Cool article in February 2009 issue of Bon Appétit

Last week while running on the treadmill at the YMCA I was simultaneously enjoying a captivating article in the February 2009 issue of Bon Appétit. Oddly, dreaming of a decadent dark chocolate tart gently laid on top of a soft bed of sweet June strawberries while working out has never discouraged my love for healthy aerobic activity. I am a self professed “foodie” and appreciate the time, consideration and creativity chefs and novice cooks such as myself take to select, prepare and present a fine dish.

I found the article particularly interesting because it highlighted 50 ways we can eat “green.” Of course everyone isn’t a vegetarian or has their own vegetable garden in their backyard but there are numerous ways we can all support a “lighter” more sustainable diet. Here are a few of my favorite sustainable diet tips from the article:

-Eat More Chocolate- Fair-trade and organic, that is.

-Boil Once, Cook Twice- Use the residual heat from pasta water to poach shrimp. After you've removed the noodles, add shrimp, put the lid on, and turn off the flame. Toss the cooked shrimp and pasta in olive oil.

-Be your own Barista- Kicking your daily take-out coffee habit can have a big impact on your budget and your contribution to landfills. Buy fair-trade coffee in support of global fair pricing, use a French press to pressure coffee's rich flavors and reduce energy consumption as well as carry your coffee to go in a reusable mug.

-Become a human food processor- Use less electricity by getting “handier” with your knife. It's meditative, it's exercise and it'll make you a better cook.
Make your own cereal- Dramatically cut down on your packaging consumption and customize your granola to your exact preference.

-Become a Locavore- Support your community and cut down on your carbon footprint by eating local.

-Use your dishwasher- But only when full and well organized. Energy Star-rated dishwashers are an even better choice.

Check out the website for the entire list of 50 ways to eat green!

http://www.bonappetit.com/magazine/2009/02/fifty_easy_ways_to_eat_green