Teacher Vinitha Ang is conducting vegetarian cooking classes on the next Sundays at Awareness Place Well-being Centre.
Sign up with her now if you would like to learn how to make delicious and healthy CNY dishes like Yu Sheng (no artificial colouring, no additives!), Lotus Leaf Fragrant Brown Rice, Peng Chai and herbal dessert.
Ms. Vinitha Ang can be reached at 92368402, http://nutrihub.blogspot.sg
Bright sunny day at the Marina Barrage on 26 Sept 2015
Me at our stall with our friendly neighbour, Herbert from The Hunters’ Kitchenette
The sky was pretty clear last Saturday, 26 Sept (bye bye, haze!) at the Marina Barrage and we connected with so many like-minded souls who came to support Singapore’s inaugural EarthFest. We would like to thank many of you who dropped by our booth to talk to us and sampled our products. We have been to quite a few fairs and bazaars and I must say, this is probably the most organised one we have attended (kudos to Michael Broadhead and his team of volunteers!). It took months (almost a year, I heard) of preparation and coordination and we really hope the takeaway was good for everyone who came. We need events like these to remind us and people around us the pressing need to pay attention to environment protection.
Right, back to our sales that day. One of the the most popular items were without a doubt the Rawmio chocolate barks and Rawmio spreads. All samplers went “hhhmm…!!” after tasting our Rawmio Sour Cherry & Almonds Chocolate Barks, Rawmio Chocolate Coconut butter and Rawmio Almond Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough. These are almost sold out so if you would like to grab these healthy snacks, shop online now!
Our new Japanese are also very well-received. The Seaweed Snacks Teriyaki were sold out that day (still have just a few boxes left on our online store). Tasters like the fact that these seaweed snacks do not taste too salty. The Genmai brown rice crackers were well-liked too. Children couldn’t help taking more than a few samples! 🙂 What better way to make children take healthy snacks?
Sweng‘s drawing on the Buddha Board
We were really delighted that there were quite many visitors who were intrigued by the Buddha Board. People like the quality of the product and the smoothness the brush felt across the board. This is the corner where children lingers the most, unleashing their creative minds!
We didn’t have much time to explore other part of the event (I was at the stall 100% of the time), so it was great that people came forward to make connections with us. One was Way Ling at Muddy Hands. Check out their FB to know more about their Eat Real community and watch the fun video showing juicing on a bike at the EarthFest.
Also, Marc Dass from intheLoop – an online magazine on yoga, healthy and mindful living, Adrian from Paper Carpenter who makes amazing stuff from cardboards and Shalu from Little Green Kitchen.
We look forward to the next time when we participate in a green event like the EarthFest and we certainly look forward to make new friends and connections!
This weekend, NParks is offering a myriad of activities by talented artists, this night event will serenade and evoke the creativity in you. Enjoy the medley of performances, poetry recitals, workshops, interactive installations and the art market. Free admission!
We want to celebrate World Vegan Day (1 November) with you by giving our loving customers $5.00 gift certificate! You can redeem this one-time discount code when you shop at BGO Ecoshop from now till 2 November 2014. This is on top of our items on Specials and Quick Sale!
Discount code: 1november
The discount coupon can also be applied on our newly added items:
Idocare Cleaning Products – Family Size!
Idocare Tangerine Breeze All-Purpose Cleaning Spray
& Deal of the Week (Buy 1 Get 1 Free!)
(While stocks last)
For orders by email, just quote this coupon code and we’ll apply $5.00 discount to your total. And yes, the Gift Certificate is transferable, so let your friends know!
I got invited to attend UBS Eco Fair on 14 June 2013. Sweng and I set up BGO Ecoshop booth there to introduce some Superfoods we were selling on our online store www.BGOecoshop.com. I also gave a demo on how to make heathy smoothie and I chose the two fruits that I often use – avocado and banana.
The following are the ingredients that I used for the smoothie workshop. Note that you can just use avocado and banana together with any liquid (any milk, water etc) that you prefer. The addition of herbs, nut butter and yoghurt are optional.
Avocado (how to pick and buy avocados)
Avocado is a great fruit and it is a pity that some people avoid it because of its high fat content. But the truth is that we need fats as a source of energy and support the function of our nerves and brain. The key is to substitute saturated fats and trans fats with nutrient dense fruits like avocado which offers mono and polyunsaturated fat content.
Besides beneficial fats, avocado also gives us good amount of carotenoids, proteins and it is anti-inflammatory. This means avocadoes can help prevent or mitigate against both osteo- and rheumatoid arthritis.
The information above is based on the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference. Search the database for “avocado”.
Bananas
I can’t tell you a fruit that is more commonly used in smoothies than bananas. It is such a versatile nutrient-packed fruit and is often used as baby’s first weaning food. Naturally fat- cholesterol- and sodium-free, bananas are also a good source of potassium (helps our heart beat, reduce heart disease), dietary fibre, magnesium (transmission of nerve impulse, aids absorption of calcium) and vitamins B6 (aids healthy nerve and brain functions) and C.
Pineapple (optional)
Normally, I would limit my smoothie to just two fruits. But I saw some pineapples idling in my fridge on the day I made the smoothie, so I added them as well, as they add a sweet tropical taste to my smoothie. Pineapples are loaded with vitamins and minerals including vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, phosphorus, and potassium. It is also rich in fiber and calories. On top of it all, this fruit is low in fat and cholesterol. All the nutrients it contains promote good health.
Coconut water (replaceable with milk or water)
I opted for fresh coconut water (the clear type, not to be confused with coconut milk, which also has its health benefits, but that’s another future post.) Coconut water contains easily digested carbohydrate in the form of sugar and electrolytes. It has fewer calories, less sodium, and more potassium than a sports drink.
If you are using milk instead of coconut water, I suggest using lactose-free milk such as oat milk (high protein and fibre content), quinoa milk (good amount of amino acids) and soy milk (high in essential fatty acids). These are more easily digestible than dairy milk and contain more health benefits.
Parsley (optional)
I included herbs like parsley because I wanted to zest up the smoothie which I knew would have a sweet taste.
Parsley is often used as garnish but it turns out to be quite a good addition to smoothie as well. It is rich in many vital vitamins (Vitamin C, B 12, K and A) and keeps our immune system strong, tones our bones and heals the nervous system too.
Regular use of parsley can help control your blood pressure. Pregnant mums will welcome the folic acid in this herb.
Mint (optional)
I blended a small amount of mint leaves to give the smoothie a fresh minty aroma.
Mint is a great appetizer, and it promotes digestion. It also soothes stomachs in cases of indigestion or inflammation.
Yoghurt (optional)
I added some yoghurt for added creaminess in the smoothie and also to introduce some healthy live cultures (probiotics) to our intestines. These aid in digestion as well as giving us calcium, vitamin B-2, B-12, potassium and magnesium.
Almond nut butter (optional)
I filled the bottom of the smoothie cup with 2 teaspoons of Rawmio raw & vegan Almond Crunch (almond nut butter with added raw cacao nibs, raw coconut, sweetened with coconut sugar, flavoured with vanilla beans and Himalayan salt). I also smeared half the sides of the smoothie cup with the back of the spoon such that the chocolate almond nut butter is visible on the outside of the glass (looks nice and tempting!).
I chose the crunch series of Rawmio’s nut butter, as it provides cacao nibs to munch on. Also the chocolatey taste goes well with avocado and banana. You can add nuts to your smoothie to have the crunch too.
Almonds are a good fiber source and also contain protein. Because of their high monounsaturated fat content, they are a healthy food choice. Almonds or almond butter provide us with vitamin E, potassium, magnesium, iron, calcium and phosphorus. You can opt for other nut butters, just make sure that they are processed in low heat and not added with unhealthy ingredients such as additives, excessive salt, sugar or saturated fats.
Unsweetened coconut flakes (optional)
Used as toppings on our smoothie. Coconut flakes give a distinct tropical flavour! You can swop for other toppings such as chocolate chips, cacao nibs or nuts.
Recipe (serves 2 full cups, or 5 small cups)
1. Cut one banana and one avocado into small pieces. (You can add more bananas or avocado or other fruits like pineapples according to your taste preference. More bananas or pineapples, more sweetness.)
2. Blend the fruits after adding some liquids (coconut water, milk or plain water). Add a little liquid (a few tablespoons) at a time. If the fruits seem to have a hard time churning, you need to add more liquid.
3. Tear the herbs into smaller bits and blend. Start with a tablespoonful of each and adjust amount according to your taste.
4. If you happen to add too much liquid and prefer your smoothie to be thicker and creamier, add a tablespoon of yoghurt.
5. Prepare your serving cups. Scoop 2 teaspoons of nut butter into each cup and smear half the cup with the back of the spoon.
6. Pour in smoothie.
7. Sprinkle the top of the smoothie with raw unsweetened coconut flakes for flavour.
Note:
If you intend to chill your smoothie before serving, then add the nut butter only before serving, on top of the smoothie. Otherwise, the nut butter will harden at the bottom of the smoothie upon chilling.
Tip:
You can make your smoothie beforehand and freeze them in ice cubes. When you need to have them, just blend them with some liquid.
CNY is just round the corner. If you have been looking towards learning to bake yummy cookies or even to make Yu Sheng, why not learn to make healthy raw food version?!
Nutrihub announced their Jan 2013 Culinary Art Workshop. Remember, BGO friends get to enjoy 15% discount – just mention Chewy or BGO Ecoshop.
BGO Ecoshop is proud to be part of the inaugural Green Singapore Sale 2012!
“Everyone is aware of the annual Great Singapore Sale, which is from 25 May to 22 July this year. We thought it would be great if we could have something similar within that sale period for green conscious shoppers and to support local green retailers.” — Mr Eugene Tay, Founder of Greenstore
Organised by Greenstore, Singapore’s first review and rating guide for green consumers, Greenstore hopes to connect green consumers and retailers, through informing consumers on the green products and services offered by the various green retailers in Singapore, and helping the green retailers reach out to those consumers interested in purchasing eco-friendly, sustainable and ethical products and services that are better for themselves, the community and the environment.
Check out BGO Ecoshop (www.bgoecoshop.com) now for 1-month only super savings on your favourite superfoods, organic cotton clothing, toys and many other eco-friendly family products!
For this drive, Pets’ Station will be offering a total of 11 items that supporters can choose to purchase during this period. They are:
To make your food donation, you can:
1. Go online to petsstation.com.sg to view the items available and select the food you want to donate accordingly, or
2. Go to any of their 8 outlets which are located at Causeway Point, Compass Point, Holland Village, Jurong Point, Tampines Central 1, Serangoon North and Changi City Point.
The donated food will be stored at Pets Stations’ warehouse and volunteers will arrange to collect the food items and bring them to Noah’s Ark.
How much food is needed to feed 1,000 animals at the Noah’s Ark animal sanctuary:
Dog Dry Food – 17 bags a day or 306kg a day
Dog Tin Food – 1 carton a day or 700gm x 24 cans = 16.8kg
Cat Dry Food – 1 bag a day or 23kg a day
Cat Tin Food – 10 cans a day or 400gm x 10 cans = 4kg
Cat Litter – S$1,200/- a month
I recently brought my 2.5 year old to Tampines 1 new Wildlife-themed Rooftop Water Playground. It was clear that children would enjoy themselves there – what can beat the attraction of water sprays and pool?
For those children who don’t like getting wet (I’m sure there are!), there are dry slides for them.
ACRES will have a fund raising event at the atrium at Tampines 1 as well as an animal adoption event at the rooftop water playground this coming weekend (24 & 25 March, 1 pm). It’s a great chance for children to learn about compassion and respect for animals!
For more events listing at the rooftop playground, see here.
Increased urbanisation and development has led to the loss of habitat of the dogs which previously stayed in Punggol. To make way for new buildings, the authorities have been catching and culling dogs from Punggol.
On 14 Dec 2011, a jogger was attacked by a pack of dogs, sustaining superficial injuries. AVA thus stepped up their culling activities in Punggol.
Save The Punggol Stray Dogs Campaign was initiated by a group of volunteers who work together to save and rehome dogs work together with the AVA and authorities, and to improve the management of stray dogs in Singapore.
If you are looking for a pet dog, why not join the Dog Run today at Bishan Park Dog Run Area at 10:30 am to mingle with the dogs and hear their stories form the volunteers?
Read the story about Bacon – An Extremely Special Dog of how one special Punggol stray dog touched the heart of a volunteer who eventually kept it as a dear pet.
BGO Ecoshop 