The Green Parent » cooking green

BAAM! The Green Parent and Emeril

Jenn Savedge — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:33:20 +0000

The Green Parent is cookin' with Emeril!

Yup. That’s me and Emeril…BAAM!

OK, now that I have that out of my system. I can explain…

For those of you who haven’t seen it yet, Emeril Green is a new show on the Planet Green network where the one and only Chef Emeril shows guests how to cook…eco-style. This season’s lineup included shows where Emeril showed viewers new and interesting ways to use the veggies from their weekly produce delivery, create healthy, “fast-food” options for kids, and make a Thanksgiving feast using locally grown and produced foods.

In the future, Emeril’s cooking up some more bam-a-liscious shows. And I was thrilled (and honored) to be invited as a “guest expert” for one of them! It’s going to be one helluva show with tons of great kid-friendly, earth-friendly ideas. Get your TiVo ready…you’re gonna want to watch this one! I should know soon when the show will air, so stay tuned!”

Is Seafood Fishy?

Jenn Savedge — Wed, 28 May 2008 17:32:00 +0000

Looking for something to slap on the grill this weekend that’s more eco-friendly than beef? Seafood can be a good choice…it’s healthier for you and the planet. But you have to choose the right fish. Around the world, many fish populations are threatened with collapse, due to overfishing, accidental kills, and habitat destruction. But some fisheries have made an effort to practice sustainable and responsible fishing methods that protect both fish populations and their habitat.

According to the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch Program, here are fish to choose and the fish to avoid. Click here for a printable copy of their pocket-sized Seafood Guide, or log on to www.seafoodwatch.org from your cell phone to pull up a copy of the list.

Fish To Try

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Arctic Char (farmed)
Barramundi (US farmed)
Catfish (US farmed)
Clams (farmed)
Cod: Pacific (Alaska longline)
Crab: Dungeness, Stone
Halibut: Pacific
Herring: Atlantic/Sardines
Lobster: Spiny (US)
Mussels (farmed)
Oysters (farmed)
Pollock (Alaska wild)
Salmon (Alaska wild)
Scallops: Bay (farmed)
Striped Bass (farmed or wild)
Sturgeon, Caviar (farmed)
Tilapia (US farmed)
Trout: Rainbow (farmed)
Tuna: Albacore (US , British Columbia
troll/pole)
Tuna: Skipjack (troll/pole)

Fish To Avoid
Chilean Seabass/Toothfish
Cod: Atlantic
Crab: King (imported)
Flounders, Soles (Atlantic)
Groupers
Halibut: Atlantic
Lobster: Spiny (Caribbean imported)
Mahi mahi/Dolphinfish (imported)
Monkfish
Orange Roughy
Rockfish (Pacific)
Salmon (farmed, including Atlantic)

Scallops: Sea (Mid-Atlantic)
Sharks
Shrimp (imported farmed or wild)
Snapper: Red
Sturgeon, Caviar (imported wild)
Swordfish (imported)
Tuna: Albacore, Bigeye, Yellowfin
(longline)
Tuna: Bluefin

Kid-Friendly and Eco-Friendly Vegetarian Meals

Jenn Savedge — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 16:06:00 +0000

You’ve probably heard by now about the environmental impact of eating beef, and that a vegetarian diet is much easier on the planet than a carnivorous one. But that can be easier said than done when you’re crunched for time and trying to feed a restless brood of picky eaters. Fortunately, it is much easier than you think to hold the beef, and even if you only do it once a week, you will significantly reduce your family’s environmental impact. Here’s how to make eco-friendly kid-friendly meals:

Vegetarian Surprise! Chances are there are probably a bunch of meals in your repertoire that are already meat-free; you just may not even realize it. Better yet, you’re kids probably don’t realize it either. So the next time you’re looking to skip a beef meal, pull out one of these tried and true stand-byes.

Cheese Pizza (Make sure it’s eco-friendly pizza!)

PB &J

Grilled Cheese

Macaroni and Cheese

Tomato Soup

Spaghetti

Minestrone Soup

The Sneak Attack: Leave the meat out of your ordinary recipes and replace it with beans, vegetables, cheese, or even tofu and you’ll get a vegetarian meal in disguise!

Lasagna: Think lasagna has to include meat to be a hit? Think again. There are a million and one ways to cook lasagna without the meat that are sure to please even the pickiest eaters. Here’s a few to try:

Easy Four Cheese Lasagna
Fresh Vegetable Lasagna
Spicy Vegetarian Lasagna
Spinach Lasagna
Winter Squash Lasagna and Ricotta

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Burritos: Your family will never miss the meat when you serve them burritos stuffed with vegetables, cheese, or beans. Try out some of these recipes on your unsuspecting brood:

Black Bean Burritos
Tomato Spinach and Bean Burrito
Addictive Sweet Potato Burritos
Tofu Burritos
Vegan Bean Taco Filling

Chili: Ditch the meat and jazz up your favorite chili recipe with beans…lots and lots of beans.

Black Bean Chili
Slow-Cooker Vegetable Chili
Vegan Chunky Chili
Vegetarian Chili
Veg-Head Three Bean Chili

Bring It On: If you think your family is ready for some hard-core vegetarian dishes, try out some of these awesome, kid-friendly recipes:

Baked Tofu Bites

Grilled Veggie Pinwheels
Mom’s Vegetable Quiche
Pasta Primavera
Ratatouille
StoveTop Vegetarian Paella
Vegan Tofu Burgers

Of course, this is just a sample of the eco-friendly vegetarian meals that your kids will love. If you’ve got a family favorite you’d like to share, please do!

If you’re looking for more info about healthy, eco-savvy eating, check out these posts:

Eating Out: How To Green Your Dinner

Reduce Your Dinner’s Food Miles

When To Buy Organic

Ban The Junk!

and of course, It’s Good To Share