The Feburary 2009 issue of Bon Appetit magazine just hit my mailbox and in it are 50 easy ways to eat green this year. Since the theme fits with my last post, which was all about intentions, I thought I’d highlight a few of their tips here along with some suggestions from our Tonic News team.
If you’re thinking about making New Year’s resolutions or intentions, but need a little kick start, just print this out and paste it up on your fridge (or greener: send to your smart phone), and reference it any time you need a little inspiration.
- Bike to the farmer’s market. And carry your own bag. That’s a trifecta of green right there. (Tip from Bon Appetit.)
- Drink more (organic) beer. As if we really needed an excuse. See our very own Colleen Lindsay’s tasty suggestions.
- Be your own barista. Ditch the $4 latte in the paper cup. Invest in a French press and some fair trade organic beans. You can still take your java to go in a nifty portable mug. (Tip from Bon Appetit.)
- Scoop it yourself. Not only do bulk foods have less wasteful packaging, they are often cheaper and minimally processed. Just remember what I tell my kids as they try to shovel expensive macadamias into their mouths: It’s not a snack bar. (Tip from Bon Appetit.)
- Eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch once in a while and save the world. No, really!
- Make your own cereal. Here, you can even have one of my own favorite recipes. (Tip from Bon Appetit.)
- Clear out the veggies in your fridge and make some stock. Huck ‘em in your stock pot, bring up to a bare simmer and then stick the whole shebang into an 180-degree oven for four to eight hours. Strain, then use or freeze. It’s slow cooking at its finest without needing any fancy gadgety things. (Tip from Bon Appetit, stock technique from Michael Ruhlman.)
- Choose food and beverages packaged in glass rather than aluminum. Don’t be ass, choose glass!
- Eat sustainable sushi. Fish like the delicious Kona Kampachi are raised sustainably. No need to worry about overfishing the oceans with that choice. (Tip from Bon Appetit.)
- And lastly, if you really want to eat greener this year, cook! You’ll avoid packaged, processed foods and make something tasty at the same time. While you’re at it, make enough to freeze and/or for lunch the next day and you’ll have saved the energy you would have needed to cook those extra meals. (Tip from Bon Appetit.)
How are you planning to eat greener in 2009? Care to share your resolutions or intentions?