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Saturday, June 1, 2019

Recommended Reading 06/01/19


I recently finished reading a book by New York Times bestselling author Bill McKibben, who founded 350.org, the first global citizens movement to combat climate change. The book: "Falter" is the latest of his writings, his call to arms to save our faltering planet and possibly humankind,  While it may seem depressing of what we have done to our beautiful planet, it gives hope that we can at least slow down the destruction process and still have hope for a great future.  There is no "Planet b", we must change the way we are headed.
"We're the only creature who can decide not to do something we're capable of doing.  That's are superpower, even if we exercise it so rarely.  Because we can destroy, but also because we can decide not to destroy.
This is a must read.

This month, the post will be all about Climate Emergency.   Recommended articles, podcasts, etc. pertaining to our environment, food production and how are choices are either helping or hurting our lives and our planet.

It is hard for me to comprehend that there are those who don't believe in "climate change".  Most of those who don't are either burying their heads in the sand or get misguided information from those like: The Top 10 Climate Deniers.  Here are "12 Excuses for Climate Inaction and How to Refute Them".  
The easiest way to help in combating climate change is moving to a plant-based diet.  Change Your Diet to Combat Climate Change in 2019.   Animal agriculture is not a sustainable industry and is the second largest contributor to greenhouse emissions.  Industrial animal agriculture is at the heart of our environmental crisis.  5 Ways to Eating More Plant-Based Foods  Benefits The Environment .  To feed the ever increasing population we must first change the way we farm our lands.  Without efforts to rebuild soil health, we could lose our ability to grow enough nutritious food to feed the planet's population.

I understand that this some disheartening information to read about.  What is our other options?  We have the power to change the way we live our lives.  We are capable of doing great things together.  The human project has long been a group effort.

Have a great week.
Be kind.
Judd


Sunday, May 26, 2019

Memorial Day Recipes Ideas

Memorial Day is here and it is hard to believe 2019 is almost half way over.  Most Americans celebrate the day remembering those who gave their lives for our country's freedom, and by having the first cookout of summer time.  Except here in Florida it seems like it is summer all the time.

Here are a few summertime recipes we have shared on the blog over the years.

The first is a Beet/Black Bean Burger from Rich Roll and Julie Piatt's  The Plantpower Way cookbook.


These always go great with Sweet Potato Fries or

Kale and Chickpea Mash:
Saute several diced garlic cloves over medium heat in a small amount of olive oil or coconut oil.  Add approximately 1/4 of a diced onion and cook until soft.
Add 3-4 cups of chopped kale and 1/4 cup of Bragg's Liquid Amino Acids 
(1/2 the amount of sodium of soy sauce) or Coconut Amino Acids (1/2 the amount of sodium
of Bragg's).  Cover and let kale begin to wilt.  Add one-15oz. can of drained and rinsed
chickpeas.  Make sure you rinse them a few times to get rid of excess salt etc.
By now the kale has wilted.  Mash about half the chickpeas while they are in the pan cooking, then sprinkle with Nutritional Yeast for a great 'cheesy' flavor.

This whole process should only take 10-15 minutes.


Watermelon Steak
You can have this as a salad or dessert. 


We make a quick dressing with "Simply Organic" garlic vinaigrette.
You should be able to get this at any supermarket or health food store.


A quick dressing recipe from Gwyneth Paltrow.
Apple Cider Vinaigrette
1 tbs. Dijon mustard
3 tbs. apple cider vinegar
2 tbs. maple syrup
1/2 cup olive oil
sea salt
black pepper
whisk together mustard, vinegar and maple syrup in a bowl.
slowly drizzle in olive oil.
season with salt and pepper.

It is important you use arugula because of its slightly bitter, peppery taste. Combined with
the sweet watermelon, it makes for a delicious blended flavor.
Here's a link to benefits of arugula: Food Facts.
Also some interesting facts about watermelon: Food Facts


Slice a chilled watermelon into 1-1/2" to 2" thick slices.
Cut into "steak-like" shapes.
Top with a hand full of Arugula, sunflower seeds or pine nuts.
Drizzle with a small amount of dressing.

For a quick dessert try: 


3 cups frozen pineapple
1 banana
1 16oz. can of full fat coconut milk

Blend all together in blender,
Transfer to airtight container and freeze for 2-3 hours.
You can add some rum if desired!


Have a great week.
Be kind.
Judd

Saturday, May 18, 2019

London / Amsterdam Recap

For the past few weekends we have been traveling, so there was no post this past Sunday.
We had a wonderful time in London and Amsterdam.  The two cities were quite different, but we thoroughly enjoyed both.  We had hoped for good weather and we definitely got it, mostly sunny skies and upper 50' temperatures.  Perfect weather for walking, running in London's Hyde Park, and of course biking in Amsterdam's Vondel Park.  According to Captain Jack and Kim at Flagship Canal Cruises, there are over 800,000 people in Amsterdam and 1.3 million bikes!  300,000 bikes end up in the canals every year.  If you ever are in Amsterdam, definitely go on the canal cruise with them.




While in Amsterdam we had a few local foods we wanted to try: 

Stroopwafels


Frites


Dutch Apple Cake


Almost every restaurant has plant-based options, and many only serve vegan meals.
Such as:




I was inspired and in awe of the environmental importance with public transportation, rail and subways (London) and organic food choices in both Amsterdam and London.  Most vehicles were either electric, hybrids or diesel powered.  Our taxi from Schipol International Airport in Amsterdam was a Tesla! I did not see one full-sized pickup truck or SUV.   Even UPS trucks were electric.  Gasoline was almost $7 per gallon.

While Amsterdam was busy, it was very laid back and everything just moved in harmony.  
London, on the other hand was very proper and very clean.  
Very Royal, very polite, great customer service was its priority.  


Plant-based Deliciously Ella Deli ironically in an old dairy.



Local market

Nice billboard


Overall, it was a wonderful trip, spending time with the family,
 and we are looking forward to returning another time.

Have a great week.
Be kind.
Judd


Sunday, May 5, 2019

Recommended Reading 05/05/19


I hope you enjoy these blog posts as much as I like doing them.  At this time, we are enjoying our time in London, England and later in the week we will be in Amsterdam.  We have been looking forward to this trip for a long time.

Let's get started:
Wellness
Environmental Working Group's: 2019 Shoppers Guide to Pesticides in Produce
Four weeks to a better, happier and less-stressed life: Welcome to the Blue Zones Life

Environment
Independent.co.uk: Emissions From Thawing Artic Permafrost.

Recipes
Nutritionstripped.com: Buffalo Cauliflower Bites.
Happy Pear: 3 Best Ways to Cook Tofu.
NoMeatAthlete.com: 15 Vegan Lunches.

Have a great week.
Be kind.
Judd




Saturday, April 27, 2019

In Memory

It saddens my heart to say but we had to say goodbye to our sweet cat Lizzie this week.  She came into our lives as a  scrappy little alley/barn kitten, infested with fleas and ear mites, but full of sass.  She blessed us with 18 years of love and companionship and did things her way.  From being on the streets to living like royalty, she lived a long wonderful life.  We have been blessed to be a part of it.  She will be truly missed. She has graced every "Recommended Reading" blog post and will continue to be the happy little face every month.

Here are  several photos in memory:

Just a little "boober"

Hanging with friends

Camping out in the living room

Usual day


Watching over her subjects

You still there?


Her last Christmas
Good Night


Be kind to your pets, YOU are everything to them.

REST IN PEACE LIZZIE

Saturday, April 20, 2019

Earth Day 2019





Earth Day should be a National Holiday

Our planet and the life we know environmentally is under attack.  There is no denying that climate change is a REAL thing.  We as the human species are in the midst of the 6th mass extinction and we are the cause.  It is said we have 12 Years to Make the Change, and even though the United States opted out of the Paris Climate Agreement, many states and companies are still targeting to do what they can in the fight to curb climate change.  New ideas to address the issue are happening every day and in more States, like Minnesota and even NYC.

We must all do our part: 
*Drive less, consolidate your errands.  Take public transportation if available.
Ditch the single use plastic bags! USE RECYCLED GROCERY BAGS, not only do they hold more items they come in so many different designs.  And very reasonable in price, starting at 99 cents.
Turn the A/C off when possible and let clean fresh air cleanse your house of stale, stagnant oxygen.
Just get out in nature and enjoy the beauty of Mother Earth.

Let's celebrate Earth Day all the time.

Have a great week.
Be kind. 
Judd