The initial frenzy kicked up by some media outlets over the H1N1 influenza (swine flu) has subsided to some extent, but of course there is a (slight) threat and beating it could have you walking down over a delicious road that you would lovingly embrace. You could simply get the vaccination shot and have it over with the flu thing, but having good food to increase the overall immunity is a great idea, shots or not.
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Everyone loves pizza.

But, don’t you just hate having to store leftovers in those big, awkward boxes? Even when all of the pizza is finished, you still have to throw all that cardboard away.

Shouldn’t there be a more eco-friendly alternative to packaging one of the world’s favorite foods?

Now there is.

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I was born in Philadelphia and grew up eating those great Philly Cheese Steaks from Pat’s and the second best in the world from a little hole-in-the-wall sandwich shop around the corner from where I lived.  There were vegetarians back in the 50’s and 60’s, but they mainly stayed away from the steak shops, or more commonly, broke their vow of no meat to satisfy their own tummy and taste buds. (more…)

Although I’m not a vegetarian I’d like to take the time and wish anyone who is a Happy World Vegetarian Day.

Happy World Vegetarian Day

Most of us probably agree that what we eat affects our lives and it’s true, a vegetarian diet might actually be healthier. Of course there are people (like me) who probably wouldn’t do without meat on their daily diet, for them, vegetarians around the world have a really simple test. How about a meat-free diet for 24 hours, just to see that it can be done?

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Indoor Hydroponic gardens usually are big and hungry energy sucking installations, with abnormally high electricity usage. The Omega Hydroponic garden though, is a different variety all together as Vancouver based Omega Garden’s Carousel System aims at more efficient use of energy, with claims of higher food yield as compared to conventional hydroponic gardens.

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Amway India Enterprise a direct selling consumer goods company has launched a range of concentrated fruits and vegetable products in the country.

Vice-Presidentof Amway India Mr Yoginder Singh said the product is backed by extensive research on fruits and vegetables like tomato, apple spinach, raspberries, oranges and green tea. “Despite being the largest fruit and vegetable producer in the world, the per capita consumption of fruits and v egetables in India is the lowest in the world. The nutrition industry has huge potential in urban India,” (more…)

The entire United States faces the threat of a shortage of food because of the severe drought in California, the state which meets about a third of the country’s food needs.

Farms in California - aerial view

The farmlands of California are irrigated by diverted rivers and streams that are filled yearly with runoff from the Sierra Nevada snowpack and by pumping of groundwater as well through some other less-reliable methods. But, the snowpack is disappearing fast.

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The growing world population and the fact that each year we need to feed more mouths, means that farmers are forced to derive the maximum out of the same agricultural land available. The problem with such an approach is that most often synthetic materials and pesticides creep into the local ecosystem due to their excessive usage and it is just a matter of time before their adverse effects are being felt along the food chain.

Valley Farm, West Wratting

But there’s hope as organic farming is the fastest growing sector of the American food marketplace today. And is gaining greater acceptance in nations like UK, India, Australia or Japan.

Although studies across have found a 20% smaller yield from organic farms, it should be considered that it’s a result of using 50% less fertilizer and 97% less pesticides. In other words, there is just a marginal decrease in yield when compared to the huge reduction in costs and energy that is spent when compared to conventional farming.

It has also been concluded with evidence that organic food tastes a lot better, has more nutritional values and greater health benefits due to lack of synthetic and chemical compounds in them when compared to other food material.

However, the most important aspect of course is that the production of organic food actually helps build clean, pollution-free and sustainable ecosystems devoid of chemicals— making them invaluable environmental assets. And there’s hope. There are companies like Abel & Cole Organic Food in UK that are at the cutting edge of producing organic food and hopefully will soon oversee a revolution towards farms that stop becoming pesticide dumps, while offering nutritious diet hat builds a healthy society.

We’re game!

Image courtesy of stawarz

We all know that PETA has been involved in some really crazy stuff to ensure that they promote their line of thinking and to make sure animals are safe and secure. Here, here, here and here are just a few, but we’re certain this one will leave even the most green-minded scratching their heads. Because unless you have some pervert and crazy fetish for George Clooney, it is almost certain that you would never really care for the new tofu that PETA has announced- the “Clofu”.

According to PETA president Ingrid Newkirk, the tofu combines the odor of George Clooney’s sweat with the delicious and wholesome taste of a tofu that encourages complete vegetarian habits.

“As a mammal, I’m offended”

To create this completely undesirable tofu, top minds have gone through the painstaking process of gas chromatography and mass spectrometry to replicate the essence and odor of Clooney’s sweat. There is nothing wrong in loving and idolizing a certain star, but this seems downright lunatic.

PETA has once again managed to do what they know best really wants to achieve- draw attention towards its cause. Guys that’s not the way to go vegetarian … don’t you think?

Image by pierrotsomepeople

Wastage of any natural resource is obviously bad, but when it comes to “food” things are even worse.

Leftovers or dinner of the month?

With UN predicting an imminent food crisis in many parts of the world because of the current global financial crunch, it seems only wise that we waste as little as possible. And though at home we try not to do it, when it comes to big hotels, organizations and schools, it could be the difference between hunger and satisfied meals for many.

Small string volunteer organizations across the US are starting an innovative new venture in which restaurants and large corporate houses are being encouraged to donate food that would otherwise go into the bin. Apart from the very obvious ‘green’ reasons that encourage such ventures, this is also a wonderful humanitarian gesture.

While you may not find such organizations flashing ads across the internet or on national television, you sure can go check with your local community, to find out about where you can donate. It’s up to you!

Image courtesy of Rasimu