HOW TO: Make Organic Lemon Blueberry Cupcakes

Cupcakes are my favorite treat for birthday parties, especially when they have organic ingredients and whole fruit inside. For my son's 11th birthday party, I decided to try a combination of local, organic fruits that are in season here in Florida. We thought that lemons and blueberries would be a great combination and it turns out we were right, they were a hit! I think I received more compliments on the cupcakes than the birthday party itself! Read on to learn how to make these super yummy organic lemon blueberry cupcakes for your next party and find one-page printable recipe here.

-- I made a second batch of these to take to a birthday party over the weekend and again a huge hit! You will love them! 

Have a Lovely Green Memorial Day Weekend + A Few Green Things

Hello, Friends. It's Memorial Day weekend! It is HOT here in Florida, and the only thing that I can think of that would be perfect for the weekend is the beach. We plan to wake up, grab the paddleboards and hit the ocean! Also, Eben and I have been making ice pops all week long - I think that we will probably go through many this weekend. Our last batch - organic peach, I will be sharing the recipes soon!

Tonight, we are going to a birthday party! Mr. Sweet Greens is working late, so I am taking a date - my father-in-law! Do you ever do that? Since the mister works Saturday evenings, Eben an I usually spend that time with Grandpa Sweet Greens - I like to tease that he is my "other husband"!

While I bake up another batch of my organic lemon-blueberry cupcakes for the party, here are a few green things you might enjoy.

- A baby rhino was just born on Kariega Game Reserve!
- I love when schools use gardening to teach children how to eat nutritious food!
- Wouldn't a seashell house look at home on the beach?
- Ever wondered what cows do on Memorial Day weekend?
- The mister and I have started to talk again about building a storage container home!
- What can I make with organic strawberries this weekend?

Have an amazing weekend and I will see you back here on Monday!

xo,
Sweet Greens

HOW TO: Make Easy Organic Frozen Yogurt Bites

Eben has a love-hate relationship with yogurt. One week, he will love it, the next, he won't touch it. Are your kids that way too? Last month, when we went to Universal Studios, Eben asked for Dippin' Dots as his treat. That is when I had an idea - if I freeze his yogurt into bite sized dots, I bet he would devour them. I was right, I made a bowl of organic yogurt bites last night and he ate the whole bowl in one sitting! Read on to learn how to make these easy organic yogurt bites for your little ones.

What you will need:

• organic yogurt 
• icing bag
• glass pan 

 
Step 1: Mix the Yogurt
Using a wooden spoon I mixed strawberry and blackberry yogurt together.

Step 2: Make Yogurt Bites
Using an icing bag, pipe bite sized dots onto a glass pan.

Step 3: Freeze the Yogurt Bites
Place the glass pan in the freeze for 30 minutes, or less if you would like a softer texture.

Step 4: Eat and Enjoy!
Remove the yogurt bites from the glass pan with a spatula, place in a bowl and eat immediately!

Sweet Greens Nominated for Circle of Moms Top 25 Eco-Friendly Moms

Sweet Greens has been nominated for Circle of Moms Top 23 Eco-Friendly Moms Award. Yay! for mom bloggers who write about recycling, repurposing, gardening, eating organically, and all things green!

If you feel so inclined to vote for Sweet Greens, I would be very grateful. Voting is open through June 13th!

You can click on the Circle of Moms button on the left side-bar, scroll down to Sweet Greens and vote. Thank you for your support!

Sweet Greens Featured on the J.R. Watkins Clear Conscience Blog

Hello, Friends! I was recently interviewed by J.R. Watkin's Clear Conscience Blog and I was asked all kinds of green lifestyle questions, here is a peek:

One of our favorite eco-friendly bloggers is Jennie Lyon of Sweet Greens. She dishes on all things earth-friendly, from food to family fun. In addition to writing Sweet Greens, she’s mother to one little boy and two of the cutest dogs you’ve ever seen. Jennie was kind enough to answer some questions for The Clear Conscience Blog and share some of her great advice here. 

Jump over to the Clear Conscience Blog to check out the whole interview and to find out what my favorite J.R. Watkins product is. And a big thank you to J.R. Watkins for featuring me.

Transparent Bubble Huts Offer the Best View

I love these transparent bubble huts from French designer Pierre-Stéphane Dumas. Wouldn't these igloo shaped tents from Bubbletree be perfect for camping? I love the idea of being cozy inside at night, snuggled up watching the stars! I wonder what type of material they are made from and how the temperature is controlled?

Would you camp in a bubble tent? Or, would it freak you out that anyone could see inside?

It's Bike to Work Day + A Little Bicycle Love

May is National Bike Month! Have you pulled your bicycles out of the garage yet? Do you plan on riding your bike to work today? One of the things about South Florida that I dislike is -  it isn't very bike friendly. There are neighborhoods and communities where riding your bike is a pleasure, and super easy to do. However, overall, for people who want to commute to work by bike or travel long distances - South Florida isn't the best place. We do have the beach, the ocean and fantastic weather all year, so I won't whine. Ha!

Here are some of my favorite bicycle related posts to get you in the mood for bike week:

- Did you know that I am obsessed with bicycles?
- I am still loving the idea of riding a Velorbis Mobii Bicycle, a STRiDA Eco Folding Bike, a Madsen Bicycle, a Papillionaire Bicycle, a Republic Bicycle.
- I also wouldn't mind being in a Bicycle Wedding Party!

Do you love to ride your bicycle too?

photo via flickr

People's Pops

I can't think of anything more synonymous with summer than ice pops. I know it is only May - but I am ready for summer! Some of my favorite childhood and adult memories include ice pops on a hot summer's day. You?

I really want to make ice pops this summer with Eben and I just came across this new book called People's Pops by Nathalie Jordi, David Carrell and Joel Horowitz. It's packed with ice pops that you can make using farm-fresh fruits in interesting combinations. Think: salted caramel and apricots! Fantastic.

Do you make your own ice pops? What is the most interesting combination of ingredients you have used?

+ People's Pop $12

What's in Your Organic Smoothie?

I am a huge smoothie fan, I drink them everyday - usually for breakfast and lunch. I also make them regularly for Eben, who is quite smitten with my organic orange julius recipe! I love smoothies so much that last year as an anniversary gift, the mister surprised me with a Vitamix blender. I think out of all of the appliances in our home, it get used the most often! Mr. Sweet Greens also uses it to make all of his homemade salad dressings, marinades and soups.

Today, as I was making my morning smoothie - I tossed in my usual, organic yogurt, leafy greens and some sort of organic fruit. I enjoyed an organic spinach and blackberry smoothie! It made me wonder what you put in your smoothies?

Do you have a favorite fruit/vegetable combination? Do you have a power smoothie recipe that is perfect for breakfast? Is there a recipe that I absolutely should try?


P.S. Whenever I make Eben a smoothie, I toss in a heaping handful of organic greens when he isn't looking. He loves vegetables but has told me before that he doesn't think they belong in a fruit smoothie. Ha! If he only knew.


photo via flickr

Quirky Kicks: 5 Eco-Friendly Warm Weather Shoes

It's time to pull out your warm-weather kicks! Hooray for sunshine and hot days. I am a huge fan of warm-weather shoes that are both eco-friendly and a little quirky. In fact, my entire life I was always known as the girl with the funky, quirky kicks. Here are five quirky shoes that are also eco-friendly that are on my wish list for warm-weather.

1. Reef: Bella Costa Tropic Flats
Each Reef Tropic sandal is hand-woven and crafted by artisans in the Mayan highlands of Guatemala, giving them the opportunity to create a sustainable living. These colorful, ikat kicks are at the top of my spring wish list!

+ Reef Tropic Flats $52
+ Reef 

2.Kamik: Jennifer Rain Boots
Florida has officially moved into the rainy season. It rains almost every day during the summer here so a pair of rain boots is essential! I love these Jennifer rain boots from Kamik, they are 100% vegan and recyclable and they come in red.

+ Kamik Jennifer Rain Boots $65
+ Kamik

3. TOMS: R2D2 Edition
We already know what a great company TOMS is and how for every pair of shoes purchased - a pair is donated to a child in need. I love the idea of taking a classic pair of TOMS kicks and turning them into art. These TOMS transformed into R2D2 are right up my alley. Eben would go crazy if I had R2D2 on my feet! What a great idea if you have a pair of TOMS that has a stain on them, just cover them up with art!

+ TOMS Classic Kicks $54
+ TOMS

4. TOMS: Ballet Flats
Every girls needs a pair of ballet flats and these ones from TOMS give back to a child in need. Win-win! I love these comfy, stylish kicks - which are perfect for running around all summer long. And the colors and patterns are just too much fun.

+ TOMS Ballet Flats $79
+ TOMS

5. Reef: Guatemalan Love
Like Reef's Tropic ballet flats, the Reef: Guatemalan Love sandals are good for the environment and support local Mayan highland artisans too. I am a flip-flop type of gal so these are right up my alley! I have owned many pairs of Reef sandals in my day and they are definitely at the top of my favorites list. And they are affordable too!

+ Reef Guatemalan Love Flip Flops $32
+ Planet Shoes

What is your favorite type of shoe for spring and summer?