Ideal Bite

1. Root beer floats, two thumbs up. 2. HELP! The link for the biodegradable straws does not work...any other recommendations? I use straws a lot, and for hot beverages like coffee which I am now realizing is not so good for me...

Another great organic dairy, at least in Northern California is the Straus Family Dairy. http://www.strausfamilycreamery.com/

Wish I could say this is a great tip, and I grew up lovin' root beer floats, but this is a disaster for our health. Do your research about milk and dairy products. I've eliminated them from my diet, and I feel much better now. Take a look at www.notmilk.com for some great resources. The world-wide scientific research doesn't exactly match the National Dairy Council's PR campaign. I have to say the same thing about root beer, unfortunately. It was always my favorite growing up. But all carbonated beverages are terrible for your bones. And to top it off, all the processed sugar is a disaster. Ok, so what to do instead? Try a raw coconut smoothie, made with the white young Thai coconuts you see in Asian markets and some grocery stores. Cut open the top and drain the sweet delicious water into a blender. Scoop out the creamy smooth fruit along the side of the coconut. Add your favorite (organic) fruit to flavor. Add ice and blend. Yumm! Not sweet enough? Add a date or two, or if you can find it at a health food store, the ground up leaf of the stevia herb (order a pound from www.wholespice.com). Unbelievably delicious and great for your body and mind!

For an adult version, try some Wolaver's organic oatmeal stout with a scoop of organic vanilla or coffee icecream. If you can find Strafford Organic Creamery icecream, that is the best. Also, if you have an espresso machine, try mixing a shot of espresso, and a drizzle of maple syrup into a pint of the Wolaver's stout. Cheers!

Or, just drink H2O, cheaper, better for you, and re-hydrating!

Water may be cheaper but definitely not as fun. If we can't have fun while saving the planet, why bother? None of the products listed are available locally to me but we have organics from other companies available and have been making organic floats for years now. Have never used a straw with a rootbeer float though, but then I am not a big straw using person for anything.

Yay Steve! Thanks for putting me back on track about dairy products, carbonated beverages and sugar. Before we can heal the planet, we have to heal ourselves, and that starts with a paradigm shift in our thinking about the animal footprint and the food we put into our mouths.

If you must you straws, like my kids, I found some plastic reusable ones from Crate & Barrel. You do have to rinse them out soon after use because they are hard to clean inside if they get stained.

I was going to comment on the sugar - and then read Steve's comment on the carbonated beverages ... right on! I cut soda out of my own 'diet' about a month ago [tough thing to do!] and I still get the cravings for it from time to time. I wonder, is selzer water also as bad as regular carbonated water? Seems like you can make your own "root beer" with a little flavoring, some stevia and some selzer water. Add some soy ice cream and you've got it made. Seems like that should work ...

Sorry - I think O forgot the 't' in seltzer... oops...