 Image Credit: Simon and Schuster Are you ready to start growing something green and lovely as we move into a fresh new season! Here's a new book to help both first-time and well-established gardeners get their plants off to a great start this year.
Gardening Hacks 300+ Time and Money Saving Hacks by Jon Vanzile is perfect for all gardening skill levels whether you’re starting your first garden, looking to expand your crop, or simply searching for ways to make it easier to care for your extensive plant collection. With more than 300 time and money-saving tips, you’ll find everything you need to know to make your garden grow – indoors or out! Gardening Hacks includes helpful tips like:
 Image Credit: Timber Press BICYCLING WITH BUTTERFLIES: My 10,201-Mile Journey Following the Monarch Migration (Timber Press; April 13, 2021) recounts Dykman’s inspirational ride alongside the monarchs as she follows unmapped roads in Michoacan, México, through the United States, into Ontario, Canada, and back, again, to Mexico. Every year, the monarch butterflies complete a multigeneration, multinational migration. In 2017, for the first time, cyclist, biologist, outdoor educator and adventurer Sara Dykman (then 32) accompanied the millions of monarchs to celebrate their journey and be their voice. During her 10,201 mile, 3 country tour, Dykman presented to more than 10,000 students and community members across the monarch’s range. “The monarchs need us,” Dykman explained, “they can’t call politicians to demand healthy prairies or rally for native gardens. But we can. We might not be able to fly like butterflies, but we can bike alongside them, and be their voice.”
Sara’s entire trip was made on a beat-up bicycle weighed down with everything from camping to video equipment. She covered about 60 miles per day, with rest stops to give presentations at schools and nature centers. At night she camped or stayed with all sorts of people. “From Mexico to Canada people were so willing to invite me into their house and let me experience a generosity found along the entire migration.” “Bicycling with Butterflies is part science, part adventure, part love letter to nature,” Dykman explained. “I hope readers will come away with a deeper sense of connection to the land and be inspired to join the network of people already fighting for the survival of the migration.” Share with us your thoughts on the book!  Credit: Simon and Schuster The Everything Easy Vegan Cookbook provides 200 quick and easy recipes for a healthy, plant-based diet. This comprehensive and easy-to-follow cookbook is packed with dinner recipes for a hectic workweek, meal-prep friendly slow cooker meals, and impressive (but easy!) dinners. Start your day with the Blueberry Overnight Oats, then try the Sweet and Spicy Peanut Noodles for dinner, and satisfy your sweet tooth with the Maple Date Carrot Cake.
Whether you’re a brand-new vegan, a seasoned veteran, or a health-conscious cook looking for a meatless Monday meal, you can enjoy healthy and satisfying dishes without spending hours in the kitchen. This book is out now. Enjoy!  Image: Simon and Schuster The Big Book of Plant-Based Baby Food by Tamika L. Gardner makes preparing homemade baby food easier than ever! These 300 simple, plant-forward recipes give your children the nutrients they need with ingredients you love, all while being delicious to eat.
Author Tamika L. Gardner breaks down recipes by age, from smooth purées for beginners at 6-7 months, to flavorful semi-smooth purées, chunky purées, and eventually fun finger foods for transitional meals at 12 months. She even includes information for where you can swap out fresh vs. frozen foods, and how to save on your plant-based grocery bill. The recipes in the book are entirely focused on whole foods from plant-based sources. You'll find basic baby-approved purées that feature a range of fruits and veggies, from the simplest applesauce to a tasty prune-barley bowel helper; functional snacks like teething biscuits; and finger foods that sound so delicious you’ll want to try them yourself, like the Teriyaki Cauliflower or Peach and Coconut Sorbet. Yumm! The book was released March 2! Enjoy!  Image Credit: Angelini Angelini Wine Imports has just released its Angelini Collection Prosecco Rosé to the US market. Available nationally, the Angelini Prosecco Rosé is a blend of 85% Glera and 15% Pinot Noir and has a suggested retail price of $11.99. The Angelini Collection is a portfolio of Italian wines focused on quality and priced for everyday enjoyment. The Collection includes: Prosecco DOC $11.99, Prosecco Rosé $11.99, Pinot Grigio DOC $11.99, Pinot Noir IGT $11.99, Moscato d’Asti DOC $11.99, and Brachetto d’Acqui DOC $11.99 This lineup of sparkling, still and dessert wines offers a wine for all occasions and dishes.
This collection of wines was first released in the 1980s by Julius Angelini. “I believe in selling real wines. Wines that come from real vineyards and are not manipulated in the cellar. I put together this portfolio of wines to showcase great representations of some of Italy’s most important varietals,” states Julius. Julius collaborates with Cantina Montelliana in the Veneto to create the Prosecco, Prosecco Rosé, Pinot Grigio, and Pinot Noir; and he works with Gruppo Araldica Castelvero in Piedmont to make the Brachetto d’Acqui and Moscato d’Asti. Julius has decades-long relationships with his two winery partners and he works with them closely to oversee the entire process. Ethan Angelini, Julius’s son, is the artist behind the Collection’s colorful labels. At 11 years-old what started out as some doodling turned into an eye-catching label. Never underestimate anyone at any age :). Enjoy!  Gratitude Gourmet cares deeply about the planet and creating a business that gives back to nature. That’s why we’re thrilled to share that we will Award 100 Climate and Peace Prizes to Businesses and Individuals for promoting plant based eating and health which will benefit the Planet and Climate Change. We’re partnering with One Tree Planted to plant a Tree for every one of the 100 Gratitude Gourmet Climate and Peace Prize Winners, so 100 Trees!
Trees clean our air and water, create habitats for biodiversity, contribute to our health and wellbeing, and create jobs for social impact. We’re honored to have reforestation through One Tree Planted as an integral part of our business model. Need a suggestion to start eating plant-based? Consider participating in Meatless Monday and/or review our Blog, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Posts for ideas. Submit Your Nomination Here by April 1. Award Winners will be announced on Earth Day.  Image: World Wetlands Day World Wetlands Day is celebrated on February 2 every year. Its a celebration of the vital role wetlands provide for people and our planet. Unlike any other ecosystem, wetlands can improve natural water quality, protect against floods, control shoreline erosion, and of course, provide opportunities for recreation.
Vital to their brand identity, Mary’s Gone Crackers (the leading gluten free, non-GMO, organic and plant-based cracker brand) has supported California wetlands for over 17 years as a part of their long-term corporate sustainability efforts. All of the brand's rice, a key ingredient in the Original, Super Seed and REAL Thin crackers, is sourced exclusively from the California Rice Commission, which has effectively transformed hundreds of thousands of acres of rice fields into seasonal wetland habitats for waterbirds to inhabit. Furthermore, these rice fields support millions of birds that migrate up and down the Pacific Flyway, a migratory corridor extending from the Arctic down to Patagonia. When managed properly, these fields can provide key habitat for a wide variety of species all year long. Thank you Mary's Gone Crackers for your great support of the California Wetlands! :)  Image: Sonoma Gourmet Veggie Shakshuka Sonoma Gourmet is the brand known for its high-quality, organic pasta and pizza sauces and all-natural oils allowing you to indulge in easily-accessible comfort food while still sticking to a Whole30 or Paleo diet. The brand offers a variety of products listed below along with some suggested recipes that will help you keep your health on track in 2021. Products include:
 Image Credit: VACCEB The Vietnamese American Community Center of the East Bay (VACCEB) Mobile Meal Program (MMP) provides free culturally relevant grocery meal bags to low-income folks and their families across Alameda County. This program was created in response to the “shelter in place” order due to COVID-19, which has substantially impacted disadvantaged communities. The communities they serve that are in need of food security all commonly share the following characteristics: homebound seniors, low-income, medically vulnerable, immigrants and refugees, and English limited. In addition, the program serves a diverse range of populations, this includes: Southeast Asians, Chinese, Latinos and Habesha (Ethiopians/Eritreans) communities. The MMP is designed to help alleviate hunger among our most vulnerable populations by providing culturally relevant grocery meal bags that meet the Older American Act and the daily dietary standards and requirements. By doing so, they have cemented partnerships with local ethnic markets to source food items for diverse constituencies in order to maintain cultural integrity while also supporting small businesses. With food insecurity so prevalent amongst struggling communities impacted by COVID-19, the demand for reliable food resources has also rapidly increased. To illustrate, the organization went from serving 1,000 meals/month pre-pandemic to now distributing 37,500 meals/month to 2,400+ unduplicated individuals across the East Bay. The MMP showcases the extraordinary needs for food resources during this challenging time and the barriers to food security that will remain even post-pandemic. Wonderful work VACCEB!
 Image Credit: Delysia Chocolatier Are you looking for a lovely chocolate gift for friends and family?
Delysia Chocolatier’s Winter Collection Chocolate Truffles is a 9pc box with 3 flavors of each truffle: 3 Mint chocolate truffles, 3 Eggnog chocolate truffles, and 3 Gingerbread chocolate truffles. The smell, texture and taste of the Gingerbread truffle has the familiar spices to a chocolaty ganache and then wrapped in a rich dark chocolate. A dash of rum adds a surprisingly pleasant kick to the eggnog, nutmeg and white chocolate ganache of the Eggnog truffle. Locally sourced mint is infused into pure dark chocolate of the Mint truffle. Enjoy!  Credit: My SuperFoods Are you looking for nutrient-dense snacks, using the cleanest ingredients and adding superfoods such as chia seed, coconut oil and superfruits (like acai and baobab) to every recipe? How about snacks which are certified organic, whole grain and baked in a peanut and treenut-free facilities?
Check out MySuperFoods delicious and healthy snacks for kids and adults!  Image Credit: Cafe Gratitude With the holidays around the corner, Cafe Gratitude’s newly-released Love is Served cookbook is filled with inspired plant-based recipes. Chef Seizan Dreux Ellis oversees the development and execution of the plant-based menu at all Café Gratitude restaurants in Southern California, with a mission in bringing his health-based, flavor driven cuisine to a wider audience.
Indulge in some of these dish highlights: ‘I Am Holy’ Baked Gluten-Free Donuts, ‘I Am Community’ Rosemary, Butternut Squash, and Radicchio, ‘I Am Elated’ Mole Abuelita Enchiladas, ‘I Am Bountiful’ Pasta with Smoky Tempeh Bolognese and Brazil Nut Parmesan, ‘I Am Lovely’ Gluten-Free Peach and Berry Cobbler, and much more! Enjoy Love is Served this holiday and live Café Gratitude’s ethos of joy and love deriving from food, health, and good company.  Witch’s Cosmo Credit: WitchCraft Cocktails Are you looking for unique cocktail recipes for Halloween? Check out WitchCraft Cocktails by Julia Halina Hadas. Two Fun Cocktail Recipes from the book are below: Witch’s Cauldron and Witch’s Cosmo. Happy Halloween! 🍸
Witch’s Cauldron What’s a witch without their mixing cauldron? Based on the infamous Scorpion Bowl, the deep red hue of this fall fruit punch will draw eyes to your magic work. Together, apple, pomegranate, and blood orange offer energies of divination, love, wealth, and fertility. It’s a perfect witch’s blessing to serve at a party! Garnish with a flamed orange wheel. Energies: Divination, Luck, Love, Blessings, Spirituality SERVES 1 1 1⁄2 tablespoons apple brandy 1 1⁄2 tablespoons dark rum 1 tablespoon lime juice 1 tablespoon Grenadine 1⁄2 tablespoon pomegranate liqueur 1 jigger (11⁄2 ounces) blood orange juice 1 tablespoon apple juice DIRECTIONS: Place all ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake until chilled. Close your eyes and breathe deeply as you shake, focusing your intention energy into empowering the ingredients. Strain into a martini glass. Imagine the magical essence of the seasonal pomegranate, blood orange, and apple fusing together as you bless the concoction for all who drink it! Witch’s Cosmo Famous for its pink hue, the Cosmopolitan is an exemplary cocktail of balance. With protective cranberry, cleansing rosemary and lime, and elevating orange, this simply delicious enchantment is all a witch needs to balance out after a long day! Substitute the lime garnish for more rosemary if preferred. Energies: Protection, Cleansing, Balance SERVES 1 1 jigger (11⁄2 ounces) vodka 11⁄2 tablespoons cranberry juice 1 tablespoon lime juice 1⁄2 tablespoon orange liqueur 1⁄2 tablespoon Rosemary-Saffron Syrup 1 small lime peel, for garnish DIRECTIONS: Place all ingredients except lime peel in a cocktail shaker and add ice. Shake firmly, shaking away the stress of the day and any worries. Once the shaker is chilled, double strain the cocktail into a martini glass. Express lime peel over the top of the cocktail, twist, and drop in. Excerpted from WitchCraft Cocktails by Julia Halina Hadas. Copyright © 2020 by Simon & Schuster, Inc. Interior photographs by Harper Point Photography. Used by permission of the publisher. All rights reserved.  Image Credit: Angelini The historical start of Angelini Collection can be found in the heart of the famous mountainous Veneto region in northern Italy. The 400 - family owner cooperative partner has been producing top quality Italian wines of the DOCG and DOC areas by combining innovation and tradition in every step of the winemaking process for over 60 years. Of all the varietals that are grown here, Pinot Grigio is the most famous white wine due to its fresh, appealing flavor profile.
In 2019, the Team discovered the supreme quality of the Glera grape grown here and began importing DOC Prosecco from Treviso. The quality of Moscato and Brachetto grapes coming out of Piemonte from long-time wine partners was impressive. The voyage continues today with new Moscato DOCG and Brachetto DOCG being launched in every market for 2020.  Image: Nature’s Path We’re a big fan of Nature's Path, one of the largest cereal and breakfast food brands that was built upon the promise to leave the earth better than it was found. We’ve recently tried some of their new cereals and granolas including Golden Turmeric Superfood Granola and love them!
Nature's Path was founded by serial entrepreneurs who opened Canada’s first vegetarian restaurant in 1967, and then a natural food store and another vegetarian restaurant, before starting Nature’s Path in 1985. Their latest sustainability goal is for all of their packaging to be reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025. Nature's Path is Supporting Climate Change in the following ways:
 We can all use more kindness in the world. How about our morning cereal? KIND has just launched its first ever cereal inspired by their Kind Bars and is now available exclusively at Walmart.
Each box is packed full of all the goodness you would expect from KINDbars, including a punch of protein. It comes in four flavors along with super grain flakes and it is all gluten free with a very filling 5-6 grams of protein per serving.
 Image Credit Simon and Schuster Focus on whole foods from plant sources, and reap the health benefits of a plant-based diet, even on campus! The Plant Based College Cookbook provides a flexible take on the plant-based diet. These 175 recipes are totally customizable, so you can personalize them to fit your needs, and they help you begin focusing your attention on fruits, vegetables, and other healthy sources of protein
 Image Credit: Mary's Gone Crackers Recent world events have reminded us that in order to care for ourselves, we must first care for the environment. Mary’s Gone Crackers, a line of gluten free, non-GMO, organic and plant-based snacks, is celebrating a 17 year partnership with the California Ricelands Waterbird Foundation as a part of their corporate sustainability efforts.
All of the brand's rice, a key ingredient in the Original, Super Seed and REAL Thin crackers, is sourced exclusively from the California Rice Commission, which has effectively transformed hundreds of thousands of acres of rice fields into seasonal wetland habitats for waterbirds to inhabit. Furthermore, these rice fields support millions of birds that migrate up and down the Pacific Flyway, a migratory corridor extending from the Arctic down to Patagonia. When managed properly, these fields can provide key habitat for a wide variety of species all year long. Great Company Leadership!  Credit: The Clambake Rose Check out this recipe from The Clambake Rosé — an amazing craft wine label created by a female millennial. The Clambake Limited Edition Rosé boasts some of the very best old-vine Carignan from Mendocino. The wines are made at a certified sustainable custom crush winery in Healdsburg, California. The Clambake Rosé is delightful! Cheers!
Clambake Rose Sorbet 4 cups of Clambake Rose Wine 1 1.2 cup pomegranate juice 1 cup sugar (or stevia) 1 cup frozen black cherries 1. Put the 4 cups of rose in a saucepan bring to boil and reduce to 2 cups. Cool. 2. Make a simple syrup using 1 cup sugar and 1 cup of pomegranate juice. Put both ingredients in a small sauce pan over medium heat. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Add the frozen cherries an let seep until cool. 3. Combine the reduced rose, the simple syrup with cherries, the remaining 1/2 cup pomegranate juice into a blender and puree. 4. Chill well in refrigerator. 5. Using your ice cream maker, follow instructions to make the sorbet. 6. Freeze at least 4 to 6 hours.  Image Credit: Otamot Below are some great 10-minute meals by some of Otamot's favorite foodie bloggers, that will help you serve healthy, guilt-free kid-favorites like pizza and tomato soup. These recipes all deliver the nutrients and fiber of 9+ organic veggies without any of the prep work using Otamot’s highly versatile Essential Sauce, Organic Carrot Bolognese Sauce + Spicy Organic Sauce. The wonderful thing about Otamot Essential Sauce is that it’s naturally rich and thick, so you can make a host of quick, tasty soups filled with vegetables, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants by adjusting the dilution, ingredients and toppings. Tomato Soup o For the most basic tomato soup, simply pour Otamot sauce into a saucepan and gently heat! o To make a thinner soup, mix the sauce with salted water or stock at ¾ cups of liquid to 1 cup of sauce. o To cook a more brothy (and budget conscious!) soup, double up and mix 1 ½ cups of liquid to 1 cup of sauce. Some days you just crave a smooth, creamy soup. To make an extra-rich cream of tomato soup, mix 1 cup of plant milk to 1 cup of sauce, then blend with a hand blender until smooth. You can add croutons for a touch of crunch or a spoonful of pesto for an earthy note. For a seasonal minestrone, dice and cook your favorite vegetables in water or vegetable stock. When they’re tender add 1 cup of sauce for every 1 ½ cups of liquid in the pot. Season, and you’re done. Garnish the top with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, plant-based cheese and serve with your favorite crusty bread.  Image Credit: Otamot Otamot English Muffin Pizzas
Serves 4-6 Ingredients 8 English muffins, split in half 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 jar Otamot Essential Sauce 1 lb fresh plant based cheese, thinly sliced 2 tbsp basil, thinly sliced Optional Toppings Sweet onion Button mushrooms Black olives Roasted garlic Artichokes Preparation: 1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. 2. Lay the English muffin halves out on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Lightly brush each half with olive oil. 3. Spoon 1½ tbsp of Otamot Essential Sauce on each half and spread out to the edges. 4. Put one slice of plant based cheese on each of the muffins. 5. Add any additional toppings. Have fun and get creative with whatever you like on your pizza |
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