NYC Fair Trade Coalition is Just Plain Awesome!

I know there is so much out there in the world right now that needs our attention- from just taking care of our own needs, to the needs of our family, friends, and our communities. Finding extra time to put into thinking about the world outside of our immediate bubble can seem impractical at times. But, when we do have time, finding a wonderful worth-while cause and working with incredible, caring, good people is a great way to go.

My cause right now is the NYC Fair Trade Coalition. They are awesome. These people volunteer their time, energy and care into helping all kinds of people all over the world. They help others provide for themselves and their loved ones by creating opportunities for fair labor and fair wages, which is a great cause and one that truly makes an impact on the quality of people's lives.

We, the general American public, buy goods on a daily basis- so why not get good quality, stylish products that help make the world better and support good values?

I recently attended a networking event with the United Students for Fair Trade and the NYC Fair Trade Coalition. It was great! It was at this eco-boutique, Sustainable NYC. They have a good range of home products, clothing, jewelry, and natural body care products. They also have a cute little eco-cafe!

Along with meeting some cool, nice and ambitious people, I also found out more info about this very exciting fair trade fashion event, Fair Trade Fashion's Night Out. This event is scheduled for September 8, 2011, so mark your calendar's people! This is going to be a night to remember! I will keep you posted as the planing for this event evolves. Can't wait!

Think about what you are passionate about. Find a little time to volunteer somewhere that you feel genuinely helps people and does good. Get involved.

Check out more info on NYC Fair Trade Coalition:
http://nycfairtradecoalition.org/

My New Favorite Restaurant: OZU

Sorry for the lack of posts, since my move to NYC things have been hectic, to put it mildly. Anyway, I am back and excited to share some super awesome eco info with you, and I am starting with my new favorite restaurant. I am gonna go all out and say that I think this is the BEST RESTAURANT in NYC! No, really.

So, you may have heard of it, especially the macros out there, but I think it is still worth talking about. Ozu Restaurant is macrobiotic, kosher and just plain awesome. Their menu has a wide selection os tastly and well balanced fare. My favorite thing to order right now, that is great for the summer season and oh-so-relaxing after a stressful week of work is the ZARU SOBA GOMOKU, which is cold soba topped with tofu, fried tempeh, cucumbers, bean sprouts, louts root, shiitake, and kombu, served with dumpling sauce on the side. It is awesome.

Also, I am a big fan of desserts, especially kanten- and Ozu's fruit kanten is by far the best I have had in NYC restaurants.

Along with delicious and well-balanced food, they also provide excellent customer service. Ozu's servers are very friendly, helpful and will tell you what they like best on the menu if you ask. All in all, I recommend this place to anyone who likes fresh, healthy, balanced meals, a clean, cozy atmosphere and friendly, good service. Check them out online and check them out in person!

http://www.ozunyc.com/

Lovin' Your Liver in Springtime

Spring tulip after rainfall in Massachusetts

One of my favorite things about the season of Spring is getting to change the kinds of foods I eat to light, fun and refreshing! Spring is a time of upward rising energy, which means time to eat more foods that grow upwards out of the ground. Some really wonderful foods to emphasize in our Springtime cooking are:

• leafy green vegetables like kale, Chinese cabbage, collard greens, scallions, parsley, bok choy, sprouts, and dandelion greens
• sour tasting foods like sour green apple or lemon - help stimulate the liver to cleanse the body
• sweet foods - help relax the liver if it is too contracted, i.e. you are are feeling too contracted and need to mellow out

Having these things in mind while cooking will aid our bodies in doing some internal "spring cleaning" and will also help us lighten up in this new season.

Another Springtime tulip in Massachusetts

Some ideas for Spring Cooking are:

• Grain Salad with lightly sauteed colored vegetables, seasoned with some olive oil, sea salt and fresh lemon juice - this is a fun idea to jazz up your usual grain dish with bright colors and fresh flavors
• Corn on the Cob - lightly steam it for a few minutes and serve with a schmear of umeboshi paste, this brings out the sweetness even more, yum!
• Light Pressed Salad - choose a juicy vegetable like crisp cucumber, finely chop some bright purple cabbage or carrot and even add some sliced green apple. Sprinkle with sea salt and press with a weight for a few minutes. Rinse, then serve with an optional sprinkle of vinegar and sesame seeds.
• Fresh Fruit Kanten- the most delicious way to relax, cool off and get yourself into a good mood. This is my all time favorite dessert.

Green Apple Kanten

I have been having fun making different types of kanten, and the two that I liked the best were Green Apple Kanten and Raspberry Peach Kanten. Check out this recipe I made:

Raspberry Peach Kanten Cups

2 cups peach juice

1/4 cup cold peach juice

3/4 cup fresh of frozen raspberries

1 flat Tablespoon agar flakes

1 flat Tablespoon kuzu

pinch of sea salt

1. Put 2 cups of juice, salt and agar into a pot on the stove. Bring the pot to a boil while continuously stirring.
2. Once the liquid comes to a boil, continue stirring and simmer on low. Keep stirring until the agar flakes dissolve.
3. Dissolve the kuzu in 1/4 cup of cold peach juice by mixing it together in a small cup or bowl.
4. Pour kuzu juice mixture and frozen raspberries into the simmering pot of liquid. Continue stirring until the liquid becomes translucent, this should only take a couple minutes.
5. Take the pot off of the stove and spoon liquid into individual serving cups. Let stand on the counter at room temperature or put them into the refrigerator to firm up.
6. Once the kanten has become firm it is ready to serve. Enjoy! 

30 Day Eco-Challenge, Part 3

Glendale Falls in Middlefield, Massachusetts

So my eco-challenge is coming to an end, but it doesn't mean I will stop doing some of the things I have become aware of and changed.

I realized how I am often surrounded by people who don't care about the environment with the same passion as I do. That was very difficult for me, because I felt like some of the people I hang around with think I am weird enough for eating organic, whole foods and caring about my health. It definitely made it more challenging, but it also helped me to remember that I care about my opinion of myself and the environment more than I care about other people thinking I am an extreme tree-hugger.

Barnet, Vermont

For many people, it is easy to look the other way or to think that one piece of trash won't make a difference. But it does. I used to be one of those people, but once I experienced the breathtaking beauty of nature, I changed. I had to change, because I knew that if I kept my bad habits of being wasteful and apathetic, I was personally contributing to the denigration of nature and the health of the planet, the people around me and myself.

After traveling to some beautiful places in the world, I saw the natural beauty that existed and I had to do all I could to make sure it was still there in the future.

But deciding YOU care doesn't mean you have to make-over your whole life and become a recycling obsessed extremist who spends all day protesting. 

The best way to make any lasting real change in your life is to do it very slowly, one step at a time. So start small, with something like always bringing a reusable water bottle with you where ever you go. Or keep reusable shopping bags in your car so if you need to shop, they are ready and waiting for you!

Remember that every little thing you do does add up. Every person you share with about your commitment to the environment is a possibility for you to inspire someone new. Every time you do something good, you are changing the world in ways you can't even begin to imagine. So keep going and keep trying. We will get there!

Lake Champlain in Burlington, Vermont

Must See Film: Forks Over Knives

Degenerative diseases have taken over the world. More people than ever have serious health conditions like diabetes, cancer and heart disease. Half of the American population takes at least one prescription drug. The majority of Americans are overweight.

This film examines the claim that most of these diseases can be controlled or reversed by eating a whole foods plant based diet. It is about time a movie like this came out!

Doctors T. Colin Campbell and Caldwell Esselstyn conduct and examine the research and show us that food really can be our best medicine. Anyone who cares about health and living a good quality life should definitely see this one!

Watch the official trailer and get more info here:

http://www.forksoverknives.com/