Eating and Living for Climate: Do Our Food and Lifestyle Choices Really Impact Climate Change?

The answer is a resounding “YES!” and if one has ever been to a large wholesale food distributor like Sam’s Club or Costco, it would be reasonable to have disbelief that your individual lifestyle decisions could make a dent in the food system for the better.

Thousands, potentially millions of people across the country at any given second, waiting in line for a tasting of the latest microwavable Asian-fusion mystery meat dumping can be both disheartening and deliciously alluring.

And in our global and domestic news feeds, we see so many very “un-fake” climate change news stories that could leave even the biggest optimist a tad listless.

However no need to fret, numbers do add up, and action has an impact. One, two, three, climate, health, and sustainability enthusiasts can make a change.

Here is a list of everyday things we can do to make life a little bit better for our Earth Mom and everyone who resides on her.

No single-use plastics:

Plastics cause pollution and mercilessly invade our waterways, causing harm to wildlife. Re-useable water bottles made of glass, metal, or recycled and recyclable plastics are the way to go.

Car Share/Car-Pool/Drive an electric vehicle:

Fewer carbon emissions in our atmosphere from constant driving on city streets and rural highways mean more clean oxygen for everyone to breathe. We need that.

Eat More Plants:

We know that Meatless Mondays have been a thing for a few years, but have you tried going meat-free/dairy-free/processed food-free on the rest of the days yet? Also, eating more plants is great for animals but also amazing for your health.

Support Your Local Farmer:

Shopping at farmer’s markets builds the sustainability of your micro-economy by putting local consumer dollars back into local business owners’ hands. In addition, most small farmers these days grow organically as well, so you are supporting your health by eating their beautifully grown produce.

Cook at home and eat with friends and family:

Making your food builds community and stabilizes family units while instilling positive social interaction and self-care behaviors.  It’s also cheaper than going out to eat.

Every one of the tips above can positively impact our Earth’s and Climate’s health for generations to come. The numbers add up, and when we all pitch in, we can make a change. 

Original publish date: 10/19/2019 : https://necessite.co/2022/07/07/eating-and-living-for-climate-do-our-food-and-lifestyle-choices-really-impact-climate-change/

Wild Rice with Braised Cabbage, Roasted Sweet Potato and Herb Mushrooms

Original Source Article Written by Samantha for Athleta

This recipe has four “simple to prepare” components, that when combined make for a wonderful addition to a holiday meal or weekly lunch and dinner. Packed with nutrient dense seasonal, organic ingredients each preparation preserves the benefits of this healthy and vibrant plant-based recipe. 

Roasted Sweet Potato

1 Large Garnet Sweet Potato 

1-2 Tbsp Olive Oil 

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Chop sweet potato into small to medium sized chunks. Coat lightly with olive oil and place onto baking sheet. Roast in the oven for 20-30 minutes until each piece is tender and browned. 

Herbed Mushrooms

2 Tbsp Olive Oil

1 1/2 Cup Chopped Mushroom

1 Tbsp Rough Chopped Cilantro

1 Tbsp Rough Chopped Parsley

 Heat pan on medium heat. Drizzle olive oil into pan. Add chopped mushrooms, parsley and cilantro to pan. Sprinkle with sea salt to taste. Cook mushrooms until tender. Remove from heat and set aside. 

Braised Red Cabbage

1 Tbsp Olive Oil

2 Cups Red Cabbage

2 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar

Salt and Pepper to Taste

Heat pan and lightly coat with olive oil. Add rough chopped red cabbage. Season with salt and black pepper. Cook until tender remove from heat and get aside. 

Wild Rice

1 Cup Wild Rice

4 Cups Water or Vegetable Stock

1/2 tsp Salt 

Throughly rinse rice with cold water. Drain and place rice in sauce pan and cover with 4 cups of liquid and salt then bring to a boil on medium to high heat. 

Once boiling, reduce heat and bring water to a steady simmer and cover with lid. Cook for 45minutes or until rice is tender without crunch. 

Remove from stove top and allow rice to cool.

Assembly 

To complete the dish, gently combine all of the cooked components. Fold rice into cabbage, layering with mushrooms and sweet potatoes. For finishing you may add more cilantro and parsley along with roasted nuts or dried fruit of choice. 

This dish can be served warm or at room temperature. Enjoy. 

Melk, Milk, Mylk! Hemp Milk to the Rescue

Original Source Article Written By Samantha for Necessite.co

Aytime my mother made me waffles for breakfast, she accompanied it with a nice cold glass of vitamin d milk over ice. It was creamy, medium-bodied, solid white and delicious. Not at all like that wimpy 2% stuff I saw kids at school drink out of miniature cartons. This was the real deal and it was made to make me strong.

Fast forward twenty years later, I know that dairy can do everything to the human body except make it healthy and strong. And what we call milk, is simply liquid bovine growth hormones.

Without making any attempts to take down the dairy industry, let’s just say that dairy consumption may create symptoms in some people’s bodies that can contribute to degenerative disease. If you would like help trying to see if there are things in your diet that may need to be eliminated, we suggest exploring alternatives and try to avoid dairy to see if you notice any positive changes. And, if you are craving a creamy, cold, delicious beverage to accompany your fluffy waffles, reach for our easy, nut and gluten-free hemp milk recipe. 

Hemp is regarded as one of the most nutritionally dense and medicinally beneficial plants in the world. Although just a few short years ago it was taboo to discuss anything related to hemp, cannabis, or marijuana. 

Hemp is a complete protein, it’s high in fiber, fatty acids, omega vitamins, vitamin A, potassium, magnesium, it’s an anti-inflammatory and also acts as an antioxidant. It’s beneficial for weight-loss, skin, brain health, and immune system function. Consuming hemp is an all-around win for every part of the body. Enjoy!

Hemp

• 1/2 cup of raw hemp seeds

• 4 cups of distilled water

• 2 Medjool Dates

• Pinch of Himalayan pink salt

Method Of Preparation

Combine all ingredients in a high-speed blender. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. 

Healing Anti-Inflammatory Ginger Turmeric Elix

GINGER TURMERIC TISANE…. A RITUAL HEALING BEVERAGE FOR EVERYDAY.

Serves: 2

Time: 15mins or less

INGREDIENTS

1 Knob Ginger (1Tbsp Ginger Powder)

1 Knob Turmeric ( 1Tbsp Turmeric Powder)

1 Fresh Lemon

2 Tbsp Raw or Manuka Honey 1/2 tsp

Fresh Cracked Black Pepper

3 Cups Hot (Boiled) Filtered Water

TOOLS

Microplane

METHOD

With the microplane, grate the fresh turmeric and fresh ginger into mugs or tea pot for serving. Add black pepper, honey then add water finish with fresh lemon. Enjoy.

Raw Vegan Cauliflower, Radish, Avocado Salad with Tamari Dressing

Raw Cauliflower Avocado Salad with Tamari Dressing

Prep Time: 5 minutes Total Time: 5 minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

1 Head of Cauliflower

1 Ripe Avocado

1/2 Cup Manzanilla or Castelvetrano Olives

1 Large Cucumber Furikake Seasoning to taste.

Dressing 1 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 Cup Low Sodium Tamari Sauce

Method of Preparation

Rough Chop Raw Cauliflower, Cucumber, Olives and Avocado.

Place in bowl combining ingredients. Mix or massage with hands until avocado is creamy and lightly coats other vegetables.

Whisk olive oil and tamari together.

Drizzle dressing over vegetables. Add furikake seasoning to taste or desire.

Raw Cashew "Ricotta" Cheese Lasagna

RAW VEGAN CASHEW CHEESE LASAGNA 

• 1 Large Zucchini 

• Sea Salt

• Raw, Sun-dried or Slow Roasted Tomatoes 

• Cashew Cheese (see recipe below)

• 9 Large Fresh Basil Leaves 

Tools

• 1 Mandoline

Cashew Cheese

• 2 Cups Soaked Cashews (Overnight)

• 1/2 Cup Olive Oil

• 1/4 tsp Sea Salt

• 1/4 tsp Garlic Powder

• 1/4 Water 

Method of Preparation

Blend all ingredients smooth in a food processor or high speed blender. Increase or reduce liquid to ensure desired texture. 

Slice 9 sheets of zucchini pasta using a mandoline for 3 layers. 

With 3 pieces of zucchini, create a layer of pasta placed next to one another. Add first layer of cashew cheese, topped with tomato and then fresh basil leaves. Add another layer of cashew “ricotta” cheese. Top with the 2nd layer of zucchini pasta and continue as above. 

Once the final layer has been completed you may eat at room temperature. 

Cacio e Pepe Spaghetti Squash

CACIO E PEPE SPAGHETTI SQUASH 

Servings: 2  | Cooking Time: 25 minutes Total Time: 35 minutes 

Ingredients

1 Large or 2 Small-Medium Spaghetti Squash 

Olive Oil

Sea Salt

Black Pepper

Vegan Parmesan Cheese (*see recipe below)

Method of Preparation

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

Using a chef’s knife, slice the squash down its length creating half inch circles. Rub a thin layer of olive oil on each round, and place on an oiled baking sheet. Place sheet in oven for 25 minutes until squash is soft, slightly browned and easily pulls away from the skin. Remove from oven and let cool to enable handling of squash. Remove the flesh by hand or by cutting away from skin using a pairing knife. 

Place spaghetti squash in a bowl and adding ample amounts of vegan parmesan cheese, fresh cracked black pepper, olive oil and sea salt to taste. 

CASHEW PARMESAN CHEESE

Ingredients

1 Cup Organic Cashews

3 Tbsp Nutritional Yeast

1 tsp Garlic Powder 

1/2 tsp Sea Salt

Method of Preparation 

Blend all ingredients together in a food processor until fine.