Urban Foraging: Dandelion Coffee

Start by foraging for dandelions. For best results search in fall or early spring. After the Dandelions have experienced a frost, their flavor will enhance. When you have found some, bring them into the kitchen and wash thoroughly. Cut off all the green: You only need the carrot like roots. 

Grind the roots in a food processor until they resemble orzo or bloated over-cooked rice. 

Spread the ground roots out on a cookie sheet that you don't mind staining.

Place grounds in a oven at 220 degrees Fahrenheit. You will need to watch carefully so they don't burn. When they are done you will notice that the roots are the color of coffee grounds. You will also notice faint smoke tendrils coming from the roasted roots.

You can further grind the grounds or leave them chunky. To brew: In a pot bring 1 cup of water to 1 tablespoon of Dandelion Coffee to a boil. Boil for 5 minutes and use a small strainer to sift out the grounds. 

Dandelion Coffee is a non-GMO, sustainable, environmentally sound product. It has no caffeine and is loaded with health benefits. And best of all you can gather these weeds for FREE.

Reducing Your Pets Carbon Footprint

Here are just a few ways to reduce your pets carbon pawprint. There are several reason why you should help, but I am not going to cover them in the intro.

Build a pet waste composter. Why ? Because everyday we throw are pets waste away in the trash spreading disease to wildlife and contaminating the water supply. Find out how to build a  waste composter at Suite 101 how_to_build_your_own_pet_waste_composter

When picking up your dogs feces "aka poop", use Bio Bags, they are made from GMO free corn and have no polyethylene, bonus they also meet California standards. P.S.  they are 100% biodegradable!

Buy Organic Pet Food to reduce the amount of chemicals in your pets diet as well as reduce environmental damage.
Newman's Own
Natural Planet's Organics
Natura
Raw Advantage

Switch your Dog to being Vegan, vegetarians and vegans have a lower carbon footprint, because their food needs less processing and is less cruel.
Try: V-Dog or make your own

Stop using chemical and clay filled cat litter; Clay is strip mined and does NOT reabsorb in the Earth. Silica dust can cause cancer, it is a very well known carcinogen. Most cat litters also have sodium bentonite,  that can be ingested by your cat it can cause gastrointestinal issues and immune problems.
Try:
Good Mews made from recycled paper safe and 100% biodegradable
Worlds Best made from corn > biodegradable and septic safe
Yesterdays News made from post consumer paper and over 99% dust free
SWheat made from secondary processed wheat 100% biodegradable and compostable

Pet Toys And Bedding; most of us buy pet beds, clothing and toys from big stores
and the stuff we purchase there is mass produced.

Buy bedding that is made from post consumer materials
Recycle used pet products
Reduce the amount of unnecessary products
Buy Eco conscious shampoos
Reduce the amount of mass produced products we buy
Buy sustainable or post consumer products
DIY safe fun toys and healthy food
Talk to manager s of stores and see if they will carry eco-conscious pet supplies

Vegan Ranch Dressing

1/2 cup Vegenaise
1/2 cup soy yogurt (vegan)
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 small clove crushed garlic
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon dry chives
2-3 tsp agave syrup
1/2 tsp lemon juice
2 tsp vinegar

In a large bowl, whisk together the all of the ingredients. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Makes a great dip or great on a salad !!

Vegan Dog Treats

This is a great vegan recipe for your dog, I have heard that sweet potato can make your dog fat, but if you don't overfeed him/her it will be ok.

1 1/2 cups chopped parsley (fresh)
2 heaping tablespoons finely grated sweet potato
1/8 cup nutritional yeast flakes
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 1/3 cup whole wheat flour
1 tablespoon bran
1 teaspoon baking powder
about 1/4 or more fresh carrot juice

1: mix ingredients adding juice slowly to form a dough
2: let dough rest about 1/2 hour in fridge
3: preheat oven to 350
4: roll out dough on lightly floured surface to 1/2 inch thick cut with a cookie cutter into desired shape bake 30 minutes until firm turn off oven and let cool in oven till dry keep in a air tight container !!

Eco Friendly Dish Soap Recipe

Eco Dish Soap Recipe 

1 ounce liquid castile soap
7 drops citrus essential oil
2 teaspoons liquid vegetable glycerin
2 cups water

Mix ingredient in old dish detergent container or a jar.
Completely vegan, so go ahead and use all you want, no animals were tested or injured.

Vegan Egg Nog

16oz Silk soymilk vanilla (click link for Silk Vegan Information )
1/2 tablespoon pure vanilla extract + 1 vanilla bean
1/4 cup vegan cane sugar
2 1/4 tablespoon vegan brown sugar
2 packages silken tofu( regular)
Optional 1/4 teaspoon tumeric

Blend the above ingredients in a blender until rich and smooth . Refrigerate till chilled and pour in glasses and dust with fresh nutmeg !