The Red, White, and Green

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:
Easily adaptable vegetarian meals
WATCH: Meatless Monday goes to the farmers market

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Photo via Flickr: Plindberg

Well, 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

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[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:
Neato! Biodegradable hotel key cards
Why aren’t Angelenos using those green bins?

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Photo via Flickr: Stevendepolo

Today 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:

The researchers obtained placentas from five women who had normal pregnancies and deliveries. Human cytotrophoblast cells were collected from the placentas and cultured. This type of placental cell is important for the exchange of oxygen, nutrients and waste products between mother and fetus.

The cells were exposed to BPA for 24 hours at one of seven different concentrations, ranging from 0.002 to 200 micrograms per milliliter (µg/ml). These doses were selected because they approximate levels of BPA measured in fetal and maternal blood. The researchers then looked to see if BPA exposure damaged the cells.

…Damage to the cell membrane was 1.3 to 1.7 times higher in placental cells exposed to BPA for 24 hours compared to cells that were not exposed to BPA. Apoptosis [cell death] was 2 to 3 times higher in the BPA treated cells. These results indicate that cellular development was adversely affected by BPA.

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:
Dr. McDougall’s BPA-free, vegan soups
Consumer Reports finds BPA in 19 name-brand canned foods

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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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Photo via Flickr: Justin Marty

Of the 70 minutes that made up President Obama’s State of the Union address last night, he took about four — count ‘em, four — to focus on the environment and clean energy. I don’t want to hold it too much against him, though, since I thought the speech was quite moving, and accomplished its goal of reassuring an angry and disillusioned American public that the promise of hope the president campaigned on hasn’t been completely lost in the mire of Washington politics.

Still, with the focus on jobs, jobs, jobs, it’s a bit of wonder to me why there wasn’t a more extended look at the clean energy economy that’s going to create all those jobs, and green collar jobs in particular.

Here’s my play-by-play of the highlights (and lowlights) from those four minutes:

Encouraging American innovation. “Last year, we made the largest investment in basic research funding in history: an investment that could lead to the world’s cheapest solar cells…”

Obama is referring to the $16 billion allocated by the American Reinvestment Recovery Act for research — including $2 billion for the Department of Energy. No argument from me here: A country that leads the way in affordable solar technology is the country that’s going to create a lot of jobs at home and generate a lot of income from exports.

Nuclear power. “But to create more of these clean energy jobs, we need more production, more efficiency, more incentives. That means building a new generation of safe, clean nuclear power plants in this country.”

Eh. Don’t know how I feel about this one. Nuclear power is controversial and far from perfect, but I’m becoming slightly (and I mean slightly) more open to the possibility that if we want to avoid the most catastrophic effects of climate change, those of us with qualms about radioactive waste may have to reconsider.

Offshore drilling. “It means making tough decisions about opening new offshore areas for oil and gas development.” (met by cheers from Republicans)

Wait, what? How can this be Obama’s third point to make about clean energy, and before a mention of alternative fuels? Methinks I smell concessions for a climate bill…

Alternative fuels. “It means continued investment in advanced biofuels and clean coal technologies.”

Like the advanced biofuels part; not so thrilled about the perpetuation of the oxymoronic clean coal myth.

Climate bill. “And yes, it means passing a comprehensive energy and climate bill, with incentives that will finally make clean energy the profitable kind of energy in America.”

Will the Senate finally make good on the bill the House passed last year? If the president’s points above are any clue, I guess yes — with some concessions to the Republicans. Though seeing as how the Republicans actually cheered when Obama called out “those who disagree with the overwhelming scientific evidence on climate change,” the senators may have their work cut out for them.

–Jennifer Grayson

Do this now: Don’t let the Senate back down on passing climate legislation that really means something. Click here to find out how to contact your senator.

Related posts:
Want to understand Cap and Trade? Watch this
Senate to reveal draft climate bill tomorrow

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Note: This was originally published on Nov. 30, 2009. I thought it’d be helpful to re-post, in light of my HuffPost Eco Etiquette column today on how to avoid sneaky sources of BPA.

Now that Meatless Monday has morphed into most-of-the-week meatless for me, soup has become my go-to lunch. It’s easy, it’s cheap, and, paired with a bit of cheese, some Ryvita crackers, and a piece of fruit, keeps me going until dinner. I try to make a big, hot pot of something veggie every Sunday (enough lentil soup for an entire week costs about $3 if you make it from dried beans), but inevitably, my to-do list gets overly ambitious and I find myself hustling by Whole Foods on my Monday morning walk to pick up a couple of canned soups at $1.99 a pop.

That’s still a relatively cheap lunch, but there are two problems with this: a) I’m supposed to be boycotting Whole Foods (I know, I know; I’m now doing the majority of my shopping at farmers markets and Trader Joe’s, but if I’m in a pinch and the choice is between buying organic at Whole Foods or conventional elsewhere, you can bet I’m doing the former); and b) it turns out that a lot of canned food is loaded with toxic chemical BPA.

So I was thrilled to discover Dr. McDougall’s, a fabulous line of vegan soups that come in BPA-free cartons manufactured from Forest Stewardship Council–certified paper. And the best part is, they’re are sold at dozens of conventional grocery stores (read: buh-bye, WF!). I’ve tried the lentil, black bean, and vegetable so far, and I’ve got to say, while they aren’t as soul-satisfying as the home-cooked version, they’re the best packaged soup I’ve ever tasted. The ingredients, too, are darn-near spartan: The lentil soup contains lentils, organic vegetables, organic brown rice, potato starch, and spices.

You can also order the soups by the case online, which will be great backup for me the next time my coconut mung bean soup plans get sidelined.

Do this now: Didn’t go meatless for all your meals this past Monday? Swap out two regular lunches this week for a vegetarian soup.

Related posts:
Consumer Reports finds BPA in 19 name-brand canned foods
BPA alert: How to return your Sigg bottle

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I have to admit, I was underwhelmed by a lot of the green products at the Go Green Expo last Friday. It’s not Go Green Expo’s fault — the show was certainly jam-packed with all the latest and greatest eco-gadgets and whatnots — but seeing row upon row of bamboo tote bags and BPA-free water bottles made me wonder: Is green consumer an oxymoron? All this stuff is green, but it is just stuff, after all. Aren’t we going to have to move away from a consumption-based economy to achieve true sustainability? (I asked this very question at the Build Green, Grow Profits panel I attended.)

That being said, I don’t want to be a total buzzkill for those of you who didn’t get to go to the show and pass judgment on all that green gear: There was one really cool product that caught my eye, mostly for the Wow, will people really go this green? factor. Green people, I give you PeopleTowels!

Made of 100 percent organic cotton, the PeopleTowel is a personal hand towel to use in lieu of paper towels or those energy-sucking dryers in public restrooms. The eco stats are impressive, and could really add up if enough people made the switch: Use PeopleTowels for a year, and you’ll reduce landfill waste by 23 pounds and save 250 gallons of water.

Evidently, personal hand towels have been all the rage in germ-phobic Japan for decades, but I am curious to see how the American market reacts. While I’ll enjoy looping my PeopleTowel around my Kleen Kanteen to tote with me to my Kundalini yoga class (how annoying am I?), I can’t really imagine my husband shlepping one of these around in his jeans pocket every day. Then again, we don’t live in New York City anymore, where we had to deal with disgusting public restrooms day in and day out. PeopleTowels are green and clean — that’s twice the motivation.

–Jennifer Grayson

Do this now: Spread the word — buy a PeopleTowel or two online and use it proudly the next time you hit a public restroom.

Related posts:
Paperless Post: Finally! Gorgeous online invites
Green wedding: Give up the gift wrap

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Photo via Flickr: Woodleywonderworks

I now eat vegetarian 75 percent of the time. My husband, while he’s embraced Meatless Monday and definitely reduced the amount of meat in his diet (thanks, in part, to my trick of buying smaller cuts of meat and filling the void with more veggies and complex carbs), isn’t quite ready to eat vegetarian dinners three nights a week. But since we cook almost every night, it’s been a real challenge finding a way to feed us both without having to preparing two separate meals.

My friend Andrea has the same dilemma, and she came up with this brilliant solution: To avoid cooking two meals, she makes dinners where the meat can easily be added, like a vegetarian pasta dish with a few meatballs on the side for him, or a grilled vegetable medley where he’ll throw on a steak and she’ll add a meaty portobello. No muss, no fuss, and either partner can easily cook this way for the other.

Since I mentioned this tip on HuffPost last week, several people have asked for more meal suggestions. (I guess I’m not the only one out there who’s half of a vegetarian/omnivore couple.) You asked for it, you got it! (Toyota?)

Individual pizzas. Buy ready-made personal-sized pizza crusts, and let family members add their own mix of toppings: sliced pepperoni for the meat-eaters, and mixed veggies for you.

Homemade soup. Whip up a big batch of lentil soup, and cook a few sausages on the side that can be sliced and added to individual servings. This works with almost any soup: Make a side of shredded chicken for vegetarian tortilla soup, chunks of pancetta for split pea, or chop up a little smoked kielbasa for a kale and white bean stew.

Chopped salad. Depending on what’s in season, toss together a hearty chopped salad to which you can later add chicken or grilled shrimp. My favorite is based on a recipe from one of my favorite lunch spots in LA, Toast Bakery Cafe (romaine, tomatoes, jicama, corn, garbanzo beans, avocado, and mozzarella). Don’t forget to serve with crusty bread and plenty of butter.

–Jennifer Grayson

Do this now: For more recipe ideas, check out The Adaptable Feast: Satisfying Meals for the Vegetarians, Vegans, and Omnivores at Your Table (Sasquatch Books, 2009).

More Meatless Monday posts:
WATCH: Meatless Monday goes to the farmers market
5 tips for sticking with Meatless Mondays

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Tomorrow is supposed to be the first sunny day in Los Angeles after a brutal week of storms, so I know it might be a bit hard to persuade you to spend some time indoors; but the Go Green Expo only comes to LA once a year, and that once a year is this weekend. Everything has to dry out anyway, and it’s going to be sunny for months on end now — come on, you really don’t want to miss this.

I went yesterday (B2B and press day only) so I could give you all a sneak-preview, and while I certainly had fun nibbling my share of fair-trade chocolate and checking out the new 2010 Honda Insight, I really think the speaker panels are where it’s at. The one I attended was moderated by Planet 100 host Sarah Backhouse and featured eco-futurist John Picard, and I was really inspired to hear Picard’s message of working to become a green “rock star” in whatever field of work you’re in. If you’re already doing what you love, whether it’s running a restaurant or walking dogs, then fabulous — use that as your platform to raise environmental awareness.

The speaker schedule for today and Sunday promises to be equally as stellar and even more eco-star-studded: Ed Begley Jr., Mariel Hemingway, Mayim Bialik, Paul Pelosi, and Anna Getty, to name a few. And while you’re waiting to see them, you can check out the 300-plus booths showcasing cool green products and companies, take a free yoga class, see films from the Blue Planet Film Festival, or grab some local fare and a tipple at the restaurant and wine tasting pavilion.

Tickets are available at the door for $10 (weekend pass); children under 12 are free. If you don’t live in LA, don’t fret — the Go Green Expo comes to New York City, Philadelphia, and Atlanta later this year.

–Jennifer Grayson

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