Two essential items in the FoodieTots pantry are broth and beans. My favorite broth brand is Pacific - all natural, organic, and comes in handy 1-cup individual cartons that minimize waste when you know you won’t finish a whole full-size carton within the week. I was annoyed that they didn’t have a low-sodium version of the free-range chicken broth, until I had a chance to compare with conventional brands and discovered that it has the same sodium level as the Swanson’s low sodium. Pacific does have lower sodium options, they’re just not stocked at every grocery, and don’t come in the smaller sizes. To further reduce the sodium, I usually do a half-stock, half-water mix when using it in soups or to cook couscous, quinoa, etc.

In my quest for the best organic canned beans (more on that later), I discovered Eden — a family-owned, environmentally-conscious company based in Michigan. They are unique in the bean market in that most of their beans have *no* added salt. And most significantly:

Eden Organic Beans are packed in lead free tin covered steel cans coated with a baked on oleoresinous c-enamel lining that does not contain bisphenol-A (BPA). (Oleoresin is a natural mixture of an oil and a resin extracted from various plants, such as pine or balsam fir). These cans cost 14 percent more than the industry standard cans that do contain BPA. This costs Eden $300,000 more a year. To our knowledge Eden is the only U.S. company that uses this custom made BPA-free can.

(Read more on BPA and canned goods here.)

Rather than the usual doom-and-gloom Earth Day posts, I thought I’d highlight a few of my favorite earth-friendly companies and products this week. Sure, fast food is rarely a smart choice, but as busy parents, it’s virtually impossible not to give in to the lure of a quick and sure-to-please meal. Two of my favorite healthier fast food picks are Chipotle and Chicken Out.

I love that Chipotle:

• Serves only naturally-raised pork, and is investing heavily in bringing local pork producers on board;
• Serves as many organic beans as it can find (30% currently);
• Buys rBGH-free sour cream;
• Is steadily increasing its sourcing of naturally-raised chicken and beef;
• At many locations, recycles beverage bottles;
• Makes quesadillas for kids (an off-the-menu secret) and salads for the parents that give you the taste of a burrito with out quite as many calories.

And at Chicken Out (a local chain, similar to Boston Market):

• Serves all-natural, free-farmed local chicken;
• Sides include kid-friendly faves like chunky applesauce, sweet potatoes, and sesame-ginger green beans.