Saturday 21 December 2013

Green Inspiration #4

I've been making this green smoothie for a while now and it's amazing first thing in the morning. It feels healthy and gets you on the right foot to make good food decisions for the rest of the day. It comes from Gwenyth Paltrow's book "It's All Good" and it's pretty easy to make. I would recommend a strong blender due to the fact that the ingredients are quite hearty; another option is to use a juicer. Kale is in season at the moment, so see if you can get a nice big organic bunch from your local health food store. You can eat it fresh or freeze it until you need it.



Gwenyth's Green Smoothie
(Serves 2 medium or 1 large)

Ingredients:
A couple of handfuls of kale
1 apple
1 hunk of ginger (about 1 inch, or to taste)
A few mint leaves
One whole lemon, peeled
A few cups of filtered water (to cover the ingredients)
A few cubes of ice (optional)



Method:
Place all items in blender (except ice) and blend on high until all items are blended. Add ice and pulse until incorporated.
Drink and then feel smug about being one of those people that drinks green smoothies (and likes them)!

Enjoy!

Monday 9 December 2013

Rubbish, I Say!

Garbage, rubbish, trash, waste, junk, debris, swill ...




Call it what you will, we all throw out a lot of stuff. At my house, we put out at least one bag of recycling and one bag of garbage each week. Sadly, these are our only options. I was recently back home in Toronto, and was totally inspired by the way that the city disposes of waste. At my mom's house, there are three separate bags - one for recycling (cans, plastics, paper, etc), one for compost (all food waste and easily broken down paper, like tissues and paper towel) and then the last one, actual garbage (which is really only things like cling film or plastics that can't be put in the recycling). After removing items which fall into the first two categories, there is little left over which is "real" garbage. This seems to be a great system - the amount of actual garbage disposed is much less, and hopefully, the compost waste and recycling items are put to good use and employed in another capacity which is beneficial to both consumers and the earth (for more info on Toronto's waste disposal, click here).




Living in a "throw-away" society contributes to our attitude and mentality about putting things in the bin. My grandparents wouldn't dream of throwing away something broken until they had exhausted all possibilities of fixing it at least a couple of times themselves (I'm sure it helps that they are quite handy and electrically inclined); today's generations (myself included) think about things very differently. The advent of cheaply made products gave rise to a disposable culture, and we could all do better to use less and dispose more mindfully.

Cities need to get on board and offer options for reducing waste, or at least improving the disposal options so that our impact on the earth is less. If you have space or a garden (not so common in densely populated London), consider putting a composter in the backyard - your flowers will thank you and the grass really will be greener (in your yard, no less!).




It is slowly happening and cities or councils are getting on board - a friend in a different part of west London recently showed me the compost bucket required by her council, so hopefully my council will pick this up soon, reducing at least one (perhaps the biggest) section of waste that goes in our bin - food products.

Until then ... the 3 R's - Reduce, Re-use, Recycle.


GG Rating - Good for Flaxseed Fanatics, given the lack of compost options.

Sunday 8 December 2013

Green Inspiration #3

Our groceries arrived this week, including a box of tomatoes, which was obviously intended for me because of the sole green one nestled amongst the "normal" tomatoes of orange, red and yellow. We enjoyed them with salads and on their own, and my husband and I fought over who would get to eat "the watermelon". Happy days.


Thursday 5 December 2013

A Very Eco-Christmas



As the Christmas trees go up, lights are lit and carols play continuously everywhere, I started to think about Christmas shopping. It seems that every year it gets a little bit harder to find that special present for each person on my list. As a relatively picky person myself, I find it difficult, not wanting to give presents that I myself would not want to receive. As I get older, I find that I am less interested in accumulating "things" and more interested in two categories of gifts - "perishables" and "experiences". Perishables include gifts like food (any and all, so long as it's tasty!), cosmetics (favourite brands - MAC, Mary Kay, and Pai), candles (beeswax or soy in natural scents only), etc. Experiences would include a private yoga class, a spa treatment or manicure, theatre or dance tickets, afternoon tea with a friend, a trip to Paris (well, if someone wins the lottery!), etc. One exception to this "rule" is books ... there is something magical about opening the first page of a new novel and devouring it (in your pyjamas with a cup of tea) or trying every recipe in a new cookbook, favourite ones becoming the cornerstone of your weekly meal plans.

All of the above create memories that do not require a keepsake to enjoy, and they don't take up space in a small flat (which severely lacks in closets and storage space) and whilst some may take a bit more time, for me, they are often more meaningful.

Living in a time-poor society means that we aren't often able to make everything ourselves, and when someone takes the effort to do so, it really shows how much they care. Giving the gift of "time" is also appreciated - some of my favourite gifts have been experiences or evenings out - a night at the ballet, a special dinner, movie night or afternoon tea - experiences that create memories and solidify friendships; and they give you something to look forward to when winter sets in and the festivity hangover begins. I recently read a blog by a mother who, not being able to move around her house for the sheer volume of toys, asked that friends and family give her children "time" - a day together at the museum, a afternoon hot chocolate date, an afternoon together at the park. Something that builds relationships, teaches her children how to interact with people of all ages, and doesn't contribute to landfill sites as they grow out of that year's trending plastic item, cheaply made in China.

I would also argue that spending a day making gifts for friends and family is much more enjoyable than spending a day elbowing fellow shoppers and traipsing through town, laden with shopping bags, growing more irritable every minute. You can also make big batches of one or two things and give them to multiple people; I often make several batches of Christmas cookies and give them to neighbours and colleagues with a card. Something little, but I've been told they were enjoyed and appreciated. And from another selfish perspective, giving the gift of time together is something that the gift giver gets to enjoy as well.

I was inspired by the idea of homemade gifts last Christmas when we received this beautiful gingerbread house, lovingly hand-made my one of my most creative friends (she even made the windows!).


Now this kind of thing should not be attempted by beginners (this woman also makes gorgeous hats, for all occasions, for goodness sakes!), but below are a couple of ideas which are relatively simple and can be easily made. For more ideas, Google "DIY gifts" and a plethora of options will appear (such is the magic of Google these days).

1) Spiced Oil



Ingredients/Supplies:
Dry chillies
Olive oil
Glass bottle
Decorations (your choice)

Directions:
Put chillies in glass bottle. Pour in oil and seal/close. Let sit for a couple of weeks (or more).
Decorate bottle with Christmas greenery and ribbons.
Bask in the delightful glow of making your presents this year!

A word of warning - you may be inspired to try different flavours of oil, but ensure that whatever you use is dry. Fresh herbs may look impressive in the bottle, but if not preserved properly, can produce a bacteria which, when ingested, causes a condition called botulism, which can be fatal. Which in turn would, (despite your best efforts for festivity), make for a very unhappy, unfestive holiday season ...but enough of that!

2) Sparkling Cranberries



These are a beautiful treat and add some sparkle to any table or make a nice gift. My sister recommended the recipe and I ate my fair share of them last Christmas. The recipe comes from 101 Cookbooks, a great vegetarian food blog with gorgeous photography. They are simple to make and only require 3 ingredients - cranberries, sugar (2 different types) and water. Find the recipe here.

I hope this Christmas you are inspired to reduce consumerism (more about that here) and give gifts that encourage memories rather than keepsakes. After all, the most important part of the holidays is spending time together - whether that is making gifts together, sharing a meal, or looking forward to some quality time in January and beyond.

GG Rating - Good for Spelt Supporters (and eco-warriors).

Thursday 28 November 2013

Green Inspiration #2

Upon an invitation to brunch, a Canadian friend told me she would bring me a surprise from her farm in Canada. She arrived with a green bottle in hand, an amber liquid slowly defrosting inside, which unbeknowst to me at the time, was both entirely glamourous and, obviously green.



The bottle contained home-made maple syrup - organic, natural, preservative free. The flavour was clean, light, and pure and reminded me of school trips to maple farms, trudging through the springtime melt, eating maple sugar atop a cone of snow. 

Production details were vague, but altogether very glam:

"What?!?!? You MAKE maple syrup?"

"Oh no! We have people that do that for us!"

A glam response if ever I've heard one ... and the finished product is a green girl's godsend. Maple can be used as a more natural sugar substitute (although it still contains sugar), and the process of making maple syrup is easy and doesn't require any special machinery (just a few basic tools and some time). Depending on the how it's made, it can be sustainable and environmentally friendly. For more information on how to tap your own maple trees and make your own maple syrup, check out these videos (of course, both a maple tree and a cold winter are required):





When given my bottle of Canadian maple syrup, I was told that I would need to use it quickly as there were no preservatives. A short week later, as my husband drained the last of it, directly from the bottle to his mouth, we realised that this warning was unesscessary for Canadians who love maple syrup so much that they have been known to drink it .... yes, drink it ... like, in a shot glass ... I've said too much ...

Monday 25 November 2013

Let's Sail Away

 
This past summer I had some amazing opportunities (hence why posting has been light/absent), and as the nights get longer and the days get colder I am harkening back to a warmer time. Towards the end of the summer, an old friend invited me to go sailing (in Canada) with her and her husband (note: to clarify, my friend is not old, we've just been friends for a long time).
 
The glamour girl in me pictured white decks, tanned skin, breton tops and a cocktail (most of which was true), but my inner green goddess rejoiced when she learned the basics of the 27 foot Catalina sailboat and what the afternoon would entail.
 
 
Thankfully not eco-preachers, my friends are, however, eco-friendly, and small details had been well thought out. For example, solar panels (and energy collected on the beautiful sunny day that we sailed) powered the safety lights required on boats in Lake Ontario. I was told the the lights inside the cabin have been replaced with LED bulbs so that they draw less energy from the boat's battery, and there is a solar camping shower (for days when a dip in the lake is TOO refreshing). The motor (when winds are too low) uses diesel gas and has only needed refilling three times in the four years my friends have owned the boat. Solar lights provided illumination (and a touch of romance) after dark, and with the sails open, no power was needed other than the wind. 
 
 
 
 
 
How refreshing it was to have the sun on my shoulders, the breeze in my hair, whipping over the lake at 10 knots (I was entrusted with the steering wheel on more than one occasion), and the sounds of nature avoiding competition with the humming, buzzing or intolerable droning of a motor. We were able to speak to each other in a civilized way, instead of shouting over a loud whir.
 
Reaching our destination, the sails were lowered, a hammock hung from the main mast, and a general sense of peace and contentment ensued ... or was that the G&T in my hand, ice cubes chinking quietly as the hammock rocked gently from the subtle waves below? I am happy to say it had nothing to do with the G&T, and everything to do with the quiet calm of sailing; this is the watersport of gentlemen and ladies. It is peaceful, refined, and at the end of the day I was as relaxed as if I had been worked over by three Thai masseurs for an hour. A quick dip in the cool clear water, and my life was complete.
 
 
 
 
My hosts provided healthy snacks (veggies and hummous), and a beautifully barbequed vegetarian dinner courtesy of a small BBQ on the back of the boat (nothing like a portobello mushroom burger on the open water), and I couldn't contain my excitement or gratitude for the chance to experience something so wonderful. 
 
Sitting on the deck on the way home, watching the sun glow a fiery red as it slowly sunk behind the shore, I knew that my friends were on to something very special. 
 
 
 
Van Morrison sums it up best:
 
“hark, now hear the sailors cry,
smell the sea, and feel the sky
let your soul & spirit fly, into the mystic...” 

Mystic, indeed!
 
 
GG rating - good for Spelt Supporters, providing you have access to a boat and don't get seasick on open water.

Wednesday 20 November 2013

Green Inspiration #1


I have recently become incredibly excited about vegetables. I'm not sure how it happened, but I have become the eccentric woman in WholeFoods screaming "YES!!! ORGANIC KALE!!!" or giving the organic market stall-minder a panic attack when she sees my crazy eyes heading for her and her oversized organic beetroot and leafy greens. In an effort to share my excitement, I present new category of post .... "green inspirations" .... which will mostly be exciting vegetables (not a oxymoron, I assure you), the occasional recipe, and anything "green" that has inspired me recently.

Green Inspiration #1

  


Avacados are one of my favourite foods - I eat them as often as possible. They are so rich and creamy that they feel indulgent, but from what I've read, are actually quite healthy. When I'm detoxing, they are usually my 4pm afternoon treat and they often get me through the afternoon slump without resorting to sugar, chocolate or carbs. 

The other day after making a batch of vegan pesto, I wondered what I could put it on besides crackers, bread or pasta. I spotted a perfectly ripe avacado beckoning from the fruitbowl. Voila, spinach basil pesto à l'avacado bowl. The pesto recipe comes from the book "refresh" by Ruth Tal with Jennifer Houston, based on recipes from the restaurant "Fresh" in Toronto. It's incredibly creamy and rich for a pesto without cheese. I added some lemon juice, because ... well, I add lemon juice to everything I cook.

Enjoy!


Spinach Basil Pesto

2 cloves garlic
1 tsp sea salt
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/3 cup pine nuts
3 tbsp olive oil
1 bunch fresh basil, stems removed
2 cups packed fresh spinach
lemon juice, to taste (optional)

Blend all ingredients except spinach and basil in a food processor until smooth. Mix in basil and spinach, scraping sides if needed. Store in a sealed container in the fridge or freezer (if it can get past your mouth!).


Avacado Pesto Bowl

This couldn't be easier....

1 ripe avocado
few spoonfuls of spinach basil pesto

Cut in half one ripe avocado. Remove stone. Spoon pesto into avocado pit until full. Eat with a teaspoon and a modicum of will power.




Tuesday 8 October 2013

A Shopaholic's Challenge: Non-Consumerism


The escalator hums, groups of girls that I like to call "Peaches" (as in, Peaches Geldof at the height of her teeny-bopping, wild child, London party days) are hanging out in every possible corner. Fashionistas browse the rails, looking for well priced (but poorly tailored) synthetic items in this autumn's shades of pale pink, burgundy, camel, and cobalt blue. Fumes from newly decorated talons at Nails Inc drift past and mingle with the sweet scent of Lola's cream cheese-frosted red velvet cupcakes. Three levels of shoes, trousers, dresses, skirts, jumpers, hats, scarves, bags, jewellery ... and everything in between. More apparel than anyone could need in their lifetime. Enough to clothe a small country perhaps... and perhaps clothe it for several years.  
This is shopping heaven ... and consumerism hell.


I recently completed a 30-day challenge wherein I was not allowed to purchase anything "unnecessary" in those 30 days. Unless it was an item which I regularly used (and had actually run out of), or something essential (food, transport, etc), no purchases could be made. Initially this was difficult (on day six, one of my favourite designers launched an amazingly well-priced collaboration collection with one of my favourite high street stores) and there were lots of discussions about whether something that I regularly purchased (William Curly chocolates) were indeed necessary (deemed so on only one particularly stressful and exhausting day). But once I got into the hang of it, it was actually pretty easy.


We live in a society that values quantity over quality; success is equated with size of salaries, size of house, and quantity of obtained goods. I recently read that we see the amount of media messages in one week, that a person from the 19th century would see in their entire life, so it is no wonder that we constantly feel the need to have something new, something better, something more. Our favourite fictional (m)ad man said it best...
“I can’t decide … if you have everything … or nothing.”


But take yourself out of this treadmill of advertising/shopping/advertising/shopping and life looks a little bit different ...

Mass consumerism contributes to excess waste, to the stress of keeping up with the constantly changing status symbols, and sometimes, even, discontent in life. When was the last time you said to yourself "if only I had X, then a) I'd be stylish b) my life would be simpler c) I'd be more productive ... or d) my life would finally be perfect."

Ummmmm, newsflash: consumer goods do not solve these problems. By taking a step back, removing yourself from the cycle created to increase customer discontent and in turn, corporate coffers, you can realise what is really valuable, useful and necessary. Does anyone really need this many socks?


This challenge made me think long and hard about what I was buying, and stress purchases and impulse purchases were questioned. Every purchase was weighed - is this a want or a need? And guess what I found out ... most were wants, not actual needs. At the end of the month, I had a small but very well-thought-out list of items that after 30 days of contemplation, were indeed deemed beneficial or useful (and after having thought about them, I knew that would put them to good use, rather than shoving them to the back of my closet and questioning my own judgement 6 months later, realising that the tags are still on). I had extra time (no longer browsing the online collections of my favourite stores, lamenting the masses of items that I couldn't and shouldn't buy), and a bigger bank account ... and you know what else? A sense of satisfaction, that I can always be (for a short time at least) free of the consumer cycle when I choose to be.

GG Rating - good for Spelt Supporters: a little discipline = big satisfaction

Wednesday 24 April 2013

Trend of the Month: Veganism




For the last few months I have almost and accidently gone vegan. Since we visited Thailand last year, I have not been interested in meat. Not sure if it was the copious amounts of chicken and pork that I seemed destined to eat at every meal while there, or the plethora of meat on a stick stalls at every street market. Nonetheless, since we came back, I have liked meat less and less, until it has almost been removed from my diet. I stopped eating dairy in an effort to lose a little weight (and clear up my rosacea), and apart from the very occasional inkling for eggs benedict, eggs simply remind me of my distaste for the Dukan diet (although, side note: the Dukan diet really does work). I don’t prescribe to the Vegan "label", (I have eaten fish, yogurt, butter, eggs and three tiny pieces of bacon during this time), but as veganism becomes more, dare I say “trendy” ... there are so many options for delicious, tasty, easy foods, that don’t use animal products. Once you try it, you will realise how taxing and heavy animal products are for your body (not to mention how taxing it is for the environment). And there are just a few reasons at the moment that make it worth thinking about: 



The recent Horsemeat Scandal – not one I totally understand. At the risk of being controversial, to me, if you eat animals, you eat animals (which sometimes I do!). Having not grown up on a farm, I don't see much difference between a horse and a cow, other than our perception that a horse is a pet, and a cow is a meal. The issue I have is that the ingredients were not labelled. Do yourself a favour and either a) don’t buy processed meat (or anything!) or b) give meat a miss altogether for a few days and see what happens. Read more about the scandal here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_meat_adulteration_scandal

My New Roots Raw Brownie. This brownie does not use butter, oil, sugar ... actually, none of the bad stuff. It’s totally delicious, totally choc-latey and totally easy to make (providing you have a good food processor ... this recipe got the better of one of my trusted appliances, and was a large reason that I invested in the industrial Magimix. Read more about the Magimix here.) And the best part – you can eat a lot of them without worrying about how fat they’ll make you. Butter fat = people fat. Vegan raw brownies = awesome.
 
If those two reasons are not enough to convince you, then perhaps I need to leave it to JT; he’s bringing vegan back.



GG Rating: Good for Buckwheat Believers because of the change of mindset required.

Wednesday 17 April 2013

Photoblog: Le Marche Raspail




I recently got back from a long weekend in one of my favourite cities - Paris.  From London, it's a short two hours by train, and its gastronomic and couturier inclinations both delight and inspire me every time I go. As I have been almost annually since moving to the UK seven years ago, I have seen most of the major sights at least once or twice, so recently I have been trying to find things to see that are off the beaten track. This past Sunday (while my husband ran the Paris Marathon), I discovered “le Marché Raspail”, which claims to be the largest Organic Market in France, and one of the largest in Europe. I tasted and smelled my way along the stalls (even managing to converse en Français with a gentleman who sold local organic honey – which, as he described, is floral without being over-powering... I describe it as tasting like bees, summer, lavender and heaven... I’ve been eating it straight from the jar), and although the market was smaller than I expected, it was even more lovely than I imagined.



It was a beautiful morning, the sun was shining, and I sampled homemade crepes with organic jam, fresh goat’s cheese and freshly baked bread. I revelled in the copious displays of vegetables (only the French can make something as simple as an artichoke look sexy), the laid-back atmosphere (French vegan hippies DO exist, despite the French inclination for all things cheese and egg related), I bought an artisanal tart for the marathon runner to enjoy post-race, and felt like I was in my element once again.













GG Rating: Good for Spelt Supporters - Everyone should go!