I’m Dreaming of a Green Christmas

There are so many things about Christmas that are fabulous, with spending time with the family, and eating good food at the top. However Christmas can be a very wasteful holiday- if we aren't keeping an eye out that is. What to do about that? I've got a book for you! I'm Dreaming of A Green Christmas has some very practical solutions to go and green up your Christmas. I'm Dreaming of A Green Christmas includes solutions for green holiday home decor, how to save energy, delightful new recipes, homemade craft ideas (to keep or to gift), pretty green wrapping options, and all the info you need to enable your own family to celebrate a green Christmas in style not giving up any of the glam (unless you really do still like tinsel).

Green looks better, local/organic tastes better so it is all around the best choice. If you are a green fanatic already, or just need the ideas and tips to get you there, I'm Dreaming of a Green Christmas is your book! There are so many ideas that would work perfect year-round as well.

I love the VS. sections in this book, one of them being The Party Line On Cloth vs. Paper Napkins, you shouldn't have to think to hard to know that it would be greener to launder your napkins rather than throw them away. I really don't like cloth napkins, or I haven't in the past. I just didn't feel like they got my hands really wiped off at all. However it was because the napkin fabric used was more for decoration rather than to clean your hands. A stout cotton fabric would do the trick for sure. I am on a mission now to make myself some good napkins that we could use, maybe even with personalised embroidery for each family member (Lets see how ambitious I am feeling when I actually get to making them though!). I'll get back to you on that.

There is a recipe in I'm Dreaming of A Green Christmas that I just HAVE to share. I'll leave you with it:

Chai Hot Cocoa With Whipped Cream

For the Chai Hot Cocoa:
3 Cups Milk
1 Cup water
3 Tablespoons Cocoa Powder
2 Tablespoons Sugar (optional, sugar to taste)
2 Cinnamon Sticks
5 Cardamom Pods
1/2 teaspoon Ground Ginger
Pinch Cayenne Pepper
Pinch Ground Cloves
2 teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract
4 Ounces of Bittersweet Chocolate

For The Whipped Cream:
2 Cups Heavy Cream
2 Tablespoons Sugar
1+1/2 teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract

To Make The Chai Hot Cocoa:
1. Combine the milk, water, cocoa powder, sugar (if using), cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, ginger, cayenne, cloves, and vanilla in a large saucepan. Heat over medium heat until scalding. Remove from heat and let steep for 10 minutes, then strain into a bowl or pitcher.

2. Transfer the milk back to the sauce-pan and heat over medium-high heat to scalding. Add the chocolate and stir for 5 minutes, just until chocolate is melted.

3. Strain again and pour into 4 mugs. Top with a dollop of whipped cream.

To Make the Whipped Cream:
1. Place a mixing bowl and the beaters of an electric mixer in the refrigerator or freezer for at least 15 minutes.

2. Pour the cream, sugar, vanilla and salt into the chilled bowl and whip on high speed until soft peaks form.

I'm Dreaming of a Green Christmas Book Deets:
Title: I'm Dreaming of a Green Christmas
ISBN:9780811867672
Subtitle:Gifts, Decorations, and Recipes That Use Less and Mean More
Author: Anna Getty
Photographer: Ron Hamad
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Subjects: Seasonal
Entertaining - General
Holiday - Christmas/Hanukkah
Handicraft
Pages: 180
Publication Date: September 2009

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