Cream City Green

Spring Cleaning- Digestion style

2011-05-05T11:01:00.000-05:00

Lots of us have been busy cleaning house for spring. Opening those windows, airing out the rugs, scrubbing walls and woodwork... I've been doing a bit of that around here, too (though, admittedly, I don't much care for house cleaning). Spring cleaning when you're a pet owner takes on a bit of a different form, however, since you're constantly contending with their shedding! I've resigned myself to dust-bunnies for the next month. Don't judge.

Lately, I'd resigned myself to a dirty house, but also a "dirty" digestion system. By and large, I try to eat well. I don't eat fast food, am gluten-free and largely dairy-free, and try hard to sneak in extra veggies wherever I can. (My recipe for sloppy joes may just contain more veg than meat!) Inevitably, though, we all fall off the bandwagon sometimes. Despite our best intentions. I've been slacking on my fruit and veg intake, reaching for the bag of chips, and letting myself eat desserts and candy far too often lately. Well, it's all finally caught up to me. I feel like my digestive system is a "before" picture from a Roto-Rooter ad. So, this week, I'm cleaning up my act. Time for a little internal spring cleaning.

via

I sometimes hesitate to use the term "cleanse", because it so often conjures up images of strange tinctures, expensive supplements, and being chained to a bathroom for a week. I've done cleanses like that. They're hard. They're hard to complete, as you're depriving yourself so fully of your normal routine and the food you love. I also believe they're hard on the body. Our little ol' liver can only process so many toxins in a day (especially when it's been chronically stressed by alcohol, coffee, sugar, and food additives), if your body is releasing (due to the cleansing) more toxins than the liver can process, they're simply re-absorbed into the body. Seems pretty counter-productive to me. (especially while you're making yourself miserable by eating nothing but some weird "lemonade")

But I digress... Everyone's body functions differently. These highly-regemented cleanses may work really well for some folks. Me, on the other hand, I'm a bit more delicate. My body needs to be treated a bit more gently.

When I "cleanse", it's with real food. The plan is basic: if it's a vegetable, fruit, or gluten-free whole grain, I'll eat it. If it's none of those things, it doesn't go in my mouth. Sugars and fried foods are no-nos. I also cut out my morning cup of coffee to replace it with fresh lemon juice in hot water. I find the taste refreshing, the warmth comforting, and the lemon juice first thing in the morning gives the liver a jump-start to tackle the barrage of toxins in a day. In fact, I drink the lemon and water throughout the day. I feel like it makes my insides smile.

For breakfast, I might make a hemp-protein smoothie with fresh carrot or green juice and fruit. Or maybe I'll cube up some sweet-potatoes and have some hash and eggs (organic & cage-free, of course). (See? Cleansing can taste good!)

Lunch is often a green salad (spring greens and spinach pack a vitamin punch) loaded with veg of all sorts (whatever I'm in the mood for). I also try to add some chickpeas or black beans and/or some nuts and seeds for a bit of protein, maybe some avocado for that delicious healthy fat. If I'm not in the mood for salad, I might eat some leftover quinoa and sauteed veggies.

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Dinner is fairly wide open. Veggie stir-fry with brown rice? Sure! A quick curry? Absolutely! (Turmeric, cinnamon, and coconut milk are all super-healthy detox ingredients) Salad? If you're in the mood. Soup? Hey, why not! Brown rice risotto? Sounds good to me! When I cook, I use olive and coconut oils. I try to cook veggies only to the point of al dente, to retain their greatest nutrient power. I try not to use nightshades in excess (that's tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, and eggplant), as they can be difficult to digest. As for meats, I go vegan for the first 2-3 days (which is not unusual for me, anyway). After the first few days, I simply try to listen to my body. Is it asking me for animal protein? When I do eat meats, I try to choice natural/organic meats that led a happy life and don't contain hormones or antibiotics. When cleansing, I also try to eat outside my norm when it comes to meats. I might go for a buffalo burger patty instead of beef, or venison if I can get it.

As for snack time (because we all need snacks... especially when our bodies are working hard and we're eating vegan), I try to choose raw veggies, or a piece of fruit, or a handful of almonds (soaked overnight is best, as they're easier to digest). I've also been totally addicted to these crunchy roasted chickpeas.

via

Most cleanses prescribe a fist-full of pills multiple times a day. While I don't take anything too fancy, I do know my body, and I know that it sometimes needs a little extra help moving things along. So while I'm cleansing I take psyllium husk fiber, and a gentle herbal laxative (I've had good luck with both marshmallow root and senna leaf containing formulas). Again, if you're working so hard to eliminate toxins, it doesn't do much good if they sit around in your colon, only to be reabsorbed!

I'm now at the beginning of Day 3 of my cleanse. And BOY, did I need it! The sugar and salt cravings the last 2 days have been a bear! I find that maintaining a positive intention and attitude helps. Instead of concentrating on how much I want the thing I can't have, I try to think about how out-of-whack my body must have been and how much better I'll feel on the other side.

If you're looking for some reputable resources on real-food cleansing (and eating!), check out these folks:

The Food-Lover's Cleanse - a 2-week plan full of amazing foods that you will truly want to eat, and that your body will thank you for. I use this plan heavily for inspiration.

http://www.joyoushealth.ca/blog/ - Joy is a certified holistic nutritionist, and has lots of great advice on eating to make your body joyful. She's also got a great way of adding in the science that I love!

http://www.drweil.com/ - Dr. Andrew Weil has been a trusted voice in the holistic health community for years. His site is a treasure trove.

www.cleanprogram.com - this site may be trying to sell you a program, but there's lots of great info in their "resources" section

www.101cookbooks.com - Heidi doesn't necessarily talk about cleansing, per se, but her site is full of gorgeous natural food recipes, and the photos to make you want to cook them!

*Disclaimer: I'm not a healthcare professional. I'm not an expert on any of this. I'm simply trying to share what I've learned works for me. If you need professional advice, go get it. ....just not from me.

The Book that Started it All

2011-04-22T10:18:00.001-05:00

There are moments in life that, for one reason or another, really seem to stick with you. I suppose you could call them "life- changing".

For me, the Fourth grade was one of them. I so clearly remember Mrs. Horton's reading corner in our classroom. The selections on her bookshelf shaped my life. Especially this one:

I'd always been taught not to litter, and to enjoy the beauty of nature, but this was my first real introduction to the perils facing the planet. I'm sure that I rivaled the kid in Jerry Maguire on the annoyance scale with all of my new-found facts, but it spurred a passion for the rest of my life.

Originally published in 1989, "50 Simple Things" was one of the first books to "spread the gospel" to the common folk about the green movement, and its urgency. Now a 5 million copy bestseller, with a new, updated, 21st century version, it continues to inspire, and be relevant.

And now, through the wonders of the internets, the original (out of print) 1989 edition is available, in its entirety, for Free!

So, Happy Earth Day. Here's a gift.

Spring in Wisconsin

2011-04-19T07:33:00.002-05:00

It snowed over the weekend. In the middle of April. Spring is a fickle mistress here in Wisconsin. About the only way to deal with it is a hefty dose of patience. And a sense of humor.

Via A Way to Garden

Cream City Cookies for a Cause

2011-04-17T09:22:00.002-05:00

We're at it again! Cream City Green is partnering with some of our favorite folks at Burp! and #MKEfoodies for a great cause. You may recall that little event we hosted last fall that kindled a great friendship with Peef and Lo. So, when Lo approached me about pitching in on another event, I surely couldn't say no!

May 21, 2011

1-4 pm

Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery

Cookies for Kids’ Cancer is a not-for-profit organization committed to raising funds to support research for new and improved therapies for pediatric cancers. Through local bake sales, Cookies for Kids’ Cancer provides inspiration and support for individuals, communities, and businesses to help fight pediatric cancer.

On May 21, we'll join hundreds nationwide in holding a bake sale to raise funds for pediatric cancer research. To sweeten the pot, the Glad Products Company has pledged to match all funds raised for Cookies for Kids' Cancer during the month of May (up to $225,000)!

Coupled with this fun announcement is a plea for help. We need volunteers and bakers! We're also rounding up items for the silent auction, if you're a crafter/artist/business owner. If you'd like to help, just leave a comment, and I'll get in touch.

If you can't bake or volunteer, then just Save the Date! It's sure to be a fun event. Best Place is beautiful, and we #MKEfoodies are a pretty darned friendly bunch! (And don't worry, there's already plans in the works to accommodate our vegan and gluten-free cookie loving friends!)

Wave "hi" to Lo, and we'll see you on the 21st!

Can't make it, but still want to donate? Click here.

Waiter, there's Bacon in my Popcorn!

2011-03-28T09:40:00.006-05:00

There are cultures on this fine earth that believe the pig is an unclean animal and should not be consumed. I don't know if they're right or wrong, but I do know that they're missing out. Of all the meats, pork has an amazing ability to transform into wondrous things... prosciutto, carnitas, ham, sausages, and, of course, bacon.

Bacon has magical powers. This is no secret. It was the power of bacon that compelled me back to being omnivorous after a dozen years as a vegetarian. As the saying, and the t-shirt goes, "Bacon makes everything better".

I guess it's no surprise, then, that when brainstorming ideas for an appetizer/desert to bring with me to Paul and Lori's recent Soup Night, I turned to bacon. Actually, in this case, the bacon was a happy accident. I'd decided that I wanted to make some sort of gourmet flavored popcorn to share with my foodie friends on the inspiration of Roots Restaurant. So I set to googling "gourmet popcorn recipes"... Eventually, I came upon this.

Sold.

And so the Nueske's bacon came out of the freezer (because no Milwaukee kitchen is complete without a stash on-hand), the bourbon supply was re-upped, and Bourbon Bacon Popcorn was made.

And then eaten.

All of it.

The Power of Bacon compelled me.

Bacon Bourbon Caramel Corn (adapted from sarahsprague.com)

5 quarts fresh plain popcorn

1 cup chopped pecans

3/4 lb bacon (applewood-smoked is awesome) - fried crispy and chopped into bits

1 cup butter (for extra bacon-y goodness, replace up to half the butter with an equal amount of bacon drippings)

2 cups brown sugar

1/2 cup light corn syrup

2 teas. sea salt

1/2 teas. baking soda

6 oz. bourbon

Preheat your oven to 250º.

Melt butter over medium heat. Mix in brown sugar, corn syrup and salt and then stir until boiling at the edges. Lower the heat slightly and let boil until the caramel is 250º or until it coats the back of a spoon. Remove from heat, add baking soda and bourbon. Once fully incorporated, stir in bacon and pecans

Divide mixed popcorn between 2 lightly-greased 9x13 or jelly roll pans. Pour caramel evenly over corn. Mix to coat. (Use a greased rubber spatula to keep from going crazy.) Place in oven and bake for about 45 minutes, stirring every 10 - 15 minutes.

Remove caramel corn from oven, spread on parchment or wax paper to cool. Break into pieces. When completely cool, store in airtight container. Store in refrigerator -- there's meat in there!

A Lesson in Blogging

2011-03-17T20:57:00.000-05:00

To my Faithful Readers: (all 5 of you)

I never really figured that anyone outside of my friends and family would care much about or read my meanderings here on the blog. I never had a particularly grandiose vision. Nor did I imagine that I'd somehow become a "professional blogger" due to my efforts here. I simply wanted a place to share some random musings from my life.

Because I never figured anyone would care, I made the blog public and left commenting open to anyone. In recent days, however, someone has taken to posting some unkind words here. Therefore, I've decided to begin moderating all comments before they're posted.

I generally try to abide by the "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything" rule. I hope for others to do the same. At the same time, I do enjoy a spirited debate. Wanna disagree with me? Great! Let's Discuss! ...of course, in order to have a conversation of well reasoned arguments, we need to know who each other are....

via

Dirt Cheap Decor

2011-03-10T11:52:00.002-06:00

Confession: I watch a lot of HGTV. Probably more than is healthy. One of the things that always makes me laugh/be jealous is when they show the "5 months after moving into our first home" shots, and everything looks professionally decorated and staged. Let's be honest, buying your first house pretty much decimates your bank accounts. (Especially when you have unexpected demolition and mold remediation projects pop up!)

Needless to say, my decorating budget has been pretty skimpy for the new house. (Personally, as much as part of me wishes that I had a home that could be featured on Design*Sponge, I enjoy the journey of homeownership.)

I've been staring at this blank wall in my living room for more than nine months.

Kindof depressing, right?

Thanks to a recent visit from Emily, my partner-in-crafting-crime, in idea was spouted:

Instead of shelling out a couple hundred bucks for a large-scale art piece, or enough frames for a proper photo-collage, why not make a stretched fabric canvas to bring in a pop of color and pattern? Brilliant.

The breakdown:

2 pieces of 1x2" moulding and a package of L-brackets = $5

1 yard of upholstery fabric (with 40% coupon, of course!) = $12

An hour and a half's worth of time (spread out over 2 weeks, because I'm lazy) = free

I had a couple of tin ceiling tiles that I had picked up at Hobby Lobby many moons ago (on sale of course!), and moved a few other things around....

Voila!

No more depressing college-y living room wall!

Quick Tuesday Eye Candy/Inspiration

2011-03-07T13:48:00.000-06:00

I just saw this via twitter, and had to share:

originally here

It speaks the truth we all tend to forget, no?

Thanks to @MidwestPhoto for sharing and inspiring my afternoon!

Gluten Free Goodness

2011-02-27T10:44:00.001-06:00

Despite the fact that I've been eating gluten free for almost a year and a half, I had homemade GF Pizza for the first time last night.
Delicious!

For reasons I don't entirely understand, gluten free baking has always been off-putting to me somehow. Maybe it's a fear of failure. Maybe a reluctance to change the way I've been doing things since I was 12. Whatever the reason, since making my dietary shift, I haven't done much baking.
Until a few weeks ago.

Sarah over at Celiac in the City shared her grandmother's recipe for Monster Cookies. Because they're a flour-free cookie, they're naturally gluten-free, and, hence, less intimidating for yours truly. They are "omg"-inducingly good.

via

I've made them twice in the past month. They're that good. My first batch was for a Super Bowl party. And I may or may not have stood in the bulk candy aisle and picked through the m&ms for the green and gold ones. This last time, I decided to make them a little healthier, since I seem to be incapable of eating less than six of these buggers in a day. I added dried cranberries, golden raisins and chopped pecans and omitted the m&ms. I also shorted the sugar - omitting all the white sugar and increasing the brown sugar by a quarter cup. This less-sweet cookie was actually more to my liking, as I've become sensitive to sweets.

Flying high on my recent cookie success, I decided that I should try my hand at GF Pizza! I go to Transfer fairly often for their delicious GF pizzas, but I'm trying to curtail my restauranting budget. I've had a recipe for Gluten Free Pizza Crust in my recipe box for ages. Unfortunately, I don't know the original source - my mom clipped it from a newsletter for me. I was glad I finally tried it.

The texture was slightly dense and chewy, but in a pleasant way. The edges had a delicious crispness. I topped my crust with what was on hand - jarred pasta sauce, caramelized onions and baby portabella mushrooms, parmesan cheese, and black olives.

Gluten Free Pizza Crust
1 tablespoon dry yeast
1/2 cup milk, skim (I used rice milk)
1/2 teasp. sugar
2/3 cup white rice flour
1/2 cup tapioca flour
2 teasp. xanthan gum
1/2 teasp. salt
1 teasp. Italian Seasoning (I used 1/2 tea. each dried oregano and basil)
1 teasp. olive oil
1 teasp. apple cider vinegar
Corn meal and rice flour (to prevent sticking)

- Preheat oven to 425*
- Dissolve yeast and sugar in warm milk for five minutes. In food processor, blend the rest of the ingredients, including yeast mixture, until ball forms. Dough will be soft
- Put mixture into greased 12-inch nonstick pizza pan
- Liberally sprinkle corn meal onto pizza sheet and press the dough into the pan with your hands. Sprinkle with rice flour to prevent sticking. Make edges thicker to contain toppings.
(I used corn meal, but didn't need any rice flour to prevent sticking. I think next time I'll omit the corn meal as well. Don't be scared that the dough is a little hard to work with. It'll come out just fine!)
- Bake pizza crust for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and add sauce and toppings. Bake another 20 - 25 minutes or until the top is nicely browned. (Mine was ready in just under 20 minutes.)

Snowed In

2011-02-03T10:53:00.001-06:00

Well, like most of the midwest, Cream City Green got clobbered with a blizzard over the past few days. I must admit, as a former Yooper, the prospect of 12 - 20" of snow in and of itself doesn't phase me much. But even by my hearty standards, this was a heckofa storm.

Before I bought my current house, I was living in a duplex with a three-car garage and a side drive. With all that driveway to contend with, my dad got me a snowblower. I don't use it much here in the new house, with all 35' of street frontage, but it sure was nice to have yesterday!

Here's what I saw when I opened the drapes on Wednesday morning:

Even Cream City Pooch was having a hard time locating the steps:

We had some pretty serious drifts along the side of the house, too:

Those are full-size windows, by the way.

And, yes, for those of you paying attention, a rain barrel is on the wish-list for this summer!

The storm helped to point out some areas of the house that need some better weatherproofing.

I'll be replacing this door (moving it, actually):

And it looks as though the (detached) garage could use a bit of weatherproofing, too!

I actually love when Mother Nature makes us all stop in our tracks for a day or two. It reminds us all of how fickle our lifestyle really can be. I also love the way neighbors band together during snowstorms. Yesterday, I spent nearly four hours clearing the alley and chatting with neighbors that we had never met. We're already discussing barbecues and block parties for the warmer months!

As a parting note, I feel I should mention ... Global Climate Change (or Global Warming, as most folks call it) is indicated by overall increased earth temperatures. In temperate to cold climates, like ours, however, it is indicated by stronger and more frequent storm events and not necessarily by a decrease in annual snowfall or cold days.

That's right. Counter-intuitive as it may seem, yesterday's blizzard may well have been a symptom of global warming.

I hope you all got dug out, and enjoyed your day off.

Now I'm off to find another blanket and cup of coffee.....

Excited for New Neighbors

2011-01-29T11:30:00.000-06:00

Here at Cream City Green, we're very excited about the new pub going in around the corner from us. The Riverwest Public House will be Milwaukee's only cooperatively owned bar. Slated to open in March, the Public House will occupy the former Sayleece's space at 815 E. Locust. While we never had any problems with the patrons from Sayleece's, they did tend to make the neighborhood noisy and raucous when entering and leaving the bar. We're hoping that the neighborhood clientele of the Public House will be a bit more conscientious of the neighborhood.

More importantly, though, we're excited about this concept, and about a new great neighborhood hangout and music venue.

The concept of the Public House is modeled after traditional English public houses - a place for the community to gather, share stories and gossip, laugh, and arrange mutual help within the community. According to their website, the mission of the Riverwest Public House is "Building Community, one drink at a time!" They'll be providing a "welcoming social meeting place", providing "a variety of affordable local, organic and/or delicious beers, ciders and spirits", and will "raise funds to propagate other cooperatives through the Riverwest Cooperative Alliance".

You can find out more about the Riverwest Public House on their website, including info about become a coop member and benefits thereof.

It's businesses like these that make me love living in the city... in THIS city!

Cheers!

Organization dichotomies

2011-01-14T11:13:00.000-06:00

Over the last year or so, I've been trying to become a more involved member of the citizenry. I was raised to know that giving your time and talents to others is important and good. But as I've become more involved in the environmental community, I've realized something. Organizations seem to come in one of two flavors: button-down and businessy, or patchouli-loving hippie-dippie.

It's a frustrating divide, as I've always seen myself as being a bit of both. It's also frustrating, because it leads to duplication of effort and missed opportunities for collaboration. One group seems to have the lion's share of the money, and the other group seems to have the people-power.

I'm not taking sides, or advocating for one type of activism over another. Both have their merits. My point is simply this: if these two types of environmental organizations could find more common ground, we'd all win. More would get done. ...and isn't that what everyone was after in the first place?

Admittedly, I don't have a solution here. I wish I did. The best I can say for now is that those of us who know how to walk with a foot on either side of the divide need to step it up. It may be an uphill battle to get our voices and new ideas heard within an organization, but we are duty-bound to try.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. Ready? GO!

Welcome back to the New Year!

2011-01-04T11:02:00.000-06:00

Sorry I've been so derelict in this blogging enterprise. It's a new year now, and I'm resolving to write more. (Lucky you!)

The latter half of 2010 was a doozy for me, personally. There were joyous moments, to be sure, but on the whole, I'm very happy for this fresh start.

As many of you are heading back to "real life" today, as the holidays come to a close. I hope that they were a restful and joyous time for you and your loved ones.

To start our year on a courageous footing, I want to share a song that my friend Lori shared with me a few weeks ago, as certain things in my life were coming to a head. It gave me courage and solace when I needed some. So, if you need a little of those things in your life today, I hope this little song can provide.

Climate Change Conspiracy??

2010-12-16T07:40:00.000-06:00

I feel a little like we should all be singing "'tis the season to be leaking incriminating documents..."

Fa La La La La

Yesterday, an internal email from Fox News was released. In the email, the corporations Washington Bureau Chief instructed staff that any mention of climate change should be IMMEDIATELY followed by statements of skepticism about its scientific existence. (Read the original news article here.)

Those of you who know me personally, know that I tend to be "left-of-center" on most issues. Oh, and also? I'm an environmental scientist. You can imagine my reaction. (Suffice it to say, it wasn't all that different from the reaction of virtually every environmental group in the country.)

As the serendipity of the Internets would have it, another blogger published a great comic on climate change earlier this week. It gets a little finger-pointy in the middle, but is, overall, very well done.

Go read it.

Fa La La La La.

Sustainable Seafood

2010-12-12T11:27:00.000-06:00

Now, I've said before, I'm not out to make this a "food" blog. But we all eat. And how and what we eat can make a pretty big impact on our world. So it's important.
Now, I've never been a huge fan of eating things that swim -or generally live in water at all- though I've often wished that I were. For those of you who do eat seafood, are you aware of all the Ethical Eating issues associated with it?

Via: Roots Restaurant

Many of our favorite species of fish are being harvested at unsustainable rates, and some fish communities are in serious danger of collapse. Today, a full 75% of major fisheries are overfished. The top predators in the food-chain are often the most popular eats, so they're the first to go. When fishing these species becomes too difficult, fishers move down the food chain, eliminating essential prey for those large predators. It's a vicious cycle. Farmed fish generally tend to be a better choice than wild-caught, in terms of overfishing.

How some of these fish are being harvested often ends up also harvesting "innocent by-swimmers". This bycatch is typical of large net and longline styles of fishing. Hook and line fishing is the least likely to produce bycatch, as unwanted species can be quickly released, unharmed. Shrimp, one of our favorite eats, is one of the largest producers of bycatch. (The best types of shrimp to buy/eat, can be found here.)

Then there's the matter of what else is lurking in that tasty fish your eating. Mercury. Many of our waterways and fisheries are contaminated with this heavy metal. Mercury is released into the air through industrial pollution. It eventually "falls" into the water, where it becomes methyl mercury. This substance is easily absorbed by the fish, as they feed, and by humans, as we feed on fish. Nearly ALL fish have some level of mercury. Children and pregnant women are cited by the EPA and FDA as the most vulnerable populations, but there is a faction of the medical (western and alternative) community that believes that mercury and other heavy metals in our bodies can lead to everything from fibromyalgia to autism. Generally speaking, the higher you go up the fishy foodchain, the higher the mercury levels of that fish.

Via: TN State Dept of Health

Species generally considered to be low in mercury (by the FDA and EPA) are shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock, and catfish.

So what's a seafood lover to do?

The Monterey Bay Aquarium has a host of resources to educate yourself, including a pocket guide to sustainable seafood species, as well as an iphone app!

Consider joining The Daily Green in their boycott of Bluefin Tuna. This popular sushi species is consistently listed as one of the eco-worst!

Most importantly, don't dispair. As with most of our choices, a healthy dollop of informed consumerism can lead to a greener, more sustainable lifestyle.

Saner Gift Giving (Part 3) - Useful and Green Gifts

2010-12-05T18:47:00.000-06:00

For those of us who like to give tangible, un-wrapable gifts, "Saner" gifting is a particular challenge. But you can present your petty pretty package (stay tuned for more on that!), and still feel good about what's inside. To me, the most wasteful and least "sane" gifts are the baubles and tchotchkes that have no particular use or purpose.
So this year, I challenge you - whether for a family member, friend, "secret santa", or host/ess - give a useful and/or green gift. Here are a few ideas and resources to get you started:

If you don't know your giftee very well - in a secret santa or host/ess - situation, I like giving food gifts - a plate of homemade cookies, a jar of yummy trailmix, a bottle of wine, a box of organic, free trade chocolate, even a fruit basket! (Outpost, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe's are my favorite places to find good, and out-of-the-ordinary food gifts. There's also Alterra and Anodyne for locally roasted coffee, and Rishi for amazing teas.) Even if you end up giving them something that they don't personally enjoy, chances are that they'll have some sort of event during the holidays where they can put it out to share. And wine is one of the most re-giftable items out there! (Just make sure you dust off the bottle before you slap on that bow and take it to your next cocktail party.)

For Milwaukeeans who love to dine out, City Tins could be a great option! For a mere $25, you get a set of 20+ $10 gift cards to great local restaurants. (Maybe your giftee will even take you out to dinner!)

Ideas and resources for green gifts are all over the web. Check out:
- etsy.com - for anything and everything vintage and handmade
- Viva Terra - for design-y, gorgeous, and ethically sourced finds
- Branch Home - for more beautiful, unusual and green items for the home
- Reuseit.com - for thermoses, water bottles, and reusable lunch kits

World Toilet Day

2010-11-19T07:51:00.000-06:00

Did you know that 2.6 Billion people in the world don't have access to adequate sanitation? It's such a simple thing, that so many of us take for granted. Seriously, when was the last time you were thankful to flush a toilet?

To raise awareness of this issue, which claims the lives of an estimated 5,000 children a day, today is World Toilet Day.

Go to WorldToilet.org to learn more about the worldwide sanitation crisis. Spread your knowledge, and be thankful for the basic necessities that so many go without. Because, after all, everyone poops.

Apple Baked Oatmeal

2010-11-18T07:55:00.001-06:00

Ok, I know this isn't really a food blog, but I love to cook (and to eat!)... so a bit of food blog-ery is inevitable.

The other day, our office had "Apple Day". We have a Wellness Committee that does healthy, educational activities every quarter or so. Anyway, we were all encouraged to bring a tasty apple dish to share. I'm a big fan of big breakfasts, so I decided to make Apple Baked Oatmeal.

I'd never made baked oatmeal before. I only knew that I loved the oatmeal from Alterra, and that I could probably recreate something akin to it. 40 minutes of internet trolling later, I had a few recipes to cull from. From there, as is my standard practice in the kitchen, I winged it.

Here's what happened:

The house smelled amazing. Despite having had a large dinner, my mouth was watering. Did I really have to share?? But I did share. And it was a huge hit. And now, I share it with you:

Apple Baked Oatmeal
2 c Rolled oats
1 1/2 c Steel Cut Oats
5 1/2 c Water
1/2 c Apple Cider
2 medium Apples, diced (I used Fuji, for their texture and tang)
2 Eggs, beaten
1/2 c Brown Sugar
2 teas. Cinnamon
1/2 teas. Ground Nutmeg
1/2 teas. Salt
1 teas. Vanilla Extract
1 tbsp. Melted Butter
1/3 c Dried Cranberries
1/3 c Chopped Pecans

Mix all ingredients in a greased 9 x 13" baking dish. Bake, Covered at 350 for 40 minutes. Stir well. Bake uncovered another 30 mins, or until set and slightly browned on top.
*This recipe is very forgiving. Take this as a starting point, and modify to your own taste/ dietary needs.

You can bet I'll be keeping this one in the quiver for the next time I need to feed brunch to a crowd!

Saner Gift Giving (Part 2) - Charity

2010-11-16T19:42:00.000-06:00

Every Christmas for the past 5+ years, it's been the same story. I call home and ask my parents what they want for a gift. They respond: "For God's sakes! Don't get us any more STUFF! We've got too much STUFF already!!"

Since I'm one of those people who truly loves giving gifts, and am always looking for ways to show my parents how much I appreciate all the things they've done for me over the years, their response presented a conundrum. Until, that is, I began the tradition of making a donation to a charity in their honor.

For my parents, I chose to start making annual donations to Heifer International. This well established organization provides livestock to poor families all over the world, thereby increasing the family's food security and allowing them to begin a family business to pull themselves out of poverty.

Under the tree goes a card telling my parents what sort of animal we've gifted in their name, and a small ornament depicting that animal. As the years go by, when they trim the tree with their Christmas menagerie, they'll remember all the good that has come from their gifts.

And that's the real beauty of charity gifts: They're truly the gift that keeps on giving. Plus, there's a charity for nearly every interest or hobby!

Got an animal lover? How about the Wisconsin Humane Society (or your local shelter). A boater or fisherman? Try Alliance for the Great Lakes or River Revitalization Foundation. An avid reader? Donate books to your local library! Trust in the power of the internet, folks. Just type your recipient's hobby or interest into google and add "charity" to the end. You'll come up with something!
(A word of caution: be sure to thoroughly research your charity of choice, especially if they're non-local. You can check with the Better Business Bureau for peace of mind.)

The other great thing about giving to charities in lieu of gifts, is that it translates to any occasion throughout the year! For their kids' birthdays, my friends Heather and Tracie ask the kiddos to bring an item to donate to their chosen charity, instead of more unnecessary toys for the birthday boy or girl. I love how they instill the spirit of philanthropy in their little ones. Way to go, gals!

image courtesy tsj photography

If you don't think that a charity gift is quite right for you or your loved-one, stay tuned! There are still two more parts to this Saner Gift Giving season!

Milwaukee Treasures

2010-11-09T10:17:00.000-06:00

Yesterday was a beautiful day here in our fair city. Cream City Pooch and I took the opportunity to hike the East Bank and Beerline trails along the Milwaukee River. The Milwaukee River Revitalization Foundation has done amazing work to bring this amazing resource to us all. Thanks to them.
Now, get out and enjoy some late-fall goodness!

Trail entrance at Gordon Park

Guerrilla knitwear

Winter's Harbinger

Feeling a million miles from the City

Saner Gift Giving (part 1)

2010-11-08T10:36:00.001-06:00

The holidays are right around the corner. The stores are already packing their shelves with more red and green merchandise than the GDP of a small nation. It's easy to get caught up in consumerism this time of year. (Lets be honest, China is churning out some seriously cute plastic trinkets these days!) But how do we stay true to our mission of creating a simpler, greener, kinder, saner life while still expressing our love and appreciation for the people in our lives, and not being a total scrooge??

Here are a few of the options I've come up with:

- Shop Local
- Donate to charity
- Give useful gifts
- Gift an Experience

(image via)

Part 1 - Shopping Local

As the great folks at Our Milwaukee will tell you, shopping local carries a host of benefits. One of the most important (given the current economic climate) is that buying local keeps more money in the local economy. One study found that of every $1 spent in a locally owned business, $0.68 remains in the local economy (compared to only $0.43 of every dollar spent at a big box chain store).

Shopping local also helps to keep our community vibrant and unique. It encourages further growth by creating an hospitable environment for other entrepreneurs. Plus, local businesses give, on average, 250% more to non-profit organizations!

With the "one stop shopping" convenience of malls and big box stores, the idea of buying all your gifts from local businesses can seem daunting. Here's a few ideas to help you out:

- Get ideas from Our Milwaukee. Their Local Business Directory will help remind you of just how many local options we have, and just how cool they are!

- Check out a craft/gift fair, or two!  There are lots of them coming up:
     Art vs. Craft is Nov. 27th
   The Holiday Art, Craft and Gift Expo at State Fair Park is Nov. 26 - 28
   Outpost's Alternative Gift Fair is Dec. 5th
   The Holiday Artisan Market at Discovery World is Dec. 4-5
Lots of churches, schools and ethnic centers have craft fairs this time of year, too. There's way too many of those to list!

Craft fairs can be a great way to spend an afternoon with the kids, or a girlfriend. And you're guaranteed to find a unique gift!

emilee rose designs

- Consider homemade. It doesn't get much more local than your own kitchen or living room. Do you bake? Knit? Crochet? Draw? Paint? Scrapbook? Decoupage? Homemade gifts are always some of my favorites - you can feel the love that went into making them. And an added bonus? A homemade Christmas can save you beaucoup bucks!
(Just be sure to be conscientious about your crafting supplies!)

image via

Next time we'll explore the world of Saner Gift Giving through donations to charities.

Happy Gifting!

The Hidden Costs of Consumption

2010-11-03T09:56:00.000-05:00

Now that Halloween has come and gone, it's officially the Holiday Season. A season full of conspicuous consumption. A season where we all fall victim to "needing" to buy things - as gifts for others, as decor for our homes, as wardrobe for a fancy party, and the list goes on.

So much of what we buy these days comes from overseas. These products are generally significantly cheaper than items made here in the U.S. of A. Many of these companies aren't restricted by minimum wage and worker's rights laws, and environmental protection often doesn't even exist.

I came across this pictorial the other day, and really wanted to share it with you. Photos like these rarely make it into the mainstream news-cycle. But they should.

Please, take a few minutes to view these beautifully powerful photos. And next time you're at your Big Box Store of choice, about to throw another disposable plastic whosit, whatsit, or bauble into your cart, remember these photos.

Green your Halloween

2010-10-29T10:20:00.000-05:00

It seems holidays in this country are marked by conspicuous consumption. There's always an endless supply of trinkets and baubles and disposables - and Halloween is no exception! So today I thought I'd put together a few tips on Greening your Halloween this year.

Here we Go!

1. Don't buy cheap, disposable costumes. Hit up your local Goodwill or thrift store and let your creativity and imagination run wild! Kids will love the "treasure hunt" for their costume, and it's often cheaper than "store bought". These sturdy items also lend themselves better for reuse.

2. Reuse your costume. Ok, so most kids won't want to have the same costume two years in a row, but if you have multiple kids, consider the hand-me-down option! (Toddlers and babies don't know the difference anyway.) For bigger kids and grownups, consider a costume swap! Get some friends together and "shop" eachother's closets.

3. Repurpose costume parts. This works especially well for costume accessories. That feather boa for this year's fairy princess? It could be part of next year's baby duck costume!

4. Consider Candy Alternatives. All those individual Fun Size candy bars come with lots of extra packaging. Plus, they're usually full of High Fructose Corn Syrup and tons of other chemical additives. (Full disclosure: I've been sneaking into the basket of mini Snickers in my cabinet for a week now!)

If you live in a neighborhood where homemade treats are acceptable, try going that route. There's always the mini-boxes of dried fruit (but none of the kids like the "raisin house").

Or how about a trinket this year? Pencils, temporary tattoos (maybe earth-themed?), and stickers are always solid choices. Be careful when choosing plastic trinkets, as these cheaply-made items may contain lead, cadmium, BPA, and a host of other nasty chemicals.

5. Pick Face Paint with Care. While we're talking about nasty chemicals hidden in cheap products from overseas, consider the face paint kit. Even regular cosmetics sold in the U.S. can contain lead, nickel, cobalt and chromium (among plenty of other scary stuff). Halloween face paints are no exception. Kids are more sensitive to these heavy metals (which act as neurotoxins) than adults. What to do? If you use safer cosmetics for yourself, raid your own makeup bag. Consider not using facepaint at all (though be aware, plastic face masks can have their own set of concerns). At very least, be sure to keep paints and makeup away from little mouths and hands to avoid accidental ingestion.

I'm off to the most sincere pumpkin patch to await the arrival of The Great Pumpkin. Here's hoping your Halloween is spooky only in the good way!

Save Money while Saving Energy

2010-10-27T10:09:00.001-05:00

I wrote the other day about all of the energy saving measures we're taking before Winter hits. (Although, I must say, I've been rather impressed with how much of this crazy wind has not been infiltrating the house!) Today I wanted to focus on another great resource for saving some money (in addition to this year's federal tax credit) on all of those energy efficiency upgrades you've been thinking about.

Focus on Energy is a Wisconsin-wide organization that works with eligible Wisconsin residents and businesses to install cost effective energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.

In addition to their website providing a host of information about all things energy efficiency and renewable energy, the organization provides a variety of financial incentives and cash back rewards to consumers wanting to implement these measures.

Most of the residential financial incentives available fall under the Home Improvement category. Here's how it works (in a nutshell):

- The homeowner selects an Energy Audit contractor from their list (outside Southeast WI, go here)

- In order to be eligible for rewards, the homeowner must first have a Home Energy Audit. This service typically costs about $300 - $350 (in the MKE area). During the test, the Audit Contractor performs a variety of tests (including using thermal imaging cameras, and specialized equipment to check for air leaks), and asks the homeowner a series of questions. On completion of the audit, the contractor will provide a list of recommended improvements. (Some contractors will refer you to other contractors to do the work, if you can't or don't want to do it yourself)

- Then, the homeowner makes the recommended repairs/improvements. You don't have to do everything on the list, so don't be overwhelmed!

- When the improvements are complete, the Audit Contractor comes back and tests your home again, so that you can see the difference you've made! He then helps you fill out the paperwork required to apply for your rewards!

You can see the list of the rewards available here.

image via

For us, right now, it didn't make financial sense to spend the money on the energy audit, as we would barely be able to recoup the costs with the improvements we plan to make in the near future. Instead, we're using our own detective skills and know how, and performing a DIY Home Energy Audit!

Regardless of whether you plan to take advantage of this program, I think you'll agree that it's a great asset to our state, and certainly a move in the right direction - making it financially prudent to be green.

Buttoning Up for Winter

2010-10-25T10:40:00.001-05:00

Last Spring, I bought my first house. This little 1900-built bungalow is a fixer-upper, to be sure! Still, I love it.
The past few weeks, I (as many of you, I'm sure) have been tackling weatherization projects to prepare for the big W (that's Winter, of course!).

Lucky for us, this year the federal government is helping us out! If you're a homeowner, you need to know about the Energy Efficiency Federal Tax Credit program. You can get back 30% of the purchase price of energy efficient items, up to $1,500. The credit covers everything from insulation and weatherstripping, to new windows and doors, to tankless water heaters and renewable energy systems. You can find a full list of what products qualify at energystar.gov.

Here at Cream City Green, we've been doing all the easy stuff for a long time: we use CFL bulbs, we unplug vampire electronics, we turn off lights and appliances, we open window shades in winter and close them in summer... But now that we own our home, we're making investments to save on our energy bills, and to stay green. We're:

- Insulating the water heater and hot water pipes

- Caulking storm windows to prevent leaks

- Installing a ceiling fan in the living room to circulate warm air
(This project hit a bit of a hiccup when a large chunk of plaster gave way and created a sizable hole in our ceiling. Mad spackling skillz, to the rescue!)

- Replacing the back door and storm door

- Installing a programmable thermostat

- Insulating the sidewalls and attic. This poor old house of ours has virtually NO insulation in any of the exterior walls, and very little in the attic. This situation would make for a very cold and very expensive winter! We've decided to tackle this large project ourselves, as we'll be able to do most of the work from the attic itself. We're using blown in cellulose insulation for the walls, and fiberglass batting for most of the attic. I'll try to post pictures as we go!

Because the tax credit only goes through the end of 2010, it looks like we won't be able to cash in on installing replacement windows/storms, or installing house wrap under new siding. ....These projects will have to wait for next year.

What kinds of projects do you have planned for this Fall?

Milwaukee goes Gulfing

2010-10-22T08:00:00.052-05:00

It's been six months since the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded and oil began spewing into the Gulf of Mexico. For 110 agonizing days, America stood powerless against the black tide. While scientists may never know for sure just how much oil was lost, we know that the number is astronomical. Hundreds of miles of shoreline and sensitive marshland have been fouled, thousands of sea creatures and birds have died, nearly one quarter of the Gulf's Federal Waters were closed to commercial fishing, and the full effects of underwater oil and the millions of gallons of potentially toxic dispersants is still not fully known.

In the wake of this disaster, a group of Milwaukeeans got together to make a difference. Thus, The Gumbo Git Down, was born. The event raised funds for the Gulf Restoration Network.

Since 1994, the Gulf Restoration Network has been committed to uniting and empowering people to protect and restore the natural resources of the Gulf of Mexico region for future generations. They have taken a leadership role in holding BP and the federal government responsible for the destruction of so much environmentally and economically important habitat.

Our event was a swimming success! We had over 200 attendees, and raised over $1400 for the Gulf Restoration Network. Plus, we had a really great time!

There's lots more great photos here. Check them out!

If you missed the event, but still want to make a difference, you can donate to the Gulf Restoration Network on their website.

And another BIG thanks to Lo and Peef over at Burp! Blog for making this happen with me!

Local Firms honored for being Green

2010-10-21T13:36:00.000-05:00

On Monday, Newsweek published it's Green Rankings 2010 listing the 100 Greenest Companies in America. Many of the top firms on this list are in the technology sector, including Dell (no. 1), Hewlett Packard (no. 2), and Yahoo! (no. 9).

The rankings begin with the 500 largest publicly traded companies in the country. Each company is ranked according to its Environmental Impact Score (including metrics like greenhouse-gas emissions and water use), Green Politics Score (an assessment of a company's environmental policies and initiatives), and the Reputation Score (based on the opinion of folks in the eco world).

Two local companies are furthering Milwaukee's reputation for sustainability by their impressive placements on the list.

Johnson Controls, based in downtown Milwaukee, ranked no. 14 on the overall Green Score. Impressively, they garnered the number one ranking in the Consumer Products industry for their Green Policies and Performance. More information about environmental sustainability at Johnson Controls is here.

Retail chain Kohl's nipped right at the heels of Johnson Controls with a number 3 ranking in their Green Policies and Performance within the Retail sector, and a number 3 ranking in overall Green Score for the Retail sector. You can learn more about Kohl's environmental commitment at http://www.kohlsgreenscene.com/

Welcome to Cream City Green!

2010-10-21T11:18:00.000-05:00

There are BIG things happening in our little city. So many companies, individuals, and NGOs are making waves and making Milwaukee a little greener, a little kinder, a little saner. With SO many great things happening, it can be hard to keep track, let alone try to figure out where you fit in to the big picture!

Here at Cream City Green, we'll discuss some of the BIG things happening here in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and our world.

(image via)

We all want to lead a greener, simpler, kinder, saner life, and to make our mark on the world. We're envious of those people who can do the BIG things: buy and run an organic farm... join the peace corps... adopt a child from a third world country... quit the corporate world for a non-profit job, or to stay home with the kids... live off the grid... donate half their salary to charity... live in a 500 square foot eco-home... backpack through Mongolia... there are people out there doing such amazing and big things, its easy to feel inadequate.

Instead of being intimidated by the BIG things others are doing, let's strive toward accomplishing the daily little things. Like the butterfly effect, if we each flap our wings, however small, that breeze can turn into the winds of change and purpose.

In coming posts, I'll be writing about some of these little things that we can all do to lead us toward a life of purpose. I'll share personal struggles (and accomplishments!). I'll discuss the ideas of others, and some of the BIG things going on right here in Milwaukee. Most of all, with you, we'll create a community to support each other on our journey... to lead a greener, simpler, kinder, saner life with meaning.