Our semi-organic Thanksgiving feast

For Thanksgiving my family met up at my aunt and uncle's in Berkeley, CA. We incorporated organic, free-range turkey and organic sparkling cider into our feast this year. It seems like urban areas always tend to focus a little more on sustainability and organics than suburban areas. My aunt took us to Berkeley Bowl West. It is a supermarket that has aisles and aisles of organic produce and products. It was really incredible and the organic section had to be like ten times bigger than, say a Safeway organic section. If you ever get a chance to visit the bay area, I definitely recommend a visit. Switching to organic doesn't have to happen all at once, but I think it's important to remember each decision we make when selecting products helps stores and companies determine what we want on their shelves and at what price. I truly believe that each little step we take keeps the world (and our bodies) happy and healthy.

Thanks for reading. -Rachel

Sustainable Eats

Above is a video production I put together on sustainable eating. It focuses on Carlita's Mexican Grille inside the WSU Compton Union Building. This was the first time I used any video capturing or editing equipment, and I have to say it was quite an adventure. Thanks to Kim for allowing me to step into your kitchen and to all the employees for your contributions. From compostable silverware to locally prepared tortillas, I think Carlita's is a prime example of what can businesses can do to create a more sustainable and healthy Earth. Enjoy!

-Rachel

Movie Night: "Food Inc."

Food Inc.

Where: CUB Auditorium at WSU

Date: Tuesday, Dec. 7
Time: 6 p.m.
Free to the public. Hosted by the WSU Environmental Science Club.

Join the Facebook group here.

The group writes: "Come check out a free showing of the documentary 'Food Inc.' Completely free and open to the public, so bring a friend! We hope this controversial film will spark beneficial discussion on the important choices we make every time we eat. http://www.foodincmovie.com/"

WSU is Certified Organic (Online!)

WSU offers an agriculture certificate with an emphasis in organics. Here is an excerpt from the overview of the WSU Online Organic Certification program:

"The Organic Trade Association forecasts that overall, the everyday use of organic products of all kinds will be both accepted and routine by the year 2025.

The growing demand for organic products has created the need for employees who understand the unique production, processing, and marketing approaches used in organic agriculture.

WSU’s online certificate in organic agriculture, the first in the nation, develops a solid background in the agricultural sciences, including an understanding of complex agriculture and food systems."

Continue reading here: http://online.wsu.edu/future_students/dc_organic_ag.aspx

What the organic sticker means

From the USDA website:

How does the certification process work?
"All organic production and handling operations must be certified by third
arties accredited by the USDA. Producers that sell less than $5,000 worth
of organic products a year do not have to be certified, although they must
follow NOP requirements and document that they do so. The regulations
require that products labeled:

􀂃 “100 percent organic” contain only organic ingredients.

􀂃 “Organic” contain at least 95 percent organic materials. Products in
this or the first category can (but are not required to) display the
USDA Organic seal shown on page 2.

􀂃 “Made with organic ingredients” contain 70-95 percent organic ingredients
and may list up to three of them.

Products with less than 70 percent organic ingredients may not use the
term organic other than to list specific organic ingredients.

Complete information about the NOP, including the regulations and
penalties, is available at http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/."

Organic Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is drawing near. In America, that generally means it's time to consume. This year I'm challenging myself to incorporate a few organics into the feast. The Moscow Co-op is having a sale on all Thanksgiving-type foods this month, like organic pumpkin, organic whipping cream and cheeses. They also have a sale on Equal Exchange cocoas (as mentioned in a previous post), and with the Co-op coupon, it's cheaper than buying online.

The deals are on from Nov. 10- Nov. 30.

The booklet also has a few delicious holiday recipes like Eggnog Spiced Sugar Cookies and Wild Rice Cranberry Apple Pilaf. Check it out here: http://www.moscowfood.coop/pdf/2010_11_B_West.pdf

Dave's Killer Bread

The Moscow WinCo doesn't have the broadest selection of organic foods, but I can always count on them to have organic bread (and for cheaper than other local stores). I tried Dave's Killer Bread last September for the first time and it has become one of my favorites. Besides the fact it tastes really good and is good for you, the story behind it is really cool. On the back of the loaf packaging it tells the story of Dave Dahl who was in prison for 15 years and when he was released decided to start an organic bread company. He said "a whole lot of suffering has transformed an ex-con into an honest man who is doing his best to make the world a better place...one loaf at a time." It is GMO-free and vegan, as well.

Read more about Dave's story here: http://www.daveskillerbread.com/

Thanks for stopping by!