Blog Posts by One Green Planet

A crisp graham cracker. A gooey, toasted marshmallow. And a bite of rich, melty chocolate. S'mores couldn't be simpler…or more addicting. Try eating just one of these decadent campfire treats!

There are a few extra considerations for vegetarians, vegans, and those of us with allergies and intolerances, but nobody needs to sit out! Gluten free and vegan products are now widely available - especially online. You're just a few clicks (or a trip to your local natural foods store) away from delicious vegan s'mores!

The Basics:

Graham Crackers: Many mainstream brands of graham crackers contain honey, and a few even contain milk, but there are several great vegan options available! An added bonus: many vegan varieties have a shorter, more wholesome ingredient list. The following crackers are vegan-friendly:

• Health Valley Amaranth Graham Crackers
• Sweet and Sara Graham Crackers
• Jo-Sefs makes several flavors of gluten-free, vegan cookies that work

Hearty, protein-packed salads are a great option for packed lunches, picnics,cookouts, and even quick weeknight dinners.

Loaded with nutritious and filling ingredients like beans, lentils, sweet potatoes,quinoa, and tempeh, these salads are also super-versatile.

Tuna-free, mock chicken, or egg-less salads are reminiscent of some classic favorites, while bean, grain, and quinoa-based versions are a great starting point for plenty of creative new combos.

Stuff these tasty salads in a pita, make a sandwich or wrap, or serve over greens. Whip up one of these delicious recipes and you've got plenty of lunch options for the week!

The recipes below are delicious as written, but many can also be customized based on what's in season, what's in your pantry, or what's on sale at your local market. Here are 13 great options!

Tempeh, Tofu, and "Mock" Salads:

1. Tempeh "Tuna" Salad
2. Tuna(free) Salad Sandwiches
3. Mock Chicken Salad
4. Minced Tempeh Salad with Lemongrass,

The Yummiest Vegan Bars, Bites and Balls

Bars, bites and balls are so versatile! Here are 4 quick reasons we love them:

1. They're great any time of day: for breakfast on the go, an energizing afternoon snack, or a wholesome dessert option.
2. Many bars, bites and balls are easily customizable for variety or personal preference. Swap mesquite powder for the raw cacao, goji berries for the raisins, or walnuts for the pecans. It's your call!
3. They're allergy-friendly! Many recipes are naturally gluten free or can easily be so by using gluten free oats and other ingredients.
4. They're raw-friendly! Many home-made bars, bites and balls are raw or have a raw option.

Ready to whip up some of your own? From Healthy Oat Squares to decadent Nanaimo Bars, we've got a recipe for every taste!

Bar, Bite and Ball Recipes

1. Goji Energy Bites
2. Cacao Mesquite Superfood Balls
3. Protein Balls
4. Healthy Oats Squares with Coconut and Dates
5. Cinnamon Raisin Bars
6. Lemon-Coconut

Both new and long-time vegans will definitely agree that the right appliances make cooking and baking easier and more enjoyable. Take cashew cream for example. Soaked, blended cashews make an amazing base for frosting, dips, raw desserts, and sauces…but a high-powered blender or food processor is a must!

The right appliances allow you to whip up new, creative ideas at home instead of buying everything pre-made, ultimately saving money and allowing you to customize recipes to your preferences. Check out the guide below to help you find the right appliance for your needs and budget!

Juicers: juicing fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs give you a nutritional boost and allows you to mix together your favorite combination of produce.

Breville makes a line of high quality juicers that fit various kitchen needs. The least expensive, at about $150, is the Breville BJE200XL 700-Watt Compact Juice Fountain. It's a compact juicer designed to save counter space. The deluxe

One Green Planet is all about helping you make better choices that help people, animals and the planet. In addition to being incredibly tasty, raw desserts can also be some of the healthiest and most planet-friendly options. And like all our featured recipes, they are vegan - and definitely animal-friendly!

Here are a few reasons we think raw desserts are a a great choice!

1. Raw desserts often feature a short list of whole, unprocessed ingredients like nuts, seeds and dried fruit.
2. They get their sweetness from dried fruit, raw agave nectar, and other natural sweeteners. No refined or artificial sweeteners here!
3. They are no-bake! Great for the warmth of spring or summer, and also for energy conservation, you can avoid cranking up the oven to 350 when making a raw dessert.
4. Most raw desserts are gluten-free and vegan!

Are you ready to try a raw dessert yet?! Below we have included two delicious new raw dessert recipes, followed by a collection of our (and

Tips for a Happy, Healthy and Green 4th of July

Political and religious freedoms aside, we have an incredible number of choices, options, and alternatives in the decisions we make each day. And from food to furniture, our choices reflect our values. We can vote with our feet, vote with our voices, and vote with our wallets.

So whether you're camping, picnicking, gardening or grilling for the 4th of July, be sure your choices reflect your values. Be sure they respect the planet, animals, your health, and other human beings.

These days, making eco-friendly choices is not difficult or even inconvenient. So check out all these great ways to keep your Independence Day green, healthy, and FUN!

Camping

Whether you have the holiday off from work, or simply opt to take a long weekend, the 4th of July is a perfect time to go camping! Check out the guides below for some great tips on staying healthy, happy, and "green" in the great outdoors.

• Cruelty-Free Car Camping Guide
• Conscious Camping: Stay

Guide: How to Make Your Own Deodorant

For many years deodorant has been the bane of my existence. As a teenager I learned that there is a strong connection between the aluminum in deodorant and Alzheimer's disease. As a result, I was committed to using only natural deodorants. I have tried every stick, spray, roll-on, and crystal I could find. The result? Disappointment. I hate to say it, but I never found a product that worked for longer than an hour. In my frustration I found my way back to using conventional deodorant, stressing with each application about what I was putting into my body.

Then I heard from a friend that if you didn't use deodorant for a period of time your body will naturally adjust to it and you wouldn't need to use it. Let's just say I tried that for a week and it was a failed experiment. And gross.

After searching around the internet, I discovered there are a ton of DIY deodorant recipes that use natural ingredients like baking soda, corn starch, and coconut oil. I have tried several

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The growth of the organic food market has been steadily increasing over the last two decades. According to the Organic Trade Association, sales of organic food and beverages have grown from $1 billion in 1990 to $26.7 billion in 2010. Among all organic food sold last year, the highest sales growth was organic fruits and vegetables, up 11.8 percent from the previous year. While the demand for organic food continues to increase, many individuals wonder if choosing organic is indeed better for their health, environment, and economy compared to choosing conventional-particularly as organic food often carries a higher price tag.

Organic Food Defined

In 2002, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) established an organic certification program to help regulate how organically-labeled food would be grown and processed. Under the USDA's National Organic Program (NOP), organic food must be grown and processed using