Alternative Yogurts: Try Soy, Goat, Coconut or Sheep's Varieties
by Starre Vartan
The health benefits of yogurt are many, and oft-discussed. Calcium for healthy bones, skin and hair, probiotics for immunity and good digestion, and protein for energy. But 95% of the yogurt out there is made from cow's milk, and those large ruminants have a serious carbon footprint; not to mention that any animal that produces milk only does so to feed their young, meaning that a cow must be constantly reproducing to give milk.
But yogurt can be made from a number of milks, and new varieties seem to be available every year. And whether made from a plant-based extract or animal, all yogurts have those beneficial bacteria and great taste, though they do vary in terms of other nutrients. Trying a small container of yogurt before buying a larger one can be a good way to try something new- if you don't like it, not much is wasted.
Coconut Milk Yogurt
Coconut Milk yogurt by So Delcious is available at Whole Foods and other large health food stores. With a rich texture and a decidedly coconutty flavor, this yogurt goes beautifully with breakfast cereals and on it's own, but wouldn't be the best to use in savory recipes like dips. While it is fortified with Acidophilus, Bifidus and other bacteria, it has almost no protein, but does have about 25% of your RDA of calcium.
Sheep's Milk Yogurt
If goat's milk yogurt has too strong a flavor for you, try sheep's, which is incredibly smooth and creamy, but still lower-fat (and has more protein than cow's). It also has significantly more calcium and is naturally lower-calorie. Old Chatham Sheepherding makes the creamiest yogurt I've found that's commonly available, in maple, plain and ginger flavors. About 140 calories per serving.
Soy Yogurt
Just like the soybean plant makes a great alternative milk, the same goes for yogurt. Soy yogurt has that delicious lightly cereal-like flavor to it, which means it's the perfect accompaniment for hot cereal in the winter, or fruit and granola during warmer seasons. Soy yogurt contains about 30% of the RDA for calcium, and has about half the protein of animal milk yogurts. Available widely in both regular and health-food supermarkets. About 160 calories per serving.
Goat's Milk Yogurt
Yogurt made from goat's milk is significantly higher in protein and lower in fat than cow's milk- but still rich and creamy, and like sheep, goats have a lower carbon footprint than cows. Goat's milk yogurts still tend to come from small producers (look for it at your local farmer's market), which means even if the animals aren't technically organic, they will still likely be fed a healthier diet and be subject to fewer antibiotics and medications as they live a lower-stress lifestyle. Goat's milk yogurt is very low calorie at about 100 calories per serving.
Halloween should be fun, but every year it gets scarier--for parents and the planet. From the discovery of lead in fake teeth and candy, to chemicals in costumes, to the garbage left in the holiday's wake, it's a wonder more of us haven't given up the festivities and spent October 31 watching It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. The good news is, there are loads of child- and earth-friendly alternatives to the usual Halloween fare. The most important point when planning to green up any holiday or celebration, especially those involving children, is to get their "buy-in." And of course, your approach makes all the difference. Telling kids, "We're going green this Halloween--that means, no candy," isn't helpful. What can be is a discussion about the challenges that Halloween brings. Obviously, what you say (or don't), depends on the age of your children. But helping them to see the wider ramifications of their actions can help make transitioning to healthier choices more appealing or at least understandable. Many kids are learning about eco-issues in school. They often want to do something about them, but need guidance on where to begin. Talking to them about the excess and waste associated with Halloween (and all holidays and celebrations) and discussing how they can make a difference, may spark their altruism and inspire them to act in positive ways. A great way to start a discussion is to list each aspect of Halloween (costumes, treats, decor and activities), and brainstorm child- and earth-friendly choices to what you've done in the past. Then, encourage your kids to choose one or two of the ideas to implement this year. After Halloween, talk about what worked, what didn't and what you'll do next year.
Costumes-In the "olden days," (the eighties?), many kids made their costumes, often with help from parents. Making the costume was actually an enjoyable, bonding activity. Today, millions of people spend millions of dollars on costumes that are made from non-sustainable materials (like petroleum), that are worn once, then discarded. But there are earth-friendlier alternatives. If you usually buy costumes, consider: Making them. Kids are incredibly gifted and creative when we encourage them. There are almost no costumes that cannot be handmade. If your children are stuck on turning a popular TV or movie character into a costume, brainstorm how you can make it happen with items you already own or can get at no cost by borrowing or making. Be sure to check online for ideas.
Purchasing costumes made from more eco-friendly materials or at least not from plastics. Choose cotton, organic cotton, silk or hemp, for instance. Unfortunately, these alternatives are not yet widely available, but if you're interested in them, visit the Green Halloween® marketplace or ask local stores to consider carrying them next year. And check at the end of this post for some other great online sources.
Trading them.
Arrange a costume swap for National Costume Swap Day (second Saturday in October) with neighbors, check online at swap sites like Green Halloween, or see if you can interest a local child-focused organization in sponsoring a swap. When Halloween is over, don't throw costumes away. Save them, dismantle and hold on to the "parts,"trade or take them to a thrift store such as Goodwill.
Treats and treasures
Halloween may be all about the treats, but happily, there are great alternatives that kids, when given theoption, will happily embrace. You can't do much about the sweets your children receive on their forayaround the neighborhood (although you can have the "Halloween Fairy" replace the confections with awonderful gift when the children are brushing their teeth...shhhh...), but when it comes to what yourfamily hands out, planning ahead so that you are not making a last-minute dash to the grocery store, willhelp you avoid limiting choices to what's on the shelves at the moment.If you have a local natural foods store, check out their offerings. Take your kids along and choose a fewitems to sample if you don't normally shop there. Honey sticks are a favorite and are very inexpensive(never give honey to children under age 2). Many natural food companies, like Larabr, make small "bars"in flavors kids love like peanut butter and chocolate. Assuming you have the time to order online, checkout www.GreenHalloween.org for dozens of alternatives.One issue that often comes up when discussing organic or green choices is cost. While it is true that manyhealthier items cost more, there is a simple solution. Instead of handing out fistfuls (or allowing kids totake as much as they want, which has become the norm), try this: Fill a bowl with a variety of greatchoices, whether sweets or "treasures" like sparkly stones, feathers (yes, kids love these), hairdecorations, temporary tattoos, stickers etc. Cover the bowl with a cloth. When children come to the door,get down to their level and whisper, "At our house, we have some very, very special treats and treasures.You may now choose your favorite." Then with a flourish, whip off the cloth and let them sift.Compliment them on their choice afterwards.If you're not yet ready to totally embrace greener treats and treasures you can still help cut down onexpense and waste by choosing one of these options:Put out two bowls, one with conventional candy, the other with "treasures." Let kids choose oneitem from either bowl.Hand children whatever you are giving them. Do not allow them to take as much as they want.Let older children know that unwrapped candy can be composted.Whatever you do this Halloween, taking time to plan and implement will make the holiday a lot lessspooky!
Lynn Colwell and Corey Colwell-Lipson are mother and daughter founders of Green Halloween® and co-authors of Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family, available at www.CelebrateGreen.net
It's not easy to find eco-friendly products that are also fashionable and affordable. Enter Simple Shoes. This spring, they introduced Flippees, the first flip-flops on the market with biodegradable soles. Flippees come in a variety of colors for both men and women at only $30 a pop.
Earlier this summer I ordered their Eco-Certified Nubuck Flippees in pink and black. My sandals arrived in a biodegradable bag with a biodegradable hanger, and the foot form inserts were made of post consumer recycled paper.
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The health benefits of yogurt are many, and oft-discussed. Calcium for healthy bones, skin and hair, probiotics for immunity and good digestion, and protein for energy. But 95% of the yogurt out there is made from cow's milk, and those large ruminants have a serious carbon footprint; not to mention that any animal that produces milk only does so to feed their young, meaning that a cow must be constantly reproducing to give milk. 
