food, inc.

A couple of days ago I mentioned Food, Inc. in a post about, of course, food. If you're interested in seeing the film, and maybe even asking the director a few questions, it's playing at Film Forum for a limited engagement that begins tomorrow (Friday, June 12). Director Robert Kenner will be at 4 shows, Friday, June 12 and Saturday, June 13, both at 6pm and 8pm.

Joel Salatin, a farmer who raises pastured animals, (and who was featured in The Omnivore's Dilemma) is also in the film. While I didn't get a chance to visit his farm, I recently was fortunate enough to eat some of his products (see next post).

Here's a preview of the film (not the official trailer):

shenandoah valley and national park highlights

I'm finally getting to recap my adventures from last week, when my boyfriend and I drove on down to Luray, Virginia for 5 days (well, really it was more like 3 plus travel days). It was a great trip, but I haven't had a second since I've been home to write about it. So, I'm going to sum it up in photos.

the park




Jewell Hollow Overlook


The valley below, a landscape altered by man (I try to imagine what the mountain would look like if the national park had not been established).


Cloudy day


Don't fall in!


Lewis Falls


Mountain laurel, one of the fragrant flowers pervading the mountain air (honeysuckles were rampant outside of the park, delicious!)


Volcano-like cloud


the wildlife


Three black bears on the roadside, a mama and two cubs


A lone black bear


One of two young bucks on Skyline Drive


Wild turkey, Skyline Drive


Ducks on the Luray Greenway, a nice little path running along the Hawksbill Creek.

We also saw 3 bald eagles, a couple of great blue heron, and many other birds on a kayaking trip (didn't want to tip the kayak and drown the camera).


the farms


We were surrounded by them. Seemingly idyllic pastoral Americana, but many were Cargill farms. (If you've read The Omnivore's Dilemma, you may have just shuddered).


This farm was literally in our backyard. Our little cottage at Piney Hill B&B was just steps from this fence. Unfortunately, we learned the hard way that my boyfriend is allergic to hay. Acchhoooo!


Hellooooo!



Oink oink (Virginians love their pork).


the food


Breakfast delivered to our doorstep every morning.


Joshua Wilton House in Harrisonburg, VA. One of the best meals we had on the trip. (The other was at Ivy Inn in Charlottesville)


They served Polyface Farms products, like this pork loin and the chicken in the background. If you're not familiar with farmer Joel Salatin, check out his books or website.


Ice cream! (without knowing the origin of the dairy, probably not the most sustainable dessert we could have had)

the storm


A big storm's a-brewin'


Take shelter, Dorothy!


"Safe" inside the cottage


Not just golf-ball-sized hail, a tornado less than a mile away


the caverns


Luray Caverns, much more interesting than I expected


Grand illusion


For scale, check out the people at bottom right of this pic


Drapery formations or as they called it in the audio tour, "bacon" (can't get away from the pork products)


Please don't fall on my head!

the history


One rainy day, we visited Monticello (took the house tour, but couldn't take photos inside).


We're finally coming around to rainwater harvesting after all this time.


Thomas Jefferson was quite the horticulturist. This is the restored garden and orchard.


A plantation tour gives the slaves' perspective.


TJ's laboratory


This bee seems right at home.

coming home


It was good to come home to a thriving indoor vegetable garden.


After all of the rich Southern food, I was more than ready for some fresh veggies. Thankfully, we got home just in time to visit the farmer's market to stock up on some delicious seasonal produce.

another food film, part of BAMcinemaFEST

[image: BAM]

What's On Your Plate?
Saturday, June 27 at 9pm
Outdoor screening in Fort Greene Park
FREE
Part of BAMcinemaFEST

Directed by Catherine Gund
With Sadie Hope-Gund, Safiyah Riddle
2009, 73min

You’ve read Omnivore's Dilemma and Fast Food Nation and you try to buy local and organic produce at your neighborhood farmer's market. But do you really know how what you're eating ended up on your table? Through the eyes of two intelligent and inquisitive eleven-year-old girls from New York City, we follow the many paths, the conflicting economics, and the disparate decision makers who all play a part in what we eat. Ideal for families to watch together, the film presents a variety of perspectives on how food reaches our urban community and its associated challenges. Presented in conjunction with The Afro-Punk Festival, July 3—8.

Check out the film's website here.

food rules: events coming (really) soon!

Food. We can't live without it. This fact is especially clear to two disparate groups: the impoverished and the powerful (i.e., big agro-biz). And because of this (and other reasons), our current food system is pretty messed up. Learn how you can get involved by supporting local food and getting informed with these events, from film screenings to bee celebrating.


Brooklyn Food Coalition neighborhood meetings
Starting Wednesday, June 10

The recent Brooklyn Food Conference held in Park Slope Brooklyn, a wildly successful event brimming with valuable information on how to secure healthy food for all has spawned these neighborhood gatherings to help people get involved in food policy and other food-related action. Find out if your neighborhood is hosting one and when it's happening at the BFC website.


Food, Inc. (the film)
Wednesday, June 10
@ Bell House

An eye-opening look at the current state of the creation of modern food. This looks like a must see, for sure. Too bad it's happening at the same time as my neighborhood BFC meeting!
Here's a little preview:


Watch the official trailer
Get tickets
[via Brooklyn Based]


We Feed The World (another film)
Thursday, June 11
@ The Be-Hive
(55 Bethune St #215)

$10.00 suggested donation
Doors Open at 6:30 pm, screening begins at 7pm
Bring a dish for a Potluck Supper!
Stay for the discussion after the film

In case one disturbing food film isn't enough for you - A sobering portrait of the people who define the contemporary food industry, where the constant pursuit of profit takes precedence over the health of the workers, the hungry & the environment. (Austria-96 min)

The trailer is in German, but you'll get the idea:


Learn more about the event here.

NB - If you can't make it to the screening, this one's on DVD, and I think the whole movie is available online here.


Celebrate Pollinator Week
with Just Food
Monday, June 22 to Sunday, June 28

In honor of our hard-working, winged friends, Just Food and the Pollinator Week Planning Committee are pulling together a whole series of sweet events in order to raise awareness and support for urban beekeeping. We hope you'll join us:

Beekeepers Ball
Monday, June 22
Water Taxi Beach - South Street Seaport
(Pier 17 - 89 South St)
I'm getting buzzed just thinking about it (ha!)...
A not-to-be missed evening of sweetness and buzz... Indulge in the nectar of honey-infused cocktails and hors d'oeuvres and waggle dance the night away.
Find out more and get your tickets here.

New York Nectar
All week long
Mmmmm, I'm getting hungry!
Signature Pollinator Week dishes & drinks featuring local honey at New York's favorite restaurants, including: Back 40, Bobo, Jimmy's No. 43, Mae Mae Cafe, Palo Santo, Rose Water, Savoy and many more!

Honey Fest
Friday, June 26
@Union Square
A full day of fun at Union Square Greenmarket! Come enjoy tastings, demonstrations, and costumed antics in the park - and don't forget to pick up some local honey while you're there!

And stay tuned - there's more to come!
Sign up for Just Food updates to stay in the loop.


Sharecropper
All summer long
Throughout the city
An experiment in urban agriculture...

Sharecropper invites you to participate in this public art project and micro farming installation by artist Leah Gauthier for one growing season in New York City, Summer 2009. Leah will be using organic growing methods to plant rare and endangered heirloom vegetables and herbs, and to cultivate wild edibles on 17 parcels of donated land or growing spaces located in each of the five boroughs. A portion of the harvest will be shared with local soup kitchens, and series of public programming, including urban farming panel discussions, art happenings, and cooking performances around the city are being planned. This is a personal journey exploring agricultural plant matter and wild edibles as sculptural material, community building through growing and cooking food, re-imagining land use, and re-incorporating agrarian sensibilities and simplicity into modern life.

Read more about this local harvest at Brooklyn Based and Inhabitat.

a philly in the white house garden

Just watched this great little vid (via elephant journal, via Huffington Post) featuring Ryan Howard of the Philadelphia Phillies and of course, Sam Kass, the White House Chef. What a great way to promote organic gardening and closing the loop with composting. Surely, Mr. Howard is someone many people look up to (literally). Keep spreading the word...

off to visit some woodland creatures

Hey trusty readers,

I'm taking some time off to rest my typing fingers (and aching wrists, woe is me!) to visit the wilds of Virginia. Heading down to Shenandoah National Park to breathe in some fresh air, and hopefully see some creatures large and small - deer, black bears, chirping birdies, wask-a-lly wabbits.

I'll be back after the 5th of June to report our adventures.

Enjoy the week!

PS - Here are some eco facts about Shenandoah's management.

revisiting the 3 Rs

[Furoshiki design by Candy Chang]

Maybe you've heard this before: "I'm green, I recycle."
And maybe you've thought to yourself: "I don't think so, fatboy."

The third R in the magic three - reduce, reuse, recycle - is in that position for a reason. It's the last resort of conscious consumption.

So why is it that so many place a bigger emphasis on recycling, or even worse, ignore the 3 Rs altogether? Are the other Rs not sexy enough? Do we have to disguise them like parents sneaking vegetables into their kids' food?

Or maybe we could all just use a little refresher course on how to practice the first 2 Rs in our daily lives.

reduce
The most virtuous and oft overlooked R. Reducing is about resisting temptation. It's about re-examining what we already have and making the best of it. The great thing about reducing is that we can save when we do it -- save resources, save money, save our butts (yeah, maybe even that).

Here are some no-sweat ways to reduce:

Energy (fuel)
turn off the lights, turn down the shades when it's hot, hypermile... more

Water
turn off the faucet, take quicker showers, shower with a friend... more

Paper
print on both sides, increase the margins, use cloth instead of paper towels... more

Plastic
say yes to reusable bags, bring your own utensils, drink from a canteen and travel mug, avoid goods with lots of packaging

Fabric
mend torn clothes, reimagine your wardrobe, hang your clothes to dry, more (fabric care)

Food
rekindle your romance with the kitchen (i.e., less takeout), buy only what you need, can and freeze in abundant months, compost the leftovers and scraps

Just buy less stuff
Need I say more?

reuse
Now here comes the fun part. Reusing is the most creative of the 3 Rs. It's all about re-imagining everyday items as something new. Kind of like Don Quixote and the windmills. It's an adventure waiting to happen (yes, I'm a big nerd).

Here are some fun ways to reuse:

Jars
These jars originally held honey, peanut butter, and jam. Now they're home to beans, quinoa, and rice. Just wash and reuse. Easy peasy.


Bottles
Some stores offer bulk cleaning supplies, sold by the ounce. Green Depot has a refilling station where you can take any empty spray bottle or container (even those from your pre-eco cleaning days) to fill it up with safer, non-toxic cleaners. Or you can fill those sprayers with your own cleaning concoctions (get recipes here).


Egg cartons
Plastic egg cartons are great for sorting beads and buttons when you're crafting. They also make great paint trays.


Paper egg cartons are perfect for starting seedlings. Just fill with soil and plop in your seeds. When the sprouts are ready, cut out the individual section and transplant the whole thing into your garden.

Get more ideas for reusing egg cartons at Family Corner (via Food on the Food)

Plastic takeout containers
These also make great paint trays and craft organizers. You can even reuse them to store food (Caveat: I don't put them in the microwave, even if they say 'microwave safe'... I think this just means they won't melt, not that they won't leach chemicals into your food).


Plastic bags
There are so many great ways to reuse these scourges of society. Make plarn and knit or crochet them into something fabulous. Some more plastic bag craft ideas here.

Check out this crazy chip-bag chicken:


And if you think you're not the creative type, you can simply reuse plastic bags as trash bags, or funnily enough, to carry things.

Clothing
Are your duds starting to feel like, well, duds? Remake 'em. Books on the subject abound. Websites, too. Get ideas on Threadbanger, Wardrobe Refashion, Etsy.


Buttons
Here's one way I've renewed some old buttons:

(The little one on the right is me)

Yoga mats
The reuse of your old yoga mat is as limitless as your imagination. We've used my old PVC mat to keep our indoor veggie garden from overflowing on stuff below (it's on a chef shelf in the office).


Here's a tutorial on how to make yoga mat flip flops. Learn 50 more ways to reuse your yoga mat here.

Furniture
Fabric on your couch wearing thin? One word: reupholster. Or do it on the cheap and make or buy slip covers.


Repaint or refinish furniture with no or low-VOC varnish and paints, like I did with this bookcase using Milk Paint:


Light bulbs
Check out this wild repurposing of incandescent light bulbs from Crafster:


recycle
Here's the one everyone is comfortable with... until ol' Debbie Downer (that's me) tells it like it is. Recycling seems like the right thing to do. And, while it's a heck of a lot better then just tossing everything in the trash, often, that's where your good habits of recycling end up. It's a complicated story, but the gist is that, what you put in the recycle bin doesn't always get recycled, and even when it does, the recycling process is very resource (fuel, water) intensive. And it's often polluting. Here's a great article, featured on elephantjournal.com (one of my favorite sites) that sheds light on the realities of recycling:

What you Need to Know about Recycling: It’s More than Putting Stuff in Bins by Tom Kemper, CEO of Dolphin Blue

Okay, with all of those depressing facts out of the way,
here are some practical ways to recycle:

Electronics

• Look for ewaste recycling events or centers in your area using Earth911.
• In Brooklyn, 3R Living takes ewaste, or you can bring it directly to this place, ePlanet/eWaste.

Textiles

• Bring your old clothes, fabric, furniture, toys, etcetera to Goodwill or sell it on eBay
  
• In NYC, Wearable Collections, a textile recycling company, will outfit your building with a collection bin (if you're in an apartment)
• Also in NYC, find places to recycle your old textiles (they'll even take old bedding, shoes, accessories, etc.) from the Council on the Environment of NYC (CENYC)
• Or, again, check out Earth911 for textile recycling in your area

Get reacquainted with recycling rules in your area

• For NYC recycling rules, check out NYC Wastele$$
• Not in NYC? Find out what your town recycles at Earth911

Odds and ends

Bottle caps
Believe it or not, these are not recycled, at least not in NYC. Luckily, Aveda has come to the rescue. I just dropped off a whole bag of plastic caps (ranging from laundry detergent to shampoo bottles)

Old cosmetics containers
Cosmetics company, Origins, accepts old (cleaned out) cosmetics containers. Read about my experience with their recycling program here.


Got any other ideas on how to reduce, reuse, recycle?
Leave 'em in the comments box below!