Complementary wellness isn’t all acupuncture and healing crystals; it’s about using non-medical things all around you to enhance your wellbeing – and cooking in an environmentally-friendly way can help you to do just that. Wellness expert Marie Willsey explains, ‘Going green is rapidly becoming the norm, and the kitchen is a great place to start making environmentally friendly changes to your lifestyle. From the food you buy to the way it’s cooked and stored, you can save energy, reduce your carbon footprint and keep an eye on your budget in many different ways. Eco-friendly cooking not only benefits the environment; it’s healthier for you and your family, too. Choosing organic vegetables keeps chemicals out of your body, as well the air, soil and rivers.’ So how do you cook in an eco-friendly way?
1. Buy from Local Farmers: ‘One of the most eco-friendly things you can do foodwise is to eat local,’ says Ann Wilkinson, president of Origin Farms Consulting of Kansas City, Mo. ‘Not only are you supporting your local farmers, you’re getting the freshest and, in many cases, the best organic and natural foods available. Plus, you’re saving the environment the oil-hungry transportation cost of moving food across the country or the globe to your supermarket.’ Willsey suggests that shoppers ‘search out locally grown fruits and vegetables at farmer’s markets, food stands and food co-ops. You’ll enjoy fresher food while supporting small business in your community and helping the environment. Buying food from local farmers can be an adventure for the entire family. Take a trip to a local berry farm and pick your own fruit, pack a picnic and visit a local orchard or visit an artisan cheese maker and see firsthand how Gouda is made.’
2. Shop for Organic Products: ‘Do you know what goes into your food?’ asks Willsey. ‘Bite into a pear from a standard supermarket, and you could be consuming more than 20 potentially dangerous chemicals. Modern agriculture has made great strides in producing enough crops to satisfy demand, but food companies often use pesticides and chemicals that can harm you and the environment. It’s no wonder consumers are seeking healthier options. Organic farming practices produce crops and raise cattle and poultry without relying on chemicals. Farming the natural way also helps encourage soil and water conservation. Organic foods provide more nutrients, minerals and vitamins than food grown in large commercial farms. It tastes better, too. Look for organic fruits and vegetables, meats, poultry and dairy from local farmers, markets and co-ops. One more thing: Don’t forget to take along reusable tote bags to the grocery store and skip the plastic bags.’
3. Use Your Leftovers: Willsey notes, ‘Everyone knows that leftover Thanksgiving turkey is great for soup, sandwiches and turketti, but smart cooks make the most of leftover meats all year long. Roasting a chicken for Sunday dinner? Save what’s left to make a pasta dish on Monday or toss it into a salad for Tuesday’s lunch. Grill a flank steak tonight and enjoy what’s left for weekend fajitas. Planning ahead can simplify meal preparation on busy evenings, while helping to save the costs of going out to dinner or ordering takeout. Keep leftover bits of carrots, celery, onions and potatoes to make a tasty soup stock – just add meat or noodles. Pasta dishes like lasagne and chicken casseroles are easy to make in large quantities and freeze in smaller portions to enjoy later. Many cooks feed their kitchen scraps to a backyard compost pile. Once decomposed, the material makes a great fertilizer for your herb garden. Keep a bin in your kitchen to collect coffee grounds, banana peels, apple cores, eggshells and carrot tops while you’re cooking, then take them outdoors. You could also look into an odour-free, indoor system.’
Comments are closed.