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Why Getting All Martha Stewart-y Is Easier Than You Think

The two-ingredient treat that I'll be cooking all summer
When it comes to living a more eco-conscious lifestyle, it's the easiest thing in the world to say, "Nobody has time for that." Allow me to blow your mind: It's easier than you think! There are so many small changes you can make to be greener that don't require extra time, effort or money. They may take even less time, effort or money than what you're doing now -- and who doesn't love that?


Take eating seasonally. I love to experiment with cooking seasonal recipes, especially because I have a little produce garden of my own. It's ridiculously easy to eat what's growing right now when my dinner is a 30-second walk away. But even if I didn't grow fruits and veggies, I would absolutely eat seasonal produce: It's cheaper, fresher, more flavorful, richer in nutrients, and keeps fuel consumption to a minimum.

My Veronica Mars cast mates surprised me with a gift of four fruit trees -- one apple tree and three plum hybrids -- and I can't wait to pick some plums and make these natural fruit roll-ups. I use a dehydrator, but this recipe is designed for oven heating. And, listen, if this sounds a little too Martha Stewart-y for your taste, I get it. But most of us have jam-packed days with family and work commitments, and I wouldn't recommend you try this if it was really time-intensive. All of the real work happens when it's in the oven, so you can get things done around the house while you cook.

Plum Fruit Roll-Ups

Ingredients:
4 cups fresh plums, thoroughly washed and pitted
Honey or agave sweetener (to taste)

1. Place chopped plums in a food processor. Pulse plums until you get a smooth puree. Add a generous squeeze of honey or agave sweetener and pulse again.
2. Grease a standard-size baking sheet and pour the puree in the middle. Use a spatula to spread it across the baking sheet. It should be about 1/8-inch thick.
3. Bake at the lowest setting, around 150 degrees Fahrenheit, for 6 to 8 hours. It's done when it's just a little bit sticky and peels easily from the baking sheet.
4. Once the fruit has cooled, cut it into strips and roll them up in parchment paper.
BY KRISTEN BELL | JUL 8, 2014 | SHARES
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