Preparation for Beets

• Beets (whole) - 6-8
• Olive oil - 1/4 cup
• Salt & pepper - to taste

In a roasting pan, mix beets, oil, and salt & pepper all together. Cover roasting pan with foil and bake at 350 for 45-60 minutes. Once beets have cooled to room temperature the skins will peel off very easily. If not eaten right away they should be stored in the refrigerator.

• Beets (peeled & cut  into 1 inch disks) - 3-4
• Goat cheese (cut into 1 inch pieces) - 12oz
• Walnuts (crushed) - 1 cup
• Red Butter Lettuce (washed & Chopped) - 1 head
• Balsamic vinegrette - 1/2 cup
• Salt & pepper - to taste

In a bowl, mix lettuce and Balsamic vinegrette with a pinch of salt & pepper, then place on serving plate. Lay a beet slice on green mixture and place goat cheese disc over beet. Keep repeating as if you were making tomato mozzarella salad. Finally, top salad with walnuts and finish with Balsamic vinegrette and serve.

There are many easy ways to go green in your household cleaning excursions. Following these tips and using eco-friendly cleaning products can truly make a difference in the green movement.  Every little bit helps, and that is the truth.

Baking Soda

Use baking soda to clean!  This household product does wonders.  Baking soda can be used to increase soap suds and for scouring powder. You can also use baking soda to clean your drains, by making a mixture of equal parts baking soda and vinegar. Pour the mixture down the drain.  After sitting a few minutes, pour boiling water down the drain.  You can also use a bit of baking soda and a wet towel to shine silver or stainless steel.

Repurpose old clothes and towels

Instead of purchasing rags for cleaning, use old clothes or towels to dust and scrub your counters and floors.  This way you get the most out of your purchases and save money, all while being green. While your at it, stop purchasing paper towels and use cloth towels for your cleaning needs.

Don’t be toxic

Remove all toxic products from your household. Nothing good can come from them!  Replace toxic cleaning products with non-toxic, biodegradable ones.  Not only will you be helping the environment, you will be protecting your family and friends from the dangers within toxic products.

Freshen air naturally

Instead of purchasing air fresheners, make your home smell wonderful by boiling some herbs, like cinnamon or cloves. Also, fill your home with plants (but be sure to take care of them) that give off pleasing smells.  Green leaf plants are also great for filtering indoor air.

Get more use out of household products

Many household products can be doubled as cleaning agents.  We’ve already discussed baking soda and vinegar, but lemon juice can also be used to cut grease. Peanut butter can be used to take gum out of fabric or clothing. Washing soda, or sodium carbonate, can be used to disinfect and remove stains.

What are your eco-friendly cleaning tips? Do you think about the environment when you purchase cleaning products?

I added some fresh Chard to this recipe at the end to give it some color. You could get creative on adding seasonal vegetables to this recipe as it’s very good base for peppers, spinach or whatever you have on hand.

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Deseo - the desire to enjoy phenomenal Nuevo Latino Cuisine and hand crafted cocktails in a lively setting.  From the moment you begin the descent on the staircase colorfully lined with large luminary candles, you begin to anticipate the spicy flair that Deseo has to offer.  Whether you are looking for a cozy place to catch up with friends or a front row seat to watch the action in the kitchen, Deseo has the perfect spot for you.

Stepping first into the Muddle Bar, with its rich colors and sleek, dark woods, you’ll find a cozy and elegant place to enjoy some of Deseo’s Signature Mojitos.  Each Mojito is hand muddled, with fresh mint and limes, to really bring out the flavors of the ingredients.  A custom menu is available so you can select your favorite fruits and liquor and create your own signature cocktail. Sip that cocktail while you watch live painting by Nelson Garcia-Miranda, a renowned Cuban painter, whose painting style meshes perfectly with the upbeat and colorful Latin flavor of Deseo.

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Last week I had the pleasure of dining at Seasons 52 in Phoenix, twice! The experience was great, and the food was even better!  This place truly knows the definition of green living, and they practice what they preach.

Get this — everything on the menu is less than 475 calories, from their famous flat breads to their “mini indulgences” desserts.  Their menu changes completely every season, while the specials change weekly. Chef Jeff LaVine (head chef at the Phoenix location) hails from more than 20 years of experience cooking professionally. His love for food and love for thinking and eating healthy truly shine through in the dining experience. That being said, Seasons 52 uses only the best products for their customers.  They use only what is in season and get whatever they can locally.

In addition to using great tasting ingredients, the company embraces all-things eco-friendly, down to the hand towels and the to-go boxes.  Also, with more than 120 bottles of wine to choose from at every visit, they go through many wine bottles, which are all recycled.

This restaurant really “gets it” when it comes to living green.  And they definitely get it when it comes to serving up great tasting food without the extra calories.

Seasons 52 is now open at Biltmore Fashion Park, 2502 East Camelback Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85016.  Visit their website at www.Seasons52.com.

• Broccoli - 3 crowns
• Garlic - 1 tbsp
• Olive oil - 2 tbsp
• Vegetable stock - ¼ cup
• Salt & pepper - to taste

Grill: We have two ways to put this one together. For the grill, put all ingredients in a foil boat and fold up so it is sealed. Heat grill to medium and place foil boat on grill for about 20 minutes.

Stove top: Heat stove to medium-high and place all ingredients in steamer and cover. Cook for about 15-20 minutes.