Local-- it just tastes better when it's close to home.

And we continue our journey of food...

but this time, we'll stay in your neighborhood.

Have you ever noticed how people mention how great the food in Italy is?  How it just doesn’t compare to any Italian restaurant in the U.S.?

The reason is because Italians typically use local produce.  Food tastes best when it’s ready and ripe... usually 24 hours before it’s eaten... not a week prior so it can be shipped 1,000 miles to the grocery store.

Local food has eco-benefits too since it greatly reduces the emissions from transport and supports small, community-based businesses.

Unfortunately, according to Foodroutes.org, the U.S. has lost 4.7 million farms since 1935.

The message needs to be sent that we support our farmers!

Farmers Markets are an excellent choice for supporting local produce and meat.  Feel free to ask them if their products are organic.   If they’re not, you’re planting the seed that one of their potential customers would support organic.  Also, they might utilize organic practices even if they don’t have “Organic certification” due to the lengthy process (see the post below about organic foods).

If you’re living in a city, or if your wedding/event is in the city, check with your chamber of commerce to see if it has a “Green City Market" (such as the one my caterer is using in Chicago).  Yes, there are farmers who will venture into the city.  

For a Farmers Market in your area, you can check out localharvest.org (from the previous post) or you can also do a quick search-by-city on the USDA website.

And if you're looking for new recipes to showcase your farmer's market goods, try a few from this cookbook--- guaranteed to help you whip up delicious seasonal meals!

Why Organic is Just Better

Organic.  Does the word make your pocketbook shutter?

Well, here's a bit about what you're paying for, 

why it's better for you, 

and what makes it the more Eco choice:

The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) doesn’t take their organic certifications lightly, and rightfully so.  Their quality standards are based on a number of factors. 

Each product has a different “grade” or rating system.  Meat and dairy have eight (in descending order): Prime, Choice, Select, Standard, Commercial, Utility, Cutter and Canner.  And there are more than 312 grades for produce.  (Source: USDA.com)

 Search Amazon.com for organic

The reason why organic is the more “Eco” choice is because organic farmers adhere to standards that are better for the soil and better for the Earth.  They also work to ensure the ecosystem remains intact (ie: no pesticides that would damage other wildlife and tamper with the food chain).  

Organic certification has to be applied for annually which also requires an inspection each year of the farm or company.  When a company is certifiably organic, you know it had to jump through a lot of hoops.

Organic farmers have a difficult job.  Sure, it would be easier to just spray some chemicals and ensure more of a crop and more of a profit.  But, thanks to their commitment to the Earth and our wellbeing, they’ve chosen the tougher path.

This is what we pay for.  Why not support those who are literally in the trenches, fighting for better food.  The more we support these farmers’ efforts, the more affordable and prominent organic will become.

For an organic farmer’s market near you, check out:

The Local Harvest.

Some very shady (and amazing) plates!

I know this is a bit of a segue from our FROLS conversation...
but the proper foods also require the proper tools for eating, and this info was just too good not to blog about asap!

What better to eat your free-range, organic, local, sustainable food on than 100% biodegradable plates?

Plates made from fallen leaves!

Verterra makes dinnerware from fallen palm leaves.  They assure that no trees are ever cut down in the process, and that the fallen leaves are collected from various plantations in South Asia.  The company practices social responsibility too-- supplying hundreds of fair-wage jobs to impoverished areas.

They are durable, heat-resistant, and 100% compostable.  In fact, the website even gives tips for how to start your own compost!

Their tagline: "Borrowed from the Earth and returned."
How great is that?

To find a store that supplies VerTerra products, click here.

FROLS... your new grocery shopping companion.

Time to eat again!

But first, you should know where your food is coming from.

Here's clarification of a few “green” food terms and what exactly make them Earth-friendly; I think it may help when you're presented with your eco-food choices.

This is one of four posts since the info does get a bit lengthy... but bear with me and I promise your health and your planet will thank you for it!

Ideally, you would like a product to boast its FROLS....
(My new handy-dandy acronym when food shopping):

Free-
Range,
Organic,
Local, and
Sustainable

Now, of course it’s ideal for a product to boast 100% FROLS in all four categories... but if not, always remember that at least one is better than none!


Let’s begin with Free-Range:

Picture one of your childhood books about life on a farm...

Cows grazing lazily in the field... chickens hopping along in their pen...
This is how it should be. Welcome to Free-Range Utopia.

If you're not eating free-range meat or dairy, what you are eating is a bit of a horror. I will spare you the gruesome details, and will direct you to a movie that really delves into the subject.

Food Inc., the documentary, provides a very thorough investigation as to how you can exercise your right to clean, healthy food.

If your reaction is “I just don’t want to know,” I want to first say that I don't blame you.

But also, remember this: you as the consumer have the right to know what you’re buying, especially what you’re feeding it to your children.

Unfortunately, our right to healthy foods is conditional... we need to fight for it.

Use your dollars to reflect your beliefs. It is empowering and (when more do it) could very well save this planet.


And here's a little gift when you start your free-range shopping!

This site helps you save money while eating better, feeding your family better, and making your planet better.  :-)  Enjoy!

Organic Food Coupons for Free Range Meat.

Let's talk food.

Ok, ladies and gents.
This is the first of many posts.  Get those bibs ready... it's chow time.

Let's start with the hors d'oeuvres...

My 8 hour day with caterers, discussing the eco-friendly possibilities of our wedding meal can be summed up in just three words:

Keep it simple.

At least for us Midwesterners, simple means sticking to "what we know."  Don't strive to impress.  Just strive for what you enjoy-- what best conveys the overall vision of your wedding and best expresses you as a couple.

(Therefore, there may or may not be small slices of deep dish pizza served at the end of the night... ).

Rather than opting for cerviche or escargot, just share what most tantalizes your palate.  Or share food that best expresses your culture and traditions. Your guests will appreciate this personalized flare, too.

So, you've probably caught on to my vision by now, but in addition to the "local, sustainable" fare, I am currently working with the caterers to create a "destination" hors d'oeuvres theme-- delicacies that embody the flavors of our favorite vacation spots: a mini Meditterranean shawarma (yes, the vegetarian will agree to meat at her wedding... as long as it's grass fed, free range, and local!), Italian bruschetta, Uruguayan empanadas and phyllo puffs with brie and apricot...


--To be continued once my growling stomach is appeased--

Green Guilt... Dealing with it without driving yourself "eco insane"

Making a wedding or an event completely eco is a challenge.  It seems no matter what you do, you could always do better.

While I am pleased that my go-green quest is progressing nicely, I have begun to encounter instances when I realize a 100% eco wedding is a bit idealistic... especially with a downtown Chicago venue.

Yes, you love downtown Chicago.  But, you know, the more eco choice would be a farm.

Green guilt strikes again... just when the thing you just really, really, really want isn’t as eco as it could be... 

So, here’s my take on green guilt and how to manage it.

1. Acknowledge that it’s actually a good thing.

Hey, it helps you think about each decision you’re making and if there’s any way you could make it better on the planet.

2. As far as your event goes, here’s my advice:  Do the best you can.

My sister has this philosophy when it comes to healthy living:

The "80-20" Rule:

80% of the time she eats perfectly: fruits, veggies, lean protein.

20% of the time she splurges a little... but still tries to pick the "in-between" healthy & junk food option.

Try applying that philosophy to the “greening” your event as well.

If you can aim for 80% (or more) of the day to be eco, that’s fabulous and you deserve a big green thumbs up.

If you desperately have your heart set on a new wedding dress, or if the budget just isn’t allowing for organic linens, don’t beat yourself up.  Just consider it the 20% of your event that may not be as eco as you would like.  BUT, if you can find an "in-between" eco and non-eco alternative, that's your best bet. 

For example, reusing those non-organic linens from a catering company is better than buying new ones.  Or if the wedding dress is new, use the leftover material from your fitting to create hair accessories for you or your flower girls.

Just do the best you can with what you have, and know that it in the end, your decisions will be better for the Earth than having not listened to that eco-conscience at all.

Earth Day Every Day: Partying Responsibly.

Happy 40th, Earth Day!

Earth Day is the one holiday (the only I can think of) that is fully inclusive to every culture, ethnicity, religion, country, and heritage.  Pretty great, huh?  No matter who you are and what you believe, so long as you are a resident of planet Earth (or like it a lot from wherever you are in outer space), join the party!

Unfortunately, letting the good times roll usually results with that mess no one wants to be around for.  Most are tempted to just sweep it away, bag it up, let it disappear to never-never land...fill.

But not you.  And not us.  Earthlings unite.... let's start by first changing the way we party.

Of course it's not fun to deal with the clean-up that ensues afterward.  No one enjoys it.  No, not even you type-A people out there.  (However, if you beg to disagree with me, you are most welcome to all of my post-parties).

Alas, clean-up has to happen at some time.  Wouldn't you rather do it the right way? (In the "this would make Grandma Sophie so proud" kind of a way?)

As seemingly simple as it is to just "toss it out," I implore you to listen for that eco-conscience voice you know is there.

In fact, try using this phrase throughout the day.  I guarantee it will help you be a better person in many non-eco-related facets of your life: 
"Paige, don't be lazy."
 (Only use your own name... using my name probably won't help you that much).


Simple as that.  Just don't be lazy.  And here's how:

• Make two bins at parties: one for trash, one for recycling. 

• Donate the extra food or dish out the leftovers into aluminum foil that can be recycled.

• Bring those old decorations to a nursing home or Good Will. 

• Recycle the wrapping or save it to reuse. 

• Use biodegradable dishware and cutlery.  You can find everything at the "Biodegradable Store."

Those acts of non-laziness will start to add up. Plus, you're serving as an exceptional eco example to future generations.

And, of course, it means you get to keep on enjoying those parties.  Lazy-free, waste-free... and eco.  :-)