I first tested the Biokleen Liquid Detergent, but didn’t like the plastic bottle issue so I switched to powder which comes in an unbleached corrugated box. The powder works much like the liquid, which I gave a full review on at Tree Hugging Family, but we’ll look at some general perks here.

Use and Eco-Perks:

• No fillers, made with all natural 100% active ingredients, free of borine, chlorine, metasilicates, borax, or caustics. Contains color-safe oxygen bleach and grapefruit seed extract.
• Safe for front loading washers.
• No animal testing.
• This stuff works great – gets out small stains, makes clothes smell fresh, and does all the other tasks you’d expect from your detergent.
• Vegan.
• Non-toxic to humans and aquatic life.
• No carcinogens.
• No teratogens.
• No mutagens.
• No neurotoxins.
• Non-corrosive to skin or eyes.
• No respiratory irritants.
• No skin sensitizers.
• Biodegradable.
• No 2-butoxyethanol.
• No toxic metals.
• 0% phosphates
• Full disclosure of ingredients to third parties.

And the best issue – PRICE. Per load this is the least expensive store bought green laundry soap I’ve found. It’s always less expensive than other green brands. The powder notes that it’s concentrated and that there are 54 loads per 5-lb. box but I get more uses than 54. I’ve used a little less soap per load and the wash gets just as clean. So this soap is a killer deal. It lasts forever.

Bad stuff? I can’t stand the Biokleen website. It’s not totally user friendly, you can’t find the MSDS forms there, although you can get them at Green Home, and I can’t find a recycling how-to page or an ingredients page, which is in my opinion shoddy for an eco-company.

Note: As noted, the liquid form of this detergent comes in a plastic bottle, which is recyclable, but has a cap that may not be. However, the one perk of the liquid is that it makes a great pre-soak stain fighter – which the powder doesn’t. We don’t get many stains at my place, so I stick with the powder.

Overall though, if you ignore their website this is a great and economical detergent.

Post from: Blisstree

Best Green Laundry Detergent

If you have a Twitter account, then you might consider following vegetariandeals. Their plan is to share links to “vegetarian coupons, samples, affiliate deals, discounts, and freebies.” So far I see links to samples of Aveda hair product, Luna cookies, and a free Vegetarian Times subscription.

The sister site to vegetariandeals is Groovy Vegetarian. Groovy Vegetarian covers a multitude of veg subjects including vegan clothing, nutrition information, giveaways, etc. The last couple of months, the posting looks like it hasn’t’ been as regular, but there’s a lot of great information in the archives.

Vegan yum*yum has some of the most beautiful food photography that I’ve ever seen. Bright, fresh ingredients, interesting angles, and the recipes taste pretty darn good, as well. Vegan yum*yum was a 2008 winner of VegNews Veg Bloggy Awards.

Image credit: Michelle Smith

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Bloggy Vegetarians

Raw food advocates chose the path of the fresh and crunchy because cooking kills the healthiest parts of the food. A diet that is 90-100% yields fuller hair, softer skin, no PMS, and fresher breath.

The book is thick and contains a lot of information on both the why and the how of a raw food diet. There are sections on how to adopt the diet for children, where to find resources in your area, and recipes that include Celery-Cilantro Soup, Spaghetti, Raw Pizza, many slushies and smoothies, salads.

If you need a jumping off point, take a look at the sample menus.

My favorite food is an avocado and I’d be interested in adding more raw food to my diet, but until someone develops a suitable raw substitute for a warm, gooey brownie, I’m going to have to stick with cooking.

Image credit: Barnes and Noble.com

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The Live Food Factor – Book Review

So far, my favorite recipe is the Sweet Potato and Wild Rice Cakes that are on page 308. A combination of two types of rice, diced sweet potatoes, shredded vegetables, and rosemary – yum. I look forward to using my own fresh sweet potatoes for this recipe next Fall.

I had the opportunity to ask Pat Crocker a few questions that I’m hopeful will help beginning vegans. Please come back tomorrow and you will have the chance to win a copy of  The Vegan Cook’s Bible for yourself.

*****

Blisstree: Many people want to make changes to their diet, whether for ethical or health reasons. What is the easiest way to transition to a Vegan diet?

Pat Crocker:For me, the easiest transition was to explore the Vegan diet one day a week. That way, I and my family had time to think about just that one day’s food without our whole foodstyle being turned topsy-turvy. Once we were comfortable with finding recipes we liked and enjoying fresh plant ingredients, we ventured out to two days and it didn’t take long before we found that we had totally changed our eating habits and only wanted vegan foods.

Blisstree: Busy people like to have a handful of go-to recipes to fall back on. Can you recommend a few quick, healthy, flavorful favorites?

Pat Crocker: I have always loved roasted vegetables and so naturally, the rich and slightly sweet flavors of roasted vegetables were the first recipes I developed for this book and they have remained my favorites. Dishes such as Roasted Zucchini Shells with Almond Filing (page 281); Lentil and Rice Bowl (page 309); one-pot dinners like Corn, Beans and Squash Bake with Oat Nut Topping (page 275); stir-fry dishes such as Vegetable Paella (page 295) and of course, pasta and grains- see my Moroccan Couscous (page 319) are all relatively fast and easy to make.

Thanks, Pat! 

Image credit: Barnes and Noble.com

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The Vegan Cook’s Bible – Interview

I found it in the refrigerated part of the vegetable section at the grocery store – next to the regular tofu. This was the first prepared smoked tofu product that I’ve tried, so I don’t have anything to compare it to. Usually I think, hhmm, no, too pricey, but Pete’s was on sale so I grabbed it.

Pete’s smoked tofu has a firm texture and a good flavor. I liked it, but Sarah did not. She kept trying to get me to eat hers. She said, “I’m not sure, but I don’t think that I like the flavor.”

We ate it warmed up with Edamame, brown rice, and steamed spinach – a quick lunch.

Here’s a bit about the nutrition information per serving:
Calories – 170
Fat – 4g total, 0.5 saturated
Sodium – 580 mg
Fiber – 3 g
Protein – 25 g
Iron – 25% of daily required amount
 

I might buy it again. It tasted fine, but it is a little pricey when not on sale.

Image credit: All Posters.com

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Pete’s Soyganic Smoked Tofu – A Review

If you’ve thought about getting a wok, but aren’t sure what is out there, take a look at this quick list I’ve put together with cookware from Kohls.

Everybody Loves 7-piece Wok Set
$49.99

The perfect starter kit for the beginner. It includes pan, lid, strainer, bamboo tongs, spoon, chopstick, and turner. The wok itself measures 14 inches in diameter.

Carbon Steel Wok
$29.99

A classic 12 inch diameter carbon steel wok that is available exclusively online. Fox Run Craftsmen® Barbecue Stir-Fry Wok
$14.99

Get your grill wokin’ with this great online buy. 

Here’s a vegan Thai-inspired stir-fry recipe from Jamie Walker, “an avid ultra-marathoner, amateur chef, and all around health nut,” at I Like Granola.  Jamie has some great vegan recipes up at I Like Granola.

Thai Stir Fry

2 heads bok choy

Handful of green beans

2-3 carrots

Tofu

1 cup quinoa, cooked

Ginger root, peeled and cut into small pieces

4 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 small red onion

1 tbsp olive oil

1 cup vegetable broth

3-4 tbsps of peanut butter (I think crunchy works better here)

1 cup soy sauce

1 tbsp rice vinegar

4 tbsps sugar

In a small mixing bowl combine peanut butter, rice vinegar, sugar and soy sauce.  Set aside.  In large skillet, combine olive oil, garlic, onion and ginger root.  Let brown.  Add tofu and veggies and cook for 3-4 minutes (or until tender).  Mix in peanut sauce and vegetable broth.  Bring to a boil and then let simmer for 2-3 more minutes.  Serve over quinoa.

Recipe used with permission from I Love Granola

Image credit: Kohls.com

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Thai Stir Fry – Better With a Wok

This book contains more than 300 healthy recipes, including options to make vegetarian meals vegan, changes for people with allergies, wheat-free, and soy-free. Some of the recipes are quick and easy, while others are perfect for plan-ahead, re-heat it meals. This handy cookbook also contains complete nutrition information, helpful shopping lists, and time-saving tips.  It’s a great addition to any cookbook collection.

Vegetarian Mother’s Cookbook: Whole Foods to Nourish Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women and Their Families, by Cathe Olson

Image credit: Barnes and Noble.com

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Vegetarian Cookbook For Pregnant Moms

Simply order the spice packs, shop for the groceries listed on the spice package, then follow the easy instructions (brown this, stir in that, add the bottom half of spice pack, etc), and in minutes you can enjoy your meal. This is a great way to introduce kids to cooking basics, as well as giving them the opportunity to try a new type of cuisine.

Each spice mix pack contains a Sabji, a Raita, and a Curry. You can order a Trial pack that feeds two people for $9.99 or chose to order a 3 month supply or a 13 month supply. Family-size spice packs also available.

I tried the Vegan spice pack which included Pineapple Raita, a garbanzo bean Chola Curry (yum), and Peas and Potatoes Sabji (which further proves my theory that there are no bad potato dishes). I found the recipes easy to follow and the food was very flavorful.  I love a good curry.

Check out the Waverly Kitchens website for demonstrations, photos, and purchase information.

Image credit: All Posters.com

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Vegan Indian Cooking the Easy Way

Oh My Gulay!

Gulay is the Filipino word for “vegetable”. (See Toni’s post for a more detailed explanation of the expression.) So if there’s a Pinoy vegetable dish you love, or any type of vegetable dish cooked the Pinoy way, come join us!

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Lasang Pinoy 18 is On!!