I recently had to give up eating wheat and basically avoid gluten when I can. Ugh. What a drag!!! Not only are carbs one of my greatest loves, eating gluten free is downright exhausting…and not a little disappointing. Luckily, my breakfast regime has not had to suffer with the discovery of Vans All Natural Wheat Free Waffles. Now I don’t know anyone who doesn’t love waffles, and topped with fresh, organic fruit, peanut butter, or even an egg, a couple waffles in the AM can make for a protein-packed and delicious meal.
My favorite are the Wheat Free, Gluten Free Flax Waffles which come loaded with 1000mg of Omega-3s per serving! Plus, they have no trans fat, no cholesterol, they are dairy free, eggless and Vegan. And did I mention they taste way better than Leggos?? In the gluten-free / Vegan world, all foods are definetly NOT created equal…so load up on Vans Waffles and down your woes over a fantastic breakfast!
Bon appetit!
Tracey
Did you know not ALL plastic is recyclable? Depending on the city you’re in - if you dump the wrong trash in your recycle bin, you run the risk of having the whole lot chucked right into a landfill. Paying close attention to the numbers on the bottom of your plastic containers will not only help you understand which items are truly wastful, but you’ll also be making life much easier for your pals at the recycle plant. Here’s a quick tip to get you started: plastics with lower numbers (1 & 2) can almost always be recycled. Higher numbers like 5 or 7 - not so much.
Earth911 is a great eco-friendly reference site that can help you sort out the recycling conundrum. They’ll help you find a local recycling center, answer your questions about styrofoam and set you straight on car facts. And you thought tossing takeout was a no-brainer.
Don’t forget to remove the lids first!
Tracey
Afterthought: Do you compost? Do you love it, or hate it?
[Thanks, Ideal Bite!]
Lawn furniture has two major problems. 1) It is typically boring and/or ugly. 2) It is typically uber-expensive or incredibly cheaply made. We all take so much time to get the perfect couch or ottoman for the inside of our house, but the outside tends to be a bit of a throw-away…and it is our summer sanctuary!
For color, versatility and originality I am sooooo loving these chip cheery Spinball ottomans from LeBello ($185). Not only are they eye-catching and easy to move about during a summer soirée, they are made from 100% recyclable synthetic materials. Now who is making the mojitos?
Love,
Tracey
Afterthought: What’s your favorite summer drink?
[Thanks, Shelterrific!]
So I’ve had to give up all dairy for the most part - which is tragic because I love cheese, yogurt and ice cream (in that order). I can however have Greek yogurt for whatever reason, and that makes me extremely happy because I am obsessed with it! My brand of choice is the vanguard leader in the dept: FAGE (pronounced fah-yeh).
I opt for the 0% fat, because it still tastes amazing, and I load it up with fresh berries and agave nectar. Chock full of calcium, proteins, vitamins and minerals, this creamy delight fills me up, settles my tummy and gives me oodles of energy. The tarte taste is a nice departure from all the sugar-laden American varieties, and once you get used to it - you’ll realize what a real treat it is!
PS: If you can’t find it at a regular supermarket, try Whole Foods, Sunflower or Trader Joes - they know to get their customers the good stuff!
Love,
Tracey
Never did I think my continuous allegiance to HGTV could be rivaled, but it has. Created with an almost identical format, the new cable channel Planet Green is a high-gloss (soy-based of course), perky and pretty darn useful 24/7 influx of eco-friendly info. With useful shows like G-Word, Renovation Nation, Wasted and Supper Club I can get my art-directed fill of green living tips from food to flooring. Plus, I’m loving the guilt(free) shows like Hollywood Green which seems like an acceptable way to get my fill of Hollywood Gossip.
Now until I can get my TV to be solar-powered, there is still the irony of learning about green-living through watching an electric television, but hey - small steps, right? In any case, it sure beats watching a smutty reality dating show. You’ve got me hooked, PG!!!
Happy Eco-Viewing,
Tracey
Perfect For: Fast Walkers, Muscle Toning, Better Backs
I know I declared I’m not flopping this summer, but I DO have one exception: FitFlops. Never one to shy away from anything that will help make my legs look better, I couldn’t pass up the FitFlop claim that these sandals will help tone your legs as you walk. (And they were one of Oprah’s Favorite Things!)
While I do really think my calves (always a trouble spot) look a bit leaner, I love love love how comfortable these shoes are - especially for my back. Now when I take Lucy for a walk, these are my shoes of choice. My first walk left my calves feeling like I’d just worked them out at the gym, and my lower back didn’t ache at all. I’m not saying you should pair these puppies with a little black dress, but for errands and mucking about the house - why not make your shoes work for you?
Love,
Tracey
