Archive for martha stewart
Valentine’s Day Heart Garland Eco-friendly Craft for Kids
Posted by: | CommentsWelcome back to the Planet Forward blog, today we are getting ready for Valentine’s Day with a fun eco-friendly craft for kids and adults. We’ll be making a Valentine’s Day heart garland, which is inspired by the paper chain garlands that we made for Christmas. This craft is the perfect way to decorate your home, a classroom or even a Valentine’s Day party. The Valentine’s Day heart garland is an inexpensive way to celebrate the holiday. Our craft today comes courtesy of Martha Stewart Living Television. Let’s get crafting.
Tools and Materials:
• Heart garland template
• Card stock or construction paper
• Scissors
• Stapler
• Glue stick
Directions:
1. Create a heart-shaped template, or print out the heart garland template, and place it on a stack of 4 sheets of card stock. Staple the center of the hearts and cut out the shapes.
2. Make a 1-inch vertical cut at the pointed end of a heart; cut heart to about 1 inch wide all the way around the inside. Make two 1/2-inch horizontal cuts from the center of the point of the heart. Repeat with other hearts.
3. Link two hearts through the cuts at the points; glue and trim the cut ends to create a point. Continue the process until all the hearts linked.
When making this eco-friendly craft for kids you could have children cut out hearts inspired by the pattern for a more homemade look. For a classroom it would be cute if every child made one heart for the garland and decorated it, this would add color and personality to this sustainable craft. If you have a certain area where you want to place the garland, like on a long wall or in a doorway, measure the space first so you have an idea of how long the garland needs to be.
This is the perfect eco-friendly craft for kids to make well before Valentine’s Day when the weather is inclement. Another reason this heart garland craft is eco-friendly, aside from the fact that you are repurposing items in your home, is that you can store it and reuse it the next year. If you fold the garland carefully and place it in a bag you can then stow it away with your other holiday decorations. Remember that children should never be left unsupervised when crafting. For younger children you may want to pre-cut the hearts and just have them decorate them, as scissors may not be safe for them to use. This is a fun, and sustainable way to decorate for Valentine’s Day. Have fun and happy crafting.
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Planet Forward is an online retailer of ethically-made, earth-friendly products designed for everyday use with a distinctly urban feel. Products include reusable stainless steel bottles, stainless steel thermal travel mugs, waste-free lunch bags, reusable shopping bags, Make-it-Yourself toxin-free Green Cleaning kits, organic fashions and other accessories. SALE 50% OFF ALL PRODUCTS – SHOP NOW !
Meatless Monday with Spinach and Mushroom Lo Mein
Posted by: | CommentsWelcome back to the Planet Forward blog for another delicious Meatless Monday recipe. As a part of our commitment to leading a more sustainable lifestyle, we have pledged to be part of the Meatless Monday movement. By abstaining from eating meat once a week you can enjoy both ecological and health benefits. Today, we will be celebrating the Chinese New Year. For those that don’t know, 4709 is the year of the dragon and in honor of that we’re making a popular take-out dish. On the menu tonight is spinach and mushroom lo mein from the Martha Stewart kitchens at Everyday Food. Let’s get cooking.
Spinach and Mushroom Lo Mein (Image Credit: marthastewart.com)
Ingredients:
• 2 ounces lo mein noodles
• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
• 1 cup cremini or button mushrooms, trimmed, halved if large
• 1 scallion, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon minced peeled fresh ginger
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 3 cups tightly packed spinach leaves (4 ounces), torn
• 2 teaspoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
Directions:
1. In a medium pot of boiling water, cook noodles according to package instructions.
2. Drain noodles and place in a bowl of cold water.
3. In a medium nonstick skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium-high. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 4 minutes. Add scallion, ginger, and garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes.
4. Drain noodles and add to skillet along with spinach. Toss until spinach wilts and noodles are warmed through. Add soy sauce and sesame oil and toss to combine.
This recipe for spinach and mushroom lo mein yields one serving, but can be adjusted easily to feed a crowd. This dish will reheat well, just like its take-out counterpart does. If you are looking for a gluten-free version of this recipe, use rice noodles and swap tamari for soy sauce.
When celebrating Chinese New Year there are certain foods that bring luck in the coming year. Eating long noodles means you will have a long life. If you have oranges for dessert they symbolize wealth and luck in the coming year. Serving sweets will be sweetness into your life for the next year. These simple traditions help connect you to Chinese customs and make for a more authentic New Year celebration. To add to this festive offering, serve with vegetarian spring rolls and maybe even purchase some fortune cookies for dessert. The best part about this meal is that you know and control every ingredient. Gung Hay Fat Choy!
To learn more about improving your sustainable lifestyle, please visit the Meatless Monday website and pledge your support.
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Planet Forward is an online retailer of ethically-made, earth-friendly products designed for everyday use with a distinctly urban feel. Products include reusable stainless steel bottles, stainless steel thermal travel mugs, waste-free lunch bags, reusable shopping bags, Make-it-Yourself toxin-free Green Cleaning kits, organic fashions and other accessories. SALE 50% OFF ALL PRODUCTS – SHOP NOW !
Meatless Monday with Two-Bean Vegetarian Chili
Posted by: | CommentsWelcome back to the Planet Forward blog on this beautiful Meatless Monday. As you know we have made the commitment to abstain from eating meat once a week in order to improve our health through a more sustainable lifestyle that helps the environment. There is no better way to make a Meatless Monday easy than use a quick meal that the whole family will enjoy because it packed with flavour. In keeping with our goal to be healthy in 2012 we are making a delicious and nutritious one pot two-bean vegetarian chili, which comes from Martha Stewart’s Whole Living. Let’s get cooking.
Two-Bean Vegetarian Chili Image Credit: marthastewart.com
Ingredients:
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 large onion, coarsely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1/2-inch chunks
• 1 red bell pepper, ribs and seeds removed, cut into 1-inch chunks
• 1/4 teaspoon chipotle chile powder
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 1 can (14. 5 ounces) stewed tomatoes in juice
• 1 can (19 ounces) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (19 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
• Lime wedges, for serving
Directions:
In a Dutch oven or 5-quart saucepan with a lid, heat oil over medium. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Add squash, bell pepper, and chile powder; season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring 1 minute. Add 1/2 cup water. Cover and simmer until vegetables are crisp-tender, about 7 minutes. Stir in tomatoes and their juice, breaking them up with a spoon; add chickpeas, black beans, 1/4 cup cilantro, and 1/2 cup water. Bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, partially cover, and cook until lightly thickened, about 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in remaining cilantro and spoon into serving bowls. Serve with lime wedges.
This two-bean vegetarian chili will yield four servings, and can be adjusted to feed a crowd. Beans, which are high in soluble fiber, are a great way to help fight bad cholesterol. The one pot dish is quick and easy, so you can whip it up any night of the week. This chili reheats well, so pack it in a glass container and reheat it at work for a nutritious and delicious lunch. If you pack your own lunch not only are you reducing the waste generated by eating out, but you can control the salt, sugar and fat you are taking in. Complete the offer as the recipe suggested with a wedge of lime, you could even serve this over some steamed brown rice. The best part about this meal is that you know every ingredient in it. Enjoy!
To improve your sustainable lifestyle, please visit their website and join the Meatless Monday movement.
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Planet Forward is an online retailer of ethically-made, earth-friendly products designed for everyday use with a distinctly urban feel. Products include reusable stainless steel bottles, stainless steel thermal travel mugs, waste-free lunch bags, reusable shopping bags, Make-it-Yourself toxin-free Green Cleaning kits, organic fashions and other accessories. SALE 50% OFF ALL PRODUCTS – SHOP NOW !
