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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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Subway's New Green Line

YumSugar — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 14:27:19 -0800

Subway recently announced a commitment to make itself a little more green. The chain's first "eco-store" opened earlier this month in Kissimmee, Florida, and it includes many environmentally friendly lighting and heating methods, as well as recycled products and furnishings. They've worked in collaboration with the U.S. Green Building Council to earn Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification for the eco-stores. The store will also give Subway a chance to measure energy and water savings against a regular Subway nearby.

In addition to the new eco-store, Subway also announced that it will now use paper napkins made from 100 percent recycled materials, and has switched the materials used in its cutlery and plastic drinking cups. These little replacements will save more than 610,000 pounds of resin and 13,000 barrels of oil per year.

All of these alterations, along with several other initiatives, are part of Subway's new eco-friendly policy. Here's more:

"We have made a commitment as a brand to become even more
environmentally accountable," said Bill Schettini, Chief Marketing Officer
for the Subway chain. "With more locations in the United States than any
other restaurant chain, and more than 28,000 worldwide, we are in a
position to make a significant and positive global impact on the
environment and the world around us."

So what do you guys think? Do you applaud Subway's new green exterior?

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Yum Market Finds: Make Earth Day Everyday

partysugar — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 14:27:49 -0700

This Sunday is Earth Day and I think it's a very important holiday that should not be overlooked. Being respectful of the world we live in is crucial to the survival of the human race and although I'm just one girl who likes to party, I do like to do my part every now and then. As I was looking through the Yum Market I was excited to see that you care about the environment as well, and I felt inspired by your ideas. For example just because you live in an apartment doesn't mean you can't plant a tree. Atkoester suggests purchasing a dwarf meyer lemon tree and I totally plan to take her up on the suggestion! Imagine picking the lemons right off the tree the next time your recipe calls for a little juice or zest, talk about local produce.

Two more green ideas that you submitted so read more

Fairy_MK found this free Be Green button. Pin this baby to your purse, reusable grocery bag, or backpack and let everyone know you are all for helping the earth live.

Cooking with local and seasonal ingredients is one of the ways that we can eat healthier and improve the environment (some food travels up to 2000 miles before we eat it - if food didn't have to travel think of how much gas we would save...) so sundrops recommends going to your local farmer's market.

Thanks for being so conscious girls! Keep on saving the amazingly aware stuff you find (and use) in the Yum Market. To learn more about how to do so check out geeksugar's how to bookmark guide.

Thanksgiving Tip: Use Food as Serveware

YumSugar — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:50:49 -0800

When planning a dinner as momentous as Thanksgiving, there are lots of elements to consider on top of cooking, like selecting the right menu (and bird!), detailing an oven plan, and considering your budget. But one thing I firmly believe you shouldn't have to stress about is doing the dishes.

Spare yourself - and the environment! - by using food as a serving vehicle whenever possible. Start off cocktail hour with cider poured in apple cups and homemade dip in a bread bowl. Or, if soup is part of your meal, offer it in festive roasted acorn squash. Not only is this serving method a fun surprise for guests, but it's also delicious, filling, compostable, and easy on the cleanup.

What serving tips do you have to cut down on the dishes at Thanksgiving?

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College Cafeterias Are Going Trayless

partysugar — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 06:50:11 -0700

In an attempt to cut costs and be more eco-chic, many college campuses have gotten rid of cafeteria trays. Instead, students are being forced to carry their meals on plates. The trayless cafeterias are seeing up to a 30 percent decrease in food waste, and with no trays to wash, the use of energy and water is reduced as well.

While school officials whole-heartedly embrace the change, many students are not happy. They dislike not being able to carry everything at once and are more inclined to spill.

I'm all for the discontinuation of cafeteria trays, not only because it helps the environment, but because it probably also causes students to eat less. Say good-bye to serving trays and say good-bye to the freshman 15! How do you feel about the trend?

RuMe Reusable Snack Pack: Love It or Hate It?

YumSugar — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 05:50:35 -0700

If you already carry your groceries in reusable bags, then you might take a liking to reusable polyester snack packs. The colorful, patterned one pictured above, by fair trade maker RuMe, is meant to store your sandwiches and midday snacks not once or twice but many times over. Although it may require a little maintenance cleaning every once in a while, a reusable snack bag makes a colorful fashion statement - and more sense for the environment. Is it a change you'd be willing to make?

Know Your Ingredients: Liquid Smoke

YumSugar — Wed, 27 May 2009 15:00:46 -0700

With Summer grilling in full force and smoke-tinged cocktails taking the helm at bars nationwide, the food world has been singing the virtues of liquid smoke. But what is this mysterious substance, and how does it obtain its trademark taste?

A concentrated flavoring used to duplicate the essence of smoked wood, liquid smoke is literally the flavor of smoke captured in water. Wood chips or sawdust are burned in a controlled environment, producing tiny smoke particles held in water vapor. Chilled air is introduced, causing the particles to condense into liquid. The liquid is then aged in oak barrels.

Liquid smoke is usually made from smoked hickory, mesquite, pecan, or apple wood, and can be applied to a gas grill to add a charcoal flavor, added to a meat marinade or curing solution, or used on soft cheeses and meatless proteins such as tempeh.

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SodaStream Soda Maker: Worth Gushing About?

YumSugar — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 09:00:12 -0700

I have a confession to make: if I didn't worry about what my friends and family would say to me, I'd probably drink soda all day, every day - I love it that much. So when I got my hands on SodaStream's Soda Maker, a SkyMall-like contraption that claims to "turn tap water into sparkling water in three seconds," I knew I'd be in for some fizzy fun.According to Soda-Club, the company behind the machine, the SodaStream is more convenient (since you make soda instantly at home) than buying soda, less troublesome (no need to lug soda bottles), healthier (no high-fructose corn syrup), economically sensible, and better for the environment. Did the soda maker stand up to its claims? Find out when you read more.

I received a starter kit ($99.99) with a Fountain Jet Home Soda Maker, a 110-liter carbonator, two carbonating bottles, and an assortment of diet soda flavors and sparkling water essences. Following instructions, I assembled the machine, which requires no electricity, in under 10 minutes. To make soda, you fill a carbonating bottle with water, screw it into the machine, press a button four times to create fizz, and pour in some flavoring.

The soda machine is certainly easy to use, less troublesome to transport, and better for the environment. After the initial cost for the machine, a cup of soda will set you back less than $0.10. As far as taste, however, this is no match for store-bought soda.

The pop flavors (which included diet cola, diet grapefruit, diet cranberry-raspberry, and diet root beer) taste artificial with an odd aftertaste, and the bubbles aren't as fine or long-lasting as canned or bottled soda. "It's like Italian soda meets Crystal Light," a friend lamented. The flavored fruit essence drops taste even less natural. The soda bottles, despite being BPA-free, aren't dishwasher-safe.

If you're a heavy club soda drinker, or frequently make Italian sodas with traditional syrups, then this machine would actually be a good investment for you. But if you're a regular canned Coke drinker, the soda system's syrupy flavors won't likely be the replacement you're hoping for. Have you ever tried SodaStream? Did you come to the same conclusions about it?

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Do You Know What's Cooking This Week?

YumSugar — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 14:00:55 -0700

This week, we continued to enjoy the beauty of Spring, with a focus on helping to preserve the environment.

Even though it's not currently airing, we were all over Top Chef. We spoke with don Tom Colicchio; controversial judge Toby Young confirmed he'd be back for another season; and we just found out where Season 6 will be taking place.

Were you around for it all? Find out when you take our quiz!

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Food Section Sampler - Apr. 22, 2009

YumSugar — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 12:50:14 -0700

Planting your own garden isn't just good for the environment - it's also easy on your wallet. - Wall Street Journal
Six budget-friendly meat cuts for thrifty home cooks. - Chicago Tribune
Make the right choices when it comes to the complex issue of sustainable eating. - Los Angeles Times
Mexico's other spirit, mezcal, has come out of tequila's shadow. - New York Times
The secret to appreciating wine: Not overcomplicating it. - Boston Globe
The Department of Agriculture is planning a People's Garden at its grounds on the Mall. - Washington Post
For dinner, make quinotto, or quinoa prepared in the manner of risotto. - San Francisco Chronicle