Kansas-and-Missouri-grown Farmer’s Market Kicks Off Thursday!April 04, 2012
Filed under: Classes & Events, Farmers Market - greenacres @ 9:47 AM
Come on down to the GreenAcres weekly Farmers Market! We’re kicking off the spring season and firing up the grill in the Briarcliff parking lot this coming Thursday from 3-7p.m. On the menu this year, in addition to our much-in-demand buffalo burgers, will be grilled all-natural Greek lamb burgers. And, for our Vegetarian friends, moist and succulent Portobello mushroom burgers. Missouri and Kansas farmers will be out in full force presenting their 100 percent organic produce in addition to the yummiest jams, jellies and homemade baked goods.
You’re sure to hear us before you actually see us--we’ll have live music on the sidewalk. Park where you can and make your rounds to sample some of the best home-grown products anywhere. Of course, we’re prejudice, but we love our farmer-vendors. There’s a woman who cans her own mustards; a man who makes homemade pastas; a berry vendor who has fresh blueberries, blackberries and strawberries. Like a little spice in your life? Check out the authentic Mexican tamales and salsas--yummm. We can never forget man’s best friend. Furry Friend’s dog treats will have something special you can take home to Fido! Oh, and Jerry’s Furniture will once again have handcrafted furniture for sale.
When you’re tired of all the seeing, visiting and buying outside, step inside GreenAcres for some samplings of our own products: cheese and crackers, organic chips and dips…and to wash it all down, tastings from our wine collection. There will be other product demonstrations, and as always, the GreenAcres knowledgeable staff will be on deck to answer any and all questions about wholesome, healthy living. Welcome to spring!
Sparkling Probiotic Drink to Your Health!April 04, 2012
Filed under: Savings, Supplements - greenacres @ 11:00 AM
Probiotics is the buzz word these days. Live strains of probiotics can promote health and aid digestion. Green Acres is a big promoter of healthy immune systems through the use of natural probiotic drinks and yogurts. If you’re the least bit iffy about intestinal symptoms and want balance and harmony in your digestive system, you’ll want to ask our knowledgeable staff which strength of probiotic drinks might be good for you. Kevita is a product that can give you the same benefits as yogurt, but with coconut water instead of dairy. Probiotics inhibit harmful pathogens and toxins from producing bacteria which upset your body’s natural immune system. Probiotic drinks and yogurt cultures can alleviate chronic intestinal inflammatory disease and aid in the prevention of pathogen-induced diarrhea and urinary tract infections. At Green Acres we carry a variety of probiotic products that are tasty and no-fat, and have the potential to alleviate digestive diseases. Probiotic drinks such as Kevita contain no sugar, and they’re caffeine free. Low sodium and zero fat, Kevita is a lovely way to introduce your family and friends to healthy living.
Visit Green Acres by the end of April to take advantage of Kevita products on sale: $2.59 a bottle.
Roasted Rhubarb Salad—Celebrate Spring!April 04, 2012
Filed under: Recipes - greenacres @ 8:47 AM
Roasted Rhubarb Salad
Ingredients
2 cups 1/2-inch pieces fresh rhubarb
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 tablespoon minced shallot
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
8 cups mixed baby greens
1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese or feta
1/4 cup chopped walnuts, toasted (see Tip)
1/4 cup golden raisins
Preparation
- Preheat oven to 450°F.
-
Toss rhubarb with sugar in a medium bowl until well coated; let stand, stirring once or twice, for about 10 minutes. Spread in an even layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Roast until just beginning to soften, about 5 minutes. Let cool for about 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, whisk vinegar, oil, shallot, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add greens; toss to coat with the dressing. Divide the greens among 4 plates. Top with the rhubarb, goat cheese (or feta), walnuts and raisins.
recipe from EatingWell.com
Mark Your Calendars for Earth Day—April 22ndApril 04, 2012
Filed under: Natural Living - greenacres @ 11:58 AM
Top 5 ways to celebrate Earth Day:
It’s a Sunday! Stretch your legs.—Since most of us don’t have work on Sundays, try riding your bicycle or walking wherever you want to go this Earth Day. You might even find you’re supporting local businesses closer to home. If you enjoy it, try doing it every Sunday; then add another day that works for your schedule. Before you know it, you’ll be buying less gas, and getting more exercise during your week.
Go Organic—Plan a fresh feast for your Earth Day using only organic ingredients. You might be surprised at the quality and even the flavor. Many people find that switching over to organic in some of the fruit, veggie, and meat varieties they love offers more taste, greater freshness, and little difference to their pocketbooks.
Leave it!—If you’re planning to mow your lawn this Sunday, leave the clippings right where they drop! They act as a fertilizer to your lawn, and save another trash bag going to the landfill. You might also find that leaving your clippings means you use less water on your yard!
Unplug.—This is the oldest one in the book. But we’re not just talking about turning off your lights when you leave the room. Try one full day without electronics…and if you’re brave, try it without appliances. That means no TV, computer, refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, stove…and the list goes on. Can you use your grill for meats and try raw, fresh veggies? You just might find out how natural and healthful it feels to eat and live without our modern-day crutches. Try it and see for yourself. It’s just one day! If you like it, try it once a month, once a week, or carve out a section out of every day to “unplug!”
Paper or Plastic? Neither, please.—This is one that is near and dear to our hearts here at GreenAcres: using reusable cloth bags. They’re not just for the beach anymore. Cloth bags can be used for all your purchases, from groceries to sandals; from lunch on the go to that necklace you’ve been eyeing in the window. Twelve million barrels of oil were used to make the 88.5 billion plastic bags consumed in the United States last year. That’s a lot of oil! You can help reduce that number with your own reusable bags…get a collapsible one for your purse or pocket, keep a few in the car, and hang a couple by the door. Each shopping trip can make a difference!
Feel Alive! —and register to win a FREE Kindle FireApril 04, 2012
Filed under: Savings, Supplements - greenacres @ 9:05 AM
With all this horrible Kansas weather, we should all feel lucky to be alive! Embrace it with Nature’s Way “Alive” family of products. From Ultra Shakes to everyday multi’s for every age range, you’ll find just the vitamin supplement you’re looking for. You can even find adult gummy vitamins for those of us embracing our inner child!
Alive vitamins promise 26 or more fruits and vegetables per serving, so you know you’re getting what your body needs, from whole food sources. Gummies are made sans gelatin with no artificial flavors or preservatives, and all Alive products are gluten free and vegetarian.
Choose from Children’s multi’s—chewables and gummies—adult multi’s for men, women, men 50+, and women 50+, or Whole Food Energizers with added Iron. No matter what your nutritional needs are, these multivitamins are up to the challenge! Stop by the store thru April 30th to pick up any of these incredible products 40% off the entire month—and register to win a FREE Kindle fire while you’re here! You won’t want to miss this incredible savings!
Mushrooms: Not Just in Super Mario Brothers?April 04, 2012
Filed under: Natural Living, Recipes - greenacres @ 11:25 AM
When most people think of mushrooms, they probably think of the Mario Brothers games or stuffed mushroom appetizers. But how often do you think of mushrooms as superfood? Did you know that mushrooms can help your body to fight off viruses, kill unwanted bacteria in your system, and even lower cholesterol and control blood pressure? It’s true!
Mushrooms have been valued as medicinal foods by the Chinese for centuries. People even today will pay hundreds, even thousands, of dollars per ounce for certain rare and desirable mushrooms. Mushrooms are special fungi that are low in calories, but high in nutritive value. They are comprised of 80-90% water, with very low sodium and fat, with 8-10% of the dry weight in dietary fiber. They’re ideal for those wanting to help their bodies shed unwanted fat or watch their cholesterol count.
Mushrooms are also an excellent source of potassium. Potassium is a mineral that can support your body in its effort to lower elevated blood pressure, and can even reduce the risk of stroke. One medium-sized Portobello mushroom cap contains even more potassium that a banana or a glass of orange juice. One serving of mushrooms also provides about 20-40% of the daily value of copper, a mineral that has cardio-protective properties. 
We’re all looking to eat foods that are healthier for our bodies, but at the end of the day, they have to taste good, or we’ll buy them, eat them once, and let them spoil in our kitchen cabinets. Not so with mushrooms. They’re rich in umami—the uniquely savory fifth taste—without the sodium or MSG. And with around 14,000 varieties, you’re bound to find one that fits your palette. Add a couple mushrooms to your salad, throw them in a soup for a rich, delicious savory-ness, try that Portobello burger you’ve been passing up at your local burger joint, or put them in a sauce to top lean proteins like chicken and fish. There are so many ways to incorporate this delicious superfood into your everyday diet—start today and feel the difference!
A Quick and Easy Recipe to Get You Started on Your Mushroom Trail:
Mushroom and Avocado Salad
Ingredients:
12 Italian bread slices, grilled.
6 lettuce leaves.
1 medium avocado.
1 lb white mushrooms.
12 oz red bell pepper, diced.
12 oz green bell pepper, diced.
½ cup of sherry wine vinegar.
½ cup of basil leaves, chopped.
¼ cup of whole grain mustard.
1/8 cup of olive oil.
Directions:
In a suitably sized bowl, mix the mustard, vinegar, basil, bell peppers and olive oil, then set aside.
Wash and slice the white mushrooms. Add the mushrooms to the dressing and marinate for 15 minutes.
Place each salad portion on a lettuce leaf. Slice the avocado and place on top.
Serve with two slices of grilled Italian bread.
April Bonus Buys, Continued!April 04, 2012
Filed under: Savings, Supplements - greenacres @ 1:03 PM
Organic Sea Buckthorn--Sea Buckthorn is a natural super-food found originally in Asia, where it’s been used medicinally for hundreds of years both internally and externally. We in the West are just now learning the amazing benefits of this hardy shrub. It is used to provide nutritive support for healing serious skin ailments such as eczema and radiation burns, and helps to fight fatigue and boost energy. It also boosts immune functions and cardiovascular health, and is a known anti-oxidant. Try Solaray’s 16 oz. liquid version this month for just $11.99. That’s a 40% savings!
Astaxanthin-- Astaxanthin is classified as a xanthophyll, which is a carotenoid pigment found in fish and algae. It helps to provide the natural color in these organisms. Astaxanthin is a super antioxidant whose unique structure allows it to exist in both lipid and aqueous environments, enabling it to be active throughout the body. It helps to fight free radicals in the skin so as to maintain a natural, healthy glow, and can decrease the effects of inflammation that can make us sluggish and fatigued.
GOL Raw Protein--Are you getting enough protein in your diet? Protein is vital for your health. It provides building blocks for muscles, skin, blood, hair, nails as well as your internal organs, including your heart and brain. Our hormones need them, our immune system needs them and our general energy and vitality requires adequate protein. Garden of Life has a winning formula, Raw Protein, which is made from thirteen raw sprouts providing 18 grams of protein fortified with fat-soluble nutrients – Vitamins A, E, D and K plus enzymes and probiotics to support digestive health! If you have food sensitivities, are vegan or vegetarian, don’t want soy or whey protein – Garden of Life Raw Protein could be the ticket for you!
Easter is Sunday: Dye Your Eggs the Natural Way!April 04, 2012
Filed under: Natural Living, Recipes - greenacres @ 11:35 AM
Spring has officially sprung! We’re starting to cut our lawns, buds are morphing into leaves, and Easter is just around the corner… If you’re thinking of dying some hard boiled eggs this year, why not take the all natural route? All natural ingredients straight from Mother Earth can offer an endless variety of colors for your celebrations. With a little patience and creativity, you can have a beautiful, elegant display this Easter that will “wow!” your guests at your traditional brunch.
Supplies:
Mordant: Alum, cream of tartar, or white vinegar will help the colors penetrate the eggshell. These aren’t absolutely necessary, but you’ll usually get better results if you use one of the above.
Pots: Enamel or glass for soaking (aluminum is not recommended)
Water: Use distilled or filtered water
Eggs: White eggs will display the subtle, natural colors better than brown or green eggs; but these colorful variations can be fun all by themselves
Dyestuff: Try any herb or spice that looks like a good candidate (especially those that provide a pop of color). The more eggs you’re dyeing, the more dyestuff you’ll need.
Recipe:
These are just guidelines! The beauty of the natural method is its flexibility. Try your own proportions and adjust as necessary!
4 cups water
Dyestuff (about 2-4 Tablespoons of ground herbs and spices, or 1 cup of whole or cut and sifted ingredients)
1 tablespoon mordant (alum, cream of tartar, or white vinegar)
4-6 hard boiled eggs, washed to remove any coating (use raw for hot bath, or hard boiled for cold)
A few tried and true methods:
Hot Bath:
The hot back method takes a bit less time that the cold bath, and can create a more pigmented dye, depending on the material. You’ll find out best by trial and error with small batches of “dyestuff” and water.
Bring water, dyestuff, and mordant to a boil. Add raw eggs and reduce heat to simmer. Cook for about 15 minutes, removing from heat. Cover and let sit another 15 minutes or more, until desired color is reached (the longer the eggs sit in the dye, the deeper the color will be). Remove eggs, gently rinse in lukewarm water, and let air dry.
Cold Bath:
Make a dyebath by bringing water, dyestuff, and mordant to a boil. Simmer the dyestuff until the water is deeply colored, anywhere from half an hour to a couple of hours. Strain the liquid and cool. Add hard-boiled eggs to the dye, and let soak until desired color is reached (overnight in the refrigerator if desired).
A few color tips to get you started:
Reddish Blue/Lavender: Hibiscus flowers
Deep Gold: Turmeric Root Powder
Pale Yellow: Safflower petals
Pale Orange: Curry Powder
Reddish Brown: Chili Powder
Orange: Paprika
Soft Brown: Dill Seed
Tannish Yellow: Yarrow
Purple/Reddish: Red Cabbage Leaves
Pink/Red: Beet Juice or Beet Powder
Good luck! And most of all, have fun with it! Happy Easter!
Great Buys on Your Favorite Supplements!April 04, 2012
Filed under: Savings, Supplements - greenacres @ 4:37 PM
NightRest from Source Natural combines the powerfully calming properties of melatonin and GABA with key amino acids and soothing herbs. GABA, an amino acid, inhibits nerve transmission in the brain, calming nervous activity and acting as a natural tranquilizer for your body.
Coenzyme Q10, or CoQ10, is produced from the world’s highest quality all natural materials. Unlike synthetic CoQ10, the all-natural form is identical to the body's own coenzyme Q10 for maximum bioavailability and superior effectiveness. Coenzyme Q10, also called Co Q10 or Ubiquinone, is a natural substance essential to cellular energy production. It is also an antioxidant which scavenges free radicals throughout the body. Co Q10 works well with Vitamin E and other antioxidants to support a healthy cardiovascular system.
Enzymatic Therapy Acidophilus Pearls are one of our best-selling probiotics. Probiotics support digestive, immune, and skin health by delivering key healthy bacteria to your gut. They can help relieve occasional gas, and inconsistencies with your bowels. They are also great for those with sensitive stomachs or certain food intolerances. Probiotics ensure that your body is not weighed down by toxins, leaving your body free to maintain its health from the inside out.
Biotin, aka Vitamin H or Vitamin B2, plays a major role in the metabolism of fats, proteins, and sugars. It is essential for healthy cell growth, and is recommended for the healthy maintenance of hair, scalp, skin and muscles.
