Novato, California (May 15, 2013) – Over the past several years, the team at Navitas Naturals has watched natural foods chef Julie Morris create hundreds (if not thousands) of amazing smoothies during a variety of events, classes, product development sessions and store demos. That’s why it’s a pleasure to announce her delightful new book Superfood Smoothies released this week by Sterling Publishing. In this comprehensive smoothie how-to book available at Amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com and bookstores in the U.S., Chef Julie shares 100 quick, healthy and delicious recipes that use the world’s most nutritious foods.

Julie Morris is the Executive Chef for Navitas Naturals – the leading superfoods brand at retail stores across the continent. Superfood Smoothies demonstrates her culinary and writing talents, and her vast experience blending up the healthiest smoothies. Her new book is loaded with helpful advice and tips about the best culinary methods for making the ultimate smoothies. Chef Julie shares her insight about using the hottest nutrient-dense superfoods in the marketplace, including chia seeds, goji berries, raw cacao, hemp seeds, acai, and goldenberries.  Whether you’re looking for an energy boost, seeking a gentle cleanse, or just trying to get healthy, you’ll be inspired to power up the blender!

Beautiful food photos are key to the success of a cookbook, and Superfood Smoothies has a lot of eye-candy to enjoy. The gorgeous new book also includes informative chapters on smoothie “basics”, “essentials” and “nutritional rewards”, a helpful conversion chart, and a resource guide. It is thoughtful that the recipes are searchable by both style of drink, and nutritional health function. For example, this Maqui Banana smoothie recipe from the book, below, is indexed under Beauty Foods, due to Maqui’s high level of skin-healthy anthocyanins – the antioxidants that give it that deep purple color.

Maqui Banana Smoothie

3 frozen bananas

2¼ cups coconut milk (boxed variety)

1 tablespoon Navitas Naturals Maqui Berry Powder

1 tablespoon of Navitas Naturals chia seeds

Sweetener, to taste (optional

Blend together all the ingredients until smooth. Taste, and sweeten if desired. Makes two 14-ounce servings.

About Navitas Naturals – The Superfood Company

The mission of Navitas Naturals is to provide the finest organic superfoods that increase energy and enhance health. Since 2003, health-conscious people have been choosing their organic superfoods because they’re a diverse whole-food source of antioxidants, protein, essential fats, minerals, vitamins and other key nutrients. All of their products are certified organic and Non-GMO Project Verified, and use methods such as freeze-drying and low temperature processing to ensure maximum nutrition and flavor.

About Julie Morris is a Los Angeles-based natural food chef and author. She has worked in the natural food industry for close to a decade as a recipe developer, culinary writer, and cooking show host, and is a spokesperson and executive chef for Navitas Naturals, a fair trade company that specializes in 100% organic superfoods. Morris is an active advocate for whole, plant-based foods and superfoods for optimal health. Her mission is simple: to share recipes and nutrition tips that make a vibrantly healthy lifestyle both easy to achieve and simply delicious to follow. To learn more about Julie and superfoods visit juliemorris.net.

There are so many way to save energy, BEING SMARTER, is my favorite!  -Editor

“There is a lot of potential good to be gotten out of growing produce locally, including food quality, environmental and lower carbon footprint issues,” Mitchell says. “People realize this and the movement to buy local grown produce has grown. The problem has been lighting costs and heating over the seasons when produce can’t be grown outside.”

Highlights of note:

• Fans of the local food movement who despair through the winter months at high-priced greenhouse-grown or unripe produce transported over thousands of miles might soon find some relief.
• A study of advanced lighting in greenhouses is successfully using cool and efficient LED systems to grow tomatoes in northern greenhouses through the winter.
• LED lighting is more energy efficient, and delivers the required amount of light using much less energy.
• In an experiment, researchers at Mitchell saw no differences in productivity between plants grown under sodium lights and those grown with LEDs.
• The difference in energy costs was significant, though. Cost for HPS lamps was 403 percent more than that of using vertical LED towers in the study

The harvest season seems to whiz by every year in northern latitudes. Just as the time comes to sink a fork into early spring’s peppery locally grown lettuce and asparagus, the market’s crates are already brimming with winter squash. And the juicy tomatoes that yesterday took a quick ride from a nearby farm start logging thousands of miles from farm to table.

Unfortunately, the only two options for most consumers looking to buy fresh produce during the cold months are either to get them shipped from warmer regions or from greenhouses closer by. Efficiencies in the agricultural and shipping systems being what they are, fruits and vegetables grown in warmer climes—by necessity picked before they ripen to prevent spoilage in transit—cost less than premium-priced food from the greenhouse.

Either way, each of those February cucumbers is the product of a significant energy investment—whether it’s producing the fertilizer, burning fuel in shipping, or lighting and heating commercial greenhouses.

“The average tomato is trucked 1,500 miles from where it’s picked in the winter and it sits on that truck for a week or more,” says Purdue University horticulture professor Cary Mitchell. “By the time it gets to a northern market, it has been in the dark for a while and its quality is degraded. Yet you pay a premium for it—up to four dollars a pound in January.”

Fans of the local food movement who despair through the winter months at high-priced greenhouse-grown or unripe produce transported over thousands of miles might soon find some relief.

Major energy savings

Mitchell is leading a study of advanced lighting in greenhouses that is successfully using cool and efficient LED systems to grow tomatoes in northern greenhouses through the winter. Adopting this new equipment and better growing protocols, commercial growers could cut costs enough to provide produce locally when it’s cold outside.

For the FULL Article, go to The Txchnologist has the news here: LEDs May Be Local Food Movement’s Best Friend in Winter.

Increased growth in agricultural production has resulted in increased agricultural greenhouse gas emissions—with a huge proportion of emissions coming from livestock production.

Highlights
Agriculture is the third largest contributor to global emissions by sector, with methane accounting for just under half of total agricultural emissions, nitrous oxide for 36 percent, and carbon dioxide for some 14 percent.
Enteric fermentation or the digestion of organic materials by livestock is the largest source of agricultural emissions overall, contributing 37 percent of the total.
One way to reduce agricultural emissions is for people to minimize their consumption of meat and dairy products.
Related Posts

BY LAURA REYNOLDS | MAY 8, 2013
In 2010, global greenhouse gas emissions from the agricultural sector totaled 4.7 billion tons of carbon dioxideequivalent, up 13 percent over 1990. Agriculture is the THIRD largest contributor to global emissions by sector, following the burning of fossil fuels for power and heat, and transportation. In 2010, emissions from electricity and heat production reached 12.5 billion tons, and emissions from transport totaled 6.7 billion tons.

Despite their continuing rise, emissions from agriculture are growing at a much slower rate than the sector as a whole, demonstrating the increasing carbon efficiency of agriculture. From 1990 to 2010, the volume of agricultural production overall increased nearly 23 percent, according to data compiled by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for its program, FAOSTAT. FAO released a new Greenhouse Gas Emissions database for agriculture, forestry and other land use changes in December 2012, which can be found here.

According to FAO, methane accounts for just under half of total agricultural emissions, nitrous oxide for 36 percent, and carbon dioxide for some 14 percent. The largest source of methane emissions is enteric fermentation, or the digestion of organic materials by livestock, predominantly beef cattle. This is also the largest source of agricultural emissions overall, contributing 37 percent of the total.

Livestock contribute to global emissions in other ways as well. Manure deposited and left on pastures is a major source of nitrous oxide emissions because of its high nitrogen content. When more nitrogen is added to soil than is needed, bacteria convert the extra nitrogen into nitrous oxide and release it into the atmosphere. Emissions from manure on pasture in Asia, Africa, and South America together account for as much as 81 percent of global emissions from this source. These emissions from the three regions increased 42 percent on average between 1990 and 2010, reflecting an increase in range-based livestock populations; elsewhere, these emissions either decreased or stagnated.

Carbon dioxide emissions from cultivated organic soils account for some 14 percent of total agricultural emissions, with Asia contributing 54 percent of these emissions. Deforestation and clearing for agricultural land in many tropical South and Southeast Asian countries are a leading cause of these emissions. Asia is home to four out of the top five countries with the highest CO2 emissions from cultivated organic soils, with Indonesia contributing 279 million tons, Papua New Guinea 41 million tons, Malaysia 35 million tons, and Bangladesh 31 million tons.

These data clearly indicate that livestock production accounts for an enormous share of global greenhouse gas emissions. Together, emissions from enteric fermentation, manure left on pastures, manure applied to soils, cropland devoted to feed production, and manure treated in management systems contribute more than 80 percent of total emissions. Meanwhile, emissions related to the direct human consumption of food crops represent less than 20 percent of the total.

One obvious way to reduce agricultural emissions is for people to minimize their consumption of meat and dairy products. This would help stabilize or shrink livestock populations, lessen the pressure to clear additional land for livestock, and reduce the proportion of grain that is grown for livestock feed instead of for direct human consumption.

Farmers and landowners have numerous opportunities to mitigate these impacts as well, bringing environmental and even economic co-benefits. For example, applying fertilizer more efficiently, precisely, and at times when plants can absorb it can significantly reduce nitrous oxide emissions while lowering fertilizer costs. Planting fallow fields with nitrogen-fixing legume crops—such as soybeans, alfalfa, and clover—can also naturally rebuild nitrogen and other nutrients in soils.

Growing trees and woody perennials on land can sequester carbon while simultaneously helping to restore soils, reduce water contamination, and provide beneficial wildlife habitat. Reducing soil tillage can also rebuild soils while lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Some practices can even result in increased income for farmers: “cap-and-trade” programs allow farmers to monetize and sell certain sequestration practices, while government programs like the U.S. Conservation Reserve Program pay farmers to set aside some of their land for long-term restoration. As detailed in the 2012 Worldwatch report, Innovations in Sustainable Agriculture: Supporting Climate-Friendly Food Production, many mitigation practices use existing and accessible technologies and can be implemented immediately.

Read the full report at Vital Signs Online.

Laura Reynolds is a Food and Agriculture Staff Researcher at the Worldwatch Institute

There are all sorts of ways to move into a more size appropriate home, some are more dramatic than others! Take a look at these possibilities and get inspired!

Downsize with a theme! This is a Pirate Ship House Boat that is for sale. Asking Price $79,000

Location: St. Louis

Built on 50′ 1988 Gibson houseboat. Brand new twin 454s, Kohler generator, V drives. Holds 30 people, looks like a Hollywood set! Great as a live aboard…and an AWESOME party boat! 2 bedrooms and 2 baths. Just surveyed for $110,00, will sell for $79,000 – trades considered. Call 314-477-5658.

Co-housing, Tiny Homes, Small Houses, and Not so Big Houses

Co-Housing is an great option, in a community with intention. There are co-housing communities all over the United States, tours are available.  Each person owns their own home, community is space available and big decisions are made by the group. There is a spirit and “do-good” feeling about these housing groups that is really nice, the “be a good neighbor” idea is the key.

Tiny houses, Cottages and downsizing get so much press these days, there is a Wiki about it and several blogs. Check out this great book for more information, links and inspiration.

Lloyd Kahn’s Tiny Homes – Simple Shelter is a nod to the current “grassroots to scale things back,” this book has 1300 photographs that help you experience this idea and 150 builders to contribute their creativity.  He is the author of Dome 2.

The Small House Book – this book shows two dozen beautiful small house plans, and the price tag for building such a small house is ~$20K.

The Not So Big House by Sarah Susanka brings to light a new way of thinking about what makes a place feel like home – characteristics many people desire in their homes and their lives, but haven’t known how to verbalize. She has several books and discusses architecture and life in general. These books are AMAZING and INSPIRING.

RENTERS AROUND THE COUNTRY ARE FRANTICALLY CLEANING UP THEIR APARTMENTS, TAKING OUT THE TRASH AND MAKING DELICIOUS MEALS AS THEY PREPARE TO SHOWCASE ROOMMATE GREATNESS IN THE FIFTH ANNUAL APARTMENTS.COM ROOMMATE OF THE YEAR VIDEO CONTEST

One Lucky and Deserving Roomie Will Receive Free Rent for a Year Plus $10,000; and the Roommate Video Shorts Contest Returns with $250 Weekly Prizes

CHICAGO (April 22, 2013) – Apartments.com celebrates the fifth year of its popular Roommate of the Year video contest –  just launched at  http://www.roommateoftheyear.com —  as they once again seek America’s best, greatest,  fantastic, fabulous, amazing, wonderful roommate. The lucky roomie who wins the grand prize in this national competition will be living a little easier with a year of free rent plus $10,000 in cash. In addition to the grand prize contest, last year’s Roommate Video Shorts contest returns, recognizing and rewarding smaller feats of roommate greatness with four weekly prizes of a $250 gift card. All talented and terrific roommates are encouraged to go to http://www.roommateoftheyear.com to learn how to enter either the grand prize contest and/or the video shorts contest, as well as view past winning videos for inspiration. The deadline for contest entries is noon ET on May 20, 2013.

Last year, Dan Bakst, now a graduate of the University of Florida in Tampa, FL, bested video entries that came in from across the country to be crowned Roommate of the Year by Apartments.com. Bakst earned the title and the grand prize with his musical video entitled The All-Star Roommate Musical, which showcased how Bakst was a better roommate than a cardboard robot. His winning style, along with the three other previous contest winners, can be seen at http://www.roommateoftheyear.com. Bakst remains a Tampa, FL resident and a good roommate.

“I was surprised and happy to find out I’d been named the Roommate of the Year,” said Bakst. “I’d entered the previous year and hadn’t been named a finalist, so now having the title just goes to show that roommate dreams can come true,” Bakst laughed. “Plus, now I’m able to use part of my winnings to go to graduate school. My parents were right. Being a good roommate is important!”

Through this annual contest, Apartments.com underscores the importance of finding and being a good roommate. There are more than 60 percent of renters currently living with a roommate—friends, spouses, significant others, children or even pets— according to a recent Apartments.com survey.
“In first quarter of this year, rents were still rising nationwide in response to demand,” said Tammy Kotula, Apartments.com spokesperson.  “As people continue to share costs and space by having a roommate, living in harmony is crucial to creating a happy living environment.  Our contest allows people to showcase, to the world, how they contribute to roommate well-being in a creative way. Being a good roommate makes for a happy home.”

There are two ways renters can spotlight their roommate-worthiness; through submitting a robust two-minute video for a chance at the grand prize, and/or submission of a :30 second video for the Roommate Video Shorts contest.

“The Roommate Video Shorts was introduced last year as a quick and easy way to show off roommate greatness. In this quickie contest, people can highlight one special roommate talent, spectacular stunt, or feat of roommate excellence that could win them a $250 gift card,” Kotula explained. “We’ll be choosing four weekly winners from coast-to-coast.  These exceptional roommates can also enter the grand prize contest if their roommate greatness is too amazing to be contained to only one. “

How to Enter 2013 Apartments.com Roommate of the Year Grand Prize Contest

Get out the video camera, get creative and get one step closer to winning free rent for a year, plus $10,000 in cash and the coveted Apartments.com 2013 title of Roommate of the Year. Renters across the nation are invited to enter the Apartments.com Roommate of the Year contest by submitting a video entry of two minutes or less tohttp://www.roommateoftheyear.com.

Entrants are challenged to showcase the specific attributes that qualify them to be Roommate of the Year by featuring their inner roomie in one of the four contest categories. For detailed information on how to enter, including specific video instructions, an official entry form and contest rules, go to http://www.roommateoftheyear.com. All entries must be received by noon ET on May 20, 2013.

Roommate of the Year Contest Categories

Apartments.com Roommate of the Year contest entrants should distinguish themselves from all of the other roommates around the country. Finding the category that best defines their special roommate skills is job number one. Categories are:

• The Loveable Compulsive
  It’s not a glamorous job, but somebody has to do it. Making sure the electric bill gets paid each month and scrubbing the microwave after someone’s “soup explosion” two months ago sometimes makes you feel like you are running a daycare in your apartment. But all that work is about to pay off big. Show us how you manage the household while still maintaining your sanity and a year of FREE Rent could leave you with one less item on that LONG to-do list.

• The Purr-fect Pet Owner
  Sometimes the best roommates aren’t even human. They may not pay rent, but pets are great at making us laugh or helping us get through tough times. Show us what makes you the best roommate to your pets, including games you play together or tricks that they have learned and that freeloader can start pulling his or her weight by helping you win FREE Rent for a Year.

• The Environmentalist
  Do you wash out and reuse plastic baggies? Switch out energy-guzzling 150W bulbs for CFLs? Know what “1,” “3,” “5,” or “7″ means on plastic bottles? If you’re the roommate who makes living “green” a priority, this is your category. Show us your efforts to help save the planet and we could be recycling a year of FREE Rent into your bank account (and promising to turn off the lights when we leave a room!).

• The All-Star Roomie
  If you have special roommate qualities that don’t fit the categories, or don’t want to commit to only one area of roommate greatness, use this entry to submit your video. Get crazy, get creative! But don’t just tell us why you’re the best roommate – show us – and you could win FREE Rent for a Year.

Renters’ entries will be judged with equal weight on (1) originality and creativity, (2) overall “wow” factor, (3) persuasive argument and (4) style and production. Judging will take place in three stages.

How to Become Roommate of the Year and Win Free Rent for One Year Plus $10,000 in Cash

All entries will be narrowed down to a field of up to 15 finalists, selected across all categories by a panel of  judges looking for entries that best fit the criteria for Roommate of the Year. Once the finalists are selected, America, along with the Apartments.com panel of qualified judges, will vote for their favorite roomie using the judging criteria to narrow down the competition to five winners. From the five winners, one grand prize winner will be named and receive free rent for one year, plus $10,000 in cash, along with roommate bragging rights. The four runner-up winners will each receive $500.

How to Enter 2013 Apartments.com Roommate Video Shorts Contest

Maybe you can flip a pancake 15 feet in the air, or make a bed in 10 seconds flat. Maybe you’re ambidextrous and can dust and vacuum at the same time, or you cook like a five-star chef. Whatever your special skill is that makes you the most remarkable roommate, capture it on video and enter for your chance to win one of four weekly $250 cash prizes. Flip cam, phone cam or shoe cam(!)…anything goes in the Roommate Video Shorts contest. Make your video entry as simple or sensational as you want in :30 second or less and submit it tohttp://www.roommateoftheyear.com. Beginning the week of April 22, 2013, one winner per week will be decided upon and announced by the Apartments.com third party judging panel and will win a $250 gift card.

Roommate Video Short contest entrants who feel there is still more to prove are encouraged to enter the Roommate of the Year Grand Prize contest.

About Apartments.com
Apartments.com (http://www.apartments.com) is a leading national apartment Internet listing subscription service with more than 50,000 unique addresses representing millions of rental units from managed properties, newspaper classifieds and for-rent-by-owner properties. By incorporating the most relevant products to reach renters including personalized searches and highly visual ads featuring live chat, real-time rent, online video walk-through demonstrations, professional photography, a mobile website and iPhone and Android apps, Apartments.com creates easy access to its listings. Providing unmatched exposure to its advertisers through an intuitive name, strategic search engine placements and featured partnerships and more than 120 newspaper websites and innovative emerging media, Apartments.com reaches millions of renters nationwide, driving both qualified traffic and highly-engaged renters to leasing offices nationwide. Apartments.com is a division of Chicago-based Classified Ventures, LLC. The Apartments.com network of apartment rental websites includes Apartment Home Living (http://www.apartmenthomeliving.com), a leading social media apartment website distinguished by a “live for fun” community experience, proprietary lifestyle matching and local living guides to help renters find their perfect place to live; Rental Homes Plus (http://www.rentalhomesplus.com), an online destination where house hunters who prefer to rent can choose from a robust inventory of houses, condos, town houses, duplexes and apartments from around the country; and Rentfish (http://www.rentfish.com), a national apartment website offering customizable searches by neighborhood, favorite coffee spot, sports arena, famous landmark and more.

You know I love Canopy. I smile at the trees I have planted and know that they are well taken care of and I will get to plant more. A group of us planted trees in March, it was fun, we learned alot and we did a good deed!

This group is celebrating earth week with something tasty! Join them for the fun!

Another extraordinary green author comes forward! Shari Arison is described as Forbes’ 2nd Greenest Billionaire!

“Your work has impacted the world in a profoundly positive way, touching lives everywhere in your everlasting pursuit to make the world a better place.”   – U.S. President Bill Clinton

Doing good is Shari’s overarching vision. She shares her practical philosophy in Activate Your Goodness, in which she gives clear and effective guidelines to those who wish to bring about positive change in their lives, businesses, societies, and the world. No matter the size of the gesture—exchanging a smile or holding the door for a stranger—Shari believes that if we do good deeds for the benefit of others, the world will be a better place.

Yes, doing good deeds is part of our philosophy, our Greeneroo Group believes it too! Taking time to volunteer and reach out to others will fill your heart. If you are looking for great volunteer experiences we have lists and articles for you to enjoy! 

With Earth Day approaching, we are all thinking about ways to minimize our environmental impact. Opting for durable and eco-friendly playthings that don’t require energy is a simple way to reduce waste and help raise a generation of environmentally-conscious individuals.  Isn’t it nice to have a toy that doesn’t fall into shreds after an hour of play!?

If you have played with Blue Orange games …. you know how well-made and innovative they are! They have suggested ages, however, I have enjoyed every single one! They are fun fun fun! -Editor

This Earth Day, Blue Orange Games encourages families to turn off the TV, power down devices, and bring everyone together to make their own electricity–FUN! Their collection of sustainably made wooden games has something for everyone. Learn about the 2013 new release, Keekee the Rocking Monkey and Dr. Toy’s Best Green Product award winners below.

The first recipient of Dr. Toy’s Green Toy Company award, Blue Orange Games respects the environment and is committed to their eco-friendly initiatives. Since 2007, the company has been planting two trees for every tree used in the creation of their wooden games and playing cards, planting over 125,000 trees to date. Blue Orange partners with Pur Projet to offset their carbon footprint. This organization provides native trees for the reforestation of small producers’ cocoa plantations in the Amazon, helping thousands of farmers cultivating Fair Trade and Organic certified cocoa to increase and diversify their earnings, while protecting lands and biodiversity.

With Earth Day right around the corner, now’s a perfect time to ‘green’ your morning routine by swapping in a sustainable beverage from Numi Organic Tea for your daily cup (or cups) of Joe. Long known for innovation in the world of tea, Numi works diligently to reduce their impact on the earth by being committed to sustainable agriculture, use of non-GMO materials and eco-responsible packaging.

Numi does it right!

Through a thoughtful choice, Numi devised a way to further offset their carbon emissions by cutting down on the unnecessary need for transportation between the jasmine flower growing and tea producing areas of their Jasmine Green Tea in China. Initially, the freshly picked tea had to make a long journey to the primary jasmine scenting area, so to decrease waste and emissions, Numi initiated an ambitious project to plant jasmine flowers near the tea manufacturer, which greatly diminished the need for transportation. This minimization of waste and commitment to using real ingredients (as opposed to artificial flavorings) makes Numi’s Jasmine Green Tea perfect for eco-conscious individuals to sip in honor of Earth Day this April 22nd.

Annually, Numi’s practices save 5,202 trees, reduce water usage by 2,332,740 gallons and cut down on net green house emissions by 470,475. So if there’s no time to plant a tree or ride a bike to work this Earth Day, spend your green to “go green” by purchasing Numi’s Jasmine Green Tea.

One of the products that was always in our home, a long time manufacturer of health and beauty is going green. My Mom was a beauty expert, she brought the best into our skin care regime, she had beautiful skin her whole life, and my daughter does too. With three generations using Neutrogena, I am pleased to share this information with you.

Finally, a natural acne product that works, just in time for your spring (acne) cleaning!  NEUTROGENA® is delighted to introduce the Naturals Acne collection, an effective, natural solution to achieving clearer skin.

By collaborating with an integrated panel of specialists and dermatologists, including experts in integrated medicine, biochemistry and micronutrients, NEUTROGENA® developed natural alternatives to treat acne and help prevent breakouts. Formulated with 1% naturally-derived salicylic acid from the Wintergreen plant, the Naturals Acne Cream Cleanser, Scrub and Treatment are proven to enhance the proper function of healthy skin and meet the need of consumers of all ages seeking an efficacious, natural alternative to traditional acne remedies.

Here are the three products in the collection.