June, 2015 | Saved By Grace

Green Ways to Stay Cool Without Air Conditioning

June 28, 2024 By Christine Leave a Comment

Air conditioning is a fairly new invention when you look at the invention timeline. It was not until the 50’s that many homes had them even though the closest relative of the modern air conditioner was invented nearly 50 years before that and it was for keeping humidity under control in a plant.

Even still, many homes and apartments do not have air conditioning and if they do, it may not be effective. Not only is a hot house incredibly uncomfortable, but it can actually be dangerous and deadly if you get heat stroke. Here are some ways to stay cool without air conditioning. The good news is, most of these are eco-friendly, too!

Green Ways to Stay Cool Without Air Conditioning

Make sure you are wearing and sleeping in the right fabric. Cotton sheets and cotton clothing is your best bet because it allows your body room to breathe and it provides better wicking than something that is polyester, silk or spandex.

Wet a towel and make it your best friend. A wet, cold towel or even hand-towel or wash cloth can be amazing for keeping cool. Periodically dab it all over your body and sit in front of a fan.

Drink plenty of water. You will stay cooler if you give your body something to sweat. Plain water is the best thing you can drink on a day that is sweltering. It will keep your core temperature down, too.

Take cool baths or showers. If you can, take a cool bath or shower when you start to feel very over-heated. It will bring your body’s temperature down and you will find relief.

Place ice in front of a fan for a cooler air blowing at you. If you have milk jugs or 2 liter bottles, wash them out and fill with water to freeze. Make sure you have backups so you can switch them out when one starts to melt.

Don’t turn on the stove or oven and skip the dryer. These appliances heat up your house more than you may think. Instead, make cold meals like sandwiches or salads. I also like to use my slow cooker a lot in the summer because it doesn’t heat up the house and it doesn’t require me to stand in a hot kitchen. Use the heat outside to line dry your clothes.

Open your windows when it is cool and shut all blinds and windows when it is hot. If you don’t let too much heat in, you won’t have to get rid of it later.

Apply cold compresses to your pulse points if you feel like you are getting over-heated and feeling ill. These areas are the groin, neck, behind your knees and forehead.

Stay in the dark. If you can, try not to run any light sources. This little bit of heat that light bulbs give off can add up if all your lights are on at home.

No matter what, watch for signs of heat stroke- light headedness, nausea and lethargy. Get to the ER quick if you are worried about a loved one.

Filed Under: Green Living Tagged With: green ways to cool your house, how to cool down without AC, how to stay cool in the summer, how to stay cool without air conditioning

5 Awesome Post Workout Quick Meal Ideas

June 15, 2024 By Christine 1 Comment

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MyNewLeanCuisine #CollectiveBias

It is usually said that if you want to eat a better diet, you should stick with the freshest ingredients and stay away from the frozen and prepared meals. While this is often true, I sometimes take a trip through Walmart into these sections of the store just to see what is new. More and more companies are listening to consumers and I was happy to see that LEAN CUISINE® has come up with some NEW awesome meal ideas for those of us trying to eat a certain way that’s healthier.

I had never tried a LEAN CUISINE® before because I was honestly under the impression that it wasn’t that good and it wouldn’t fit my needs. I try to stick with high protein and as many organic ingredients as I can and I remember frozen dinners tasting (to put it honestly) less than ideal. I am a bit spoiled and I make a lot of my foods fresh and homemade here. I do sometimes wish I had more quick meal options because after a workout, I am famished and kind of a beast in the kitchen on the hunt for something to eat. It’s so easy to grab something that isn’t ideal because it’s quick, too. I was glad I gave LEAN CUISINE® a try!

If you are trying to avoid a post-workout “pig out” and need quick ideas for this ravenous time, check out these 5 awesome post workout meal ideas.

5 Awesome Post Workout Quick Meal Ideas

LEAN CUISINE® meals- These have really come a long way. I was happy to see that the LEAN CUISINE® Marketplace Vermont White Cheddar Mac & Cheese is “made with” organic ingredients such as organic pasta. It was ready in less than 4 minutes and I have to admit, it was way better than I expected. I also tried the LEAN CUISINE® Marketplace Sweet & Spicy Korean-Style Beef because it had 15 G of protein in it. That was the perfect after-workout meal. If you are following a gluten-free diet, try the gluten-free options such as LEAN CUISINE® Marketplace Comfort Chicken in Sweet BBQ Sauce! You will be just as amazed as I was at how delicious these dishes really are from LEAN CUISINE®!

Apple with Peanut Butter- This has to be one of my very favorite post-workout snacks because it is a good source of protein and it almost tastes like it should be bad for you! Top it with organic raisins for an extra kick. I like to use my homemade peanut butter because it is sweetened with agave instead of sugar.

Chocolate milk- A glass of chocolate milk may not sound like it’s a great post-workout snack, but if you think about it, it really is. Chocolate milk contains protein and the chocolate part contains antioxidants. A great size to drink after a workout is 8 oz.

Grilled Chicken and Vegetables- Chicken is a pretty common go-to for post workout meals because it is a lean protein. Try to jazz it up a bit with a new seasoning or spice you haven’t tried and throw some vegetables, like peppers, on the grill while you are at it. Your body needs this recovery food!

Omelet with vegetables- Who cares what time of day it is? An omelet is easy to whip up and is the perfect post-workout meal because it have lots of protein. If omelets are not your thing, try a poached egg over avocado and tomato.

Your body needs lots of variety when it comes to post work-out meals and snacks. The best way to avoid eating something that isn’t a good choice to is make it easy for you to grab a healthier choice. LEAN CUISINE® meals are easy to grab and cook. You can also cut up your vegetables for your omelet before your workout, too!

Be sure to follow LEAN CUISINE® on Pinterest as well as on Facebook and twitter (@LeanCuisine) for more meals that you will love as well as other great information.

What’s your favorite way to enjoy a post-workout snack or meal? Have you tried any of the new LEAN CUISINE® meals?

Filed Under: Food, Health Tagged With: chocolate milk after workouts, Lean Cuisine, organic fast food options, post workout meals, post workout snacks, what to eat after you work out

Essentials for Outdoor Dads

June 10, 2024 By Christine Leave a Comment

My husband is in love with nature. He would live in a cabin in the woods if we could. I couldn’t because, well, I obviously need my internet access, but if that wasn’t a factor, I would most certainly run away with him and be a hermit.

I grew up in Montana. The woods and mother nature was just a way of life there. I have many fond outdoor memories as a kid and some of those memories are surrounded by certain things, and even products that trigger them.

This father’s day, if you are looking for some perfect gifts to get the men in your life that love the outdoors, consider one of the following items, because let’s face it; anything that can be used over and over for years at a time is about as Eco-friendly as it gets.

Essentials for Outdoor Dads

Stanley Brand has been iconic for me when I was growing up. It’s that green bottle that brings back memories of my grandfather going hunting. He would fill it up with coffee and take it with him. My own father used to take one with him on his morning rounds at work, too. Stanley Brand’s iconic green vacuum seal bottle is what I remember the most, but I was pleasantly surprised to see that they make a whole slew of products now. Let’s look at some of them.

The Adventure Flask. This by far was my husband’s favorite when he saw it. He is not even a big imbiber of the spirits, but he has this thing with containers. I personally think this is perfect for putting some wine in and taking it with you. I love that it is easy to fit in a backpack and take along. And of course, it comes in that iconic hammertone ice green, too.

The One-Hand Vacuum Mug. This is like the little brother of the larger mug I remember from my childhood. I didn’t show this one to my husband because I wanted to surprise him with it. He is always complaining that the mugs I get him to put his coffee in are not good because they don’t keep it hot or cold long enough. This mug from Stanley Products keeps the contents hot for 4.5 hours and cold up to 20 hours if iced. This is perfect for him! He could enjoy his iced coffee even after we take a hike several hours later!

The Vacuum Bottle. This is the one I remember from my childhood. It was slung into many a truck by many men in my life and never once lost it’s charm. This one has a handle, though and I love that.

I was pleasantly surprised to also see that Stanley Products feature cool new products I had not seen before such as the eCycle Nesting food containers. Being a bit of a green queen, I was very happy to see how they are starting to make products that are made from recycled materials and since it’s Stanley Products, I trust them to be super durable.

Do you have any Stanley Products that bring up memories for you of your dad or another man that was important to you growing up?

Filed Under: Family Tagged With: fathers day gift ideas, gifts for fathers day, stanley brand, stanley green mugs, stanley vacumm mugs

S’mores Peanut Butter Dip with Summer Fruit

June 5, 2024 By Christine 2 Comments

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #LetsMakeSmores #CollectiveBias #sponsored

I don’t know about you, but I am getting excited for the summer to hit. I have so many memories of making certain summer foods such as foil meals and of course, S’mores. Living in the Pacific Northwest, the weather does not always cooperate for outdoor cooking, so I came up with a way to enjoy our favorite summer treat here, S’mores, with this S’mores Peanut Butter Dip with Summer Fruit. It’s the perfect end of meal delight for a weeknight dessert this season or a quick treat for an unexpected Summer get-together.

Walmart made it easy for me to get all the classic S’mores ingredients; Honey Maid Graham Cracker Squares, Hershey’s Chocolate Bars and Kraft Jet-Puffed Marshmallows in this neat little display. I loved that it was right at the front of the store so it was easy to get in and get cookin’ S’mores at home with no hassle, any day!

This recipe is incredibly easy and is the perfect thing to make when rainy days have you down. You don’t have to have a campfire to make S’mores! I used a cast iron skillet to give it that camping vibe right in my oven. You can make this in 10 minutes or less and it only requires 5 minutes to cook. Plus, there are several components here that kids could help you do.

To make this more balanced, I love to dip fresh fruit in it. Of course, I had to dip big juicy strawberries since they really say “Summer” to me. Good thing everyone in my family is also big on strawberries. In fact, my mom and my daughter have a friendly competition on who can find the first strawberry of the season in her garden and this year, my own. (If you are wondering who won this time, it was a straight tie)

If you are looking for a way to enjoy this classic treat from summer on a rainy day occasion, try my S’mores Peanut Butter Dip with Fruit. It’ll knock your socks off!

S’mores Peanut Butter Dip with Summer Fruit

2 Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bars
1 Cup of Planter’s Peanut Butter
23 Kraft Jett-Puffed Marshmallows
10 Honey Maid Graham Cracker Squares
Various fresh fruit, cut into bite sized pieces of your choosing.
1 Well Seasoned 6 Inch Cast Iron Skillet

Stick the Honey Maid Graham Crackers into a zipper style plastic bag and crush them with a mallet or rolling pin. Place enough to line the bottom of the skillet into the cast iron.

Take the Planter’s Peanut Butter and place it in a microwave safe bowl and microwave on high for 30 seconds.
Drop 4 heaping tablespoons of Planter’s Peanut Butter onto the crushed Honey Maid Graham Crackers.

Top with 1 1/2 Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bars in 3 section pieces until evenly covered.

Starting on the outside edge, line the top on the skillet with Kraft Jet-Puffed Marshmallows until you completely cover the whole space. For me, this was 23 whole marshmallows.

Place cast iron skillet in the oven for 4-5 minutes until tops of Kraft Jet-Puffed Marshmallows are golden brown.
Dip fruit like strawberries, apples, even pineapple into the dip and enjoy!

Feel free to print this recipe below so you remember how to make it.

S'mores Peanut Butter Dip with Summer Fruit

Ingredients

2 Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bars
1 Cup of Planter's Peanut Butter
23 Kraft Jett-Puffed Marshmallows
10 Honey Maid Graham Cracker Squares
Various fresh fruit, cut into bite sized pieces of your choosing.
1 Well Seasoned 6 Inch Cast Iron Skillet

Instructions

Stick the Honey Maid Graham Crackers into a zipper style plastic bag and crush them with a mallet or rolling pin. Place enough to line the bottom of the skillet into the cast iron.
Take the Planter's Peanut Butter and place it in a microwave safe bowl and microwave on high for 30 seconds.
Drop 4 heaping tablespoons of Planter's Peanut Butter onto the crushed Honey Maid Graham Crackers.
Top with 1½ Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bars in 3 section pieces until evenly covered.
Starting on the outside edge, line the top on the skillet with Kraft Jet-Puffed Marshmallows until you completely cover the whole space. For me, this was 23 whole marshmallows.
Place cast iron skillet in the oven for 4-5 minutes until tops of Kraft Jet-Puffed Marshmallows are golden brown.
Dip fruit like strawberries, apples, even pineapple into the dip and enjoy!

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Filed Under: Desserts, Food, Recipes Tagged With: easy smores recipes, peanut butter smores dip, smores dip

How to Eat Sustainably on your Vacation

June 1, 2024 By Christine 3 Comments

How to Eat Sustainably on your Vacation- includes tips on how to eat what the locals eat, eating sustainably on a budget and how to eat healthy on a trip.

When most people go on vacation, they don’t think too much about food choices. When you are traveling, it seems to be a little harder to eat sustainably since you don’t often have the option of being “picky”. If eating sustainably, is important to you, even while you are on vacation, than this article is for you! Here are some tips of my own that will help you with how to eat sustainably on your vacation and often, for cheap!

How to Eat Sustainably on your Vacation

Use Apps and technology. There are many apps that can help you with finding the best places to eat, buy food and mingle with the best local offerings. Check out Eat Local. It is an app that helps you locate Farmer’s Markets in the area where you are. It also helps you find produce that is in season in the region you are going to.

Bring your own snacks for short trips. If you can, try to bring your own snacks in reusable containers if possible. That way, you know that they pass your inspection and approval and the only transporting being done is by you.

Do your homework on restaurants in the area. Try to find out if there is a local independent newspaper for the area you are going to. Many times, these can be great resources for finding “hole in the wall’ local fare that is often sustainable and regional as well as non-GMO and organic.

Know what the clean 15 and Dirty Dozen are and stick to it. If you are ordering in a restaurant, make sure you are steering clear of the dirty dozen and try to eat the clean 15. I have made a handy guide that fits in a wallet for free as a printable if you aren’t sure.

Know what is regional. Check out online what the area you are traveling to is known for. Try to eat as local as possible.

Ask the locals. When you get to your destination, ask people who live there what places they recommend for local fare and for fresh local shopping. They will often know of places the online community doesn’t. Plus, smaller establishments often don’t have a advertizing budget for tourists, so they rely on word of mouth.

Be prepared to grocery shop.One of the best ways to avoid foods you don’t want to eat is to shop at the grocery store for things like snacks and light meals like lunch. If you are staying in a hotel with a fridge, I highly recommend shopping in local places for food rather than eating out every meal. Not only will it be more sustainable, healthy and green, but it could possibly save you some serious cash in the long run, even if you have to spend more for a room with a fridge.

Filed Under: Green Living, Green Travel Tagged With: eating sustainably, eating sustainably on a trip, how to eat sustainably on a budget, How to Eat Sustainably on your Vacation