Confessions from the Pouch

Eco-Friendly Resolutions to Make in 2017

Posted on December 30, 2016 by Amanda Holliday | 22 Comments

Go green in 2017

Want to make an effort to be more eco-friendly in 2017? Me, too! But where do you start? What is realistic for you and your family? Here are some ideas.

Going green doesn't have to be all or nothing, and it doesn't have to mean completely changing your lifestyle. Every little bit helps, and we want to help you get started with 6 resolutions you can make in 2017 that will make an impact.

1. Buy No New Clothes: I have already been doing this for the past few months, and I love it so much, that I have decided I am going to buy no new clothes in 2017. That doesn't mean I cannot buy clothes, but I will either buy them from thredUP, the thrift store, or buy and borrow from friends. If you don't know about thredUP, you have to check it out. I am obsessed. thredUP is the best resource for high quality secondhand clothing, shoes and handbags for women and kids. It allows me to purchase high quality, like-new clothes at an affordable price.

2. Go Paperless—Eliminate Paper Towels: Paper towel. We buy them in bulk at Costco, and use them for everything from cleaning the house to napkins at meal time. But if you stop to think about the waste, does it make you cringe? If so, you may want to consider going paper towel free in 2017. Emily from Daily Garnish has a great system that she uses with two young boys that feels realistic. Check it out here.

3. BYOB - Bring Your Own Bag: Ditch the plastic bags, and bring your own. Think beyond the grocery store, and bring reusable bags everywhere you go - the pharmacy, take out restaurants, retail stores, and more.

4. Replace Your Lightbulbs: Replace your lightbulbs with compact fluorescent lights. It may sound like a pain, but CFLs last longer than traditional bulbs, you'll be saving time for years down the road while cutting your energy use by as much as 80 percent. If you don't want to tackle it all at once, stock up on CFLs, and whenever a bulb needs to be replaced, swap it with a CFL. Easy, peasy!

5. Unplug: Use power strips to turn off all your appliances at once; put your television, DVD player, game system, and stereo on a timer so they automatically shut off overnight; and invest in chargers that stop drawing current when the device's battery is full. You could cut your energy bill by as much as 10 percent annually — without lifting a finger.

6. Fundraise the Green Way: Little Green Pouch wants to help and support your school’s fundraising efforts while also promoting and instilling the concept of recycling to the future generation. We welcome all other groups and organizations that have fundraising needs. Contact us to learn more.

What are your New Years Resolutions?

Posted in New Year, New Year's Resolutions

Healthy(er) Frosting Recipe

Posted on November 23, 2016 by Amanda Holliday | 0 Comments

One of our favorite things about the holidays is decorating cookies with the family. While sugary buttercream frosting is delicious, we wanted to test out some healthier alternatives. Below you'll find a few options from Chef Aaron Holliday for a healthier holiday tradition.

Coconut Cream Frosting (dairy free, gluten free)

2 cans coconut cream (not coconut milk)

1/3 cup sweetener of your choice (maple syrup, powdered sugar)

2 tsp pure vanilla extract

Directions

1. Chill coconut cream in can for at least 24 hours

2. Turn can upside down and open from bottom. Pour off coconut milk (save it for smoothies) so you are just left with the cream.

3. Add coconut cream, sweetener and vanilla to bowl of stand mixer

4. Beat on high until well mixed and fluffy

5. Add frosting to Little Green Pouches for easy, mess-free cookie and cupcake decorating

Options

If you want to flavor or color your frosting naturally, add fruit and/or veggie purees to the frosting. Blueberries, beets, and carrots all provide great color and some extra nutrients.

Posted in Holidays, How To, Little Green Pouch, Other Uses, Recipes, Tips and Tricks

Homemade Chia Seed Drink Recipe

Posted on November 18, 2016 by Amanda Holliday | 0 Comments

Oh, chia seeds how we love you. You have more omega 3’s than salmon, more potassium than bananas, more calcium than milk, and are loaded with antioxidants, and you're also a complete protein.

Store-bought chia seed drinks, though? They are so tasty, but also so pricey. Once you realize how easy they are to make yourself, you may never go back to buying them. Here's how to make them.

Ingredients

2 cups of tart cherry juice (or the juice of your choice such as pomegranate juice)
2 cups water
6 TB chia seeds

Directions

1. Warm water, add to cup with chia seeds.
2. Stir well until chia seeds start to expand. Cover and put cup in the refrigerator. Let sit overnight.
3. The next day, stir juice into chia seed gel and mix well.
4. Pour into Little Green Pouches and store in fridge.

Posted in chia seeds, Little Green Pouch, Recipes

Fall Recipe Contest | Enter to Win

Posted on October 10, 2016 by Amanda Holliday | 23 Comments

Fall is the time for comfort food, slow cookers and yummy recipes. We want to see what you are cooking this fall. Share a photo of your favorite fall recipe on Facebook or Instagram and tag the photo #LittleGreenFall for a chance to win our Fall Recipe Contest. Here's the deal:

1. Enter via Instagram or Facebook October 11-31st. Upload a photo of your favorite fall recipe, tag Little Green Pouch and use the hashtag #LittleGreenFall Enter multiple recipes for more chances to win.

2. Be sure to tag Little Green Pouch and use the hashtag #LittleGreenFall

3. One randomly selected winner will win a 6-qt. slow cooker, cookbook, and LGP prize pack.