shak-shuka

Plantable Birth Announcements

A few weeks ago we received a birth announcement card from a friend of my husband. The card was minimalist and sleek, a silver cover and on the inside, an adorable picture of the baby girl and her details (height, weight, etc which were all a mystery to me until I had my own child!). Soon after receiving the card, we did the right thing: found a gift for her (at Shak-Shuka perhaps??!) and sent it off. Delightful. Happy. Done. But now what do we do with the birth announcement? To keep all the baby announcements we receive would require a whole new room in our house, but throwing them in the recycling bin just seems, well, strange. What to do what to do with this modern "baby birth announcement" issue....

Time to tackle it eco style! Low and behold there are eco birth announcements out there, and not just made from recycled paper or recyclable, but instead they continue the cycle of life (at least in my opinion) as you can plant them in soil and they grow wildflowers! Botanical Paperworks has really come up with what I think is the most stylish, "green" solution to broadcast the excitement of your new little one to the world! Talk about "cradle to cradle" eco-friendly! I think that if I knew a baby being born anytime soon, I might suggest they use Botanical Paperworks plantable birth announcements....or wait a minute, maybe I just did?!!

Check out all that Botanical Paperworks does that is friendly to the environment:

www.botanicalpaperworks.com

Save the Sandwich!!

To me there is nothing more depressing than seeing someone "on the run" and eating a sad looking sandwich. More often than not, you see people here in the Netherlands eating an uninspiring 2 pieces of white bread (not even toasted) with one slab of cheese in between. This is considered lunch? Obviously I applaud people for trying to eat healthier and bring their own lunch, but there are better options! Although when you don't eat meat, and/or dairy, the choices become even more dismal than bread with cheese. I distinctly remember one time on a hiking trip (stop laughing if you know me) with friends in Germany and nearly cried when all I had for a "packaged lunch" that the hotel prepared for me was bread with a juice box. When I eat I wanna eat! And a delicious, mouthwatering morsel, even if I'm hiking.....

Since most of Europe is already or about to go on holiday, I thought I'd share some good travel sandwich recipes. Keep your bread with cheese for a workweek, because you're on holiday now which means you should treat yourself!!! These recipes should definitely NOT be reserved for vacation mode!

 

Tuna-less Sandwich Filling

1 jar cooked chickpeas, or about 1.5 cup freshly cooked

1/2c almonds

a squeeze of half a lemon

1tsp dulse powder or flakes (you can get this at health food shops or Japanese markets)

2 stalks celery, chopped

1 scallion, minced

4-5Tbsp mayonnaise (use real or soy mayo)

1tsp Dijon mustard

salt and pepper to taste

In a food processor, place the almonds and grind to a fine powder. Next, add the chickpeas until well ground. Add the remaining ingredients, and pulse until well combined and mixed into something that resembles a sandwich filling. Let sit for a while in the fridge while you prepare your bread (toast it ) or also this filling works nicely inside pita pockets. 

Rich Tofu Cream Cheeze 

1/4c cashew pieces

1/4c water

2Tbsp fresh lemon juice

1Tbsp brown rice syrup (you need a mild sweetener here)

1c firm regular tofu, patted dry and crumbled

1tsp salt

Place cashews in a blender and process until completely broken up into tiny pieces. Then add the remaining ingredients, and blend until incredibly smooth, and a spreadable consistency. It's essential to let this blend for quite a while so that it can obtain a "cream cheese" like texture. Be patient! I like to chill this before spread it on a sandwich or bagel, and it's really nice paired with some fresh jam or, for a savory treat - some tomato and avocado. 

(thanks to The Uncheese Cookbook for this recipe)

Peanut Sauce

You might not think of this as a sandwich filling, but if you put this sauce on any cooked meat, veggies, or just plain tofu, it's a real treat. I personally like mine very spicy so I also add some (optional) hot sauce. 

1c all natural peanut butter

1/4c maple syrup or honey

1/4c shoyu or tamari (soy sauce)

2T rice vinegar

1 small knob ginger, peeled and chopped

1 large clove of garlic

1tsp chili powder

1tsp chili flakes

1Tbsp chili sauce (you can use Tabasco or any kind of hot sauce you like)

about 1/2 cup water, but you need to check the consistency as it blends

Place all the ingredients in a blender, and add water slowly until it reaches a nice smooth texture which can act as a marinade, sauce for your cooked meat, veggies or tofu. Once the sauce is smooth, toss your additional ingredients in it and leave to soak for 30 minutes. You can either put this in a container to carry with you, or it fits very nicely in a hollowed-out baguette. 

Heavenly Organic Foot Treat

I have a ritual before going to bed that really helps get me in the "zzz" frame of mind: brush teeth, wash face, change into pyjamas, put lotion on hands/feet, and do one game of Sudoku. It might sound quite boring and mundane to you, but for those of us who tend to have sleep troubles, establishing a nighttime pattern helps to give your body cues that it's time to hit the sack. Some might argue that I learned it from my daughter, as we do the same nighttime ritual with her every night, as all the books suggest routines are good to establish for a (hopeful!) good night's sleep. 

Last night I tried one of our new products that we're carrying at Shak-Shuka, from a company that I've written about before - Erbaviva. This time instead of the "schpritz" deodorant, I replaced the Refreshing Foot Balm in my nighttime routine. I was pleased to find a gentle scent (but enough to relax me), smooth as silk application, and low-and-behold: I didn't have to wait 10 minutes before slipping my feet under the covers like I did with my old foot lotion! Anyone who uses foot lotion regularly will feel my pain: instead of the lotion being absorbed, it just "sits" on top of the foot for a LOOONG time so you're rendered motionless until it sinks in. Thank goodness for Erbaviva's Refreshing Foot Balm so that now I can sneak in another 10 minutes of beauty rest instead of dangling my feet over the side of the bed! And with the ingredients being nearly 100% organic, I can slather it on at will and know that I'm doing myself (and the planet) some good......zzz......

Available at: www.shak-shuka.com

Super Space Saving Recycling

Lately I've been faced with a conundrum: how do I, as a city-dweller, keep on recycling, but sort my recyclables in a way that suits my tiny space, as well as decor? Right now we have this sad, pitiful "big bag" system which ends up cluttering our kitchen space, and the dog thinks it's her food bowl and the baby thinks it's her shopping purse to drag around the house. I need a solution! Trying to combine the two, function and home fashion, are not easy when you're dealing with, well....junk (I say that with love of course...).
In doing some research, I came upon this gorgeous specimen (see photo above), called the Ovetto Recycling Egg, which is made from recycled materials, and obviously it is meant to be seen and not hidden away under your kitchen sink (not that it would fit there anyways!). The Ovetto sure fits my craving for a sleek design, but not so much the fact that we have a small apartment (and small budget, as the Ovetto is about $250/GBP150). Clearly an investment for a store or office space, Ovetto will have to be on my "wish list" instead of reality list.
More realistic options have popped up, which are more likely to happen in our house I found online at Popular Mechanics - of all places! The article here has a great image to give you some ideas, and I found the postings by people after the article to be particularly helpful. Now that we have a little bit more space in the kitchen without all those bags, I am thinking of which system to implement. We have a lot of under the sink space so I think some "tuck away" bins will suit us just fine! What's your solution for sorting recycling? We'd love to hear your tips....

If you're wallet allows, you can get the Ovetto here:
www.eco-age.com
www.wheredidyoubuythat.com

Sophie the Giraffe Teether Giveaway!

Luckily my daughter is almost near the end of the teething phase (I think she has more teeth than I do!), but nevertheless, when I read this recall on Nuby Teethers in the US posted by super mom and blogger, Z Recommends, I was truly disturbed. We as parents try to buy the safest, most entertaining, and smartest products as possible for our children, only to be blind-sided by these recalls which leave us with a pit in the bottom of our stomach that makes us wonder what toy will be next on the recall list. 

This news, combined with the fact that it's the end of the month and we're all tightening our wallets, we've organized a giveaway for one of our famous Sophie the Giraffe teething toys. She's exotic (she's French after all), 100% natural rubber, and a classic for over 40 years! You can't mess with that type of experience under her belt! We think that she's a safe way to help ease those many months of teething that we as parents get to enjoy!

So how do you win Ms. Sophie? Simply leave a comment here with your best advice or tip to help soothe those pesky teething pains. Giveaway ends the 31st of July, and we will choose the best tip as the lucky winner! 

Our Gift Voucher Giveaway Winners!

A big congratulations to the two winners of the 25euros gift vouchers to celebration of our 100th blog post! We hope that our winners, Cinzia (from Roma), and Jenny (from London) enjoy their shopping spree!! Proof that Shak-Shuka's "green" appeal spans the globe! Many thanks to all of you who participated, and stay tuned for more giveaways!

Recycled Plates that Make Me Smile

You know that feeling when you see a product, that it just makes you weak in the knees? You don't even bother to look at the price tag because you have to have it, and the thought of going one day without it seems unbearable? Well, that happened to me when I laid eyes on the Smiling Planet kids plates. The ethereal drawings on the plates, so delicate and whimsical, almost entranced me like those posters you're supposed to stare at and then you see some "hidden" picture. Instead, these plates are quite the opposite with their simplicity and understated beauty - a real gem in the world of kids gear, if you ask me. 

I am double-y-delighted because not only are the plates GORGEOUS but also supremely eco-friendly. First, they are made from recycled material, which already gives them a good grade in my book. Then, they are painted using non-toxic inks, another bonus. To top it all off, if you could EVER imagine yourself growing weary of these plates, they are recyclable too!!! Have I fallen off the eco-wagon into uber green heaven? 

Obviously I am not alone in my lust for these plates (as they are already being gobbled up by the press), and I am proud to say that we are the FIRST retailer outside North America to carry them. Yes, I know, I'm gloating a bit, but every once in a while I get a bit excited to have a "first". It was a long process to get them over here, but we've got them, and we're happy to see them already going to good homes.......to bring a little peace to mealtime.

Available at: www.shak-shuka.com

GastroKid/Adult Cookbook

How do I say this politely? I hate cookbooks for kids. Since having a child, I've been looking for cookbooks with inventive ideas for feeding toddlers, and I'm really sick and tired of the same routine - boil this, steam that, don't add seasonings, etc. I try not to be a "food snob", but I'm a chef and know a bit about food, and my daughter already favors spicy lentil soup at the local Pakistani restaurant so I'm not worried about introducing new flavors to her! Why? Why must all cookbooks written for kids really suck? Even the "most famous" ones I found quite unenthusiastic and instead I supplement my regular cookbooks which had some great kid-friendly sounding recipes (read our post about Leon's cookbook here). 

Like a sign from above, or shall I say the post box, I received my monthly Cookie magazine, and low and behold - a cookbook for kids that doesn't dumb down kids taste buds! Hallelujah! Cleverly written by a Bon Appetit editor (so you know he knows what he's talking about), food blogger, and now cookbook writer, Hugh Garvey's Gastrokid literally singes the pants off the kids cookbook competition. I was getting so desperate for a decent kids cookbook I was thinking of writing my own! Now I don't have to!!! Even if you don't have the time/money/patience to buy the book (although I DO recommend it!), Garvey's blog is great and it gives you some ideas of how to incorporate local, seasonal, and affordable foods into your family's diet. I personally love the idea that he respects kids as mini-food-critics who have just as much right to an heirloom tomato as an adult! I highly suggest that he be an Kids Menu Ambassador to give a facelift to the world's "kids menus" at our restaurants which offer chicken fingers, macaroni and cheese and chips. Even if you don't have a kid, at least check out his blog, which can be used by everyone and has some delicious recipes and meal plans. 

Safe Sunscreen for Fun in the Sun

A few months ago I was riding in the car with a friend who commented on how few wrinkles that I have around my eyes. It still stuns me that I'm at the age now where wrinkles are an issue - my own mother is waiting for the day that I get my first serious wrinkle as I made an inappropriate comment one time about one of hers that I hadn't noticed before. Ouch! I learned that lesson the hard way! I think I owe my current wrinkle-free self to my teenage years, as I was a bit of a hermit and didn't go to the beach like the rest of my friends, instead opting for hanging out indoors and working at the local soda fountain. When I did go outside, I learned from my mothers "baby oil" days that high SPF sunscreen is the way to go - so slather I did, SPF 45. It may have seen strange at the time, but now my skin is appreciative for my neurotic behavior!

Now a lot of time has passed since my high school days - and since then I have worked at one of the most prominent spas in NYC where I learned quite a lot of beauty products, their ingredients - what to look for, and what to avoid. Regarding sunscreens, I learned that most standard ones include synthetic ingredients which absorb the suns rays rather than reflect them, which is what a good quality sunscreen should do. From that day forth, I only bought sunscreen which contained the natural ingredients which reflect the suns rays, which are from Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide. I thought my quest for a natural sunscreen was over as most health food store sunscreens contain one of the two. Recently I was alarmed to read an article by one of my favorite pediatricians which noted that a study had been done regarding the safety of Titanium Dioxide in sunscreens, and that it had been shown to alter human DNA and the verdict was still out on the effect of usage over time. YIKES! I will leave you to decide what to do about keeping or chucking your current sunscreen, and instead provide you with this great alternative that I found while in London at my favorite haunt - Neal's Yard Remedies. Their Lavender Sunscreen SPF 22 has zinc as it's sun-fighting component, and unlike other pure zinc sunscreens, this one blends in perfectly and smells divine! I slather it on my hands every time I go out in lieu of regular hand lotion to prevent those lovely sun spots. This is by far that best sunscreen I have ever used, and knowing that it's 44% organic and free of any possible nasties, that makes me one happy, sunny customer. 

www.nealsyardremedies.com

Soy Candles Take Me Away!

Ooh. It's been a rough start to the week. Waking up at 4am, not of my own will, has to be one of the hardest things I've had to get used to as a parent. While my husband throws the pillow over his head to block out the noise, I rise to the call of parental duty. I try to treasure these moments with my daughter, as I know that when she's older I wish I would have really soaked up these middle of the night moments. It doesn't always work this way, as I'm usually too tired to gain that much focus and clarity!

Whenever I have days like these (under-eye concealer caked on, caffeine pumped), I always look forward to the end of the day when the house is silent and I slip off to the bathroom and take a bath. I run the hot water, grab my Sudoku puzzles or magazines, and light soy candles to help set the mood. I know that the traditional candle industry uses nasties like petroleum, lead wicks, and artificial fragrances, so my soy Max Benjamin candles that I have really do the eco-trick. In no time I go from cranky mama to blissed-out maiden with one quick flick of the lighter. Max Benjamin candles come from Ireland and are made from vegetable based waxes, are lead-free, and have a variety of natural, essential oil fragrances - my favorite being Grapefruit/Pomelo. It's a bit of indulgent time for yourself if you use them in the bath like I do, but if you don't have that kind of time, light one as your doing work at your computer for a mini-getaway! 

Available at: www.vanillacotton.com