French Tuna Salad with Green Beans, Potatoes & Capers

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This salad was made popular in North America by celebrated chef Julia Child, who threw lettuce leaves and potatoes into the mix. Complemented by garlicky Dijon mustard dressing, this hearty salad is perfect for a summer lunch or any time at all.

French Tuna Salad with Green Beans, Potatoes & Capers

Serves 4. Makes ¼ cup dressing. Hands-on time: 30 minutes. Total time: 30 minutes.

Ingredients

SALAD

• 4 eggs

• 4 Yukon gold potatoes, quartered

• Pinch sea salt

• 1 cup fresh green beans, ends trimmed

• 1 head red leaf lettuce, leaves torn

• 1 (4 or 5-oz) pouch solid white tuna

• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

• 1 small bunch radishes, sliced

• 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced

• 1/4 cup chopped, pitted mixed olives

• 4 tsp drained capers

DRESSING

• 2 Tbsp red wine vinegar

• 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard

• 1/8 tsp anchovy paste, optional

• 1 tsp shallot, minced

• 1 garlic clove, minced

• 1 Tbsp chopped fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley

• Sea salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste

• 2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

Preparation

ONE: Place eggs in a small saucepan of cold water over high heat. Bring to a boil, cover, remove from heat and let sit for 15 minutes. Drain, cover eggs in cold water and set aside three to four minutes. Drain, peel and rinse eggs to remove any traces of shell. Cut in half and discard yolks.

TWO: Fill small saucepan with cold water once again. Add potatoes and salt, then simmer over high heat until potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork, 10 to 15 minutes. Drain and set aside.

THREE: Bring small saucepan of water to a boil over high heat. Add beans and cook for one minute, until crisp-tender. Drain, plunge beans into an ice bath and drain again.

FOUR: In a bowl, whisk together all dressing ingredients except oil. Slowly add oil while whisking.

FIVE: Place one-fourth of lettuce, egg white, potato, beans, tuna, tomatoes, radishes, olives and capers each in separate piles in four large, shallow bowls. Drizzle one tablespoon dressing over each bowl, and serve.

*Recipe and image courtesy of Best of Clean Eating.*

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Zucchini & Corn Quesadilla

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Melted cheese and fresh veggies fill this gluten-free tortilla to make a delicious Zucchini & Corn Quesadilla, courtesy of French Meadow Bakery! Ready in minutes – it makes a snappy, healthy lunch!

Zucchini & Corn Quesadilla

Ingredients

1 medium zucchini, diced

¼ cup white onion, diced

1 cup organic corn

2 French Meadow Bakery Gluten Free Tortillas

½ cup shredded cheese

Jalapeño sour cream (2 parts reduced fat sour cream with 1 part diced canned jalapeños)

Preparation

Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in large sauté pan. Heat zucchini and onion until soft, add corn and season with cumin and cayenne pepper. Set aside. Heat tortilla in large pan, sprinkle with cheese and zucchini mixture and fold over in half. When cheese has melted, cut in half and serve aside black beans and jalapeño sour cream.

*Recipe and image courtesy of French Meadow Bakery.*

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Why Daily Sun Protection in Babies is Important

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As the weather warms up, and we head into Spring and Summer, Dr. Mona Gohara offers timely tips on proper sun protection for babies and toddlers. In addition to her thriving practice, Dr. Gohara has also created the stylish, innovative line of sun protective clothing for ages 0-24 months called k&j sun protective clothing.

Why Daily Sun Protection in Babies is Important

  • 1 blistering sunburn or 5 regular sunburns in childhood double the lifetime risk of melanoma.
  • Unfortunately, 54 % of children burn or tan in their second summer, and 22 % burn in their first.
  • Both intensive sun exposure (beach, pool) and daily sun exposure in childhood have been linked to skin cancer and pre- mature aging later in life.
  • A study in the February online issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention showed that beginning in childhood, every vacation near the water was associated with a five percent increase in small moles (approx 2 mm). This increased number of moles predisposes children to the development of melanoma later in life.

Some Hurdles

  1. Babies under the age of 6 months are not supposed to wear sunscreen.
  2. Standard t-shirts do not provide adequate protection during daily play.

Chemical Free Tips and Solutions

Get Hip Gear: Babies 6 months and under should wear sun protective clothing, broad brimmed hats, and UV protectant wrap around sunglasses during everyday play and at the beach/pool. A stroller canopy should be a must on every expectant mom’s registry list! Look for clothes with a tight weave, and dark/bright colors, they provide superior protection!

Be Smart With the “Screen”: For tots 6 months and older, apply a broad spectrum (protects from UVA and UVB) SPF 30 sunscreen over their entire body ½ of an hour prior to outdoor play; reapply over the entire body every 2 hours and after excessive seating or swimming. Choose chemical free brands such as “Baby Blue Lizard” or “Neutrogena Pure and Free Baby” which contain the naturally occurring minerals, titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, as their active ingredients.

Special Thoughts for Special Spots: Use a SPF stick for the child’s eyelids (to avoid product running into the eyes) and lips. A personal favorite, “Vanicream SPF 30 Lip Protectant.”

Seek the Shade: Find shaded areas in the park or playground between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm when the sun is the strongest-this is when most of the damaging sunrays can reek havoc on a child’s skin!

Parents Can’t Slide During a Ride: Ultraviolet light comes through the windows of a car (and home for that matter!) Make sure to have UV blocking shields on the child’s window, to avoid passive, intense sun exposure that can lead to skin cancer later in life!

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k&j sunprotective clothing

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Keeping tots protected from the sun as the weather warms up is k&j sunprotective clothing, specifically designed for children ages 0-24 months. Available in bright, Spring-inspired colors as well as neutral gray and white, each shirt is not just stylish, it blocks out 99% of the sun’s harmful rays when worn!

Created by Dr. Mona Gohara, a Dermatologist and Mom to two young boys, k&j sunprotective clothing was designed to be both fashionable and functional. As babies under 6 months of age cannot wear sunscreen, the sun protective tees are an ideal option for protection. Moms’ everywhere will love that baby is comfortable too, as the t-shirts are 100% cotton, chemical-free and tagless! As Dr. Mona Gohara says, “where hip meets health!”

Each tee costs $22, and is available in sizes 0-24 months of age. Baby Shower packs and Spring Break packs are also available. k&j sunprotective clothing is available online at www.kjsunprotectiveclothing.com.

*Company generously provided samples and images for this review.*

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Gluten-Free Fudge Brownies from French Meadow Bakery

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French Meadow Bakery® has done it again! They have created a decadent, rich brownie that is (gasp!) gluten-free! Now those with gluten sensitivities can enjoy a favorite dessert without worry. Die-hard chocolate fans will notice the new, improved texture, as the French Meadow Bakery Gluten-Free Fudge Brownie has been re-formulated for an even more amazing taste. “Mom’s” husband, lover of all things containing flour, absolutely adored these moist brownies, and ate them willingly, even though he was skeptical at first of the “gluten-free” aspect.

The brownies are ideal as a snack on-the-go or as a sweet treat after dinner. Packaged in a box of nine and purchased frozen, these delicious brownies can be tossed in school lunch box or taken to work and will be thawed by lunch.

French Meadow Bakery understands the paramount concern of cross-contamination, which is why the brownies are individually wrapped. Boasting a deep, rich chocolaty flavor, they are made with no artificial ingredients, preservatives or colors and retail for $6.99.

French Meadow Bakery products can be found in stores nationwide including Whole Foods, Safeway and natural food markets. For more information, visit www.frenchmeadow.com

About French Meadow Bakery®

French Meadow Bakery® is the oldest, continuously operating, certified-organic bakery in the United States. French Meadow Bakery is internationally recognized as a leading provider of naturally delicious and nutritious bakery products and desserts that suit a variety of needs from organic and gluten-free products to vegan, yeast-free, and kosher items. The company’s best-selling breads are endorsed by nutrition experts Dr. Barry Sears, Dr. Andrew Weil, and Dr. Ann Louise Gittleman. Its’ trend-setting products are available nationally at mainstream grocers and independent natural food stores.

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This Spring, Make Your Home Green Again!

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This Spring, Make Your Home Green Again!

According to Punxsutawney Phil, spring is coming early this year, so now is the time to bring out your spring checklist and make sure your home is ready for the next season! Here are some easy tips from Real Estate Expert Brandon Green, Founder and President of Brandon Green Companies DC, on how you can prepare your home for spring and summer – and make it more green!

  1. Reduce energy – insulate your attic! If you do nothing else, please be sure you have a significant amount of insulation in your attic. More heat air conditioning (and heat) is lost through the attic than anywhere else in the house. If you do it yourself it will only cost a couple hundred dollars and save you many hundreds over the course of a couple years. This is also a good opportunity to inspect the underside of your roof for leaks or damage from the winter season.
  2. Reduce storm water runoff and water consumption – install a rain barrel! For only a couple hundred dollars you can install a rain barrel at the end of your downspout. Rain barrels can store enough water to get you through some of our dry spells this summer. While you’re at it, inspect and clean your gutters and downspouts as they are probably full of leaves and winter debris.
  3. Reduce water usage – install lower flow faucets. For less than about $500 you can install lower flow faucets in your bathrooms and kitchens. The faucets add air to the water stream which allows for sufficient pressure – but less water. You won’t even notice the difference! This is also a good time to check for slow, difficult to notice leaks under the sinks and around your toilets.
  4. Improve your air quality – install (and change) high quality air filters. Buy high quality pleated air filter and change it often. What is more important than the air you breath? For only a few dollars more you can significantly upgrade your air filter but be sure to change it once a month (or seasonally at the very least). Dirty air filters significantly increase the work your system must perform which raises your bills.
  5. Save your money (and water) – plant flowers and bushes that make sense in your climate. For example, Washington DC summers can be very hot and frequently dry. The best decision the author made was to plant cactus on his roof deck which flower beautifully throughout the summer and he does not have to worry about watering daily! Choose wisely based on the soil quality and exposure to the sun.

About the Author

If you’d like more information about green living – or about buying or selling a home, please contact Brandon at Brandon@BrandonGreen.com.

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Gluten-Free Fudge Brownie Trifle

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Brownies go gluten-free in this fancy trifle – perfect for serving after dinner! Get the kiddos involved by having them help you layer all of the ingredients, and it turns into a fun family activity!

Gluten-Free Fudge Brownie Trifle

Ingredients

1 package French Meadow Bakery Gluten-Free Fudge Brownies; thawed and crumbled

1 package (3.9 oz) instant chocolate pudding mix (“Mom” prefers organic)

½ cup water

1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk (“Mom” prefers organic)

2 containers (12 oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed (“Mom” prefers organic)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract (“Mom” prefers organic)

Preparation

In large bowl, combine pudding mix, water, and sweetened condensed milk. Mix until smooth and well-blended. Gently fold in 8 ounces of whipped topping. In a separate dish, combine remaining whipped topping and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Take half of crumbled brownies and layer on the bottom of a trifle bowl. Top with half of the pudding mixture and then half of the whipped topping mixture. Repeat layers once. Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.

*Recipe and image courtesy of French Meadow Bakery.*

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New Whole Deal Coupons from Whole Foods Market

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For those who missed a copy of Whole Foods Market’s publication, The Whole Deal, you can print out the coupons online! Simply visit their website to snag your printable coupons! www.wholefoodsmarket.com

*This is not a paid advertorial. Please see disclosure. Image provided by JASON.*

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Laura’s Wholesome Junk Food

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Hands down – these itty bitty bites of pure bliss will have you reaching for just one more! Laura’s Wholesome Junk Food is simply scrumptious, and “Mom” could not find a flavor that wasn’t delectable and just plain delicious! The Lemon-Vanilla Bite-Lettes were simply to die for – a burst of lemon zest gives the cookie a bit of a zip as you bite into it!

Junk food and the phrase “good for you” are rarely seen in the same sentence, but Laura’s Wholesome Junk Food delivers just that – your favorite treats infused with wholesome goodness and healthy ingredients! Each tiny bite-lette is made with unsweetened coconut, rolled oats, dates, non-GMO soy protein isolate, fruit juice, and sea salt, among other ingredients, such as unsweetened natural cocoa in the Better Brownies or Chocolate Fudge Bite-Lettes.

These are a treat you can definitely reach for without guilt! Just one or two is all you need when a chocolate craving hits you after dinner.

To learn more about Laura’s Wholesome Junk Food, Dr. Laura Trice, or to find a retailer near you, please visit www.lauraswholesomejunkfood.com.

Right now, one lucky Tiny Green Mom reader can win the Chocolate Lover’s Pack from Laura’s Wholesome Junk Food! You can enter the giveaway here.

*Company generously provided samples and images for this review.*

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Eco-friendly Elder Care

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Eco-friendly Elder Care: Advice on how to help elderly grandparents maintain their independence and adapt their homes in a greener way

By Claire Bradshaw

When parents or grandparents begin to show signs of aging, it is time to take proactive steps to make sure that their living space is safe and encourages easy movement. The most eco-friendly action to take is not in the construction of a new dwelling, but in reorganizing and adapting their current home.

Even as joints stiffen, eye sight dwindles, and balance becomes more unstable, most family members desire to remain in the places with which they have grown most familiar. However, these homes, though full of treasured memories, can often be bursting with hazards that make life treacherous for the elderly. Adaptations should be made before an accident occurs, and most can be done without causing a significant impact to the environment. Eco-friendly elder care may be easier than you might think.

Making Movement Easy

Steps, stairs, and narrow halls or doorways sometimes impede the ability of aging grandparents to move around their homes, especially if they must rely on a cane, walker, or wheelchair. The following adaptations are usually helpful in keeping the elderly moving freely about the house:

• Install ramps leading to all outer doorways.

• Mount handrails along the wall areas when assistance might be necessary to move up or down or where greater balance might be needed.

• Remove doors that open and close when they serve no great purpose and widen those that are too narrow for a wheelchair to pass.

• Purchase a reconditioned used stairlift from a trustworthy dealer. These dealers will check for any safety problems, and you can feel good about reusing these devices and saving money at the same time. Stairlifts can transform the life of people with limited mobility and allow them to carry on using the upstairs of their home, by removing the difficulty and stress of climbing the stairs.

• Take away all throw rugs. These can entangle feet or slide out from under seniors who have a tendency to slide their feet rather than lift them. To prevent waste, these might be offered on FreeCycle for a younger family to enjoy.

Adding Safety Devices

Some safety devices are imperative for the elderly. The following will give added security against falls and breaks for those whose bones are more fragile and will make life more comfortable for those suffering from arthritis and other debilitating conditions:

• Furnishings that are easily accessible should be a priority. This may mean adjustable beds, higher chairs, walk-in closets and showers, or larger commodes. Some items can be purchased second-hand, but be sure to check they are in good condition before parting with your money.

• Light switches, as well as blind and fan pulls should be easy to reach from a seated position.

• Consider replacing incandescent lights with modern, energy-efficient fluorescent lighting, which is not just a greener option, it’s bright and consistent so therefore safer for people with poorer eye sight.

• Portable phones with large buttons (purchased cheaply at yard sales and thrift stores) should be placed in every room of the house, and a personal alarm is a good idea for your peace of mind.

• Add extra insulation to the house if your grandparents complain of the cold and check the windows for leaking air. This can lower heating bills and save money for those on a limited income, as well as helping the environment.

Grandparents are treasured family members, and we all want to do everything possible to make the latter part of their lives easy and comfortable. By adapting their homes we can improve the quality of their lives and help them stay in their own homes, while having a minimal impact on the environment.

Photographer: Dr Joseph Valks

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