Celebrate Arbor Day 2011

Arbor Day 2011 is held on April 29th this year. Arbor Day is a nationally celebrated observance that encourages tree planting and care.  Arbor Day began in 1872, prompted by the lack of trees in Nebraska. A pioneer named J. Sterling Morton proposed a tree-planting holiday named Arbor Day. It is estimated that one million trees were planted in Nebraska on the first Arbor Day. Due to J. Sterling Morton’s initial efforts, this day is now celebrated nationwide and in many other countries as well.

Why are trees such an important part of our lives that they deserve a national celebrated day of their own? For many reasons!  Trees improve our environment by increasing air and water quality, conserving energy, helping to control storm water and sequestering carbon. Trees increase property values, create wildlife habitat, and add beauty to any landscape. Arbor Day is a day to celebrate the importance of trees in our lives!

How can you celebrate Arbor Day? How about something that’s simple, inexpensive and good for all? By becoming a member of the Arbor Day Foundation and pledging as little as $10 you will be gifted with 10 trees that grow well in your vicinity http://www.arborday.org/shopping/memberships/memberships.cfm. Or, if you wish, you can also choose to have the trees sent to someone else. Another great option is to have the Arbor Day Foundation plant 10 trees in your honor in a forest in need. Our nation’s forests provide wood, habitat, clean air, and drinking water for millions of us. Your honorary trees will help preserve these precious resources for this and future generations.

You can also send FREE e-cards to your friends and family for Arbor Day. Check out all the different card options at http://www.arborday.org/cards/index.cfm.

Or if you don't have a green thumb, get your family out and enjoy the outdoors to celebrate Arbor Day! Go for a hike, bike ride, or even a picnic outdoors! Fresh air and exercise do a body good!

Happy Arbor Day!

posted by Allergy Free and Cheap Like Me! at 4:35 PM 0 comments

Easy Natural Easter Egg Dyeing

As Easter Sunday is fast approaching it's time agin to dye Easter eggs! This year why not skip the pre-packaged dyes and make your own natural dyes! The prep time for making your own egg dye takes a little extra time but the results are so beautiful and a lot more natural not to mention much safer for you and your family to eat! And the best part is you probably already have most of the supplies in your pantry!

Follow these directions to prepare your dye in four beautiful natural colors!

PINK

1 15-ounce jar beets

1 cup water

1 teaspoon vinegar

Bring beets and water to boil, let simmer for 5 minutes. Pour through a colander into a bowl to retain the liquid. Cook, then stir in vinegar. 

YELLOW

1 tablespoon turmeric or curry powder

2 cups water

Bring spice and water to a boil, let simmer for 5 minutes. Cool.

GREEN

1 cup water

3 chlorophyll capsules (available at vitamin or health food stores)

Bring water to a boil, the remove from heat. Open up the capsules and stir the contents into the water. Cool 

BLUE

2 cups frozen blueberries

2 cups water

1 teaspoon vinegar

Bring blueberries and water to a boil, let simmer for 5 minutes. Pour through a colander into a to retain the liquid. Cool, then stir in vinegar. 

It will take about 5 to 15 minutes depending on how deep you want the colors for the dye to set. Remember you can wrap eggs with rubber bands or decorate them with stickers and peel them off after dyeing to leave beautiful white designs behind. 

posted by Allergy Free and Cheap Like Me! at 5:43 PM 1 comments

Earth Day 2011

Earth Day is this Friday April 22nd! What are you doing to celebrate?

The first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970 and has been celebrated every year since. Earth day was founded by Senator Gaylord Nelson, after years of being frustrated that the environment was a "non-issue" in politics. 20 million people took to the streets that first day, vastly exceeding even the most optimistic expectations. Republicans, Democrats, school children, college students, labor unions, housewives, doctors, religious leaders, bankers, retirees, farmers and everyone in between participated in thousands of local marches, rallies, parades, protests and other events. The first Earth Day was deemed a blazing success. The event was front-page news almost everywhere, and coverage was overwhelmingly positive. The event cemented in people's minds the importance of environmental issues as a community concern and an international political priority. Earth Day has since expanded to reach almost every country on earth, attracting around a billion participants per year!

So what can you do to participate in Earth Day 2011? Earth Day events are being held throughout the world and range from large scale actions such as the San Francisco Earth Day Festival to small scale events organized by community members -information on local events can be found at: http://act.earthday.org/events/. In addition to the Earth Day events being held around the globe, people who are eager to participate can pledge "an act of green" as part of Earth Day's "A Billion Acts of Green" campaign. Pledges range from donating money to simply picking up trash or using re-usable shopping bags - for more information on the campaign visit http://act.earthday.org/ .

To help get you in the Earth Day spirit here are a few freebies for you to enjoy this year on Earth Day. 

• Origins is offering a FREE Full Size Cleanser on Earth Day when you fill out this form and take in your current cleanser container empty or full to trade for the Origins full size Checks and Balances or A Perfect World (Value $18!!)
• Don’t Forget the Starbucks FREE Coffee or Tea offer!! Bring in a travel cup at Starbucks and receive a free coffee or tea.
• Disney Store is offering a free Reusable shopping bag! When you bring in 5 plastic grocery bags to recycle with them. Limit (1) bag per guest while supplies last. In store only.
• Saturday April 23rd Lowe's is giving away a million trees, visit your local Lowe's to get one!
• National Parks Week! April 16-24, 2011. Get out and discover something new about your 394 national parks. This year’s focus, Healthy Parks, Healthy People, highlights the connection between human and environmental health and the vital role America’s national parks play in both. Whether your prefer a 20-mile backcountry hike in Yosemite or a leisurely stroll around Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, moving outside is good for you and offers a chance to explore. During National Parks Week entrance to all parks is FREE!  So get out there and get to know your National Parks!

Happy Earth Day!

posted by Allergy Free and Cheap Like Me! at 5:15 PM 0 comments

The Gluten Free Global Community!

I am happy and excited to announce Allergy Free and Cheap Like Me is now a member of The Gluten Free Global Community!  The Gluten Free Global Community was started by Carol Kicinski. A professional recipe developer, food writer and TV chef - and she does it all gluten-free! Carol wanted to create a space for all gluten free bloggers to get to know one another, meet new bloggers, make new friends, and get inspiration and support. By being a member of The Gluten Free Global Community I hope to be able to share a wider variety of perspectives to you my followers by learning from all of the wonderful gluten free bloggers out there! Please also check out Carol's site Simply Gluten Free, it has tons of wonderful gluten free information and recipes!

posted by Allergy Free and Cheap Like Me! at 3:09 PM 1 comments

Lemon Artichoke Chicken Penne

This simple but delicious pasta dish is anything but plain. In fact it is so good, I'm sure it will soon become a household favorite! And of course it's allergen free!

Ingredients:

1 pound chicken breasts (about 2 large breasts)
3 tablespoons gluten free flour (I used sorghum)
salt and pepper 
1 teaspoon dried basil 
2 tablespoons grapeseed oil 
1 cup white wine 
2 cups GF chicken broth (I use Pacific Natural Foods, check out the link for a coupon!)
juice of half a lemon 
1 jar capers, drained and rinsed
1 jar pitted kalimata olives, drained 
1 can artichoke hearts
1/2 pound of gluten free penne 
Vegan cheese (I used Daiya mozzarella style) - optional-it's very good without.
Gluten Free breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon olive oil

How to Make it:

• Cut the chicken, about 2 large breasts, into 2 x 1/2 inch strips. 
• In a small bowl combine, flour, salt, pepper, and basil.
• Coat the chicken strips in flour mixture.
• Pour the grapeseed oil in a deep, heavy frying pan and heat over medium high heat. Working in batches fry the chicken until fully cooked and browned on both sides. Remove the chicken to a plate.
• Deglaze the pan with a cup of white wine scraping up all the browned bits. Reduce the liquid by half.
• Add the chicken stock and simmer until it is reduced by about a third. Add the juice from 1/2 lemon and season with salt and pepper. 
• While the sauce is reducing, make the penne. Boil it a few minutes short of being done (so if it is supposed to boil for 9 minutes reduce the time to 6 minutes). Drain, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water. 
• Add the penne to the sauce and mix. Add the artichokes (cut into quarters). Simmer, stirring frequently, for 2 minutes. If the sauce boils down add some of the pasta water about ¼ cup at a time to keep things moist. Add the chicken pieces and heat another minute.
• Pour the mixture into a large ovenproof serving dish. 
• Stir in the drained olives and capers.
• Sprinkle the pasta with a few tablespoons of vegan cheese.
• Top with the gluten free breadcrumbs and drizzle with olive oil. Place under the broiler for a few minutes until the top is golden brown.
• Enjoy!

**To make gluten free breadcrumbs at home, cut a few slices of gluten free bread into small pieces. Drizzle with olive oil and seasoning of choice, then fry the bread in a pan or place in the oven under the broiler for a few minutes until toasted!

posted by Allergy Free and Cheap Like Me! at 4:39 PM 4 comments

Valentine's Day Treat!

This Valentine's Day show your special someone how much you love them by treating them to this decadent dessert! What says Valentine's Day better than chocolate! 

DIVINELY RICH MOCHA CHOCOLATE CAKE

Show your special someone how much you love them this Valentine's Day by making this Divinely Rich Mocha Chocolate Cake! It is sure to impress! The best part, it's allergen-free! 

Makes 2-9 inch layers, 3-8 inch layers or 36 cupcakes.

Ingredients:

1-cup hot brewed coffee

1-cup cocoa powder

1-cup hot water

3-cups gluten free flour blend (I used 1 cup sorghum, 1 cup tapioca and 1 cup millet)

2-teaspoons baking soda

1-teaspoon baking powder

1-teaspoon salt

1-teaspoon xanthan gum

1-cup dairy free butter or shortening (I used Earth Balance, buttery spread)

2 1/2 cups sugar or evaporated cane juice

4 large eggs*

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

*For egg free, mix 1/2-cup applesauce with 2 teaspoons baking powder in a small bowl. In another bowl, mix 4 tablespoons cold water with 1-tablespoon egg replacer. Add egg replacer mixture to applesauce mixture. Add mixture to the creamed shortening and sugar and proceed with the recipe instructions.

How to Make It:

• Preheat over to 350 degrees. Grease pans
• In medium sized bowl, whisk together the coffee and cocoa powder. Add hot water and whisk until smooth. 
• In a bowl blend together flours, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and xanthan gum. 
• In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the margarine and sugar at medium speed until light and fluffy, approximately 5 minutes. 
• Lower the speed to medium and add the eggs or egg mixture. Add the vanilla and mix until creamy. 
• Blend half the dry ingredients into the batter, followed by half the cocoa mix. Blend in remaining dry ingredients and cocoa mix, mix on medium speed until smooth for about 2 minutes. 
• Spoon the batter into prepared pans. Bake in preheated oven for about 40 minutes. Watch carefully.
• Remove from oven and let cool on wire rack.
• After completely cooled frost with the "Mocha Buttercream Frosting". 
• Enjoy!

MOCHA "BUTTERCREAM" FROSTING

This versatile recipe makes enough to frost a 3-layer cake. 

**For a wonderful vanilla buttercream frosting omit the cocoa and coffee and add 1-tablespoon vanilla extract.

Makes 8 cups

Ingredients:

6 cups sifted powdered sugar

2 tablespoons sifted cocoa

1/2-teaspoon salt

1/2 cup boiling hot water

2 1/2 cups shortening (I used Spectrum Organic Shortening)

3/4 cups dairy free butter (I used Earth Balance)

2 teaspoons coffee extract

How to Make It:

• In electric mixer bowl combine, powdered sugar, cocoa, and salt.
• With a whip attachment add boiling water and whip at medium-low speed until smooth and cool for approximately 5 minutes.
• Scrape down the bowl add shortening, margarine, and extract to the sugar. Whip at medium-high speed until smooth and fluffy for approximately 10 minutes.
• Frost cake or cupcakes!
• Enjoy!  

posted by Allergy Free and Cheap Like Me! at 1:16 PM 0 comments