Green Food & Drink

Coffee and the Earth

Today, we have three basic choices in green coffee - organic, shade grown and fair trade.  All of these coffee varieties are being sold in many supermarkets and online sites under different brands, with different flavors and with different strengths.  But what is more important than brand, flavor and strength is how each one measures up according to the eco-friendly scale. Organic Coffee Your organic coffee most likely comes from Peru, the world's largest producer and exporter of the commodity, with other major producers being Mexico and Ethiopia.  The organic certification on coffee will only be provided under the strictest of conditions outlined as follows: -It must have been grown on land free from pesticides and other banned substances for at least 3 years. -The land itself must have an adequate buffer between the closest traditional crop and the organic coffee being grown. -Principles of sustainable crop rotation must be applied, said principles of which aim to prevent erosion and the depletion of nutrients in the soil as well as control pests the natural way. Aside from the environmental benefits of organic coffee, your health also benefits in the sense that your body is spared the synthetic chemicals, pesticides and fertilizers that come with growing coffee ...

Going Green by Reducing Food Waste

Food waste on residential and commercial levels spell energy and resource losses.  For one thing, energy is wasted from the field to the fork that, by some estimates, reaches as much as 50 percent.  For another thing, food is food and it is a resource more than half the world will appreciate going to their stomachs instead of the disposal system.  Plus, agriculture means water and we all know how much of a valuable resource water is.  Thus, it is very important to conserve energy and resources, not to mention your money, by reducing food waste.  Let these practical tips be your start to going green. Organize, Check and Clean Your Fridge and Pantry You will be surprised to know that your fridge and pantry host many food items that could have been used, instead of wasted, had you taken the time to check and clean them regularly.  For example, food leftovers and opened food boxes are often pushed to the back, which are then forgotten and, hence, wasted. To reduce waste, you must organize your fridge and pantry, to wit: essentials at the front, indulgences at the middle and extras at the back.  Or you can also organize it according to expiry ...

The Many Uses of Soy

From its first known use in East Asia and China more than 5,000 years ago, the humble soy continues to be part of the daily diet of people around the world in its many forms.  From human food to dog food, it provides nutrients that promote good health, prevent certain cancer types and heart diseases, and even lessen hot flashes in menopausal women. However, like many other food, soy has its bad side that humans will do well to remember.  After all, too much of a good thing is still toxic! Soy Benefits Soy is used in many products from the grocery shelves to cosmetic counters to household items cabinets.  Truly, this is one versatile bean! As a food product, it is the primary ingredient in soy foods like tofu, soy milk, soy cheese, miso, soy flour, soy nuts, soy sauce, butter, cooking oil, infant formula and even as ice cream and vodka.  However, it must be noted that the health benefits of soy consumption can only come from those containing soy protein, or whole soy as it is also called.  It also helps to look for the non-GMO label to avoid the health problems that can arise from this type of bioengineering. The health ...

Saving the Planet One Peel at a Time

When you want to start being more ecologically responsible and when you are looking to make sure that all of the food in your kitchen gets some use, you'll find that you are going to start looking in askance at your orange peels.  Whether you love your fresh squeezed orange juice or you simply love eating slices of fresh orange, you may be wondering what to do with the peels after you are done with them.  Don't just throw them away!  There are plenty of great uses for orange peels that you may simply not be aware of! First, were you aware that you can use orange peels to clean your fingernails?  Simply turn the peel over to explore the soft white side and dig your fingernails into it.  This can get any grime or debris out from under your fingernails as well as making your nails smell pleasantly of citrus. Another place for your orange peels is a stock box.  One great way to get vegetable broth at home is to have a stock box.  To get one started, just get a plastic bin and start filling it with organic materials.  Leave the bin in the freezer and add any sorts ...

A Choice Beyond Organic Produce

The term organic was once a desirable word to hear when paired with food produce, healing products and cosmetic items, to name a few combinations.  Unfortunately, it has been abused and misused to varying degrees that just about any manufacturer can slap on the label and take advantage of the organic bandwagon.  And so, organic now may be losing its sheen, also no thanks to an increasing use of imported fertilizers to produce greater yields to answer the demand. Fortunately, there is the trademarked biodynamic agriculture that provides a better way to go beyond organic farming.  The trademark belongs to Demeter International - Demeter being the Greek goddess of the harvest - which is composed of over 50 member nations including the United States. Demeter International is the largest certification organization for biodynamic agriculture, of which the certification issued must be renewed annually under the strictest of standards.  The criteria for certification include but are not limited to biodiversity and ecosystem preservation, livestock integration, soil husbandry, and the prohibition of GMOs in the farm.  Basically, the farm where the produce bearing the Demeter logo must be treated as holistic organism from the littlest of microorganisms to the farmers themselves. With such stringent criteria, ...