My Sophomore Speech

So last week I spoke in front of about, oh I don't know, 400 people for 6 minutes for the finals of my schools Sophomore Speech contest. And I talked about something I really care about. No, no, I'm actually not talking about Meatless Mondays. What I wrote my speech about was the Local Food Movement.

So you might be wondering, why then, Leda, would you ever be putting this nonrelated speech up on this blog? Well, the two topics are in fact connected. Meatless Mondays strives to make others more aware of their meat consumption, which includes how it is treated and where it comes from. Oh yes, there's the connection. Local meat is better than foreign meet in terms of treatment.

Now, my speech doesnt really delve into anything meat related, but still. Read it. Live it. Love it.
(Sorry it's so long!)

Here’s a familiar picture for you. It’s winter in New England. You enter the supermarket, and there they are, all stacked up in their little plastic boxes: shiny…red… strawberries? Hold on for a second. Could you hit the pause button please? Good. Now, what’s wrong with this picture? The general consensus would inevitably be “nothing”. Strawberries are supposed to be in the supermarket. And that, right there, is the problem. With our centralized global food production system, Americans can ultimately have whatever they want, whenever they want it. The supermarket has no season; whether its winter or summer, everything will always be there. Sounds great, right? Well, let’s return to my question. What really is wrong with that picture? Just take a look at that label, and you’ll notice that those strawberries are likely from Texas or Florida. Don’t get me wrong, I love strawberries. However, here in New England- excuse me- here in Massachusetts, we grow perfectly beautiful strawberries… in June. So why aren’t we buying produce that’s grown locally and in season? Part of the answer is that other food is always readily available. Even so, we can make the choice to be more aware and go out of our way to seek out fresh, regional food. It is up to us to start choosing local food sources; a small, everyday choice that can benefit our health, environment, economy, and most importantly, the communities that bring us together.

Many people overlook the threat that imported food poses to our health. That is, until they turn on the TV and see the word “RECALL” in all capital letters on their screen. ABC World News recently reported that the chemical carbendazim has been found in orange juice imported from Brazil. According to the report, the FDA inspects only 2% of imported produce. Then how do we know that the other 98% of uninspected produce is safe? Unfortunately, we don’t. However, by choosing to buy locally, consumers are eliminating this doubt because local produce can be traced back to the source. It’s easy enough to buy orange juice from Florida. Better yet, drink apple cider from Massachusetts farms. It is ultimately the safer choice.

Not only is local food safer, but it is also healthier. According to research from experts at the Organic Food Directory spinach loses 50-90% of its Vitamin C content within 24 hours after picking. Local farmers are better able to guarantee freshness while non-local foods have to travel for days or sometimes even weeks across the country. When you buy locally, you are ensuring that your produce is fresher, meaning it retains its vitamins and taste. Think about it: what’s the point of buying something healthy, like vegetables, when it doesn’t even contain its full value of vitamins?

This extensive food travel is not only decreasing health benefits, but it is also harmful to the environment. According to a study done by the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, on average food will travel 1500 miles from farm to plate. Think about it in these terms: an average 18-wheeler truck gets about 5 miles to the gallon. That’s 300 gallons of fuel, for only one truckload of produce. And not only does buying locally decrease “food miles”, but it also accounts for a decrease in materials that are detrimental to the environment, like plastic or Styrofoam. While large producers use wasteful packaging to keep their traveling food fresh longer, local farmers use far less because they are selling directly to the consumer.

In addition to benefiting the environment, buying food within one’s own community contributes to the growth of the local economy. According to Jules Pretty, a professor at Essex University, buying locally at farmer’s markets enables farmers to keep eighty to ninety cents of each dollar that the consumer spends. These are our farmers, our neighbors, and we need to support them by buying their products instead of buying from industrial farms across the country.

While we may want to support local farmers, and improve our environment and health, committing to what seems like such a strict “code” to eat local, can be daunting, especially in New England which has such a short growing season. The great thing about the local food movement is that it’s not black or white. There are no set rules. Your idea of “local” does not necessarily have to mean staying within your state or your region all the time. I mean, we all know tropical fruit doesn’t grow here, but if occasionally, you want something tropical, then go for it. Eating locally isn’t difficult: it’s something everyone can do.

So now that you know all of this “stuff” about eating locally, the question is: What does eating locally mean to you, the seemingly powerless high school student? Now, I’m not asking you to make any drastic changes. What I want you to do is make a small, every day choice to think about where your food comes from. Well, you’re probably sitting there thinking “I’m just a high school student. I don’t have any control over the contents of my fridge”. But you’re more powerful than you think. Next time one of your parents is out at the grocery store, go with them! Okay, I get it. That may seem lame to some of you, but we all have parents. If the grocery store isn’t really your style, go to Cold Spring Park or the Nonantum Farmers Market with a couple of your friends. Encourage your parents to join a CSA- a community supported agricultural group- like Angino Farm, where you can buy produce straight from the source. It might surprise you how much food you can buy from a place that’s so close to Newton South. You can even talk to the farmer at the stand. You never know, you might even make a new friend!

And that communication is exactly what really matters: having a direct connection to your food. Visiting a farmers market is a community affair. Knowing your farmers and creating a relationship with them is essential because they are the people handling your food, and when you purchase that food you are in turn investing in your health, your environment and your economy. Food tells a story, a story that can be traced back to the source; where it was farmed, how it was grown and ultimately, who the farmer is who made all of it happen. And it is up to us, the consumers, to make sure that the story continues to grow.

Happy Eating!

Leda :)

(Just so you know... thats a certified local cow. From Vermont. I met that cow)

New Year, More Meatless

Hello Readers!

It's been a while, hasn't it? Well, I guess I just lost track of time. More likely, I've just been busy with other stuff, you know like school and track and piano and girl scouts and all that fun stuff.

Anyway, I decided to start off the year right by finally making something for Meatless Monday. I decided to make something my whole family would like, as all of my meat loving brothers are home, so I made Whole Food's Sesame Noodles (recipe below). This recipe is so quick and easy, even someone who doesn't know how to cook can do it! Well, would you look at that, it's also vegan! (weird because I'm not really into the whole vegan thing, but I didn't realize it until I started making it...) Oh, and it's even peanut free!

But here's the catch, guys. Wait for it....

It tastes good!!!

Yeah, I was surprised by that too. The sauce is really addicting, and so are the vegetables. You'll definitely find yourself making this one again and again. And although it may seem like you're just eating vegetables and noodles, this dish has some protein from the almond butter, and you definitely get a lot of carbs. It certainly fills you up easily.

Ingredients

1 (8-ounce) package brown rice spaghetti or other thin pasta
1/4 cup wheat-free, reduced sodium tamari
2 tablespoons sesame tahini
2 tablespoons roasted smooth almond butter
1 tablespoon brown rice vinegar
1 tablespoon lemon juice, or more to taste
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
Hot sauce to taste (optional)
1 cup shredded red cabbage
1 1/2 cups shredded carrots
1 cup sliced green onions
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

Method

Cook pasta until al dente according to package directions. Drain pasta thoroughly.

In a large bowl, whisk together tamari, tahini, almond butter, vinegar, lemon juice, toasted sesame oil and hot sauce. Add pasta, cabbage, carrots and green onions. Toss to coat noodles thoroughly with sauce. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve.

So here we go with another alternative to eating meat on a Monday:

Happy Eating!
Leda :)

Meatless Monday: Winter Edition

Oh, so you thought I forgot about my blog, didn't ya? Well... I didn't. At least not entirely. I mean it's the school year, what did you expect?

Anyway, I guess I'll take some time out of my Sunday night to write about some meatless monday stuff and whatnot. But I'll (attempt to) make this short (but like short in a good way).

As many of you know, Winter is just around the corner (now that I think about it, that's simply common knowledge...) which means meatless options are becoming more sparse. But fear not, fellow blog readers! For I happen to know that there are endless possibilities for winter meatless eating, and I am happy to share this knowledge with you:

Soup: Personally, I think soup is highly underrated. Most people assume that soup will not fill you up. However, if you put in the right stuff, it most certainly can! Hearty foods like potatos, beans and corn, along with a little bit of cheese, can really amp up the calorie count of your soup (in a good way!) The other good thing about soup is that it's really good on cold days, or any day I guess. (recipe for soup pictured found here: http://wholefood.com/recipes/1864)

Frittata: Generally, eggs are a great way to get protein without eating so much meat. But in frittatas you have the freedom to do anything you like all in one dish. It's basically just eggs cooked in a dish with many other ingredients. Just put everything in one dish and cook, it's that simple! (or so I think....) Frittatas are a great place to put in (and hide!) vegetables like peppers, spinach, potatos and any other seasonal favorites. Oh and don't forget the cheese! Try cheddar, gruyere, or goat cheese. That's the best part!

Chili: I'm not sure if I'm cheating here, because chili could very well be considered a form of soup, but whatever. Anyway, chili is such a hearty, warm, simple, cook-all-day-and-in-one-place dish. You can add in a great variety of beans, ranging from kidney beans, to black beans, and all the way to white beans. Don't forget the tortilla chips and the cheese! (Oh my gosh I think I'm craving cheese or something, I've mentioned it in every single section of this post....)

Alright, well goodnight readers! Hope you have found my winter meatless monday guide helpful!

Happy Eating :)
Leda

How to Eat Mealtess... And Like It.

Hello people of the World!

Yes, here I am. Writing to you on a Sunday, the coveted day before Meatless Monday in which we all plan out our luxurious meat free meals (I mean, that's what I do...). You may be wondering "Where has this girl been? I am in serious need of her guidance for my meatless Monday adventures". Well, don't worry about a thing, because I'm back and I'm here to stay! It's been tough finding time to blog between running and piano, and oh yeah that little thing I like to call

"High School". Super fun. So please bear with me if I continue to be inconsistent with my posting.

I'm kicking off my first blog post in like ages on a very special day: Blog Action Day 2011 #BAD11. This annual event is when bloggers from all corners of the universe (yes, the universe because there are certainly aliens participating in this as well) come together to put their blogs in one place writing all about the same subject. This year, that subject is food, coinciding with World Food Day. That being said, I have decided to honor you with a very general posting about how to eat less meat, and still find joy in food. So here it goes:

(Sorry the beginning kind of sounds like an infomercial. But those can be quite interesting and persuasive... right?)

So you want to go meatless, but aren't sure where to begin? Afraid you're missing out on something if you cut meat out of your diet? Whether it be once a week, twice a week or every day of the week, here's your (well my) guide to eating less meat, while still enjoying food (and life) to it's fullest.

1.) Reflect in on yourself: It's good to figure out your reason for wanting to do this in the first place. Is it because you're a gung-ho animal lover? Do you want to be healthier? Is it because you want to learn some new recipes? Or maybe you're just a self-proclaimed hipster who wants to be different? All of these reasons are valid for making the decision to eat meatless (though I personally would discourage the hipster one...). However it's not good to force yourself into this (or someone else, for that matter). So just make sure you know why you want to go meatless.

2.) Learn the Facts About Nutrition: You just can't say "Hey, I'm not gonna eat meat today!" and make a beeline for the cookies and potato chips. Everyone needs protein in their diet, and although the exact amount needed is controversial, I can safely say that you will need some. One of my favorite ways to get protein is by eating quinoa. Quinoa, a grain originating from Peru (pictured below), can take on any flavor you want to give it; whether it be Italian, with tomatoes and basil, or Asian, with ginger, soy sauce and peppers. As it is both versatile and healthy, it is the perfect substitute for meat.

3.) That being said... Steer Clear of Meat Substitutes: You may think that if you're not gonna have meat, you might as well have tofu and call it a day. However, tofu, although made from soy, is highly processed. Not only that, but it doesn't even taste (or look) very appealing. I mean, if you really like it, go ahead! But try not to overdo it. Also, meat substitutes such as tempeh and tofurkey are just as bad. It is a much better choice to go with beans or protein packed grains.

4.) Vary Your Meals: Eating meatless is no fun unless you change it up! Do some research and find some recipes that interest you. Branch out to new cultures; there are plenty of countries that go meatless all the time. Try something new like black eyed peas and bananas from Ghana (pictured below), or enchiladas from Mexico. There's a world of possibilities! (Get it? World?) Or next time when you're at the grocery store pick up something you've never even seen before and try to make something out of it. Have you ever seen an aloe plant? Probably not. It looks like a cactus and is most commonly used in soap and lotion, but why else would they have it at a grocery store? They obviously want you to cook with it, so just go for it!

Follow these steps and you'll be well on your way to being a successful, and happy, meatless eater.

And don't forget to celebrate World Food Day on, October 16th coinciding with Blog Action Day 2011. Do something good, write something good, and most importantly eat something good.

Happy Eating!
Leda :)

Image Credit: "Tri-colored Quinoa" by avlxyz via Flickr and "Black Eyed Peas and Tomatoes with Sauteed Bananas" by Whole Foods Market. Recipe here: http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/2983

Meatless Monday Meal of the Week: Layered Vegetable Enchiladas

Hey everyone!

So it's the beginning of the school year again (already 2 weeks in!) and that means that I have almost no time in my schedule to be doing anything other than running, homework and piano. But not to worry, dear readers! I have decided to take some time out of my busy schedule to post a meatless Monday recipe. This one's gonna be short and sweet, because I really need to go to bed.

Anyway, tonight I did not make this meatless Monday meal. I know, I know. I'm sorry. It's just so time consuming (not to say that you can't do it too!). So all credit for this meal goes to my mom. And she's a great cook. Better than me. I mean, I get it all from her (thank you mommy!).

Here's the recipe:


Ingredients

2 cups frozen corn, thawed
1 cup frozen bell pepper strips, thawed
3 tablespoons lime juice (from 1 or 2 limes), divided, plus lime wedges for garnish
1 1/2 tablespoon salt-free chili powder, divided
1 (15-ounce) can no-salt-added pinto or black beans, rinsed and drained
4 tablespoons chopped cilantro, divided
1 (15-ounce) can no-salt-added diced tomatoes*
8 ounces frozen leafy greens*, thawed
8 corn tortillas*
3/4 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese (optional)


Method

Preheat oven to 400ºF. In a large pot, combine corn, bell peppers, 2 tablespoons lime juice, 1 tablespoon chili powder, tomatoes and greens and cook over medium-high heat until liquid is almost evaporated, about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, mash beans with 2 tablespoons cilantro, and remaining 1/ tablespoon chili powder and 1 tablespoon lime juice.

Arrange four tortillas on a large parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Spread bean mixture evenly on tortillas. Top each with about 1/2 cup of the vegetable mixture and some cheese. Top with remaining tortillas, vegetables and cheese and bake until hot throughout and cheese is melted, about 15 minutes. Transfer to plates, garnish with remaining cilantro and lime wedges and serve.

Nutrition

Per serving: 380 calories (50 from fat), 5g total fat, 2g saturated fat, 15mg cholesterol, 200mg sodium, 66g total carbohydrate (14g dietary fiber, 8g sugar), 18g protein


This dish is definitely a favorite in my house. Because my brothers can sometimes be pretty anti vegetable, this pairs some familiar ingredients that they enjoy with some more foreign ones that htey don't even know they're eating. It also is a very substantial dish as it provides protein by way of beans and cheese. My favorite part is definitely the kale (debatably the vegetable that is best for you) and you can use either fresh or frozen (it tastes good either way!). Also, don't forget to pair it with some homemade guacamole! (my dad's personal favorite)


Happy Eating!
Leda :)

The Ultimate Meatless Monday

Why hello there readers!

No, I didn't forget about you and no I did not drop off the face of the earth. I simply have been ever so consumed in my own life and travels that I have found it hard to find time to write something fantastical on this blog.

Anyway, I have just returned from a wonderful trip to Vermont with my Girl Scout Troop 3450. And as many of you know, Vermont is one of those places where everyone is really into knowing where your food comes from. And what do we call people who are interested in this matter?

LOCAVORES

Please note the word play of the words "local" and "vore" which I'm guessing is a suffix for eating or something (this is the real deal, people. I didn't just make this up)

So as part of our little trip to the green mountains, we decided that one night we would put all our heads together to come up with a meal that consisted of only local fare (whether it be from Vermont or Massachusetts, it was still considered local).

You may be asking "...umm what does this have to do with Meatless Mondays?". The answer, my friends, is that it has anything and everything to do with Meatless Monday! This is because eating locally may disable you from eating meat, because in some regions and parts of the world meat travels far and wide to reach your table. In addition, we decided to make our meal meatless as well.

So here's what we made!


Top Left: Potato gratin with Shelburne Farms cheddar cheese
Top Right: Vegetable Soup with carrots, beans, potatoes and corn
Bottom Right: Apple, carrot, cucumber and kholrabi cole slaw
Bottom Left: Bruschetta with mozerella, tomatoes and eggplant
Top Middle: Corn with tomatoes, basil and goat cheese
Bottom Middle (the green stuff): Fried okra


Let me tell you, this whole thing was a lot harder to do than I originally thought. By eating local we were totally handicapped in that we couldn't eat pasta or rice. So this was almost entirely plant based (almost vegan!).

So here's a big round of applause to all of my girls from Troop 3450 for working together and making such a fabluous meal!

Also, sorry I can't give you any recipes. This was all done kinda spur of the moment.

Oh and one more thing:


EAT REAL
and
EAT LOCAL

Happy Eating!

Leda :)

Meat me in Paris!

Greetings from Paris my dear blog readers!!

(Note that the title only sounds good if you pronounce the word "Paris" as the French would)

Yes, that's right. I am currently writing to you far from the hustling bustling United States, but that doesn't mean I can't do what I'm supposed to do on a Monday! The food here is, in a word, magnificent. And I'll tell ya, there's a whole lot of strange forms of meat here (liver, feet etc). Some of which I have tried, and others that I could not muster up enough bravery to be able to even put near my mouth (and normally, I'm open to almost anything). But still, it's Monday and it is important that I keep to my rule and not eat meat today (even while in a city with much fine food).

Anyway, what I'm here to tell you is that you too can continue to be meatless (or at least meat conscious) while you're away from home. Here are a few tips I've put together for eating (and not eating) meat on the road, in the air, and in a totally different city:

1.) Skip the meat at breakfast: I mean, really. When was the last time you actually had bacon and sausage with your breakfast at home? It shouldn't be too hard to give up this one luxury for a single day of your vacation. Substitute with eggs or yogurt (seriously, even I gave up French porsciutto on meatless Monday!)

2.) Go meatless with airline food: Think about it, how good could the meat be in the air? It's frozen, processed, and not to mention just plain gross. So whether it's meatless Monday or not, I'd say just pass on meat based Airline food. A vegetarian option is almost always offered, and if not you can always just ask.

3.) Fish always beats other meat: sometimes the situation just doesn't allow for a vegetarian option to be available. But better than getting meat is getting fish, which is a lot farther away from meat than a hamburger is.

4.) If worse comes to worse.... Just don't go meatless. Sometimes, it's just impossible to get a quality vegetarian meal, especially in a foreign country. Promise that sometime when you get home, you'll have an extra meatless meal to make up for it. It can be really Difficult to keep to A meatless tradition when youre far from home. But seriously, Don't beat yourself up, you will be forgiven :)

I hope you all found these tips helpful!

Happy eating!
Leda :)

P.S. I apologize for the late post, bad formatting and spelling mistakes. But unfortunately I'm writing this post from my iPod :/
I promiseto bring you a new recipe next week!