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Do You Recycle Food Packaging?

partysugar — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 10:15:06 -0700

From egg cartons to aluminum cans, there are a lot of recyclables when it comes to food packaging. Since today is Earth Day, I want to know what you do with this excess of packaging? Do you recycle it?

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Go Green! Turn Old Wine Bottles Into Water Holders

partysugar — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 07:50:44 -0700

Plastic water bottles produce a lot of waste; one way to cut back is to use larger, refillable bottles for drinking water at home. This works well in an area like San Francisco where the tap water is drinkable and delicious.

Since I entertain a lot, I thought it would be eco-chic to make my own! Here's what I did:

Start by saving several wine bottles. I collected three clear bottles with smaller labels and screw caps.
Wash the bottles and their caps in the dishwasher.
Part of the labels will be removed. There are several ways to remove the rest of the label. You can heat them in the oven for a couple of minutes or warm with hot air from a blow dryer.
Scrub any of the label's residue off with a good sponge or a cotton ball soaked in nail polish remover.
Fill with water, close the cap, and place in the fridge to chill.

A set of these also makes a thoughtful gift. Has anyone else made their own water bottles?

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7 Surefire Sustainable Seafood Options

YumSugar — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 05:50:42 -0700

Though organic produce has been at the forefront of the food movement over the last handful of years, sustainable seafood has only recently gained much-needed attention. Fishing practices for some of America's most popular seafood choices (salmon, eel, Chilean sea bass) are putting seafood populations in peril, interrupting aquatic habitats, and causing damaging water pollution. I'll be the first to admit that it can be hard to keep track of what seafood is and isn't environmentally sound to eat, since it depends on the way it's caught and where it comes from. For those in question, you can always refer to the Seafood Watch, an advisory that will tell you what's OK to eat and what's off-limits. Don't forget these seven surefire seafood options that are, for the most part, always sustainably sound.

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Host a Festive Earth Dinner

YumSugar — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:17:01 -0700

Looking for another way to celebrate Earth Day? Then start a new Earth Day tradition by hosting an Earth Dinner. An Earth Dinner is a dinner where you know where each ingredient on your table comes from. It's been completed with local and organic produce, as well as humanely-raised animals. Host your first one this year, and plan to do it each year thereafter.

And, if you're looking for something to discuss during dinner, there's a set of Earth Dinner Cards ($10) to help you out. These creative cards are designed to get you thinking and talking about the foods and folks you love. They say things like, "Describe the first time you tasted something you picked off a tree, vine, stem or pulled out of the ground?" and "Who in your life really understands how to make the food you love?" but you can see more if you download a free set of eight cards.

I think the cards are fun way to get conversation going, and would be neat at Earth Day or any other day. How about you? Would you want a set of these? And would you consider hosting an Earth Dinner?

Earth Day Happy Hour: 360 Vodka

YumSugar — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:18:33 -0700

Saving the planet, one glass at a time. This is the slogan for 360 Vodka an "eco-luxury" vodka. Although the vodka is distilled four times and then filtered five, it uses an energy-efficient process and creates very little waste. The labels are 100-percent recycled and processed in a cholorine-free manner, the bottle is 85-percent recycled, and the facility that filters it has also gone through measures to reduce its eco footprint over the last several years.

At the Earth Friendly Distilling factory - where 360 is created - there is a daily recycling program and on-site recycling center, they have no paper towels or cups in their breakrooms, and any generated oil is collected and reused. They also state that by creating the vodka their way, they've saved 113 trees, 48,371 gallons of water, and 5,409 pounds of solid waste. And every bottle cap returned to the distillery will result in a $1 donation to selected environmental organizations.

I think all of this is rather great for Earth Day and every day, but what I really want to know is how it tastes. The four distillings and five filterings are supposed to result in a clean, smooth vodka. I know that it might be a bit gimmicky, but their plant is at least doing what many other factories should be doing. So tell me, are you interested in trying this vodka - I found it online for $32.99 - or do you think it's all big marketing scheme?

Name That Grain!

partysugar — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 12:03:33 -0700

Welcome to the special Earth Day edition of Name That Dish. Below is a popular grain amongst health-conscious foodies. Do you know what it's called?

Ways to Make Your Kitchen Greener

partysugar — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 08:31:39 -0700

Earth Day is a great time to think about going green in the kitchen. Having an environmentally friendly kitchen is easy - and affordable - if you make a few simple changes to your current living style. Here's how you can make your kitchen more green:

Recycle! This may seem like a no brainer, but if you don't recycle your cans, glasses, cardboard and plastic containers, etc. start doing so now. If possible, start composting as well.
Plant a garden. Growing your own fruits, vegetables, and herbs cuts down on the amount of fuel needed to transport the produce. Home gardens also cut back the use of plastic baggies.
If you are remodeling your kitchen, use recycled materials, and look for eco-friendly, energy saving appliances with long shelf lives.
Stop using plastic and paper bags. Instead transport groceries in reusable tote bags.
Buy local products when possible.
Substitute cloth napkins for paper napkins.
Completely fill the dishwasher and only wash full loads.

What are your tips for an eco-friendly cooking space? Share your ideas with us below!

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8 Ways to Greenify Your Wedding

YumSugar — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 06:30:00 -0700

We're right in the middle of wedding season here at the Sugar Network, and being that today is Earth Day, both CasaSugar, geeksugar and I are hoping to help you green your wedding. Casa's got great tips regarding flowers and travel and Geek's got a list of ways to eco-fy your ceremony. Me? Well I've got tips regarding food, decor and favors. To see what we've got up our sleeve, click the "Start" button. Source

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Fast & Easy Dinner: Avocado Mango Salad

partysugar — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 05:28:33 -0700

Let's celebrate Earth Day by making a healthy, vegan-friendly meal with earth grown vegetables. For an eco friendly dinner, purchase the greens, avocados, and mango at your local farmers market. A quick vinaigrette - made with passion fruit juice concentrate, dijon mustard, and Sherry vinegar - dresses this scrumptious salad. Pair with a wedge of cheese, a chunk of bread, and a glass of organic sparkling wine for a delicious dinner that celebrates our planet. To look at the recipe, read more.

Avocado Mango Salad
From Bon Appetit magazine

Ingredients

3 tablespoons frozen passion fruit juice concentrate, thawed
3 tablespoons minced shallot
4 teaspoons Sherry wine vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon whole coriander seeds, coarsely cracked
3 tablespoons olive oil
8 cups herb salad mix (about 4 ounces)
1 large ripe mango, halved, pitted, peeled, sliced
2 small avocados, halved, pitted, peeled, sliced

Directions

Whisk first 5 ingredients in small bowl to blend; gradually whisk in oil. Season dressing generously with salt and pepper.
Toss salad mix in large bowl with 1/4 cup dressing. Divide salad among 4 plates.
Tuck mango and avocado into salad; drizzle some of remaining dressing over mango and avocado.

Serves 4.

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HIK! Glass: Love It or Hate It?

YumSugar — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 03:03:03 -0700

Finnish design group Lasistudio has repurposed glass bottles and jars by turning them into drinking glasses. The cleverly titled HIK! glasses (about $79 for a set of 4) come in brown and green, and in packs of 2, 4, 6 and 12. I think they're rather nice, and appropriate for Earth Day. How about you? Would these find a way into your home?

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