Climate Change on Your Plate
I read that red salmon practically vanished from Alaska this year. They were once abundant, and clockwork-dependable and now, nada. It's not just the fish. Other species are suffering, whales and manatees and so much declining, becoming extinct from under us.What's happening feels so big. Recycling and cutting out plastic straws is a step but not a big one.If we really want to do something, it's time to look at the facts about the environment and what we eat.A haunting article in ...
Weeding out the Nutrition (in Your Yard)
By now, you might have heard that many plants we call weeds are actually great sources of nutrition. Dandelions are loaded with Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Calcium and Iron. Chickweed has become the darling of farmer's markets, with its spinach-like flavor, and is also very high in nutrients. There are lots more everywhere we look.A wonderful and highly recommended book by Katrina Blair, The Wild Wisdom of Weeds, published in late 2014 describes in detail 13 "weeds" that grow around the ...
Nasi Goreng: Indonesian Fried Rice, Vegan-Style
This Indonesian twist on fried rice is high on taste and is a great cold weather dish as well as a favorite way to use leftover rice. It's also a real budget stretcher as it is very inexpensive to put together.Traditionally, the recipe is topped with fried egg omelet so the added seitan or tofu is a vegan-friendly substitution. The chile pepper gives a nice kick too.We like it so much that we've even made rice a day ahead to be sure we'd be ready.Ingredients: 4 Small ...
Top 3 Reasons to Plant Your Own Veggies
Gardening is on the rise. Here are the top 3 reasons we think it's a great idea to grow your own.1. The economy.Have you seen the price of veggies, especially organic ones? Ditto with fresh herbs, berries, etc. Fact is, gardens create very low-cost (or free) food, which is why generations of people planted kitchen gardens throughout history. It is only recently that gardens became relegated to a hobby rather than a sensible part of every home with the space to support it. We ...
Cooking Karma: Why Our Eating Habits Can Leave Us Empty
In today's New York Times, the king of the food literati, Michael Pollan, presents, "Out of the Kitchen, Onto the Couch," a tale of how (and a bit of why) Americans barely cook these days and what it could mean for our future. The best part of the piece, for us anyway, was the guy who got right to the point. According to Harry Balzer, a leading food industry analyst, the real reason we have a national eating problem is "Because we're basically cheap and lazy." He adds, "Besides, the ...
We’re So Impressed We’re Starving!
World hunger is not a pretty topic (especially when it's in our yard) but mostly one we are able to shove in the back of our thoughts. According to a report published today, the economic nightmare that is engulfing the world has intertwined itself with the global food crisis to such an extent that it is impossible to separate them. Notables from the IMF, together with hunger advocates (including Bob Geldorf), are trying to figure the whole thing out. Wow - big job.Fortunately not to worry. ...
Are You Thirsty? Honest Tea? Honestly!
In an issue of Organic Processing, an organic industry trade mag published this fall (yes, odd as it seems, it is an industry), Seth Goldman, the President of Honest Tea (over $27 million in U.S. sales last year) defended his decision to partner with Coca-Cola. He explains that he can still do good, do even more... that his company can still walk the walk on integrity and values. Maybe.Putting aside any issues with the Coca-Cola Company (for another day, that is, because we sure got 'em), ...
Got De Skills? Losing the Art of Knowing How
Recently, we heard a lecturer who spoke about the de-skilling of the Western population. Apparently, we no longer perform tasks that for generations before us were basic to daily life. We cannot build, fix, construct, process, and create as our ancestors did. This is definitely true when it comes to how people eat. These days, there are folks who can barely do more than open a package to heat something up, preferring to order in, carry-out or let someone else do it. Bad idea.Fact is, you ...
Consider the Source: COOL Feds in the Act
Amidst all the gloom and doom, including a Wall Street Journal front page report of possible food pricing collusionfor tomatoes and eggs, coming on the heels of dairy and citrus probes (while record food prices are being seen and felt), there is a ray of hope. Starting in a few weeks, September 30, 2008, supermarkets and other big food retailers will have to start labeling certain foods with their country of origin, including meats, produce, nuts and some others -- affectionately referred to as ...
