute and daily living.
Looking for a green book?
Need a book for the beach? Tired of trashy romances?
If you're ready for something more to chew on this summer, consider a book on going more environmentally friendly. Granted, as I've noted, there are many books out there to choose from, from the "green for lazy people" to the hard-core, return-to-the-old-days farming.
Not sure where to start? Several green bloggers have started a repository of individual reviews of environmental books. Categories include:
If you're ready for something more to chew on this summer, consider a book on going more environmentally friendly. Granted, as I've noted, there are many books out there to choose from, from the "green for lazy people" to the hard-core, return-to-the-old-days farming.
Not sure where to start? Several green bloggers have started a repository of individual reviews of environmental books. Categories include:
- climate change
- garbage
- green marketplace
- green parenting
- inspirational
- living lightly
- nature and environment
- peak oil
- peak water
- spiritual
- sustainable food
- the green movement
- sustainable gardening
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