10 Ways to Save Money, Save the Planet
May 31, 2009
Here are some of Montebello Kitchens’ quick tips for saving money and for being a good steward of the earth. Some of the ideas are ours, some are from our friends at Whole Foods Markets and a few are from authorities (ie: National Institute of Health) that I found on the internet.
- Use cloth kitchen towels and napkins or at least half-sheet recycled paper towels.
- Get a water filter – this is better than single-use plastic bottles. And whatever you do, DON’T refill the plastic bottles and use them over and over again. Didn’t you see scary investigative journalism show?
- Shop bulk bins for cereals, grains, pasta etc. and use airtight containers.
- Reuse shopping bags at the grocery store, the library, to carry your mail, the uses are endless.
- Make and take your own lunch – fewer preservatives, no waste from single-use containers.
- Make your own healthier soda by combining 2 parts mineral water or seltzer to one part real juice.
- Vacuum your fridge coils 3 or 4 times a year, more often if you have pets.
- Wash clothes in cold water because roughly 80% of washer is used to heat water. If you wash with cold water your clothes will maintain their colors longer. Most people pre-treat stains (especially if you are a Mom) and putting a tablespoon of baking soda in each load of laundry really helps brighten and clean. The only reason I found to use hot water is to kill dust mites in bedsheets – either that or put the sheets in the freezer. Right.
- Watch your portion sizes to help “balance consumption with resources.” That, and it helps you maintain healthy eating habits!
- Shop the sales on eco-friendly cleaners, recycled paper goods and LOCAL, organic and seasonal goods.
Just a few quick and relatively easy (except for the sheets in the freezer) ideas to put into practice now. What has worked for you? Rain barrels? Your own garden? Freezing sheets?
Save the Planet
Pan-seared Salmon and Asparagus Fettuccine with Citrus Cream Sauce
May 20, 2009
This is an absolute wonderful recipe. You can use chicken instead of the salmon if you like. The citrus cream sauce would be great over crab cakes also.
You will need:
1 lb asparagus
1/2 lb fettuccine, cooked
4 salmon fillets, about 6 ounces each
1 tablespoon snipped tarragon leaves
1 cup cream
1/4 cup Montebello Kitchens Citronette Dressing and Marinade
flour for dredging
3 tablespoons oil
Preparation:
- Cut tips off asparagus. Blanch and reserve
- Using a vegetable peeler, shave the uncooked stalks into long ribbons
- Season the salmon with salt and pepper, dredge in flour.
- Heat oil in large pan over medium heat, Saute salmon about 7 minutes, flipping once
- Hold cooked salmon in warm oven
- In the same skillet melt 2 tablespoons butter add the asparagus ribbons toss lightly.
- Add the Citronette dressing and the cream. Cook about 5 minutes until sauce is thickened.
- Add asparagus ribbons with cream sauce to drained cooked pasta adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Divide between four plates and top with salmon. Drizzle citrus cream over salmon and top with tarragon and asparagus tips.
(Square Foot) Gardening
May 13, 2009
I am sure that most of you have already started your gardens for the summer. The girls and I have seedlings for flowers but we are behind in the vegetable department. Last year Steven over-hauled our “big” garden and took a completely different approach. We are now “Square Foot Gardeners.” Steven read with great interest the book All New Square Foot Gardening by Mel Bartholomew and then put the words into action. We had an amazing garden with copious amounts of vegetables but with less work!
Square Foot Gardening in Town
We have friends that are also using this method – some live on big farms and some live in the town. The beauty is that this style of garden can be worked anywhere. Another benefit is that our children are involved and it is a terrific family project. This also makes the girls want to eat more vegetables because they helped them to grow. Last year we grilled lots of veggies and then put our Rosehip and Herb dressing on them which was simple, tasty and healthy.
How do you garden? Has anyone succumbed to television shopping and bought a “Tomato Tree?” I want to know if they really work!
(The photos are of our friends’ garden – they converted an old coffee house into a home, and the architect-husband and artist-wife are enjoying working/playing on the outside as much as the inside!)
Trellis with Square Foot Box
Greens in special soil mix
Lots of garden in a little space
