Who wouldn't love deep dish pasta?

I created a delicious dish last night with almost all farmers market, local, organic ingredients... Best of all? Everyone loved it!

My eldest helped choose many of the ingredients at the market so she was very proud to have contributed. It's so rewarding to find those teachable moments in everyday life. And it's totally worth it to give up a little control (ie she chose a different fresh pasta than I would have) to see that confident smile! 

My hubby named it since he said it had the complex and delicious flavors of deep dish without all the fat and carbs.

So, here's the recipe: 

*BONUS: it's WAY healthier than deep dish* 

Olive Oil, 2 Tbsp

Crushed organic garlic, 2 cloves

Dried organic oregano, 1 tsp

Organic Large Onion, 1/2, diced

River Valley Kitchens baby portabello, about ten, diced

Organic yellow bell pepper, diced

Kinnikinnick Farms Italian ground Berkshire pork, cooked & crumbled

1/2 jar 365 organic Italian seasoned pasta sauce

Pasta Puttana, seasonal herb pasta (parsley and ramps I believe), 1 package ( says enough for 2 adults but was plenty for our family of four with this hearty yet light sauce) 

Lake Breeze Organics Arugula, to top

Add oil and garlic to medium size sauté pan over medium heat. Keep garlic moving, you don't want to burn it! Once garlic is realizing that wonderful, slightly nutty aroma add onion, pepper, portabellos and oregano. Sauté low and slow for about ten to twenty minutes to really develop the flavor. Add sausage, sauté a bit longer. Add sauce, reduce to simmer and let flavors blend as salted pasta water comes to a roaring boil. Cook pasta for 45 seconds (the joy of fresh pasta!), remove from water. Remove sauce from heat. Plate! For us we divided two kids portions and two adult portions, topped with sauce and arugula and a lite dusting of Parmesano Regiano. Bon Appetit! 

Side note: this would be delicious as a vegetarian dish as well, just leave out the pork. 

Green Festival - Chicago 2013

Since college I have wanted to attend the green festival, but, alas, I did not live near a large enough city. So I was SUPER STOKED to be able to attend this year now that we are in a host city!
I was not disappointed! We made a family event of it, enjoying some delicious vegan food too! For those of you in the Chicagoland area I highly recommend both Chicago Diner and B' Gabs Goodies. The table favorite (even with my 2 year old) was B'Gabs raw taco...yum!
All of the many vendors had lots to share and sample. Free Dr. Bronner Soaps and Vegetarian Times magazine?! This green family was in heaven! It was also a great teaching moment for my 4 year old about the attempt to make as little waste possible at the festival by the way they had the waste areas set. There was a compost, recycle and landfill bin and she was fascinated to see so many things that could be composted. (I feel a future family project coming on...)
Ford was a sponsor as well and they had and electric hybrid demoed. I just loved the visual of all the products the car door is made from...yet another teaching moment:-)
Oh! And I discovered ORETHICS brand: menstruation products, cloth diapers, swim diapers, etc. please check out and support this business. Her products are not only green, they are crazy cute too! Feminine hygiene is an area that really needs greening and I'll back her for making a step in the right direction. But hygiene is a post all it's own...we'll get there!

So, if you are ever in the Chicago area, or any of the Green Festival locations, check it out! It's well worth it and great for the family:-)

Go wild! Stay local!

Browsing Pinterest the other day I happened across a recipe for ramp spread. I have known about ramps for a while but have never gotten to taste them since along with there seasonality the are not a grocery store or southern farmers market staple. But to the joy! The benefit of a Midwest spring! At the farmers market this morning I found wild ramps at one of my favorite stands, Kinnikinnick Farms. And I must say, delicious! I could eat this spread by the spoonful (but practiced restraint and saved it for yummy toasted bread in the a.m.) the flavor is so delicate, and the smell while chopping them was enough to make me salivate.
Do you have access to ramps at your local market? If so, try them...you won't be disappointed! And give this great recipe a shot too! Great to extend the life on enjoyment from your ramps.

The perfect Eco-teacher's gift and *news*

It's super cute and reusable! So...my family and I are relocating to Evanston, IL just outside of Chicago. I am a mix of emotions right now but am super excited that this will free my time to began blogging again! Plus, with all the green things and free activities I can't wait to share with everyone! So wish us safe travels and I am so excited to return to my blogger friends soon:-) *please note that image is from interest and does not belong to me; my gifts were just based off of this concept.

Lent 2012 Reduce your Carbon Footprint

Eco-Christmas!

I hope that you and yours have had a wonderfully blessed and green holiday season! I hope to be fully operational by the end of January...I thank all of my wonderful followers and hope to provide more adventures in green living and parenting in the new year. This year has met many ups and downs for my family and as things settle, never fear! The blog will be a part of this.

Here's a taste of the fun to come: a centerpiece I created for our annual cookie exchange: and it's not only eco, it was free! I received the vase as a wedding gift (years ago), the pine cones and branches are from our yard, the gingerbread items are gift ties and an invitation from the event, and last but not least the flowers are made out of toilet tissue rolls that have been glued and sprayed with hair glitter left over from Halloween. We also put these "flowers" on our tree...very eco-chic! (and super easy to make with a 3 year old!)

Happy New Year everyone!

OrganicMommy26

Kudos to Earthfare!

Now thru November 5th trade in Halloween candy for better choices. Way to go Earthfare, you made my 3 year old daughter's day! A coloring book and treats she recognizes ...Plus a free healthy kids meal now this makes Mommy and daughter happy.