Sun Chips has introduced a new compostable bag for it’s product, made of a plant-based material called polyactic acid (PLA). They have put out a very green commercial, in which eating Sun Chips is sure to make you feel like a much better person than if you were to eat a bag of say, Utz Bbq chips. This is a great step in the eco-packaging industry and it will be interesting to see how other products follow suit. However, upon closely reading the press relase put out by Frito Lay I learned that right now only the outer layer of the bag is made of PLA. The bag is comprised of three parts: an outer film with the print information, an inner barrier that protects the chips, and a middle layer which acts as an adhesive for the inner & outer parts of the bag. Not sure what that breaks down to in compost terms; I’d be interested in finding out. I’ll write to Frito Lay and see what they say. In the meanwhile, I am interested in testing this in my own compost and see what the reactions are from the composting community. Stay tuned! UPDATE 6/9/10: Composting time may not be quick enough to be effective in some communities- see comments!
Monthly Archive for May, 2010
A new study published in the Journal Of Pediatrics shows that children with above average amounts of a common pesticide were twice as likely to have ADHD than those who didn’t. The study included almost 1,200 children between the ages of 8-15 and the pesticide levels were detected in urine samples. The origins of pesticide usage in the U.S. stems from sprays once used for chemical warfare (aka killing humans) being transferred to crop usage once WWI ended. The end of WW2 brought the use of DDT to argiculture, until an exposé in the 70’s ended that mess. Scary! I believe these pesticdes are responsible for many chronic illnesses suffered in this country. You can limit your pesticide intake by making sure you buy these fruits and veggies organic and cut down (or eliminate) your meat consumption. Your good health is worth it!
The New York Open Center is hosting an open house on Thursday, May 20th. The Open Center is a place for holistic education and body & energy treatments. At the open house, you can attend free workshops and lectures and enjoy a special discount if you register for a course. There will also be free mini-life coaching sessions available and $15 mini body/mind/spirit treatments. The New York Open Center is located at 22 East 30th Street, between Madison and 5th Ave.
The Nourishing Kitchen of NYC is a community food program located in Spanish Harlem, aka El Barrio. Their mission is to eradicate the relationship between low-income status and poor nutrition. Each week, Nourishing Kitchen offers a variety of healthy, balanced and (of course) nourishing events for the people:
Monday 5:00pm Free Pantry Bag for those in need
Monday 5:30-6:30pm Free Healthy Eating Class (taught in Spanish every other week by yours truly)
Tuesday 4:00pm Urban Free Produce Program (distributed at 116th and 3rd Ave.)
Wednesday 11:00am-2:00pm Free Healthy Hot Meal for those in need
Nourishing Kitchen is located at 281 Pleasant Avenue at 115th Street. Got questions? Click here. Want to help the cause? Donate here. Remember, even a little goes a looong way.
Last week I hosted my second chef demo at the Union Square Greenmarket. Spring produce is beginning to arrive and shoppers are ready to fill their bags. I served a lovely Spinach-Kale salad with a warm, spring garlic vinaigrette. Thanks to all the folks who stopped by for a chat and a sample. Special shout out to the two ladies who helped me preach the good word about kale, we had a great crowd for that one. My next demo is June 7th, see you then!
Celebrate the summer solstice with a free yoga class in Times Square. The Times Square Alliance is hosting another “Mind Over Madness Yoga” event this year on June 21, 2010. Three classes are being offered throughout the day, at 7:30am, 12:30pm, and 6:00pm. If practicing your asanas in the middle of the Big Apple is your cup of tea, click here for registration information.
As of last year, kale and I have become the very best of friends. This curly vegetable contains more calcium and iron than almost any of its peers. It’s also a great source of Vitamins C, E, and beta-carotene. My favorite way to enjoy kale is by blending a bunch of leaves in a fruit smoothie (delicious! just try it) or raw, marinated in olive oil with vinegar and herbs. I even eat it as a side dish for breakfast. Kale is also great lightly steamed and seasoned, or in your favorite soup. I will testify that since I began consuming kale in mass quantities, I have truly become a better human being. Kale for world peace!
The debate is out in New York over the new beverage tax, which taxes a penny an ounce on all sugary drinks. The money raised goes towards funding Medicaid. Folks against the tax say that it will affect middle and lower income families the most, many of whom are already struggling to make ends meet in this economy. I think this is the perfect opportunity for these same families to JUST SAY NO to these beverages. The folks who are hit hardest by this tax could also be the ones with the most to gain from eliminating sugary drinks from their diets (obesity and diabetes, anyone?) If these drinks are unhealthy AND wreck your budget, why buy them at all? This is a great time to start drinking good old fashioned water – zero calories, zero taxes (sort of) and integral to good health. You can flavor water with slices of cucumber, lemon, orange, lime or even fresh basil! If you find that you’re still miss the fizz, try sparkling water or fruit flavored seltzer. Cheers!