Tips for a Green Halloween

Halloween is certainly one of the most fun holidays of the year, however, it can also be wasteful and unhealthy. Here are a few tips for having a green Halloween this year:

• Trick or Treat with a Reusable Container - Pillow cases or cloth grocery bags work great. Or if you already have a plastic bucket, keep using it!
• Reuse Costumes - Never throw away a costume after one use! Change it up for another year or pass it on to someone who can use it. Trading can also be fun and exciting!
• Make Your Own Costume - Utilize things you already have around the house or visit a thrift store, instead of purchasing something new.
• Avoid Toxic Make-up/Hair Spray/Nail Polish - They can contain lead and other metals, plus numerous chemicals. Opt for natural options, we have plenty to choose from.
• Give Eco-friendly Treats - Our stores carry a variety of Organic chocolates, lollipops and other healthy candies. Another option is to distribute fun, but useful, items such as pencils, erasers and stickers.
• Walk Rather Than Drive - If possible, trick or treat in an area close enough to walk to. It will be cheaper, better for the environment, great exercise and a fun experience for the whole family!
• Decorate Consciously - Grow pumpkins and use them for decoration before eating. Gourds and hay make great decor. Scarecrows can be made from pine straw and old clothes. Ghosts can be made from sheets and everything listed can be used from year to year!
• Party Properly - Serve healthy, local food and treats, local, organic beer, light eco-friendly candles and decorate accordingly (see above). Opt for reusable tableware and provide recycling bins. See our Green Tailgating blog for more ideas for eco-friendly partying!

HHM: Making Taking Action Easy!

As we have previously discussed in other posts, one of the most important things we can do as consumers, when it comes to making a difference for issues that we care about, is to vote with our dollars. As citizens, we should always exercise our right to vote at the polls. We should never be silent about the issues that matter! Spreading the word to friends, family and strangers through conversation, by utilizing the internet, joining a group, holding an event, starting a non-profit, etc. should never be underestimated! These grassroots efforts often lead to big changes. If you don't quite think you're ready to start a revolution just yet, another simple way to send a big message is to sign a petition. And of course, through the wonders of the internet and social networking, we can easily ask others to sign them as well. Below is a small list of links for petitions for issues that we think are important, that impact our industry, that effect our health, that effect the health of our planet, etc. Please take a look and decide for yourself. If an issue moves you, please take the time to sign the petition and spread the word. And please, share any other issues that are important to you in the comments area. We are all in this together!

Millions Against Monsanto

Call For an Immediate Moratorium on Carbon and Nuclear Fuels

Tell Congress Our Kids Need Healthy Lunches - And Help Fight Diabetes

Act for Autism Petition

Keep BPA's Out of Kids' Products

Do You Know GMO?

Stand Up to Factory Farms

Fight Disease - Replenish the Global Fund

USDA Admits Organic Fraud is Increasing

Help Europe Save Their Supplements

Limit Use of Non-Therapeutic Antibiotics in Food Animals

Say No to Frankenfish Salmon

Support Women's Health with the Globals MOMS Act

Please also take the time to check out Care2's Click-to-Donate page. All you have to do is "click" and money will be donated to the cause of your choice. How much easier could it get? And Free Rice, a fun website where you answer questions and for every right answer, the World Hunger Programme will donate 10 grains of rice to the hungry. It adds up quickly!

Apple-Stuffed Acorn Squash

Fall is here and that means there is a chill in the air, the leaves are beginning to change and drop and there's a new crop of fall vegetables to enjoy! Here at Healthy Home Market, we love Acorn Squash! They have a shelf life of six months! And provide important nutrients like Vitamin A, Beta-Carotene, Vitamin C, Potassium, dietary fiber, manganese, folate, Vitamin B complex, omega 3 fatty acids, copper and tryptophan! Acorn Squash is extremely versatile and can be found in both sweet and savory recipes. We have listed one of the many healthy, delicious Acorn Squash recipes below. Enjoy and please feel free to share your favorite Acorn Squash recipe with us!

Ingredients

3 acorn squash, halved and seeded
2 tablespoons stick margarine
1 cup chopped onions
3 cups peeled, seeded, and chopped Granny Smith apples
1/2 cup golden raisins
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese


Directions

1.Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place the squash onto a baking sheet cut side down. Fill the baking sheet with 1/2 inch of water.
2.Bake the squash in the preheated oven for 40 minutes. Drain off any water remaining in the baking sheet.
3.While the squash is baking, melt the margarine in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the onion and apple in the margarine until the onion has softened and turned translucent, 10 to 15 minutes. Scrape the mixture into a bowl to cool until the squash has finished baking.
4.Once the squash is done, stir the raisins, brown sugar, cinnamon, and Cheddar cheese into the apple mixture. Turn the squash cut side up on the baking sheet and fill with the apple mixture. Return the squash to the oven; bake until the filling is hot and the cheese has melted, about 15 minutes.

Game Day Done the Green Way

Football season has officially started! That means tailgating and entertaining, both of which are often not eco-friendly. This season, let's all be conscious about game parties. We promise, you won't have any less fun!

Ditch the Disposables - Reusable products work just as well or better. Preserve makes reusable tableware and kitchen utensils from #5 plastics, which many recycling programs do not accept. If you absolutely must use disposables, opt for compostable items, such as the ones made by Ultra Green.

Buy Local and Organic Food - Eating local products will not only reduce your carbon footprint and support your local economy, but local products just taste better. For local, all-natural meat, our stores offer T & D Charolais and Proffit Family Farms. And we all know the benefits of organics; if you can get local and organic, it's a win all the way around!

Drink Eco-Responsibly - Purchasing a keg for the event, in conjunction with reusable cups, will create much less waste. Using a keg cooler bag instead of bags of ice will save water and energy. If you decide not to go the keg route, purchase local and organic beers. Don't drink beer? Use Natural Rocks spring water ice in your cocktails.

Grill the Green Way -  There is much debate on which grilling method is the most environmentally-friendly. If you grill often, you may want to consider purchasing a solar-powered or ethanol grill, there are many on the market. If you own a charcoal grill, use Royal Oak 100% hardwood lumps, no lighter fluid required.

Use Renewable Energy - Hand crank radios work great and don't require any energy at all for use (except human energy) or try a portable solar powered outlet for your boombox, Ipod system or other electric items. For those of you braving the cold winter games, invest in a solar powered generator for your heaters. For battery operated items, try Perf Go Green alkaline batteries.

Recycle, Recycle, Recycle - Hopefully, we are all recycling at home. If you're tailgating, be sure to bring a separate bag for recyclable items. For more impact, use Natural Value garbage bags.

All of the products mentioned above which have links are available for purchase through Healthy Home Market. Now it's time to party! Go Panthers!

46 Smart Uses for Salt

This blog comes courtesy of Melissa Breyer at Green.yahoo.com. We found it so interesting and handy that we decided to pass it on!

How many ways can you use salt? According to the Salt Institute, about 14,000! The salt website has tons of handy tips for using salt around the house, and the best of the bunch -- plus my additions -- are listed below. I can't think of another more versatile mineral. Salt is the most common and readily available nonmetallic mineral in the world. In fact, the supply of salt is inexhaustible. For thousands of years, salt (sodium chloride) has been used to preserve food and for cleaning, and people have continued to rely on it for all kinds of nifty tricks. So with its nontoxic friendliness and status as an endlessly abundant resource, let's swap out some toxic solutions for ample, innocuous, and inexpensive salt. There are a number of forms of salt produced for consumption (and by default, housekeeping!): unrefined salt (such as sea salt), refined salt (table salt), and iodized salt. Kosher salt is sodium chloride processed to have flat crystals. And in case you're wondering, Epsom salt is an entirely different stuff: magnesium sulfate to be exact (which is a salt that I consider to be, essentially, miraculous). Here are just a few of the many ways you can put salt to good use in your home:


In the Kitchen
Aside from all of the alchemy that salt performs in terms of baking chemistry and food flavor, salt has a number of other great applications in the kitchen.

Test egg freshness.
Put two teaspoons of salt in a cup of water and place an egg in it -- a fresh egg will sink, an older egg will float. Because the air cell in an egg increases as it ages, an older egg is more buoyant. This doesn't mean a floating egg is rotten, just more mature. Crack the egg into a bowl and examine it for any funky odor or appearance -- if it's rotten, your nose will tell you. (Bonus fact: if you have hard-boiled eggs that are difficult to peel, that means they are fresh!)

Set poached eggs.
Because salt increases the temperature of boiling water, it helps to set the whites more quickly when eggs are dropped into the water for poaching.
Prevent fruits from browning.
Most of us use lemon or vinegar to stop peeled apples and pears from browning, but you can also drop them in lightly salted water to help them keep their color.
Shell nuts more easily.
Soak pecans and walnuts in salt water for several hours before shelling to make it easier to remove the meat.
Prevent cake icing crystals.
A little salt added to cake icings prevents them from sugaring.
Remove odors from hands.
Oniony-garlicy fingers? I like soap and water, then rubbing them on anything made of stainless steel (it really works), but you can also rub your fingers with a salt and vinegar combo.
Reach high peaks.
Add a tiny pinch of salt when beating egg whites or whipping cream for quicker, higher peaks.
Extend cheese life.
Prevent mold on cheese by wrapping it in a cloth moistened with saltwater before refrigerating.
Save the bottom of your oven.
If a pie or casserole bubbles over in the oven, put a handful of salt on top of the spill. It won't smoke and smell, and it will bake into a crust that makes the baked-on mess much easier to clean when it has cooled.


Personal Care


Extend toothbrush life.
Soak toothbrushes in salt water before your first use; they'll last longer.
Clean teeth.
Use one part fine salt to two parts baking soda -- dip your toothbrush in the mix and brush as usual. You can also use the same mix dissolved in water for orthodontic appliances.
Rinse your mouth.
Mix equal parts salt and baking soda in water for a fresh and deodorizing mouth rinse.

Ease mouth problems.
For cankers, abscesses, and other mouth sores, rinse your mouth with a weak solution of warm saltwater several times a day.
Relieve bee-sting pain.
Ouch? Immediately dampen area and pack on a small pile of salt to reduce pain and swelling. More bee-sting tips here.
Treat mosquito bites.
A saltwater soak can do wonders for that special mosquito-bite itch -- a poultice of salt mixed with olive oil can help too.
Treat poison ivy.
Same method as for treating mosquito bites. (Salt doesn't seem to distinguish between itches.)
Have an exfoliating massage.
After bathing and while still wet give yourself a massage with dry salt. It freshens skin and boosts circulation.
Ease throat pain.
Mix salt and warm water, gargle to relieve a sore throat.


Around the House

Deter ants.
Sprinkle salt at doorways, window sills, and anywhere else ants sneak into your house. Ants don't like to walk on salt.
Extinguish grease fires.
Keep a box of salt near your stove and oven, and if a grease fire flares up, douse the flames with salt. (Never use water on grease fires; it will splatter the burning grease.) When salt is applied to fire, it acts like a heat sink and dissipates the heat from the fire -- it also forms an oxygen-excluding crust to smother the fire.
Drip-proof candles.
If you soak new candles in a strong salt solution for a few hours, then dry them well, they will not drip as much when you burn them.
Keep cut flowers fresh.
A dash of salt added to the water in a flower vase will keep cut flowers fresh longer. (You can also try an aspirin or a dash of sugar for the same effect.)
Arrange artificial flowers.
Artificial flowers can be held in place by pouring salt into the vase, adding a little cold water and then arranging the flowers. The salt become solid as it dries and holds the flowers in place.
Make play dough.

Use 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup salt, 1 cup water, 2 tablespoons oil, and 2 tablespoons cream of tartar. Stir together flour, cream of tartar, salt, and oil, and slowly add water. Cook over medium heat stirring frequently until dough becomes stiff. Spread onto wax paper and let cool. Knead the dough with your hands until it reaches a good dough consistency. (Read about juice dyes here.)
Repair walls.
To fill nail holes, fix chips or other small dings in white sheet-rock or plaster walls, mix 2 tablespoons salt and 2 tablespoons cornstarch, then add enough water (about 5 teaspoons) to make a thick paste. Use the paste to fill the holes.
Deter patio weeds.
If weeds or grass grow between bricks or blocks in your patio, sidewalk, or driveway, carefully spread salt between the cracks, then sprinkle with water or wait for rain to wet it down.
Kill poison ivy.
Mix three pounds of salt with a gallon of soapy water (use a gentle dish soap) and apply to leaves and stems with a sprayer, avoiding any plant life that you want to keep.
De-ice sidewalks and driveways.
One of the oldest tricks in the book! Lightly sprinkle rock salt on walks and driveways to keep snow and ice from bonding to the pavement and allow for easier shoveling/scraping. But don't overdo it; use the salt sensibly to avoid damage to plants and paws.
Tame a wild barbecue.
Toss a bit of salt on flames from food dripping in barbecue grills to reduce the flames and calm the smoke without cooling the coals (like water does).


Cleaning
Salt works as an effective yet gentle scouring agent. Salt also serves as a catalyst for other ingredients, such as vinegar, to boost cleaning and deodorizing action. For a basic soft scrub, make a paste with lots of salt, baking soda and dish soap and use on appliances, enamel, porcelain, etc.

Clean sink drains.
Pour salt mixed with hot water down the kitchen sink regularly to deodorize and keep grease from building up.
Remove water rings.
Gently rub a thin paste of salt and vegetable oil on the white marks caused by beverage glasses and hot dishes on wooden tables.
Clean greasy pans.
Cast-iron skillets can be cleaned with a good sprinkling of salt and paper towels.
Clean stained cups.
Mix salt with a dab of dish soap to make a soft scrub for stubborn coffee and tea stains.
Clean refrigerators.
A mix of salt and soda water can be used to wipe out and deodorize the inside of your refrigerator, a nice way to keep chemical-y cleaners away from your food.

Clean brass or copper.
Mix equal parts of salt, flour, and vinegar to make a paste, and rub the paste on the metal. After letting it sit for an hour, clean with a soft cloth or brush and buff with a dry cloth.
Clean rust.
Mix salt and cream of tartar with just enough water to make a paste. Rub on rust, let dry, brush off and buff with a dry, soft cloth. You can also use the same method with a mix of salt and lemon.
Clean a glass coffee pot.
Every diner waitress' favorite tip: add salt and ice cubes to a coffee pot, swirl around vigorously, and rinse. The salt scours the bottom, and the ice helps to agitate it more for a better scrub.

Laundry

Attack wine spills.
If a tipsy guest tips wine on your cotton or linen tablecloth, blot up as much as possible and immediately cover the wine with a pile of salt, which will help pull the remaining wine away form the fiber. After dinner, soak the tablecloth in cold water for 30 minutes before laundering. (Also works on clothing.)
Quell oversudsing.
Since, of course, we are all very careful in how much detergent we use in our laundry, we never have too many suds. But if someone overfills ... you can eliminate excess suds with a sprinkle of salt.
Dry clothes in the winter.
Use salt in the final laundry rinse to prevent clothes from freezing if you use an outdoor clothes line in the winter.
Brighten colors.
Wash colored curtains or washable fiber rugs in a saltwater solution to brighten the colors. Brighten faded rugs and carpets by rubbing them briskly with a cloth that has been dipped in a strong saltwater solution and wrung out.
Remove perspiration stains.
Add four tablespoons of salt to one quart of hot water and sponge the fabric with the solution until stains fade.
Remove blood stains.
Soak the stained cloth in cold saltwater, then launder in warm, soapy water and boil after the wash. (Use only on cotton, linen, or other natural fibers that can take high heat.)

Tackle mildew or rust stains.
Moisten stained spots with a mixture of lemon juice and salt, then spread the item in the sun for bleaching -- then rinse and dry.
Clean a gunky iron bottom.
Sprinkle a little salt on a piece of paper and run the hot iron over it to remove rough, sticky spots.
Set color.
Salt is used commonly in the textile industry, but works at home too. If a dye isn't colorfast, soak the garment for an hour in 1/2 gallon of water to which you've added 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/2 cup salt, then rinse. If rinse water has any color in it, repeat. Use only on single-colored fabric or madras. If the item is multicolored, dry-clean it to avoid running all of the colors together.

DIY: Pickled Eggs

In honor of the recall-free, local, organic, free-range and totally delicious eggs that we carry here at Healthy Home Market, we would like to share with you a recipe for Pickled Eggs, the poor man's caviar!

Ingredients

12 extra large eggs
1 1/2 cups distilled white vinegar
1 1/2 cups water
1 tablespoon pickling spice
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 bay leaf 
1 or more jalepeno pepper(s) (optional)

Directions

1.Place eggs in a medium saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring water to a boil and immediately remove from heat. Cover and let eggs stand in hot water for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from hot water, cool and peel.

2.In a medium saucepan over medium heat, mix together the vinegar, water and pickling spice. Bring to a boil and mix in the garlic, bay leaf and jalepeno(s). Remove from heat.

3.Transfer the eggs to sterile containers. Fill the containers with the hot vinegar mixture, seal and refrigerate 8 to 10 days before serving.

Where Have All the Bees Gone?

"If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe then man would only have four years of life left. No more bees, no more pollination, no more plants, no more animals, no more man." - Albert Einstein

This winter, US farmers reported that they lost an average of 40% of their colonies, but some lost upwards of 60-70% and some as high as 90%. Colonies across Europe are collapsing in dramatic numbers as well. 2006 marked the first year that the mass disappearance of honey bee colonies was recognized as Colony Collapse Disorder, though the decline in numbers really began in 1972 and has only gotten worse each year. There are many variables that factor into the decline including urbanization, viruses, malnutrition, fungal infections, antibiotic use, pesticide use and tracheal and Varroa mites. But it is now suspected that Genetically Modified or GMO crops are also playing a part. The United States grows nearly two-thirds of all genetically engineered crops with roughly 171 million acres worth. Billions of bees rely on these fields. A German research study on Colony Collapse Disorder has found that when bees are are exposed to Bt (bacillus thuringiensis), a bacterium in the GMO seeds used to control insects, that the Bt, according to Professor Hans-Hinrich Kaatz, "altered the surface of the bee's intestines, sufficiently weakening the bees to allow the parasites to gain entry -- or perhaps it was the other way around. We don't know." Another study showed that Cry1Ab, the primary toxin in Bt, impairs bees learning performance, causing them to not gather enough food which can cause colony collapse. More research certainly needs to be done. This is a major problem that has been largely ignored by the government and that millions of people are unaware of. Not only is bee pollination responsible for $15 billion in added crop value, particularly for specialty crops such as almonds and other nuts, berries, fruits, and vegetables, but our entire existence hinges on it.

What can you do to help? Petitiononline.com is hosting a petition to the world governments asking them to take action and save our bees, it can be signed here. You can also vote with your dollars. Healthy Home Market carries Raw Organic Brazilian Forest Honey Products. This honey comes from native Brazilian bees who have not been treated with antibiotics or pesticides and who have fed from many sources of pollen and nectar, all GMO free. And as an added bonus, these products are all currently buy one, get one free! For more information, please visit their website.

Putting Old Produce to Good Use

It happens, we forget about a piece of produce in the back of the drawer, we don't eat all of the bananas before they start browning or the celery before it starts wilting. Produce gets old and it gets damaged in various ways. Sometimes we buy it that way at a discount. But just because a piece of fruit or a veggie is past its prime, doesn't mean that it belongs in the the trash or the compost pile. Here are a few great ways to put old produce to good use!

• Freeze - If you wash your fruits and veggies before freezing them, they will be ready for smoothies, stir-fry, chili, gumbo, fajitas and anything else you come up with.
• Dehydrate - Slice your produce thinly and then dehydrate them for a quick snack or in the case of herbs or chilis, for seasoning.
• Bake - Soft bananas make great banana bread (and pudding!) You can pretty much use any fruit to make bread or muffins. Carrot cake and zucchini bread are examples of baked veggie goods.
• Sauce - You don't have to be limited to apple sauce, you can also make pear sauce, plum sauce, cranberry sauce, peach sauce, etc. Add cherries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries...the sky is the limit.
• Juice - Juicing can be expensive, but it doesn't have to be. Check your store's reduced rack for past prime produce. 
• Soup - Soups, stews, chili and gumbo are fantastic destinations for old produce. Keep the skin on for great flavor and hearty vegetable stocks.
• Baby Food - Fruits, like bananas, actually sweeten as they get older, making them perfect for baby. But this a great idea for any past-prime produce, as long as they are age appropriate. It can be frozen into ice cube trays for later use.
• Wine - What a great thing to make with past prime fruit! Just let it keep fermenting! There are many recipes on the internet for homemade wine. Enjoy!

Seasonal Recipes for Labor Day Entertaining

AAA predicts that 34.4 million people will travel this Labor Day weekend, many to visit friends and family. So, it looks like a lot of us will be having guests! Here are some easy to prepare seasonal recipes that will not only impress your guests, but allow you to utilize any late summer garden veggies, fresh picked fruit and local produce.

Appetizers

Baked Zucchini Fries
Cucumber Dill Sandwiches
Seasonal Fruit Salad with Fresh Mint and Local Honey

Entrees and Side Dishes

Easy Indian Style Okra
Mediterranean Wraps

Pesto-Stuffed Tomatoes
Grilled Corn on the Cob with Lemon-Basil Butter
Grilled Peach and Shrimp Kabobs

Desserts

Quick and Easy Apple Tarts
Honey-Glazed Grilled Plums

Cocktails
Blackberry Mojito
Bloody Maria
Country Thyme

Healthy Home Market wishes you all a safe and enjoyable Labor Day Weekend!

Spice Up Your Life: The Health Benefits of Cayenne

The amazing Cayenne Pepper, its health benefits are far and wide. Most notably, it has been documented that a teaspoon of cayenne in warm water can stop a heart attack in thirty seconds! (see disclamer below) With over 750,000 people experiencing a stroke each year in the United States and 1.5 million people having a heart attack, it might be time to look into the benefits of cayenne. Many people know that cayenne works great for stimulating circulation, but it also feeds the vital elements into the cell structure of capillaries, veins, arteries and helps adjust blood pressure to normal levels.  It actually cleans the arteries, helping to rid the body of the bad LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. 

What else can this "miracle herb" do for you? Studies have shown that capsaicin, the chief metabolite compound in cayenne, has the ability to kill cancer cells within the prostate, lungs and pancreas! Believe it or not, cayenne is often used to cure stomach ulcers and intestinal and other internal bleeding. It alleviates allergies, muscle cramping, digestive issues, cleanses the blood, cures hemorrhoids, eases sea sickness, increases your metabolism and gives you energy. If taking internally, it is best to take cayenne in a liquid form. When applied topically, cayenne can help heal wounds with minimal scarring, ease arthritis pain and other imflammation, headaches and toothaches.

With flu and cold season just around the corner, drink warm cayenne tea to boost your immune system, soothe a sore throat and bring down a fever. Cayenne has even been used to cure scarlet fever. If your feet get cold in the winter time, sprinkle some cayenne powder in your shoes to warm them up. The health benefits of cayenne go well beyond what is listed here. It might be time to spice up your life!

The information available in this blog is for your personal reference only. Healthy Home Market is not engaged in rendering medical advice. Information available in this blog should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. Nor should the information replace the advice of your doctor or health care practitioner. Always see your practitioner concerning your treatment options if suffering from an illness or injuries resulting from an accident.

How Your Daily Choices Can Help Save Marine Life

Noise pollution, also known as "acoustic smog," is endangering our already fragile marine life. This noise comes from offshore oil drilling, military sonar and the shipping industry. In addition to the increased amount of noise, CO2 emissions are causing the oceans to become more acidic and raising the temperature of the water, which in turn allows sound to travel farther. Cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) communicate with each other through "song," over hundreds, even thousands, of miles. This is how they find mates and alert others to food sources. With the increased amount of noise, they are now having trouble hearing each other and are attempting to scream over the noise. Needless to say, this is causing a great deal of stress amongst the animals. The high-pitched sounds are painful and cause confusion. Mothers and calves become separated, pod members lose each other and the animals are unable to locate their breeding grounds. Many are even going deaf, which almost always leads to death. And disturbingly, marine mammals are increasingly beaching themselves as they flee from the sounds. Not only are Cetaceans affected, but sea lions, walruses, manatees, sea turtles, cephalopods, shellfish, numerous other species of fish...and the list goes on...

What can you do to help? The first step is making conscious choices. Purchasing local products decreases the amount of items being shipped across the oceans, which in turn decreases oil usage, decreases CO2 emissions and the amount of cargo ships on the water. Purchasing products in bulk or with minimal packaging also lessons oil usage and CO2 emissions. Practicing the three R's, reducing, reusing and recycling, choosing to walk, ride a bike, take public transportation or purchase an environmentally responsible vehicle will all also play a part in curbing this probable disaster. A breakdown in our marine ecosystems creates a breakdown in all ecosystems and jeopardizes human survival. Literally, every purchase you make and most of your decisions throughout the day can lead to a healthier ocean. We also encourage you to contact your representatives in congress to let them know your concerns, put pressure on corporations to make conscious choices and sign this petition sponsored by Care2.com. Imagine the potential impact if we all take action and make better choices. Imagine the impact if we don't...

How to Prepare, Cook and Eat Fresh Artichokes

Most of us have eaten artichokes at some point in our life, but many have never prepared or cooked them fresh. It can be intimidating for a first timer. Here are some basic instructions on preparing, cooking and eating artichokes:



Preparing

1. Cut the stem of your artichoke down so that it will sit upright in the pot.
2. Remove all of the outer leaves from the base of the artichoke.
3. Use scissors to trim the top spiky part of each leaf (this step isn't completely necessary.)
4. Cut an inch off of the top of the artichoke.
5. Soak artichokes in cold water for at least one hour to fully clean them of dirt and debris.

Cooking

1. Add enough water to your pot to fully cover your artichokes.
2. Add fresh lemon juice or lemon slices to the water. Also recommended: a clove of garlic, bay leaves or any other fresh herbs you would like to try.
3. Bring the water to a boil.
4. Add the artichokes and reduce heat.
5. Simmer for 20-40 minutes.

Eating

1. Pull each petal off one at a time.
2. Dip the white fleshy end in your sauce of choice (see below).
3. Place the petal in your mouth and pull it through your teeth. Discard the tough skin.
4. Once all of the petals are gone, scrape out the inedible fuzzy part (the choke).
5. The remaining part is the heart. Cut it into pieces and dip it in your sauce.

It may seem like a lot of work (it's not), but artichokes are worth it! Many people like to dip theirs in plain melted butter or lemon and butter mixed, while others love mayonnaise mixed with balsamic vinegar. How about butter and balsamic mixed? We recommend experimentation! Enjoy!

Added bonus: besides being delicious, artichokes are high in fiber, potassium, calcium, iron, phosphorous and other trace elements which are important for a balanced system. They have also been used to reduce cholesterol, treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome and other digestive issues, protect the liver and stabilize blood sugar levels.

A Collection of Quotes

"A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory." - Steven Wright


"Why don't we pay more attention to who our farmers are? We would never be as careless choosing an auto mechanic or babysitter as we are about who grows our food." - Michael Pollan


"We've got to pause and ask ourselves: How much clean air do we need?"
 - Lee lacocca, CEO/Chairman, Chrysler Corporation, 1979-1992


"God loved the birds and invented trees. Man loved the birds and invented cages."
 - Jacques Deval

"I ask people why they have deer heads on their walls. They always say because it's such a beautiful animal.... I think my mother is attractive, but I have photographs of her."
 - Ellen DeGeneres

"People are more violently opposed to fur than leather because it's safer to harass rich women than motorcycle gangs." - Unknown

"Wolves are very resourceful. All they need to survive is for people not to shoot them."
 - Bob Ferris


"A man generally has two reasons for doing a thing: one that sounds good, and a real one."
- J.P. Morgan


"That's the thing about Mother Nature, she really doesn't care what economic bracket you're in." - Whoopi Goldberg


"The use of solar energy has not been opened up because the oil industry does not own the sun." - Ralph Nader


"Weeds are flowers too, once you get to know them." - Eeyore, from Winnie the Pooh


"I think God's going to come down and pull civilization over for speeding." - Steven Wright

"How inappropriate to call this planet Earth when it is clearly Ocean." - Arthur C. Clarke


"It isn't pollution that's harming the environment. It's the impurities in our air and water that are doing it.
 - Dan Quayle, former US vice president


"Suburbia is where the developer bulldozes out the trees, then names the streets after them." - Bill Vaughan


"The greenest house is the one that never gets built." - Whit Faulconer


"I think the environment should be put in the category of our national security. Defense of our resources is just as important as defense abroad. Otherwise, what is there to defend?" - Robert Redford


"There are no passengers on Spaceship Earth. We are all crew." - Marshall McLuhan

Big News! New Location!

We are very excited to announce that we are opening our fourth location just six weeks from now! This is going to be a satellite store - Healthy Home Market Express - located in Union Square Emporium in Downtown Hickory. Union Square Emporium has been closed for eight years, but thanks to Sam Glaberman it will re-open on October 1st! This will be unlike any of our existing stores, not only because it will be smaller and more focused, but also because we will be one of many business inside the Emporium. We will share the market with booths selling framed photography, custom golf clubs, jewelery, baked goods and a wealth of other artisan goods.

Our new express location will focus on Gluten Free products, dietary supplements, health and beauty care, grind-your-own nut butter, bulk herbs and spices, pre-packaged snack mixes, nuts, dried fruit and those hard to find natural and organic items. We will also have a small deli offering grab-and-go salads, deli sides, sandwiches, raw food items, etc., plus made to order smoothies, tea and coffee. We will also offer plenty of healthy snacks and bottled juices and water. Our new space also includes a community room where we will hold lectures, classes and events.

This is a different type of venture for us and Hickory is new territory, so there is much anticipation amongst our employees and our customers. Please join us for the Grand Opening of both Union Square Emporium and Healthy Home Market Express on October 1st. We will have food sampling and product demonstrations. Also happening the following weekend is Oktoberfest in the streets of Downtown Hickory which will feature live entertainment, carnival games and rides, food, two beer gardens and arts and crafts. Come for the festivities and stop by to check out the new location! We will be open Monday - Saturday from 10 am - 6 pm. Closed on Sunday.

Please "Like" our Healthy Home Market Express - Hickory fan page on Facebook and spread the word to all of your friends and family! We can't wait to see you all!

The Importance of a Healthy Breakfast (Plus an Egg in a Basket Recipe)

We have all heard it: "breakfast is the most important meal of the day." Yet, many of us are guilty of skipping this meal. Now that school is starting back, the mornings may be an even more hectic time for many of us, but breakfast is essential for optimum health. Many studies have shown that children who eat a healthy breakfast each morning, perform better at school and also have less tardies and absences. Adults are also shown to perform better at work and get more accomplished throughout their day when starting their day with a nutritious meal. Breakfast is usually skipped for two reasons: time constraints and the idea that it will help you lose weight. As it turns out, skipping breakfast can actually lead to obesity because your metabolism remains slow throughout the day and people tend to make up those lost calories with high-fat, high-calorie convenience foods. We can't stress how important it is to make time in the morning for breakfast. The benefits will far outweigh the few extra minutes of sleep that you might get. Breakfast doesn't have to take long to prepare; the most important ingredients are a protein and a whole grain. Add a piece of fresh fruit or some juice and you're good to go! Below is a recipe for a quick, fun and healthy breakfast that will get everyone out the door with their brains and their bodies ready to face the day! It goes by many names, but no matter what you call it, its delicious!

Egg in a Basket
Also known as One Eyed Jack, Egg in a Hole, Toad in a Hole, Cowboy Eggs, Rocky Mountain Toast, A Hole in One, One Eyed Monster and many more...

Ingredients

1 slice whole grain bread (can substitute a whole grain waffle)
1 to 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 large cage free egg (we have exceptional local eggs)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper


Directions

Cut a 2-inch circle from the center of the bread (a cookie cutter or the top of a glass works great), reserving the circle. Melt a quarter size bit of butter in a small nonstick skillet over medium heat. Place the slice of bread and the circle in the skillet and toast lightly, about 1 minute. Crack the egg into the hole and season with salt and pepper and cook until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Add the remaining butter as needed to brown and crisp the toast. Carefully flip the egg in a basket and the circle, season with salt and pepper. Cook another 2 minutes for a runny yolk, or slightly longer for a set egg. Use the toasted circle to dip in the yolk if desired. Hot sauce make a great addition!