Isabooties Eco-Giveaway

We are very excited to introduce our new Isabooties Eco-Giveaway!

IsaBooties™ soft-soled baby shoes are a unique, trend-setting combination of hip, fashionable style and practical baby shoe design. Crafted from soft, yet durable, Ultrasuede® fabric, IsaBooties™ soft-soled baby shoes combine hip colors with distinctive riboon accents. IsaBooties™ soles are made from Toughtek®, a grip fabric frequently used in high-end climbing apparel and search and rescue dog booties. This durable fabric is also soft and flexible, making it the perfect choice for soft-soled baby shoes. Isabooties are animal free and formaldehyde free.

The prizes are amazing!

- 2 pairs of Isabooties, winners choice of size and style. Winners will be announced on November 8 and 15, 2010.

It is very easy to participate!

Sign up for our new EcoLogical Mom e-Newsletter by clicking here.

All participants must be subscribed until the end of the Eco-Giveaway.

Good luck!

Winners will be chosen at random.
 "Isabooties" are provided by Isabooties

High BPA, Low Sperm Count

Interesting findings published by Live Science. Yet another one against BPA!

"Exposure to a chemical found in food packaging and other plastics, BPA, can reduce the quality of men's semen, according to the findings of a five-year study and one of the few involving humans rather than animal models.

"This study counters the argument that only highly exposed populations are affected," said study author Dr. De-Kun Li, a reproductive and perinatal epidemiologist at Kaiser Permanente's Division of Research in Oakland, Calif.
"You can be exposed from the workplace. You can be exposed from consumer products. It doesn't really matter. Ultimately it will reflect in your urine," he said.
The researchers suggest findings should apply to Americans since even low levels of BPA exposurecomparable to men in the general U.S. population were found to have an adverse effect on sperm quality and quantity.

No correlation was shown between urine BPA and semen volume or shape."

Source: msnbc, Live Science 

Green Organic Hooded Set for Girls

Another beautiful set, this one is for girls. Made with 100% certified Organic cotton, the 3-piece set includes: Seacrest ruffled hooded jacket with heart and butterfly embroidery and applique, confetti dot bodysuit and Seacrest pull on ruffled pant with heart applique and embroider.

Made by Organically Grown

Organic Set with Hood and Vest!

Adorable organic 3-piece set for Winter, including stripped pants, a long sleeved bodysuit with embroidered "organic friends" decor, and the cutest embroidered blue vest with a hood. Free of toxins and chemicals. Comes with decorative padded hanger. Sizes 0-12 months

By Organically Grown

Plant-Based Plastic Containers for Yogurt

 

 

 

 

 

As of October 2010, Stonyfield multipack cups (yogurt 4-pack and 6-pack cups) are now 93% made from a plant-based plastic. This one move—from traditional petroleum-based plastic to plant-based plastic—reduces our multipacks’ climate-change impact by nearly half. Over its life cycle, plant-based plastic uses less energy and emits 48% less greenhouse gases than polystyrene. To find out more about the new multipack cups made from plants, logon to Stonyfield.com/madefromplants.

Safe Tips for Halloween Face Paint, If You Must....

We are not advocates of face paint for kids. If you really must, for Halloween purposes, try organic versions. The FDA recommends these simple steps to keep safe:

1. Follow all Halloween face paint directions carefully, including warnings against using around the eyes.
2. Don't decorate your face with products, paints and colorings that aren't intended for your skin.
3. If your Halloween face paint has a very bad smell, this could be a sign that it is contaminated. Throw it away and use another one.
4. Before using new Halloween costume makeup, perform a simple patch test, particularly if you or your child is prone to allergic reactions, a few days before Halloween.
5. Read ingredient lists and don't buy any product that has non-approved colors. The FDA lists coloring agents approved for use in cosmetics.
6. Don't use products with fluorescent colors (D&C Orange No. 5, No. 10, and No. 11; D&C Red No. 21, No. 22, No. 27 and No. 28; and D&C Yellow No. 7) near the eyes.
7. Don't use luminescent (glow-in-the-dark) colors (zinc sulfide) near your eyes.
8. Wash thoroughly (and follow label instructions) once trick-or-treating or the party is over; don't go to sleep with Halloween costume makeup on your skin.
9. Before using older products, check it against these two May 2009 recall notices for Fun Express children's face paints.
10. If you have a bad reaction to Halloween face paint, report the incident to the FDA, so that other consumers can be protected.

Source: FDA and Daily Green

Super Power Black Rice

Black rice has the same superfood properties as blueberries, but it is much cheaper. We found it at Amazon for $3.79 a pound, or $7.95 for 5 lbs.
It is pretty well known that brown rice is healthier than white rice.  This is because brown rice contains more fiber and lipid-soluble antioxidants (the really good ones) than white rice.  White rice is simply brown rice with the outer shell removed.  When the shell is removed, so are some nutrients.
Black rice is not directly related to brown rice or white rice, but it contains even more of these healthy compounds than brown rice.
While it’s very healthy, the taste of black rice may not be for everyone.  It plays much less of a supporting role in dinner compared to white or brown rice.  Black rice is said to have a complex taste – a deep, nutty flavor, with a hint of floral.  It is also even chewier than brown rice – a possible turn off for people.

Source: Eat Drink Better , Amazon

The Best and Worst Halloween Treats

My Health News Daily came up with a list of the best and worst most common Halloween candies, in terms of nutrition. Take a look:

The best
1. Jolly Ranchers: Three of these hard candies have 70 calories, no fat and 11 grams of sugar. It's hard to do much better than that.
2. Blow Pops: This 18-gram candy-gum combo has 60 calories, no fat and 13 grams of sugar.

3. Gobstoppers: Nine pieces of this everlasting treat have 60 calories, no fat and 14 grams of sugar.
4. Pixy Stix: There are 60 calories, 0 grams of fat and 15 grams of sugar in seven straws of this fruit-flavored candy.
5. Candy corn: Nineteen pieces of this ultimate Halloween candy has 140 calories, no fat and 32 grams of sugar.

The worst
1. Mr. Goodbar: A 49-gram Mr. Goodbar will cost you 250 calories, 17 grams of fat (including seven grams of saturated fat) and 23 grams of sugar.
2. NutRageous: Another nutty candy, a 51-gram NutRageous bar, will run you 260 calories, 16 grams of fat (including five grams of saturated fat) and 22 grams of sugar.
3. Snickers: Maybe a Snickers bar really should be a meal on its own. A 59-gram bar has 280 calories, 14 grams of fat — (including five grams of saturated fat) and 30 grams of sugar.
4. Baby Ruth: A 60-gram bar has 280 calories, 14 grams of fat (including 8 grams of saturated fat). It also has 33 grams of sugar, the second-highest sugar total among the candies examined, better only than a 60-gram 3 Musketeers candy bar that has 40 grams of sugar (though a 3 Musketeers bar has only eight grams of total fat).
5. Mounds: The only candy on our "Worst 5" list to not have peanuts, a 49-gram bar of this coconut treat has 230 calories, 13 grams of fat and 21 grams of sugar. It also has 10 grams of saturated fat, the most of any of the 37 surveyed candies.

Source: msnbc

Adorable Halloween

OMG...take a look at these adorable shoes. Perfect for Halloween!
And what about this Pumpkin set.... fantastic!

Source: HandKnitHugs, and Etsy store

FOOD RECALL: Frozen Peas

Peas are one of the first vegetables introduced to babies, but apparently we need to keep an eye on some brands.
Pictsweet Company of Bells, Tenn., found glass fragments in some of its frozen green peas and related products, and it started a recall that affects two of the nation's largest grocers: Walmart, the world's largest retailer and grocer, and Kroger. While not a household name, Pictsweet calls itself "one of the largest frozen vegetable suppliers in the United States."
As for the frozen peas recall, Kroger stores in the U.S. Southeast are affected, while Walmarts nationwide are affected. Customers who bought the bad peas (which also came packaged with other vegetables) can get a refund from the place of purchase. For more information, call Pictsweet toll-free at 800-367-7412, ext. 417, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. CDT.
The following frozen vegetable products are part of the recall:
Kroger 12-Ounce Frozen Green Peas

• UPC 11110 89736
• Production Codes: 1440BU, 1440BV, 1440BW, and 1600BD

Kroger 12-Ounce Frozen Peas and Carrots

• UPC 11110 89741
• Production Codes: 1960BD and 1960BE

Walmart Great Value 12-Ounce Frozen Steamable Sweet Peas

• UPC 78742 08369
• Best by Dates of July 20, 2012; July 21, 2012

Walmart Great Value 12-Ounce Frozen Steamable Mixed Vegetables

• UPC 78742 08026
• Best by Date of July 15, 2012

 Source: Yahoo

Crib Recall: Over 40,000 Cribs

The recalled Ethan Allen, Angel Line and Victory Land Heritage Collection 3-in-1 cribs have drop-sides that can detach due to faulty hardware or wear and tear, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. This can create a gap where young children can be trapped or suffocated.
A detached drop-side can also allow a child to fall out of the crib.
Drop-sides have been blamed in the deaths of at least 32 infants and toddlers since 2000, and are suspected in another 14 infant fatalities. In the past five years, more than 9 million drop-side cribs have been recalled.

CPSC urged parents to stop using the cribs and contact the companies for a free repair kit. The agency suggested bassinets, play yards or toddler beds as potential safe alternatives, depending on the age of the child.
For more information contact Ethan Allen at 888-339-9398 or visit any Ethan Allen store, contact Angel Line at 800-889-8158 and contact Victory Land Group at 866-499-2099.

Source: msnbc.com

The Many Faces of a Pumpkin

Pumpkin is one of the most versatile vegetable. It can be used for delicious sweet and savory foods, is really low in calorie (20 cal per 100 g) and loaded with beta-carotene and potassium.You can also eat the seeds.
Dry pumpkin seeds make a very tasty and healthy snack. They are used in the treatment of many illnesses such as kidney, prostate and gallbladder problems. They also help remove tapeworm and roundworm from intestines when infested. Pumpkin seeds are high in protein, potassium, magnesium, zinc, iron, copper and essential fatty acids. 
Pumpkin seed oil is made from Styrian pumpkin. These pumpkins have a yellow/green skin and yellow/orange flesh inside. Their seeds are dark green and have no shell. The oil made from these seeds is reputed for its healthy benefits. Fresh oil contains more than 60% unsaturated fatty acids.(29 % of mono unsaturated and 51 % of poly unsaturated fatty acids). Its benefits include regulating cholesterol levels and aiding in the prevention and treatment of bladder and prostate problems.

Choosing pumpkin is not difficult, the best ones are firm and smooth.
Pumpkin keeps well when uncut and placed in a cool and dry area, it can be kept for up to three months.


We love when tradition meets creativity. Click below for a couple of amazing (and healthy) pumpkin recipes:
Pumpkin and Yellow Pepper Soup with Smoked Paprika
Pumpkin Mousse Pie
Pumpkin/Butternut Squash Cookies

They are available only in the Fall in early Winter, a great reason to make the most of it during the season! What's more, you can carve it for fun and decoration!

How Much Are You Walking?

We've always been strong advocates of walking and the use of pedometers, to help you gauge daily physical activity. Pedometers are inexpensive and very helpful. Check out this article published by the NYTimes: 

"Americans are thousands of steps behind other countries when it comes to daily physical activity, according to new research that used pedometers to measure movement.
The study tracked the steps of 1,136 adults around the United States who wore pedometers for two days in 2003. The results were compared to similar pedometer studies in Switzerland, Australia and Japan. The data collected showed that Americans, on average, took 5,117 steps a day, far short of the averages in western Australia (9,695 steps), Switzerland (9,650 steps) and Japan (7,168 steps). The findings were published in the October issue of Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.
The fitness gap detected by the pedometer studies is equal to about 30 to 40 minutes of walking each day. One mile of walking covers about 2,000 steps, researchers say. The health community typically urges people to take at least 10,000 steps a day to maintain good health, which is equal to about five miles of walking.
Although there are notable differences in the methods used to study daily steps in each country, the findings still strongly suggest that Americans are moving much less than people in other developed countries.
“It did surprise me that Americans were that sedentary,” said the lead author, David R. Bassett Jr., a professor in the department of kinesiology, recreation and sport studies at the University of Tennessee. “A person is typically considered sedentary if they take less than 5,000 steps per day.”
The study also showed that American men, with an average daily step count of 5,340, are moving more than women, who averaged only 4,912 steps a day.

Notably, the countries that reported high average daily steps also have lower obesity rates, ranging from 3 percent to 16 percent. By comparison, about 34 percent of adults in the United States are obese."

Source: NYTimes

Best Pumpkin Carving Techniques

1. Select a fresh pumpkin in a shape that pleases you. Some folks prefer their pumpkins low and round, while others like them tall and oval-shaped.

2. Draw a circle or hexagon on top of the pumpkin in preparation for making an opening large enough for your hand to reach through.

 

3. Cut through the stem end of the pumpkin along your outline with a sharp knife or pumpkin-carving tool. Use a back-and-forth slicing motion to cut through the thick, tough skin.

 

4.Remove the stem end, which will act as a cap, making sure you scrape off any seeds or pulp.
5.Use a large spoon to scoop out the seeds and pulp from inside the pumpkin. Hold the spoon by its bowl to get extra leverage while scooping.

 

6.Draw a pattern for the face on the clean pumpkin with a felt-tip pen, or scribe the lines into the skin using a pencil. Be sure to make the eyes, nose and mouth large enough; you'll have a hard time cutting out tiny features when you're using a big knife blade to saw through tough skin.

 

7.Follow your pattern as you cut all the way through the pumpkin.
8.Push the cut-out features gently from the inside of the pumpkin and discard the pieces.

 

9.Place a votive candle inside the pumpkin to create an eerie glow.

Source: ehow

Organic Eggs and Dairy: Brand Ratings

Check out these organic eggs and dairy score cards, issued by the Cornucopia Institute. Producers are rated from exemplary to ethically deficient:

Click here to access the organic eggs scorecard.

Click here to access the organic dairy scorecard.

RECALL: Graco Strollers

Graco has issue a stroller recall for models Quattro Tour and MetroLite. Entrapment and strangulation can occur, especially to infants younger than 12 months of age, when a child is not harnessed. An infant can pass through the opening between the stroller tray and seat bottom, but his/her head and neck can become entrapped by the tray.  Infants who become entrapped at the neck are at risk of strangulation.

Click here for model numbers

Powerful Smoothies

Smoothies are is delicious and super healthy, loaded with antioxidants and fibers. We came across 2 interesting recipes incorporating ginger, a great ingredient to eat during flu season.

 Orange Carrot Smoothie Recipe With Ginger

• 2 oranges, peeled
• 2 large, organic carrots
• ½ to 1 inch ginger to taste
• 1-2 splashes of water
• Ice to chill if desired

Squeeze one of the oranges into your blender to provide enough juice to help it blend. Then add the rest of the orange pulp and the second orange, both carrots and the ginger. Add a splash or two of water to help it blend and thin out the consistency. You’ll need to add more water if you include the orange pith like I do and less water if you don’t. We like to leave the pith on as it’s loaded with fiber.
Once you have all your ingredients in the blender, you know what to do – blend on high until smooth!

Nutrition Information

Calories: 196
Fat: 0g
Protein: 3g
Carbohydrates: 48g
Calcium: 17% Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA)
Iron: 4% RDA
Vitamin A: 1061% RDA
Vitamin C: 232% RDA
This smoothie is also a rich source of folate, vitamin B1 – B6, vitamin k, copper and potassium.


Carrot Apple Ginger Green Smoothie

• 2 whole carrots
• 1 whole apple, cored
• 2 large handfuls of raw baby spinach
• 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger root
•  4-6 ounces of water

Add ingredients to your blender and blend on high until thoroughly mixed.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 157
Fat: 0.6 grams
Protein: 4 grams
Carbohydrates: 36 grams
Calcium: 13% daily value (DV)
Iron: 18% DV
Vitamin A: 427% DV
Vitamin C: 65% DV

Variations

Boost the vitamin C content of this smoothie by adding an orange. You’ll dramatically increase your vitamin C and add extra calcium while only adding an additional 62 calories with a medium-sized fruit.

Source: Incredible Smoothies

Problems with Artificial Food Dyes

Halloween is just a week away, when unfortunately most kids eat a lot of cheap candy with loads of sugar and artificial dyes. Milton Stokes, M.P.H., R.D., wrote in the November/December issue of EatingWell Magazine about the potential health risks of synthetic food dyes.

• Preliminary evidence suggests that many children have a slight sensitivity to food dyes—and a smaller percentage are very sensitive. “We see reactions in sensitive individuals that include core ADHD symptoms, like difficulty sitting in a chair and interrupting conversations,” says David Schab, M.D., M.P.H., assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Columbia University and co-author of a 2004 meta-analysis that found food dyes promote hyperactive behavior in already hyperactive children.

• A U.S. study published in Science found that when children who scored high on a scale measuring hyperactivity consumed a food-dye blend they performed worse on tests that measured their ability to recall images than when they drank a placebo. 

• A 2007 British study found that children who consumed a mixture of common synthetic dyes displayed hyperactive behavior within an hour of consumption. (These children had not been diagnosed with ADD or ADHD.)

• The three most widely used culprits—Yellow 5, Yellow 6 and Red 40—contain compounds, including benzidine and 4-aminobiphenyl, that research has also linked with cancer.

There are several alternatives that kids will love just as much such as organic candies, cupcakes, chocolates, cookies, etc

Source: EatingWell 

Organic Lollipops and Gummy Bears for Halloween Treat

Organic Treat or Treat! Check out these lollipops free of chemicals, pesticides and dyes. The bag contains 8 flavors: grape, strawberry, blueberry, cherry, sour apple, pomegranate, watermelon and mango. Ingredients include organic evaporated cane juice, organic tapioca syrup, non-gmo citric acid, organic & natural flavors and flavors. By Yummy Earth

Gummy Bears are a favorite! This one is USDA organic certified. Ingredients include organic rice syrup, organic cane sugar, gelatin, organic carrot juice, organic aronia juice, organic black currant, organic curcuma, natural flavor, citric acid, ascorbic acid, organic sunflower oil.

Also by Yummy Earth

Traditional Miso Soup to Warm You Up

If you enjoy Japanese food, you probably like Miso Soup. We love it here! Not only it tastes good, it is also wonderful for your health. Studies show that it can reduce risk of certain cancers.
We came across a very good and easy recipe, in case you enjoy it as much as we do.

Traditional Miso Soup

Servings: 4 portions

• 2 teaspoons dashi granules*
• 4 cups water
• 3 tablespoons miso paste
• 1 (8 ounce) package silken tofu, diced
• 2 green onions, sliced diagonally into 1/2 inch pieces

In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine dashi granules and water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, and whisk in the miso paste. Stir in tofu. Separate the layers of the green onions, and add them to the soup. Simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes before serving. 

*Dashi is a basic stock used in Japanese cooking which is made by boiling dried kelp (seaweed) and dried bonito (fish). Instant dashi granules are sold in conveniently-sized jars or packets and vary in strength. Add more dashi to your soup if you want a stronger stock. You can use yellow, white or red miso paste for this soup. Yellow miso is sweet and creamy, red miso is stronger and saltier. 

 

Source: All Recipes 

One More Chance to Win Episencial Products

Great news to our readers: we are extending our Episencial Eco-Giveaway one more week!!!  More products will be given away this Monday! 
Episencial is a skincare line formulated specifically for the developing skin type of babies and kids. This all natural skincare is free from the bad stuff (like fragrances and parabens) and loaded with good stuff like healthy organics. Products are packaged in recycled materials free of phthalate and BpA and are manufactured using solar power.

The prize is amazing!

- A basket of products worth US $75. Another winner will be announced on October 25, 2010.

We changed the participation rules just a bit this week, but it is still very easy to participate!

Invite 5 friends to become fans (a.k.a.Like) of our EcoLogicalMom Facebook page and e-mail their names to EcoLogicalMom@ymail.com by October 24, 2010.

They must be fans until the end of the Eco-Giveaway.

Click here to access our Facebook page, then click on "suggest to friends", right below the logo, on the top left of the Facebook page

Logon to Episencial's Facebook page for specials and great tips on gentle skincare. Also, check Episencial.com for product information and baby skincare education.

Good luck!

Winners will be chosen at random.
 "Episencial Baskets" are provided by Episencial.

Another Winner of Our Episencial Eco-Giveaway

Congratulations Mia B., zip code 63146. You are the winner of our Episencial Eco-Giveaway. Please contact us at EcoLogicalMom@ymail.com to redeem your prize.

Crawler Costume

Here is another costume option for crawling babies....adorable!

By BrandsonSale

Halloween Stroller

If you have a baby who can’t quite walk from house to house, these handmade stroller costumes will do it in style! And you won’t believe the variety of stroller costumes!

By Mapletree 2000

Scary Fun Nail Polish

Just in time for Halloween, this cool nail polish for kids will add color to their costumes. While we are "kinda" against nail polish for kids, this one is non toxic, and fun for parties! Hopscotch Kids is free of toluene, dibutyl phthalate, formaldehyde, acetone, FD&C, coal tar and lake colors – so it’s ok for kids, and good for the Earth.

By Hopscotch Kids

Food Label That Highlights Harmful Nutrients

A report from the Institute of Medicine is being developed to help Congress and the Food and Drug Administration decide what to do about the proliferation of certain labeling practices that food companies and retailers use to promote the nutritional aspects of food products. According to the report, nutrition information on the front of food packages should focus on the nutrients most responsible for obesity and chronic diseases: calories, saturated fat, trans fat and sodium.
The report suggests a package-front label that emphasize the potentially harmful nutrients in the food product — for example, those that promote obesity, diabetes or heart disease — and exclude information about beneficial nutrients, like fiber or vitamins.
That was partly to avoid a mixed message and partly because including information about positive ingredients could encourage food companies to unnecessarily fortify foods with nutrients to score better in the labeling system, the report said.
"What we’re suggesting is that food products be labeled in a consistent way with information that will help the general public decrease their risk for chronic diseases and this is the type of information that is unlikely to currently appear on the front of the package,” said Alice H. Lichtenstein, a professor of nutrition at Tufts University and vice chairwoman of the institute committee that prepared the report.

Source: NYTimes

Episencial Eco-Giveaway: We're Giving Away More Products this Monday!

Have you entered to win our weekly Episencial Eco-Giveaway yet? We are giving away more products this Monday! Episencial is a skincare line formulated specifically for the developing skin type of babies and kids. This all natural skincare is free from the bad stuff (like fragrances and parabens) and loaded with good stuff like healthy organics. Products are packaged in recycled materials free of phthalate and BpA and are manufactured using solar power.

The prizes are amazing!

- 4 baskets of products worth US $75 each. Another winner will be announced on October 18, 2010.

It is very easy to participate!

Sign up for our new EcoLogical Mom e-Newsletter by clicking here.

All participants must be subscribed until the end of the Eco-Giveaway.

Logon to Episencial's Facebook page for specials and great tips on gentle skincare. Also, check Episencial.com for product information and baby skincare education.

Good luck!

Winners will be chosen at random.
 "Episencial Baskets" are provided by Episencial.

Spooky Creepy Halloween Goodies

Check out these cool Halloween toys. Besides being cute and fun, they won't damage your kids' teeth.
Made from pure merino and mohair needle felted wool, these egg people are super soft and sturdy, lightweight and warm to the touch. They come in their own brand new cardboard egg carton with an 'All Natural' sticker and a birdie stamp on the top.

By Asher Jasper, an Etsy store

Spaghetti Squash Gratin with Basil

Spaghetti squash is an intriguing vegetable, and can be a delicious substitute for pasta. Try this recipe, it is a fun veggie to explore!


Spaghetti Squash Gratin with Basil

Servings: six portions as a main dish, eight as a side.
 

• 1 spaghetti squash, about 3 pounds
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup low-fat milk
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil (1/4 cup basil leaves)
• 2 ounces Gruyère cheese, grated (1/2 cup)
• 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan or pecorino romano

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Pierce the squash in several places with a sharp knife. Cover a baking sheet with foil, and place the squash on top. Bake for one hour, turning the squash every 20 minutes until it is soft and easy to cut into with a knife. Remove from the heat, and allow the squash to cool until you can handle it. Cut in half lengthwise, and allow to cool further. Remove the seeds and discard. Scoop out the flesh, and place in a bowl. Run a fork through the flesh to separate the spaghetti-like strands, then chop coarsely. Measure out 4 cups squash. (Use whatever remains for another dish, or freeze.)
Oil a 2-quart gratin or baking dish. Heat the oil over medium heat in a large, heavy skillet, and add the onion. Cook, stirring, until tender, about five minutes. Add the garlic and a generous pinch of salt. Cook, stirring, for another 30 seconds to a minute until fragrant. Add the squash. Cook, stirring often, for five minutes until the strands of squash are a little more tender. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and remove from the heat.
Beat the eggs in a large bowl. Add the milk, salt (about 1/2 teaspoon), pepper and basil. Stir in the squash mixture and the Gruyère, and combine well. Scrape into the baking dish. Sprinkle the Parmesan or pecorino over the top, and gently press down to moisten.
Bake 40 to 45 minutes until nicely browned and sizzling. Remove from the heat, and allow to cool for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. Serve hot, warm or room temperature.

Nutritional information per serving (six servings): 172 caloreis; 9 grams fat; 3 grams saturated fat; 119 milligrams cholesterol; 16 grams carbohydrates; 3 grams dietary fiber; 139 milligrams sodium (does not include salt added during preparation; 9 grams protein

Source: NYTimes

Cardboard Dream House

This cardboard house is very cool: beautiful, fun and eco-friendly. Kids love it!!  It was designed by a group of architects, digital artists, graphic designers and a national park ranger, resulting in a tremendous curb appeal. Made from 100% recycled cardboard and 100% recyclable.

By  Little Piggy's House

Artificial Sweetners Make you Crave Sugary Treats

Substituting a soda with artificial sweeteners for a sugary beverage can help lower calorie intake, but there’s no evidence it helps you keep off the pounds in the long-term, a recent review of hundreds of studies on non-calorie sweeteners, appetite and food intake published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition indicated.
Dr. David Ludwig, director of the Optimal Weight for Life Program at Children’s Hospital in Boston, cites animal studies that suggest consuming diet drinks alone (not with food) can confuse or disrupt the body’s ability to determine calorie content based on sweetness. As a result, the hyped-up sugar receptors could increase hunger and food intake, and contribute to weight gain. People would crave more high-calorie sweet foods and fewer healthful, less sweet foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and legumes.
Also, other research suggests possible links between diet soda and metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, kidney problems, and preterm delivery, it’s prudent if you’re more than an occasional diet soda consumer to curb intake.

Source: msnbc.com

Heck of an Outfit

The organic set includes an adorable bodysuit with a "winter friends" pattern, pink jacket with embroidered character and snow flakes, and a gorgeous set of pants with accent ruffles on the feet and embroidered snow flakes. Free of toxins and chemicals, and very soft. Comes with decorative padded hanger. Machine washable.

By Organically Grown

Congratulations Jessica Sl..., Eco-Giveaway Winner!

Congratulations Jessica Sl..., zip code 60016, you are the fourth winner of our Episencial Eco-Giveaway. Please e-mail us at EcoLogicalMom@ymail.com to redeem your beautiful prize, a basket of signature skincare products.

Spin N Grin

Cute eco friendly toy made from natural corn based products, safe for baby & the environment! The bright colorful Spin N Grin toy will have all the beads making sound when grabbed by the baby and shaken or spun. Mirror on bottom creates interest as baby sees their image. Product made from natural and phthalate-free material. Printed with soy ink.

Sold at Amazon

In Case You Missed It...Inside Chicken Nuggets

In case you haven't seen it in the media yet, the image above (courtesy of Gizmodo.com and The Huffington Post) features mechanically separated chicken, or chicken and chicken bones that have been mechanically separated and churned into goop. Hardly the “white meat” we imagine, it can also contain bacteria, so after the process showcased above, it is soaked in ammonia, which, as you might imagine, changes the taste of the “meat” considerably. So, once the paste is formed into familiar shapes, it is dyed and artificially flavored to taste like chicken.Then it is served in fast food chains.....

Source: The Huffington Post