boston mamas

While we're awaiting the big announcement of where method's detox train will ride into next (I'm hearing Minneapolis, people!); let's take a moment to reflect! Here's a great little piece on method's detox Boston, from April (I missed this, somehow?!) Over on Boston Mamas.com:

"I think people who love hosting parties inherently have a bit of control freak in them. That’s certainly the case for me anyway; I think a lot about assembling a good mix of people, food, and drink, I inevitably fret over the RSVPs, and I want everything to look perfect yet effortless. And last week, at my Method Detox Your Home Boston party, I had the odd and delicious experience of enjoying the benefits of a fabulously assembled party, with all of the hard work done for me.

A couple of months ago, the folks over at Method (purveyors of green cleaning products) contacted me about working together on their Detox Your Home campaign. Hitting a handful of select cities around the country (the program launched in Seattle, and I believe New York and Minneapolis are the next stops), they opened a temporary store at 329 Newbury Street to teach folks about detoxing their homes chemical-free, doing so via the storefront itself and through cool themed parties.

Agreeing to connect with Method on this event was an easy decision for me, given my passion for green living and my belief in their product line and lifestyle philosophy. It also didn’t hurt that the team of folks I worked with on the event are fun, energetic people with a hilarious addiction to Brain Age (I'm convinced that my Ph.D. in psychology was the real draw; they insisted I try the test and it turned out that I do, in fact, have a freakishly low Brain Age...). So last week – on one of the season’s first truly gorgeous spring evenings - I played hostess to some of my family, friends, and colleagues for an evening of socializing at the bright and stylish 329 Newbury Street temporary store. Method provided a yummy spread of beverages and food, an opportunity for folks to learn about chemical-free cleaning and turn in their toxic cleaning products (to be disposed of safely), and a fabulous behind-the-curtain lounge space with all the supplies needed for a craft session with environmental lifestyle guru Danny Seo.

Danny Seo is an absolute nugget (the highest descriptive rating on my adorable scale), and I’m not just saying that because we look related. He’s cute, amusing, and has a passion for crafting...what's not to love? He was on hand to answer eco-friendly lifestyle questions, and then engaged us in a project where we transformed old plates (think mismatched items you have at home, or inexpensive pieces picked up at the Salvation Army) into décor pieces by cutting out silhouettes from adhesive paper, sticking them onto plates, brushing the plate with glaze paint, then removing the adhesive so the silhouette remains (the last step is baking the plate at home to set the glaze). He also showed us a way to turn old or inexpensive ceramic tiles into cute coasters by applying the same type of glaze paint onto the tiles using wood grain rollers (to create a ridge pattern), then attaching felt feet to them.

As for the product itself, it's a shame that the beautiful Newbury Street store will leave after this week. Since you can find Method in lots of major stores, paying rent on Newbury long term obviously isn’t part of a keen financial model, but the current space is truly inviting, the “cleaning confession booth” hilarious, and the ability to smell and try out products in a bright, stylish, and dedicated space terrific. Method treated all of my ladies to a generous goodie tote, but many folks also were excited to pick up additional cleaning or personal care products (the prices were a bit less than what you’ll find in external stores). And as I mentioned in my quick post last week, the mamas were very interested in checking out samples from the new baby care line. Truly, I have never seen so much hubbub over diaper cream.

It was refreshing and unusual to be so relaxed and duty-free before a party (I even had time to pop into a few boutiques beforehand), and it was a pleasure to work with Method in spreading the green message. Definitely check out their line if you haven’t yet had a chance to do so; the products are effective, the scents terrific, and the cool product design will actually inspire you to spring clean.

the detox train keeps on movin'

While the method Detox campaign/pop-up shop is currently in full swing in the grand city of New York (hey, have you made a visit? Take some pics, send them to method lust and I'll post them and any review you'd also love to submit, full credit shall be given! Hey, I'm a nice guy that way!) Could the next Detox stop we... Minneapolis? While a rumor at the moment, it sounds like it might be true! I'll keep you posted!

organic cooking method style - final day!

It's the final day (day five) of our organic cooking, method style. One more time, Johnny! These recipes are taken from the great time everyone had during method's Detox Seattle campaign! Check method lust for earlier recipes; as well as this post for cocktail recipes, and more information on Detox Seattle! I thought this recipe would go great with the almond cookies from day one! No better way to end a week of method cooking than with dessert! So without further ado, today's recipe:

Green Tea Ice Cream
Makes one quart
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup whole milk
1/4 tsp salt
6 each eggs, large
2/3 cup sugar
1 1/2 tbsp Matcha (green tea powder)

Instructions
Bring cream, milk and salt to a boil in a saucepan. Turn off heat. Whisk eggs, sugar and matcha in a bowl (tea will not completely dissolve). Add 1 cup of the hot cream mixture and slowly add it while whisking well. Then add the rest of the hot cream mixture to bowl and whisk in well. Place back in the sauce pan and cook over medium low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon until it coats the back of the spoon. Don’t boil the mixture! Run it through a sieve and then chill down in the refrigerator until very cold or chill quickly in an ice bath. Freeze in an ice cream machine according to manufacturer’s instructions.

Enjoy! And thanks to the method Detox Seattle campaign! What I really want to know is when they're going to have a method Nathan's North Carolina House campaign? Well, it was worth a try...

organic cooking (still method style) - day four!

It's day fo' (that's four in slang talk, ya know?) of our organic cooking, method style. Let's recap. (In or favorite tv show voice-over) Previously, on method lust: These recipes are taken from the great time everyone had during method's Detox Seattle campaign! Check method lust for earlier recipes; as well as this post for cocktail recipes, and more information on Detox Seattle! So without further ado, today's recipe:

Bing Cherry and Red Wine Reduction
Serves 6

1 cup chicken stock
1/3 cup Bing cherries, dried
1 cup red wine (Shiraz)
2 tablespoons shallot — small diced
1 teaspoon Herbes de Provence
1 pinch lavender, dried
1 each garlic clove — smashed
1 tablespoon butter, unsalted

Instructions
Bring all ingredients to a boil and reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer for about 30 minutes until sauce is reduced by half.

Strain through a fine mesh sieve and push sauce through with a rubber spatula. Heat up sauce just prior to serving and swirl in one tablespoon of butter. Keep warm on the back of the stove until ready to serve.

I can just taste this over some delicious roasted chicken! If anyone gets a chance to try out these recipes (and we hope you do!) be sure to post here and let us know how they came out!

organic cooking method style - day three!

It's day three of our organic cooking, method style. (Cooking, on a method cleaning products site? Wha?) ...Annnd, let's rinse and repeat: These recipes are taken from the great time everyone had during method's Detox Seattle campaign! Check method lust for earlier recipes; as well as this post for cocktail recipes, and more information on Detox Seattle! So without further ado, today's recipe:

Saffron-Infused Fennel Soup with Almonds and Parsley Oil
Serves 6

Over the years I’ve developed a fond appreciation for all things licorice. Considering the fact that I despised black jellybeans as a child, I suppose I’m making up for lost time. I developed this soup recipe around my love for the licorice tasting fennel root, one of my favorite adult ingredients.

Passing the soup through the sieve is optional but if you want a truly luxurious texture I encourage you to do it.

3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 ea onion, large — medium-diced
2 tsps salt
2 cloves garlic — sliced thin
3 ea fennel bulbs — sliced
1/4 tsp saffron
1/2 cup Vermouth
3/4 cup almonds — toasted (save 1/4 cup for garnish)
1 quart vegetable stock
Lemon — to taste
Black pepper, freshly ground — to taste
1 bunch parsley, Italian
1 clove garlic — rough chopped
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 tsp lemon zest

Instructions
In a medium-sized soup pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and salt and stirring occasionally, cook for 5 minutes until starting to lightly brown. Add garlic and sliced fennel and cook for another 5 minutes.

Add saffron threads and vermouth and scrape the bottom of the pot to release any stuck or browned bits. Add 1/2 cup of the almonds and the stock and raise the heat to high. When the soup has come to a boil, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer, cover and cook until the fennel is very soft, about 30 minutes.

Transfer the soup to a blender and blend until very smooth. If extra smoothness is desired, press soup through a fine sieve. Return the pot to the stove and taste for seasoning. Add lemon juice to brighten up the flavors (start with the juice of half a lemon and then taste again). Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Parsley Oil:
Bring a small pot of water to a boil and dip the bunch of parsley into it until the leaves turn a vibrant green, about 5 seconds. Pull out and immediately dunk into a bowl of ice water. Squeeze all the liquid out and cut off the top of the bunch, discarding the bottom stems. (Some little stems between the leaves are fine). Put the parsley, garlic, salt, oil and lemon zest into a blender or small food processor and blend to a smooth paste. Taste for salt.

To finish the soup, serve in shallow, wide bowls. Top with a spoonful of parsley oil in the middle with some toasted almonds on top.

Tasty!

organic cooking method style - day two!

It's day two of our organic cooking, method style. These recipes are taken from the great time everyone had during method's Detox Seattle campaign! Check this post for yesterday's recipe; as well as this post for cocktail recipes, and more information on Detox Seattle! So without further ado, today's recipe:

Goat Cheese Tarts with Bing Cherry-Lavender Compote
and Pickled Red Onion
Tart Dough (Makes 4 7″ tarts)
2 cups All Purpose Flour
8 ounces Butter, Unsalted (2 sticks), cold — cut into 1/2 inch cubes
½ tsp Salt
6 tbsp Ice Water — may need a few more tablespoons
1 each Egg — beat well with a tablespoon of water
½ cup Bing Cherries, dried
3 branches Thyme
1 tsp Lavender, dried
½ cup Red wine
¼ each Red onion — sliced into paper thin slices
2 tbsp Red wine vinegar
¼ tsp Salt
4 ounces Goat Cheese
2 tbsp Water
1 each Egg
2 tablespoons Butter, Unsalted
1 each Leek, small — sliced thin, white and light green parts only

Instructions
Pickled Red Onions: Mix the red onion with the red wine vinegar and salt. Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, mixing occasionally until it turns a bright fuscia. Set aside.

Make the dough: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Put the flour, butter and salt into a food processor. Pulse about 30 times. Check the consistency of the dough. You want to see the butter in small pieces (the size of small peas or large grains of rice). When you have reached that consistency, dump the contents into a wide bowl.

Add 6 tablespoons of ice water to the bowl and with one hand, with fingers in a “claw” shape, mix the dough. Squeeze dough in your hands. If it holds together for a moment, before crumbling, it’s ready. If it’s completely dry and does not hold together for a moment, add a tiny bit more water. Mix again with your hand. You do not want to add too much water. Lay out some plastic wrap. Turn the contents out onto the plastic wrap (it’s desirable that it is not in one big ball, but still a bit crumbly) Pull up the sides of the plastic wrap, using it to help form a disc out of the pastry. Cut the disc into 2 or 4 equal pieces (depending on how big you want the tarts to be). Put each ball in a piece of plastic wrap and form into rough discs. Chill completely, for at least 15 minutes.

Roll out each piece so that the dough is 1/8” thin. You will need to dust the counter and the dough with flour to keep it from sticking. Use a plate as a guide and cut a circle around it. Crimp the edges of the tart, poke the bottom all over with the tines of a fork and lay out on a sheet pan. Brush the edges with the egg wash. Chill for 15 minutes. Bake tarts in the middle of the oven for 15-20 minutes until nicely browned. You may want to rotate the pans midway through the cooking, top to bottom, front to back. Lift the tart carefully and make sure the bottom is cooked. It should be light brown. Let cool.

Make the filling and assemble tarts: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a medium size bowl, mix goat cheese, water and egg until it is a smooth consistency. Melt butter in a sauté pan and add leeks. Saute until tender but don’t brown.Spread onto tarts over the cheese and bake the tarts in a 350 degree oven for 5-7 minutes until it sets up. Out of the oven, sprinkle the pickled red onion over the tarts. Slice each one into 8 pieces and serve right away.

This sounds way yummy, and much more complimentary to some great method influenced cocktails! Enjoy!

organic cooking method style

Last week we stepped back in method time to take a look at method's Detox Seattle campaign, which happened in October 2007! Check my previous post to read all about it! And to get some great cocktail recipes! (Cocktails? method? It'll all make sense when you read the post.)

So this week we're going to give you a few food recipes to go along with your cocktails! These also came from method's Detox Seattle! Here's a little background on where this recipe is coming from:

"(Chef Becky Selengut is revolutionizing the way Seattle-ites use local and organic products in their meals. As a private chef and the founder of Seasonal Cornucopia, Becky is committed to educating consumers on the availability of seasonal produce in the Puget Sound area one ingredient at a time.

Throughout Detox Seattle, Becky will cook up tasty meals featuring a few of method’s best ingredients (lavender, almond and mint!) at her organic cooking classes. Guests at the method house will have the opportunity to participate in these fun, interactive classes and learn how to make easy, healthy and sustainable meals in their own home."

...Which is exactly what we can do! - Just by recreating the recipes they made at the detox method home! So here's our first of a few recipes:

Almond Butter Cookies
1 1/4 cup sugar
1 cup butter, unsalted
1 each egg
1 each egg yolk
1 1/2 tsps almond extract
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups flour, unbleached, all-purpose
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup almonds – toasted, ground
powdered sugar — as needed

Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add egg and egg yolk and extracts and mix together. In a separate bowl, mix together all dry ingredients except for the powdered sugar. Mix wet and dry together and divide dough in half.

Roll dough out into long ropes, about 1″ in diameter. Chill for one hour. Cut dough 1/4” discs. Place on sheet pans lined with parchment paper or silpat baking sheets about 1 inch apart and bake for about 10-15 minutes until lightly browned.

Sift cookies (while still warm) with powdered sugar.

Cookies and cleaning (with method products!) What could be better! (Ok, I know cookies might not go that well with cocktails! But never fear cause additional recipes (more cocktail oriented) will be here later this week!) Enjoy!

the liquid muse

Let's step back in method time for a moment. In October of 2007 (hey, that wasn't too long ago) method did this great thing called "method detox Seattle!" There goal was to "detox your home, and detox Seattle - one person, one home at a time." Is Seattle dirtier than other places, that I can't tell you. But it sounded like a really cool affair! They had this great party, and they even had an entire house devoted to all things method. The method home was a focal point for the program/campaign and acted as an educational and fun meeting place for Advocates, Mavens, press and influencer groups to gather and learn more about how to detox their own homes. Check out the house:



Does that sound completely cool or what?! I wish I'd been there for the fun! Ok, so where are you going with this Nathan? Well, where else, but liquor drinks! You see, one of the classes they decided to host was a "Sustainable Sips” cocktail class, during the detox Seattle event. Man, I missed that! But never fear, because Natalie Bovis-Nelson (a.k.a The Liquid Muse - the one teaching the "Sustainable Sips" cocktail classes) was so inspired by method products that she formulated these never-before-seen cocktails to wow all the guests during her “sips” classes at the method house. And whew, all this intro is to let you know (not only about the amazing detox Seattle campaign), but that while we may not have had the chance to attend these wonderful events, we can still make these great drinks, inspired by method scents! I've already posted one on the party time? post I did a week or so ago; but here now for your drinking pleasure, are the remainder of the recipes! They all sound delicious! So be sure to try out these great drinks at your next party! And when guests start sipping their Lavender Grapefruit Martini, while looking over at your Lavender method cleaning spray sitting out beautifully on your countertop; and go "Hey, these look like a matching pair!" well, feel free to just go all crazy and extoll the virtues of method! Enjoy!


Green Harvest Sangria
organic figs, pears, apples, red grapes
Square One organic vodka
Organic pear nectar
Bonterra organic chardonnay

Finely chop figs, pears, apples and grapes. Put into bowl or Tupperware container and add a half-inch of each pear nectar and vodka. Let marinate several hours. When ready to serve, spoon one tablespoon of fruit mixture into each glass, and top with Bonterra. Garnish with pear slice or fig on the rim of the glass.


Lavender Grapefruit Martini
1 1/2 ounces Square One Organic Vodka
1 heaping teaspoon organic lavender-honey
2 ounces freshly squeezed organic grapefruit juice
1 dash Fee Brothers grapefruit bitters*
1/2 ounce freshly squeezed organic lime juice
1 organic edible flower

Pour honey into mixing glass, add vodka. Stir until honey dissolves. Add grapefruit juice, lime juice, bitters and ice. Shake vigorously, then strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with an edible flower or lime wheel. *bitters are optional


Cherry Almond Champagne Cocktail
3/4 ounce Casal Dos Jordoes Tawny Port (made from organically-grown grapes)
3 or 4 ounces Can Vendrell Cava Brut Reserva (made from organically-grown grapes)
2 teaspoon organic sugar
4-5 drops organic almond extract
1 sour cherry

Sugar-rim a chilled champagne flute by rubbing rim with a lime, then dipping into sugar. Pour one teaspoon of sugar into bottom of flute, then add almond extract. Drop in sour cherry. Gently pour in port, then top with cava.

(Recipes created by The Liquid Muse, and inspired by method)

And be sure to look here for food recipes from the method detox Seattle parties in the upcoming weeks.