Your Daily Thread

February 19, 2010 Written by Your Daily Thread Team

Want to try the delicious Beet Salad we had at the Chicks With Knives Secret Supper Club? Check out this simple, seasonal recipe that the chicks were kind enough to share with us. Bon Appetite!

Serves four

For beets

6 medium sized beets – 2 each red, chiogga and yellow

olive oil

Salt

Zest and juice of one orange

3 thyme sprigs

For coulis

1 cup water

Pinch of salt

1/4 cup each fresh parsley, cilantro, dill and beet greens, picked

3 cloves garlic

1/2 cup olive oil

4 Beet chips and 1 small bunch red mustard greens for garnish

You may want to cook the red beets separately so they don’t stain the other colors.

Preheat your oven to 425F.

Scrub the beets. Cut off the greens and reserve. Coat each beet with a bit of olive oil. Place the beets in an oven proof dish. Add ½ inch water, the orange juice, zest, thyme sprigs and a large pinch of salt. the Cover the dish  tightly (use foil if you don’t have a lid) and roast until a beet can be easily pierced with a knife (timing varies from 30 minutes to an hour depending on the size of the beet.). Remove from the oven leave to cool in the covered baking dish. When they are cool, slice off the stem end and slip off the skins.

Meanwhile, make the herb coulis.

Boil the water with some salt. Add the herbs and garlic and simmer for 1 minute. Remove from heat and transfer contents to a blender.  Run the blender on low and add oil to emulsify. Remove, strain and reserve until ready to use.

Cut the cleaned beets in to wedges. Toss with additional olive oil and season with salt. Serve garnished with beet chips, red mustard greens and the herb coulis.

Recipe Courtesy of The Chicks With Knives

February 15, 2010 Written by Amy Vig

In honor of President’s Day we’re featuring our popular Sea Food Stew which was the meal that was served on President Obama’s Inauguration meal.  Remember, always use sustainable seafood (learn more about which species are sustainable here).

According to the LA Times, Barack Obama’s inaugural luncheon was reminiscent of Abraham Lincoln’s inaugural dinner back in 1865.  If you weren’t able to attend, don’t fret.  You can enjoy a healtheir version of the featured Seafood Soup in the comfort of your own home.

February 9, 2010 Written by Carolyn Scott

So you want to spice things up this Valentine’s Day, but you don’t want to increase your impact on the planet?   Skip the filet (even if it is grass fed) and prepare your own vegalicious meal that is certain to melt the heart of any carnivore.
Drink:  Passionate Pomegranate
6 ounces organic vodka (remove for a non-alcoholic beverage)
2 ounces seltzer
4 ounces Triple Sec (remove for a non-alcoholic beverage)
4 ounces pomegranate juice
2 lemons, juiced
1 pomegranate, seeded

Combine vodka, seltzer, Triple Sec, pomegranate juice, and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker over ice; shake. Pour into a chilled cocktail glass; garnish with pomegranate seeds.

1st Course:  My Heart “Beets” For You Salad
1 bunch of beets (4-5), leaves removed
2 large navel oranges, peeled and sliced
1 bunch of arugula leaves, cleaned, and stems removed
Sliced red onion
1/4 cup chopped walnuts

Dressing

1/4 cup white wine vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 teaspoon dried mustard
Salt and pepper to taste
(mix all the ingredients in a glass container)

Salad Prep

Cook the beets with their peel on. Cover the beets with water, bring to a boil, and simmer for 30 minutes or until beets can easily be pierced through with a fork.  After cooking, allow the beets to come to room temperature and remove their peels and then slice them. Place them in a small bowl and marinate them in half of the dressing recipe above. On individual salad plates place the arugula, a few slices of orange, a few beets, a few slices of red onion and some chopped walnuts. Sprinkle dressing over the individual salads.

2nd Course:  Sweetie “Shepherd’s” Pie

1 T olive oil
1 large onion, sliced
2 large carrots
2 T thyme chopped
1 cup red wine
1 16 oz can diced tomatoes
2 vegetable stock boulion cubes
1 16 oz can green lentils
4 cups sweet potatoes , peeled and cut into chunks
2 T vegan butter
1/3 cup vegan cheddar cheese, grated

Heat the oil in a frying pan, then fry the onion until golden. Add the carrots and all but a sprinkling of thyme. Pour in the wine, 3/4 cups of water and the tomatoes, then sprinkle in the stock cubes and simmer for 10 mins. Tip in the can of lentils, including their juice, then cover and simmer for another 10 mins until the carrots still have a bit of bite and the lentils are pulpy. Meanwhile, boil the sweet potatoes for 15 mins until tender, drain well, then mash with the butter and season to taste. Pile the lentil mixture into a pie dish, spoon the mash on top, then sprinkle over the cheese and remaining thyme. The pie can now be covered and chilled for 2 days, or frozen for up to a month.
Heat oven to 375 degrees. Cook for 20 mins if cooking right away, or for 40 mins from chilled, until golden and hot all the way through.

Desert:  You Make Me Melt Molten Chocolate Cake
5 – 6 ounces dark chocolate
6 T vegan butter
1/2 cup sugar
2 egg replacers
1/2 cup flour
Vegan whipped or ice cream

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly grease four 4-ounce custard cups. In double boiler, melt chocolate and butter. Stir in sugar. In a small bowl, lighly beat egg the replacer. Add some chocolate mixture to eggs to temper eggs. Carefully, stir “egg” mixture into chocolate mixture. Add flour and combine completely. Add batter                                                                            to custard cups. Place on baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes.

Centers should be soft but sides should be done. Invert cups on individual serving plates. Remove cups after 2 minutes. Serve warm with whipped or ice cream.

Make it special no matter who you may be with – your sweetheart, your friends or yourself – after all, every day is what we make it and if we love ourselves first and foremost, then all the rest is gravy ; )

Happy Valentine’s Day!!
Images via Healthy Indulgences, Feeding the Nerds, Puertabella, and Cooking Light

January 20, 2010 Written by Tracy Hepler

It seems almost everyone I know is battling a cold or a sore throat these days.   But buying Airborne isn’t the only way to get healthy.  Check out some of our favorite home remedies that will help you kick colds to the curb.

Essential Oil Rub

We’ve all heard of Vics Vapor Rub, but you can create your own natural version of the product with simple essential oils.  Our co-founder Lauren used to make one over at Chivas Skincare and shared her recipe with us.  All you need is:

• 5 drops of Eucalyptus Essential Oil
• 5 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil
• 5 drops of Lavender Essential Oil
• 4 drops of Lemon Essential Oil
• 4 drops of Tea Tree Oil
• 2 Drops of Rosemary Essential Oil

Combine ingredients into a small bottle/jar and shake so that the oils blend together.  Apply on your chest, neck and sinus area to relieve congestion.

Essential Oil Steams

Want even more congestion relief?  The nifty essential oil blend you just created can be added to a hot pot of steaming water.  Simply add ten drops of the blend to a quart of steaming water, cover your head with a towel and deeply inhale for a few minutes.

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Good Old Fashion Chicken Soup

It’s not an old wives’ tale; chicken soup actually contain several ingredients that affect the immune system, specifically with its anti-inflammatory properties that soothe throats and ease pains from the cold and flu.

Fortunately we’ve got a delicious Honduran chicken soup recipe, courtesy of my Mom that uses seasonal ingredients, organically-raised chicken and doesn’t take too long to prepare.

View the complete recipe here.

Lemon Throat Spray

Lemon is known to have medicinal properties as a throat soother.  I found this nifty throat spray recipe on Planet Green that can last in the fridge up to two weeks.

• 15 drops lemon essential oil
• 5 drops peppermint essential oil
• ¼ cup water
• ¼ cup lemon juice

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Ginger Tea

Ginger tea is a popular remedy from Asia and can be made easily.  In addition to having known stomach benefits, it works well with cold and flu symptoms too.  We found this simple recipe on fit sugar.

• 2 inch piece of peeled, thinly sliced fresh ginger
• 2 stalks trimmed, cut lemongrass
• 6 cups water
• 3 tablespoons honey

Bring the ginger, lemongrass and water to a boil.  Once boiling, remove from heat and add the honey until it is completely dissolved.  Allow the tea to steep partially covered for about 15 minutes.  Strain chunks of ginger and lemongrass from the tea and serve.

Here is  to your DIY health.

January 20, 2010 Written by Tracy Hepler

Chicken soup is a delecacy found across most cultures.  Whether it’s chicken noodle, chicken with rice, or chicken with matzo balls, it is certainly a staple for many, especially when you’re feeling under the weather.

My mother’s chicken soup hails From Honduras in Central America.  The stock is made from scratch and uses seasonal organic ingredients.

Ingredients:

• 1 Whole Chicken (roughly three lbs).  You can ask them to remove the innard at the butcher, but my mom throws them in the soup to add extra flavor.
• 5 Peeled Carrots (cleaned)
• 5 Celery Stalks (cleaned)
• 1 Small Green Cabage
• 4 to 5 Potatoes
• 2 sliced Zuchinis
• 1/2 cup of Cilantro Chopped
• 2 Finely Minced Cloves of Garlic
• 1 Finely Chopped Red Onion
• 1 Tomato (sliced)
• 1 Lemon
• Salt, Black Pepper and Cumin to Taste
• (Pptional) you can use a pre made organic stock to help kick off your base.
• 2 table spoons of Olive Oil
• 2 Quarts of Purified Water

Directions:

Dice 2 celery sticks, the onion and garlic and lightly saute in the pot with olive oil until they are slightly browned.  While this is happening, slice your lemon in half and use it to clean and season the chicken.  Rub the lemon all over the chicken.  Feel free to season the chicken with salt, pepper and cumin powder enough so it has a nice layer.  Rub 1/4 cup of chopped cilantro on to chicken as well.

Begin to chop chicken into pieces i.e. legs, wings, thighs, breast etc.  (You can always as the butcher to do this if you’re not into this sort of thing).  Remove any inner parts i.e. heart, neck, liver etc.

Once the onion, celery and garlic have browned, add the chopped chicken and 2 quarts of purified water to the pot.  Allow to simmer till slightly bubbling (medium heat).

Add the remaining vegetables and herbs to your pot and allow all ingredients to cook together for about an hour on low/medium  heat.

Test to make sure that the meat is soft and falls of the bone and add any final seasonings to your taste.

Serve and enjoy.

Image via lifeinfozone.com

January 4, 2010 Written by Your Daily Thread Team

Need a great dish for your New Year’s Eve celebration that is seasonal, not too heavy and delicious?  Check out our video and watch how to make a yummy fruit salad with fresh oranges, pomegranate molasses, dates and walnuts.

It’s so refreshing, you have to try it for yourself.  And since it only takes 10 minutes to make, you have no excuse.  Bon Appetite!

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Ingredients

• 4 large oranges
• 1/4 cup chopped dates
• 6 walnuts, chopped
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon pomegranate molasses (you can heat up Pom Wonderful Juice to make your own)
• 1/8-1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

December 30, 2009 Written by Tracy Hepler

So you think you have to shell out serious cash every time you crave a new beauty treat?  Think again, many ingredients most people have in their kitchens carry a serious beauty punch.   We’ve put together a list of a few of our favorites and fun ideas you can do with them.

Olive Oil: Most of us have this lying around for use in salads, pastas and other foodie treats, but did you know that olive oil is really moisturizing for dry skin and scalp.  Try it as an oil treatment for your scalp if you’re experiencing any dandruff.   Internally, a tablespoon of olive oil can lead to suppler, youthful skin (thanks to the good fats that the oil provides).

Olive Oil Scalp Treatment:

• Warm (do not boil) ¼ cup of olive oil.
• Gently massage oil throughout your entire scalp front to back
• Allow oil to settle in scalp for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Wash out with shampoo and conditioner as normal (note may need more than one shampoo to get all of the oil out).

Oatmeal: Oatmeal isn’t just good for lowering cholesterol; it’s a great ingredient for scrubs and can be soothing to irritated skin.  If you suffer from excessive dry skin or irritation try taking a relaxing bath and add a cup of finely ground oatmeal, the anti inflammatory properties should help calm your irritation.  Oatmeal also does wonders for clearing up clogged pores.

Simple Oatmeal Scrub Recipe:

• Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 2 tablespoons of dry organic oatmeal.
• Grind the oatmeal finely and add a few drops of water until it turns into a paste.
• Apply the paste to your face and let it set until dry.
• To remove rub gently and rinse off with cool water.

Avocado: Avocados are packed with moisturizing ingredients and good fats that are beneficial to the skin.  It’s also high in vitamin C and E, which are good anti-aging ingredients and is why they make great ingredients for facemasks.

Honey Avocado Mask:

• Mash up ½ of one ripe organic avocado and combine with ¼ cup of local honey.
• Mix until a creamy texture forms and apply to skin.
• Leave on face and neck for 8 to 10 minutes (while laying down).
• Remove gently from skin with cool water.

Eggs: Eggs carry a lot of protein and are dense with beneficial nutrients including vitamins A, D and E.  You can add them to masks, hand/foot treatments and will bring shine and softness to your hair.  Here is one of our favorite hair treatments using a few of the kitchen ingredients we’ve covered.

Super Shine Egg Yolk Hair Treatment:

• Mix one ripe organic avocado, with an organic egg yolk, and ½ a tablespoon of organic olive oil.
• Once the mixture is smooth add it to your hair and scalp and allow it to set for 15 to 30 minutes.
• To remove, shampoo and condition as normal.

Do you have your own favorite kitchen cabinet skincare ingredients, recipes or tips?  Please share them with us in the comments below.

Images from Ehow, Every Day Minerals, Stellaa’s Blog and TheNibble.

December 23, 2009 Written by Tracy Hepler

The End of Year Festivities can be hectic for us all.  So if you find yourself rolling in stress check out some of our favorite tips and  ideas to help you relax when the going gets tough.

Sleep: Want to give yourself a holiday gift?  Consider greening your bedroom.  Creating a healthy place to sleep will not only improve your mood, it will increase your overall health.  Our green maven Danielle gave us some great tips on how to do that here.

Renew: If you’ve got a few days off for the holidays, pamper yourself with healthy, home made skin care.  We’ve got some fab skin care treatments that you can make with ingredients from your kitchen cabinet (avocado hair mask anyone?) or blend your own essential oils using our mini guide and put them in a bath.  We’ve got a killer foot scrub recipe for you to try too.

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Eat Healthy: Are you on cookie/sugar overload?  Take a break from holiday sweets and make your own delicious, healthy, tasy and raw Rawkstar Smoothie.  This recipe is packed with healthy veggies and fruits like kale, pineapples, almond butter for protein and is sweetened with low glycemic agave.  Seriously each day that I drink this I’m off to a great start.  All you need is three minutes,  the ingredients, a blender and you’ll be rawkstaring out too.  Get the complete recipe here.

Organize: Want to get an early start on “spring cleaning”  check out our first episode of YDT TV, “Greening Your Closet” and get inspired to organize your closet.

Explore: 2010 will feature more local neighborhood green guides, but our first one released this fall is out and covers the Silver Lake, Echo Park, Los Feliz and Atwater Village area.  If your curious to explore these neighborhoods and check out the local green businesses and non profits that our there our guide is certainly worth a browse.  You can download a pdf copy too here.

Read/Watch: Catch up on some great books and films you’ve missed this past year.  You can check out some of our picks for great eco films and books to read from this year and if you want to take a further trip back, check out our picks from 2008.

.Happy Holidays and Happy New Year.  We’d like thank all of you who have joined our online community and we look forward to bringing you the best in local green when we come back in 2010.  We’ll be off from now until January 4th with original content, but be sure to check back next week for “THE BEST OF YDT 2009″.  Be sure to check out our Mini New Year’s Eve Green Guide too.

In Case You Missed It: