Archive for the ‘Food & Dining’ Category
February 5th, 2009
A Spring Garden for Kids
Stumble it!
Spring gardening season is not that far off! (Seriously East Coasters, hang on!) Today we are joined by Christy Wilhelmi, who is the driving force behind Gardenerd.com. Christy is an expert organic gardener and she often shares her green insights with us here at Low Impact Living. Today she has some great ideas for how to get your kids jazzed about gardening this spring. What better way to teach them environmental stewardship and have some fun in the process!?
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Encourage kids to do something with their thumbs this spring besides playing Game Boy. Give them the chance to become a green thumb. Spring is a time of renewal and rebirth for people as well as plants. What better way to renew your relationship with nature and your children than to plant a food garden. For those who aren’t already growing some of their own food, you can use your children as an excuse to start now. Show them the way, or learn how to garden together. Here are a few quick veggies that provide nearly instant gratification and are kid-friendly crops to plant:
Radishes – the ultimate instant-gratification vegetable. They sprout in days and can be harvested in a very short time. Perfect for impatient little ones!
Lettuces – not only will you see sprouts emerge quickly (10 days or so) but you’ll be able to harvest the outside leaves in a little over a month from the time they sprout. You’ll have salads through spring and into summer.
Beets – okay , kids might not like beets, but they are really easy to grow, have virtually no pests or diseases, and bring a lot of color to the garden. Their red-veined leaves and stems might actually convince kids that beets are tasty, too.
Arugula – this green is a little more sophisticated in flavor, but much like radishes, it sprouts in days. Your kids may not like it but you will, so tell them that kids can grow grown-up vegetables to share.
Peas – nature’s snack food rarely makes it in from the garden. Peas take longer to germinate, but given a place to climb, they will thrive. Kids will enjoy watching peas reach for the sky, flower and form little tiny pea pods. Practice patience by waiting for the peas to plump up and then pick and eat them right in the garden. These are the things memories are made of!
For great organic seeds, visit Seeds of Change and Abundant Life Seeds.
For a list of other spring vegetables that can be planted soon, visit Christy’s previous post on spring garden planting Low Impact Living.com. And visit www.Gardenerd.com for more tips and tidbits about organic gardening.
Popularity: 3% [?]
January 30th, 2009
Meat and Global Warming
We’ve written before here at Low Impact Living about the relationship between meat consumption and global warming. The sad truth is that the raising and distribution of meat is a major contributor to our global warming crisis.
However, beef is by far the worst of the meats from an environmental perspective. According to an excellent new article in Scientific American, beef contributes more than 13 times as much to global warming as do the gases emitted from producing chicken. And it’s even more shocking when you compare beef to potatoes– the multiplier is 57.
The article, by Nathan Fiala, highlights some other alarming facts. For example:
- Producing the meat eaten by an average American each year produces the equivalent greenhouse gases as driving a car 1,800 miles
- Meat production is responsible for between 14 and 22 percent of the 36 Billion tons of greenhouse gases we produce on Earth each year
Please read the entire article How Meat Contributes to Global Warming here.
Popularity: 2% [?]
January 15th, 2009
Dear President Obama: Let’s Turn The White House Green
President Obama, we humbly beseech you to make your new home, The White House, a model green home. You have an incredible opportunity to make it a home from which all Americans can learn, and of which we can all be proud. What better way to start our country off on a bright new green path to the future than by making The White House the Great American Green House?
We’ve been encouraged by some of the things you’ve said about your intentions to make your home more eco-friendly, and we’d like to offer some thoughts on how you might flesh-out your green home renovation program.
First, let’s ground ourselves in some numbers. The White House is over 55,000 square feet and has 132 rooms. There are over 35 bathrooms and the building has three kitchens. Using our Household Environmental Impact Calculator, (and a few resources like the CBECS data for commercial buildings as your house doubles as an office building) we estimate that that The White House has a carbon footprint in the range of 1.2-1.5 million pounds of CO2 per year, uses somewhere around one million gallons of water, and generates over 50,000 pounds of trash each year. As a point of reference the average 2000 sq. foot American home has a carbon footprint of 65,000 pounds, uses 90,000 gallons or water and generates 3,800 pounds of trash per year. So The White House is no low-impact house! We have our work cut out for us.
Fortunately your predecessors have already taken some steps in a positive direction. President Carter famously installed a solar water system in 1979, which was then unfortunately taken down by President Reagan. However, in 2002 a new solar system was installed to power lighting for the grounds. Apparently the toilets have been changed to low-flow models and many of the water fixtures have also been upgraded. President Clinton commissioned the Rocky Mountain Institute to do a study on the White House and make recommendations for environmental improvements. We’re not sure how many of those got made– you’ll want to kick the tires on that one. (Perhaps someone from RMI could comment here?)
Here are some ideas we’d like you to explore for turning The White House a nice shade of green:
1) Let’s get the entire building off the grid. You could install more solar panels, and/or augment the system with a wind turbine. You could also look at geothermal energy options. We think it would quite feasible to generate enough power for the building using renewable energy sources. This would serve as a great example of clean-power living, and would actually save the government money in the long run.
2) How is the insulation situation? I’m sure you have attic insulation but let’s have a look inside the walls. I read that there are hundreds of year’s worth of copper wiring in many of the walls– let’s clean them out and blow in some soy foam or denim insulation. Full insulation could reduce heating and cooling costs by 5-10%.
3) Let’s turn part of the lawn into an organic vegetable garden. Encouraging Americans to eat fresh, local, organic produce will cut down on carbon emissions and also help us live healthier lives. That green grass is lovely, yes, but it sure sucks a lot of water for a low return on investment. Eleanor Roosevelt started a Victory Garden at your house long ago…let’s bring back that wonderful tradition! Author Michael Pollan has also advocated this idea. It would be a great treat to serve visiting dignitaries “Roasted White House Garden Vegetables” with their meal, would it not?
4) Speaking of organics, let’s make sure there’s a composting system in place. What happens with all of the food trash from the kitchens today? Well a composter could reduce the building’s trash load by 25-25%. It would be easy to set up, and your gardeners could use the compost mulch on your vegetable garden.
5) We hear Michelle has picked her decorator… and we hope that they’ll choose to use plenty of eco-friendly product in your decoration choices. How about some cork floors? They are sustainable and absorb sound. Or some reclaimed American wood flooring could look very nice. For furnishing we recommend antiques (anything used is more sustainable than newly made) or eco-friendly furniture made of sustainably-harvested woods and other recycled materials. For paints, obviously make sure to use no-VOC varieties, so that you and your family don’t breath toxic fumes. We need you to stay healthy for at least eight years!
6) Let’s review the lighting. Is everything running on LED and/or compact fluorescent lighting? The Pentagon has just announced they’re switching to LEDs– so should The White House. And we’d also want to make sure that we had maximized the use of light sensors– no need to light uninhabited areas. Perhaps there is even an option for increased day-lighting? We could install some new solar tube lighting to save energy and money.
7) How about getting all of your vehicles to run on biodiesel? There are a lot of big SUVs rushing around you and your home… it would be wonderful to have them running on American biodiesel fuels. Energy independence starts at The White House! You could have a biodiesel pumping station right there on the White House lot. Maybe one day even Air Force One will run on biodiesel!
Those are just some initial ideas. We here at Low Impact Living can’t wait to see you inaugurated and we hope you settle into your new home very nicely. We’ll look forward to hearing news of your Green House plans!
Popularity: 6% [?]
December 23rd, 2008
9 Domestic Sparkling Wines for New Years Eve 2009
Written by Stuart Stein, courtesy of Eat.Drink.Better
All Champagne is sparkling wine made through the “Methode Champenoise.” But not all sparkling wine is Champagne.
Wine writer Alan Richman in the December 2005 issue of Bon Appetit magazine bombastically wrote:
Say what you will about California Sparklers - which are to French Champagne what paddlefish eggs are to beluga caviar - they will not transport you to a fantasy world, unless you are enthralled by the Napa Valley wine train. Sparkling wines that are not Champagne structurally lack finesse, enologically they lack bouquet, and sentimentally they lack ostentation.
I hate to disagree with a James Beard award winning writer, but Alan, YOU ARE WRONG.
Domestic bubbly has reached amazing heights and achieved complex flavors and textures. These wines are world-class while still somehow maintaining their own sense of terroir. Some are even fantastic values.
Here are my Top 9 sparkling wine suggestions for your 2009 New Year’s Eve celebration.
1999 Domaine Meriwether Prestige Rosé, Columbia Valley, Oregon ($30)
Their French winemaker Jean-Louis Denois made this remarkable rosé sparkling wine in limited quantities during Domaine Meriwether’s first year of Methode Champenoise wine production in 1998. 100% Chardonnay blended with the a small amount of their 1998 Dion vineyard Pinot noir. It’s been re-released and as might be expected from the best Willamette Valley Pinot, the aromas are highlighted with fresh strawberries and a toasty caramel undertone. The best wine they make.
NV Mumm Napa, Brut Prestige, Napa Valley, California ($15)
Contains the traditional “Champagne” grape varieties (Pinot noir, Chardonnay, Pinot meunier) with a touch of added Pinot gris. Vanilla and melon in the mouth, firm acid and crisp medium bodied structure with a rich lingering finish.
1999 Argyle Winery Knudsen Vineyard Brut, Willamette Valley, Oregon ($30)
Made from 80% Pinot noir & 20% Chardonnay. Wonderfully complex & vibrant, winemaker Rollin Soles (a friend and one of Oregon’s best and funniest winemakers) made the most of the great 1999 vintage with this stunning sparkler. You’ll find a blend of plum with Gala apple fruit wrapped into a fascinating mix of Kalamata olive, vanilla, and citrus blossom aromas.
Popularity: 1% [?]
December 22nd, 2008
We Have Our Fair Trade Recipe Contest Winner!
We would like to thank all of the delicious recipes that we received for our Fair Trade Recipe Contest in honor of Fair Trade Month in October. Although we may be a little late announcing the winner, it is well worth the wait since all of you have the chance to view the fabulous entries. We have also had the chance to try the recipes and let me tell you, they were yummy! The winner will receive a gift certificate from Buy Well Coffee.
Our winner for the Fair Trade Recipe Contest is (drum roll please):
Candy McMenamin from Lexington, SC
Not only were both her recipes absolutely wonderful, but in addition to using fair trade and organic ingredients, she went above and beyond by submitting 2 entries both using our sponsoring product of Buy Well Coffee products. Nice touch Candy!
Thank You again to all the submissions for the contest. Please enjoy the recipes listed below to help make your holiday meal a little more special.
Spiced Cranberry Coffee Cookies – by Candy McMenamin
1 cup organic fair trade white sugar
1/2 cup organic butter
1 large organic egg, beaten
1 teaspoon fair trade Frontier Natural Organic Vanilla Extract
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cups white flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon organic allspice
3/4 cup strong brewed Buy Well Fair Trade Coffee
1/2 cup fair trade certified dried cranberries
1/2 cup fair trade certified pine nuts (such as Goods From the Woods brand)
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large bowl, cream together sugar and butter. Add egg and vanilla. Mix thoroughly. In another large bowl, sift together whole wheat flour, white flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and allspice. Alternate adding flour mixture with coffee to sugar mixture, stirring to combine. Add the cranberries and pine nuts. Mix thoroughly. Using a tablespoon, drop onto greased baking sheets about 1 ½ inches apart. Bake in preheated oven 10-12 minutes or until browned. Remove from oven and let sit 2 minutes. Remove to wire baking rack to cool completely. Yield: about 4 dozen cookies
Happy Holidays Mocha Rice Pudding – by Candy McMenamin
3 cups cooked fair trade long grain rice
1 (14 ounce) can organic sweetened condensed milk
1/4 cup fair trade baking cocoa (such as Equal Exchange)
1 (13 ounce) can organic evaporated milk
1 tablespoon fair trade sugar
1 teaspoon fair trade vanilla
1/3 cup strong brewed fair trade coffee (such as Buy Well brand)
1/3 cup chopped fair trade chocolate bars, expresso bean variety (such as Equal Exchange)
1/3 cup fair trade almonds, toasted
Garnish: Mint sprig, if desired
Prepare a 3 1/2 to 5 quart crock pot with non-stick cooking spray. Add all ingredients except chocolate bars and almonds to slow cooker. Stir to combine. Cook on low heat 3-4 hours, stirring occassionally if possible. Stir in chopped chocolate bars and almonds. Garnish each serving with a sprig of mint, if desired. Yield: 8 servings
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Mother Earth Molasses Sugar Cookies – 100% vegan — by Kathryn Barry of Pittsburgh, PA
¾ C Palm oil shortening
1 C Fair Trade raw pure cane sugar*
¼ C Fair Trade molasses*
¼ C soy milk
2 C whole wheat flour
2 t baking soda
½ t Fair Trade ground cloves
½ t ginger
1 t cinnamon
½ t salt
Melt shortening and let cool. Add sugar, molasses, and soy milk. Beat well. Sift together flour, baking soda, spices, and salt. Combine with sugar/ molasses mixture. Mix well and chill for four hours. Form into one inch balls, flatten slightly with palm and top with sugar. Place on a greased cookie sheet and bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 mins. Let cook on a wire rack five minutes and serve with Equal Exchange Fair Trade coffee. Makes about a dozen cookies.
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Champurrado Tropical Brownie — by Ken Hulme of South Vencie, FL
Based on a thickened hot chocolate Holiday drink recipe from Mexico, the Pacific fusion of coconut milk and coffee turns a simple drink into a decadent tropical dessert.
2-3 cups Masa Harina para tamales
1 cup Water
1 tablespoon Cinnamon
3-4 Chipotle Chiles en adobo, minced fine, with sauce, to taste
2 teaspoons Fair Trade branded Vanilla extract
1/4 cup Fair Trade branded Dark Roast Coffee, very finely ground
1 cup Fair Trade branded Sugar
2 cups Coconut Milk
2 cups Heavy Cream
12 oz Fair Trade branded Unsweetened Chocolate
1/4 cup Coconut, shredded
1/4 cup Fair Trade branded Semi-Sweet Chocolate, shaved
Whipped Cream for topping
In a large saucepan, combine 1/2 cup masa harina with the water, using a whisk. Add the cinnamon, coffee and vanilla. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens. Stir in the sugar, coconut milk, cream and chocolate, and bring to a simmer, whisking until smooth. Add the chipotle chiles, to taste and whisk. At this point you have a coconut & chipotle spiked version of classic Champurrado. But, to continue…
Begin adding more masa, a quarter cup at a time, stirring continuously with a spoon to incorporate, until you reach a very stiff dough stage. Mold the dough into ramekins or small springform pans coated with cooking spray, and allow to cool 20 minutes. Plate each brownie on a base of shredded coconut, top with a dollop of whipped cream and shaved chocolate. Serves 6-8.
Popularity: 2% [?]
