Tag Archives: food

Flavor: The Science of Our Most Neglected Sense – Bob Holmes

by Myrna Posted on October 28, 2018

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Flavor: The Science of Our Most Neglected Sense

Bob Holmes

Genre: Life Sciences

Price: $2.99

Publish Date: April 25, 2017

Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company

Seller: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.


A journey into the surprising science behind our flavor senses. Can you describe how the flavor of halibut differs from that of red snapper? How the taste of a Fuji apple differs from a Spartan? For most of us, this is a difficult task: flavor remains a vague, undeveloped concept that we don’t know enough about to describe—or appreciate—fully. In this delightful and compelling exploration of our most neglected sense, veteran science reporter Bob Holmes shows us just how much we’re missing. Considering every angle of flavor from our neurobiology to the science and practice of modern food production, Holmes takes readers on a journey to uncover the broad range of factors that can affect our appreciation of a fine meal or an exceptional glass of wine. He peers over the shoulders of some of the most fascinating food professionals working today, from cutting-edge chefs to food engineers to mathematicians investigating the perfect combination of pizza toppings. He talks with flavor and olfactory scientists, who describe why two people can experience remarkably different sensations from the same morsel of food, and how something as seemingly unrelated as cultural heritage can actually impact our sense of smell. Along the way, even more surprising facts are revealed: that cake tastes sweetest on white plates; that wine experts’ eyes can fool their noses; and even that language can affect our sense of taste. Flavor expands our curiosity and understanding of one of our most intimate sensations, while ultimately revealing how we can all sharpen our senses and our enjoyment of the things we taste. Certain to fascinate everyone from gourmands and scientists to home cooks and their guests, Flavor will open your mind—and palette—to a vast, exciting sensory world.

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Flavor: The Science of Our Most Neglected Sense – Bob Holmes

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7 Easy Eco-Friendly Lifestyle Changes You Can Make Today

by TemekaWinter Posted on September 21, 2018

Whether you?re a full-time eco-warrior or just learning about sustainability, there are many modifications you can make to your lifestyle to support a healthy planet. Here are seven cheap and easy changes you can make starting today.

1. Drive greener

The average American driver spends roughly 17,600 minutes behind the wheel each year, according to AAA. And each minute, traditional vehicles release pollutants that can spell trouble both for your health and the environment. ?Pollutants released by vehicles greatly increase air pollution levels and have been linked to adverse health effects, including premature mortality, cardiac symptoms, exacerbation of asthma symptoms, and diminished lung function,? according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

So if you burn fuel every day, it?s time to re-evaluate your commute. Look for alternatives, such as walking, biking, carpooling and public transportation. Find out whether you can telecommute to work or shift your hours to avoid sitting in heavy traffic. And try to run errands when traffic is light. The gas money you?ll save is just an added bonus to breathing cleaner air.

2. Create a meal plan

Are you guilty of buying more food than you can finish before it goes bad? You?re definitely not alone. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 22 percent of discarded solid municipal waste is food. That?s a serious waste problem, especially given the environmental impact of food production.

But with a bit of effort, you can dramatically cut your food waste. Simply plan your meals, write out a shopping list and stick to it. You don?t have to cut out impulse buys completely ? though you should avoid shopping on an empty stomach ? but if you do purchase something unexpected, be sure to adjust your meal plan so nothing spoils. And try to share or donate any excess food before it ends up in a landfill.

3. Learn what goes into your food

On the topic of food, you also should know what you?re buying. Food production often involves the use of chemical fertilizers, burning fossil fuels for transportation, inhumane treatment of animals, harm to wildlife and more. So as a consumer, it?s up to you to make responsible choices.

Buy local, organic and humanely raised food whenever possible. Look for ?fair trade? on the label for goods that promote better standards for the producers and the environment. And refuse to support restaurants and other establishments that don?t make these environmentally conscious choices.

4. Cut plastic waste

Plastic waste is a massive problem for our planet. It?s polluting oceans, killing wildlife and making us sick. Still, it?s unfortunately difficult to entirely avoid plastic in everyday life, but we can be more responsible about our use of it.

?You can start cutting down on your plastic waste in a few simple steps: use reusable bags when you shop, ditch single-use water bottles, bags, and straws and avoid products made from or packaged in plastic whenever possible,? the Center for Biological Diversity recommends. Consider buying items used instead of new to avoid plastic packaging. Shop local, and cut down on online purchases, which often come wrapped in plastic. And, of course, recycle everything you can. Saying no to that straw won?t clean an entire ocean, but it might save one sea animal?s life.

5. Switch to natural cleaners

Chemical cleaning products might make your home smell “meadow fresh” ? whatever that means ? but at a huge cost to actual meadows and your health. ?Store-bought cleaners typically contain dangerous chemicals, contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and are packaged in petroleum-based products,? according to Ohio University?s Office of Sustainability.

Luckily, you can find eco-friendly cleaning products at most retailers, and you can easily make your own. Most clean and disinfect just as well as the chemicals, and you don?t have to be afraid to breathe while you knock out your chore list.

6. Question your purchases

You might buy something based on impulse, hours of research and everything in between. Hopefully, you at least pause to think about the impact of your purchase. ?Every product we purchase has an environmental footprint, from the materials used to create it to the pollution emitted during manufacturing to the packaging that ends up in landfills,? the Center for Biological Diversity says.

So first ask yourself, ?Do I really need this?? If the answer is yes, as it often is, then look for items that have a smaller environmental impact. Upgrade to energy-efficient appliances or a fuel-efficient vehicle. Purchase furniture made from sustainable materials, such as bamboo ? or better yet, buy it secondhand. Basically, if you?re already putting in research before buying an item, don?t forget to consider the environment as a factor.

7. Time your showers

There?s plenty you can do to make your home more eco-friendly ? and much of it adds up to cost savings and better health for you, too. Upgrade your home?s insulation, and seal any air leaks to save on heating and cooling. Switch to energy-saving light bulbs and low-flow faucets. And grow low-maintenance, native plants in your garden.

If you?re a new eco-warrior, all those green options can be dizzying. So here?s a good place to start: Time your showers. To save water, you first have to realize how much you use. Try to beat your time each day by a minute, and ultimately you?ll learn only to use the water you need to get the job done. Then, let this victory in sustainability inspire you to branch out and live a more eco-friendly lifestyle.

Main image credit: Sasiistock/Thinkstock

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

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7 Easy Eco-Friendly Lifestyle Changes You Can Make Today

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Shopping Local: A Berry Beneficial Choice

by AndreCulbertson Posted on August 13, 2018

You wake up on a lazy Saturday morning. The sun is shining, the grass is green and fresh produce is in season. It’s time to make your way over to your nearest farmers’ market to stock up on locally made and grown goods.

Farmers? markets are lively events during the warmer months. Shopping at farmers? markets is not only fun, it can also have a positive impact on the environment, your health and your community.

Environmental impact

Much of the food from a supermarket travels long distances before reaching the shelves (Photo by Gratisography, CC0)

Shopping for local produce can be a more environmentally friendly choice than heading to the supermarket.

The further food has to travel, the longer and more energy intensive the process becomes. From picking and sorting, to shipping and storing, these steps all require large amounts of energy in the form of electricity and oil. Products sold at farmers? markets are generally created or grown within a 160-kilometre radius of the places they?re sold, which can greatly help reduce the product?s total carbon footprint.

The use of fertilizers such as phosphorus are also commonplace on larger industrial farms. They are added to the soil to try and increase the quality and growing time of plants. Run-off from these products can accumulate in bodies of water, causing toxic algae blooms, a process called eutrophication. This unsustainable practice depletes the soil of its nutrients, rendering it unusable. Most small-scale farmers use these fertilizers more sparingly or don?t use them at all, which helps preserve the soil?s integrity for the next growing season.

Local products often tend to come with much less packaging. Products sold locally aren?t typically wrapped. This gives consumers a chance to bring their own reusable bags and reduce the amount of plastic and other garbage that ends up in landfills and waterways.

Healthy choices

Another bonus that comes from shopping locally is that the products purchased are generally better for your health. Products found on the shelves of grocery stores are usually picked days or weeks before, and they have sat ripening in fridges or on shelves before they hit the store. More traditional practices allow produce to ripen in the field, and they are picked right before being sold. When picked at its prime, produce tastes fresh and is packed with maximum nutrients.

Fresh strawberries at a farmers’ market (Photo by Alexandria Baldridge, Pexels)

Buying local also means buying what?s in season. In the summer months, you?ll see strawberries and raspberries starting to appear, while products like squash and pumpkins only appear in the fall. This is the way we traditionally ate before technology made it possible to store our food in fridges and ship food from warmer climates in the dead of winter.

The best part about farmers? markets is that if you have any questions about how products have been produced or made, you can just ask the farmer! It?s a rarity these days to be able to meet the people who grow our food and to have the answers to our questions right in front of us.

Community involvement

Finally, shopping for locally sourced products helps you become an active member in your community. Much of the food we eat is produced on large-scale single-crop farms. According to Statistics Canada, between 1931 and 2006, the total land being farmed increased, but the number of farms in operation decreased almost 70 per cent from over 700,000 farms to 229,373, as smaller farms were taken over or bought out by larger industrial farms. By purchasing local products, you are supporting farm families and keeping your money within your local economy.

Unique events such as farmers’ markets create vibrant communities where people come to meet up and connect with their friends, family and neighbors.

Have fun, eat fresh!

These are just some of the many benefits of shopping locally. Next time you?re looking for a relaxed weekend activity or a colorful vegetable to brighten your summer salad, be sure to look for a farmers? market near you. Feel good, have fun and make a difference!

This post was written by Jackie Bastianon and originally appeared on the Nature Conservancy of Canada?s blog, Land Lines.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

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Shopping Local: A Berry Beneficial Choice

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Is Sustainable Fishing Really Possible Right Now?

by FrederickBurge3 Posted on July 25, 2018

Conventionally, the term “sustainable fishing” implies a harvesting model by which fish are captured at a sustainable rate ? i.e. one where?the fish population does not notably decline over time due to?overfishing.

Unfortunately, wild fisheries are believed to have peaked and begun their decline ? some would argue an irreversible one. So where does that leave us? Is sustainable fishing really a possibility in 2018? Let’s take a look.

What makes a fishery?”sustainable”?

The goal of a sustainable fishery is to guarantee long term constant yield ? a.k.a. fishing at a level that still allows nature to adjust to its “new normal,” without compromising future stock.

Sustainable fisheries study the population dynamics of fishing, employ individual fishing quotas, and work to curtail destructive fishing practices by lobbying for better policies and setting up protected areas ? the goal, of course, being to maintain healthy habitats, as well as healthy gene pools, and to avoid depleting?fish populations in general.

That said, whether this is enough to ensure?sustainable?harvesting is a really?touchy subject. Keep reading to see?what the research has to say!

Isn’t there plenty of fish to go around?

There really isn’t ? at least, not anymore. Overfishing,?while?considered economically foolish, is not typically considered?unsustainable,?provided that rebuilding the population afterwards would?take no more than a single generation. Unfortunately, it seems that we’ve been overfishing for too long.

Overfishing precedes severe stock depletion and fishery collapse.?Today, more than 80 percent of fish species are either fully exploited, overexploited, depleted, or recovering from depletion. If we do not halt overfishing, it’s predicted that the stocks of all species currently commercially fished will collapse by 2048. That’s just around the corner.

What about farmed fish. Aren’t they immune to overfishing?

Unfortunately, no. Farmed fish are fed products from wild fish (also called forage fish, prey fish or bait fish), populations of which?are also threatened. Simultaneously, fish that occupy higher trophic levels ??salmon, for example ? are carnivorous and require high protein diets to sustain growth throughout the entire lifecycle, making them very inefficient sources of food energy.

This dependence of salmon farming, for example, on the availability of high-quality proteins such as fishmeal and?fish oil is already having negative effects on wild fish stocks. There’s only so much food to go around.

Is overfishing an isolated problem?

Nope. First, as with most environmental issues, overfishing has the potential to drastically alter the balance of our global ecosystem. Experts?are concerned that heavy?fishing, and the resulting loss of marine diversity, may result in a serious erosion of resilience to environmental fluctuations and, ultimately, an inability to recover former levels of productivity. At some point, the ecosystem just can’t take it any more.

Second, overfishing is happening in the context of climate change?and global warming. Rising ocean temperatures, ocean pollution, and ocean acidification are radically altering marine ecosystems (75 percent of the world’s key fishing grounds are affected), while rising sea levels, changing rainfall patterns, and increased drought are putting inland fisheries at risk. No fishery is immune.

Third, overfishing?is beginning to stir up social unrest. With fish supplies declining?all over the world, fisherman are traveling farther and farther to maintain their livelihoods. Frequently, fishermen are forced?to cross over into competitor territory, creating both social and political conflict.

While the geopolitical impact is being felt most strongly in Southeast Asia, mainly the South China Sea, tensions between Mexico and Florida, as well as?Russia and those fishing?in the Bering Sea are growing. If overfishing continues, you can expect international conflict?to grow with it.

What?can I do about it?

As Captain Paul Watson says, there’s no such thing as sustainable seafood in a dying ocean. “If the oceans die, we die.” If you want to protect marine wildlife and prevent the negative affects of overfishing, lowering?your seafood consumption?is the best thing you can do.

You can also make a difference by becoming more informed on issues of overfishing. Many people are still unaware of the consequences of overfishing. Fortunately, you are not!

Does overfishing worry you? ?What are you going to do about it?

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

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Is Sustainable Fishing Really Possible Right Now?

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This Eco Tech Will Double the Life of Your Fruits and Veggies

by LucioBland Posted on June 27, 2018

How many untouched bunches of celery have seeped into rot at the back of your fridge? How many expensive pints of strawberries turned moldy almost immediately after you bought them? How many avocados have become unsalvageable because you missed the short window of ripeness?

Food waste is a massive problem. It’s costing our health, our wallets, and our environment.?Americans waste an astonishing?150,000?tons of food every single day (about 1 pound of food per person). The UN estimates that food waste costs $2.6 trillion globally per year, and produce is a major culprit.

That?s where Apeel Sciences comes in.

Fighting Food Waste with Food Waste

Apeel Sciences is a California-based food tech startup with a mission to reduce food waste, and they’ve made some serious headway. They claim to have developed a way to actually double the shelf life of fruits and veggies?even avocados.

According to?CNBC, ?The company’s technology basically works like this: Plant materials that are left behind on the farm (leaves and peels, for instance) are blended, and then lipid molecules are extracted. The resulting powder is then turned into a liquid that is sprayed on produce; fruits and vegetables can also be dipped into the solution.”

Apeel has created an edible, colorless plant-based powder which fortifies produce skin and slows the rate of water loss and oxidation. As a result, it significantly extends the ripening process. Apeel-treated fruits and veggies are?less likely to get mushy in the deep chasms of your fridge, but on a larger scale, this?also means that grocery stores will potentially throw away significantly less rotting produce.

Here’s a video posted by Apeel Sciences showing their produce in action.

Working?with Del Rey Avocado and Eco Farms, Apeel has launched its first slow-ripe avocados at Costco locations nationwide as well as Harps location in the Midwest.

They are also planning to launch?Apeel citrus, with hopes?to expand to other fruits and veggies soon.?In testing, they have successfully extended the life of dozens of plant foods, including:

bananas
berries
citrus fruits
stone fruits
peppers
asparagus

Currently, Apeel’s products are only available to?suppliers and retailers on the production end, but the company hopes to eventually make its product available direct to consumers as well.

Beyond Food Waste

While this is potentially a massive?win for minimizing food waste and saving money on groceries, this technology also has the capacity to improve the diets of those who live in hard-to-reach areas of the country.

People?living in food deserts, where fresh and affordable food is a rarity, tend to be?forced?to rely on highly?processed foods. Apeel’s use in the produce industry?could potentially?make?fresh foods more accessible by extending shelf life.

It’s all about using nature to heal our broken food system.

According the Apeel?s head of marketing Michelle Masek, “Every piece of produce, every fruit, every plant already has a peel. And that peel is already doing what it needs to do to keep the fruit fresh. Instead of making new chemicals in a lab, let’s use the same ingredients that nature gives us time and time again to add a little extra Apeel to produce.”

Related on Care2:

The Problem with Activated Charcoal
A Plant-Based Diet Will Make Your Brain Bigger
Avoid These 4 Phrases to Appear & Feel More Confident

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

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10 Reasons to Support the MeatLess May Campaign (and How to Make a Success of It)

by CharmaiSpinks Posted on April 22, 2018

A lot of folks get that eating a plant-based diet is the most Earth-friendly and sustainable food choice. But as we all know, the chasm between knowledge and action can be huge.

In the case of eating less meat, it becomes even wider depending on where you grew up. In South Africa, for example, meat isn?t just something we eat, it?s woven into the fabric of our culture.

When you grow up eating meat, eggs and dairy, it can be hard to give those things up. Black coffee is gross and toast without scrambled eggs is, well, toast. And what about grilled cheese, how on earth are you supposed to survive without that childhood staple?

What is the MeatLess May Campaign?

If you?ve been toying with the idea of eating a plant-based diet, but haven?t been able to wrap your head around the idea of never eating another cheeseburger ever, the MeatLess May campaign is the perfect way to test the water.

Rather than have you quit all animal products outright for the month of May (gasp), it simply challenges you to commit to a more sustainable diet. You choose your ?dietary tribe? based on what you?re able to give up.

For example, meat lovers can opt for the Positive Pioneers tribe, which means you only give up meat, poultry and fish from Monday to Thursday. If you think you can do without meat, but not your morning cappuccino, then the Virtually Veggies tribe is for you.

For vegetarians, this is a great opportunity to quit eggs and dairy and eat 100 percent vegan. The Groovy Gardeners slogan says it all: if it grows in the ground, you can eat it.

10 Reasons to Try MeatLess May

Along with encouraging people to eat fewer animal products, the campaign also aims to raise awareness around the key issues affecting our planet. Ultimately, we are all responsible for the habitat we live in.

These are?10 compelling?reasons to support the MeatLess May campaign.

  1. Raising animals for food requires massive amounts of land, food, energy, and water and causes immense animal suffering.
  2. Animal agriculture is responsible for 18 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, more than the combined exhaust from all transportation.
  3. People under 65 who eat a lot of meat, eggs and dairy are four times as likely to die from cancer or diabetes.
  4. Pigs, cows, chickens, fish, and other animals raised at factory farms experience unimaginable cruelty.
  5. Humane meat is a contradiction in terms.
  6. Animal agriculture is the leading cause of species extinction, ocean dead zones, water pollution and habitat destruction.
  7. For every pound of fish caught, five pounds of unintended marine species are caught and discarded as by-kill.
  8. Animal agriculture increases acid rain.
  9. Most, if not all, of the degenerative diseases that afflict us can be controlled, or even reversed, by rejecting animal-based and processed foods.
  10. Eating organic meat will not help you avoid contaminants.

Resources to Keep You on Track during MeatLess May (and beyond!)

We?ve all been there. Something gets you all fired up and raring to go, and then a day or two later you?re flailing. Inspiration is a wonderful thing, but you also need motivation to keep going when things get tough. As they usually do.

If you feel your motivation?flagging, these talks, movies, and books can help you remember why you’re?trying to cut back on (or cut out) animal products.

Talks

A Vegan Bodybuilding Experiment by Joshua Knox
The Secrets of Food Marketing by Kate Cooper
Why I?m a Weekday Vegetarian by Graham Hill

Movies

Cowspiracy by Kip Andersen and Keegan Kuhn
What The Health by Kip Andersen and Keegan Kuhn
The Secret Reason We Eat Meat by Dr. Melanie Joy [animated]

Books

8 Weeks to Optimum Health by Dr. Andrew Weil
The Blue Zones by Dan Buettner
Esther the Wonder Pig by Steve Jenkins, Derek Walter and Caprice Crane
You?re also welcome to download a free, no strings attached copy of my e-book: Eating a Plant-Based Diet for Beginners (and Curious Omnivores).

Eliminating animal products from your diet benefits you, the planet and of course, the animals. May is a little over a week away, so you?ve got plenty of time to get your head in the game.

Make the commitment to eat less meat for the month. You?ll find plenty of support and inspiration on the MeatLess May Facebook page and by following #meatlessmay on Instagram.

Related at Care2

A Guide to Plant-Based Milks
Why do Vegans Eat Meat and Cheese Alternatives?
10 Reasons the Meat and Dairy Industries are Unsustainable

Photo Credit: Thinkstock

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

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10 Reasons to Support the MeatLess May Campaign (and How to Make a Success of It)

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My No-Nonsense Approach to Meal Planning

by ladonna3109 Posted on April 21, 2018

Did you know that between 25 and 40 percent of all food that is grown, transported and processed in the United States will never be eaten? I don’t know about you, but that’s extremely difficult for me to hear. How could we let that much food go to waste?

I first heard that statistic about two years ago when I was beginning to explore what it might mean to go zero waste. What I learned was that ? besides keeping reusables handy?and cutting plastic out of my life?? being more intentional with the?food that I buy and eat is a crucial part of keeping?that same food from becoming literal garbage.

Today, I use a very simple meal planning strategy to ensure I shop realistically, buy only what I’ll eat in a week, cook reasonable portions and actually eat the leftovers I save.?Here’s what you’ll need for this meal planning strategy:

1)?A?collection of your favorite recipes. This can be a cookbook, a full recipe box or a Pinterest board like this one.

2) A way to store or mark them.?Because I’m digital all the way, I use Pinterest to store chosen recipes. You may want sticky notes for a cookbook or an envelope for chosen recipes.

3)?Your calendar.?Digital or paper, you’ll want to have your calendar for the week in front of you. You could also use?a printable like this!

Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Choose some recipes that sound yummy

Mark, pull or “pin” recipes that sound good to you from?your cookbook, recipe box or Pinterest boards. Set the recipes?aside as you go, and make sure you’re?selecting a variety of cuisines so you don’t get bored with your meals later on. You’ll want to have a week’s worth with wiggle room for leftovers ? so, approximately 4-5 dinners, 4-5 lunches and some fixings for breakfast.

As you can see, I’ve pinned a variety of options, from dinners to pancake breakfasts, to meals that will stretch easily across 2-3 days of eating ? that burrito bowl, for example.

Step 2: Fill in your calendar

Assuming you shop once a week and purchase?enough food to last you seven-ish days, plan out every meal from Sunday to Saturday using the recipes you’ve pulled for use. Make sure you build in intentional spaces for leftovers, as well as make a list of the snacks you’ll eat throughout. Here’s an example from my Google Sheets calendar:

As you can see, I’ve included a breakfast, lunch and dinner for every single day of the week. I’ve also left spaces marked “Leftovers” where I intend to re-eat the past evening’s dinner for lunch or for dinner again. No food goes to waste! The column labeled “Make Ahead” reminds me to meal prep in my free time, so I don’t get caught in a bind without a prepped ingredient later on (ex: mashed sweet potatoes that I’ll need for the quesadillas).

Step 3: Write out your grocery list

Now’s the time to return to your list of favorite recipes! Go through them one by one, adding ingredients you?know you need to your grocery list, which should be broken down by section (i.e. bakery, produce) for convenience.?Make sure you check your fridge and pantry! Too often we buy duplicates when we already have half of what we need already in the pantry. Have staples you need to restock? Mark them now.

Pro Tip: I save my grocery list to?an event titled “Go Grocery Shopping” in my Google Calendar (see photo above). Once I’ve created the event and set the time, I open the event and add my grocery list to the “Description” section in the details. It’s quick, easy and straightforward. No fancy apps required!

Step 4: Go shopping!

Pull out those reusable grocery bags and head to the store! Stick to your list, buy nothing extra (you probably won’t eat it) and then meal prep as soon as you’re able.?You’ll already have all the recipes you need pulled ahead of time! Want some tips on how to use leftover food scraps? This blog post is a great place to start.?

Do you meal plan? What other strategies do you use to cut down on your food waste?

Related Stories:

10 Ways to Get Plastic Out of Your Kitchen
Here’s What Happens to a Plastic Bag After You Throw it Away
3 Ways Becoming a Minimalist Will Improve Your Life

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

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My No-Nonsense Approach to Meal Planning

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A Primer on Europe’s Hippest Non-Dairy Milk

by ZBTGuadalupe Posted on March 14, 2018

Being lactose-intolerant and having just spent about a month overseas, I noticed a strange trend while frolicking between?European coffee shops and bakeries. Soymilk was a rarity. Almondmilk was practically nonexistent. And let?s not even talk about coconut milk. But you know what was in every?single cafe? Oatmilk.

Oatly is a Swedish-based company that does one thing really well?makes oatmilk. Oatly was?in almost every coffee shop and grocery store that I entered. And you know what? I get it. Oatmilk is delicious. But the benefits of drinking oatmilk extend well beyond taste and texture. Here’s everything you need to know…

It’s super affordable.

Since?store-bought oatmilk is way cheaper to buy than other non-dairy and dairy alternatives (you can buy a lot of organic oats for only a few bucks), it makes sense that it?s even cheaper to make. And it doesn?t require all that pesky soaking that almonds and cashews require. Just put your oats in a blender with some water (and any sweetener you desire), blend and strain. Super fast, super easy and it lasts for about 3 days in the fridge. (When using homemade oatmilk, be cautious about heating it on the stove or baking with it. It has the unique tendency to gel up.)

It’s more sustainable.

Oatmilk also has a significantly lower environmental impact than its more popular American cousin, almondmilk. We all know that nuts are an especially intensive crop and, in these times of Californian drought and the decline of bees, blending them into a milk can seem like a bit of a waste. Oats, on the other hand, are much less water intensive and much easier to grow. And, of course, oatmilk is?way easier on the environment than traditional cow milk, which has gotten environmentally out of hand. In Sweden, Oatly is using?oatmilk as?a way for farmers to transition out of environmentally-intensive, nonsensical livestock farming and start using their land to produce clean foods for human consumption. Switching over to oatmilk is a move in a more sustainable direction.

It’s nutritious.

Oatmilk is a plant-based drink that is rich in soluble fiber, protein and nutrients like manganese, potassium, phosphorus, B vitamins, vitamin E and vitamin A. It is vegan, dairy-free and can even be raw-friendly if made at home. Plus, oatmilk has a creamy, earthy, neutral flavor that easily compliments?other?flavors, unlike other milks that rather aggressively?stand out (I’m looking at you, coconut milk).

It may not be Celiac or Paleo friendly.

Be aware that oat milk is not necessarily for everyone. It’s not Paleo-friendly, since oats are a grain. Those with Celiac disease may not be able to handle the proteins in oats, even if they are certified gluten-free. And for those of you watching carb consumption, oatmilk is?way denser in carbohydrates than nut milks. So, it’s not perfect for everyone. But if you don’t have any of the above limitations, go ahead and give an oatmilk latte a try.

Oatmilk is becoming increasingly more popular here in the States. Look for it at your local coffee shop or grocery store, or try making some at home. It’s nutritious. It’s delicious. If you’re anything like me, it’s probably going to be your new favorite thing.

Related on Care2:

7 Ways to Finally Start Loving Yourself
Eating More Plants Will Improve Your Mind
6 Ways to Reinvigorate a Long Term Relationship

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Link – 

A Primer on Europe’s Hippest Non-Dairy Milk

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Kansas farmers tried cutting water use, and guess what? They saved money.

by TraceeCothran Posted on March 8, 2018

In Sheridan County, farmers managed to slash irrigation by 20 percent without taking a punch in the wallet, according to a new economic analysis.

The wells in Sheridan County sip from the Ogallala Aquifer, an underground lake that stretches from South Dakota to Texas. It happens to be rapidly depleting.

“I’d rather irrigate 10 inches a year for 30 years than put on 30 inches for 10 years,” farmer Roch Meier told Kansas Agland. “I want it for my grandkids.”

Compared to neighbors who didn’t cut back, Sheridan farmers pumped up 23 percent less water. While they harvested 1.2 percent less than their neighbors, in the end, they had 4.3 percent higher profits.

Using less water, it turns out, just makes good business sense. It takes a lot of expensive electricity to lift tons of water up hundreds of feet through the ground. The farmers frequently checked soil moisture with electronic probes, as Circle of Blue reports. They obsessively watched weather forecasts to avoid irrigating before rain. Some switched from soy to sorghum, which requires less water. Some planted a little less corn.

If farmers in western Kansas sign on and cut water use just a bit more (25 to 35 percent), it might be enough to stabilize the aquifer.

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Kansas farmers tried cutting water use, and guess what? They saved money.

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How Eating at Home Reduces Food Waste

by cazare907t2 Posted on February 25, 2018

A new study out of Ohio State University found that people who?eat at home wasted about three percent of their food, while people eating?out waste a whopping 40 percent on average.

You know that cooking at home is better for your health, and now there’s another great reason to eat in: you waste far less food. The small study looked at the plate waste that 50 adults generated and found that they left far less food?behind at home than when eating out or during?two lab-simulated “dining out” meals.

There are a couple of things about this study that stand out: the reporting method and how much flexibility that method offered participants.

Instead of self-reporting, study participants used something called the?Remote Food Photography Method?. They took phone photos of their plates?before and after eating, and the researchers used?those images to estimate how much food?was going into the bin.

Most food waste studies tend to focus only on dine-out type meals, but the Remote Food Photography Method allowed researchers to follow?participants as they ate unrestricted meals at home and restaurants of their choice. Study author Brian Roe said in a press release that this study, “is the first of its kind to follow adult eaters through their normal day-to-day eating patterns.”

Roe thinks that the freedom to choose?exactly what they wanted to eat and how much is why participants wasted less food than in previous studies on food waste.

These results are yet another compelling reason to cook at home.?Not only does?home cooking give you more freedom of choice and portion control, but you can meal plan to reduce waste and save money. Roe also points out that?if you’re cooking at home, it’s easier to reuse leftovers.

How to Cook at Home More

If making your own meals isn’t part of your routine right now, it can feel a little bit daunting. Like any new skill, it just takes practice.

Start with simple meals, and branch out as you get more comfortable in the kitchen. One-pot meals are a good place to start, so you’re not left with a mountain of dishes after the cooking is done. If you’re trying to stick to a tight budget,?these easy vegan meals that cost less than five dollars for two servings are your new friends.

The study authors mentioned meal planning?as a great way to further reduce food waste,?which makes sense. If you are shopping with meals in mind, you’re less likely to buy items that you’ll never cook.?Try this vegan meal plan for busy people and check out these tips on how to plan your meals.

Of course,?consumer action is only a small piece of the food waste puzzle.?Some of the burden for reducing food waste needs to fall on food distributors and manufacturers.?We need to look at food waste at every step, from farm to store shelf to table.

Related at Care2

Changing Product Labels Could Drastically Reduce Food Waste
27 Clever Ways to Reuse Food Scraps
7 Ways to Reduce Food Waste at Home

Images via Thinkstock.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

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How Eating at Home Reduces Food Waste

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