Eco chic centerpieces and décor for any occasion!

If you are interested in creating stunning eco chic décor for your sustainable wedding or event but are concerned about the amount of green that going green might cost then you are not alone. Many people believe that sustainable elements take a lot of time and a lot of money to pull together in order to create a professional, polished look for their big event. Below, you will find some simple, cost effective ideas for DIY yourself projects that require nothing more than a little bit of imagination and a little bit of time to create beautiful, elegant designs for your centerpieces and place settings.

For an ultra simple, ultra chic look, try tall, medium or small sized cylinder vases with wheat grass coming out of the top. Many health food stores either sell wheat grass or can point you to an organic wholesaler that sells wheat grass. Wheat grass generally comes in trays and can be cut to fit whatever vase or container you wish to display it in.



Another simple DIY centerpiece idea is to purchase or rent large hurricane vases, place river rocks at the bottom, and add either a soy candle in the middle, or fill the vase with water and place a floating candle or floating flower at the top. These ideas work well for cylinder or square shaped vases as well. If purchasing the vases, you can let guests take the centerpieces home, resell the items or save for reuse at a later time.



Green tip for candles: Most candles are made of paraffin. Paraffin is a petroleum by product and contains several toxins. Usually wicks contain some type of lead product and the fragrances are synthetic which many people are allergic to. Soy based candles with essential oils, burn completely clean, and don’t leave any soot! http://www.findsoycandles.com/

Using a wreath or garland of flowers to surround vases or candles is a simple way to add natural beauty to your table décor. For fresh local wreaths try Northwest Wreath Company (503-657-9872) or use Silk Flower Garlands Add Crystal Sprays or Mirrored Garlands to flower arrangements for extra sparkle (http://www.save-on-crafts.com/cr6.html)



To add an extra touch of elegance and color , try potted plants. Plants can be placed at entrances to doorways, at the end of every other aisle during your wedding ceremony or as centerpieces for dining tables, bridal table, guest book table or other main focal points. Potted plants are usually inexpensive and can be purchased online, from your local nursery or even from a local hardware or grocery store. An extra bonus is that these plants can double as gifts! http://www.plantamemory.com/wedding-centerpieces.html

For bridal table centerpieces (or in addition to main bridal table centerpieces) have bridesmaids place their bouquets on the table, facing out towards guests. This will add color to the table without having to pay for extra flowers.


Green tip for flowers: Try to find a florist that uses in season flowers and does not use pesticides. If you are not sure what the season is for the type of plant or flower you want to use at your wedding you can reference the link below:
http://www.tokenz.com/flowers-by-season.html

Money saving tip for flowers: Make sure you do some research and know the names and general description of the types of flowers you want for your event before speaking with florists. If you refer to the flower of your choice as a “yellow one” you are likely to end up with the most expensive yellow flower the florist has.

Linens- If you are having a garden or ranch style wedding or event, try skipping table linens altogether. Not using linens if you don’t need them reduces the energy needed to have them washed and dried. If your wedding or event is in an indoor setting and you do need linens, try neutral colors (green, ivory, brown). This will add to the natural feel of your wedding and will not distract from other colorful elements (flowers, lighting, balloons, etc…) If getting married at a hotel, you can use the linens the hotel provides and only use a couple specialty linens (in silk or satin) for the bridal table or other spots in the room where a lot of attention will be focused.

As an alternative to a guest book, you may want to try a matted frame for your guests to sign. This eliminates paper waste and adds a fun, festive touch. This will also serve as a keepsake that you can hang on a wall as a daily reminder of your special day! Large matted frames are available from craft stores and specialty framing shops and can be cut to size or made to order.



Depending on the season and your theme, use lemons, limes, or apples as centerpieces or accents. Their natural beauty add vibrant color and dimension to any setting!




And most importantly, no matter what décor elements you choose, just remember to relax and have fun! Your décor should be a reflection of your unique personality and personal preferences. 

Heart Healthy Recipe Makeovers

First off, I would like tosay that I hope everyone had a Happy, Healthy Super Bowl Sunday, Valentines Saturday and any other celebratory occasion that most likely involved massive quantities of food!

Now, I realize that these occasions have come and gone, but they will be back and you can rest assured that you don’t need football, cupid, or any other icon as an excuse to enjoy a great tasting snack! And even better yet, you can use the recipes I have listed here to create healthy, great tasting alternatives to traditional snack fare without your #1 fan(s) ever knowing the difference!

Avacado-Corn Salsa:

Makes 4 servings

1 medium avocado, diced

3/4 cup frozen corn, thawed

1/2 cup quartered grape tomatoes

1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro

2 teaspoons lime juice

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Toss avocado, corn, tomatoes, cilantro, lime juice and salt in a medium bowl.

Serve with pita bread, quesadilla triangles or atop rice and beans

Seven Layer Dip

Makes 6 cups

Ingredients:
16 oz. can fat free spicy or zesty refried beans
1 Tbsp. fresh squeezed lime juice
1-1/2 tsp. chili powder
? tsp. ground cumin
? tsp. garlic powder
11-1/2 ounce (about 1-1/4 cups) jar guacamole dip*
? cup chopped green onions
1 cup light sour cream
3 Tbsp. canned, drained, diced green chilis
1-1/2 seeded, chopped vine-ripened tomatoes
4 oz. shredded 75% light cheddar cheese
2 Tbsp. finely chopped cilantro leaves
1/2 cup sliced, drained black olives

Instructions:
In medium bowl, mix together beans, lime juice, chili powder, cumin and garlic.

Spoon bean mixture into a 6-cup glass serving bowl. Using a spatula, spread evenly to form a flat layer. Pour guacamole evenly over beans and smooth with back of a spoon. Sprinkle green onions evenly over top.

In a small bowl, mix sour cream and chilis. Spoon mixture evenly over onions and smooth. Sprinkle tomatoes over top.

In a second small bowl, mix cheese with cilantro. Sprinkle evenly over tomatoes. Sprinkle olives over that. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 1 day.

10 Minute Party Sub

Makes 8 servings

Ingredients:
16-ounce whole wheat French loaf
Olive oil spray
2-1/2 cups shredded romaine or iceberg lettuce leaves
2 medium tomatoes, sliced into ? inch thick slices
? teaspoon dried oregano leaves, or to taste
? cup slivered white onion
12 ounces shaved extra-lean red pepper seasoned deli turkey
3 ounces reduced-fat provolone cheese slices
3 ounces reduced-fat salami slices
4 ounces shaved 97% lean smoked deli ham
1 medium green bell pepper, cored, seeded and finely sliced in to rings, or to taste
? teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste
Red wine vinegar, to taste

Instructions:
Cut the loaf lengthwise to open, being careful not to cut all of the way through. Open and mist lightly with spray. Sprinkle lettuce evenly over bottom half.

Top evenly with tomato, oregano, onion, then turkey. Lay cheese then salami slices over that. Mound ham over that. Arrange bell pepper rings over that.
Sprinkle with pepper flakes.

Homemade Sweet Potato Chips:

In lieu of salty potato chips or cheese puffs, consider tasty sweet potato chips. This is a really delicious treat and simple to make.

• Peel and slice sweet potatoes into round chips.
• Spread chips on cookie tray and spray with olive oil or vegetable cooking spray.
• Bake in oven on 400 degrees for about 15 minutes.
• Turn chips over and bake on the other side.
• Remove from oven and sprinkle with either salt, or a mix of brown sugar and cinnamon. Absolutely delicious!

Better For You Buffalo Wings:

Makes 7 servings (7 drumettes per serving)

2 teaspoons seasoned salt
2 teaspoons chili powder
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons flour
2 1/2 pounds (about 28) wing drumettes (look for skinless drumettes if available) 1/4 cup nonalcoholic or light beer (chicken broth or wine can also be used) light blue cheese dressing (optional)

Directions:
1. In a small mixing bowl, stir together the seasoned salt, chili powder, garlic powder, pepper, and flour. Remove and discard the skin from the wings (if you weren't able to find skinless drumettes). Dip each wing into the seasoning mixture, pressing the mixture onto the chicken to coat well.

2. Generously coat a large nonstick skillet with canola cooking spray and place over medium-high heat. Add the chicken wings (cooking in batches if necessary) and cook for about 4 minutes, or until the bottoms are browned. Flip with prongs and cook for about 4 minutes more.

3. Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the beer. Cover the pan and cook for about 5 minutes. If the wings aren't cooked through, turn them over and cook for a few minutes more. Remove from the heat and serve hot with light blue cheese dressing if desired.

In addition to the above snack ideas, you can include healthy, convenient elements to your snack spread by including hummus, pesto (packaged or homemade) fresh, sliced fruit, steamed asparagus, salads, fruit skewers with yogurt dipping sauce or assorted fruit and vegetable platters.

Extra healthy snack tip: When shopping, try to choose local, organic ingredients. Organic products are grown without the use of pesticides and artificial fertilizers, colors or preservatives, making them easier for your body to digest.

Enjoy!

For Foodies on the Go

When I moved to Portland from California, I was shocked at the popularity of the food cart. In California there is an affectionate term for these carts and that term alone is enough to keep most hungry breakfast and lunch seekers well away from these carts!

However, when my mom came to visit me in Portland, we stopped and asked a man on the street if he knew of a good place to visit for lunch. He pointed to a group of food carts about a half a block away and said that we could choose from American, Thai or Mexican cuisine and that all were exceptional. I decided right then and there that I would conquer my fear of the food cart and put this mans suggestion to the test. My heart was pounding with anticipation and caution as I requested two orders of pad Thai and a couple bottles of water. When our food was ready, my mother and I took a seat at a little table near by and prepared for our first food cart dining experience. After a few bites, I realized that maybe Portland is on to something with this food cart thing. My food was not the greasy, under/overcooked, over sauced disaster I had been expecting. It was in fact, very much the opposite. The medium egg noodles were cooked to perfection and mixed with just the right combination of egg, bean sprouts, onions and peanut sauce. All the flavors in the dish blended perfectly to create a meal that I would have thought you could only get in an upscale, sit down Thai restaurant. I found myself enjoying the food so much that I happily conversed with my mom while scarfing down what must have been a solid pound of noodles. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the only complication with my first food cart dining experience was that of having to walk around on a too full belly from not being able to stop eating when I really should have. I was amazed that we had both been treated to a delectable feast for less than $10.00!

Since my first experience with food cart dining, I have visited other local carts when taking a lunch break or indulging in a day of shopping. I have yet to be disappointed. There is a burrito cart on NW 13th where the ingredients are fresh and they offer a wide range of toppings, salsas and vegetarian options. There is a Benito cart on SW 9th that offers authentic perfectly cooked and seasoned Japanese cuisine at an extremely reasonable price.

So, if there are any skeptics out there that have never been exposed to food cart dining, I urge that you open your mind to it here in Portland! With portions usually large enough to serve as lunch and dinner, prices usually around $5.00 and quick and friendly service, what have you got to lose but your skepticism? Follow the below link to find locations, descriptions and reviews of Portland food carts!

http://foodcartsportland.com/