Eco-Veg Footprint

Vegan Poutine!

2012-01-30T10:46:00.007-05:00

VEGAN POUTINE!

Serves 3-4
On baking sheets:

2 large sweet potatoes, cut into fries
dressed with :
oil (mustard, grapeseed, olive, etc.)
1 small Spanish onion, chopped
2-3 cloves garlic, chopped
paprika, cumin, sea salt and pepper,
dash of cayenne pepper/chili powder
Bake at 350 for 25 mins

1 large zucchini, cut into halved disks
1 can of white beans
1 large beet, shredded or cut into small cubes
1-2 garlic cloves, chopped
Bake at 350 for 15 mins

Prepare a bowl of 5-6 med-large carrots, shredded
Serve as topping or mix with creamy curry sauce and serve as "gravy"

Creamy Curry Sauce
4 tbsp vegan mayonaise
1 tbsp rice milk
1 avocado
1 tsp mustard
2 tsp nutritional yeast
1 tbsp curry powder
add crumbled tofu for desired consistency
mix in a blender, especially for larger portions!

Serve with option of balsamic vinegar dressing, chimichurri sauce, or ketchup!

Serve sweet potato fries as the base, the zucchini and bean mix as a "cheese curd replacement" topping and the creamy curry sauce with carrots as the "gravy". I suppose another option could be to use vegan shredded cheese and vegan gravy of some kind. Of course, not the traditional French Canadian poutine you'll find available to your average Francophone! This is a dish my friend and I experienced in Nova Scotia at the annual Evolve Music Festival. They serve a vegan poutine dish which inspired this one, in a place in the green hills dubbed "Sunflower Valley": hence, "Sunflower Valley Vegan Poutine"! Find another variation from my blog here. Thanks so much for reading about this dish which is very special to me to serve. Can be made as a small side dish or cooked in large quantities, like for London Food Not Bombs! It is a great option for festivals and camping in nature, as ingredients can be easily accomodated and
CAN BE SERVED ENTIRELY RAW!

Thanks to Reduce Footprints for helping to share this glorious feast for veggie eyes!

Vegan Suet: Baking for Birds and Squirrels!

2012-01-25T07:46:00.005-05:00

My yard is full of beautiful creatures mowin down!

I cannot hide my exitement in this early morning post, as trying out a suet recipe for the birds is proving fruitfull....at least so far for the squirrels! This is the recipe that I found which has been altered as shown. I threw a few cubes out the window into the yard when I got up and the squirrels have gotten to it with speed! SUPERCUTE to see them chowin down on amazing peanut butter suet thats vegan! I had to resist the stuff myself....hmmm maybe I'm a little deprived in the sweet snack department!

Homemade Peanut Butter Suet from 10000birds.com

Melt 1 cup shortening. Add 16-20 ounces of crunchy peanut butter.
Heat and stir until melted.
Add 1 cup of raisins, 1 cup of black oil sunflower seeds, 6 cups of cornmeal and 4 cups of flour.
Spoon into a 13X9 pan. Chill until it is hard. Cut into chunks for suet feeders (or stuff into cracks and crevices in logs).

BECOMES

Homemade Vegan Peanut Butter Suet

Melt 2-3 sticks of vegan shortening
Add 8-10 ounces crunchy peanut butter
HEAT AND STIR UNTIL MELTED TOGETHER
Add 4 cups of cornmeal
Add 1 cup black oil seed for wild birds or any other (bird)seed to the brew
Slowly stir in 2 cups of whole wheat flour
Pour into pan(s) or casserole dish(es) and chill in the fridgidare
Cut into cubes and put into bird feeders, specific suet feeders, in the cracks of trees and benches, wait and enjoy as the animals do too!

*use organic ingredients if possible to make things critter friendly

Creamy, Lentil and Vegan!

2012-01-22T20:37:00.004-05:00

Creamy, Lentil, and Vegan!
with tamarind chutney and za'atar

In a skillet with grapeseed or olive oil:

1 cup previously cooked lentils
2 med. sized carrots, chopped into disks
5-6 large radishes, grated
1/2 onion or 2 tsp onion powder
1-2 lare garlic cloves, chopped
1/2 tsp fresh ginger, chopped
1/4 tsp nutritional yeast
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp curry paste
1-2 tbsp tahini
1-2 tbsp almond (or rice) milk
juice of one lemon wedge

garnish with Za'atar and (tamarind) chutney!

Zatoun Za'atar Ingredients: Traditional Palestinian recipe made in Jenin

Ground Dried Thyme
Roasted Sesame Seeds
Sumac
Sea Salt

New Food Not Bombs Blog London, ON

2012-01-22T18:33:00.003-05:00

ALL TAKEN FROM THE NEW LONDON, ON
FOOD NOT BOMBS COMMUNITY BLOG:

http://www.londonfoodnotbombs.blogspot.com/

Here is the link to the first amazing London, Ontario Food Not Bombs newsletter! Find out more about the international movement of Food Not Bombs here.

UPCOMING SERVING:

EVAC Serving: 12:00 (collection & cooking) 6:00 (serving)

Jan 29, 2012 12:00 PM

"January 14th Dundas & Richmond Serving"

"Thanks to all of the wonderful help we had today the whole process today ended up being a lot of fun and less stressful than we anticipated. We were able to get a lot of donations from the Covenant Garden Market and Nicole was able to drop off two boxes of tomatoes, some peppers, leeks and potatoes off to us from the Western Fair! We had a lot of help in the kitchen and were able to make a salad, pasta, lentil and vegetable curry, TVP sloppy joes, rosemary french fries, avocado butter-bread and bruschetta, and Laura brought muffins and a sweet potato mash! It was mighty cold out at Dundas and Richmond but we had many people who were interested in having a warm meal and some free groceries. Most of the food got eaten and what did not actually froze! We received some grand donations and one of our vendors actually came by and got to see what we do! It was a lot of fun. For next time: lettuce freezes easily. "

Winter Solstice Quinoa

2012-01-03T19:55:00.009-05:00

HAPPY WINTER SOLSTICE, HOLIDAYS & NEW YEAR!

WINTER SOLSTICE - DEC. 21st

DEC. 22nd 2011- 12:30am Southern Ontario, Canada EST

Many happy tidings of the new cycle, whenever it is you celebrate it!

clean!

give things away

honour the four directions, the elements and seasons

rejoice in the winter solstice as it begins of the new cycle towards light (summer solstice)

ceremoniously set your intentions

light candles and burn a yule log in honour of the coming sun's ascent

meditate on gratitude in the darkness

cook, share and feast with friends and family!

Solstice Quinoa Vessel

Fill a special vessel/bowl with these ingredients and offer in celebration:

1 cup quinoa, cooked

1 avocado, cubed

2 small sprigs of wormwood, chopped

handful of dates, halved

1 to 2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp agave nectar

1 tsp maple syrup

1 tsp soy sauce

1/2 tsp oil

1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

salt & pepper

fresh grated ginger or ginger powder to taste

*WORMWOOD is a sacred herb often used medicinally that is also symbolically used for protection and also to make absinthe and vermouth. Brewed as a tea it aids digestion, it can be garden grown or specialty store purchased. It is spiritually useful for celebrating pagan holidays and rituals. It has a pleasant and fragrant aroma! It should not be taken during pregnancy and used with sensitivity as it should not be taken in large quantities! The oil of this perennial herb is actually poisionous! In my experience of growing it (below) it is generally easy to tend to, can handle direct sun light and likes lots of water.

(below) wormwood (left)

Spiritual Revolution: Occupation Meditation

2011-11-21T14:25:00.001-05:00

http://youtu.be/xRvDkGu0NzU

Bloody Beet Root, Apple & Kale Salad

2011-11-16T18:03:00.006-05:00

Bloody Beet Root, Apple & Kale Salad

baked garden kale spiced with paprika, sea salt & pepper, cayenne, thyme & grapeseed oil

roasted beets & bok choy

freshly chopped apple

add sunflower seeds, balsamic vinegar, touch of veg oil with one drop of oregano oil for a blast of immune health as the Canadian winter begins!

For those of you who love beets as much as I think you do, check out Tom Robbins' novel Jitterbug Perfume!

Occupation Meditation Invitation for Nov17 Mass Day of Action

2011-11-16T17:34:00.004-05:00

Greetings to Everyone! Attention to who it interests including those in the local yoga/meditation community and those involved with Occupy London! ALL ARE INVITED & WELCOME!

WHAT: MEDITATION SIT-IN FOR PEACE: in support of those affected by occupations being raided/evicted, specifically the recent events of attack upon Occupy London ON, Occupy Wall St. and beyond.

WHEN: THURSDAY NOVEMBER 17th. Feel free to drop by anytime between 5 and 6PM! Afterwards there is a scheduled General Assembly for 6pm.

WHERE: the middle of VICTORIA PARK, LONDON, ONTARIO, CANADA!

HOW: circle in a peaceful demonstration of solidarity. send strong positive vibrations of peace and support to stop human rights violations and to help heal those affected immediately via invisible yet powerful energy!

WHY: Since November 17th is the two month OWS anniversary and INTERNATIONAL DAY OF MASS NON VIOLENT DIRECT ACTION , let us gather together to honour the power of peaceful frequencies to send them exactly where they are most needed. Please spread the word about this and any other plans being put together for this monumental day.

PLEASE DISTRIBUTE THIS INFO ASAP!

Fracking Workshop at Occupy London

2011-11-06T00:09:00.006-04:00

WORKSHOP ON HYDRAULIC FRACTURING AT OCCUPY LONDON ONTARIO SITE

What is fracking?
- process of extracting natural gas from shale rock formations deep underground
-drilling method that injects water and chemicals into our ground water supply

Who would profit from fracking around our water sources? What can we do to prevent health impacts? Fracking could be coming to the London area - bringing major threats to our drinking water. Fracking is a more intense form of 'natural' gas extraction, and there are a lot of other problems with the process. Fracking is a big business agenda that few community members have been talking about, so far. That's why we've arranged this workshop at the Occupy London site on SUNDAY NOVEMBER 6th AT 3PM!

This page has some background about fracking - http://stopfrackingontario.wordpress.com/2011/09/25/fracking-backgrounder/

“the chromosomes and genes in the nucleus of every cell are identical…these identical genes, depending on where they are located,

give their instructions as if they are perfectly aware of not what is going on all over the body but also what is needed from them in relationship to it all”
-Energy Medicine for Women by Donna Eden

hydraulic fracturing i.e.“fracking”
= contaminates groundwater
= threatens drinking water
= depletes water resources
= poses serious health risks
=compromises world wide water security for corporate profits
= is currently unmonitored and unregulated
= endangers 1/5 of the world’s fresh surface water; THE GREAT LAKES, which we (especially as the people of Southern Ontario) have an international responsibility to enjoy and protect

Celebrate & Protect Water Commons!

"A Commons narrative asserts that no one owns water. Rather it is a common heritage that belongs to the Earth, other species and future generations as well as our own. Because it is a flow resource necessary for life and ecosystem health, and because there is no substitute for it, water must be regarded as a public Commons and a public good and preserved as such for all time in law and practice. " - Maude Barlow

stopfrackingontario.wordpress
frackfocus.org
ecojusticeeducation.org
canadians.org
wateronthetable.com/humanright
fluoridealert.org
great-lakes.net
occupylondon.tk
occupylondonontario.blogspot

FNB Occupation Soup: Creamy Vegan Pumpkin!

2011-11-01T22:21:00.004-04:00

Vegan Pumpkin Soup: A Food Not Bombs Autumn/Halloween Recipe:

1. Bake pumpkin guts, seeds and squash content in oven at 350F.

2. Fry with oil or veg margarine, fry onions, garlic, ginger and any other desired veggies such as carrot, mushroom or zucchini! Combine results in saucepan/soup pot with 1/2 or more veg broth and 1/2 or more almond milk or substitute.

3. Puree baked pumpkin contents and add to soup.

4. Spice generously with cinnamon, cardamom, paprika, nutmeg, and curry. Flavour with additional garlic, onion and ginger seasoning and add salt and pepper to taste. A handful of shredded coconut and a pinch of quality sugar is nice!

Props to these blogged recipes that gave me direction and inspiration:

http://www.ofthekittenkind.com/2010/08/creamy-vegan-pumpkin-soup.html

http://thehealthyadvocate.com/2010/10/12/healthy-simple-pumpkin-soup-recipe-dairy-free-vegan/

OCCUPATION TRANSFORMATION: food not bombs

2011-10-29T10:59:00.005-04:00

Occupy Wall Street: The Most Important Thing in the World Now by Naomi Klein

@OccupyLdnOnt
http://occupylondonontario.blogspot.com/

http://occupylondon.tk/

londonfoodnotbombs@gmail.com

Have you ever heard of Food Not Bombs? Below is a copy of a letter of appeal to food outlets that may be able to make donations. Please distribute to people and places that you think could contribute to feeding the occupiers in Victoria Park, London, Ontario.

To Who it May Concern,

We are writing to you on behalf of the London Food Not Bombs (FNB). FNB is a non-profit transnational group that strives to provide free vegan and/or vegetarian meals for community members. The mission of FNB is to address the growing issues of hunger, poverty, homelessness, and sustainability within our community. The London FNB chapter has been active for over six years and serves a hot meal on the last Sunday of each month in rotating locations. On occasion FNB will also serve for larger community-run events. As FNB is a non-profit initiative we run solely off of community volunteers, donations, and our community garden. We are looking to build a relationship with you in order to sustain this wonderful initiative. With this, if you were able to donate any resources to FNB it would be greatly appreciated by all of the individuals who run FNB, as well as the people who it serves. Food wastage is very prevalent in our society and FNB would gladly accept donations that would otherwise be disposed of after your business closes for the evening. We do pick ups for food donations typically on Saturdays, but other arrangements can be made. All donations are joyously welcomed.FNB is an image of community members caring for community members.

Thank you for your time,

Sincerely,

FOOD COMMITTEE - OCCUPY LONDON ONTARIO: feeding campers in Victoria park and the wider London community

There are several things we need to address and several tasks to issue to people who are available and willing to volunteer:-donations-collections-who we are getting donations from I suggest we talk to individuals, the markets around town, farmers, grocery stores, religious organizations, social organizations to donate (I understand many people are at conflict with religion but they have a lot of money generally speaking and should be willing to support us with food, we are all in this together)-cooking, where can we do this-pots, pans, resources for feeding and distributing-water supply-if reusable washing stations, this will be hard first off-what time-how frequent-number of people we will be feeding-getting gloves and serving people to keep sanitation to a max-trying to get a person who has a permit for cooking (if it's even applicable in a park)REMEMBER FNB IS VEGETARIAN AND OR VEGAN ALL MEAT DONATIONS WILL NEED TO BE SPECIFIED AND SEPARATED Ideally it would be great to have ingredient lists for all prepared food

"Educate and inform the whole mass of the people. They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty." -Thomas Jefferson

"Fascism should more appropriately be called Corporatism because it is a merger of state and corporate power." -Benito Mussolini

Upcoming Anti-Fracking Workshop: Wed Oct. 19th - EVAC - 6pm

2011-10-16T15:21:00.009-04:00

FRACK ATTACK!

Our anti-fracking station at September's Car Free Fest via OurStreet in London, ON, was a success! It was great to share information and have productive conversations - local Londerns even helped to make large water themed collages to celebrate H20! To follow up, we are hosting an upcoming anti-fracking workshop on this Wednesday Oct 19th. Please make an appearance at 6pm to attend an orientation and discussion of the dangers of hydraulic fracturing i.e. "fracking". It will occur in the open community of the East Village Arts Co-Op space in London, ON at 757 Dundas St. E. We can't let profit frack around Southern Ontario and the Great Lakes now can we!? Look forward to seeing your caring and questioning faces and concerns in action.

What is fracking?

NOT A "NATURAL ENERGY DRILLING TECHNIQUE" - THAT'S WHAT!

“As conventional natural gas supplies diminish, energy corporations are looking for new ways to get at trapped reserves. Hydraulic fracturing – more commonly known as ‘fracking’ – is a process where sand, water and chemicals are blasted into rock formations such as shale, coal beds and ‘tight’ sands to gain access to trapped natural gas deposits. This injection process creates cracks in the rock formations and allows the gas to flow up the well.” This shale gas extraction is a problem because of “its high carbon emissions, its high water use, and the dangers it poses to polluting groundwater and local drinking water. People living in communities where fracking projects are underway have reported water pollution, ‘burning water,’ where water from household taps catches fire due to residual methane gas from fracking operations, and health concerns.”- The Council of Canadians

What is wrong with fracking?

Tap water for drinking is ignited in a residential home as a result of hydro fracking (above) as depicted in the 2010 award winning documentary on fracking the U.S. called Gasland by American filmmaker Josh Fox.

IT IS A HEALTH AND CANCEROUS HAZARD!

Water contamination threats- Wasted water supplies- Methane greenhouse gas releases- Wasted energy supplies (used in fracking)- Air pollution- Possible radon contamination in extracted shale gas- Deforestation- Increased truck traffic- Explosion and earthquake risks- Monitoring it would be expensive and inadequate- Industrialization of rural areas- These impacts will cross property lines- Losing opportunities to invest in alternatives

HERE IS A LINK TO AN ANTI-FRACKING ZINE I MADE!

For more information, see http://stopfrackingontario.wordpress.com/

Eco Zine to Celebrate & Protect Clean Water

2011-09-25T17:51:00.006-04:00

WE ARE GOING TO FACE A FUTURE THAT IS DIFFERENT FROM THE PAST!

Below is a link where my anti-fracking zine can be found.

http://stopfrackingontario.wordpress.com/2011/09/25/anti-fracking-zine/

CELEBRATE & PROTECT CLEAN WATER!

Thanks to all of those who interacted with us at Car Free this month. You can still SIGN THE PETITION here!

kale chips part of autumnal equinox feast!

2011-09-24T15:56:00.004-04:00

kale cut/torn into chip or palm sized pieces

bake at 250F with olive or grapeseed oil, sea salt, paprika, cayenne pepper, very small amount of (apple cider) vinegar and ground pepper to taste

ready in 15-20 mins! (20-25 for extra crispy)

Reclaim The Streets in London - Sept 17th & 18th!

2011-09-02T10:07:00.005-04:00

BE THERE TO SUPPORT, SHARE AND CELEBRATE IN LONDON, ONTARIO'S CONTRIBUTION TO THE CAR FREE MOVEMENT!

Car Free Festival: REIMAGINE PUBLIC SPACE ON SEPT 17th & 18th

"Car Free Festival is a unique opportunity to promote the environment, health, local economy, culture, community, and above all have fun! The idea is not new, as many street festivals have taken place in our city in the past. What is new, however, is the approach. Collaborating with over 20 events and organizations will allow Car Free Festival to bring its important message and celebration to the people of this city up to 10 times this year in Downtown and other London neighbourhoods. With collaboration as our cornerstone value, Car Free Festival will be the collective creation of the London community. Community ownership, above all else, is critical to the success of Car Free Festival. "

Who is OurStreet?
"Our Street London acts as a catalyst to help the people of London envision a sustainable future for our community. Through a collaborative relationship with community members, local and provincial governments, business owners, and non‐profit groups we work to inspire a united vision of London in which people‐based street and urban design are at the forefront of our future."

Mission
"To promote the equality of all street users including pedestrians, cyclists, transit riders, and motorists of all ages and abilities in order to maximize our city's economic and cultural potential by fostering a safe, healthy, and environmentally sustainable community.
Walking, cycling and taking public transit benefits our environment, our health and our community: and it all takes place on our street. Car Free Sunday strives to encourage a city that is strong, vibrant and full of healthy people and happy communities. "

Our Environment
"The most effective way to address global climate change is through local action. In London, the greatest local source of greenhouse gas emissions is personal vehicle use. Beyond climate change, automobiles also represent a significant contribution to air quality issues effecting our health and quality of life. Getting more Londoners to walk, bicycle, and take public transit is an important step toward local environmental health and global environmental sustainability.
Prioritizing pedestrians and bicycles in the transportation network creates a more aesthetically pleasing urban environment for everyone. Planters that act as buffers between walkers and speeding cars add much needed beauty to a city landscape. People‐based street design also helps to reduce noise pollution, further improving the urban environment and quality of life."

vegan detox smoothie

2011-08-23T22:26:00.002-04:00

baby spinach

organic urban garden fresh arugula!
strawberries
cherries
water
ice

Whole Lotta Vegan Protien Shakin Goin On...

2011-08-15T16:17:00.005-04:00

SUMMER HEALTH!

1/4 of a whole papaya

2 tbsp hemp protien powder

2 - 3 tsp macha green tea powder

2 tsp Udos oil

1 tbsp freshly chopped ginger root

1 tsp agave nectar

1tsp fresh oregano

1 tsp fresh cilantro

1 - 3 mint leaves

1 - 2 zucchini flowers (yes they are edible - thank you urban organic garden!)

blend with 1/2 soy milk adding water for consistency

5 Easy Steps: Lower Your Eco Footprint!

2011-08-04T09:13:00.004-04:00

"EVERY GOOD DEED IS ITS OWN ADVERTISEMENT"

-Gandhi

Our ecological footprint accounts for all of the things we do that use energy. Any action or factor that impacts the interconnected system of which we are apart - from home-base to community to country to globe - is included to calculate how much we are taking. Here are 5 things you can do to lessen what you take and increase what you give back!

1. Urban Garden

Urban gardening is largely about using the space you have to create a highly sustainable turnout with limited resources. While supporting a food justice ethic, it also aesthetically beautifies the community while bringing people together!

-volunteer at community garden. Check out the London Community Resource Centre for locations, how to get involved and tips for your own plot!

-plant a front yard urban garden - it’s easier than you think! Our veggies have already started to grow! Such a raw green space puts smiles on passers-by. Check out my blog Eco Veg Footprint for photos and suggestions! If you have limited space, use as many planters possible and think vertical gardening!

2. Compost

The composting process is a regenerative one! Watch nature’s cycle of decay and rebirth as new healthy soil emerges.

-year round way to make kitchen waste sustainable
-cuts down drastically on the amount of household garbage!
-creates nutrient rich soil that can be used in planters and in the garden
-if you cant make use of what is regenerated, chances are there is someone close by who can make use of your dirty deeds!
-see Thames Region Ecological Assoc (TREA) for composting advice!

3. Water Ways

Need Less, Use Less!

-shower less! It is entirely UNsustainable for an individual to take a shower daily…can you imagine how much water would be used up in everyone in the world stood under a showerhead everyday?
-remember fun folk trio Sharon, Lois and Bram? Take their advice: turn the water off when your brushing your teeth!
-yes its easier to let the kitchen sink run through the course of a dish washing session! It may even be a soothing comfort we are used to - hearing the sound of running water during this chore. Fill up the sink half way, breath deeply and wash in the silence
-put a bucket in the shower with you, see how much collects that is usually wasted! This can be used afterwards for any purpose.

4. Ride Your Bike!

Take Back The Streets

-practice safety rules of the road such as wearing a helmet and signalling to traffic
-ride in the lanes and become a road vehicle! Take back the streets and foster sharing transportation space
-Save money and the air from being polluted! Oil is not sustainable. Public or independent transit is the sustainable way to go - and don’t forget about those feet!

5. Swap Meet!

Gather with friends and family to exchange unwanted items! Since our healthy survival depends on reducing and eliminating consumer habits, get a whole new wardrobe without having to spend a cent. A fun way to do this is to gather at someone’s place and make a big pile of your old stuff! With five to fifteen people, diving into a giant mound of things that are new to you is fun and environmentally friendly. Don’t limit exchanges to clothing, bring along anything you don’t use - someone else will! Walking away with a bunch of new stuff for free. Sounds good doesn’t it? Don’t forget to donate the rest to one of the many formidable charity organizations in London.

Organic Urban Garden Photos!

2011-07-17T12:11:00.008-04:00

ECO GARDEN ART FROM RECYCLED MATERIALS

THIS IS AN URBAN GARDEN

MARIGOLDS PREVENT CERTAIN TYPES OF INSECTS FROM VISITING

HONOUR YOUR FAVOUTIRE SACRED PLANTS WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION! WORDWOOD (left) & HYSSOP (right)

RE USE FOUND MATERIALS TO CREATE WALKWAYS AND DECOR

GARDEN IS HOSE WATERED DAILY - TWICE AT LEAST IN THIS CRAZY HEAT!

INFUSE PLANTING TIME AND LOCATION WITH SPECIAl INTENTION & LOVE!

Vegan Dinner Delight

2011-07-11T23:24:00.003-04:00

Carrot Zucchini Curry - Vegan Poutine Style Dinner

3-4 carrots sliced into sticks/fries
1-2 garlic clove(s), minced
rosemary, thyme, pepper to season
pan roast in oil at 300 degrees

3/4 zucchini, shredded

peas from approx 8 fresh pods

green onion, chopped

arugula, chopped

splash of balsamic vinegar

apple cider vinegar to taste

small portion of freshly chopped ginger root

veganaise (as the base)

rise milk

1 tsp hummous

curry powder

1-2 fresh radishe(s), chopped

fresh coriander, chopped

1/4 tsp mustard

1/2 tsp mustard oil

COMBINE!

VOILA!

VEGAN DELICIOUSNESS!

CELEBRATE SUMMER SOLSTICE!

2011-06-18T18:24:00.001-04:00

Lady Fest London EVAC Launch!

2011-06-17T11:49:00.002-04:00

It's time for LadyFestLondon 2011! I'll be there this evening at the launch party vending as Eco Veg Footprint! The Ironically Feminist Bakesale and Lady Fest London Launch Party will be hosted at EVAC : East Village Arts Co-Op located at 757 Dundas St. Support and enjoy womyn's DIY, music, art and more!

Max Stretch: Sustainable Fest Success

2011-06-01T12:40:00.004-04:00

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

to the organizers and supporters of London, ON's 2011 Grickle Grass Sustainable Living Festival! Special kudos to the 379 Collective and London Fuse along with the very rad Children's Museum who received fundraising from the event along with Growing Chefs Ontario. I was able to conduct very successful sustainable workshops for most of the day time programming with the kids! Yoga and eco games were enjoyed by all who participated. Great energy - an interesting and enjoyable festival to the max! Elfin Saddle was a huge treat - played their previous vinyl release the week before on Maximum Joy 94.9FM CHRW during a gearing up show featuring festival performers! Thanks for all the opportunities and celebration!

Grickle Grass Sustainability Festival 2011

2011-05-24T13:13:00.006-04:00

The Grickle Grass Festival of London, ON is back for a second year of sustainability in action! Taking place in the dynamic and creative atmosphere of Londons Childrens Museum, the daytime programming will be from 10am to 5pm. On the second floor located at the "On The Street Where You Live" station, I will be offering a yoga workshop tht incorporates environmental education."Sustainable Stretches with Nicole: introduce free flowing movements and energy tapping yoga to kids and parents alike. Enjoy fun and interactive games centred around sustainability and environmental topics such as transportation, waste, food, water and energy. Learn how to reduce YOUR ecological foot print."

379 & LondonFUSE present: The Grickle Grass Festival Saturday May 28, 2011
LONDON, ON

The Grickle Grass Festival is an innovative, sustainable living festival and fundraiser for Growing Chefs Ontario and The London Regional Children’s Museum. The event takes place at The Children’s Museum and offers both daytime and evening programming.
From 10am to 5pm children and their caretakers will be able to take part in a variety of special workshops and activities. There will be bike workshops, magic, drama and yoga. Live entertainment will include Marty Kolls and her Kids’ Dance Party and Traditional Inuit throat singing with Jessica Athlueetuk. Kids will also be able to take part in the planting of the Museum’s Grickle Grass Vegetable Garden.

In the evening kids at heart will have the exclusive chance to listen to live music and explore in the rooms and corridors of their cherished childhood memories with a fully licensed music festival.

“The sounds of the evening are new and progressive with a local flare,” says Savanah Sewell, Director of Programming for The Grickle Grass Festival. “We are bringing in people from across the musical communities. You will hear everything from hip hop to instrumental. We can also expect a lot of multimedia projects with sound installations to projections.”

We have a plethora of artists whose sweet sounds will be filling every nook and cranny of The Children’s Museum. Elfin Saddle is joining us from Montreal bringing their brand of acoustic folk and also will be screening their film WURLD charting the entire rise and fall of a civilization.
From Toronto we welcome D-Sisive. Indie hip-hop artist, D-Sisive is taking break a from his tour with Shad to join us at The Grickle Grass Festival.

Polydactyl Hearts hails from Guelph and are and eight piece multimedia collective that are known for their talents of intersecting sight and sound.

The evening will include an array of local talent, including Olenka, of Olenka and The Autumn Lovers. Olenka mingles a strong Eastern European influence with element of North American country and folk music to create unforgettable melodies.

The Grickle Grass Festival will also play host to: DJThor (Windsor), Motem (Guelph), Wild Domestic (LND), Lonnie in the Garden (LND), Dave Ussleman (LND).

Steam Whistle Brewing has come aboard as the official beer sponsors of the evening. Their local and green mind-set makes the brewers a perfect partner for The Grickle Grass Festival. Drinks will be served in compostable cup made of corn to meet our goal of a waste free event.
Do not miss this exciting and innovative event in support of The London Children’s Museum and Growing Chefs Ontario on May 28. As a wise man once said, “Unless someone like you care a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better, it’s not.”

The Grickle Grass Festival: Saturday May 28, 2011Day: 10am to 5pm – regular museum admissionEvening: 8pm to 1am – tickets $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Evening is a 19+ concert.

If you are interested in media accreditation for May 28 please contact Deanne Kondrat by Thursday May 26 at 5pm. Phone: 519.691.5430 Email: deanne@379collective.com
More information can be found at gricklegrassfest.com.

Maximum Joy

2011-05-23T23:56:00.005-04:00

Max Joy Radio is a corresponding blog to a new music variety show called Maximum Joy on CHRW 94.9FM! I now host a 2 hour program on London, ON's campus community station 94.9FM CHRW.

Listen online or even download the show if you missed it! Helping to provide "the cure for corporate radio", I am extremely thrilled to officially join the on air team at CHRW after having left my home station CJAM 99.1FM and CJAMmer family in Windsor(/Detroit). This format of this page will somewhat model the radio blog for the Washing Machine - an hour and a half indie rock and punk program I used to co-host with current CJAM DJ Clara Musca...one I will always consider a sister show to my own! Music videos, album reviews and featured artists will also occasionally make an appearance my other blog. I feel very fortuneate towards CHRW for welcoming me to project information, opinion, expression and sound across your air waves! Streaming online is always available wherever you are at http://www.chrwradio.com/

Handmade Festival Sat. May 7th 2011!

2011-05-07T00:59:00.009-04:00

What: Handmade Festival Saturday May 7th!

http://twitter.com/#!/handmadefest

Where: London (Central) Public Library

http://twitter.com/#!/londonlibrary

Who: Local DIY Artisans

When: 10am-4pm

Why: sustainability & creativity!

How? with your support!

Bezanson Dezigns twitter.com/bezanernaner and I will be showcasing DIY recycled eco art! While you are on the journey of supporting local creative efforts, on't forget to stop by The Metropolitan Market aswell as Heroes for Free Comic Book Day!

Met Opening Photos!

2011-05-02T12:37:00.013-04:00

The Metropolitan Market opening weekend was a huge success! A constant flow of support and intrigue, leaving all with an uplifted and refreshed perspective of London, Ontario and its creative arts core. It was a pleasure talking with community members and fellow art vendors - my vending partner and friend Michelle Bezanson of Bezanson Dezigns and I spent the exhilerating days in awe of the diversity of art mediums and forms of expression. Thanks 379 Collective for all the hard work! It was an additional pleasure getting to share the space with the likes of City Lights Bookshop and Alchemy Recycling & Trade Co. to name a few! You can catch our table again next weekend except the difference is we will be featuring recycled DIY art of various forms at The Handmade Festival! See you next Saturday at the Central London Public Library - and don't forget to stop into The Met for a day of local creations!

Artisan's Market: The Met opens in London, ON April 30th!

2011-04-28T10:43:00.004-04:00

A very exciting new edition to the city of London, Ontario celebrates the grand opening of The Metropolitan Market this weekend! Come and explore the newly renovated space of 140 Dundas St. courtesy of the 379 Collective. OPEN EVERY WEEKEND, vendors of various art forms and expressions will be available Saturdays 9-5pm and Sundays 12-5pm. This diverse DIY art showing and sale at The Met is surely going to enrich London's creativity core. You can catch Michelle Bezanson of Bezanson Dezign's creations there this weekend as well as that of myself, Eco Veg Footprint's recycled eco projects! You can read more about this and other local socio-cultural happenings at the most excellent indie media source London Fuse!

its EASY being green (pancakes)!

2011-04-20T12:00:00.003-04:00

Earth Day is on it's way - http://www.earthday.ca/pub/

Green Pancakes

buckwheat pancake mix

water

one smushed banana

handful of strawberries

carob chips

walnut crumble

green food colouring

1 to 2 tsp hemp protien

agave nectar

shredded coconut

1 to 2 tsp macha green tea powder

Serve with vegan butter and syrups!

Compost Fun, Literally!

2011-04-18T12:24:00.008-04:00

So even though winter composting is a go here in snowy Canada (there is currently spring snow here in London, ON!?!!!!), its not the easiest time to install one! We have had some very sunny and mild days and as soon as the ground thawed I installed a composter as pictured below. It gave me great pleasure to know that so much of the kitchen waste was no longer garbage but instead a way to eliminate the number of trash bags and fertilize the world!

Composting is basically a necessary action, whether situated in an urban or rural location. Since it does not include animal products and byproducts being broken down, there should not be significant trouble with critters wanting their share. A few select items are alright like eggshells but dairy and meat products are a no-no as they throw off the most ideal soil nutrient content and composting process. Animal feces (i.e. from your pets or farm animals) are of course great fertiizer but from what I understand are best to keep separately from your decomposing organic materials. Think about where this eventually rich soil will end up - for many the answer is in the garden - in your piece of earth - in your produce - and in you!

Finding the right location was a question I needed answers for. What I discovered through research about the topic enabled me to choose a convenient (near the kitchen) and ideal spot!

So what makes an ideal composting location so ideal?

-good drainage -medium sunlight exposure -close to kitchen -away from wind

-away from wooden structures as it causes rotting

The links below should provide you with what you need to know including a list of compost friendly materials! Get ready to fertilize and produce rich garden material the organic and sustainable way.

Organic Garden Info

Thames Regional Ecological Association

Recycled Art Projects at the Handmade Festival May 7th 2011 in London, ON

2011-04-16T16:06:00.007-04:00

http://handmadefest.blogspot.com/

Eco-Veg Footprint will be at London's Handmade Festival along with Bezanson Dezign on Saturday May 7th! Come and see us along with other creative folk at London Central Public Library from 10am-4pm. This event is part of a program series offering various DIY workshops throughout the months of April and May. Experience personal creative ability and celebrate that of others in the main hall vendors area.

"The Library is proud to cosponsor the Second Annual Handmade Festival with the London Arts Council and the Handmade Collective. After a series of free workshops dedicated to sharing the art of craft and the cottage industry leading up to this event, this one day Festival will allow selected crafters to display their art and craft for the public. For more information please contact the Community Outreach and Program Services dept. at 519-661-5122"

My graphic designer friend Michelle will be along side me, hopefully with some of the other talented ladies and their creations at our booth! Since London's 6th Annual Indie Media Fair was so successful, we are even more excited and motivated for this upcoming artisan fair. I will be featuring this blog, cook books and poetry books once again! Instead of collaged postcards I will have collaged bookmarks available along with some hand sewn aprons for all that vegan cooking and baking you do! We will both have mixed media art pieces available along with Michelle's amazing and eye-catching clothing, independently printed.

SUPPORT THE CREATIVE USE OF RECYCLED MATERIALS! ! ALL ECO-ART TO BE FEATURED!

Flavourfull Roasted Squash Soup

2011-04-06T21:15:00.008-04:00

I'd like to start this post by giving kudos to the most excellent blog Reduce Footprints! Having just finished dinner my belly is happy and full of flavour. The roasted butternut squash recipe I found on this eco blog was the basis of inspiration for my kitchen this evening. This is one of the best soups I've ever made even though I'm not a seasoned chef in that department. Impress yourself with this healthy hearty dish! Vegan Health Yum Wow!

Parsnips (above)

You may need: oil, salt& pepper, carrots, parsnips, sweet potato, squash, leeks, garlic, ginger, zucchini, spices Begin by heating veggie broth on the stove. Great option is to add previously prepared wild rice! Spice with various to taste. Suggested: cayenne, paprika, rosemary, thyme, nutritional yeast (to get this vegan some B12!) Simultaneously - Dice carrots, parsnips, sweet potato and squash into cubes/disks. Roast at 400 degrees and drizzle with oil, salt & pepper. Cook for 10 minutes. Add garlic, chopped leeks and mushrooms and cook for another 10 minutes. Puree veggies with veg stock and water as needed for consistency. I just used a little smoothie blender! Add to broth mix, leaving mushrooms whole if preferred. Stew the soup until ingredients are well blended and desired heat and consistency is reached. Garnish with shredded zuchini and shredded ginger!

Vegan Poppyseed Dressing

2011-03-29T18:53:00.002-04:00

Tried out this dressing the other day with quinoa salad - excellent! Modification of a great recipe I found on the vegan Lunch Box Bunch blog.

2 tbsp veganaise

2 tsp spicy dijon mustard

1 1/2 tsp mustard oil

2 tsp apple cider vinegar

1 tbsp agave nectar

2 tbsp poppy seeds

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp nutritional yeast

salt & pepper

add water and almond milk for desired consistency!

Carrot & Ginger Bean Salad

2011-03-23T14:32:00.006-04:00

Easy peasy stuff, this dish is full of protien, flavour and colour! Also impresses easily making a great item to serve at a potluck, though is delicious as a side dish to your main course as well. Upon experiencing the shredded carrot and caper salad with the Vegan Coconut BLT wrap (WOW) at Au Vivres in Montreal, friend and I returned to Ontario only too excited to embark on a veg cooking adventure. This particular recipe is usually how we prepare the dish - enjoy and frankly, get your tastebuds ready! WARNING: cautionary note - if fed to non-vegans, may induce conversion! Mmmmmm and would go awesome with ginger beer...................................

Carrot & Ginger Bean Salada

three med/large carrots, shredded

1/2 can (or 1 cup of cooked) assorted beans

1 clove garlic, chopped

1/4 spanish onion, chopped

1 tsp ginger paste

1/4 tsp ginger powder

1 tsp poppyseeds

juice of 1/4 lemon

To taste: salt & pepper, white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, sesame or olive oil

garnish with chives, chopped

Bon Appetit! Buen Provecho! Enjoy Your Meal Veggies!

Vegan Ceasar Dressing

2011-03-22T09:42:00.003-04:00

Vegan food is delicious. Vegan food is nutritious. Vegan food can replicate and taste even better than non-veg food! There is a replacement for everything - if you've eaten it or heard of it, there is a yummy vegan answer! Glad I tried this one out as I was beginning to miss the taste of ceasar salad dressing!

Vegan Ceasar Dressing

mustard oil

mustard

dijon mustard

chopped walnuts

almond milk

water

tofu

salt & pepper

cucumber

chives

Spring Air Vegan Detox

2011-03-17T09:20:00.007-04:00

Well I suppose that St. Patty's Day is probably not the most ideal occasion to make detoxing efforts! Despite this, the need for at least a mini cleanse, somewhat of my own creation, is underway. The day began with a double shot of wheatgrass and dried apricots. For lunch, an apple and a green smoothie blend - a common detox cleansing tool and raw foodism transition item. It is apparently really easy to care for and grow plants from the grass family! Though, a juicer is needed for substances such as wheatgrass since it is impossible for our human stomachs to process it - or else I'm sure you'll end up on the toilet all day (which is also what can happen if artichoke leaves are injested)! Anyhow, during any cleanse your body is going to want to expel toxins so make sure a washroom is nearby regardless! Give this a try and experiment with other healthy ingredients like ginger, hemp seeds or preferred protien infusion.

Green Day Blend! Smoothie Recipe

1 tsp frozen chopped lemongrass

1 1/2 tsp macha powder

200ml rice milk

blueberries

small lemon wedge

Overcoming a recent bout of sickness, holiday cuisine, consumption of animal products, substance intake as well as excessive exposure to and/or injestion of various harmful chemicals are some of the many reasons for detox. Different plans to fit your individual needs and preferences can be found on line, especially on vegan blogs! Vegan Around the World Network is a helpful fusion of veg individuals and their ideas from around the globe. Recently just got some detox ideas from Your Daily Vegan. Yoga, sweat, exercise, sauna if you can! Drinking lemon water constantly throughout the day paired with fresh fruits and veggies, whole foods, non-processed selections and taking a break from soy as much as possible!

Happy Spring Cleaning!

100th International Womyns Day

2011-03-08T15:49:00.002-05:00

Happy International Womyns Day to all! It's the 100th anniversary - what are you doing to celebrate? Here are just a few things you can do, any other suggestions? Enjoy the day! Recognize the fabulousness of the females around you and in the world. Honour yourself! Make a list of reasons why you are or should be appreciated. Meditate on the global community of womyn! Hug a feminist. Spread peace! Nuture yourself and please do no cleaning on this day.

CONGRATULATIONS FOR BEING IN TUNE WITH THE CYCLES OF NATURE

Blogging Tweeting Email & Messaging Calling Mail

Campus/Community Radio Special Broadcasting Community Events Potluck Gathering Donating Flowers Planting Yoga Visiting Eating & Treating Educating Protesting Talking Organizing Films Music Theatre

Singing Crafting Writing Sharing Research Resting Party Express

Find out more about the day and what you can do to recognize it!

http://www.internationalwomensday.com/

Eco Art! Mixed Media Postcards (to be featured at upcoming London Indie Media Fair!)

2011-03-04T15:21:00.005-05:00

A friend of mine is graphic designer, can ya tell!? This is some of the stuff - postcard collage art, cut and pasted into the night! We stayed up until dawn riding the wave of a serious art attack. Ill bring our creations to the 6th Annual London Indie Media Fair this upcoming Saturday March 26 from 11am-4pm!

London Indie Media Fair on Saturday, March 26!

2011-03-04T14:04:00.007-05:00

This alternative local event needs your support! Visit the Centre Branch of the London Public Library from 11am-4pm for the 2011 6th Annual London Indie Media Fair. The art of independent and alternative forms of media receives a showcase in the central hall. I look forward to sharing this blog, Eco-Veg Footprint, along with a independently printed vegan cookbook, book of poetry and sustainability zine! Also, my friend and I have gotten eco-crafting crazy and made a bunch of postcard collages from recycled materials and images - to be featured soon! Was thinking of bring them along aswell as mixed media creations. Hope to see you there on Saturday, March 26th!

DIY Contact Cards

2011-02-23T11:29:00.004-05:00

Passing Around An Environmental Message.......

Finishing up the first batch of personal business cards could not have been easier environmentally. Amidst the "debris" of a throwaway society is a plethora of materials and resources. This is an opportunity for all, in this case, DIY artists! Inherent in the Do-It-Yourself movement is an ethic of reusing, recycling and reforming "found materials" into creative and useful outputs. Zines, bookmarks, collages, postcards, letters (in the good old fashioned snail mail post), and picture frame borders are just a few of the ways to make use of scrap paper. By selecting an array of words and images and by cutting, copying and pasting (non-electronically) them, you can create a message that is artistic and ecologically friendly. This is how I've made contact cards - you and your friends should tooooooooooooo

Step 1

- using a typewriter, recycled computer paper or a simple writing instrument: cut out strips of paper with your various contact information (name, email, twitter account, etc.)

Step 2

-cut out card sized pieces of paper from a little thicker material such as used cardboard or bristolboard

Step 3

-glue personal info onto one side of the cards

Step 4

-after collecting images and words that suit you and your message, make a mini-collage on the other side of the cards. use your visual art drawing skills if available (in my case, not..!)

Step 5

-clean up egdes of cards with scissors and let dry

Step 6

- press into the pages of a thick book or place under a flat weighty object
(this is to seal the stray edges of scrap paper you see!)

DONE! Celebrate creativity, recycling, imagination and environmentalism.

DISTRIBUTE AND SPREAD THE MESSAGE!

How To Mind Reducing Your Eco-Footprint

2011-02-10T09:30:00.010-05:00

Each morning (afternoon or night), we rise to the blessing, opportunity and challenge of a new day. Throughout each one that is given to us is a myriad of choices made sometimes but mostly unconsciously or absent-mindedly. I try and take the time to remind myself that reducing one's ecological footprint requires a conscious effort and is imperative to our healthy survival! Currently I am making an effort to specifically reduce my daily water footprint by taking less and shorter showers and by turning off the tap when doing the dishes and brushing teeth. To have this process of ecological personal activism at the forefront of reasons for our behaviours, it is important to understand the discourse around this topic. As taken from the Global Footprint Network site, where more info and FAQ's can be found, here are some useful terms with brief explanations from the glossary. Maybe spending as much time in barefeet as possible is a conscious start!

my dirty foot directly after departing Antigonish, Nova Scotia's Evolve Music Festival!

Consumption Footprint : The most commonly reported type of Ecological Footprint. It is the area used to support a defined population's consumption. The consumption Footprint (in gha) includes the area needed to produce the materials consumed and the area needed to absorb the waste. The consumption Footprint of a nation is calculated in the National Footprint Accounts as a nation's primary production Footprint plus the Footprint of imports minus the Footprint of exports, and is thus, strictly speaking, a Footprint of apparent consumption. The national average or per capita Consumption Footprint is equal to a country's Consumption Footprint divided by its population.

Ecological Footprint : A measure of how much biologically productive land and water an individual, population or activity requires to produce all the resources it consumes and to absorb the waste it generates using prevailing technology and resource management practices. The Ecological Footprint is usually measured in global hectares. Because trade is global, an individual or country's Footprint includes land or sea from all over the world. Ecological Footprint is often referred to in short form as Footprint (not footprint).

Fragile Environment Warning!

2011-02-02T10:09:00.000-05:00

Aromatic Winter Stovetop Potion

2011-01-26T10:46:00.003-05:00

It is safe to say that this is an ancient method of aromatherapy or scent cleansing! And we all know that many societies and their peoples from antiquity knew a thing or two about sustainability and using natural methods in their everyday practices. This recipe was displayed to me by a life experienced womyn and is most appropriately exercised during a thorough house cleaning! I also find that it is a comforting winter habit. I believe it also tends to purify spaces that are dark or have been disrupted, especially if the steam os wafted. Smells delicious but not for drinking or eating! Enjoy.

Aromatic Winter Potion

citrus rinds (orange peels preferred, lemon and/or lime peel)

cinnmon stick(s)

pinch of a few cloves

ginger (optional!)

Let simmer in a saucepan on the stovetop at medium heat

until lightly boiling. Bring to a low heat, occasionally stirring.

Don't miss out on a few deep inhales of this mixture and make

as thick with ingredients/strong as desired!

Thought Food: Eco-Feminism and the "Green Revolution"

2011-01-21T14:58:00.008-05:00

What is Eco-Feminism?

A connection between ecology and equality! Though, to provide answers to this question in a western society saturated in historically rooted patriarhy, it seems like starting at the basics is necessary. As with any branch of feminism, a concrete definition is impossible and innapropriate in terms of valuing change and flux - transitions that are integrated in any given approach under this umbrella. However, Eco-Feminism as I understand it aligns traditionally oppressive forces and holds them at blame for the exploitation and destruction of our environmental surroundings, womens bodies and social status. These forces are also seen as being responsible for the degredation and enslavement of all people on a multi-level and interdisciplinary basis.

Pachamama

Some take this perspective deeper, correlating and celebrating the direct connection and parallels between females and "mother nature", or "pachamama". This includes womyn's 28 day menstrual cycle and the 28 day monthly lunar calendar. It is even possible to chart your period with the moon's movement! Common ignorance about nature's cycles, lunar activity and taboo nature of menstruation, are examples of how both women and nature are disregarded or disvalued regularly. Eco-feminism would surely seek to reverse this along with current practices such as those that cause deforestation and global warming (euphemistically referred to as "climate change"). Transforming our attitudes and actions is a priority in this discourse - so that womyn, the ecosystem, our planet and all its organisms can live sustainably in peace, honouring the biosphere and everything that it constitutes.

Author Carol J Adams has written the recently celebrated 20th anniversary of The Sexual Politics of Meat which "explores a relationship between patriarchal values and meat eating". She also keeps an active blog where more veg-feminist insights can be found. The following exerpts have been taken from a book of essays she edited: Ecofeminism and the Sacred. Hopefully they will help in considering approaches to changing the current environmental condition, crisis and ethic of exploitation. Respecting nature and all people are inherently connected activities! Please consider the:

“interrelationship of social domination and the domination of the rest of nature”

[Issues of sexism, racism, classism, and heterosexism and the domination of nature must be recognized to adequately understand oppression of women, people and nature]

“transformations: respect and a willingness to assess one’s own role in perpetuating domination and, upon discovering what that role is, changing it”

“While the Earth is poisoned, everything it supports is poisoned. While the Earth is enslaved, none of us is free” –from Alice Walker’s “Everything Is a Human Being”

“Euro-Western Cultural Attitudes”

“When the majority of this nation’s [America] people consider environmental preservation to be more important than plundering it for economic gain, then they (we) will develop more appropriate methods for providing the basic human needs for food, shelter, comfortable indoor temperatures, clothing, and – to some extent – unnecessary human ‘comforts’ such as exotic household gadgets, recreational toys and modes of transportation”

“Many environmentalists have stated that careful planning in the use of renewable resources and the recycling of non-renewable resources must become the norm rather than the exception in every community across our nation”

Human/animal/plant/mineral hierarchy = top down destruction

“mindful[ness] of their place within rather than above the rest of creation” = soulution
-from Carol Lee Sanchez’s “Animal, Vegetable, Mineral”

Ecology: “examines how natural communities function to sustain a healthy web of life and how they become disrupted, causing death to the planet and animal life. Human intervention is obviously one of the main causes of such disruption.”

Deep Ecology: “ examines the symbolic, psychological, and ethical patterns of destructive relations of humans with nature and how to replace this with a life-affirming culture.”

“interconnection between the domination of women and the exploitation of nature”
-from Rosemary Radford Ruether’s Ecofeminism: Symbolic and Social Connections of the Oppression of Women and the Domination of Nature”

To Vegans (& All): Please Feed Yourself Well!

2011-01-10T23:46:00.009-05:00

salad of health

lettuce

fresh chopped parsley

tomato

hemp seeds

aloe vera

kiwi

garlic

salt & pepper

apple cider vinegar

oil

lentil coconut sweetpotato soup
veggie stock, lentils, creamed coconut (or shredded), coconut milk (rice, soy or almond), agave nectar, fresh chopped coriander, fresh chopped parsley, red cabbage, lettuce, ginger, garlic, 1 jalepeno, sauteed onion, 1 sweet potato, chopped into squares, 4-5 white potatoes, chopped into squares, cumin, tumeric, mustard powder, oregano, paprika, cinnamon, sea salt, fresh ground pepper, dash of cayenne pepper, curry powder, viola!

carob banana cakes

granola

carob powder

rice milk

water

hazelnuts

banana

bake at 350 in muffin tins (filling the greased cups up only half way)
for approximately 10-15 mins but keep an eye!

bon appetit, bon provecho, enjoy your meal vegan freak!

Veggie (E-)Cookbook and WWOOFING in South America!

2011-01-09T14:30:00.038-05:00

PANAMERICAN(O) VEG COOKBOOK: Vegetarian and Vegan Recipes from South America

as gathered in September of 2010

contenidos:

Argentina

Small Moon Village Recipes

Peru

Beverages/Bebidas

RECETAS/ RECIPES

ARGENTINA

Cuban Che Love Stew
Rice
Vegetable broth
4 Sliced carrots
4 Potatoes
1 Onion
1 tsp Parsley
1 tsp oregano
½ tsp Anise seed
½ cup (soy) Cheese
1/2 cup ea. of 2 types of beans

Season with salt & pepper and serve up hearty portions (ideally in terra cotta bowls!) along with warm red wine in cups. This is what was given to us when we ordered a veg lunch at a Cuban café up the street from Che Ernesto Guavera’s house in a place called Alta Gracia. One of our favourites of the trip!

Argentina Breakfast
“Medialuna” (halfmoon):Croissant
“Dulce de Leche” (cream of milk): Rich caramel cream spread
“Café Con Leche” (coffee with milk): Coffee with half (soy) milk

This was a devastating breakfast combo that we all ordered several times at The Continental which was down the street from our hostel in Buenos Aires!

Pasta Salteada
2 cups pasta
2 tbsps soy sauce
¼ cup bean sprouts
¼ cup Shredded carrots
¼ cup Shredded cabbage
1 Onion
1 Red pepper
Salt to taste

Raw Banana Pudding
2 bananas, mashedcinnamonvanilla extract to tasteraw cane sugar to tasteapple sauce or pureed applesMash by hand or blend. Let sit in freezer for about an hour (stirring until desired consistency is reached). Top with vegan whipped cream.

This was the desert included in El Plato del Dia (set plate of the day - like a special combo) at the only veg restaurant we fortunately stumbled upon in San Salvador de Jujuy.

Vegan Whipped Cream
almond extractnutmegalmond milkvanilla soy yogurtspelt flourWhip by hand, adding ingredients for desired consistency.

Taco Pancho!

Green olives
Hot salsa with chillis
Beat sauce/relish
Guacamole (with pits)
White and black beans
Lentils with oil
Shredded carrots
Sliced tomatoes
Grilled onions and peppers
Yellow rice
Apple chutney
Orange chutney
Marmelda
Late night taco buffet in San Salvador de Jujuy!

Apple Chutney
5 organic northern spy apples, quartered and chopped2 tsps veg oil2 tsps mustard powder1 red onion, diced1 red bell pepper, chopped1 tsp salt1 tsp pepper2 cloves garlic, minced1 large green chilli, sliced1 tsp ground ginger1 tsp masala spice3-4 prunes, chopped1 tsp brown sugar1 tsp agave nectar1 tsp vinegar1 cup water1 tsp lemon juice1/2 tsp lime juice1 small handful of cloves1 handful of chopped coriander1 1/2 tsp cinnamon1 1/2 tsp nutmeg
½ tsp cayenne pepper

Simply combine ingredients while simmering contents on low. Sitr consistently, bring to boil on high and then on medium heat until thoroughly cooked. Pair with veg samosas, soy cheese and toast, Taco Pancho recipe, pancakes/crepes or eat alone!

Tantalizing El Tigre Dulce de Leche Crepes

.....these were first introduced to us by a great man named Fernando.

3 eggs,

2 cups milk

one cup flour.

pinch of salt.

whisk together and place in fridge for 20-30 minutes.

coat pan with oil and pour enough batter to thinly cover pan.

fry until browned and flip..

fill with dulce de leche or whatever you fancy!

TADA.!.

TO DIE FOR!.

SMALL MOON VILLAGE RECIPES

Our World Wide Opportunities in Organic Farming (wwoof.org) experience was amazing! We stayed on an organic, sustainable and mostly vegan farm (they had chickens and sometimes used eggs) on a mountaintop near the Andes. It was an unforgettable experience we will never forget. There we glimpsed into the sustainable life and spent time in the organic garden and kitchen.
Whole Foods, Whole Some, Whole Soul.

Lentil Pasta with Veggies
2 cups pasta
1 can lentils
1 red pepper sliced
1 green pepper sliced
Half onion chopped
Brown all ingredients in frying pan and add to pasta. Toss with oil and salt to taste.

Ensalada Espinache
Freshly chopped spinach
2-3 cloves garlic
2 boiled and chopped (free run) eggs
Toss with oil and salt to taste.

Cabin Salad
3-5 shredded beets
6-10 shredded carrots
2 heads romaine lettuce
1 cup bitter greens
Serve with oil, salt, vinegar and lemon juice.

Senora Elizabeth’s Kitchen Seed Bread
1 kilo white or whole wheat flour
10g yeast (fresh or dry)
Oil
Seeds (flax, hemp, quinoa…)
-add water for consistency
-KNEAD! Con fuerte (with strength!) por 25 minutos
-roll into jellyfish-like balls
BAKE

Marmelada de Naranja
1 cup of organic cane sugar for every 3 large oranges
Boil and stir occasionally for ½ hr.
Serve with (Senora Elizabeth’s Kitchen Seed) bread, hot cereal, pancakes, white rice or crackers.

Potato Salad
3 boiled potatoes
1 tsp oil
1 tsp vinegar
1 tsp salt

Frenchie’s Creation
3 boiled potatoes
1 tsp oil
1 tsp vinegar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
3 cloves garlic, chopped
¾ cup boiled spinach
2 hard boiled eggs, chopped

Polenta Machete Meal
2 cups corn meal
Boil with good amount of water, stirring consistently until consistency is smooth.
Top with chunky salsa!

Salsa (Sauce)
Tomato
Salt & pepper
Onion
Tomato paste
green onion
hot peppers
garlic
oregano, parsley, & basil
oil
red wine
wild mushrooms
Serve tomato sauce on top of Polenta Machete Meal or pasta of any kind!

Veg Pate Plate
Flour
Peas
Carrots
Peppers
rice
Form into patties, cook and serve with boiled potatoes garnished with salt, vinegar and parsley.

PERU

Street Bun
Smashed Avocado Sandwich on (large) Kaiser bun!
Literally.

San Pedro Market Mash
-makes 2 servings
1 cup rice
2 fried plantains
1 avocado, halved
1 onion, chopped
1 tomato, chopped
¾ cup shredded lettuce
Fried egg
Serve in a bowl with fried egg on top!

Ordered this delicious dish at the big market in Cuzco

Venduras Salteadas
2 white onions
2 tomatoes
Salted broad beans
Fry in or serve raw with oil.
Pepper, parsley and oregano to taste!

Very common, inexpensive dish that we found offered throughout Peru and Argentina

Quinoa is a high protein grain and is a superfood! super easy to cook and super easy on the system! It is a grain with a light consistency but is packed with energy and protein, often extremely filling. Actually pronounced "keen-wah", it was eaten constantly the ancient Incans. This was apparent in Peru where the majority of the population is indigenous and sustains traditional practices. Quinoa was also featured in an Incan museum exhibit, showcasing seemingly endless varieties of the grain.

To prepare it, quinoa must be previously soaked in warm water for 3-5 minutes so that the bitter quality of the seeds is "agitated" and released into the warm water, leaving behind an almost milky substance. To agitate the grain, slowly run your fingers through it until water colour changes. Remember that the amount of seeds you use will produce an amount of cooked quinoa that is double, like rice. After rinsing, cook on stove with fresh water.

For every one cup of the grain, add two cups of water to soak it in and once that water is disposed of then two cups again to boil it with. Only leave it on the stove for about 10-15 minutes though - until it can be fluffed easily with a fork. Great as a hot breakfast cereal base, cooled to add protein in salad or used in traditional Quionoa soup. Try red or black quinoa if you can get your hands on it!

Quinoa Soup
vegetable broth
2 anise stars
3/4 cup chopped green beans
1 cup quinoa
Salt to taste

Pancakes Especial
*use up to 2 bananas replacement for 1 (free run) egg
2 cups pancake mix
1 cup soy/rice/almond/coconut milk
¾ cup apple
1 tbsp honey or agave nectar
½ tsp cinnamon
or
¾ cup Marmelada
or
1/4 cup lemon
or
1/2 cup pineapple
or
½ cup shredded coconut

Guacamole with Papas Fritas
4 avocados
½ onion
2 tomatoes
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp paprika
½ cup fresh coriander
Salt and pepper to taste.
Garnish with strips of boiled then fried potatoes!

Machu Picchu Inca Bowl
1 Tomato
½ cup beans
1 hot pepper
2 potatoes
1 cup red quinoa

This is a dish that can be created with ingredients grown on the epic terraces of the ancient Incan ruins of Machu Picchu (“old mountain”).

BEVERAGES/BEBIDAS

Maracuya
1 shot Tanqueray gin
Maracuya/passion fruit juice

Maracuya (like Passion Fruit) in Peru is a small orange fruit with a hard shell. Maracuya became an every day fixture at the fresh market in Cusco, Peru.

Café con Leche
½ coffee
½ milk

Café Cardamamo
Add cloves, cinnamon, anise or cardamom to coffee!

VINO

Malbec (vino tinto = red wine) and Torontes (vino blanco = white wine) are delicious selections from the wine province of Mendoza, Argentina. We highly recommend that you sample them immediately with any dishes included in this cookbook!

Buen Provecho!

Enjoy your meal!

Chutney Chomp

2010-12-08T12:32:00.006-05:00

When pursuing Maximum Joy, it is most important to have a spicy palette to compliment a vibrant existence! Like the experience of chopping into a fresh Spanish onion, mincing garlic cloves or cooking with jalepenos - it makes you remember you are alive! It is for this same reason that I adore preparing Indian cuisine. Ill take some lovely tumeric stained fingers any flavour-filled day.

Shopping at London, Ontario's fantastic Indian mart Indo-Asian Groceries and Spices reminded me of this the other day - found more varities of spices than I had ever knew existed. We found coconut and mango juice, gulab jamon and fenugreek seeds along with okra ("lady fingers") for a curry dish we made later that day. Along with these delights was mustard and sesame oil as well as very inexpensive bulk items like cartons of Nag Champa and massive jars of every chutney imaginable! Flavours such as coriander and tamarind looked delicious and got me in the mood for trying an impromptu recipe of my own. This are the ingredients for a medium-spice and medium-sweet level chutney...because savoury and sugary is premium! This was great on toast with soy cheese on a cold and snowy winter day. Serve with low or salt free dipping chips and garnish with cucumber. Of course, place this along side any Indian recipe for a fully enhanced dish.

Mango Ginger Coconut Chutney

Add ingredients in quantities of your own risk or ambition! Cook on low-medium until smooth consistency or until onions are well-done.

In a saucepan, combine:

oil

apple cider vinegar

onion

tomatoes

jalepeno

lemon or lime peel/zest

mango

agave nectar

raw sugar

sea salt

shredded coconut

spices:
tumeric, cumin, corriander, curry powder, garlic (cloves or powder), ginger (fresh and/or paste), graham masala, masala, cinnamon, nutmeg, macha powder (for some good anti-ox mesaure!)

Sunflower Valley Vegan Poutine Post

2010-11-23T23:58:00.005-05:00

EVOLVE

Sunflower Valley Vegan Poutine

4 sweet potatoes, chopped into wedges
Cover with sea salt, oil and vinegar.
Bake at 400 for 20 minutes or until desired consistency.

3 zucchinis, grated or spiraled
Serve raw or cooked as desired.

Tofu curry scramble

Optional ingredients: hemp seeds, nutritional yeast, ketchup, oil, vinegar, salt and pepper, paprika

Serve sweet potato fries topped with zucchini as gravy substitute and tofu curry scramble as cheese curd replacement. Courtesy of the maritime vegan festival throwers!

Tofu Curry Scramble
Can be used as scrambled egg substitute in breakfast, as tofu curry mayo for sweet potato fries or as vegan poutine sauce!

1 package tofu with - mustard, mustard powder, curry powder, salt, pepper

OR

Plain soft tofu, curry powder, sea salt, nutritional yeast, organic mustard, orange zest, I small onion, chopped, one handful of sweet basil

Masala Chai Tea Time

2010-10-21T22:13:00.005-04:00

cloves can be used to add spice to any tea, any time

pepper

ginger root

cinnamon

cloves

nutmeg

anise seeds

masala spice

1/2 tsp raw organic cane sugar

fresh coriander, chopped

Bring to a boil on the stove and serve alone or with 1/4 soy/almond/rice millk!

Fall Be Kind Apple Chutney

2010-10-16T14:27:00.005-04:00

5 organic northern spy apples, quartered and chopped
2 tsps veg oil
2 tsps mustard powder
1 red onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 large green chilli, sliced
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp masala spice
3-4 prunes, chopped
1 tsp brown sugar
1 tsp agave nectar
1 tsp vinegar
1 cup water
1 tsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp lime juice
1 small handful of cloves
1 handful of chopped coriander
1 1/2 tsp cinnmon
1 1/2 tsp nutmeg

Simply combine ingredients while simmering contents on low. Sitr consistently, bring to boil on high and then on medium heat until thoroughly cooked. Pair with veg samosas, soy cheese and toast or eat alone! Many of these ingredients were inspired thanks to Savvy Vegetarian and the International Vegetarian Union.

This Sh!t Is Bananas: Raw Pudding and Vegan Whipped Cream

2010-10-14T17:51:00.005-04:00

Raw Banana Pudding

2 bananas, mashed
cinnamon
vanilla extract to taste
raw cane sugar to taste
apple sauce

mash by hand, let sit in freezer for a few hours
(stirring until desired consistency)

Vegan Whipped Cream

almond extract
nutmeg
almond milk
vanilla soy yogurt
spelt flour

whip by hand, adding ingredients for desired consistency

vegan baking doesn't always have to be a bitch

2010-10-08T15:30:00.006-04:00

Vegan Banana Bread

1 tsp vegetable oil

4 ripe bananas

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 cups spelt flour

1tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

3/4 cup almond milk

1/2 cup apple sauce

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp nutmeg

1/2 chopped walnuts

Makes two loaves!

Top with chopped walnuts and bake for 30 minutes at 350F!

The Common Denominator

2010-07-21T10:44:00.002-04:00

The commons represent both the naturals systems (water, air, soil, forests, oceans, etc.) and the cultural patterns and traditions (intergenerational knowledge ranging from growing and preparing food, medicinal practices, arts, crafts, ceremonies, etc.) that are shared without cost by all members of the community; nature of the commons varies in terms of different cultures and bioregions; what has not been transformed into market relationships; the basis of mutual support systems and local democracy; in the modern world the commons may be managed and thus kept from becoming enclosed through private and corporate ownership by being managed by local and national government—municipal water systems and state and national parks are contemporary examples of the commons.

-EcoJustice Education

Canadian Carbon Chaos

2010-07-17T14:28:00.003-04:00

Tar Sands Blow
Council of Canadians
http://www.canadians.org/

Purposeful Perspiration: a curry of a morning

2010-07-06T10:19:00.018-04:00

Curry Potato Mash & Cuke Salad with Always Special Sauce

A solid breakfast is a portal to a day of balance and happy bellies! This vegan recipe was made for me the other day, I made it for my friends for brunch - now I pass it on to you:

In a pan on the stove with vegan margerine and/or vegetable oil, cut potatoes into discs, cubes and strips. Variety is the spice of (vegan!) life. Take a cue from an Eastern European tradition - put shredded potatoes into the skillet as well. Fry on low while adding chopped yellow zucchini, fresh peppers and red onion. So important to remember to wash those pesticides off your to-be-breakfast unless it's an organic effort! Here is a post from the blog Creative Lifeskills to assist you in thoroughly cleaning produce. Also throw in a handful of chopped coriander/cilantro while continuously sprinkling curry powder to your preferred taste. If you are trying to beat the heat and don't think that getting a curry-sweat on sounds appealing, note that purposful perspiration from spicy cuisine is actually a method of self-cooling in hot climates! Serve Cuke Salad with Always Special Sauce on the side. Enjoy your I-can't-believe-this-is-vegan meal!

Suggested Ingredients:

Curry Potato Mash

vegetable oil
potatoes
yellow zucchini
pepper
red onion
coriander/cilantro
curry powder
tomatoes
hemp seeds

Cucumber Salad

cucumber
parsley
dill
red onion
lemon juice

Always Special Sauce

Blend and add to Cuke Salad...

oil

tofu

veganaise (nayonaise)

basil, parsley and/or dill

soy milk (regular, not vanilla!)

nutritional yeast

adopt a personal ethic of pascifism!

2010-06-28T14:10:00.004-04:00

In the use of civil disobedience as testimony against the despoiling of the environment, a credo of nonviolence is all-important. It is embodied in the Peaceful Direct Action Code many environmental protesters affirm before taking part in a road blockade or tree-sit:

1- Our attitude is of openness, friendliness and respect toward all beings we encounter.
2 - We will use no violence, verbal or physical, toward any being.
3 - We will not damage any property and will discourage others from doing so.
4 - We will not run.
5 - We will carry no weapons.

from Christopher Manes' Green Rage:

Radical Environmentalism and the Unmaking of Civilization

The Wheel of Change Spins in the Candlelight: Earth Hour 2010

2010-03-30T13:34:00.015-04:00

Earth Hour was a success for us in the market square of downtown Kingston on Saturday! The KSC (Kingston Sustainability Centre) had a comprehensive, informative and fun display. Collectively, we who volunteered talked to about one hundred and fifty people! Featured was the Wheel of Change which prompted people to "take a turn for the better" by choosing an environmental challenge. Actions of great impact on an individual and community level were displayed on a corresponding info board. Steps ranged from one to three star level challenges from turning the water off while brushing your teeth to starting a community garden. Our categories of focus for this educational tool were waste, water, energy, transportation and of course - food! Talking to people, sharing and spreading in eco consciousness was an empowering and hopeful experience. People of all ages added these challenges to their already impressive plethora of environmental initiatives. It was a pleasure to see that the people of Kingston are making serious efforts to do their part in suport of sustainability. This was at least true of those who made it out to earth hour and turned off their lights and hopefully their power!

The evening itself consisted of accoustic and percussive entertainment and excellent performances by local artists while people shared an optimistic atmosphere of synergy. The moon and candlelights shone brightly and reflected the light in the darkness that the momentum of the current environmental movement represents. Another aspect of the KSC display involved a bike that converts human generated energy into electricity. To illustrate this we had people pedaling to turn on an energy efficient lightbulb. (below) It really was an illuminating method of showing how much effort and resources is actually needed for the smallest amount of energy use. This was yet another visible manifestation of how one person's force can account for alot of impact. Please use your personal power for environmental change!

UNLESS: Seuss & Sustainability

2010-03-26T20:12:00.009-04:00

Motivating ourselves to maintain an enthusiastic and positive atmosphere at the sustainability centre has been interesting and fun! One of the ways we have done this so far is beginning the day with children's literature. Stories such as The Lorax teach crucial lessons about the effects of human behaviours (thoughts and actions) on earth's ecosystems - it is important to invite into the conversation those who will inherit the future of this planet!

Sustainability Centre for Earth Hour

2010-03-24T11:42:00.018-04:00

I would like to share the warm welcome that the folks at Kingston Sustainability Centre gave us upon arrival! As part of the program I am currently enrolled in, myself and two other students - Dave and Emily - have started a three week placement. We are very exited to be working with environmental initiatives, projects and displays! Promoting awareness and advocating for lowering one's ecological footprint are a main focus. I will use eco-veg footprint as a blog-log for documentation of our ideas and experiences. It is our third day into the centre in beautiful downtown Kingston, ON and we have already learned about SO much. Our current focus is collecting, organizing and presenting/displaying/distributing knowledge about water, waste, energy and food. You may have guessed that my area of strength is how our food choices impact the ecosystem! I was astonished for example though at my ecofootprint of water - using less of it is definetely one of my "challenges for change".

I am looking forward to sharing alot of environmental info including alot of how-to's! Many interesting and relevant topics have already arisen - stay tuned for future posts about solar power, vermicomposting, sustainable fashion and more. Upcoming this Saturday, March 27th is EARTH HOUR from 8:30-9:30pm which is the international initiative to conserve energy, showing government and mother earth how much we need to care about changing on an individual and collective level. The centre is part of the event occuring this weekend in the downtown Spring Market Square. From 7pm-10pm it will feature a candlelit evening of speeches, local vendors and musicians. We will be there volunteering with an inter-active game that challenges people to choose an environmental initiative in their own lives or communities. The night will also include a completely off-the-grid concert aswell! Here are Dave and Emily working on our display for the earh hour day event that we are so exited for! Looking forward to celebrating with you on Satuday if you're in Kingston or anywhere doing something for energy conservation!

Do you go to Queen's? Queen's University's Sustainability Office is also offering earth hour fun so check it out on campus too! "Queen's will mark Earth Hour in an exciting and celestial way this year. Earth Hour Among the Stars will take place on Saturday, March 27, from 7:30 - 9:30 at the Queen's Observatory in Ellis Hall."

Find out even more about Earth Hour on CBC.ca!

"Canadians jump on Earth Hour bandwagon"

"Earth Hour: making a difference?"

Eco Response to V-Day!

2010-02-14T13:50:00.013-05:00

Why is the common (standardized) conception of love overwrought with gold and glitter? Seems more than a limited concept of it to me. Love is dynamic and complex but also a simple and pure, very raw natural feeling. How did it get to be so expensive to be in love and why don't we find it immoral to buy it?
I think a more dimensional note on what Valentine's Day really is includes the overarching and blatant commercial and consumerism. Yes, as in people being fooled into thinking they want and need to buy pink and red trinkets, cards, chocolates to verify their love. Otherwise for those who can afford it, the bar is raised and epitomies of materialist extravagance take the form of precious stones, metals and gems. I suppose nothing says "I love you" than a blood diamond! The occasion also perpetuates the status quo by the assumption heteronormative gender roles. One answer to this has been a paperless online options such as Outgreetings.com

However, to celebrate love any day of the year is a beautiful expression that I think should be encouraged! I like to think of this as an opportunity for a creative and critical response that includes an environment friendly approach. Below are suggestions for how to manifest these concepts into genuine and thoughtful gestures as an alternative to "buying in" to the Valentine's Day extravangza. Personally, I mailed the (very dark and witty, If I may say!) ones I made out to friends! Yes, through the post - snail mail as its called.

Shouldn't a broader representation of love be accessible to children and students aswell? Adopt athe DIY ethic and include these projects in your own home and classroom to foster a creative and eco-conscious environment. Don't forget to recycle the already recycled items afterwards! Many recycled materials can be used such as paper, cardboard, paper-rolls, fabric, buttons, etc..

-make garland from recycled paper by cutting heart shapes or what ever sybmol makes sense for your idea of the day

-write a love poem on recycled materials

-draw subversive cartoons and images on cards made from recycled paper

-spark ideas of your own by taking suggestions from sites like Craftzine.com where you can check out the Subersive Vantine Cross Stitch patterns!

-make sock puppets of love...you get the idea yes?

HAPPY VD!

craftzine.com

The Olympic Spectacle

2010-02-12T22:41:00.021-05:00

PROS:
-a sense of positivity, cohesion and inclusion among and within people, families, nations..

-a festival-like and exitement/celebration oriented atmosphere is created (because positive vibes can make a difference!)

CONS (just a few):
-a capitalist model of extreme competitiveness and commercialization of the event through sponsors, consumer products and commercials themselves we are exposed to inevitably in any form of olympic coverage

-an opening ceremony that had not been executed as such COULD have otherwise paid for so many better causes on a provincial, national, or international level i don't feel the need to list them...

-an elaborate presentation and artistic depiction of the birth of the world (the continental shift) was beautiful but oblivious to the multiple forms of decoposition, decay and death that is a direct effect of misplaced values and disconnectedness among human beings today (and therefore ironic)

-a light show of a stunning forest display when those dollars could have been spent on reforestation

-the advanced technology that came from valuable research dollars enabled the dazzling light display. This is yet more evidence of the "myth of progress" which has so poignantly been described in Ronald Wright's A Short History of Progress.

-a total disregard of Vancouver's recent push to ban bottled water:

"Millions of bottles of water will be consumed during the Games in February, despite a vote last year by council to encourage use of municipal water and discourage the sale of bottled water, considered by the city to be a detriment to the environment."

-Vancouver Sun

So as I reflect on all of this after sharing the experience of watching the opening ceremony with others, spending a moment in our history together, I saw all of the honour, respect and energy being transferred. Not long ago my aunt was one of the olympic touch carriers near my hometown and we all gathered for a big family celebration I will never forget. I'm not anti-togetherness! but instead embracing unity while suggesting a very organic and different, humanitarian and eco-friendly approach to the olympics. It has such a massive potential to be alchemized into a force that does good on all fronts! Non? I noticed that this poem expresses some of the sentiment I an attempting to share!

Philosophia Perennis

by Anne Waldman

I turned: quivering yellow stars in blackness
I wept: how speech may save a woman
The picture changes & promises the heroine
That nighttime & meditation are a mirage
To discuss pro & contra here is mute
Do I not love you, day?
A pure output of teleological intentions
& she babbles, developing a picture-theory of language
Do I not play the delicate game of language?
yes, & it is antecedent to the affairs of the world:
The dish, the mop, the stove, the bed, the marriage
& surges forth the world in which I love
I and I and I and I and I and I, infinitely reversible
Yet never secure in the long morning texture
A poor existing woman-being, accept her broken heart
& yet the earth is divinity, the sky is divinity
The nomads walk & walk.

The Greenwashed Consumer

2010-01-28T10:48:00.019-05:00

In the wake of the world-wide climate change crisis and the relatively popular resurgence of eco-consciousness, consumer dollars are being taken advantage of once again. Even while living on less or on a pattern of down-shifting, consumer choices are made sometimes inevitably. Just as much careful thought as reading ingredients for an allergy must be put into analysing what products we buy and what companies we support. In other words we have to start deeply caring about eachother and the environment in a crucial and fundamental sense just as we would look out for the best interests of ourselves. The latter point is a skill that many people in today's world have not shown difficulty in exhibiting.

Greenwashing is the act of advertising, marketing and packaging a product with the guise that with purchasing it not only are you making the ecologically responsible choice but in fact saving the environment more than if you had not boughten it. One example can be heard on a recent Mercedes/Benz commercial which literally exclaims: "you can't afford not to have one!" I examined a specific example of this in an old post called "Fur Is Bullshit" which critiqued the greenwashing techniques employed by the Fur Council of Canada in their latest controversial ads. This is exemplified by the slogan "Fur Is Green" (which of course, its not). Greenwashing may be said to have a close linkage with the term "eco-chic" and its rampant manifestations.

It is often difficult to tell the difference between products that harm the environment on a lower scale of impact than others. One hint is that if a company is large and if it sells other "non-eco" products then they are likely to greenwash (think Clorox's line of "green works" household cleaning products). I think it's important to think "Is this necessary?" before making a purchase of any kind. Coupled with public activism, protest and collective forms of making a difference, it must begin and include an individual level of consciousness. I am talking about daily habits on the smallest level to the point of avoiding that afternoon coffee if you've forgotten a reusable mug. We are all on different levels of environmental consciousness and at varying stages of acting on that awareness. Some may be coming to the realization that it is possible to live without the newest brand and fragrance of deoderant....or without deoderant at all (at least the kind that is packaged and bought in a store).

There was a recent post by George Monbiot which I feel is a poignant and explanatory deconstruction of this recent "eco-everything" phenomenon, which since it is a part of capitalist society, has been used to manipulate people into spending their dollars in the Marketplace. Furthermore, propogating the status quo's definition of progress.

"[C]onsumerism is a totalitarian system: it permeates every aspect of our lives. Even our dissent from the system is packaged up and sold to us in the form of anti-consumption consumption, like the “I’m not a plastic bag” which was supposed to replace disposable carriers but was mostly used once or twice before it fell out of fashion, or lucrative new books on how to live without money.

Orwell and Huxley proposed different totalitarianisms: one sustained by fear, the other partly by greed. Huxley’s nightmare has come closer to realisation. In the nurseries of the Brave New World, “the voices were adapting future demand to future industrial supply. ‘I do love flying,’ they whispered, ‘I do love flying, I do love having new clothes … old clothes are beastly …We always throw away old clothes. Ending is better than mending, ending is better than mending’”(7). "

The easy way to cope with this reality is to be cynical. It often seems like the "blazes of glory" descent of humanity (i.e. Brando actively degenerating in the chaos of Apocalypse Now!) is held in favour over repair, recycling and regenerating the ecosystem. Natural disasters and other environmental effects are not only impacting people significantly around the world but are causing millions of deaths (by the 100,000's in Haiti alone!). Cynicism and accepting the current direction of our fate will not only lead to more deaths and violations of human rights but also to ecological catasptophe. We must adopt a hyper-awareness when it comes to our lifestyles on a public and private level. Our ecological footprint includes our consumer choices. At the very least do not let yourself fall into the greenwash trap - support that it is "always in" to live green instead of look it.

A few texts I recommend that support the related "myth of progress" include:

A Short History of Progress - Ronald Wright

Ishmael - Daniel Quinn

live simply so that others may live

2010-01-21T16:09:00.010-05:00

How are natural disasters NOT related to climate change and how we impact the environment? How many hundreds of thousands of people must perish before nature must remind us in more and more drastic ways of the direction of its current fate? We as human beings have a deep rooted, timeless and sacred connection to one another and it is time to act on the innate humanitarian responsiveness in us that sometimes fizzles out and needs to be re-ignited. The cause of protecting people and preserving the environment are for one in the same cyclical good. It is the time to develop a unbreakable sense of ecological integrity on the individual and collective level - locally and on an international level. Never in human history has it been of such urgent importance to "live simply so that others may live".

Here are a few links that can direct you towards supporting

Haiti Relief

Yéle Haiti

Hope for Haiti Now

Banana Avocado Toast with Cilantro

2009-11-21T01:02:00.004-05:00

The end result of this recipe is exactly what it sounds like. Some of my favourite basic ingredients all in one! Not exactly an emphasis on local produce here but it is still a fantastical vegan treat. Apples and soy cheese are also a really great combo with avocado!

Whole Wheat Toast topped with:

Avocado slices
Cilantro/Coriander
Banana slices

Green Guide for an Eco-Education

2009-11-15T15:26:00.007-05:00

Using David Suzuki’s Green Guide for an Eco-Education

David Suzuki's Green Guide is a publication that I am passionate about and consider worth recommending to anyone. To refresh from a previous post, the book addresses the Ecological Footprint which measures human impact upon the environment; how much space or productive land is needed to support an individual's lifestyle. The larger the footprint the more impact the individual has on the Earth. Embedded in this concept is how we all impact each other and everything by every choice we make, conscious of it or not. This is really at the heart of thinking of the ecological footprint simply as the consequences of our actions on the environment.

According to the Canadian Suzuki, one of the most environmentally sensible ways you can cut down on your ecological footprint is by being aware of what you eat. He goes into depth about them in Chapter 3 of his Green Guide which contain facts like “the amount of grain fed to livestock in the U.S. could feed about 840 million people on a plant-based diet". This book teaches that "eating is an agricultural act, a biological act, a social act, an economic act, and a political act. With every meal you can vote for the food system that you would like to see". In not shying away from social and political contexts, this text becomes an opportunity to open up minds to the realization that you have the power to directly influence the demand for eco-minded thought and action.

In attending teacher's college, I am engaging with various ways of implementing teaching environmental responsibility. The Green Guide for example states that "by eating a local, organic, and predominately plant-based diet you can reduce the ecological footprint of the food you eat by as much as 90%". By putting this information into the hands of the next generation we are effectively educating for the environment. Therefore we are educating for ourselves and futures where a more harmonious human existence within the natural world has the opportunity to blossom. The natural world has become removed from the hyper-industrialized and technological Western society that sets the climate for education atmospheres. It is imperative that we instil a sense of duty and urgency towards being aware of ecological conditions and their implications. One of the ways in which we can achieve this is being extremely conscious about how our daily habits manifest into environmental conundrums on a macro scale.

This publication is also a direct connection to the David Suzuki Nature Challenges which are available in the text, online, and are a fun and easy way to incorporate environmental issues into the classroom. Alternatively, a student or teacher reading this book may choose to implement an organized Nature Challenge group that participates in learning about, practicing and teaching others about ecological footprint reducing factors and information. David Suzuki’s Nature Challenge teacher guide is also available and contains 20 lessons that focus on our interconnectedness with nature!

This is an excellent read because it is not just a “how to” or a boring guilt-ridden summary of how one is personally killing the earth. Instead it is a comprehensive look into the current ecological conditions and how it is of our best interest as individuals and as a group to be invested in the thought-provoking information and wisdom that the text provides.

Modern Menstruation

2009-11-14T20:53:00.008-05:00

When it comes to reducing our ecological footprints, we need to think about our day-to-day processes as humans. How we decide to manage the dynamics of our body's fuctions has a direct impact on the environment!

When my friend was asking me about my experiences using this environmentally friendly alternative to pads and tampons, I initially had mixed feelings. Like anything, it takes a while to get used to so about after 3 months of use I am finding it alot easier to use. So if you are not a pro at inserting and removing it then just keep practising! About the only downfall I can think of is that it is much easier to handle when using a private bathroom stall or washroom. For more info, visit http://www.divacup.com/. You totally do not need the "diva wash" - any light, unscented soap will work. Be careful with anti-bacterial soaps because apparently it breaks down the silicon. Organic, unbleached panti-liners, pads and tampons are also available outthere so keep an eye open! For example, check out the line from Natracare.

Enjoying the Diva Cup and although its marketname still annoys me and feeds into negative stereotypes, I think it is important to remind each other about such alternatives. Below is a post I wrote for the CJAM Women's Radio Collective Blog (which has now been been renamed The Estrogen Collective).

"Hope all enjoyed the Jan. 28th edition of Genesis hosted by myself and also Rachel of the brand new CJAM Women's Radio Collective. If you missed it you can just download the show! Thanks very much again to Professor Nancy Gobatto from the Women's Studies department for contributing so many great ideas and comments in the interview which was broadcasted during the show. The interview or a link to it will be posted on this blog shortly. The quote about the rhythm method as being the only "non-sexist" form of birth control was taken from the book "A Cooperative Method of Natural Birth Control" by Margaret Nofziger. We discussed alot of issues including the origin of the word "menstruation" as well as the language used in advertising and society to describe or refer to the process. Also, we talked about the menstrual cup of which more info can be found in the post about this alternative menstrual product on a blog called No Soap For Sale. There was also an interesting article we used concerning advertising methods for menstrual products called "A Candid Look At Menstrual Products - Advertising and Public Relations". Rachel and I really enjoyed putting a feminist perspective on these issues into the spotlight and with luck we got everyone thinking!"

Ginger Matcha Smoothie and Inari Obsession

2009-09-20T19:35:00.009-04:00

This is another combination for all of those veg's out there who are looking for some diversity in their green smoothies! Living in a University residence scenario and operating with minimal supplies is forcing me to be ingenuitive. For example you can use ginger leftover from take out sushi. This is what I did except it was from a grocery store Inari container - a new obsession of a vegetarian friend of mine and myself which is rice wrapped in fried soy bean curd! A very sweet treat - if anyone has a recipe let me know. Anyways here is a healthy smoothie recipe I made that contains soy protien (tofu) without protien powder and barely any soy milk. For some amazing green smoothie recipes be sure to visit the Big Raw Vegan Blog!

Ginger Matcha Smoothie

-1/4 cup soy milk

-1/4 cup soft tofu

-strips of pickled ginger

-as much matcha as you can handle
-1 ripe banana
-1/8 cup of water

Curry Dip and the Coriando/Cilantro Quandry...

2009-09-16T20:17:00.005-04:00

Curry Dip

In a blender:

Curry powder

Nutritional Yeast
Onions
Coriander/Cilantro
Cumin

Veganaise

3/4 of a package of firm Tofu

1 Tablespoon Soy Milk

Another living in residence miracle as I make a vegan curry dip! I used a very small and simple blender to mix all of the ingredients - it has some kick and is now chilling in a jar in the fridge! I used an independant company's curry mix but I would normally just use curry powder itself and add all everything else in such as onions, cumin and any other spices to taste such as coriander/cilantro. Actually my friend Jessie and I stumbled into the fact that those two spices are actually the same but just referred to as either depending on the region! Definetely one of my favourite spices. Ever had coriander naan bread? WOW - but I digress. Check out this easy dip that is vegan and extremely tasty. I am serving it with pesticide free mini field cucumbers that I bought at the Farmer's Market in downtown Kingston. It makes an appearance 3 times a week until Thanksgiving and I have been enjying it alot!

Extremely Easy Vegan Dinner!

2009-09-03T21:29:00.002-04:00

As of late I have moved! That's right - more veg challenges to face! I made a super easy, lazy you might call it, but tasty nonetheless dinner. Ingredients are as follows and are a basic last minute desperate craving for Thai peanut sauce flavour!

Rice Noodles
Rice Paper Wraps
Chunky Organic Unsweetened Peanut Butter
Whole Unsalted Peanuts
Soy Sauce

(that's right!)

Soak ripe paper wraps in room temperature water while noodles are boiling. A convenient way to do so is in a frying pan on the counter with the water inside it. Take out the wraps gently and let them dry briefly. Then once the noodles are finished you can make wraps with them and a previously mixed combination of soy sauce, peanut butter and peanuts!

BON Appetit!: Julia Child's Vegan Ratatoullie

2009-08-19T09:27:00.009-04:00

More aggrigation all! Last night I saw Julie and Julia and was completely astounded. I had seen parodies of her TV show The French Chef and impersonations of Julia Child and her various cultural manifestations. Sadly my most authentic Julia experience was on youtube! Maybe that will change when I try this recipe. Wondering whether a Julia meal with out eggs and butter was possible, I found that it was with this vegan recipe for Ratatouille!

Julia Child's (Vegan) Ratatouille

Ingredients:

1/2 pound eggplant

1/2 pound zucchini, trimmed

1 tsp. sea salt

7 T olive oil, divided

1 8-ounce onion, thinly sliced (about 2 cups)

2 green bell peppers, thinly sliced into strips

2 garlic cloves, pressed

1 pound firm but ripe tomatoes, peeled, seeded, cut into 3/8 to 1/4-inch-thick strips

3 tablespoons fresh parsley, mincedfresh ground pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Peel eggplant; cut lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick slices, then cut into 3-inch-long, 1-inch-wide strips. Cut zucchini into same size strips. Place vegetables in large bowl; sprinkle with 1 tsp. salt. Let stand 30 minutes. Drain; dry with paper towels.

2. Heat 4 T oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add eggplant and zucchini to skillet; sauté until light golden, about 1 minute per side. Transfer to plate; reserve.

3. Add 3 T oil to skillet; heat over medium heat. Add onion and peppers; sauté until just tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Stir in garlic. Season with salt and fresh ground pepper.

4. Place tomato strips atop onion-pepper mixture in skillet. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cover skillet; cook over low heat until tomatoes begin to juice, about 5 minutes. Uncover; baste vegetables in skillet with juices. Boil until juices are almost evaporated, 2 to 3 minutes.

5. Transfer 1/3 of onion-pepper-tomato mixture to 2 1/2-quart pot; sprinkle with 1 T parsley. Top with half of eggplant and half of zucchini then, remaining onion-pepper-tomato mixture; sprinkle with 1 T parsley. Layer remaining eggplant and zucchini over; sprinkle with 1 T parsley.

6. Cover; simmer over low heat 10 minutes. Uncover; tilt pot and baste with accumulated juices. Increase heat to medium; simmer uncovered, basting several times with pan juices until only 2 to 3 T juices remain in pot, watching closely to avoid scorching, 10 to 15 minutes longer. Season with salt and pepper.

Yields 8 servings. Serving size: 1 cup. Nutritional content: 152 Calories, 12.05g fat, 1.75g protein, 11.15g carbohydrates, 3.17g fiber, 440g sodium. *Can be made 8 hours ahead of time. Cool slightly, cover then, chill. Serve at room temperature or rewarm over medium-low heat before serving.

For The Love Of Chutney!

2009-08-18T19:30:00.003-04:00

Life Changing Peach Chutney Recipe

from Canadian Living.com

Add cardamom as a secret ingredient!

Servings: 8 cups (2 L)

2 tsp (10 mL) vegetable oil

2 cups (500 mL) chopped onions

1 tbsp (15 mL) yellow mustard seeds

1 tsp (5 mL) each ground ginger, cinnamon and salt

1/2 tsp (2 mL) ground cloves

1/4 tsp (1 mL) each hot pepper flakes and pepper

8 cups (2 L) sliced peeled peaches

2-1/2 cups (625 mL) granulated sugar

1 cup (250 mL) golden raisins

1 cup (250 mL) cider vinegar

PREP

heat oil over medium heat; cook onions, mustard seeds, ginger, cinnamon, salt, cloves, hot pepper flakes and pepper, stirring often, until onions are softened, about 5 minutes.
Add peaches, sugar, raisins and vinegar; bring to boil, stirring. Reduce heat to medium; simmer, uncovered and stirring often, until reduced to 8 cups (2 L) and thick enough to mound on spoon, 1 hour.
Pour into four 2-cup (500 mL) sterilized canning jars, leaving 1/2-inch (1 cm) headspace. Seal with prepared discs and clean bands. Process in boiling water canner for 10 minutes; transfer to rack to let cool. Store in cool dark place for up to 1 year.
Additional Information
Tip: Here's how to peel a large amount of peaches: with slotted spoon, lower a few peaches at a time into a pot of boiling water; blanch until skin starts to peel away, about 30 seconds. Submerge immediately in bowl of ice water until cool enough to handle; peel off skin.

Chutney & Cheese Toast

2009-08-11T15:21:00.008-04:00

Latest favourite snack and way to eat soy cheese - also great with cheddar slices if not vegan or if you're a lacto-ovo vegetarian! Cheese has been one of the hardest things to give up in the path towards veganism. However this is one way that I think soy cheese tastes great! Chutney is a spicy jam like spread and is a part of Indian cuisine. Mango and tomato are popular and kiwi is great too. Simply spread on toast and place cheese slices on top!

Peach Chutney Recipe Post to follow!

PHO PHO GOOD!

2009-08-03T11:33:00.013-04:00

I have just returned from an Atlantic Canadian month long road trip! Along the way my friend and I encountered many vegetarian and vegan successes and hurdles while camping, travelling and dining across the eastern portion of the country. I can't wait to share all of the amazing recipes and ideas on ecovegfootprint!

One of our favourite meals came from a restaurant in Montreal's Chinatown. My friend Jessie and I tried our first veg Pho! This is a Vietnamese noodle soup that is so yummy and really feels like it envelopes the whole body. It feels so healthy to eat and would keep anyone warm during cold Canadian winter months. The veg aspect of the soup is incorporated by easily using any other type of broth besides beef. Traditional ingredients are interesting and slightly complex if you are not used to cooking Asian cuisine. As there are many ways to make it depending on the region, Pho recipes can be easily morphed. I find that a key ingredient besides noodles is fennel. I have been growing this herb in my garden for the first time and it has been interesting! More about that in another post because I want to share this Pho! I tried a recipe that came from the memories of my taste buds. I recommend going out to try some that is authentic. Nevertheless here is what I came up with and my friends, family and I thought it was a very good!

Keep in mind that quantity depends on how large a batch you want to make. Also that these are the specific ingredients I used but any can be substituted. It only takes about 5 minutes cooking time which I suppose makes it a somewhat rawish dish.

Simple Veg Pho Recipe

In a small pot of water on the stove add:

Japanese buckwheat noodles

sea salt

soy sauce

mushrooms

cashews

fennel

chives

green onions

nutritional yeast

beansprouts

Veg Nachos

2009-06-27T23:29:00.006-04:00

Well I've never been a big fan of ordering nachos in a restaurant and that's probably because they are usually smothered in ground beef, cheese and sour cream! This recipe turned out great so I finally found a solution in veg nachos.

Begin with spreading low sodium nacho chips on a pan and then lightly top with a mix of soy based vegetarian chili from PC (best canned veg chili ever!) and Yves Veggie Ground - the combination makes the mix more solid. Lightly and sporadically add one can of preferred salsa, previously drained so as to make these yummy and crunchy veg nachos instead of runny tomato juice veg
nachos!

Add another layer of nachos and repeat. Add black beans and (soy or dairy) shredded cheese this time. Finally I garnished with chopped green onions from my garden. Bake in oven at 350 degrees for 10 minutes and serve!

Asian Hybrid Stirfry

2009-06-11T15:18:00.015-04:00

In making this stirfry I spontaneously added various ingredients of south and east Asian cuisine to create a hybrid effect that was interesting and delicious!

Tossing a veggie medley into a frying pan and lightly dusting with curry powder (Ten Thousand Villages fair-trade from Sri Lanka to be exact) is what I did first. The oil I added sporadically while frying is roasted garlic grapeseed oil. Instead of rice I chose to add Japanese buckwheat noodles as a base which can be boiled for 3 minutes and added to the stirfry with additional oil so as to avoid pan-stick action! I added a chopped mix of coriander, basil and rosemary from my herb garden and garnished generously with sesame seeds, chopped mango and coconut sprinkles. I served this dish with crackers and the kiwi chutney that I bought at Windsor's annual Art in the Park that just passed.

After the health feast my friend Craig and I tried to make a vegan cookie/quickbread recipe and it was a complete mess/flop! Pictured below is my post-stirfry success and pre-baking disaster smile. Not all of the recipes I make up or get from other blogs work out of course and those go un-posted! I encourage all to perservere on the veg cooking journey because we all make mistakes and wow is it worth it when you make something new, interesting and yummy to add to the recipe book. And a DIY apron makes any cooking experience better!

Windsor Indie Art & Eco Action

2009-06-01T12:29:00.005-04:00

Now that the grass down by the Windsor riverfront is long enough to braid - that is exactly what kind of eco action is going down! Leesa Bringas has been leading the process and I think it is a brilliant solution. I share the sentiments that have been expressed on various Windsor pages and blogs such as the recent post on the ever ingenuitive Broken City Lab! Click to see pics here

I also found this great link from a 2007 article but found it to be an informative and interesting take on Windsor's indie/artsy venues, including CJAM, and what they have to offer:

Hipsters Guide to Windsor

A Garden Recipe Already!

2009-05-27T15:41:00.007-04:00

These are the ingredients I used to make bruschetta - it is by no means a traditional recipe. I love reaping the benefits of DIY - I put on the apron I made as featured in a previous post and already got to use ingredients from my newly planted garden.

Bruschetta

Bruschetta

Tomatoes
Red Onions
Rosemary
Basil Leaves
Chives
Oil (Roasted Garlic Grapeseed Oil for example!)

Mix these ingredients together and drizzle oil over top before stirring. I like to use scissors in cooking so I chopped everything up a little finer once it was in a bowl. Serve on top of sliced french bread! Add feta and/or rosemary sprigs to garnish if you are not looking for a strictly veg recipe or are feeling ambitious.

Plants and Plants and Plants and

2009-05-24T17:05:00.006-04:00

GARDENING TIME! This may very well be the last garden I plant while living at home (as I am moving in the fall) - lots of great space with a little shade and mostly sunshine! It was a perfect day to plant - I got out there in the late afternoon when it was warm but with a mild cool breeze. Tonight I will give the entire thing a light mist. I love this time of year and this is one of the reasons why. Planting season gives us an opportunity to physically and spiritually reconnect with nature by initiating the phenomenon of its natural life cycles. As I mentioned in a post about preparing quinoa, the feeling of running my bare hands through soil, much like grain, is a humble and organic experience!

No gloves for this girl...

Today in my vegetable and herb gardens I planted:

Tomatoes, green and yellow cucumber and zucchini, fennel, red and Spanish onions, eggplant, organic radishes and spinach seeds, coriander, nutmeg and lemon thyme, rosemary, pineapple sage and basil.

I also have some parsley, chives and dill already going with a few flowers here and there as well! As pictured right, the chives, perennial flowers and dill have spiraled a bit out of control! Below is a picture of my treasured herb garden.

Wish me luck - if you have any questions please ask and also look back to see summer veg recipes posted with the freshest ingredients of those listed above. If you know of any recipes that call for them then please do not hesitate to share them with me!

happy gardening!

Spontaneous DIY

2009-05-18T22:03:00.013-04:00

This is the stuff I made! I am a hand sewer and do not own or know how to use a sewing machine and still these projects were really easy. First I made a simple square apron for all of my veg cooking endeavours. Value Village is a fabric goldmine! Made a pouch purse for my friend too with the same material. Very fun and easy process which also makes a great gift. These were some spontaneous crafts as I am new to creating other than bags and purses. DIY really saves alot of money plus all of the time and various forms of energy that would have been otherwise spent in the process of shopping/buying/consuming.

DIY Apron Instructions

Cut out two layers of fabric in the whichever shape you want your apron to be. Simply hand-stitch them together by looping the needle and thread around all the outside corners. Cut out additional squares if you want to sew on pockets in which obviously only three sides will need to be stitched. Use excess material to cut an approximately two 1 inch strips for the straps. I sewed these onto the sides and added a button over each.

DIY Purse Instructions

Another project I did with the same fabric was a pouch for my friend who likes to shove all of what are usual wallet contents into a small-medium sized purse-like thing. I made one custom for her which includes a pocket for cards!

Cut out a double layer fabric rectangle slightly larger than a standard piece of paper. The purse is going to fold like a letter. First fold up the bottom half and sew the sides together. Wen sewing the top of the bottom fold together, leave a space to act as the top of a pocket. Sew three sides down around wherever this opening is located. Fold down the top and cut the corners on an angle. Sew the sides of this together.
Add the button to the bottom of the bag and sew a few inch long piece of material to the bottom of the top flap, parallel to where the button is sewed at the bottom. Carefully make a button hole with scissors.

These are really basic and simple but I wanted to share the recent acceleration in my DIY initiatives! Get creative and use different coloured threads, patterns and accessories that look good together.

Fin!

I-Actually-Made-Veganaise Post

2009-05-16T16:20:00.004-04:00

I made this for my friends a few weeks ago and they loved it! I got the idea from an Ecogrl Cooks Vegetarian! recipe post and altered ingredients to accommodate what I had around. This lead to me making veganaise for the first time and it was a complete success! For the veganaise I acquired directions in a post from Epicurvegan. These are both blogs with stunning veg recipes in large quantities! Here is the recipe that I ended up using for this dish altogether, hope you get to make this or some form of it and enjoy it as much as I/we did. Sorry no photos for this one - life gets a bit too postmodern for me when I actually start taking pictures of every other meal I prepare! Hope you like the recipe!

Sweet Potato Fries & Spicy Dipping Sauce

1) Peel and slice yams or sweet potatoes. Put some muscle into it and use a good knife - be careful they can be a bit challenging to handle at times! Cut into desired length and width (pretty much the same size as a large french fry)

2) In a mixing bowl, add 1-2 Tablespoons of extra virgin sesame oil, 1 Teaspoon of Chili Powder and 1 Teaspoon of Cumin to the cut potatoes, distribute evenly over the batch and sprinkle with pepper

3) Spread out on cookie sheet and bake for half an hour at 425 degrees in the oven. I find it impossible to make them really crispy so be prepared for them to be on the soft side - this is how they are supposed to turn out when you make them yourself. So in my experience, if you want them to be crunchy then go to a restaurant where they have a deep fryer!!!

4) While these are cooking you can prepare the dipping sauce. The first ingredient is VEGANAISE: Put 1/2 cup of soy milk in a blender with 1/2 cup of canola oil. Add 1 Tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar, 1/2 Teaspoon of Dry Mustard Powder, 1 Teaspoon of salt1 small clove of finely minced garlic, freshly ground black pepper. I put in some chives too because I tend to put them in everything! Start with these ingredients and then add plain firm tofu until consistency is as thick as desired. BLEND AWAY

5) Combine veganaise with 3/4 of a fresh squeezed lemon juice, 1 pressed garlic clove, 1 Teaspoon of Paprika and 1 Teaspoon of Chili Powder. Serve on the side of fries.

Let's Have A Sushi Party!

2009-04-29T20:59:00.016-04:00

Happy to say one of the goals of my summer has been fulfilled! The directions I followed to make sushi were helpful but fairly vague so I am glad I was given advice from the woman working at Enchie Mart! Rice vinegar must be added to the "sticky rice" (when unseasoned add sugar and sea salt). I definitely did not cook the rice properly because it ended up fairly mushy but it worked! Here are the other steps I followed:

First prepare and chop preferred veggies into long strips.

Place one sheet of seaweed on bamboo sushi mat, shinier side facing up! Then wet fingers and spread out a little less than one cup of sticky rice. The thicker the rice the bigger your sushi roll will be! Remember to smooth the rice out, packing it all the way to the side but leaving at least a half inch space of seaweed on the side of the sheet closest to you. Leave at least a one and a half inch space at the other end, leaving room for the rice to spread as sushi is being rolled.

Lightly wet the space of seaweed closest to you and begin to use the mat to roll the sushi with a forward motion. Gently push down on the top of the mat with a flat hand occasionally during the rolling process. Try it out, you kind of get the feel for it once you are doing it yourself! As pictured below, my friend Jessie helped me out and we were pretty proud of ourselves for finally giving this a try. As you can see we made quite a bit!

Slice the sushi roll with a sharp wet knife. Garnish with roasted sesame seeds on top and you have just made some form of sushi! We dipped ours in peanut sauce and soy sauce with wasabi (Japanese horseradish).

What I used to make sushi:

-rolling mat

-sticky rice
-rice vinegar
-sea salt
-sugar
-seaweed papers
-avocado
-carrot
-orange pepper
-cucumber
-asparagus
-snap peas

An Eco-Action Day

2009-04-25T13:45:00.007-04:00

The weather around here has been such a treat, there is a warm breeze with partly cloudy skies - gorgeous! Yesterday was sunnier yet and my friend Craig and I went park hopping! Began the day with a matcha smoothie at Cafe Mondo and then ended up at Malden Park picking up garbage. Yes, that's right my goal has already been fulfilled - most likely motivated by keeping that Gandhi quote in mind. It reminded us that it is hypocritical to complain about the state of things without at least trying to improve them yourself.

Later we made a trip to Ten Thousand Villages on the West end of Windsor. This non-profit fair trade organization has stores accross Canada. They operate on principles of fair trade offering a variety of handmade goods where the individuals who made them receive fair compensation for their labour. It always surprises me to find out how little people know about this wonderful place. I want everything in that store! It is always the perfect place for buying gifts aswell. The coffee there is absoultely my favourite to buy around here and you get a free cup of whatever delicious roast they have chosen for the day. I am almost finished a dark roast from Peru so I picked up another dark roast but this time chose to support Ethiopia. Ten Thousand Villages has a number of recycling initiatives. For example alot of the products come from recycled materials and you can also do things like bring back the bags you bought coffee beans in.

"Fair Trade supports practices that minimalize environmental impact by using reclaimed or recycled materials, encouraging organic production, and limiting shipment of product by air"

At least go check it out and see what they have - give and be given to!

The Underlying Principles of Ten Thousand Villages:

At Ten Thousand Villages, we stand behind IFAT and have also added a few principles of our own:

We honour the value of seeking to bring justice and hope to the poor.
We trade with artisan groups who pay fair wages and demonstrate concern for their members’ welfare.
We provide consistent purchases, advances and prompt final payments to artisans.
We increase market share in North America for fairly traded handicrafts.
We market quality products that are crafted by otherwise underemployed artisans.
We build sustainable operations using a variety of sales channels, including a network of stores with a common identity.
We choose handicrafts that reflect and reinforce rich cultural traditions, that are environmentally sensitive and which appeal to North American consumers.
We encourage North American customers to learn about fair trade and to appreciate artisans’ cultural heritage and life circumstances with joy and respect.
We use resources carefully and value volunteers who work in our North American operations.

EARTH DAY

2009-04-23T11:01:00.005-04:00

Hope that everyone's earth day was productive! I rode my bike (in the wind!?) instead of driving my car to a coffee date. I noticed alot of garbage in the ditches and want to get out there with my friends this summer and bring some garbage bags. I hope no one drank water out of a bottle yesterday especially!

BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD

-mahatma gandhi

Later on I tye-dyed some tshirts green with friends. The weather was "sunny-rain" as my friend Craig informed me is often the case in Vancouver. However around here it is a rare occasion! We were greeted with a lovely rainbow - possibly the biggest one we've ever seen. It was a cosmic earth day, nature was encouraging/awarding our eco consciousness with it's beauty.

How to Tye-Dye T-Shirts

-select a clear white tshirt, preferably mostly cotton

-put elastics all over it! Search the internet for specific patterns if you want one

-fill buckets or medium-large sized containers with hottest water available (fill as many seperate up as colours you have)

-empty each fabric dye powder package into each container and stir

-get your gloves on! this stuff stains

-place the tshirt in the colour you prefer or hold the portions you want dyed in each specific colour - get creative, even leave a bit white..

-the longer the tshirt stays in the colouring the darker it will be and remember that the dye on the tshirt actually looks darker when wet

-let the tshirts drip dry for a bit and then rinse them

-afterwards take off the elastics and hang to dry, washing by hand or on gentle cycle with other items that any excess dye has no danger of bleeding onto

Last Step: ENJOY YOUR TYE-DYE TSHIRT!

Eco Chewing Gum

2009-04-21T11:51:00.005-04:00

Wanted to share this article in March 9th's Windsor Star. For all of you who enjoy chewing gum, you now have an eco alternative! Check out the Chicza Rainforest Gum and see how it comes from the earth and returns to the earth.

"Chicza is not only a top quality chewing gum, but also an outstanding example of sustainability, active conservation of rainforests and fair exchange between humans and nature."

This argument says that making Chicza preserves the rainforest by extracting a natural and sustainable substance that contributes to the nurturing of rainforest grounds and the economic opportunity for the people who have been living there and taking care of forests in Mexico for centuries. Chicle is obtained by boiling the sap of the trees into a thick paste. This process makes me think of Canada's own maple syrup industry! At first I suspiciously thought "what exactly does this mean for the rainforests?" in the wake of hearing about the soy farming/rainforest issue. However once I thought about it as compared to making maple syrup, I realized that it is a healthy thing because harvesting sap is not clearing forest land to make room for farming. Also that the people who are involved in this process are performing it witihin the rainforest that they have to take care of even if they didnt want to because their product depends on it's health. Like any commodity, there is a danger that its popularity could change or effect the method or quantity of production. Interestingly, this product is only recently being heard about on a global level and is not sold in many places outside of Mexico. I hear the first place otherwise that it is or will be available is in the U.K.

What happens to Chicza once you spit it out? In other words, why is it biodegradable? Well Sustainability Ninja.com explains that Chicza is an eco-friendly chewing gum because it contains no petrochemicals like synthetic chewing gum which is why it doesn't stick to things and why in about 6 weeks it will completely discintigrate. Keep an eye out for this product in the future because it is not currently being sold in Canada or the U.S.

Mayans Sell Natural Gum

"Street cleaners in Britain may spend less time scraping gobs of chewing gum from the pavement after indigenous farmers from Mexico launch their own brand of natural gum harvested by hand in the rainforest.

A co-operative of over 50 Mayan communities in Mexico's Yucatan peninsula, where Sapodilla trees have been tapped for their sticky latex since before the Spanish conquest, will start selling biodegradable chewing gum in British stores this month.

Unlike common chewing gum made of synthetic rubber, which can take years to break down, the cooperative's "Chicza" brand is made from chicle, a natural substance that degrades quickly, Jesus Manuel Aldrete, the co-operative's director, told Reuters.

"Chewing gum made from synthetic polymers sticks easily to asphalt because both contain similar components," Aldrete said. "Chicle is organic."

Ancestors of the Mayans making the gum near the Cancun beach resort munched on chicle to help their digestion and clean their teeth, said Aldrete.

Modern manufacturers originally used chicle to make gum but eventually switched to cheaper polymer ingredients.

Japanese and Korean companies still demand the natural chicle -- extracted from the trees by crisscrossing cuts into their bark in a method similar to rubber harvesting -- but the Mayans say the market for their product has shrunk dramatically since synthetic gums were invented.

Chicza is producing its gum in red fruit, orange and cinnamon flavors, and plans to launch first in London and later in other European countries."

Southwest Veg Dip

2009-04-15T20:33:00.015-04:00

I seem to want to put pictures and recipes of most of my meals on this blog! Ex. I just had some yummy lettuce wraps. This is a dip I made for my family during the holiday weekend festivities. I encourage you to use as fresh and local ingredients as possible. Today's Windsor Star included a comprehensive guide and map to buying local produce in Windsor Essex County so check it out!

Southwest Veg Dip

This recipe only requires layering! Start with a layer of 1 can of refried beans. Then add another of red and/or black beans. Mix sour cream with red sauce or salsa in a bowl and use this as the next layer. Finish with guacamole (made with fresh avocado and lemon juice) and finally coat the top with chunks of tomato!

Ingredients I used. Quantity depends on how much dip you want to make!
-refried beans
-red beans
-sour cream (low-fat)
-red sauce or salsa
-avocado (guacamole)
-tomatoes

Power Pancakes

2009-04-07T21:02:00.003-04:00

Thought I would share my pancake recipe - I made these this morning before an exam and they have me a stomach full of healthy yumminess! My mom called them my veg super pancakes and that really is exactly what they are. However they are not vegan so replace with a substitute at your discretion. I've heard bananas used as a replacement for this kind of thing and I have those in there anyways so it is possible to skip the egg content altogether. I had already sized down to one egg from the two that was called for on the recipe box. They turned out great! Hope you try the recipe and enjoy them as much as my friend and I did.

Power Pancakes

2 cups pancake mix
1 cup rice milk
1 egg (free run)
1/4 of a mango, sliced into thin strips of lovely mango mush
1 scoop of vanilla soy protien powder (a raw food tisc tisc)
1/2 tsp of matcha

Meatless or Veggie?

2009-04-05T10:41:00.012-04:00

Another question that I've been asked many times as a vegetarian is where to buy some decent veggie burgers. My recommendation is usually from PC's Blue Menu whose cartons are made from recycled and post-consumer materials. The 9-Vegeta ble Vegetarian Patty can be cooked in various ways including only three minutes in the microwave which I take advantage of my busy schedule. And its when I make this recommendation that the person asking specifies: "I want the one's that look and taste like real burgers!" Then I let them know that they are looking for what are not called veggie burgers but meatless burgers.

The difference is that veggie burgers taste like and are visibly made up of various vegetables which is most usually preferred by vegans and many vegetarians. Why eat simulated meat when you have lost the taste for it? Meatless soy-based options are definitely not raw food but they are still a popular choice. Meatless products try to mimic the look and taste of meat and veggie products do not. I sometimes eat both but I prefer veggie meat replacements over meatless meat replacements! This is especially true as of late with my raw food initiative! So if meatless burgers are what you prefer and are looking for the look and taste of authentic beef burgers then I recommend PC's World's Best Meatless Burgers.
There are countless meatless options, most of which are made from wheat or soy protien. With consuming any soy products, one should be aware of how much soy they are consuming and what the effects are. Soy is a highly processed food stuff and as The Whole Soy Story points out it is not a miracle food. For example, women should be aware of how it effects their system, especially while pregnant. And men watch out because it apparently lowers your sperm count. From what I understand, soy farming is also doing its part in destroying rainforests. To sum up the issue in my mind there are alot of good things about soy and it makes going veg easier as it was in my case. Sometimes it takes a while to loose the taste for certain meat dishes and soy based meat replacements helped me along. Though it seems to be a less harmful product than meat, soy has alot going against it aswell. Soy is not the answer to every meat replacement problem but it can be a relatively healthy and decent solution for alot of food items in particular situations. For example, compare this information to the meat and agriculture indisutry as touched on in a previous post.

Some Canadian companies offer meatless options and most are surprised to find out that almost all meat products can and are simulated, available in meatless form. President's Choice offers alot of options especially on their Blue Menu as linked above. PC is owned by the Canadian company Loblaws which actually has a green initiative, now offering such products as Green toilet paper, unbleached coffee filters and green cleaning products. Compliments which is owned by Sobeys also has quite a few choices as well. If you are wondering if someone has created a meatless replacement for one of your fave meat dishes then you are probably right. There is literally not one meat item that I can think of which has not been translated into a meatless alternative. The story is different with veggie choices however but if that is what you are looking for then the chances are you do not find meat simulation desirable. Hope this was able to clear up the veggie and meatless paradigm!

What Is Eating Green Exactly?

2009-04-04T11:06:00.019-04:00

You may have wondered "What do vegetarians eat anyway?". I know I've been asked that question enough times to realize that people are often curious. Others trying or attempting to make the switch to going veg are often left frustrated - variety in a veg diet does take effort but more so it just takes knowing what is available to you! I present to you a comprehensive window into my diet as a vegetarian in hopes of answering questions and generating ideas.

Theory behind being veg is about awareness but for me that also translates into keeping mental track of what I put into my body every day. This includes the terms of coordinating meals to ensure that I get nutrients from a variety of veg food groups which basically boil down to fruits, vegetables, grains, seeds, nuts, legumes and beans (including soy). In all of these categories are food sources that are not widely known or incorporated into mainstream Western diet - whatever that is! This includes amaranth and quinoa which was addressed in a previous post.

Starting off my day with a Green Smoothie allows for a morning protien source and fruit serving. I usually use a soy protien powder and soy or rice milk base then add what ever fruit I happen to have at the time (today it was mango). Then I add probiotic yogurt but I really have to go out and grab some soy yogurt soon! More about this in a future post on the veg dairy issue. Once and a while I will throw in some green tea icecream but sometimes I make my smoothie green by adding avocado or cucumber. Almost always I use a small scoop of matcha (start with 1/4 tsp). Matcha (green tea powder) contains its maximum antioxident effects when steeped as a tea but is still good for you to add in food and smoothies of course! Begin adding this to your diet in small quantities and work your way up because your system will not be used to this substance.

Granola Museli Mix is a well-rounded breakfast staple that is easy to throw together but if you want some specific ideas, this is my recipe! Fill a bowl with mixed fruit: I recommend banana, strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, kiwi, starfruit, avocado, mango and/or papaya (most of which are great in salads!) Add granola (this you can buy in cereal-box form or from a bulk or health food store), yogurt or soy yogurt and finally some crushed walnuts and a few raisins. I also like to add hemp seeds which contain lots of protien. As pictured here, they are also known as "hemp hearts" and can pretty much be used in anything. Finally I add a light sprinkle of matcha before I delve in.

So of course, veggies are a large part of a veg diet! Salads area great way to diversify a veg diet, despite the assumption that the opposite is true. It allows for an opportunity to add alot of protien and nutrients to your day. A dressing I like right now is soy based with organic ingredient which I purchased at Enchie Japanese Food Mart where I often shop. In terms of raw snacking I am really enjoying snow peas right now! My absoulte favourite is avocado (which is technically a fruit but I think of it as a vegetable lol). Be careful though because they contain a higher fat content. However this isn't often a problem because veg diets are most often low in fat and also because fat and protien sources in a veg diet are usually the "good fats" (including avocado). Avocado is a constant mainstay in my diet and I used it it many recipes. I put it in salads, green smoothies and the granola museli mix. Most often I enjoy avocado for breakfast or lunch, perhaps on a toasted flax seed bagel or croissant with hemp seeds and tomato! Guacamole is something I make as often as possible and there are so many different recipes for it. Lately I have been making it a little chunkier by not fully mashing up the avocado and using lettuce to eat it with as part of my raw food initiative! However low sodium seasalt red chips by QuePasa are my absolutely favourite! They are stone ground, hand-cut Tortilla Chips cooked in pure pressed canola oil, quite healthy and taste great! They actually bring out the flavour of whatever you are eating because they are subtle enough and a salty coating or extra preservatives dont interefere.

My Guac Recipe: Start with 2 whole avocados and get your hands dirty! Add fresh squeezed lemon juice. I use about 1/4 of a lemon but leave out this option if you are are concerned about acidity or striving towards an alkaline diet. At this point you can add any vegetables you want but I recommend tomato chunks and/or quartered cucumber slices. Guacamole mix powder adds spices and a lot of flavour but remember it makes your guacamole a non-raw-food item! However I recommend Guacamole Mix by Concord Foods. Stir and let sit for a few hours in the fridge if you choose to use it.

Hope you enjoy these suggestions and recipes and with luck some of your possible confusion over veg diets has been quelled! My next post will include issues of protien and meat alternatives specifically. Leave a comment if you have any questions :)

Raw-volution!

2009-03-30T11:55:00.018-04:00

Raw foodism is a choice to eat whole foods that are unprocessed, unrefined and in their original and natural form. You may have guessed that this is a vegan or at least a vegetarian lifestyle choice since one can't really mow down on uncooked meat! So yes, by raw food I mean chomping on a celery stick or biting into a tomato. Though having its own health and eco-minded culture, raw menus are as diverse and elaborate as you can imagine!

I knew about and was intrigued as a vegetarian with the raw diet craze that had erupted out West, the most so in California from what I understand. But not anything about the hows or exactly whys. I visited these sites and found out alot of unbelieveable information. It always amazes me how little so many people know about how food choices affect our lives and lifestyles! I'm really exited about this raw food revolution and I definetely want to make at least some effort to try and contribute to it. It's better for our bodies and the environment, and promotes a veg diet which as I wrote about in a previous post about how it is crucial to ecological health.

The Best of Raw Food.com answers the question of "why not eat cooked food?" By cooking food it terminates the enzymes that promote health towards metabolic and digestive functions. Here I also found out the specifics to what exactly constitutes a food as raw. "Raw food" is:

a) uncooked - never heated above 42C/118F

b) unprocessed - as fresh (and wild) as possible

c) organic - no irradiation, preservatives, pesticides

Raw Food, Right Now! is an extremely helpful blog that contextualizes pretty much everything you need to know about Raw Food. I learned that people also turn to raw diets for health reasons and weight loss as well as the vegan and vegetarian aspect. It examines a plethora of issues including that going raw encompasses not just a food diet but everything you put into your body which of course includes beverages. Think of "raw beverages" as liquids that do not contain additives or extensive processes such as pop. In terms of alcohol, if any at all wine is usually preferred among raw foodies. The least desirable is hard liquor as it is distilled. I really learned alot about raw foodism from this blog including a new term:

Raw-ish: the act of eating something as raw as possible in a cooked food environment

To me this is a concept that also best describes the sentiment of striving towards a raw diet and lifestyle without necessarily being a strict vegan raw foodie. I have decided to make the effort so wish me luck! I got many ideas from the Oregon blog Big Raw Vegan which you should visit for more info and for a window into the dynamic menu and recipe options of raw foodism! One great idea is using lettuce leafs as a bread replacement which is way yummier and filling than it may appear. Already I have experienced the benefits of eating whole, raw foods and I haven't even come close to making it the majority of my diet. Delve in and discover fruits, vegetables, seeds and other edible items that you did not know existed!

What do you think about the raw-volution?

Taloola's: Not Just A Vegetarian's Paradise

2009-03-23T12:49:00.022-04:00

Taloola's is an anomaly - it offers what no other cafe or venue does in Windsor! It's a whimsical escape: you are enveloped with a warm feeling as you creak on the weathered hard wood floors and take in the eclectic and enigmatic decor that literally covers every inch of the place. Then you are met with an oversized map of the world taking up most of the north wall, surrounded by artistic and mismatched chairs, cups and nickknacks. From the feminist art in the washrooms to the shelf of books and games, Taloola's participates in and celebrates in the Do-It-Yourself ethic and DIY subculture.

As I sit and read with a matcha beverage or have a tea and some good conversation with a friend, the afternoon sun shines through the West-facing window wall and creates a nice warm temperature. Cozy in the winter, airy in the summer and perfect for a spring or fall cafe retreat, Taloola's is a place that is an open space in multiple senses. As a vegetarian, feminist and supported of vintage and DIY culture, this place is a goldmine of welcomeness.

But it doesn't matter who you are, anyone can enjoy! Whether its over a soy late or the usual unexpected recipe for the soup of the day, sitting at Taloola's you are likely to realize that this cafe is to be taken advantage of as an all-seasons-must! The experience of eating, socializing, listening to music or studying there and meeting for tea are a few examples of how I enjoy loads of time there. Follow the trail with your bike and chill on the patio in the summertime or relax inside for a lowkey atmosphere. The small and friendly staff maintains excellent though casual service - remember to grab your own cutlery and napkins!

Drink Favourites:

As for coffee, Organic Fair Trade Dark Roast please! The Cairo Cocoa (with clove, ginger or cinnamon) for $3.25 is a wonderful warming winter treat. I also love the Masala Smoothie with almond milk. They also make what I've heard described as the best macciato's in the city for $2.25. Oh and the White Peach loose-leaf tea in the summertime should definitely be be sampled!

Food Favourites:

The Veggie Loola (a signature item that is all its cracked up to be) is a sure staple while I also really enjoy the Organic Peanut Butter and Organic Carrot "Toastie" sandwich with added organic hemp seeds for only $0.50. Any of the salads and other sandwiches are experiences in themselves and for meat eaters, a popular choice seems to be the deli-meat Roberto Panini! A variety of fresh desert and loose leaf teas are always available. The menu is extensive and diverse including probably the best selection of vegan/vegetarian, gluten and sugar free options available in Windsor.

Special features include Tea Rituals on Tuesdays from 4-7pm and weekly indie-folk-music that makes for an enjoyable Saturday evening. Aswell as charity initiatives, various seasonal treats and activites keep the venue fresh. For example, right now there are DIY creations for sale - arts and crafty flowers decorate the cafe front while hand made mini windmills dance lazily in the breeze. Come utilize this venue you may not have known was available to you in Windsor. Come back again and again and again as most customers do!

Taloola Cafe 396 Devonshire Road
Olde Walkerville, Windsor
519 - 254 - 6652
Tues - Fri Open 7:30 - 10 pm
Sat - 8:30 - 11pm
Sun - 10 - 4pm

www.taloolacafe.com

Indian Cuisine 101

2009-03-14T12:35:00.032-04:00

I always enjoyed almost any food I tried from various cultures around the world. It wasn't until I discovered India Palace on Ottawa St. in Windsor that I found my new favourite indulgence and dietary addition! Dining at restaurants offering cuisine that is foreign to you can often be intimidating and overwhelming. But not if you know what to order and are not afraid to try new things! For those who are interested in international cuisine and world food culture I hope you nod your head along with me.

The Indian palate offers some of the most tasty vegetarian friendly dishes in the world. A mosaic of vibrant colours and potent, flavourful spices, the extensively diverse cuisine map of India makes up a menu of quality and quantity. The Indian food I eat in Windsor at India Palace and House of India comes from the Northern region. Dishes that were recommended to me that are frequently ordered and that you should order too are Saag Aloo and Mutter Paneer. Other staples consist of Basmati Rice and Naan (a pita-like bread that can be used in the place of utensils).

Saag Aloo

Ordering a medium spice level or above is not for those with shy palattes and stomachs sensitive to hot spices. Although it is important to understand that Indian spicy is different than North Amerian hot sauce spicy. But if spicy food is not for you then no worries - if this is the case then just make sure you communicate to your waiter that you want a low spice level! I personally find it an envigorating experience to eat this food - it is not one that your taste buds will forget soon. One of my favoutite spices used alot in Indian cooking is coriander - this can be used to amplify the spice level of a dish especially in the form of coriander-naan and spicy coriander chutney. Don't forget to ask for a pitcher of water! Or you could even expand your internatioanl cuisine experience to include beverage with India's Kingfisher Lager.

Mutter Paneer

I encourage you to write these dishes down and take an adventerous trip to eat some of this amazing food. My friends who are often "picky" or reluctant to try new foods became huge fans of this cuisine. I have not met anyone who didn't like it after they tried it. An open mind and the savoury tastes helped them get over the appearance and aroma of this food that was unusual to them and they now have learned about it and to love it! Just last night we all went out for an Indian food feast and ordered these plates along with Veg Samosas which often crosses over into Western menus. The Curry Chicken is also a popular choice amongst my carnivourous companions!
Samosas

A necessary selection comes after the meal is over when its time for desert. Ladoo and Gulab Jamon are hands down my favourite sweet treats of all. They are similiar in shape and size but differ in consistency and taste. Both very sweet, Gulab Jamon is served hot in a pool of syrup and Ladoo is served hot or cold as it is. The most accurate emphasis on the delishiousness of these deserts is in the 2007 International film Water. Deepha Metha has also made the less physically accessible films "Earth" and "Fire". In Water, an elderly widow's last dying wish is to eat a ladoo - a succulent treat in comparison with the bland and meager diets that the widows are restricted to. So join the desire to have a ladoo waiting for you aside your death bed which of course will happen as soon as you taste one-a these babies!

Ladoo

Go to these places with an attitude that respects and is eager to understand or try out the foreign. The unknown is often accompanied by fear so throw out any illogical squeamishness, challenge yourself if need be and dive in! This is another veg challenge directed at YOU.

India Palace
1167 Ottawa St. (519) 256-4104
Open Tues-Sun 10am-10pm

House of India
325 Ouelette St. (519) 256 - 1122

Fur is Bullshit

2009-03-07T10:36:00.014-05:00

I cringe even to visit the Fur Council's website - they have really outdone themselves. Anyone see that billboard on Riverside Drive? Some Windsor animal rights activists were protesting there recently so at least some people have reacted in the right direction. The ass-backward-ness of their latest campaign has left myself and many others mentally dumbfounded and viscerally disturbed. Unfortunately, this is not a hoax and the Fur Is Green campaign is for reals.

"Respect for Animals: Nothing is Wasted!"
When was the last time you skinned something you respected? As far as "not wasting" parts of an animal goes I think it is a justified choice in traditional cultures or for necessity in areas of the world on the remote side. However in a industrial and modernized nation or world, finding ways to use up all the parts only propagates the demand for animal products. Using animal byproducts only encourages and supports companies who use them. The argument that the meat is being eaten anyways and to not use the rest of the animal would be a waste undermines a central issue: it is not only the purchasing of meat that contributes to the demand for animal products!

"Fur, A Renewable Resource"
This is one of the most transparent lies used in the campaign. Why is fur still being considered a resource? A resource for what, warmth? Maybe in Nunavut. A resource for "eco-fashion"? Obviously according to the Fur Council of Canada. The sense that it is being called renewable is from the standard and perspective of those who are taking recent eco-minded buzz and manipulating it. The Fur Council has tried to make it seem like killing animals for fur has no consequences - like these animals don't mind they are being hunted, trapped or farmed. Just because a species is not endangered does not mean that anyone has the right to go ahead and make that happen, let alone call a species or living beings sustainable.

"Environmental Activism"
The language used in this campaign is interesting because the truth is literally the inverse of the words and phrases used. The focus is explicitly put on the use of animals so that the extrapolation of their methods and goals is of course manifested in advertising. It doesn't take an in-depth look to see the immoral constructedness of the language: Earth-friendly, durable, recyclable, a gift of nature? Skinned animals have nothing to do with these things. I am intellectually insulted at the level of stupidity which this company has assumed of their potential customers. I thought at first this has to be a joke. Then reality sunk in that "A New Vision of Fur for an Eco-Conscious World" is being presented as that it is positive, respecting land, animals, cultures and people. The list of unacceptable advertising tactics and the twisting of eco-jargon goes on to include "Beautifully Canadian" and "Because fur is a part of our heritage". They've gone as far to call on our nationalism! Mine certainly has nothing to do with the Fur Council of Canada's nation-wide-fur-pride.

Also featured in the campaign is a counter attack on Peta - their slogans such as "Fur is Dead" obviously conflict with the Council's fiscal goals. One example of the methods being used which blatantly expose ulterior motives is in the rhetorical question "Do 'so-called' animal rights groups really help animals?". Well, yes actually they do Fur Council. Followed by "Judge for yourself...PETA KILLS ANIMALS".

WHAT?

If the Fur Council was asking us to make up our own minds and "judge for ourselves" than we would not be bombarded with their extreme and ludicrous advertising strategies. Is this an attempt to be subversive? Because it's not working. Maybe this will sway some of those who straddle the fence on the issue of fur, especially for the people who do not question what is being fed to them as well as their own beliefs. There are many ways to do your part in saving the environment, being eco-conscious and making a "green" choice: buying fur is not one of them.

This Afternoon I Turned Into A Tomato

2009-02-21T15:17:00.020-05:00

Today as I was making lunch I noticed a hot sensation in my face and began to wonder... So I went over to a mirror and to my dismay my face was beet red and it was spreading in blotches down my body! What could this possibly be!? Well I did buy a different kind of vegetarian multi-vitamins this week, maybe that had something to do with it. On the label, I discovered the answer: "Contains niacin, which may cause harmless and transient flushing and itching". Damn you niacin for temporarily turning me a different colour and making me "flush" uncomfortably!

What's the difference between a standard once-a-day multi-vitamin and a vegetarian multi-vitamin? What's the deal with niacin?

A vegetarian multi-vitamin will usually contain more variations of the B vitamin, especially that of B12 which is the hardest B vitamin to acquire on a veg diet.

Meat-eaters consume B minerals largely in animal products but they are found in many types of food as all vitamins are.

Niacin is also referred to as Vitamin B3, making in a part of the B vitamin category.

Niacin or B3 is also found in a variety of food sources but as I learned on Wellness Blog our body makes the niacin we need from tryptophan, an amino acid obtained from protien. Since veg's eat alternative protiens, niacin is included in some but not all vegetarian multi-vitamins.

The purpose of consuming Niacin in mineral form is rooted in treating various deficiencies

After some investigation I found that what I experienced is an almost always reported side effect of consuming niacin. I knew I should have followed the directions and not taken the 2 capsules on an empty stomach, a factor which severely increases the chances of turning into a tomato. Half an hour later and back in my everyday skin. Since I do not have any singular problem or deficiency which I would need niacin for, I am not going to continue taking this particular multi-vitamin! I can get B vitamins by finding another brand or switching back to the other non-side-effective one I was taking which did not contain B3. I will switch back to the multi-vitamin that I was taking before. Upon looking into it I actually found that it also contains B3 as most veg multi-vitamins do except they have a time release that prevents flushing completely! Goodbye neck and facial flushing!

Check out the Wellness Blog post about finding the right multi-vitamin to learn more about vitamins and why certain kinds of people, such as vegetarians, should be concerned about them more than the average bear.

Mmmm...meatless chicken noodle soup

2009-02-07T09:00:00.004-05:00

My last post ended off with David Suzuki's challenge to have "meat-free-Mondays". It seems this is a popular idea as I found on the Meatless Monday website! I found a recipe for meatless chicken noodle soup when not feeling well and craving any sort of childhood ailment comfort. Ginger ale and crackers out of the way, as a vegetarian i have missed the comfort of chicken noodle soup! You know, the soothing feeling - the one that makes you feel like you are recovering from what ever is making you sick. This just shows that with a few alterations to your favourite menu items, meatless options are an easy possibility!

Eco-Footprint of Food is the Key to Saving the World!!!

2009-02-04T20:09:00.023-05:00

Ecological Footprint: Measures human impact upon the environment - how much space or productive land is needed to support an individual's lifestyle. The larger the footprint the more impact the individual has on the Earth.

Ok so it is important to first acknowledge that we all impact each other and everything by every choice we make, conscious of it or not. This is really at the heart of thinking of the ecological footprint simply as the consequences of our actions on the environment. One of the main factors surrounding all this is where and how we come to acquire the food on our plate and what we choose to eat. The current industrial food system is perpetuating that the lack of choice we have when it comes to how our food is grown, processed and transported and is responsible for a number of environmental effects.David Suzuki is pretty much the best Canadian ever. One reason is that he highlights the importance of the "ecological footprint of food" in his latest publication David Suzuki's Green Guide (printed on forest friendly paper of course!). According to Suzuki, one of the most environmentally sensible ways you can cut down on your ecological footprint is by being aware of what you eat. He goes into depth about them in Chapter 3 of his Green Guide:

"Producing meat uses vast volumes of water"

"the amount of grain fed to livestock in the U.S. could feed about 840 million people on a plant-based diet"

"By eating a local, organic, and predominately plant-based diet you can reduce the ecological footprint of the food you eat by as much as 90%"

"Compared to plant protien, red meat is responsible for 6-20 times the land use, 5-17 times the water pollution, and 5-25 times the water use "

It is all about the realization that you have the power to directly influence the demand for alternative choices that will help to create a new food system. One with less impinging on the lives of animals and lowering the level of violence. One with the potential for more equal distribution of food throughout the world. One that is sustainable: creating healthy bodies and healthy local food economies.

"Eating is an agricultural act, a biological act, a social act, an economic act, and a political act. With every meal you can vote for the food system that you would like to see".

Find out how productive and easy it is to think about these simple choices which literally effect the world - Drastically Lower Your Eco-Footprint of Food by:

1. Eating less meat, eggs and dairy products
-the most environmentally damaging foods that people consume!

2. Choosing Local Food
-this reduces "food miles" which is the energy used to transport food far distances and back so as to be produced

3. Buying Organic Products
-avoid synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, hormones and antibiotics

4. Whole Foods Over Processed Foods
-whole foods consist of fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, seeds and beans that have not been extensively processed or refined

5. Consuming Fewer Calories
-higher quality whole foods with a lower consumption quantity

6. Avoid Bottled Water
-the bottles themselves are made of plastic that is energy and water intensive to make
My favourite one David Suzuki Nature Challenge is "Meat-Free-Mondays", encouraging meat eaters to cut out meat one day a week to acquire a perspective. This challenge especially illustrates how easy it can be and how much there is to learn about how even one meat-free day can help you reduce your ecological footprint. (Yes, this challenge is for YOU!)

umm...what was that? "q-u-i-n-o-a"?

2009-01-31T11:55:00.018-05:00

Actually it is pronounced "keen-wah" and it was used by the Inca civilizations! It is a grain with a light consistency but pure protein and served as an appropriate food for these ancient peoples in such a hot climate. To prepare it, quinoa must be soaked in warm water for 3-5 minutes so that the bitter quality of the seeds is "agitated" and released into the warm water, leaving behind an almost milky substance. Remember that the amount of seeds you use will produce an amount of cooked quinoa that is double. Ahh to take part in antiquity - in the water turning this stuff over in my hands I contemplate a sacred connection with the hard working women of these sun-socities. If you are willing to see the history in your lunch, it is an incredibly humbling experience to prepare this vegetarian staple! If only I could also hang out at Machu Picchu and munch some down. It can be used in a lot of other recipes, especially for breakfast.

Well I'm going to the CJAM 91.5fm potluck today and this recipe is what I prepared. I altered some of the ingredients to accommodate the contents of my fridgidare! Its a salad - easy to make and right up the vegetarian alley. Actually its vegan depending on the dressing you choose! I'm not sure what I'll use yet but probably something mild, oily and sweet to compliment the quinoa and mango. Enjoy - I know I will and hopefully those at the CJAM potluck will also.

Mango Quinoa Salad

Pre-Salad-Assembly Directions:

Ok so first prepare the quinoa enough time in advance so that it can cool and maybe sit in the fridge for a couple hours or overnight. For every one cup of the grain, add two cups of water to soak it in and once that water is disposed of then two cups again to boil it with. Only leave it on the stove for about 10-15 minutes though - until it gets fluffy! Then let it sit for a few and absorb the leftover water before you put it in the fridge because it has to be cold if used in a salad. (I mean unless you want a hot and soggy salad which doesn't sound too appetizing). The great thing about salad recipes though is that you can change it how ever you want and it will probably still taste good. Just keep the pairing up of ingredients in mind and put as much or least of whichever you want to end up on your plate.

Ingredients (most of which you can get at a fresh market and bulk food store):

-whole fresh spinach leaves
-1 ripe mango, peeled and cubed
-crushed almonds (put almonds in a little bag and go to town with one of those meat hammers)
-cucumber (cut into cubes if possible)
-crunchy pita chips
-sprinkle of roasted sesame and hemp seeds
-handful of peapods cut into halves
-quinoa

"Veggienomics" and Vegecology

2009-01-25T09:54:00.011-05:00

When I took a philosophy class entitled "Animal Ethics" I had no idea about the wealth of information that was available for everyone to see. Since it is the job of animal production companies to keep the public largely ignorant of important facts surrounding their methods, it was no wonder that I was shocked at what really goes on. Acquiring some insight into the unethical and inhumane processes of animal farming and slaughtering changed my diet and lifestyle, helping me to make a direct impact. But this post is NOT to throw a bunch of links at you that will take you to horrific videos and bring you to a PETA petition or for that matter, guilt you into vegetarianism. I am writing this to enlighten those who are interested in how their food choices affect not only the animals themselves but affect you as an individual and the world economically, ecologically and environmentally.

A great article was just published in The Global Voice which is OPIRG's published journal. A copy of this can be found inside the January 2009 edition of The Scoop. OPIRG (Ontario Public Interest Research Group) whose offices can be found on the second floor of Dillon Hall, featured an article on Page 2 of the recent issue (Vol. 8, No.1 Winter 2009) called "Veggienomics: Vegetarianism affects our Economy too". OPIRG also has a show on our campus-community radio station that you can stream live from Noon to 1pm on Thursdays: CJAM 91.5FM OPIRG's The Shake Up is well worth the listen. The issue also dealt with other topics including Fair Trade and Islamic Feminism - fascinating stuff! But back to greenness.

The article was written by OPIRG volunteer Gurpreet Dhaliwal and it gave a lot of important and relevant facts that I think everyone should want to know about. It specified that about 95% of pesticide residue in one's diet comes from meat, dairy products and fish and that over 15 million pounds of antibiotics used in animal production end up in the meat on your plate. A fundamental aspect that many vegetarians and vegans have considered is that "your diet affects not only the environment, but also the lives of six billion other people we share the planet with along with countless animals". Think of the economic, ecological and environmental affects of the-diet-dynamic. "Modern meat production involves intensive use - and often misuse - of grain, water, energy and grazing areas and contributes heavily to all sorts of pollution and soil erosion". These are all resources that could be used in more efficient ways: ways that could build our self-sustainability. "There would be enough food to feed the entire planet" if resources weren't used up to maintain carnivorous diets. Imagine all the people...

I take a central axiom from OPIRG's article: even though it seems inconceivable that these facts will instantly turn most people onto being veg, the important lesson is knowing these facts will enable a clearer understanding of the interconnectedness of the planet. Your diet is important to how it functions - your choices affect everything.

The Less You Own The More You Have

2009-01-19T23:24:00.015-05:00

aaah! the frustration of trying to minimalize. Lately, I've been dropping off a few grocery bags a month full of clothes I no longer wear: all apart of my lax, down-shifting endeavours. "Down-shifting" you say? Well I just heard the word first myself not long ago when the sense of it all embedded itself in my brain! There are a few definitions such as living on less but I think of it as downsizing consumerism and minimalizing posessions. The concept of what we need to live in a post-industrial society is deeply invested in consumerist ideals. The standard needs to change! Not lowering the standard-of-living per se but changing it. It's about re-evaluating our mind set of the criteria of what makes life enjoyable and worth while. But it is also how we can reshape our needs and dependencies without having to abandon all of our worldly possessions and to set up shelter at the base of any sacred mountain of our choosing. Most of us don't have the strength, let alone understanding of or motivation for that kind of life! We just have been saturated with MOREMOREMORE mentality when we should be meditating on a LESSISMORE framework. Recent blog posts on downshifting - a path to simplicity highlight some of the key issues surrounding down-shifting:

"As individuals and humans we are all interconnected in a series of interdependent systems."

This is a concept that is always inherent to the sustainability issue. If it was understood that everything in the environment, the system of nature and its relationships, was infinitely connected and dependent on each other for any kind of healthy existence than we would all be in a better place. DOWN WITH APATHY! I'm not telling you to necessarily throw away your television or give all your clothes to charity. But making small changes one day and one action at a time can make all the difference. Blah blah you've heard it before but that it can make the MOST difference is what needs to be acknowledged. To create a real shift in necessity and ecological impact, the smallest choices on an individual level are where the average person should begin.

On the downshifting journey of course there will be moments of confusion and evaluations of lifestyle. "On a deconsuming pattern, changes will happen and withdrawal symptoms for many will be heartfelt." This is a challenge but it doesn't have to seem impossible because it is so much easier than anyone might imagine if the mind - which it is all in - can expand to consider, sometimes radically different possibilities of living. Of course our individual actions also directly correspond to our actions as a group of humans, explained in a global context in this video that articulates "without some readjustment on our lifestyles we can no longer sustain such a demand on the planet's resources". David Suzuki also reitorates that there are lots of things you can do right now at your own home.

Vegetarianism is certainly one way that you can immediately and drastically reduce your ecological footprint. It helps also to put a perspective on down-shifting. As a relatively new vegetarian I've completely changed a set of food choices I've left unquestioned all my life. Seeing the benefits individually, environmentally and ecologically of removing unnecessary selections from my diet has lead me to perceive all the other possibilities. It's true that we only wear 10% of clothes in our closet - thin out what you don't wear and don't think you'll need. Heard of thrifting? That's another word for recycling clothing! One of my favourite down-shifting activities include having a "clothes party" with friends when you just bring along the items you no longer wear and exchange with others. Make a decision that will influence your future decisions of buying - ask W-H-Y-? Never buy another plastic water bottle again if you can help it! This includes investing in a water canteen, (one paradoxical consumer choice that can actually fight consumerist ideology!) Recycle, Recycle everything. Cereal and tampon boxes. Shampoo bottles and electronics! Call your municipality and become aware of all of the recycling opportunities. Go online and do some research of how to furthur reduce your ecological footprint! Any of David Suzuki's books or websites are a great place to start. If you can't recycle something you want or think you need, evaluate where it will end up in the future and ask yourself how every decision you make will effect the environment. Bring cloth shopping bags with you if you think there is any chance of purchasing items. If you forgot them and if it is possible then kindly decline the plastic shopping bag at the store and carry what you've bought or shove it in your purse! Of course, walk instead of drive if at all feasible.

These are some easy steps I've found simple to work into my life. Maybe you will too. Small stuff is big stuff. These have been notes of a fairly new and lax but conscious down-shifter, wish me luck - I challenge you (and myself) to live green or greener!