The first Earth Day was held on April 22, 1970 (here’s the history). It led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act.

Forty-seven years later, the need to save the planet is even greater. You’ve heard all this before; but if you make even one of the following changes, you’re helping the cause.

Here are 10 little changes you can make. Pick [at least] one!
 
 
I. LOOK CLOSELY AT WHAT YOU EAT
 
 
1. Add more plant-based protein into your diet.

Industrial farmed meat has a higher impact on the environment than any other food group. For a healthier and more environmentally friendly protein, try beans, legumes, nuts, and seeds instead.

Meatless Monday only goes so far: If you consume cheese or other dairy products, they still come from animals that require deforestation and excrete methane, a greenhouse gas.

Action Steps:

 
 
2. Go locavore.

You don’t have to have a diet of 100% local food; in fact, if you drink coffee or tea or eat bananas, it’s pretty impossible.

But seek out local foods when you can, or at least those grown and made in the U.S.A. (photo #2). It’s the best way to lower your carbon footprint.

Bonus: Locally-grown crops are typically fresher and often taste better compared to foods that are shipped across the globe.

Here’s more about locavorism.
 
 
3. Eat seasonally.

This is a corollary to eating locavore. Foods that travel across oceans are often those from the southern hemisphere that are out of season in the northern hemisphere.
 
 
4. Eat more raw foods.

You don’t need to embrace raw foodism; simply enjoy more raw fruits and vegetables.

[2] Americans demand asparagus year-round; but except for spring’s domestic asparagus, it’s shipped in from Chile (photo © Baldor Food).

[3] Apple pie: tempting, but… Fresh apple: better for you, better for the environment (photo © U.S. Apple Association).

The next time you’re thinking about packaged snacks instead of crudités, or apple pie instead of an apple, make the raw choice and tell yourself: “I’m saving the planet.”

Bonus: fewer calories.
 
 
5. Cook once, eat twice.

Make double batches when you cook, so you’ll have leftovers for another meal. Even though you might need to reheat the food, even freeze it, the net energy saved is tremendous.
 
 
II. REDUCE THE DISPOSABLE PACKAGING ON THE FOODS YOU BUY
 
 
6. BYO Bags & Containers To The Store.

We always have two fold-up nylon shopping bags at the bottom of our backpack or purse. They come in endless colors and patterns, and you don’t have to take bags from the store (photo #4).

If you want large-haul reusable bags, we like these collapsible boxes (photo #5).

[5] …and reusable grocery bags and boxes.

7. Avoid excessive packaging.

Look for foods with the least amount of packaging. While cardboard boxes can be recycled, certain types of plastic cannot be—including the plastic produce bags.

You don’t really need them: The cashier will weigh your fruit or vegetables without a bag.

But if you prefer the convenience, get a set of these reusable produce bags, which go from shopping cart to refrigerator.

Yes, this might keep your food fresh and protected, however the excess packaging only ends up in landfills and adds more pollution to our land. Try buying produce that is not in a package.
 
 
8. Carry water in a reusable bottle.

Bottled water doesn’t necessarily mean its cleaner or better for you than tap water. Look for a filter system to install in your kitchen sink or even a water pitcher filter will work well.

The fewer disposable plastic bottles we use, the cleaner our planet will be. There are so many attractive, efficient, reusable water balls on the market. Just pick one and use it!

If you buy bottled water because you don’t like the taste of your tap water, consider a faucet-based, countertop or under-sink filtration system.

If you do need to buy a bottle of water, bring home the empty and refill it. Give it a life beyond Day 1. See the infographic below and the bottled water crisis.

If you drink a lot of carbonated beverage, you’ll save on empty bottles and lugging both, with a Sodastream carbonater or similar product. The flavors are delicious and the carbonation units can be recycled.
 
 
10. Reuse plastic containers.

We do purchase fresh prepared foods packed in plastic containers, but we reuse those containers for everything from leftovers to storage.
 
 
Make Every Day Earth Day!
 
 

 
 

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In alphabetical order, they are:

1. CRACKER BARREL Oven BAKED MACARONI & CHEESE

Cracker Barrel Cheese’s premium mac & cheese line has launched Oven Baked Macaroni & Cheese (photo #1) in three flavors:

 
Fans of oven-baked mac and cheese prefer it for the crispy edges and the toasted bread crumbs. The bread crumbs are included, as well as flavorful seasonings; and the level of crispiness is up to you.

Just boil the noodles and mix the seasoning packet with melted butter and milk. Add the cheese sauce and the flavor mix, spoon into a baking dish and top with the toasted breadcrumbs.

Get yours at major retailers nationwide. Suggested Retail Price is $3.99 for a 12.34-ounce package.

For more information visit the Cracker Barrel Cheese website.
 
 
2. DELTA BLUES RICE GRITS

Delta Blues Rice (that’s the Mississippi Delta) is a fourth-generation family business that grows artisan rice. If you think that all white rice tastes the same, you won’t believe how much more flavorful it is than supermarket brands.

The company sells the rice in white and brown rice and rice grits, all made in small batches and milled for freshness.

We’ve enjoyed cornmeal grits since we were small fry, but had never tasted rice grits until the folks at Delta Blues Rice sent us a sample (photos #2 and #3).

We devoured the package and ordered more. For those who avoid corn-based foods, they’re a real find.

If you come from a grits-loving family, load up on them as gifts or favors for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.

Get yours at DeltaBluesRice.com.
 
 
3. ENTUBE FLAVOR PASTES

Big flavors come from little tubes. Entube is a line of flavorful pastes in three international flavors: curry, harissa and umeboshi (photos #4 and #5).

These are great to have on hand and are so easy to use. Instead of adding more salt when a dish needs some pizzazz, just add a bit of flavor paste—to anything from grains to cheese fondue to soups and stews.

We tried two of the three flavors: Curry and Harissa. Here’s how we used them.

3a. Entube Harissa Paste

 
Roast Chicken: About 15 minutes before the chicken is due to come out of the oven, combine harissa-flavored plain yogurt with the hot drippings. Baste the chicken twice, five minutes apart. For the second basting, add the juice of 1/2 lemon to the yogurt and drippings, along with a bit of kosher salt to taste. This will slightly caramelize and crisp the skin.

Grilled Lamb: Morroccan lamb dishes are classically made with a harissa spice rub. We made a rack of lamb with the yogurt-Harissa Paste mix (4 tablespoons yogurt with 1 teaspoon paste) and a teaspoon of lemon juice. Brush it in on at the start of roasting and once more 5 minutes from the end. It perks up the slightly gamy flavor of lamb beautifully. (Cooking time for medium rare lamb is 22 minutes in a 425°F oven.)

[1] We love baked mac & cheese with crispy edges (photo courtesy Cracker Barrel). [2] Calling all grits lovers for great rice grits (photo courtesy Delta Blues Rice). [3] Rice grits (photo courtesy Neniemi Food). [4] Entube flavor pastes and [5] Entube harissa spices up paella (photos courtesy Entube | Facebook).

3b. Entube Curry Paste

Mushroom Sauce: Boost the umami flavor in creamy mushroom sauces. Add as much paste as you like, tasting as you go in 1/2 teaspoon increments. The curry flavor was not overpowering and added depth to the character of the mushrooms. This combination also works in mushroom tarts.

Grilled Shrimp: Marinate 1 pound deveined shrimp in a yogurt marinade made with 1/2 cup yogurt and 2 teaspoons of curry paste, the juice of 1 lime, mustard oil or coconut oil, chili powder to taste and 2 teaspoons of grated, peeled ginger root. Marinate in the fridge for 2-4 hours. Just before grilling (on medium-high), remove shrimp and wipe off the excess marinade with paper towels. Grill until black spots begin to appear, about 3 minutes per side. Delicious!

The one complaint we have with the pastes is that there is too much added ascorbic acid (vitamin C)—almost 20%. If you have a sophisticated palate, you may notice a slightly medicinal acidic tang that is not as clean and lively as would have been given by lemon or lime. You can mask it by adding some real lemon or lime juice.

Find a store locator on the company website.

[6] Sea salt meets seaweed in these tasty blends (photo courtesy Sea Veg). [7] Werther’s new Cocoa Crème Soft Caramels and [8] longtime favorites, the sugar-free caramels line (photos courtesy Werther’s Original).

This naturally iodized sea salt has a little something extra: sea vegetables, including dulse and kelp, seaweeds known for their high vitamin and mineral content.

The entire line of seaweed-based products are harvested in Maine waters; and the line is targeted to people who want to get the most nutrition they can from their foods.

Here are the nutritional values of both seaweeds.

Not that we don’t want the best nutrition; but we like these sea salts for their flavor, especially with rice and other grains and starches. And, we’re big flavor fans of Japanese seaweed, dried or fresh [which is actually reconstituted dry seaweed].

The company offers variations of the sea salt with added cayenne or garlic; and with other seaweeds. Another product of interest is the applewood-smoked nori sheets.

Find out more at SeaVeg.com.
 
 
5. WERTHER’S ORIGINAL NEW COCOA CREME SOFT CARAMELS

Werther’s newest flavor can be attributed to American palates: a survey of more than 1,000 American adults found that 44% chose caramel as their favorite candy flavor to combine with chocolate. The next closest is mint, at 19%.

Werther’s Original Cocoa Crème Soft Caramels pair their yummy soft caramel with a cocoa crème filling.

They join Werther’s other dual-flavor caramels, including Caramel Apple and Coffee Caramel.

We love soft caramels. Aside from the pricey ones from artisan chocolatiers, Werther’s is our favorite everyday brand.

Another thing we love about the brand is the sugar-free options.

The line includes hard, chewy, soft and filled caramels, as well as the sugar-free caramels in seven flavors (the chewy sugar-free caramels and chocolate caramels are a must-try) and caramel popcorn.
As they say at the company, they’re a treat that’s truly “werth it.”

For more information visit Werther’s Original USA.

National Surf & Turf Day falls on February 29th. Why would anyone choose to celebrate this tasty holiday only once every four years?

That honor should go to, say, National Chocolate Covered Cashews Day, which happens to be today’s holiday (April 21st). Or how Kitchen Klutzes of America Day (June 13th), or Cheese Sacrifice Purchase Day (July 29th)?

So today, we’re featuring some novel approaches to surf and turf.

On THE NIBBLE alone, we have obvious and not-so-obvious recipes:

 
Not to mention, Surf & Turf Pizza (clams or shrimp with pepperoni) or skewers (any meat, any shellfish).

Our latest dish in the collection:
 
 
RECIPE: SQUID & SPRING PEAS

Who’d have thought of combining squid and bacon with fresh spring peas and fresh mint? Catalan chefs, with bounties of fresh squid pulled from the Mediterranean.

This recipe is from Executive Chef Jaime Chavez of Sirena Cucina Latina in San Diego (which alas, closed in February).

It’s a traditional Catalan starter from the chef’s mother, and is one of the restaurant’s best sellers.

“[Mother] taught me that the best dishes are made from simple flavors, and when we respect the products, they give us back the very best of them,” notes Chavez.

While Chef Jaime didn’t intend to create “surf and turf,” we’re always seeking new ways to extend the original concept of filet mignon and lobster tail, christened Surf & Turf (here’s the history of Surf & Turf).

This is an easy recipe; the most demanding parts are slicing the squid and cooking the bacon.

The season for fresh spring peas is short, so don’t bookmark this for “later.”

Check out the difference between spring peas and other green peas, below.

Ingredients For 4 Servings

 
Preparation

1. SAUTÉ the squid and garlic in olive oil in a hot pan. Cut the squid into rings.

2. ADD the peas and season with salt and pepper. Then add the vinegar and mint.

[2] Just-shelled spring peas (photo © The Chef’s Kitchen).

[3] Raw squid (photo © Williams-Sonoma).

[ ] .

[4] Fennel (photo courtesy Burpee).

[6] Snow peas (photo © AllWomensTalk.com).

[7] Sugar snap peas (photo © Good Eggs).

Spring peas, English peas, and garden peas are three names for the same thing. All can be eaten raw or cooked.

Three types of green peas:

 
Peas (Pisum sativum) are native to the Mediterranean basin. They grew wild and were one of the earlier vegetables cultivated at the dawn of agriculture in the Neolithic Era, beginning about 12,500 years ago.

Having said that, pea pods are botanically a fruit since they are pods that contain seeds, and the pods developed from the ovary of a flower.

Peas, beans, and lentils are all legumes with seeds that grow in pods. It’s easy to distinguish them by their shape:

 
Legumes are members of the botanical family Fabaceae, which also includes alfalfa, carob, licorice, peanuts, and the sweet pea garden plant.
 
Peas are sweet but can get starchy soon after harvesting. The fresher, the better.

For the best flavor, choose small peas. They’re younger, sweeter, and more tender than large ones. Look for medium-size pods that are firm and green, with no yellowing. Break open a pod and check the peas. They should be small, bright green, and firm. Taste the peas in the pod: They should be tender and sweet.

Freshness counts. As with corn, once picked the peas’ high sugar content begins to convert to starch. Don’t pay for mature peas. You might as well use frozen peas.

Don’t pay extra for shelled peas. You don’t know how fresh they are; and since you aren’t shelling peas day in, day out, it’s a fun activity.

Storing Fresh Peas

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