The Red, White, and GreenCaring about the environment is patriotic. Feel like a kid again! Fun Meatless Monday mealsFebruary 8th, 2010![]() Tomato soup grilled cheese: Two childhood faves in one (the soup is in the sandwich!). Click on photo for recipe. Photo via Flickr: Maggie Hoffmann Now, normally I don’t like to associate the word fun with food — of course, the act of eating should involve a certain amount of pleasure — but healthy, real food is delicious enough in its own right that it doesn’t need to be shaped like a Disney character or dyed a fluorescent color to convince someone to eat it. But once in a while, even I (a broccoli raab-craving health nut) get a nostalgic craving for a little comfort food, a scrumptious — dare I say fun — meal from my childhood. I was reminiscing about this the other day: The Celentano stuffed shells or the Stouffer’s macaroni and cheese I was allowed to have on the rare occasion my parents went out and left me with a babysitter; the peanut butter and jellies my mom packed for my school lunches; and the buttery grilled cheeses that I would devour at The Lunch Box when we lived in Weston, CT. Guess what all of these meals have in common? They’re vegetarian! So this Meatless Monday, why not revisit one of these old favorites and feel like a kid again? I’m not suggesting you should eat like this every day of the week, but if you use wholesome ingredients, even these meals can be a healthy, meat-free addition to your diet. A few faves to try: English muffin pizzas. Loved this brilliant suggestion by loyal RWG reader Andrea Duwel, who eats vegetarian the majority of the time (and has the slim figure to prove it). She loves to make these for an easy veg-head snack. For a healthier version, use whole-grain english muffins and top them off with organic tomato sauce, buffalo mozzarella, and fresh basil. Peanut butter and jelly. The PB&J Campaign is working to reduce greenhouse gases by promoting this protein-packed sandwich powerhouse. I say make yours with whole wheat bread, all-natural peanut butter, fruit-juice sweetened jam, and enjoy it guilt-free. Mac and cheese. Sure, it’s a bit more labor-intensive than a PB&J, but macaroni and cheese made from scratch is arguably one of the world’s best comfort foods. Any time-tested recipe that doesn’t come from a box is top-notch in my book; for a slimmed-down version, try this recipe that uses butternut squash to cut the fat. Grilled cheese. While we’re on the subject of cheese… Obviously, there’s nothing more delectable than a grilled cheese griddle-fried in butter (like the ones from my Lunch Box past), but I’ve found that making a less artery-clogging open-face version in the broiler is just as tasty: Add sharp cheddar to two pieces of whole-grain bread, top each with a few tomato slices, add a dash of oregano, and pop under a preheated broiler for a couple minutes until the cheese is bubbling and brown at the edges. Don’t forget to serve with a piping hot bowl of tomato soup (or try the recipe in the photo, above). And the best way to feel like a kid again when you enjoy these Meatless Monday treats: Eat them with your own kids, too! –Jennifer Grayson Do this now: Click here to take the Meatless Monday pledge.More Meatless Monday posts:
Happy birthday, The Red, White, and Green!February 5th, 2010Well, it all started with a rant about shrink-wrapped magazines. Three hundred and sixty-five days and 205 blog posts later, I’m thrilled to wish my little green baby a happy first birthday. I don’t see it as coincidence that my March issue of Marie Claire (the very one I complained about one year ago today) arrived yesterday without a plastic sleeve and with the address stamped on the cover — the world has become a lot more environmentally aware in the past year, and so have I. I receive a lot of emails from people who think I know all the answers, but this blog has been a learning experience for me, too. I always considered myself an environmentalist, but sitting down and writing about it on an almost daily basis has forced me to take a much closer look at the way I live and the products I buy. Every day, I learn something new about how I can be a better steward of the earth; and inevitably, I say the same thing: “Why didn’t I think of doing this before?” So, in honor of making it successfully to this milestone, I thought it’d be fun for me to share with you how I’ve personally become greener in a year’s time. Here, 12 things I’m doing now that I wasn’t doing this time last year — one for every month since I started this blog. 1. I’m meatless on Mondays. Actually, I now eat vegetarian about 75 percent of the time. When I do buy meat, dairy, or eggs, it’s organic and grass-fed all the way. 2. I bring my reusable water bottle with me everywhere. I used to grab the occasional bottle of water if I was out and about, but now I’d sooner go thirsty than buy a bottle of Dasani. If I forget my bottle, I find a water fountain or wait till I can have a glass of water at a cafe or restaurant. 3. If I have to buy packaged foods, I choose ones that are BPA-free. That means canned beans from Eden Organic, tomato paste in glass jars from Bionaturae, and soups in aseptic packaging from Pacific Foods and Dr. McDougall’s. 4. I collect vegetable scraps to put in my curbside compost collection bin. 5. I’m shopping more at the farmers market. I’ve been buying organic since 1994 (well, or guilt-tripping my family into buying organic, since I was in high school then). After reading The Omnivore’s Dilemma this year, I realized that organic alone is not enough; supporting local agriculture is just as important. 6. I try to avoid buying genetically modified foods and products whenever possible. 7. When it’s time for presents, I try to give experiences over “stuff.“ Take anniversaries: My husband and I have cooled it on the tchotchkies and opt for a romantic dinner out or treat ourselves to a couple of massages instead. 8. I only buy wine with a real cork. 9. I’ve replaced all the lights in my apartment with CFLs. It’s ugly, but my electricity bill is really low. I’m working on finding better looking alternatives. 10. I canceled my gym membership. And I haven’t gained a pound. I walk or hike outside, ride my bike, and hit the yoga studio a couple of times a week. No electricity required, and I get my daily dose of vitamin D. 11. When there’s a new book I want to read, I don’t buy it — I borrow it from the local library. 12. I’ve finally given up the Pantene (or hair crack, as I like to call it). The closest eco alternative I’ve found so far is Giovanni’s Smooth as Silk shampoo and conditioner. My hair doesn’t look quite the same, though, especially since I’ve been testing solid shampoos. Thanks to all of you for your comments, insight, and support along the way. I couldn’t have made it this far without you! OK, I’m going to go bake that cake now… –Jennifer Grayson
Green Genius: Biodegradable trash bags that REALLY biodegradeFebruary 4th, 2010[Watch video on YouTube] Not too long ago, a family member was excitedly telling me about her latest green purchase: an adorable little dog bone–shaped leash clip that dispenses biodegradable doggie doo bags. She had come across it at the checkout counter of The Container Store, and couldn’t resist — after all, who doesn’t want to feel guilt-free about tossing doody-filled plastic bags in the dumpster three times a day? I hated to burst her bubble, but here’s the secret about those bags, and a lot of those other “biodegradable” bags: They don’t actually biodegrade. Well, at least not in normal landfill conditions. You see, those bags are designed to break down in composting environments only — that is, when exposed to air, sunlight, and natural microorganisms in the soil. That’s great if you want to use one of those bags to line your compost bin (but don’t throw dog waste in there; that requires a special kind of composting), but useless if you want to use it for your trash. In the anaerobic environment of the typical sealed landfill, those “biodegradable” bags essentially become mummified — as does any other kind of organic matter, for that matter. That’s why I’m intrigued by a new brand of plastic bags by a company called Green Genius: They’re designed to actually break down in a sealed landfill. Watch the video, above, to see how it all works. For lack of a better word, this sounds like a truly genius invention. My only question is this: If the methane that would have been released over 1,000 years as a traditional plastic bag breaks down in a landfill is released in a much shorter period with these new biodegradable bags, what happens if there’s no methane capture project attached to that landfill? Methane is 23 times more powerful a greenhouse gas than CO2 — will we suddenly have a lot more methane being released into the atmosphere? Of course, I’m not saying that we shouldn’t embrace a product that could potentially put an end to the plastic pollution smothering our planet; I, for one, am really excited to go pick up my first box of Green Genius bags. And maybe this will be the impetus to hustle up and promote methane capture on a wider scale. The bags, which are also made from 40 percent recycled plastic, are currently available in tall kitchen and large outdoor sizes. Click here to find out where to buy them. –Jennifer Grayson Do this now: Want to test out a Green Genius bag before you buy? Click here to order a free sample and receive a coupon for $2 off your next purchase.Related posts:
Study reveals BPA may damage human placental cellsFebruary 3rd, 2010Today on HuffPost, I highlight just how ubiquitous the toxic packaging additive bisphenol A (BPA) has become. The good news is that there’s been a lot of press about banning the suspected endocrine disruptor from baby products like bottles and sippy cups, and a number of cities and states have managed to do just that — even the FDA has reversed its stance on the chemical, saying it is now “taking reasonable steps to reduce human exposure to BPA in the food supply.” But what about the thousands of other products with BPA (canned goods, credit card receipts, plastic food containers, even dental appliances like night guards) that we adults come in contact with every day? This is scary stuff, and the chance for cumulative exposure is high. Moreover, the diseases linked to BPA exposure are equally as scary: heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, to name a few. Now, a study published yesterday by Canadian researchers reveals that those most at risk may not even be able to limit their own exposure: I’m talking about babies who have yet to be born. It turns out that human placental cells die or are severely damaged after being exposed to even very low doses of BPA. From Enviromental Health News:
In layman’s terms, this means that for a pregnant woman, exposure to BPA — even at low levels — could potentially damage placental cells and impact fetal development. –Jennifer Grayson Do this now: If you’re pregnant, it’s prudent to take extra steps to minimize BPA exposure. Avoid canned foods, soups, and beverages (except those from Eden Organic); don’t use a plastic food storage container without first contacting the company to see if it contains BPA; and use a stainless steel reusable bottle to stay hydrated when you’re on the go.Related posts:
Meatless Monday: Eat less meat throughout the weekFebruary 1st, 2010![]() Middle Eastern kofta, a centuries-old (and delicious) way to stretch those meat dollars; Photo via Flickr: SauceSupreme This post was originally published on Aug. 17, 2009. My husband was willing to give Meatless Monday a fair shot when we signed on to the cause last May, and fairly amenable to the cooking experimentation that has ensued. Tofu stir-fry has become a new weekday dinner favorite (who knew my al pastor–craving hubby would find it so satisfying?), and I’ve discovered that eggplant parmigiana never fails to disappoint guests who find themselves dining chez nous on a Monday. But as much as he’s tried, my husband has a hard time sticking to meatless eating for an entire day — he can’t do beans (no need for further explanation), and he feels sluggish when his diet gets a bit carb-heavy. You, reader, can criticize, but the fact remains that you can’t really force someone to eat a certain way if he doesn’t want to. So, while I continue to eat meatless on Mondays (I quite like the “whole world gathering together once a week for a cause” spirit of it all), I’ve implemented a different plan for family meals that actually ends up reducing our meat consumption way more than if we both stuck to meatless eating on Monday alone. Buy less meat. Americans eat twice as much protein as the rest of the world (and twice as much as the USDA recommends), and a serving of meat has come to approximate nearly half a pound. I’ve found that by reducing that amount just a little — buying, say, two-thirds of a pound of chicken for dinner for the two of us whereas I used to buy an entire pound — I save money (on average, $15 a week), and no one even notices. The trick is to fill up that missing space with a fresh salad, veggies, and a bit more complex carbohydrate — brown rice or quinoa, for example. Make meat portions look larger than they are. It sounds silly, but visual perception has a profound effect on appetite and consumption. A Cornell study a few years back found that even nutrition experts given a larger bowl in which to serve themselves ice cream dished up 31 percent more than colleagues given a smaller size bowl. The lesson here? People feel satisfied when they see a portion that appears plentiful. I like to take smaller chicken breasts, pound them into a very thin paillard, and then top them with a mound of crispy salad. It’s more satisfying than serving a regular chicken breast that actually weighs more, but looks half the size. Stretch out your meat supply. Ever wonder how meatloaf originated? Well for centuries, cultures around the world have been making versions of the dish — Italian meatballs, Middle Eastern kofta, and the classic American ketchup-crusted comfort food — as a way to “fatten up” scarce meat supplies and use up lower quality scraps of meat. A handful of breadcrumbs, some chopped onions, a couple of eggs, a dash of spices, and voilà: You’ve got a hearty meal that no carnivore would complain about. Little changes like these really add up. Let’s say you, like the average American, consume 200 pounds of meat a year. Trim that number by a quarter — which would work out to a mere 2.3 ounces of meat a day, or two slices of turkey — and the environmental payoff would be notable: You’d reduce your carbon footprint by 950 pounds a year, which would be like not driving your car for a whole two months. –Jennifer Grayson Do this now: This week at the supermarket, try going for the slighter smaller package of meat.
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