GreenCupboards Blog

We have all heard the expression, “It’s so hot you could boil an egg on the pavement!” Well now there’s a way to cook by the power of the sun without getting your food dirty! Sun Oven has revolutionized the field of solar culinary technology. What is a Sun Oven you ask? A Sun Oven is a serious energy efficient appliance that can bake, boil, steam, and dehydrate food. It can also be used as an emergency preparedness item to boil water, pasteurize milk, and heat kindling for a fire!

Tom Burns, a retired restaurateur from Wisconsin, created Sun Oven in 1986. Tom had a passion for cooking and an awareness of the ever-growing problem of deforestation. Sun Ovens have helped feed hungry bellies all over the world. A variety of people use Sun Ovens; for example, people concerned with conserving the environment, ice fisherman baking fish on a frozen lake, and governments of developing countries. Sun Ovens have now been shipped to more than 126 countries!

No matter where you are in the world, Sun Ovens can reach temperatures up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. High outdoor temperatures are not necessary because Sun Ovens heat by direct sunlight. There’s also no danger of fire (yes, that means you can’t burn dinner!), and they’re free to use–no fuel or electricity needed!

Recently, Sun Oven stopped by the GreenCupboards office to serve lunch baked by the sun! Paul, from Sun Oven, set up four Sun Ovens to make lunch for 50 people. Assembly was quick and easy, he simply adjusted the leveling leg, popped open the reflectors, waited for the temperature to heat to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and presto–ready to start baking! It only took about two hours from set up to serving. We were so impressed by the delicious fresh baked bread, lasagna, and cake!

Watch the video below to experience our lunch baked by Sun Oven!

Some of the top reasons people use Sun Ovens are because they’re fun, cost efficient, environmentally friendly, flameproof, quick, and easy!

What would you like to cook in a Sun Oven? Leave a comment below or chat with us on Facebook or Twitter!

We are excited to give away two Drifter dog beds on Facebook. These dog beds are the newest creation by West Paw Design. The Drifter bed  with microsuede is the most durable dog bed West Paw Design has created. Your dog is sure to drift off to sleep in this American made, hand sewn, pillow dog bed that complements home decor. This soft dog bed cozies up dog crates and is travel friendly.

Official Rules:

• Must be 18+ to win.
• Must be a United States Resident to win.
• One entry per person.

Prize:

• We are giving away two beds.
• Prize 1: Medium Drifter Bed in Bear (brown) Color valued at $79.00.
• Prize 2: Large Drift Bed in Loden (green) Color valued at $99.00.

Facebook fans of GreenCupboads are able to enter the giveaway between March 6- 17, 2013 for a chance to win. GreenCupboards will draw on winner at random on March 18, 2013. By entering the drawing, entrants are agreeing to sign up for GreenCupboards’ email newsletter. The only reason GreenCupboards asks for entrants’ mailing address is so the company can ship the winner their prize directly. This giveaway is in no way affiliated with Facebook.

We are now offering Debbie Meyer GreenBags for just $4.99. These storage bags help preserve the freshness and prolong the life of fruits, vegetables, and cut flowers. Debbie Meyer GreenBags create a beneficial environment that helps to extend the freshness of fruits, vegetables and cut flowers. The 50% off special runs from February 25- March 3, 2013.

Features:

• Preserves freshness
• Prolongs life of fruits and vegetables
• Reusable up to 10 times
• Helps reduce vitamin loss by 50%
• Includes 8 Large, 8 Medium bags, and 4 small bags

• Produce should be DRY before placing in bag. Simply place fresh produce in bags and wash/rinse produce as usual before use. If storing washed produce, be sure to dry thoroughly before inserting in bag.
• Use one bag for each type of produce…for instance, use a bag for apples, another one for lettuce, another one for pears, etc. Even cut flowers can be preserved longer by placing arrangement in bag or pulling bag over top of vase.
• Fold over the top of the bag—do not use twist-ties as they make holes.
• Store in the refrigerator or on the counter, wherever you would normally store your produce.

These reusable, eco-friendly bags from Debbie Meyer are among the highest quality of reusable and  BPA-free snack bags available.  Not only does this line of GreenBags preserve the life of your food, it also maintains its quality by reducing 50% of the vitamin loss.

Last week we introduced you to one our newest suppliers, Irish Breeze, and their great product, WaterWipes. The pure baby wipes are ideal for newborns and are made from 99.9% water. They are not only safe but also very effective. Like every great thing, WaterWipes have a pretty interesting story behind them. WaterWipes were made by parents for parents.

Irish Breeze started out manufacturing cotton wool products in the early 1990s and saw great growth and success in a short period time. By the late 1990s, wet wipes increased in popularity within the baby care category.  Around the same time, Irish Breeze’s CEO, Edward McCloskey, had his first child. Her name was Grainne.

Even though Mr. McCloskey knew many health professionals worldwide recommend using water and cotton wool on new born babies (and despite the fact that he could bring home free cotton wool as perk of the job) he and his and wife decided to use baby wipes after about a week because they were so convenient. It didn’t last long though. Within a couple of days, Grainne had developed a nasty diaper rash. Suspecting that the baby wipes were to blame, they quickly switched back to cotton wool and water and the irritation cleared up.

Upon investigating the composition of baby wipes, Mr. McCloskey was appalled to discover the plethora of synthetic chemicals and preservatives involved – without any warnings on the packs. This discovery lead Irish Breeze to create a totally different kind of product. They sought out to combine the convenience of ready-wetted baby wipes with the purity and safety of cotton wool and cooled boiled water.

This challenge turned out to be more technically difficult than imagined – in fact it was beyond the scope of conventional skincare product science. After numerous ‘blind alleys’, a breakthrough was finally reached in 2006, by combining several unrelated technologies not normally associated with skincare products. A couple of years of extensive product testing and ‘in-use trials’ was completed, then finally WaterWipes was cleared for launch, using the mildest, purest, safest ingredient of all – virtually nothing but Ultra-Pure Water.

Today, WaterWipes are sold around the world. Not only are they convenient for mom and dad, but safe and effective for baby. Today, GreenCupboards sells WaterWipes in a pack of four and a pack of nine.

Have you used Irish Breeze’s WaterWipes? What did you think? We would love to hear from you. Leave a comment below. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest and Instagram.

GreenCupboards is excited to now offer Irish Breeze products. The Irish company manufactures cotton wool and personal hygiene products. The company formed in 1993 and is headquartered in Drogheda, Co Louth. They have over 50% market share for cotton wool products in Ireland and sell their products across the world. Irish Breeze’s commitment to research and development of their  WaterWipes makes a great fit with GreenCupboards’ mission to provide products for a better planet.

Ordinary baby wipes contain chemicals that may cause skin sensitivities and skin conditions. Several studies have found the chemicals found in ordinary baby wipes are a factor in the onset of diaper rash and eczema.

Pediatrician nurses and HCP recommend sterile water applied with cotton wool is the best option during the first few months of a baby’s life. However, this is not always the most convenient option. That is where Irish Breeze comes in. The company has invested heavily in research and development to create a baby wipe that is both convenient and good for baby. They launched their 100% natural WaterWipes in July 2009. WaterWipes are made from 99.9% purified water and 0.1% fruit extract.

WaterWipes are revolutionary new baby wipes. They are preservative-free, contain no harmful chemicals or soap and are ideal for newborns. Not only do WaterWipes offer all the benefits of cotton wool and cooled boiled water (as recommended by pediatrician nurses and health care professionals worldwide) but they also come in a handy, keep moist re-sealable pack.

Have you used Irish Breeze’s WaterWipes? What did you think? We would love to hear from you. Leave a comment below. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest and Instagram.