Showing posts with label organic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label organic. Show all posts

Thursday, December 10, 2015

Easy Avacado Egg Salad

Sometimes the easiest meals are the best because you can satisfy your hunger while not having to spend lots of time in the kitchen.  We love eggs because they are a great source of protein, and this avocado egg salad is the perfect way to have eggs for lunch and as a snack!  One of the reasons we enjoy this egg salad is beacuse it has no mayonnaise and is pretty light.  You can jazz it up with hot sauce and spices, or keep it simple, whichever you prefer.



Ingredients
  • 6 eggs, hard boiled
  • 1-½ ripe avocados, peeled and mashed
  • 1-1/2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (or lime juice)
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt, or to taste
 Instructions
  1. Add the eggs to a medium-sized pot and cover with a few inches of water. Cover and place on high heat. Bring water to a full (but gentle) boil and cook for 10 to 12 minutes.
  2. Drain the water and immediately run cold water over the eggs. Transfer eggs to an ice bath and allow eggs to chill for 10 minutes. Refrigerate eggs until ready to use.
  3. Peel and roughly chop the hard boiled eggs.
  4. Add the avocado to a mixing bowl with the lemon juice and sea salt. Mash the avocado, leaving it slightly chunky if desired. Add the chopped hard boiled eggs and stir well to combine. Eat on toasted bread with watercress or greens of choice.

Monday, November 16, 2015

Holiday Gift Guide: For Her

The holidays are quickly approaching and that means it is time to start shopping for the perfect gifts.  It can be hard to find time to get in all of that holiday shopping, so we are here to make things easier for you!  At Our Green House we have a wide variety of gifts that are perfect for everyone in the family.  We are excited to share gift guides for all of the special people in your life, and today it is all about the lovely ladies!  Whether you are looking for stocking stuffers, or a big gifts we have lots of options.  From clothing and accessories, to spa accouterments and jewelry, you will be able to check off everyone on your shopping list. 



Make sure to check out the shop for tons of gift options, and check back in the weeks to come with gift guides for him, baby, toddler, and pets!

Sunday, October 25, 2015

One Pot Zucchini Mushroom Pasta

The fall is a great time of the year, but it can also be super busy.  We are 2 months away from Christmas, fall sports are in full swing, and kids busy at school.  This means there might not always be enough time at the end of the day to spend hours cooking dinner.  That is why we love meals that are simple and involve either one pot or the slow cooker.  This yummy zucchini pasta with mushrooms is great for the fall and is a cinch to make.  Plus is makes great leftovers to take to work or school the next day!



Ingredients
  • 1 pound spaghetti
  • 1 pound cremini mushrooms, thinly sliced
  • 2 zucchini, thinly sliced and quartered
  • 2/3 cup peas
  • 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
  • 2 sprigs thyme
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/3 cup grated Parmesan
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
Instructions
  • In a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium high heat, combine spaghetti, mushrooms, zucchini, peas, garlic, thyme and 4 1/2 cups water; season with salt and pepper, to taste.
  • Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until pasta is cooked through and liquid has reduced, about 8-10 minutes. Stir in Parmesan and heavy cream.
  • Serve immediately.
{recipe and image via}

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Sale Section!

Did you know that Our Green House has a sale section where you can find lots of amazing deals?  As we transition to the fall, there are lots of awesome items that you can snag for great prices!  Looking for a cozy bed that your pet will enjoy this fall & winter?  We have you covered!  Or if you are in the need for some kids toys and clothes, there are some great items available at fabulous prices.  


We have everything form jewelry to clothing, and games to items for mom!  We are adding new items all the time, but quantities are limited so  make sure you hope over to the sale section today and snag some great products :)

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Three Ingredient No Bake Bar

Some days life can get so busy that you forget to keep your body fueled with food.  We love finding simple and yummy recipes that are great to make in a pinch and that the whole family will like.  We also try to find snack recipes that are great for after a workout or yoga session that aren't too heavy.  That is why we love snack bars like these because they are super simple and great for any time of the day.  You can whip them up in a matter of minutes and everyone will want to grab one before heading out the door, or when they get home and need a quick pick me up.


What are your favorite snack foods?  We would love to know!


{image and recipe via}

Friday, September 18, 2015

Packing a Lunch Bot

We all know that packing school lunches can be tough, especially when you have picky eaters.  That is why we absolutely love Lunch Bots!  They are fun and unique lunch storage containers that allow you to get creative with how you pack a lunch.  They are a bento style lunch box and kids love the bright colors and compartments that separate their food.   Parents love them because they are dishwasher safe, and stainless steel (not plastic).  Today we wanted to share some inspiring ways that parents are packing awesome lunches and snacks for their kids!


Not only are Lunch Bots great for kids, but they are perfect for adults to take to work.   Their simple and clean cut design is appropriate for all ages and you will never have to buy plastic baggies again!

Friday, September 11, 2015

Yummy Pesto Salmon

This time of year seems to be an in-between phase when it comes to the seasons.  It can still be hot during the day but the temperatures cool off at night, but it isn't quite sweater weather yet.  We often find ourselves ready for some hearty fall meals but when you still have the air conditioner on during the day it seems a little odd to be eating beef stew for dinner.  That is why we love finding meals that are a great for transitioning from season to season and this pesto salmon is perfection!  We love how you can still use summer veggies, but the colors remind us of fall and it is a dish that can be made any season.  It is a crowd please and we know you are going to love it too :)



Ingredients
  • 4 (6 oz) skinless salmon fillets
  • 1 1/4 lbs fresh green beans, ends trimmed or 1 lb (medium/thin) asparagus, tough ends trimmed
  • 3 tsp olive oil, divided
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 4 Tbsp pesto, homemade or store bought (half a recipe of the homemade is enough)
  • 4 tsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 pint grape tomatoes, halved 
Instructions
  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Cut four pieces of aluminum foil into 14-inch lengths. Boil green beans 3 minutes, then carefully drain (asparagus doesn't need to be boiled before baking).
  • Toss green beans (or asparagus) with 2 tsp olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste, divide into 4 servings and layer in center of each piece of foil. Season both sides of salmon with salt and pepper. Layer salmon over green beans and then spread 1 Tbsp pesto over top. Drizzle 1 tsp lemon juice over each fillet. Toss tomatoes with remaining 1 tsp olive oil and season lightly with salt. Spread over each salmon fillet. Wrap sides of foil in and roll and crimp edge to seal, then wrap ends upward to seal (don't wrap too tightly you want the heat to be able to circulate well).
  • Place side by side on a baking sheet and bake in preheated oven until salmon has cooked through, about 20 - 28 minutes (cook time will vary depending on thickness of salmon). 
{recipe and image via}

Friday, July 03, 2015

Picnic at the Beach

One of our favorite summer activities with the family is definitely going on picnics!  If you live near the ocean, a lunch or dinner picnic on the beach is such a great way to spend the weekend, but even if you don't live near the water you can take a delicious picnic to a local park!  When it comes to preparing the meal, we like to keep things simple and make food that is easy to eat and travel with.  Today we are sharing 3 of our go-to picnic items and we hope you love them as much as we do!

In the summer, we love eating salads for lunch and dinner because there are so many great fresh vegetables available.  Make individual salads by using recyclable containers.  You can make a yummy layered cob salad, a chopped salad, or pretty much any type of salad you want!  Bring one container of dressing and let everyone put dressing on their own salad at the picnic :)


 No picnic would be complete without fresh fruit!  Cut fruit into bite size pieces and then put it on skewers.  These fruit skewers are great because they don't require a plate or fork, and the kids love them!


And who can forget about dessert! One of our favorite summer desserts is a big batch of lemon bars.  Nothing says summer like yummy citrus lemon bars, and this recipes is hands down the best :)



Ingredients
    For the Crust:
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2/3 cup powdered sugar, plus extra to sprinkle on bars
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 12 tablespoons butter (1 1/2 sticks), at cool room temperature, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • For the Filling:
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest, from 2 large lemons
  • 2/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice, from 3 to 4 large lemons
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • Pinch of salt (about 1/8 teaspoon)
Instructions
  1. Place an oven rack in the middle position and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9X13-inch baking pan with foil or parchment paper and lightly grease the foil/parchment.
  2. Stir together the flour, powdered sugar, cornstarch, and salt (this can be done in a food processor or in a large bowl by hand). Add the pieces of butter and cut the butter into the dry ingredients using a pastry blender, two knives or your fingers (taking care not to melt the butter too much - you might try freezing the butter and grating it into the dry ingredients on the large holes of a box grater) or process in the food processor for 8 to 10 seconds and then as needed until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Sprinkle the mixture into the prepared pan and press into an even layer on the bottom and about 1/2-inch up the sides of the pan. Refrigerate for 15-30 minutes. Bake until golden brown, about 20 minutes.
  3. For the filling, whisk together the eggs, sugar, salt, and flour in a medium bowl and then stir in the lemon zest, juice and milk to combine.
  4. Pour the filling onto the warm crust (it's important that the crust is still warm!) and reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees. Bake for about 18-20 minutes until the filling feels slightly firm to the touch. Cool the bars to room temperature, sprinkle with additional powdered sugar and cut into bars.

 Happy Picnicking!


[images 1, 2, 3]

Friday, June 26, 2015

Protabello Burgers

Did you know that you can make an impact on the environment based on what you are eating?  Eating foods that are easy to compost, and then actually composting them in your own home/yard, is a great way to do your part in keeping our planet clean.  Today we are sharing our favorite Portabello Burgers and we know you are going to love them!  One of the great things about them is that if there are any leftover scraps on anyone's plate (which we doubt there will be since they are so good) you can just put it in the compost pile and it will easily decompose!  You can serve these with buns or without, and we love them with sweet potato fries (also compostable!)



Ingredients
  • 2 cups portabella mushrooms, cubed (smaller pieces); gills removed
  • 2 cups cooked black beans, rinsed and divided
  • 1 cup minced broccoli, fresh only
  • 1/2 cup red onion, minced
  • 3 XL eggs, beaten
  • 1/2 cup plus 2 Tbl Panko or Gluten Free Panko
  • 1 Tbl Montreal Steak Seasoning
  • 1 Tbl Worcestershire *for full vegetarian style use one that does not contain anchovies
  • 2 Tbl minced garlic
  • 3/4 cup fresh grated Parmesan
  • Olive oil
Instructions
  1. In a large bowl add 1 cup of black beans and mash with a masher (chunks are OK).
  2. Next, add in the mushrooms, the rest of the beans, broccoli, garlic, onion, Worcestershire and steak seasoning.
  3. Mix just until coated.
  4. Add in the eggs, cheese and bread crumbs and mix gently with a large spoon until the mixture is combined.
  5. Set aside while you place a medium non-stick pan over medium heat and add in 2 Tbl of oil.
  6. Once the oil starts to shimmer (about a minute or two), using dampened hands (the mixture will stick to you if you don’t), scoop a 1/2 cup of mixture into the palm of your hand and gently shape into a burger all the while pressing together. The mixture should hold a burger shape. If it doesn’t add just a Tbl more of bread crumbs.
  7. Place in the oil and cook for 3-5 minutes per side or until golden brown and a crust has formed on each side.


{recipe & image via}

Monday, June 22, 2015

Fun Facts About Composting!

Composting is a great way to reduce waste in the kitchen and recycle organic waste for re-use in your garden.  Anything that was once living will eventually decompose, meaning that all of those scraps of food from your kitchen that once went into the trash can actually go into a compost pile and be used again!


Here at Our Green House we love composting, and we want to share a few fun facts that might help convince you to start your own compost pile!

1.  While the most common items people compost are fruits and vegetables, you can compost lots of other items as well! These include:  tea bags, bread crust, egg shells, junk mail (shredded), jell-o, pet fur, saw-dust, and much more!

2.  You can compost all year round, even if you live in an area that gets very cold in the winter.  Learn more about composting in the winter here.

3.  Composting can decrease plant disease and possibly eliminate the need for chemical fertilizers in your garden.  Compost can also help clean contaminated soil.

4.  On avergae, each US household genterates 650 pounds of compostable material each year, and about 60% of what we throw away is organic material that could be composted.

5.  Adding red worms to your compost pile can help speed up the process.  

image via

Starting a compost pile in your own backyard is a lot easier than you might imagine.  For tips and directions on how to start your own compost pile, click here!





Friday, June 19, 2015

Homemade Granola Bars

Having healthy snacks in the house is so important in maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle.  We love snack recipes that make big batches, and that we can throw in our purse, gym bag, lunch box, or briefcase.  These homemade simple 5 ingreient granola bars fit the bill and we make them all the time!  We love taking them with us on nature walks, and they are a great way to help your body stay fueled during the day.






Ingredients
  • 1 cup packed dates, pitted (deglet nour or medjool)
  • 1/4 cup honey (or sub maple syrup or agave for vegan option)
  • 1/4 cup creamy salted natural peanut butter or almond butter
  • 1 cup roasted unsalted almonds, loosely chopped
  • 1 1/2 cups rolled oats (gluten free for GF eaters)
  • optional additions: chocolate chips, dried fruit, nuts, banana chips, vanilla, etc.
Instructions
  1. Process dates in a food processor until small bits remain (about 1 minute). It should form a "dough" like consistency. (mine rolled into a ball)
  2. Optional step: Toast your oats in a 350 degree oven for 15-ish minutes or until slightly golden brown. Otherwise, leave them raw - I just prefer the toasted flavor.
  3. Place oats, almonds and dates in a bowl - set aside.
  4. Warm honey and peanut butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir and pour over oat mixture and then mix, breaking up the dates to disperse throughout.
  5. Once thoroughly mixed, transfer to an 8x8 dish or other small pan lined with plastic wrap or parchment paper so they lift out easily. (A loaf pan might work, but will yield thicker bars.)
  6. Press down until uniformly flattened. Cover with parchment or plastic wrap, and let set in fridge or freezer for 15-20 minutes to harden.
  7. Remove bars from pan and chop into 10 even bars. Store in an airtight container for up to a few days. I kept mine in the freezer to keep them extra fresh, but it isn't necessary.
{recipe and image via}

Friday, June 05, 2015

Healthy Mushroom Soup

In keeping with our fairy theme of this week, we wanted to share a delicious recipe inspired by nature and the woods!  This mushroom soup is a favorite all year round because unlike the traditional mushroom soups you usually come across, it doesn't contain any cream.  It is light and very healthy, making it the perfect meal for lunch or dinner any time.  We hope you like it as much as we do!


Ingredients
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 cup carrots, peeled and diced
  • 1 cup onions, sliced
  • 1 cup sliced leeks, halved and sliced
  • ¾ cup sliced celery
  • 3 large garlic cloves, coarsely chopped (approx. 1 and ½ tablespoons)
  • 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
  • 2 pounds mushrooms (you can use any kind), rinsed and thickly sliced (approximately ¼" thick)
  • 6 cups chicken stock (or approx. 3 (14.5 ounce) cans)
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon cracked black pepper
Instructions
  1. Melt butter in a large stock pot over medium heat. Add carrots, onions, leeks, celery and garlic. Cook and stir until tender, but not browned, approximately 10 minutes. Add thyme, mushrooms, chicken stock, salt and pepper. Heat until a soft boil, then turn down to low heat, cover and simmer on low heat for 30 minutes.
  2. Remove from heat, ladle into bowls, and serve.
{image a recipe via}



Friday, May 15, 2015

Sauteed Dandelion Greens

In honor of celebrating the dandelion this week, we are sharing a delicious dandelion greens recipe today!  Dandelion leaves have a bitter flavor that is great for digestion and is full of antioxidants.  The bitter flavor of dandelions increases saliva production which is an important part of breaking down food.  Even adding just a few chopped up dandelion greens to your daily salad will help assimilate your body to their bitterness and will help aid in digestion.  And if you have a whole lot of dandelion greens in your yard, try out this delicious sauteed dandelion greens recipe!


Ingredients:
  • Large bunch dandelion greens, rinsed of dirt and rough chopped with stems
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 5 garlic cloves, sliced thin
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 1/2 cup vegetable broth
  • 2 tablespoons pine nuts
  • Juice from 1/2 lemon
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Splash of hot pepper vinegar sauce (apple cider vinegar can be used instead)
Directions
  • Heat olive oil over medium heat until shimmering in a sauce pan. Add the garlic and crushed red pepper. Cook, stirring frequently just until the garlic starts to brown.
  • Add the chopped dandelion greens in and toss well to coat. Pour in the vegetable broth and simmer, stirring occasionally over medium heat until the broth is almost completely absorbed.
  • Toss in pine nuts, lemon juice, then add the vinegar and mix to incorporate. Serve hot or warm as a side dish — or make it a meal by serving with a couple of fried eggs.

Friday, April 24, 2015

Spaghetti Squash Recipe with Spinach, Feta & Basil White Beans

If you love pasta but can't eat gluten or grains, then you probably are familiar with using vegetables as a noodle substitute.  We have shared a delicious shimp dish using 'zuchini pasta', and today we wanted to share a favorite recipe using spaghetti squash!  Some people can be intimidated by spaghetti squash, but it is actually a really simple squash to cook and it is so yummy.  This spaghetti squash dish combines spinach, feta, and white beans to create a flavorful and healthy dinner that everyone in your family will enjoy!



Ingredients
  • 1 (14 oz.) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh basil
  • ½ tsp dried oregano
  • 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
  • 1 (3-pound) spaghetti squash
  • 1 bunch spinach, washed and stems removed, about 6 cups (packed) leaves
  • ½ cup chopped onion
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Finely grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
  1. In a medium bowl, combine cannellini beans, basil, oregano, 1 tablespoon olive oil, and white wine vinegar.
  2. Using a large, sharp knife, pierce spaghetti squash in several places. Place the squash in a glass baking dish and cook in the microwave on high for about 15 minutes, turning the squash halfway through cooking. Before handling, let the squash stand for 10 minutes. Cut it in half lengthwise and scrape out the seeds and fibers. Using a fork, twist out strands of the spaghetti squash flesh and place in a large bowl.
  3. Working in batches, stack the spinach leaves and cut across the leaves into ¼-inch wide strips.
  4. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic. Cook, stirring constantly for 1 minute. Add the sliced spinach and cook until the spinach is just wilted, 1 to 2 minutes. Add feta cheese and the cannellini bean mixture. Cook until heated through, 1 to 2 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  5. Add bean and spinach mixture to the spaghetti squash. Gently toss. Place the mixture on a serving platter and serve with finely grated Parmesan cheese.

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Eco Friendly Vacation

When life gets busy, its hard not to think about getting away and taking a vacation.  With so many places to travel, and lots of vacation styles, it can be difficult to make up your mind.  Since we are all about being organic and natural here at Our Green House, we wanted to share some amazing eco-friendly vacation options that we would be thrilled to enjoy :)

This stunning environmentally friendly resort is made up of 12 floating lodges.  You can kayak to local waterfalls and hike in the virgin forest, or enjoy the beautiful views!  



'The resort maintains energy-efficient practices like recycling, replants trees, participates in community cleanups and educates employees about conservation.'

'Poaching and deforestation are major issues on Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula, and Lapa Rios has pledged to protect the 1,000 acres within its private reserve. It has many sustainable initiatives, including heating its water by solar power'



So who is ready for an eco-friendly vacation?  We certainly are!  And remember, you can shop lots of eco-friendly and natural products at Our Green House :)


Monday, April 20, 2015

Organic Baby Dresses

One of the many fun things about having a little girl is being able to pick out cute outfits for her to wear.  We love the ease of these summer organic baby dresses.   You can easily add a pair of leggings or shorts underneath so that your active girl can run around all day without a care in the world.  When its chilly in the morning or at night, throw on an organic jean jacket and your little toddler/baby will be warm but still super stylish!










































All of these adorable organic dresses from Our Green House are organic and made from soft and breathable fabric.  We take pride in picking out clothing that you will feel extremely comfortable dressing your children in.  Make sure to check out our website for lots more organic baby clothes


1  ::  ::  3  ::  :: 

Friday, April 17, 2015

The Lark Salad

Do you ever have an awesome meal at a restaurant and immediately know you want to try and re-create it at home?  One of our team members recently got back from a trip to Santa Barbra, and while there she had this delicious salad at The Lark restaurant.  Delicate butter lettuce combined with the sweetness of fuji apples and the tang of a semi-firm cheese make this salad perfection.  We are so glad that we were able to recreate it because now it is definitely going to be a summer staple :)



Ingredients
  • 1 head of butter lettuce
  • 1 fuji apple
  • Comte cheese (we used this midnight moon from whole foods and it was perfect )
  • 1/3 C Sliced almonds & 2 Tbs. sugar
  • Vinaigrette Ingredients
    1/3 cup cider vinegar
    2 tablespoons pure maple syrup 
    1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 
    1/4 teaspoon salt 
    1/4 teaspoon pepper 
    2/3 cup olive oil 

Instructions
  1. Wash and dry lettuce, and put in a large mixing bowl
  2. Peel apple and slice it thinly (using a cheese slicer or a mandolin make this easier) and put in bowl with lettuce
  3. Thinly slice about 1/3 C of cheese and put in lettuce bowl
  4. Place sugar and almonds in pan and cook on medium head until the sugar has melted and the almonds are coated.  Let cool and set aside
  5. Combine all vinaigrette ingredients (can be made ahead of time)
  6. When ready to serve the salad, add the dressing a few tablespoons at a time to coat the lettuce.  Add candied almonds.
  7. ENJOY!

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Fair Trade at Our Green House

Did you know that Our Green House has lots of wonderful fair trade products?  We finding unique products that are made and sourced ethically from artisans in countries all around the world.  A lot of our fair trade products are made by people who create these items so they can support their families and have opportunities we take for granted.  Knowing that your purchase helps those in need is a great feeling, so next time you are looking for a gift (or just need something nice for yourself!) make sure to check out some of our fair trade products!




Hope Clips are hand made in South Africa and a portion of all proceeds is donated to Hopes & Dreams International and the Will Santa Find Me? 

Beautiful and bright Lily and Laura bracelets are handmade by women in Nepal!
The women that make the custom jewelry work from their homes in the Kathmandu Valley and are paid higher than Fair Trade wages.

Our popular PuraVida bracelets are not only stylish, but each bracelet that is bought helps to give back to local Costa-Ricans who hand make each bracelet!

Our Pukka tea is fair trade certified, organic, and ethically sourced! 

These Zulugrass bead strands from the Leaky Collection.  Founders Katy and Philip Leakey are committed to giving back to the community of the Maasai people of Kenya who hand make Zulugrass jewelry, without disturbing their cultural traditions.

Under the Nile baby clothes are made from 100% organic Egyptian cotton and are certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS).   All pieces are made in Egypt.

Friday, March 06, 2015

Italian Wedding Soup

Simple soup recipes that are super easy and don't take much time to make are a favorite all year round.  Being able to throw a bunch of ingredients in one pot and create a wonderful meal is really satisfying.  A new favorite that has actually been around for a while is Italian Wedding Soup.  The first time I made this soup I was so surprised at how easy it was to make and was even more surprised with how delicious it was!  The reason it is called a 'wedding soup' is actually because the flavors marry so well together, not because it is served at Italian weddings :)  Once you give it a try to will see why it got its name!




Ingredients

Meatballs:
1 small onion, grated
1/3 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
1 large egg
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon salt
1 slice fresh white bread, crust trimmed, bread torn into small pieces
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
8 ounces ground beef
8 ounces ground pork
Freshly ground black pepper

Soup:

12 cups low-sodium chicken broth or bone broth (add 1 bouillon cube to bone broth to add extra flavor if desired)
1 pound curly endive, coarsely chopped (1 pound of escarole would be a good substitution)
2 large eggs
2 tablespoon freshly grated Parmesan, plus extra for garnish
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions 
To make the meatballs: Stir the first 6 ingredients in a large bowl to blend. Stir in the cheese, beef and pork. Using 1 1/2 teaspoons for each, shape the meat mixture into 1-inch-diameter meatballs. Place on a baking sheet.

To make the soup: Bring the broth to a boil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and curly endive and simmer until the meatballs are cooked through and the curly endive is tender, about 8 minutes. Whisk the eggs and cheese in a medium bowl to blend. Stir the soup in a circular motion. Gradually drizzle the egg mixture into the moving broth, stirring gently with a fork to form thin stands of egg, about 1 minute. Season the soup to taste with salt and pepper.

Ladle the soup into bowls and serve. Finish soup with parmesan cheese if desired. 

{image and recipe via}


Wednesday, March 04, 2015

Pregnancy Gift Basket!

Here at Our Green House we love putting together custom gift baskets! We offer a variety of already made baskets, but we also give you the option to create your own custom gift basket.  We recently put together our newest basket and it perfect for expecting moms!  We made sure to include some of our favorite pregnancy products and it makes such a wonderful shower gift or as a fun 'thinking of you' present.  After all, what woman doesn't like a little extra pampering when pregnant ;)



1:  These milestone cards are such a sweet way to make memories from every step of a pregnancy.   Expecting moms can take pictures to document each week of their pregnancy as well as record special milestones like the first kick and finding out the  baby's gender! 

2:  Every part of your body deserves to be well taken care of during pregnancy and this foot mist is perfect for your busy feet.

3:  Expecting moms swear by this fabulous belly butter and it is great for the tummy both before and after giving birth.

4:  This all natural moisturizing soap cleanses and tones while the sweet smell of lavender soothes mind and body.   Great to use in a hot bath to help relax!

5:  These Urban Moonshine Bitters are safe for pregnancy and have been known to help with morning sickness and an upset stomach. 

Make sure to check out our other gift baskets for all other occasions!