We know it can be a large change, and there are plenty of things you have to decide regarding your new future and how it will pan out. Factors such as current lifestyle, finances, location, and other elements will play a big role in how you can approach this. Your skill levels will also play a factor – are you willing to do all of your own plumbing, for example? And, realistically, can  you? You’ll have to consider areas like this–among many others–to help your final decision.

Some Basics

Basically, off-grid living means taking care of your electric, gas, water, sewage, and other utilities independently, rather than paying a company. If you’re just starting out, the best way to approach the situation is to research, research, research. Check out details about your home/building you live in, electricity, plumbing, water, gas, engine, repair, electrical, and more.

At the on-set, it is also important to note that it does cost a little more to get started, so unless you’re rolling in some wealth, you will need to establish some savings and money for the things you need. Build a prioritized checklist, including things like implementing solar panels, or learning about breaker boxes, piping, and so on, and start to scour the Internet for cheap and used sources.

What’s the Point?

Many people choose the option of off-grid living because they have to. They may have lost a job, or their home due to foreclosure, or perhaps a natural disaster took its toll. Others, though, are worried about the future of the environment–and opt to look into renewable resources as a widespread solution. It also increases self-sufficiency, decreases bill payments, and moves towards a relaxed lifestyle.

Food and Drink

Food and water obviously play a big role in living, though living off the grid doesn’t necessarily play a roll in preserving much of it. This is why stocking up on dry foods, dehydrated foods, and canned goods–basically things that don’t require refrigeration–is necessary. Since you’ll be looking for options in bulk, make sure that these items are stored properly in order to not attract animals. When it comes to water, consider the option of a water tank, and use a filter  or purifier to make sure it is safe to use. Because we use water to drink, cook, wash, and water the areas around us, we definitely need this in abundance. Many folks who live off the grid use different forms of water collection systems in their homes, such as wells, rain barrels, and grey water systems.

Ridding the Waste

We already know that a reason for moving off-grid is that municipal waste systems, such as garbage pick-up, are costly and not the best for the environment. To help remedy this, consider composting.  Composting is an excellent way to put scraps and waste back into the environment, replenishing it with much needed healthy nutrients to help it thrive. You can scatter it over a garden, grass, or any outdoor space, or create an indoor vermicompost bin.

If You Want to Build

If you’ve decided to move out of the old place, buy some land, and build an off-grid home, it’s not as intimidating as you might think. It’s quite possible you should consider an expert: after all, the worst approach would be to buy cheap building materials, using sketchy contractors, over-estimating your building capabilities, or try to do too much. Let the professionals be the professionals, learn everything you can, and take the time down the road to eventually take the power in your own hands.

Another thing to keep in mind is that before you buy, you should double check if you need permission. There are sometimes restrictions on what you can build on, so be aware. In some situations, it might even be more viable to buy land that already has a building on it that you can knock down and replace. Yes, the upfront cost will be more, but it could also save you money if you have the electrical connections, drainage services and pipes, and other elements that you still might need.

Worrying About the Weather

We’ve definitely seen some wet weather in our day, and if you live off-the-grid, this can be a lot more menacing. If you’re moving to a new location, you might want to choose somewhere that you’ll have greater protection from flooding and rising sea levels all year round. Some places, such as Australia, Indonesia, France, and the Philippines, for example, have seen larger amounts of rainfall and snowfall in the past years since global warming has really moved in place. Because temperatures are continually rising, the warm air expands to hold more moisture–which results in more rainfall.

So what can you do?

When you’re looking for an area, avoid areas that have previously been flood-prone, and seek out information to find out what might happen if you’re in an area where there could potentially be a flood. Some certain things could cause health issues — IE if the local sewage becomes flooded — so you’ll want to know if there are risks involved. Make sure that in the case of a wind storm–whether minimal but strong or a hurricane–that your building is secured, too. And if the seasons are brutal, there can definitely be a lot of preparedness needed for winter off-the-grid.

Being Prepared

Living off the grid is also all about being prepared. Though everyone should be prepared anyway — after all, natural disasters can wreak havoc on any home or building. If you are foreseeing a natural disaster on the way, you should be prepared with the following:

• one gallon per person per day of water
• non-perishable food to feed each person per day
• can opener
• battery-powered weather radio with tone alert
• batteries
• flashlight
• hand-cranked flashlight for backup
• hand-cranked radio for backup
• first aid kit
• moist towelettes
• garbage bags
• cell phones and chargers (or other devices, like tablets)
• towels
• duct tape
• dust masks
• whistle or horn for help signal

However, if you are living off the grid, you should have plenty of these anyway. Always be prepared, starting months in advance, with canning, collecting seeds, fire starting methods, drinking water, ammo and weapons, escape routes, solar panels, extra gas, and more.

Get Crafty

When you start to live off the grid, you want to start thinking of incorporating a little more “do it yourself”. DIY projects will save you money, time, and, if done right, energy, as well. When you are trying to just hanker down the basics, these two projects can help get you started, and check out some ways to get cooking the low-carbon way.

DIY Washing Machine: Gather a five gallon bucket and a toilet plunger. Cut two or three holes in the plunger so the water can flow through, about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Put your laundry int he bucket, fill it with enough water to cover the clothes, and add in some laundry soup. Cut a hold in the lid that will fit the handle of the plunger. Put the plunger in the bucket, put the lid on (sliding it down over the handle), and begin to plunge.

DIY Laundry Soap: Take a bar of soap and grate it finely, trying to get it as powder like as possible. Add equal amounts of borax and washing soda, measuring by volume. (One part: one part: one part). Put in a container, mix well. Use about 1 to 2 tablespoons of the mixture per wash load.

An Easy Way To Start

Living more efficiently can definitely be intimidating, so an easy way to incorporate a little more off-grid living into your life is generating your own electricity. There are plenty of options, and although some are costly, they generally begin to benefit you down the road. There are a few things in bear in mind when you get started. For example, wind turbines, well, they might die down if there isn’t any wind, and if there is battery back-up, it might not always be enough. Some circumstances might require more sources of backup to ensure that they can be counted on. Having a backup generator is key, an you can use a gasoline generator to back the batteries. Gasoline generators run about ten percent of the fuel cost to a coal-fired power plant and, of course, you don’t use it nearly as long.

The biggest key here is to do your research. There are plenty of ways to move toward a life that is more off-the-grid, benefiting your wallet and the environment — a win-win situation. If you’re a part of the lifestyle already or just moving into it, the time is definitely now: getting started will bring you closer with our planet, which will be the biggest benefit of all.

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We’ve compiled a pile of our favourite vegan breakfast remedies, hearty, full-of-love, and brimming with fresh, seasonal ingredients.

If these aren’t enough, here are some of other ideas that we’ve compiled over the years:

Easy Spring Soup Side Dishes

Maple Apple Oat Bake

Vegan Pancake Recipes

Even More Vegan Pancakes

Quick Breakfast Ideas

Tofu and Kale Scramble

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 red onion, chopped
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger
1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
4 cups finely chopped kale
16 ounces firm tofu, pressed, drained and crumbled
1/2 cup finely chopped tender sundried tomatoes
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic, onion, turmeric, and ginger. Cook until the garlic and onion and are tender, about 4 minutes. Stir in the bell pepper. Continue to cook until softened, about 3 more minutes. Add the kale. Cook until tender, about 2 minutes, adding a splash of water if necessary.

Add the tofu and sundried tomatoes. Turn to low heat and cook for 5 additional minutes, adding water if needed until heated through the tofu has absorbed color and is fragrant of the spices. Generously season with salt and pepper.

Baked Hash Brown Patties

3 cups very thin onion slices
2 teaspoons chili powder
5 cups coarsely grated Yukon Gold potatoes (about 2 pounds)
1 teaspoons sea salt
1/4 cup nondairy margarine, melted

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Lightly grease a large rimmed nonstick baking sheet. Put the onions in large bowl. Add the chili powder and mix well. Toss the  potatoes with about 1/2 teaspoon of the salt in medium bowl. Let stand 5 minutes. Using your hands, squeeze out all of the excess liquid from the potatoes. Add the potatoes, the remaining salt, and the margarine to the onions. Mix well.

The short version is that SIGG shouted out creative,  imaginative designs that were to be produced on a limited edition SIGG bottle.

Folks used the  provided template, submitted their design, and then the public voted for the best, along with SIGG and guest judge Sarah Backhouse.

Over a span of seven weeks, they recruited about 2,000 designs from 78 different countries.

Winning designs are featured on .4 liter; .6 liter; 1 liter sizes of a limited edition bottle of SIGG which will be distributed and sold in U.S. retail stores and on SIGG’s official website.

First place winners also receive $1,000 cash, 5% licensing fee of all bottles sold (wholesale value), a feature on SIGG’s official website and social media channels, and  collection of 100 bottles of their winning SIGG design.

The three runner ups and People’s Choice winner will receive the same features on social media channels, as well as $500.

The creativity and the level of talent blew the judges away, according to the President of SIGG North America, Rob Dewar. “Narrowing down the finalists was a very difficult task as there were so many standout designs,” he explained. “Ultimately we selected designs that would best align with SIGG’s future collections.”

Backhouse added that because each design has their own story of conservation and eco-awareness, “it was inspiring to explore all the different graphics and see how art and ecology came together for these artists.”

Folks can purchase the winning bottles on mysigg.com starting in Fall of this year. The 0.4 liter bottles will be $19.99, 0.6 liter bottles $21.99, and the 1.0 liter bottle $24.99.

To see more submissions, visit www.talenthouse.com/design-for-sigg

Don’t cut the lawn shorter than two inches.

Keeping it between two and three inches delivers a stronger, deeper root system, which in turn, requires less watering. It also helps keep it alive in the hottest months.

Do use hand-operated tools when you can.

Trim and mow by hand, cutting down your contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. Combined, they deliver about 5% of total emissions, and making this swap is an easy solution.

Do design your garden efficiently.

Planning is the key, taking into account the existing environment such as trees, plants, sun, wind and water. The landscape design should ensure water drainage back to the ground’s water table, and  permeable dry-laid materials such pea gravel and flagstone should be inter-planted with other ground covers in your hardscaping. Patios and walkways should be sloped so  water drains into the garden bed.

Don’t underestimate soil – it’s your  best fertilizer

Manmade, chemical fertilizers aren’t either the most cost efficient or eco-friendly. The best source of nutrients for plants is quality soil. And always add a topcoat of mulch, which helps plants retain water longer, and fend off weeds.

Do water less frequently, and do water longer

Plant root systems weaken with frequent watering, and this also wastes water and time. The key is to water less often, but deeper, allowing root systems to become hardier and survive drought.

Do remember to love nature

Organic gardening is actually easier than using chemicals. Simple as that.

Add your tips below!

Image courtesy of transformcompost.com

Buying a bicycle – especially your first one – can be a little overwhelming. Here are some basics to buying your new bike, whether it’s your first one or a much-needed upgrade.

What kind of bike do I need?

It can be confusing at first with the different options, but we’ll break it down into the most common:

Mountain bikes
If you are interested in a little off-road biking, and gearing up for some adventure, then the mountain bike would be your best bet. Mountain bikes include different gears (most often, 15+), a stronger frame, thicker, knobbier tires, and often some form of shock-absorbancy.

If you are thinking of a mountain bike, bear this in mind: using the thicker tires and heavier frame makes normal, everyday riding a little slower.

Hybrid bikes
These are perfect for commuters, combining an upright, still durable frame, with lighter wheels and a smaller frame.  They are a cross between a mountain bike and a road bike (hence the name) and perfect for everyday use. With treaded tires and higher gearing, they give a sample of both worlds.

Road bikes
If you’re buying a bike for serious fitness, consider investing in a good road bike. With their streamlined, aerodynamic shape and thin, smooth tires, they are built for speed and flow.

Cruisers
These bikes are true to their name: perfect for the casual rider who just wants to cruise. Often available in simple one-speed versions. (pictured right)

Comfort bikes
Mountain and hybrid bicycles can come in the form of comfort, with an upright riding position and lower gearing.

Recumbent bikes
You might have seen these “reclined” bikes on the road, with feet forward and a full seat with back.

Tandems
Bicycles built for two.

Things to consider:

• Are you riding just for fun?
• Where will you be riding?
• Will it be used for fitness?
• Do you plan on becoming a serious cyclist?
• How frequently will you be riding?

Where should I go?

Opting for professionals is the way to go. The owner(s) and staff in bike-specific specialty stores can advise you on appropriate bicycles for your needs, and will take the time to treat you respectively and efficiently. Talk to people in your area and see what they recommend – usually you’ll get a few that’ll praise the folks in certain stores.

Things to consider:

• Choose a retailer who has an on-site service department; if anything goes wrong with your bike, and when it comes time for its yearly tune-up, your best bet is to go to the source of purchase
• Ask a lot of questions – you’ll know soon enough how savvy the staff is.

How should the bike fit?

It’s recommended to go to an actual bike dealer, as opposed to a large store that just stocks bikes. Department stores and large sporting good chains often aren’t equipped with higher-end bicycles and staff know-how. Going to a bike dealership optimizes the experience by having knowledgeable staff to help you make adjustments to fit your needs.
Things to consider:

• When you extend your leg on the pedal, your leg should be slightly bent.
• Have a comfortable distance between the seat and handlebars
• Women can use men’s bikes and vice versa – often, they are the same, other than the cross bar.

What size should I get?

Bicycles can have over eight sizes, but the easiest way to narrow it down is using the length of your inseam to find the correct frame size. Your reach to the handlebars is also important for comfort. Based on these, find a few you need, and see if the dealer can recommend a proper fit.

Things to consider:

• Just because it feels right sitting on it in the store, doesn’t mean it is comfortable
• The dealer wants you to be pleased with your purchase (otherwise, you should seek out a new store), so they should willingly suggest you go take it for a short ride.

What does ______ mean?

If your dealer is talking bicycle mumbo-jumbo, and you stare blankly at them in return, feel free to ask. Like most people knowledgeable in their field, I’m sure they love to talk about any bike information that people will let them.

Things to consider

• If its your first bicycle, it’s okay not to understand how to change gears/inflate tires/get on bike. Just ask.

Aren’t seats extremely uncomfortable?

On road bikes and some hybrids you’re less upright, so a thinner seat is better since it’s only carrying about half your body weight. But if you are a woman, you might want to opt for a women-specific seat, to carry wider hips. If you aren’t keen on the comfort level of the seat, opt to buy a whole new seat instead, as opposed to a ten dollar gel padding. If you are going to use it frequently, it’s worth the investment.

Things to consider:

• Before you use a new seat, adjust it. Sometimes the seat’s nose is the problem – try shifting it, first.
• Alternatively, try a model with a channel centered down the length of the seat, bearing less weight on your sensitive region
• The seat should support your sit bones – so make sure you can feel them on the seat

How much am I going to spend?

Consider your bike as an investment, especially if using it for fitness. If you’re opting for only using it to get from A to B, you might want to spend a little less. Additionally, if you live in a busy area and locking it outside as you work inside for eight hours, you might want to consider spending less, in case of theft or damage.

Less expensive bikes that are still excellent quality (especially for fitness or a lot of commuting) start at around $650 and can run into the thousands. But just do your homework, ask a lot of questions, and see what fits you best. With bicycles, you pay for what you get (for the most part), and you pay for extras that you might decide you need (or not).
Here are some great, quality bike manufacturers; peruse their sites to get a feel for what they offer, find out who deals their bikes, and then bring a list with your questions to the store:

specialized.com

feltbicycles.com

giant.com

norco.com

bikes.com [Rocky Mountain]

rei.com

brodiebikes.com

cannondale.com

Have any other questions? Let us know!

Image courtesy of justbicycles.com

Origins of the Neti Pot
The word “neti” is Sanskrit for “nasal cleansing,” used in Ayurvedic traditions, which harness a more natural approach to healing and wellness. Also known as a “nose bidet” (although I prefer neti pot, thanks), it essentially provides a way to pour warm water into your nose, which stimulates your sinuses and clears out mucus.

Do we really need it?
Generally, your sinuses are built to be able to clean themselves, and if not, we give it a little help by blowing our nose. But if you experience blockage or sinusitis, the neti pot is an option.

How to use it:

• Fill the neti pot with warm water and add in a quarter teaspoon of non-iodized salt. Stir until dissolved.
• Stand over a sink, and tilt your head to one side.
• Place the end of the spout of the neti pot into your top nostril.
• Be sure to breathe through your mouth.
• Tip it (like pouring tea) until the water flows slowly into your nostril and out the other.
• Let flow for about 20 seconds.
• Switch sides.
• Breathe.

Need a clearer visual? Check out all of the videos on YouTube.

Where to buy

You can buy the Himalayan Institute Neti Pot Starter Kit from Amazon.com

Neti Pot Starter Kit Price: $22.95 You Save: $12.00 (34%)

Do note, if you have certain nasal or sinus issues, first check with your physician, specialist and naturopath to see if the neti pot is right for you. For more information on the neti pot, explore Jala Neti, a website dedicated to the details.

Images courtesy of thefuntimesguide.com and awholelottastuff.com, green tea

But not everything that we bring into our workout routine might be great. We’ve scoured some new and planet-lovin’ products that are perfect for making your spring resolutions a little more environmentally sound.

Here are our favourites:

For the Yogis

Gaiam has launched an eco-friendly yoga mat, made from 100 percent recyclable and biodegradable material. The mat, dubbed the Suddha Eco Yoga Mat, comes from the Sanskrit word for purity. It is made from a material called TPE, which has a closed-cell structure that locks out moisture, odor, and germs.

The mat is also slip-resistant, a huge plus if you do hot yoga, too, with superior cushioning and excellent traction. It comes in lavender and gray, and measures 68 inches by 24 inches by 4 millimeters.

For Your Fuel

If you’re looking for a simple and delicious way to get much needed nutrients, all wrapped in a whole foods-based, natural and organic bar, look no further than Good Greens. The folks at Good Greens focus on delivering every body with the vitamins, probiotics and antioxidants that it needs. Understanding the difference that superfoods can make in a person’s health, company founder Keith Pabley was inspired to create something delicious after realizing that most green superfoods tasted awful.

The result was Z-52, the core of their Good Greens powder, which they’ve integrated into their great tasting products. Z-52 is a mixture of 52 different superfoods, which provide over 40 antioxidants, 3 different types of probiotics, and 100% of your daily fruits and vegetables. According to their website, the benefits of their products have also gone through some notable clinical research, including that they deliver key phytonutrients that are absorbed by the body, reduce oxidative stress, can  positively impact markers of systemic inflammation, support a healthy immune system, and benefit cardiovascular health. All items are also 100 percent vegan and gluten-free,with a soy-free version available.

For the Cyclist

If you need some eco-friendly cycling gear, Indie Freeride from Ibex makes a great option, especially for the transitional months. The Indie Freeride is an all-natural jersey made from merino wool, a material that is completely renewable and biodegradable. It looks good, too, with a pretty, laid-back detailing to bring out the feminine side. The semi-fit makes it light, loose, and cool, with an 11 inch 11’’ invisible front zipper, single back stash pocket with invisible zipper, fine needle details, and more. It’s also easily machine washable.

Merino wool is an excellent source for active gear. In his case, the people at Ibex designed this fabric so the weight resembles that of a high quality t-shirt, working well worn next to skin baselayer or on it’s own. It is 100 percent New Zealand Merino.

For Everyone

Everyone gets thirsty, right? And even if you don’t, having a reusable water bottle is key. That’s why we were excited to discover a new–and great!–one. Enter the Bobble Water Bottle, from Move Collective, a certified eco-friendly bottle that filters while you drink.

Each filter in these BPA-free, recyclable water bottles equates to 300 single-serve bottles, so we obviously can see the heavy-duty impact on the environment. Considering that the world goes through about 200 billion single-serve bottles per year, switching to a reusable one is an obvious answer. Bobble Water Bottles also supply a jug, similar to a Brita, as well as filters and accessories. And the best part? They start at a mere $8.99.

mini 13oz/385mL

899

Recently, Planters Canada has started the conversion to  over one million units of their traditional canisters to new, one hundred percent recyclable packaging.

Planters Recycles

Starting with Planters Naturals and Planters Lighted Sea Salted, the new packages are made from recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and are bisphenol A/BPA-free. The clear packages also allows for a look inside of the product, and has the same shape of the traditional tins with the easy-to-open top.

We already know how great nuts our for our health. They are rich in fibre, healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, vitamin E, iron, calcium, and planet sterols that may help lower cholesterol. Even better, Planters recently launched two new products. Planters Naturals are unsalted nuts, while Planters Lightly Sea Salted  have fifty percent less sodium than their regular salted products.

The new 100 percent recyclable products include: Lightly Sea Salted Almonds, a good source of calcium and iron; Lightly Sea Salted Cashews and Deluxe Mixed Nuts, both a good source of fibre; Lightly Sea Salted Cocktail Peanuts, with zero cholesterol and a good source of calcium and iron; Naturals Raw Pecan Halves, Raw Mixed Nuts, Raw Walnut Halves, all a high source of fibre and a good source of iron; and Natural Raw Almonds, a high source of fibre, and a good source of calcium and iron.

According to Don Lock, Planters VP Sales and Marketing, their “traditional canisters contain recyclable elements”. However, not all of the components were, and these new canisters can be recycled without separating them. He continued, “It’s what our customers had been asking for and it was the right thing to do.”

You Could Win and Help a Charity!

It gets even better than just some new packaging with tasty treats inside. Planters is currently holding a contest for Canadians to visit their Facebook page (www.facebook.com/PlantersCanada) to enter. Folks get to vote for or nominate their favourite environmentally-driven charity, organization, or community project to receive a $10,000 donation! In addition to this, one lucky winner will also have the opportunity to score a $20,000 energy efficient Kitchen Makeover by entering on Facebook daily.

 A special kudos to the folks at Planters — not only did they send us some samples to check out the new packaging, but also a tree to plant! We’re excited to plant our new tree, which was safely housed in a biodegradable bag. Thanks!

So what exactly is eco-hosting?

Eco-hosting provides consumers with a planet-friendly way to get the web service they need and give back to the environment at the same time. However, there are plenty of eco-hosts, each offering a wide variety of services, reliability, and sustainable practices. They are taking initiative to minimize the impact they have on the environment.

Because web hosts tend to use a lot of energy, the concept of green web hosting is really a breath of fresh air.  Their main goal, generally, is to offset the carbon emissions they release into the environment. To do this, they usually use one of three methods.

The company may purchase Renewable Energy Credits, which represent renewable energy sources purchased from an electrical company. They may strive to use less energy in their daily business ongoings, such as incorporating solar panels, enforcing recycling, eliminating paper, carpooling, and other greener avenues. Finally, they give directly back to the environment, such as through planting trees.

The short version is, there are so many different web hosting options, you definitely want to choose what is right for you.

Companies on board

A main goal of many eco-hosts is to try to meet lower carbon emissions targets and do something for the planet, too. Ecohosting.co.uk, for example, not only offers quality customer service and low prices, but their steps to help the environment go above and beyond. For each host, they plant a tree in the United Kingdom, in managed places in the area. They are currently supporting The Alladale Reserve in Scotland, and Alladale and the company are supporting the Challenger Trust, which gives kids experiences in enjoying outdoor activities, nature studies, and  tree planting. They also are a carbon neutral company.

Another unique approach is from ecohosting.com, which provides opportunities for free hosting for charities. Charitable organizations can sign up for themeselves with a non-charity client, and the company offers the equivalent value hosting for free for a year.

Another UK company, ecowebhosting.co.uk, included web hosting packages that are all 100 percent carbon neutral. They carefully calculate the carbon emissions produced as a result of their web server working 24/7, then offset these emissions by planting trees at Ransomwood Business Park in Nottinghamshire. Their goal is to be a carbon-positive company, because the young age of the trees will continue to absorb more and more carbon as they grow. They feel this is more effective than using renewable energy, because of the ongoing positive impact on the environment. They have planted 300 English Oak trees to date, which at present absorb more than three times the carbon produced by their servers.

Many companies go the route of renewable energy, and that includes iPage, a web hosting company that is 100 percent wind powered. Not only are they reliable and offer many packages that consumers need, iPage is a wind-energy leader, offsetting the carbon emissions of their data centers and offices by purchasing renewable energy credits. These credits are, in turn, then used to generate wind energy and providing consumers with a greener website.

Dubbed as the world’s number one green host, greengeeks.com takes plenty of steps to maintain their greenness. They work with the Bonneville Environmental Foundation to buy wind energy credits to offset their energy consumption, and in 2009 was invited to join the US. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Green Power Partner program. They also reconfigure their servers so they run cooler and more efficiently using less energy. They reduce their office carbon footprint with recycling and minimizing printing, employ auto lighting control systems, and power down all office equipment when not in use. But it doesn’t end there. Employees take turns bringing in meals to reduce the amount of waste from take out food, and they use telecommuting when possible to minimize commutes and emissions.

Choosing a company that has a commitment to going green is an excellent way to start exploring the web hosting market. These are just some of the options available, but after you find a package you need, consider a
certified green web hosting provider as you choice for staying sustainable.

There are plenty of ways we can educate kids about Earth Day and the importance of celebrating and acknowledging the impact of food.

Our friends at the Rainforest Alliance offer some tips and information for our future leaders about the impact of foods and how they make their way to our grocery store shelves.

From the Rainforest Alliance:

An astounding number of fruits, vegetables, nuts, drinks, oils and flavorings originate in and around the rainforest. If we are not careful though, our appetites for these products could destroy the rainforest — the source from which they came from. Unsustainable farming methods continue to be a major cause of rainforest destruction and pollution worldwide. We help to conserve the rainforest and protect wildlife by supporting earth-friendly farming — Simply look for the Rainforest Alliance Certified^TM green frog seal on everyday products, like chocolate and bananas.

A fun way to get kids engaged in rainforest conservation is to visit the Rainforest Alliance’s Kids’ Corner, featuring online games, printable coloring pages and rainforest facts. One game — Track It Back — helps kids learn about where chocolate, bananas, and coffee come from, where they are grown and how they are harvested.

Once your kids have discovered the journey chocolate and bananas take to reach your supermarket shelves, try these sweet and sustainable recipes . Be sure to use chocolate and bananas stamped with the Rainforest Alliance Certified green frog seal!

+++

To celebrate Earth Day and keeping the tips from the Rainforest Alliance in mind, here are some recipes to get you started:

Try our vegan banana bread, with three different variations: Simple, No Frills Banana Bread; Tropical Banana Bread; and Double Chocolate Banana Bread.

Or for something a little different, this kid-friendly recipe is easy to put together, healthful enough to enjoy for breakfast, and loaded with our two favourite ingredients.

Banana Chocolate Chip Pecan Breakfast Bars

1 very ripe banana, mashed
2/3 cup unrefined cane sugar
1/3 cup melted coconut oil
3/4 cup whole grain flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups quick cooking oats
2/3 cup chopped pecans, toasted
2/3 cup dark chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease an 8×8-inch pan.

Put the banana, sugar, and coconut oil in a large bowl. Mix well. Put the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in a small bowl. Whisk until well combined. Put the flour mixture into the banana mixture. Mix until just combined. Stir in the oats, pecans, and chocolate chips until just combined.

Use a spatula to scrape the mixture into the prepared pan. Press snuggly in the pan. Bake for 22 to 26 mixtures, until the edges are golden brown. Let cool completely before cutting into squares.

Looking for more ways to get your kids engaged in Earth Day and Earth Month? Check out: “Kids! 10 Easy Ways YOU Can Help Save Rainforests.”

Unlike energy, we can control our usage of water relatively easily, and seemingly small steps can help our individual impact on water conservation.

Here are 21 tips to get you started on saving this important resource.

Look at Your Dishwasher Settings

Many defaults on dishwashers, surprisingly, aren’t the eco-option. Take a look to see if it is in its “eco” mode. Additionally, shut off the dryer setting and let them air dry, instead.

The Candy-Free Easter Basket

There are plenty of ways to give your kids an exciting Easter basket without making it a chocolate and confectionery explosion. Consider gifting them with a few good quality, low sugar, and organic options to fulfill the sweets quota, then top the rest of the basket with toys, certificates, and more. Check out our Nine Candy-Free Easter Basket Ideas, each with a theme that will suit whatever your kids love, with everything from gardening, to sleep overs, to video gamers, to art supplies.

All-Natural Egg Dyes

Egg kits are notorious to contain little tablets made from chemicals. Though they are easy to use and create great-looking eggs, they also inevitability gets on your (and your kids’) skin, which, in turn, absorbs the additives into your systems. These food colourings have been linked to various developmental issues, such as ADHD. Lucky for us, it’s super easy to Dye Your Own Eggs Naturally.

Delicious Spring Produce

With Spring finally in the air, one thing is for certain: we are basking in the produce that comes along with it! Our favourites include fresh artichokes, completely worth the prep time; slender, green asparagus stalks that are tender and delicious; antioxidant and fibre-rich blueberries, perfect for pie; sweet plump peas excellent for a Mint Pea Soup; crisp, bright stalks of rhubarb in a simple, but Classic Rhubarb Pie; mixed and matched with brightly colored, plump strawberries. Check out all our tips in Spring Produce 101. berries with their leaves intact.

Fiddleheads Two Ways

If you want to serve your guests something a little different, opt for fiddle heads. These little spirals carry a nutritional kick of carotenoids and phenol compounds, both of which make fiddleheads an antioxidant powerhouse. What does that mean for our bodies? They can halt the growth of cancer-causing cells and taste amazing, too. Read more about preparing these little veggies, along with some recipes, in The 411 on Fiddleheads.

Organic Easter Basket Candies and Chocolate

Instead of using Easter baskets, try reusable bags. Swap that shredded recycled paper for plastic Easter grass, and enjoy  dinner filled with organic, local ingredients. But the most important part of Easter? Keeping those goodies; just make sure that they are Organic Easter Treats instead.

The Easter Lily

If you’re visiting family or friends over the holidays, consider giving them a lily as a gift. With their large, bright white, trumpet-shaped flowers, subtle yet notable fragrance, and beautiful simplicity, Easter lilies are a traditional Easter-time bloom that brings brightness to any room. If you’re not sure how to take care of it, whether it is your own or to offer others some advice, here is our Easy Guide to Easter Lilies.

Make Your Own Easter Grass

Growing your own Easter grass is far more environmentally friendly than the plastic scraps you use to fill your children’s baskets. Even better, it is a great activity for the family to do together. All you need are wheat berries/seeds, vermiculite or potting soil, a basket to grow it in, a spray bottle filled with water, a piece of plastic, cellophane, or similar to line the basket, and a sunny spot. Here are the instructions for DIY Easter Grass.

Recycling the Egg Cartons

After we sit with our families, friends, and children in our  kitchens, dipping hard-boiled eggs into food colouring solutions to create a vibrant creations,  what can we do with those left over containers? Luckily, egg cartons are perfect for a dozen convenient household tips and techniques. These are our favourite ways to Reuse Egg Cartons After Easter.

To  bring you up to speed, SIGG delivered a call out for creative,  imaginative designs (using the provided template) for the chance to have it produced on a limited edition SIGG bottle. Everyone who submitted design now has their design displayed online, and now the public gets to vote. SIGG and guest judge Sarah Backhouse will choose a winning design in each bottle category and announce them three days before Earth Day 2012 (April 18th).

These winning designs will each be featured on one of three sizes (.4 liter; .6 liter; 1 liter) of a limited edition bottle of SIGG which will be distributed and sold in U.S. retail stores and on SIGG’s official website. These three winners will also receive:

• 5% licensing fee of all bottles sold (wholesale value)
• A feature on SIGG’s official website and social media channels
• A collection of 100 bottles of the winning SIGG design
• $1000 each

Three runner-ups will each receive a feature on SIGG’s social media channels and $500, and the highest voted artist will be delivered the People’s Choice award, featured on SIGG’s social media and $500.

And you should just see what has been submitted! With nearly 2,000 designs, it is hard to decide who should get the votes–especially with the influx of eco-driven talent.

Here are some of our favourites with their descriptions:

“Water infinity” By Antonia Feigl

[click to view]

The artist says:

Water Infinity
Water seems endless, but is it?
I translated water into geometric forms. The waves loop around and around and around the bottle.
Waer may seems to be a never-ending ressource, but is it really? Look closer. Think about it.

The colours of the blue water and the silver background are shiny and sparkling (like the bottles, which are already available). 

We love it because:

It’s fresh and clean and delivers one of our favourite natural resources.

“Integração entre produto, meio ambiente e reciclagem” By Bruno Fontes

[click to view]

The artist says:

Baseado no princípio da empresa, em que após o período de vida útil de cada garrafa, a mesma ainda pode ser reciclada, elaborei esse layout mostrando que os produtos em geral da empresa em nada interferem no equilíbrio e meio ambiente, podendo estar sempre em perfeita harmonia e num equilíbrio contínuo, além de que SUSTENTABILIDADE seria a linguagem geral de todos.

Um detalhe que porventura poderia chamar atenção na embalagem é o neon fosforescente verde aplicada somente no logo da reciclagem. Com as luzes apagadas chamaria atenção.

(Translated: Based on the principle of the company, in which after the useful life of each bottle, it can still be recycled, I prepared this layout showing that the products of the company in any way interfere with the balance and the environment, and may always be in perfect harmony and balance in a continuous SUSTAINABILITY beyond that would be the general language of all.

One detail that might happen to call attention to the packaging is the neon green phosphor applied only in the recycling logo. With the lights out call attention.)

We love it because:

It is the essence of what we believe in, all wrapped into a detailed but simple design.

“Nature vs City” By Danielle Kasony

[click to view]

The artist says:

In this artwork I wanted to do something that showed the world and how it is today. We are over run by cities and destroying nature more and more. This is to appreciate what we have and save the Earth.

We love it because:

We understood what it meant before having read the description, and love how clear it depicted her goal for the bottle.

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So you want to get voting?

Here are the details:

Who: SIGG North America & TalentHouse

What: After a wildly successful launch on February 9th, the SIGG Design Contest with TalentHouse will now be open to the public for community voting. With 1,980 design submissions from every corner of the globe including Brazil, Egypt and Nepal, there is a vast selection of artwork to peruse and explore.

When: Voting begins March 30th, 2012 at 10am PST and ends on April 9th, 2012 10am PST. One People’s Choice Winner along with three additional winners and three runner-ups will be chosen by Sarah Backhouse and SIGG’s panel of judges, and announced before Earth Day on April 23rd.

Where: Cast your vote online at:  http://www.facebook.com/SIGGNorthAmerica/app_171350439587 and visit http://www.talenthouse.com/design-for-sigg.

Invest in some good chocolate and some organic jelly beans to satisfy that sweet tooth, then fill the rest of the basket with useful goods that they’ll love even more.

Here are nine candy-free Easter basket ideas, each with a theme that will suit whatever your kids love.

With things they’ll use again and again, waste is at a minimum, making it much better for our planet, too.

The Slumber Party Lover

Most young girls love a good sleepover, and a basket of flip-flop slippers, a pair of cute pajamas, some books with girl-driven games (think: truth or dare), and a few others favourites is a great way to give them a basket of fun that they’ll be able to use over and over.

The Video-Game Lover

Go to a trade/buy/sell store and pick up a classic game or a new favourite. Round out the basket with an extra memory card and something that compliments the game, such as a comic book for a game based on the series, or a sports hat for their favourite team.

The Green Thumb

One of my favourite childhood memories is gardening in the yard; the vegetable garden with my dad and the flower garden with my mom. Fill an outdoor pail or tub with a watering can, seed packets, gloves, and a tool or two.

The Budding Artist

Art supplies can be cheap, and a great idea for kids. For younger kids, look for colouring books with spring themes. For older kids, find a good quality sketchbook. Round it out with crayons, markers, and paint, along with a few DIY crafts with step by step instructions.

The Animal Lover

Inspire the kids to bring birds into the backyard. Opt for an inexpensive bird feeder, some bird seed. Look for other options for squirrels and other backyard critters, too.

The Mini-Athlete

Whatever they love, give them something to help build their sport career. Flashy laces for a pair of cleats, a new baseball cap to shield the sun, some legwarmers for the dancer, a jump rope for the young one.

The Toddler

Still have a young one? Fill it up with books of their favourite characters. Choose board books, filled with their current TV and movie stars that they know and love. Add some stickers, a puzzle, and a DVD to bring it altogether.

The Kitchen Chef

Have a kid who loves to help out in the kitchen? Get them an apron, a few kid-friendly tools, and a recipe book designed specifically for them. Look for bright colours, comfortable grips and smaller sizes designed specifically for them.

The Teenager

So they are getting a little old for presents… right? Wrong. All kids, no matter the age, love a basket filled with some goodies! Through in a gift card to Starbucks or iTunes, add a cool pair of socks, a magazine, and something else they love: a book for the bookworm, a baseball for the slugger, and a blu-ray for the film lover.

Whatever you choose, don’t deny your kids of the delicious treats… Just fill it out with some great options that’ll last a lot longer than their sugar high.

How to Buy

When you’re buying asparagus, choose firm stalks that are bright green in color with tight tips and moist, not dried out, ends.

How to Store

Though it is best eaten fresh, store it in the refrigerator standing in an upright position in a container of water. Cover with a plastic bag.

How to Prep

After purchasing your asparagus, use a vegetable peeler to peel and trim fat spears. To do this, lay a spear on a flat surface. Hold the tip of the stalk and starting from about an inch below the tip, peel the thin skin from the speak. Trim off the end with a knife.

How to Steam

If you want a simple, steamed dish, and love your asparagus, consider investing in a tall, narrow asparagus pot with a basket. To steam in here, add about 2 inches of water to the pot and bring to a low boil. Use kitchen twine to tie together the peeled and trimmed asparagus into a loose bundle. Put it in the basket, then place the basket in the pot. Cover and steam until tender, about 5 minutes. Remove the basket and cover until serving. If you don’t have an asparagus pot, lay the stalks in a colander or steamer and put it over a pot of boiling water. Cover and steam until tender, about 5 minutes.

How to Boil

To boil the spears instead, fill a deep skillet with water. Add a generous portion of salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the peeled and trimmed asparagus to the skillet. Boil under tender, about 5 minutes. Remove the spears from the water with a slotted spatula or tongs, and drain on a clean kitchen towel. Keep warm until serving.

Chilled Asparagus and Kale Soup

This soup is easy to prepare with minimal ingredients, so be sure to choose in-season asparagus for the best flavor. 

Serves 4 to 6

Inspired by a love for modernity and sleek sophistication, GUNAS is owned by designer Sugandh. With a goal to use her knowledge as an industrial designer to create a line of totes that consciously fused luxury aesthetics with eco-friendly philosophies, she met and exceeded this potential since her launch in 2009.

Hey collection contains beautifully crafted  mens and womens vegan-approved wallets, clutches, messengers, totes and duffels with custom hardware, seductive structure, and lightweight construction. This progressive luxury lifestyle brand is bold and edgy, making a statement for those who want to differentiate themselves in a crowd. These bags are individually handcrafted in socially responsible factories around the globe.

Check out these stats:

Founded in 2003, the company has since then has built itself into a solid business with over 1400 employees and over $16 million in sales as of 2010. Their cars have been geared more toward the high end sports car audience– not necessarily for the average family man–but it would seem that the Model X might change all that.

As Tesla says, they have focused the next lot where utility meets performance. Their newest addition to the lineup is the Model X, described as an SUV that carries the benefits of a minivan, in the only way that an electric car can. It has a sleek design that resembles a lean SUV far more than a minivan. It houses an array of technological advances, all nestled within subtle curves that make up the exterior.  It is built with a center of gravity lower than any other SUV, allowing it to feel nimble yet solid on the open road. Developed with an optional Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive system, it’s able to handle everything mother nature can throw in its path, without leaving a trace. It boasts an acceleration of 0-60 mph in less than 5 seconds.

We have to take a moment to appreciate the design of the doors. The Falcon Wings, allow parking in tight spaces and even let 7 people to step into the vehicle comfortably. With a front console that appears to rival many of the tablets on the market, the Model X enables the passengers to get as much information and entertainment as possible.

What’s most incredible about the Model X, above the fancy doors, nimble handling and the sleek exterior is that it runs entirely on battery power. Not even one tiny drop of gasoline is ever required, with a battery that spans nearly the entire base of the car. There are two options: 60 kWh and 85 kWh; given that the Roadster is capable of traveling just over 500 km on a single charge it will be interesting to see what records the Model X will be breaking.

Multiple sources have stated the Model X may reach a top price of $100,000, with all the bells and whistles, but you can expect it to be light years ahead of the crowd. According to recent studies, Canadians alone spend on average about $2,300 a year on gas, and, in many cases, more.

Tesla is the Apple Inc of the car industry; they may be many years ahead of the competition but the competition will eventually catch up. Let’s just hope this catching up is sooner than later, and in the meanwhile, schedule a test drive, and experience the way green driving should be.

Information provided by Tesla Motors, Forbes, and Statistics Canada
Image courtesy of Tesla Motors

Our friends at the Rainforest Alliance is pleased to announce new commitments and product launches from five companies: Clif Bar, Dagoba Organic Chocolate, NibMor, The Republic of Tea and Yogi Tea.

This  highlights continued growth in sustainable sourcing and growing recognition of the Rainforest Alliance Certified green frog seal as a global symbol of sustainability.

From the Rainforest Alliance:

New Product Launches Signify Continued Growth in Sustainable Sourcing at Expo West

The Natural Products Expo West — the nation’s largest trade show in natural, organic and healthy products — kicks off this week, and this year’s exhibit features numerous product launches from companies committed to sourcing sustainably from Rainforest Alliance CertifiedTM farms. The Rainforest Alliance is seeing an increasing number of companies make serious commitments to sustainability, and five companies will highlight their new commitments and product launches at this year’s Expo.

“Expo West is the go-to show for the natural foods industry and provides an important venue for companies to highlight social, environmental and economic responsibility,” said Alex Morgan, senior manager of sustainable agriculture at the Rainforest Alliance. “These new commitments and product launches reflect the growing recognition of the Rainforest Alliance Certified green frog seal as a global symbol of sustainability, with 500 new companies registering to buy or sell certified products in 2011.”

Clif Bar & Company announced that 100 percent of cocoa ingredients for CLIF Bar will be sourced from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms, making the energy bar line the first in its category to commit to certification for all of its cocoa-based ingredients. CLIF Bar energy bars carrying the Rainforest Alliance Certified seal on packaging will be available in 2013.

Dagoba® Organic Chocolate announced that its complete line of USDA Certified organic chocolate products will be made with cocoa beans from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms. By mid-year consumers will be able to purchase Dagoba Organic Chocolate products that bear the Rainforest Alliance Certified seal.

NibMor announced that it will expand its current offering of chocolates made with Rainforest Alliance Certified cocoa, with the addition of Daily Dose of Dark — small chocolate squares made with 72 percent cocoa, perfect for snacking anytime.

The Republic of Tea announced the launch of a new ”Be Active Teas” collection, including five organic green rooibos-based teas — Get Restored, Get Hydrated, Get Limber, Get Burning, and Get Active. Each tea is blended with organic green rooibos, sourced from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms. The Republic of Tea also launched a collection of “Green Rooibos Teas” made with rooibos from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms.

Yogi Tea announced the launch of three new teas made with organic rooibos from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms — Soothing Caramel Bedtime, Caramel Apple Spice Snack Tea and Honey Lavender Stress Relief. Consumers can spot the Rainforest Alliance Certified green frog seal on the front of packaging.

Other companies already working with the Rainforest Alliance and exhibiting at Expo West include Endangered Species Chocolate, Naked Juice, Back to Nature, Seth Ellis and Justin’s Nut Butter.

The Rainforest Alliance works with people whose livelihoods depend on the land, helping them transform the way they grow food, harvest wood and host travellers. From large multinational corporations to small, community-based cooperatives, businesses and consumers worldwide are involved in the Rainforest Alliance’s efforts to bring responsibly produced goods and services to a global marketplace where the demand for sustainability is growing steadily. For more information, visit www.rainforest-alliance.org.

Recently the federal government has approved a Glacier Discovery Walk in Jasper National Park, which has raised concerns that the increased tourism will impact the Columbia Icefield. The main attraction, the Athabasca Glacier, is the walk’s main attraction and already the most visited glacier in North America. Unfortunately, it has been deteriorating at an accelerated pace because of global warming.

This is the case for many other natural resources that aren’t just losing the battle to climate change, but also under thread from tourism and development as well.

Here are some key locations to note:

Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

These volcanic islands off the coast of Ecuador are found in the Pacific Ocean. Known for their richness in biodiversity,  hundreds of species of plant and animal life found on the islands exist only here. But with over 150,000 visitors per year, the species are all under increasing threat. Furthermore, the introduction of new species to the islands causes additional threats to the wildlife and plant life that currently exist there.

Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo

Known for its population of mountain gorillas, this 7,800-square-kilometre park is Africa’s oldest national park,and includes mountains, icefields, savannas, swamps, and active volcanoes. The different habitats and wildlife throughout the park, including the less than 800 mountain gorillas that still exist there, have been damaged by the civil war, poachers, and foresters. Though these affects should be minimized, they are all still in full force, whether its current affects or terrible aftermath.

Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System

Because of the area’s unparalleled beauty, tens of thousands of visitors come to this coastal area each year. Here they will find the largest barrier reef in the northern hemisphere (second largest in the world), along with mangrove forests, sand cays, coastal lagoons and coral islands. It extends almost 300 kilometres from the Belize-Mexico border south and is divided into seven marine reserves and national parks. There is a large variety of plant and marine life here, including endangered species such as the marine turtle, manatee and the American crocodile.

Great Barrier Reef, Australia

This 2,000-kilometre reef is the largest in the world, with hundreds of species of marine life living here. Located off the coast of Queensland state, it includes  many types of hard and soft coral, along with six of the world’s seven threatened species of marine turtle. Because of the agricultural and mining runoff that drains into the ocean, the reef is under constant threat.

Dead Sea

The Dead Sea, located between Israel and Jordan, is filled with mineral-rich waters of that draw in many international tourists for the unique ability to float easily on the water.  Its surface is 417 metres below sea level and the lowest place on earth and a huge tourist destination. However, it isn’t the numerous hotels, resorts, and visitors that cause the issue. Instead,  there is a decrease in the water levels in recent years due to nearby mining operations and water consumption from the rivers upstream.

Machu Pichu, Peru

Machu Pichu is one of the most important archeological and cultural sites in Latin America, and a tourist destination. The beauty is found in these ruins of an ancient city of the Inca empire, which is located 2,430 metres above sea level in a tropical mountain forest in the Peruvian Andes. It is noted as an endangered location because of the threat from a continually increased  urban development, tourism and neglect.

Since 2009, Rhythm Superfoods has been creating these delicious, nutritious chips, with providing taste and health benefits to customers who nosh on their product. Founder Keith Wahrer teams up with Scott Jensen, Clayton Christopher and David Smith, and Robert Larkin, all of who have a health-centric background in good quality products.

Their website states that they’re on a quest to change the world one snack at a time, and given how delicious they are, we’re not surprised. Their snacks are made from good quality organic fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and spices all minimally processed for maximum nutrition and deliciousness.

They also have many green practices that we’re totally on board with. In addition to never using chemicals, preservatives, chlorine, processed, genetically modified, et cetera, food, they support the reintegration of community farming and foraging and the development of sustainable lifestyles, trying to be as local and organic as possible.

Sure, it might sound weird. Kale chips? You’re outta your mind, you must be thinking. Well, we’re not, and the team at Rhythm Superfoods will surely prove any nay-sayers wrong.

A whole bunch of fresh kale is stuffed into a single bag, each mixed with blends of vegetables, cashews, lemon and other juices, and various herbs and spices. They are then air crisped at a low temperature which maintains the raw living enzymes and maximizes nutritional potency, making them perfect for a raw vegan diet, as well.

We’ve talked before about how nutritious kale is. After all, this antioxidant powerhouse is an excellent source of vitamins A, C, K, and B6, as well as calcium, manganese, iron, potassium, and fiber. It’s rich in powerful antioxidants, phyto nutrients and carotenoids, and well, tastes great, too.

We had the opportunity to taste test two of their flavors, and frankly, we couldn’t get enough.

First up was Mango Habanero Kale Chips. Also known as the perfect balance of sweet and spicy. The combination of the sweet mango flavor with the fiery habanero is delicious. The mango hits you first, with a sweet flavor that brings on the addiction… only for a few moments later you’re hit with the spice that you’ll want to taste again and again.

Ingredients: organic kale, organic mango, organic carrot, organic cashew, organic onion, organic apple cider vinegar, organic ginger, organic lime juice concentrate, organic spices, sea salt, organic mango concentrate.

A whole bag contains two servings (okay, in our case, a little sharing but mostly one serving), and hits just 230 calories. Yes, for the whole bag. It also contains 12 grams of healthy fats, 10 grams of protein, and 6 grams of fiber. In addition to this is the 580% of your daily vitamin A intake, 320% of vitamin C, 20% of calcium, and 20% of iron. (So if you really want to share, divide all these numbers by two).

I might be a little biased but I adored the Kool Ranch Kale Chips. Maybe because Cool Ranch Doritos, pre-veganism, were my favorite. These chips are dipped in home-style, raw vegan ranch dressing made from fresh vegetables juices, cashews, nutritional yeast, herbs and spices. Yeah. They pretty much nailed it.

Ingredients: organic kale, organic cashew, organic zucchini, organic onion, organic yeast powder, organic parsley, organic garlic, organic apple cider vinegar, organic lemon juice concentrate, organic spices, sea salt.

The nutrition vitals are akin to the other flavors on this front. This bag hits 200 calories, 10 grams of fat, 12 grams of protein, 5 grams of fiber, 224% of your Vitamin A, 160% of your vitamin C, 12% calcium, and 20% iron. So, so delicious.

All of their products are raw vegan, gluten-free, GMO-free, nutritious, and delicious. We highly recommend.

You can visit them on their website, rhythmsuperfoods.com, and check out their Rhythm Superfoods Facebook Page. You can also hunt them down at a store near you.

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Want more kale and green goodness?

How about some Green Smoothie Popsicles, a Warm Kale and Quinoa Salad, tips and recipes for a Green Smoothie, and info on why leafy greens are so good for you.