Eco Living With Style

Check out these great home accents from Vivaterra. Read their list of commitments, a mission statement of sorts. Now you can purchase and feel good about it!

• ecology and elegance: The finest goods that uniquely fuse exceptional quality and design with eco sensitivities.
  
• organic, sustainable sources: The purest ingredients and sustainable resources possible - selected to be the best available.
• earth and people friendly: Partners and suppliers who share our values and work to make a positive difference in the world.
• handcrafted by artisans: Distinctive goods of uncommon value, handcrafted by passionate designers and artisans.
• celebrate life: Celebrate life and human spirit by honoring traditions from cultures around the world.

Wine Tasting

This past weekend B and I had some friends over for wine tasting. Each couple brought over an appetizer and a "High" and "Low" end bottle of wine. "High" and "Low" was up to the couple as well as red or white. We kept all the bottles in the brown paper bags that they came in from the wine store and I made these tags to tie around each one.



As the night went on each person was to initial their top 3 (in black ink) and bottom 3 (in red ink) on the back of each tag. At the end of the evening we revealed each wine. There were no losers in the end BUT there was one that everyone enjoyed and was a "Low" end bottle of wine.

Here was what was sampled:

1. Gabbiano 2006 Pinot Grigio - Italy
2. 14 Hands 2006 Merlot, Washington
3. Jacob's Creek 2007 Chardonnay - Australia
4. Argyle 2007 Pinot Noir - Oregon
5. Montecastro 2005 Ribera del Duero - Spain
6. Patton Valley 2006 Pinot Noir - Oregon
7. Heitz Wine Cellars 2006 Chardonnay - California
8. Columbia 1990 Cabernet Sauvignon - Washington
9. Arrocal 2006 Ribera del Duero - Spain

The overall favorite turned out to be a "Low" end wine, #9 Arrocal 2006 compared to it's counterpart #5 Montecastro 2005. So I guess you never know!



As for the appetizers, everyone brought a great dish. Here was our menu:

• From the D's - Cheese and Fruit Tray - the jalapeno cheddar was de-lish as was the "blue" cheese - I'll need to find the exact name of it and let you all know.
• From the L's - Grilled Veggies - YUMMY!
• From the other L's - Skewers with prosciutto, basil, and pepper pas with glazed balsamic - To DIE for! I'll have to get the recipe and share with you all
• From the A's (us) - Beef Tenderloin on French Bread with Whipped Horseradish

Here is the recipe for the Beef Tenderloin:
2 to 3 lb center cut beef tenderloin - I always go to Snider Brothers Meats in Holladay (6245 South Highland Drive)
2 TB dijon mustard
2 TB horseradish
Breadcrumbs

Mix the mustard and horseradish together and spread over entire beef tenderloin. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the mustard and horseradish mixture. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate up to 24 hours (I usually wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours). Bake at 400 degrees for 30-40 minutes. I like mine medium rare so I test it with an instant read thermometer around 20 minutes. You don't want to over cook because you will want to take it out and have it rest for 15-20 minutes. While it's resting it will cook more.

After it's been cooled, cut into thin slices and place on top of slices of baguette. Place a dollop of whipped horseradish.

Here is the recipe:
1 cup heaving cream
1/4 cup horseradish

Whip cream until peaks form. Gently mix in horseradish. Place a dollop on top of beef tenderloin.

One last thing! We turned off all of our lights at 8:30 - 9:30 to support Earth Hour. We enjoyed our hour to candlelight (sorry I didn't take any pictures, but see my post yesterday for images around the world). It was a great evening with fabulous friends. I can't wait for the next one!

Earth Hour

Last Saturday, during our wine tasting party (see my post tomorrow on this!) we celebrated Earth Hour. At 8:30 pm (Salt Lake time) we turned out all of our lights, radio, TV, and exterior house lights in support of this great cause. We chatted and enjoyed our evening with candlelight.

Sorry I didn't take any pictures of our evening but I wanted to share other world wide landmarks that supported this cause as well. It has been estimated that over 36 million turned off their lights in the United States! Thank you to those that did and if you didn't, mark it on your calendar for next year!

Buy Green

If you're looking for an environmentally sound gift, visit Poppytalk Handmade. This site features artists from around the world that make eco-friendly goods. They change their artists throughout the year and each month has a theme. Currently it's a Spring/Easter theme. Here is a list of their scheduled themes.

P.S. If you are eco-crafty, you can submit your wares here.

Some of my current favorites...
Inleaf Design



Sycamore Street Press



Cake + Milk Paperie