We’re excited to see that Whole Foods is introducing it’s “Eco-Scale” system -which will easily rate household products they sell to see which are the greenest!  By April of this year, the chain has vowed to have all its products rated and verified by a 3rd party – making it a whole lot easier to be greener.

Check out the following coupons on natural and non-toxic cleaning products:

From Whole Foods…

$1 off any One Method Item

$1 off  One 365 Everyday Value Laundry Product – either 80 ct. fabric softener sheets OR 5 lb. concentrated laundry detergent powder

*Our Fab & Fru Fave: Method Smarty Dishwasher Detergent Tablets 

Mrs. Meyers…

Is offering a whopping 60% off their remaining seasonal products - good while supplies last or until 1/29/11.   I don’t know about you, but Gingerbread smells good to me any time of year!  Love that Mrs. Meyers products offer you a cleaning and aromatherapy product in one.

**Our Fab & Fru Fave: Mrs. Meyers Gingerbread Liquid Hand soap.

BioKleen…

This consistently top rated brand is offering many coupons, check out:

$2 off any TWO BioKleen LAUNDRY Products

$1 off any TWO BioKleen CLEANING Products

$1 off any ONE BioKleen KITCHEN Product

$1 off any ONE BioKleen Soyblends Cleanser

**Our Fab & Fru Fave: BioKleen BAC-OUT Stain & Odor Eliminator 

Naturally, It’s Clean…

I’ve mentioned before that I LOVE the enzyme based brand “Naturally, It’s Clean” – their floor cleaner is one of the best I’ve found.  Something else I found – major discounts on this brand at IHerb.com!  Many of their products are over 20% off, plus you get free shipping with orders over $20 — AND right now they are also offering an ADDITIONAL $5 off your order for new customers with coupon code BUY123.  We like IHerb for the low minimum to qualify for free shipping and be sure and check out their major discounts on Seventh Generation as well…

**Our Fab & Fru Fave: Naturally It’s Clean Enzymatic Floor Cleaner

Seventh Generation…

Speaking of Seventh Generation, you can sign up on their site to receive coupons and special promotions sent right to you!

**Our Fab & Fru Fave: Seventh Generation Free & Clear Dish Liquid

And, of course, we always suggest looking in your own pantry first – you’ll be amazed at just how much household cleaning you can do with old-fashioned vinegar and baking soda! 

by Alexandra Pauline – January 23, 2012

Your Big Day The Green Way

Planning a wedding is a costly, emotional and time consuming undertaking – often leaving little room for the idea of sustainability.  I mean, this is the one day where the entire focus is on you, right?  And with so much going on, it might not even cross your mind to think about the environment…  But if you’re planning a wedding, going Green doesn’t have to mean more work and more money.  In fact, by making your wedding a more sustainable event, not only will you make your big day even more memorable, you can save some serious cash!

Go Partially Paperless

While there’s still something special about sending printed invitations for your actual wedding, save money and paper by sending digital invites for your save-the-date, engagement party, rehearsal dinner and shower.  Websites like Paperlesspost.com, Evite.com and Punchbowl.com have some elegantly festive Fab & Fru options so you can get the job done without chopping down a single tree – all with pricing packages that range from free to budget friendly!

Keep It Local – Even when Far from Home

Even if you’re not getting married in the town you live in, you can still make sustainable local choices that will help make your wedding one of a kind!  Wedding photographer Michelle Posey commented, “I saw a couple do a great job of putting on a sustainable wedding in 2010.  They had their wedding outdoors, made local food and wine choices, used flowers from friends’ gardens instead of having them shipped in, and used a family wedding dress instead of buying a new one.”

Eatwellguide.org makes finding caterers who specialize in using local ingredients as simple as just typing in your zip code.   Not only is going local better for the environment, and your taste buds – it may also save you on the cost of food.  The less your food has to travel, the fewer hands will be looking to cash in on its journey!

Take Out The Good China

Big weddings often lead to people cutting corners when it comes to using china and flatware.  Setting the tables with proper place settings not only helps to make your day feel more special, it will also allow you will avoid the extra waste that comes with using paper and plastic products …no matter how high quality.  The caterer or the venue may have to wash a ton of dishes that night, but it will be worth it in the end!

My boys’ school has been doing a great job of going “green”.  But, as any mom knows, becoming more environmentally friendly can COST you a lot of green up front – even though in the long run it saves you money – and the environment, health and all those things you cannot put a price tag on! At our school, you are not allowed to send any disposible things like plastic water bottles, Ziploc Bags or paper napkins.  Plus, as always, I am trying to come up with ways to feed my family organic for less. So here are a few deals I have found on some of my boys’ favorite lunch items!

My boys went to the store with me and each picked out their own SIGG reusable water bottle – and of course I got one, too!  I pack one in their lunch boxes every day. I keep one for myself in the car, too (good reminder to drink some water in addition to my massive coffee intake!) In fact, we love SIGG so much, it is this week’s OCC giveaway!

We are giving away a SIGG WATER BOTTLE to one lucky reader – just leave a comment here and tell us what YOU are doing to reduce, reuse or recycle in YOUR household, and you just might win a SIGG .4L Kids Bottle – you choose the design (subject to availability)!

Get 10% Off a Case at WH!

You won’t be surprised to know that organic kids snacks usually cost more than processed crap.  So when I find a snack my kids really like, I use the 10% off a case discount that Whole Foods offers!  They will give you a discount on a case of almost anything – not just wine!  When I head for pricier items like seaweed, I always make sure to buy a case at once, instead of little packets.

This month, Whole Foods has a bunch of coupons on some of my kids’ favorite lunch items – be sure to check out their coupons for:

50 cents off any ONE Annie’s Organic Fruit Bites

$1.00 of any bag of Terra Chips (4 oz or larger)

50 cents off any one Icelandic Dairies SKYR yogurt

Plus I found these other deals from Mambo Sprouts on the boys favorites:

75 cents of Rudi’s Organic Bread – our family lives on this stuff!  The Colorado Cracked Wheat is our favorite.

$1.00 off a 4-pack of Wallaby Organic Wallababy or Joey Yogurt – my 3 year old is obsessed with the Grape!

Ok, so humble, old vinegar might take a backseat to some racier products in your kitchen.  And it ‘s understandable – it certainly doesn’t have the star quality of Kim Chee, Proscuitto or French Chevretine goat cheese.  But this behind-the-scenes player should get an Oscar for usefulness, versatility and frugality.  Not to mention it was eco-friendly before it was cool to be eco-friendly!

So, why all the attention to vinegar this week? Well, we happened to notice a couple coupons available right now for vinegar, and it reminded us of all the great uses for this Fab & Fru Favorite…

Whole Foods has a coupon for $1.00 off a 64 ounce jug of their Distilled White Vinegar.  And Heinz is also offering a coupon for 50 cents off a bottle on their website! 

As many of you know, vinegar has a a million uses for both cooking and cleaning – here are some of our favorite ideas:

Buttermilk – Who knew? Often I will have a recipe that calls for some buttermilk, but it’s something I never – ever – keep on hand.  Apparently, if you add a tablespoon of white vinegar to a cup of regular milk…voila – buttermilk!

Recipe Corrector – Another one I didn’t know about – according to the Heinz website, if you have a recipe that you accidentally made too salty or too sweet, they suggest tossing in a dash of vinegar – it often corrects the dish enough to save it!

Quick Pickled Veggies – I know it’s not everyone’s favorite, but I could just about LIVE on pickled vegatables. I love them and am often caught eating them for breakfast with coffee.  Sounds gross, but it’s an acquired taste. Anyhoo, I have never actually thought to make them myself, and always buying them prepared is a pricey proposition!  But Whole Foods suggests just quick pickling veggies such as carrots, radishes, beets peppers and onions in white vinegar and it will not only save you money but extend the life of your veggies for a few weeks!

Deodorizer – I cannot stand those spray room deodorizers – they always seem to leave a weird film on things and not really get rid of odors.  My favorite solution?  Just boil little vinegar and water on the stove – zaps odors out of the air with no weird floral scent left behind!  You can also just leave a little bowl of it the counter while you are cooking and it will help freshen as you go.

Kid’s Science Experiment – Apparently you can turn a chicken bone into …. Rubber?  Haven’t tried this one yet but it’s on my to do list with the boys for this weekend.  A great way to turn scraps from dinner into an activity!

Windows and Mirrors – My grandmother swore by this, and so do I – clean mirrors with vinegar – the key is to use crumpled up newspaper instead of paper towels!  Yet another good reason to keep getting at least the weekend newspaper – though I fear it will soon be a thing of the past.

Stickers and Decals meet their match – My house is covered with remnants of old Spiderman and Sponge Bob stickers that my kids have left behind.  Frankly, I don’t think they are adding much to the overall ambiance of my home.  Did you know that vinegar is good dee-gooifier – try this first before spending money on “goo-be-gone” products!

We know there are a million other uses for vinegar — what are some of your Fab & Fru Favorites? 

By Brandi Savitt – August 18, 2011

Cheap & Easy Vegan Meals

If you’re interested in improving your overall health, adding an extra glow to your skin, and shedding a few extra pounds – it’s time to add more veggies to your diet!  Many people think that buying endless supplies of fresh organic produce is way too expensive, but the truth is, if you’re smart, eating a few meatless meals throughout the week can save you hundreds of dollars a month.

Learning to Eat & Cook More Veggie

Whether you’re mildly interested in learning why nutrition matters, or if you want to dive head first into the vegan lifestyle, I highly recommend reading Kris Carr’s Crazy Sexy Diet.  After battling an incurable cancer by changing her diet and her lifestyle, Kris Carr has become the queen of explaining the science and the facts of why eating a plant-based diet may be the real answer to health, happiness and longevity for us all.  A total Fab & Fru lady, Kris’s fun and easy-to-read book is a fantastic and thorough resource to help you start your own exploration into food and health.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner All Under $20

Because I’ve spent the past few months studying the benefits of limiting processed foods and animal products from one’s diet, I’ve also spent some serious time experimenting in the kitchen to come up with some super healthy & delish Fab & Fru vegan recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Here are a few vegan specialties for you to try.  And the best part – by my calculations (after stocking your kitchen with healthy oils & seasonings), the below day’s worth of meals can feed up to four for under $20.  Hope you enjoy!

Breakfast (or dessert) – $4

Banana Millet Cakes

These super healthy & yummy pancake alternatives are not only easy and inexpensive to make, they make for a power-packed breakfast or a delicious guilt-free dessert.

Lite Lunch- $6

Cabbage Kaleslaw

Looking for an easy, inexpensive but hearty salad recipe? This Asian style kale and cabbage salad is SO good -and SO good for you- you’ll want to make it everyday!

Dinner Time!- $6-8

Veggie Delight with Quinoa Pilaf

This vegan stir fry is an inexpensive protein-packed meal that’s so good, you won’t miss meat for a second!

Are you a health conscious eater who loves things to taste amazing?  Please share with us your favorite vegan tips & recipes!

By Megan Segura – August 10, 2011

No Need to Shop When You Can Swap

As summer wanes, the dreaded back-to-school shopping becomes an increasingly necessary evil.  And while you probably need to replenish at least part of your wee one’s wardrobe, part of you can’t help but ask, “What’s the point?” He or she will soon grow out of those expensive clothes, or worse, ruin them with grass stains and lunchroom spills. What’s a Fab & Fru mom to do?

Stop Shopping & Start Swapping

Have you ever been to a clothing swap? From designer threads to Halloween costumes, this hit or miss fashion alternative to thrift shopping really came into vogue when the recession first struck in 2008.  Well, what about kids clothes?  Open your kids closets and drawers, and I’ll bet you’ll find armfuls of items that your kids outgrew before they ever even had the chance to wear them!  Not only will a swap save you money, but it’s eco-friendly. Professional swappers – like the go-to kids clothes swapping site, ThredUp, or the ladies from Swapaholics - have already turned back-to-school shopping into back-to-school swapping – so why don’t you?!

Host Your Own Swap

A clothing swap of kids clothes can save you and other moms you know tons of money. Make a list of your favorite mom pals, send out an evite, and host a kids clothes swap!   Obviously, the clothes should be clean and and in good shape.  Encourage everyone to spread the word and invite all of their other mommy friends, too - the more the merrier!

Even More Fun Than Swapping Spit!

On the day of, set out some fun adult drinks and snacks, and let the women nosh while you sort. First, separate the clothes each mom brought by gender. Next, put each size/age group in separate bags or bins. If you want the clothes to look extra appealing, you should bring in some rolling garment racks and wooden hangers. This also makes browsing a little easier, so moms aren’t having to unfold and refold items that are sprawled out on a table. It might also be helpful for moms who have never swapped before to put some nicely worded signs around the clothes that inform friends to only take as much as they brought. Finally, let the shopping begin!

Don’t Expect to Get Everything You Need

It’s best to begin with a list of all the items your kids need for the upcoming school year. Try getting what you can at the swaps first before heading to the stores to fill in the blanks on your list.

by Brandi Savitt – June 17, 2011

Down to Earth Investing

With all this talk on Fab & Fru this week about eating a healthier, more conscience diet, we thought we’d conclude by talking about the trend of Slow Money – a growing movement in the worlds of investing and philanthropy!  The concept of Slow Money ties together our nation’s food system, our economy and local entrepreneurship. — It asks us to make a long term investment for ourselves as well as for the well being of future generations to come.  Quite a mouthful, right? Ok, so, what exactly is “Slow Money”?

The Slow Money Movement

Inspired by the Slow Food movement – Woody Tasch, former chairman of the Investor’s Circle (a network of over 200 professional investors) - founded  Slow Money in 2008  to encourage investors and donors to reevaluate investment practices in the 21st century by investing in social capital, small food enterprises, organic farms and local food systems.

According to Slow Money.org, while farmers markets, community supported agriculture and organic food are all becoming more popular among consumers, less than 3% of U.S. food sales and less than 1% of U.S. farmland is actually organic.  Farmers see less than 9 cents of every food dollar spent. Pesticide and petrochemical use in agriculture are at an all time high and soil erosion is being called the ‘quiet crisis of the 21st century’ “.

Changing the Future of Our Food

Slow Money looks at philanthropy and investment dedicated to rebuilding local food systems. By “saving farmland, supporting a new generation of small and mid-size organic farmers, rebuilding local and regional food processing & distribution”,  investors can both literally see the fruits of their investment and also greatly impact the health of our country.

Slowing Down the Speed of Capitalism

The Slow Money philosophy is not just about supporting new food systems, but rather looking at the instability of the economy as a whole, and why we need to reevaluate how we invest.  Woody Tasch explains in his video that in 1960, there were about 3 million shares a day traded on the New York Stock Exchange.  However, today… there are about 5 billion!  His point is “with money speeding around so fast, how can we possibly know where it’s going?”  This is one reason we are seeing such a crisis in the world’s economy.  Tasch also suggests as a culture, we need to pay more attention to where our dollars are going and have more realistic return expectations on our money and how the result of our investments will impact future generations.

Slow Money Success Stories

There are more and more Slow Money success stories popping up around the country, but to get a taste of a couple, check out these two stories:

1. See how two value based food entrepreneurs untied 65 local investors to help them create the popular Farm to Table restaurant Gather in Berkley, California.
2. Check out this NPR story of how an organic dairy farmer turned to his customers to help him finance a bottling plant at his barn!

Impact Your Community – Change the World

If are interested in learning more and even looking for your own Slow Money investment, go to the Slow Money site and find your local group.  If your passionate about the concept, but there is not a local chapter near you… talk to the alliance about helping you start your own!

by Brandi Savitt – June 13, 2011

Eat Locally & Affordably

This past weekend, a few friends and I had the great pleasure of taking a tour of Stone Barns, the 80-acre four season farm and home of the acclaimed farm-to-table restaurant Blue Hill,  just north of New York City.  Once a dairy farm owned by the Rockefellers, the Rockefellers have since designated the farm as a nonprofit institution dedicated to creating a healthy and sustainable food system, training farmers in resilient, restorative farming techniques, and educating children about the sources of their food.  –All the essence of the Slow Food Movement.

The idea for our adventure began when we wanted to do something special for our friend Jocelyn’s birthday.  Our food loving group not only enjoys to eat (a little too much), but we also are interested in learning more about the food we buy.  However, the sad truth is:  eating well today can be extremely expensive! So, how can you support local farmers and eat the freshest, cleanest food possible without spending your entire paycheck? The first step is to get educated.  So, this week on Fab & Fru, we’ve dedicated the entire issue to talking about eating well and spending wisely. And first up is – The Slow Food Movement!

What is Slow Food Anyway?

Slow Food is a global, grassroots organization with supporters in 150 countries around the world who are linking the pleasure of good food with a commitment to their community and the environment.

A non-profit, member-supported association, Slow Food was founded in 1989 in Italy by Carlo Petrini.  The purpose of the movement was to counter the rise of fast food and fast life, the disappearance of local food traditions and people’s dwindling interest in the food they eat, where it comes from, how it tastes and how our food choices affect the rest of the world.

Many local restaurants and farmers in the US are embracing the philosophy of the Slow Food Movement, which is one reason you see more and more Farmer’s Markets popping up and restaurants using organic, locally produced produce, meat and dairy.  People are finally going back to basics and they want to know where their food is coming from!

Know Thy Farmer (TM)

Eating organic doesn’t always mean that you have to buy your produce and meat at the most expensive health food store in town!  And while the price for locally grown veggies sometimes costs a little more than your packaged salad mix at Costco, shopping at weekly Farmer’s Markets or buying a share in a CSA is a great way to pay less for quality produce than at many other grocery stores.

Buying directly from the farmer also allows you to inquire about the farm’s practices of how they grow their fruits, veggies and raise their animals.  -Paying for the government’s organic seal of approval may not be an affordable option for all small farms, but talking to the farmer about their use of pesticides and fertilizer will give you an even better idea of how what you are actually eating and if it’s chemical free, free range and healthy!

5 Foods that Can Help You Save on Doctor Bills

By Brandi Savitt — originally published January 11, 2010

Most of us at some point were taught that eating well is a crucial element to staying fit and healthy, but these days cooking a nutritious farm fresh meal can cost more than dining out.  In my opinion, when the price of healthy food is more expensive than eating fries, a Big Mac and a giant soda- you know the taste buds and the priorities of a culture should be seriously questioned!

Taking an active role in your own health BEFORE YOU GET SICK is more than important- it’s essential.  Of course the price of eating 100% organic and free range may not always be affordable, but including some inexpensive old school favorites is not only good for you- it’s totally Fab & Fru.  Add these simple and affordable foods to your diet and boost your immune system without busting your grocery budget!

Apples

An apple a day…really can keep the doctor away!

From reducing your risk of the common cold to heart disease, cancer, stroke and Alzheimer’s, apples are one of nature’s best UNkept secrets!

Packed with vitamins and nutrients, apples are a fantastic source of antioxidants that aid in neutralizing free radicals and help to prevent cell damage. Although they’re not as well known as the orange for high levels of vitamin C, apples contain phenolic acids and flavonoids that have the antioxidant protection equivalent to taking 1500mg of straight vitamin C!

The high flavonoids count in apples helps to lower cholesterol – which in turn reduces the possibility of heart attack and stroke. Apples also have anti-cancer properties. According to a Cornell University research carried out in October 2007, apples reduced the number of cancer cells in the mammary glands of rats.  The research team identified about 10 potent compounds in an apple peel alone that help fight against human liver, colon and breast cancer cells.

Apples are on the dirty dozen list so try to buy organic whenever you can and wash ‘em well to remove any residue!

Lemons

Loaded with Vitamin C and tons of other essential minerals like potassium, adding fresh lemon juice to your daily water intake can help cure ailments from indigestion, nausea and constipation, to mouth and throat infections.  Lemon also helps to lower blood pressure and can even brighten your complexion!

Dilute lemon juice with warm water to create a highly effective anti-bacterial gargle for mouth ulcers and sore throats. Lemon juice added to water also acts as a blood purifier, a natural diuretic and liver tonic that aids in digestion and decreases the amount of phlegm produced by the body.

Mushrooms

According to Prevention Magazine, all mushrooms, but especially Shitake, Maitake and Reishi mushrooms, contain over 300 compounds that stimulate immunity by helping to escalate the production and function of infection-fighting white blood cells.

The International Journal of Cancer published research in March 2009, suggesting that eating 1/3 ounce of FRESH mushrooms daily could reduce the risk of breast cancer in both pre and post menopausal women.  The evidence showed that mushrooms slowed the body’s production of the cancer feeding hormone estrogen similarly to the way estrogen inhibiting drugs do that are used in the treatment of some breast cancer.

Quinoa

This recently rediscovered ancient “grain” was once considered “the gold of the Incas”.   High in protein, fiber, iron, zinc, vitamin E, magnesium and selenium, Quinoa is technically not a grain at all but rather the seed of a leafy plant related to spinach and Swiss chard.  This wonder food is so packed with nutrients that adding it regularly to soups, or eating it as a hot breakfast cereal or rice substitute, will not only assist those trying to lose weight, but it has been shown to help migraine sufferers and can significantly lower the risk of heart disease and diabetes.

According to whfoods.com, quinoa is a complete protein, meaning that it includes all nine essential amino acids.  In addition, quinoa is rich with the amino acid lysine, which is essential for tissue growth and repair.

It is important to rinse quinoa well before cooking to remove the bitter residue that coats the seeds. Just use cold water and gently rub the seeds together with your hands, then cook it just as if you were cooking other grains like oats or rice.

Yogurt

…. So, what’s the difference between LA and yogurt?  Yogurt has an active culture… (Sorry for the dig Los Angeles, but thanks for the joke Robin!)

A study from the University of Vienna in Austria found that eating 6-7 ounces of yogurt a day naturally boosts your immune system and helps to protect from getting the flu and other infections.  The live active cultures (or probiotics) found in yogurt, are healthy bacteria that help keep the stomach and intestinal tract free of disease-causing germs.

The probiotics found in yogurt stimulate infection fighting white blood cells that are your body’s primary means to fight infection caused by viruses, yeasts, and parasites. The cultures found in yogurt also help to build cellular immunity which is critical in preventing the development of cancer. Yogurt also assists in lowering bad cholesterol (HDL) while raising the good (LDL)!

Getting sick is never an affordable option for any of us.  Taking care of yourself now is the best Fab & Fru way to save on medical bills, medications and increase the quality of your life in the long run.  You may not be able to avoid every cold or serious disease, but if incorporating good food into your diet now will help- what are you waiting for?!

by Brandi Savitt – March 7, 2011

Green Clean Your House

It’s official, the giant pile of dirty ice and snow that has been an eye sore in my front yard for the past three months has finally melted, revealing crocus shoots sprouting out of the forgotten soil!  Could this really be the beginning of spring?!

With the excitement of open windows and buds on the trees, it’s only natural to want to start giving your cooped up quarters a springtime dust-off.  It may be a little early to pack away the sweaters, but we have some dirt cheap, super green tips to help you scrub away the winter grime – and leave your house feeling as fresh as spring!

Invest in a Floor Steamer

Do you want to change your life and make cleaning your floors (almost) fun?  I’m not kidding!  For about $100 (& up) invest in a quality light weight upright floor steam/electric mop that cleans and sanitizes your wood & tile floor – plus other surfaces – with ZERO cleaning products and just the pure power of water & steam!  Unless you have an enormous house, in less than ten or fifteen minutes you can steam & disinfect all the floors in your house – with no mess, no chemicals and almost instant drying time .

Honestly, it couldn’t be easier.  For the best results, sweep well or vacuum your floors before steaming them.  There’s no extra paper wasted either.  Just throw the used cloth pad in the wash and it will be fresh as new. And just think of all the money you’ll save by not buying pricey cleaning products!

*More expensive steamers come with attachments to make steaming & sanitizing furniture, mattresses, curtains and rugs easier too!

Moisturize & Shine Your Wood Furniture

After having the heat on all winter, your wood furniture is dying for a drink.  Revitalize your furniture naturally by blending together equal parts lemon juice and olive oil. Gently rub the mixture into your wood surfaces with a soft cloth.  Give each piece time to absorb the concoction before wiping away any extra residue with a clean cloth.  It’s that easy!

Clean Your Curtains

Be honest, when was the last time you cleaned your curtains?  These serious dust collectors trap dirt from both the inside and the outside.  Sure, you might occasionally think to pull off the dust bunnies, but if you really want to brighten a room while cleaning the air too – throw your curtains in the wash!

Of course some curtains are ‘dry clean only’ BUT – before you go running to the cleaners, READ THE CARE INSTRUCTIONS first.  If the label says the fabric can get wet, save yourself an expensive & chemical filled trip to the dry cleaner and machine wash your curtains yourself!