By Guest Blogger on December 15, 2011
Whether you’re shaking it on the dance floor, strolling cool ’hoods on art and architecture walks, doing yoga on the beach or sampling the newly hot bicycle scene, Miami gives you a workout. Good thing this sexy city also gives you hip and healthy places to refuel and rehydrate.
So where can you find sazón (sassy seasoning) – while keeping your pH and budget in balance? My Miamian gour-mates fed me their secrets, so now I’ll dish them out to you.
Vegan Venues
T.H.R.I.V.E. (The Raw Inspired Vegan Experience)
A true insider secret, this new oasis is tucked within a busy South Beach block. Look for the sidewalk sandwich board; pass through the blossom arbor and alley; then behold an Eden of breeze-blown sashes, lush foliage and beachy sofas. The all-vegan raw and organic dishes are phenomenal, attracting daily visits from eco- and physique-conscious foodies. Rich in enzymes, vitamins and flavor, tantalizing choices reflect the globetrotting owner’s wide-ranging tastes: spiralized zucchini with Tuscany-inspired sun-dried tomato marinara or basil pesto, nut meat/cabbage tacos, sprouted seaweed-veg pate nori roll. The new Sunday brunch includes tofu with sweet potato hash browns. Note: Sweet potatoes are culinary bliss to Miamians; the orange superfood pops up in foods from fries to pies … and in beauty and detox diets! 1239 Alton Road, South Beach. *Juice bar
Lifefood Gourmet
Aside from the honey, it’s raw vegan rapture, from the “wild milk” (Brazil nut-based) and goji shakes to the pumpkin nut-meat plus nut-cheese burrito, veggie-flaxseed pizza and lasagna layered with alt-Alfredo macadamia pine nut sauce, spinach and Irish moss-erella. Seeking chlorella, spirulina and blue green algae? Craving mamey or carob? Got it. In the throes of ecstasy, you might miss the mission statement, which outlines goals of cellular nourishment and rejuvenation, tapping self-healing powers and “spreading a sense of well-being, sanity and happiness.” Sounds and tastes great. 1248 SW 22nd Street, Coral Gables.
La Vie En Raw Cafe
Run by a vibrant integrative nutritionist and certified raw chef, this totally vegan, mostly organic cafe starts working its magic with the revitalizing local art gracing the walls. The menu changes with the seasons, but pounce on the Beet “Raw-violi,” ground walnut-and-carrot faux tuna with creamy avocado, any sea vegetable or nut-cheese dish – and the chocolate pie. 3808 Southwest 8th Street, Coral Gables. *Juice bar
Mac’n Food Truck
Miami has a new food truck – and it’s vegan. Feel like having mac ’n cheese with portobello and plant-based mozzarella? Fresh-cut sweet potato fries? Fried green tomatoes? Just-picked watermelon with fresh basil and sea salt? Step right up! Check the website for locations, which change daily.
Vegan-Friendly Restaurants
Catch Grill + Bar
Across the muy bello Venetian Causeway, the recently renovated Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay houses a cool new indoor/outdoor bayfront restaurant committed to sustainably sourced fare. The chef can veganize some dishes or whip up a seasonal veggie platter. But even more fun: plant-based teasers plus mocktails. Go for the zesty hummus, eggplant-abulous baba ganoush, munchy edamame and lightly fried plantain with yummy guac. Then greet the starry night with handcrafted healthy cocktails, such as a most refreshing pineapple juice splashed with agave and pink peppercorns. 1633 North Bayshore Drive, near the Port of Miami.
Metro Organic Bistro
This hip haven in historic MiMo (Miami’s Modern Architecture district) serves several vegan entrees such as a Green Burger and crispy Chickpea Cakes. Or make a meal of fresh-off-the-farm sides such as grilled fennel. 7010 Biscayne Boulevard, MiMo district.
Escopazzo
Long committed to organic, sustainable and divine, this chic Italian bistro introduced a raw-vegan menu late last year. Indulge in such delicacies as a gingery butternut tagliatelle with ginger, lasagnette layered with pesto, pine nut-derived ricotta, eggplant and squash, and spiced vegetables wrapped in Swiss chard. 1311 Washington Avenue, South Beach.
The Cafe at Books & Books
One of the few Lincoln Road sidewalk cafes offering inspired vegan dishes. Helmed by a pioneer of New South Florida cuisine, temptations include a perfectly seasoned Cuban black bean soup, grilled tofu fajita wrap with roasted corn salad, and tropical wild rice with coconut. 927 Lincoln Road, South Beach.
Sweet Tooth
Sweat Records Cafe
At this all-vegan coffee shop, great tunes pair well with Unicorn Love Bomb Espresso, Dirty South Chai and mouth-tingling cupcakes – coconut lemon-iced, anyone? (They even serve vegan empanadas: spinach/sun-dried tomato and curry.) 5505 NE 2nd Avenue, Little Haiti.
Coconut Grove Saturday Organic Market
Eco-conscious, plant-based diners rejoice! In addition to just-picked veggies and raw deli, raw tostadas, raw pizzas, you can indulge in raw tiramisu and raw pies with moist crusts of dates, nuts and spices. 3300 Grand Avenue, Coconut Grove.
Peace A’ Cake
Pure vegan food porn made by a holistic health coach from spelt flour, apple sauce, coconut palm nectar, dark chocolate chips and raw almonds. Sold at local health marts and juice cafes; website lists locations.
Indulge for health’s sake – you’re in Miami! Want to add to our list? Dish and tell!
Robin Soslow is a writer/photographer who pedals and noshes her way through cities and countrysides. Embracing the credo “Be the change you wish to see,” she lives small, volunteers with animal welfare groups and enjoys having omnivores lust after her vegan dishes.
Photo francis ledoux, Lorenia, Zlatko Unger, Ines
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By Gena Hamshaw CCN on November 4, 2011
In June of this year, I left my lifelong home of New York City for the nation’s capital. Having grown up in a mecca of vegan (and raw) dining options, I was spoiled: I had no idea what it meant to live in a place without juice bars in every zip code, vegan bakeries around the corner, and a mix of both fine dining and fast dining options for the herbivorous eater.
It took some time, but as the summer went by, I began to explore and discover DC’s lean, green, and vegan scene. The city may not be able to rival New York or L.A. in terms of creativity or availability, but it does boast a strong and vibrant little collection of vegan-friendly dining options. We’d expect no less of the city that houses offices for PETA, COK, and PCRM; a local farm animal sanctuary, and a passionate community of plant-based eaters with an eye on political activism.
Lunch bites and snack breaks
Java Green
Featuring wraps, sandwiches, salads, and sides, Java Green is a great option for weekday pop-ins or early dinners. It features fresh vegetable and fruit juice, a clearly marked gluten-free menu, hot and cold soups, and even a gluten-free and vegan burger. Try the raw pizza and live “trio” salad (kale, sea veggies, and kimchi) if you’re in the mood for something extra green. The downside? Portion sizes are tiny, so order in bulk.
Sticky Fingers
A winner of the Food Network’s cupcake wars, Sticky Fingers offers the some of the finest cookies, cupcakes, and pastries in town–vegan or not! The sweet and salty cookie is to die for, and the peanut butter-fudge cupcake may just monopolize your birthday celebrations for good. If you’re craving something more savory than sweet, you can enjoy the restaurant’s tempeh BLT, it’s cheesy quesadillas made with Daiya cheese, the chick’n ranch wrap, or some good old-fashioned biscuits and gravy. If you’re a gluten-free eater, help yourself to the gluten-free chocolate cupcake, and float home on a chocolate high.
Sweet Green
Founded by three Georgetown students who were fed up with the area’s limited dining options, Sweet Green has now expanded beyond its flagship location, dotting the entire district with the best and most innovative salads around. Simple, healthy, and fast, Sweet Green sources local and organic ingredients, and offers such innovative salad options as the Chic P (Falafel, pita chips, chickpeas, and a delectably tart hummus-tahini dressing) and the Sabzi (spicy quinoa, raw beets, white beans, basil, sprouts, and dried cranberries). You can make your own salads or wraps with any of the restaurant’s seasonal offerings (I’m partial to the roasted butternut squash), and you can also help yourself to any of the tasty soups, many of which are vegan. If you’re fending off the DC heat, try the incredible watermelon lemonade for a cooling treat!
Comfort food
Everlasting Life Cafe
There’s something for everyone at this casual cafe, which also offers catering services. Raw foodies and health freaks can feast on the garlicky, raw kale salad, the pickled beets, or the parsley with plum vinaigrette. Other options in the restaurant’s extensive (and-100 percent organic) salad bar include Asian noodles and corn-and-black bean salad.
If you’re in the mood for something hot and filling, though, you’re really in luck. Try any of the restaurant’s daily rotation of hot bar options: highlights include veggie steak n’ cheese, a battered basket, spaghetti pie, barbecue tofu, and sheppard’s pie. With fresh smoothies and juices to boot, you can’t go wrong!
Busboys and Poets
Another crowd pleaser, Busboys and Poets serves up comfort classics in both vegan and vegetarian formations: most of the pizzas can be ordered with either vegan cheese or regular cheese, and and paninis range from tempeh to chicken. The restaurant’s hummus is not to be missed, and its ful medames dish is perfectly spicy and rich. Vegans will flip over the vegan nachos.
An inclusive list of desserts and coffee beverages–not to mention a small bookstore in house (in which diners are welcome to sit and explore)–ensure that all diners will be tempted to linger long after a meal is done.
Dinner for two
Elizabeth’s Gone Raw
DC’s only gourmet raw dining establishment, Elizabeth’s offers a five course pre fixe dinner every Friday night featuring a sumptuous and seasonal tasting menu. A weekly selection might feature such entrees as Wild Mushroom and Tarragon Bisque with Fennel Salad & a Sunflower Cracker, or a raw apple cobbler for dessert. Elizabeth Petty, the owner, opened EGR after a diagnosis of breast cancer in 2009, and her passion for the restorative power of raw food shines through these light and brightly flavored dishes. She’ll be glad to greet you as you dine, and share more of her excitement for raw food with you. The price tag at Elizabeth’s Gone Raw is not cheap (it’s a $75 tasting menu), but the experience is truly unique, and there is no finer raw foods mecca in DC.
Cafe Green
Cafe Green is the place to be if you’re seeking out a casual and health-minded dinner bite. The restaurant features extensive raw options, including an impressive raw pizza with sprouted quinoa and buckwheat crust, raw avocado and spicy soup options, a marinated kale and mango salad, and raw crackers. Fresh juices are served up daily, along with fresh coconut water and kombucha. If you’re not into uncooked cuisine, try the gluten-free mung bean pancakes or the incredible mac n’ cheese. Let the buyer beware, however: the restaurant is very often out of options, especially raw ones, so be prepared to be flexible.
Founding Farmers
Though not vegan or even vegetarian, this restaurant, which is situated three blocks from the White House, is famous for sourcing local produce. The restaurant’s architecture is LEED- certified (a fancy way of saying it’s eco-friendly and environmentally conscious) and it’s other green features include front-of-house and back-of-house recycling, high-efficiency water and energy usage, menus printed on recycled paper with soy-based inks, and water served in reusable glass carafes. Veggie dining options aren’t exactly innovative, but they do include some tasty grain salads, entree sized salads, a savory veggie burger, and a roast eggplant tartine.
Restaurant Nora
Restaurant Nora has bragging rights as the nation’s first certified organic restaurant. This means that the restaurant was churning out organic fare in 1999, long before there was consumer pressure to do so. Nora Pouillon, the restaurant’s founder, has stayed true to her original intention of serving the DC population dishes that are freshly sourced from local farms. Though this is not a vegan restaurant, nor even vegetarian, it is focused on produce, and very high quality produce at that. Many of the salads are easily veganized, and your server will be happy to help you create a vegan meal. (When I went, I was lucky enough to enjoy a creamy risotto with morel mushrooms and fresh corn.) Prices are on the higher end of the spectrum, but the restaurant itself delivers a true fine dining experience, and is well worth it for a fancy dinner.
Firefly
This trendy restaurant in DC’s trendy Dupont circle offers up a menu of local and seasonal fare, including numerous vegan options. Though portion sizes tend to be modest, you can count on robust flavor and New American classics served up with creative flair. All vegans are accommodated: I recommend the tofu skewers and the quinoa with roasted fennel. Another notable feature is the restaurant’s extensive gluten-free menu, which features risotto, quinoa and a heaping of sides. A great and inclusive spot to bring friends of all dietary orientations!
Nightcap
Science Club
Science Club operates primarily as a bar and lounge, featuring a solid (and reasonably priced) wine list. What’s most notable about this particular bar is its emphasis on vegan dining options on the bar menu. These include a quinoa salad with balsamic reduction, hummus, and tofu skewers. DJ’s spin at Science Club every night of the week, and the restaurant also hosts private parties. This is your best late night bet for a vegan snack and sip of wine!
As you can see, DC’s vegan scene may be less outspoken than other cities’, but seek and ye shall find many an option. Enjoy plant-based fare while you soak in the spacious parks and green vistas of our nation’s capital!
For more information on how to optimize your health, visit choosingraw.com
Photo credit: Chris Hall, ciao-chow, Michael Banabila, Martin Kalfatovic, James Sullivan
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By Kris Carr on April 20, 2011
Feisty Foodie,
The Big Apple holds a big place in my heart, especially because this sacred city holds a whole lotta veg-friendly hot spots for blissful eating and drinking. I’ve sung the praises of my regular haunts countless times. Pure Food & Wine, Candle 79 and Blossom never disappoint, but today I want to shine a spotlight on some new hot spots on my radar. A big thanks to my pals who sent some recommendations my way! Hold on to your forks, folks. This list is going to make your taste buds sing …
Quick Bites
Terri: This destination is easy on the pocketbook and serves up some killer salads and sandwiches. Plus, they serve vegan breakfast items like the Tofu Breakfast Scramble Wrap! 60 West 23rd Street between 5th and 6th Avenues. *Juice bar
NY Dosas: Make sure you get in line early because locals love their all-vegan dosa cart. You’ll find Thiru Kumar’s food cart camped out on the south side of Washington Square Park. And in case you’re new to these delectable dosas, get ready for a vegetarian crêpe packed with curried potatoes, carrots and peppers, courtesy of South India. Corner of West 4th and Sullivan.
zpizza: Looking for the perfect vegan pizza? Look no further. The Berkeley Vegan features marinara sauce, Daiya cheese, vegan burger crumbles and tons of veggies! 298 Bleecker Street.
Juice Press: Calling all raw foodies. Don’t miss this cornucopia of raw entrees, apps and desserts. You can’t go wrong with the Coconut Seviche, Acai Pudding and Avocado Toast, although I’m pretty sure everything else on the menu will blow your mind. *Juice bar
100% Vegan Restaurants
Sacred Chow: Hello, variety! This organic, vegan restaurant (Kosher and gluten-free options available) has everything from Korean Tofu Cutlets with Steamed Kale to Mama’s Soy Meatballs with Sicilian Sauce. (I hear the meatballs are especially tasty.). When sampling from their Tapas menu, you’ll have a choice of three tasty items from the “Plant Protein Plates” and “Complex Carbs Plates.” Save room for dessert too; their English Toffee Cake is to die for. 227 Sullivan Street between West 3rd and Bleecker Streets. *Juice bar
Peacefood Café:. Looking for a relaxing, casual evening at a quaint vegan café? You’ll find that and so much more at Peacefood. Entrees include a nutrient dense “Live Salad,” Vegan Chili with Cornbread and Green Thai Curry. Plus, you’ll find a plethora of soups, sammies, salads, pizza and fresh baked desserts. Everything is prepared with peace, health and of course tastiness in mind. 460 Amsterdam at 82nd Street. *Juice bar
Vegan-Friendly Restaurants
Dirt Candy: In case you were wondering about the name, Chef/Owner Amanda Cohen explains it best: “When you eat a vegetable you’re eating little more than dirt that’s been transformed by plenty of sunshine and rain into something that’s full of flavor: Dirt Candy.” Each appetizer and entrée is named after its featured vegetable, so when you order the “Zucchini” your plate will feature mint and tarragon pasta, squash blossom relish, yogurt and saffron sauce. (Everything on the menu can be prepared vegan!). 430 East 9th Street.
Dovetail: Monday nights at Dovetail offers a mouth-watering vegan tasting menu. It’s about $50 for three courses and dessert. Need convincing? How does Fennel Ravioli with basil, artichokes and preserved lemon sound? Perhaps Barbeque Parsnip Rib with coconut rice, daikon and cilantro is more your style? If you’re out for a night on the town with your vegan lover or want to expose a veg-curious pal to the delicious land of elegant vegan cuisine, this spot fits the bill! 103 West 77th Street.
Per Se: If you have a very special occasion to celebrate and really feel like splurging, Per Se may fit the bill. They have a separate prix fixe vegan menu that runs about $300 per person. Don’t say I didn’t tell you it was pricey! Word on the street is that it’s worth the Benjamins. 10 Columbus Circle.
Sweet Tooth
Lula’s Sweet Apothecary: Step inside and all of your ice cream dreams will come true without the dairy. Milkshakes, banana splits, brownie sundaes and ice cream flavors galore. (Choose from soy, coconut and cashew bases). Don’t believe me? Check out the amazing Yelp! reviews. 516 East 6th Street between Avenues A and B.
Cocoa V: Indulge in a love affair of wine and vegan chocolate at Cocoa V’s café. Bon Bons! Truffles! Baked delights! Enjoy them with a perfectly paired glass of vino or if you’re in the mood for a savory treat, order a platter of decadent nut cheeses. You won’t be disappointed. 174 9th Avenue between 20th and 21st Streets.
Babycakes: This well-known 100% vegan bakery is a godsend for all allergy sufferers! Babycakes offers gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free and soy-free treats, so that anyone can have their cake and eat it too! 248 Broome Street between Orchard and Ludlow.
Dun Well Vegan Doughnuts: Have you heard of artisanal donuts? If not, run, don’t walk to Dun Well. You’ll delight in their Rosewater and Dark Lavender, Red Pepper and Mexican Chocolate and Green Tea & Ginger flavors (just to name a few!). You’ll find Dun Well goodies at Blossom Du Jour, Boneshakers, Champs Family Bakery, Cocoa V and Lula’s Sweet Apothecary.
I know that my crazy sexy readers have some NYC veg-friendly haunts to share, so please leave your lip smackin’ suggestions in the comments!
Peace & second helpings,
Kris
Photo credits: Brian G. Wilson, missmeng, alibee
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By Jenny Brown on January 4, 2010
Jenny has put together a list of triumphs for our animal friends in 2009. Hope it motivates you to make your first Monday in 2009 a meatless one!
This Thanksgiving I was asked to speak at the Berkshire Vegetarian Network’s holiday dinner, and in the true spirit of the day (and a bad bout of writer’s block) I came up with a list of ten things for which I’m thankful. The food was great and with my veins coursing with a tremendous amount of carbs, I delivered the speech — which was a big hit with the Berkshire set. Being a very generous person, I thought to myself, who am I to deny the lovely readers of CSL this collection of precious little nuggets, suitable for livening up any holiday gathering? Here they are and, in advance, you’re welcome!
10. I’m thankful that the number of vegans in the U.S. now out-numbers the membership of the NRA! Whoot! Whoot!
9. I’m thankful for the legislative victories in a number of states across the US that ban the most egregious practices in factory farming. Even though the new regulations only make it marginally better for animals living in intense confinement operations, these are steps in the right direction and they set a precedent for more improvements.
8. My husband Doug and I are very thankful for the hood in NYC’s East Village that we like to call “Vegantown” – First Ave below 12th St – where you can’t swing blob of tofu without hitting a vegan-friendly restaurant!
7. I’m thankful for all the healthy, humane plant-based alternatives for holiday meals that are popping up everywhere online, in books, magazines, and newspapers—and even for Holiday Diva Martha Stewart, who devoted an entire show to the horrors of the meat industry without feeling the need to offer the industry a rebuttal. She took the opportunity to educate her audience on factory farming, with help from author Jonathan Safran Foer (of “Eating Animals”) and filmmaker Robert Kenner (Food, Inc.).
6. Oh – and that makes me thankful for Jonathan Safran Foer whose book “Eating Animals” has received a tremendous amount of media coverage and who has become a wonderful spokesperson for farmed animals. Even when confronted with an unbelievably asinine or hostile question, he is able to articulately answer with a sharp wit and calm nobility.
5. I’m full of thanks that I’m not in a room where the focal point of the day’s celebration is the carcass of an animal who suffered his/her entire short life for the trivial pleasure of unimaginative palettes and holiday tradition. (OK, so shoot me, this one only works on Thanksgiving Day BUT – you gotta read this awesome article by Ari Solomon about us vegans (can you say RIGHT TF on!).
4. I’m thankful that the days of embarrassingly rubbery or chalky soy cheeses are almost over – such as with the invention of Daiya cheese, which melts so well and tastes delicious on pizza, in casseroles or quesadillas. And for Dr. Cow Nut Cheese, which (despite the giggle-worth name) is made from raw, healthy nuts and not from the hormone- and antibiotic-laced mammary secretions of a bovine.
3. I’m thankful for the Thanksgiving ham that collided with Celebrity Chef Paula Deen while she was “helping to deliver more than 25,000 lbs. of ham & turkey” to the less fortunate. I wonder Paula ever stop to think about ill fortune of the dead frozen animals she was tossing…or of the irony of the incident since she is a spokesperson for the nation’s top pork producer — Smithfield Foods.
2. I’m thankful for all the attention over this past year that the media has given to the myriad of issues surrounding consuming animal products—the environment, the lack of sustainability considering population growth, the impact on our health and finally, more than ever, about the ways in which farmed animals are treated. It’s finally happening friends! People are starting to care!
1. I’m thankful for all the animals at the Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary that we have been able to help and care for. Each of them is an individual whose life matters very much to them—and to us–and we love each of them dearly. They make our fight easier by showing visitors how unique, friendly, sentient and forgiving animals can be when shown kindness and are allowed to live a normal life with others of their kind.
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By Guest Blogger on December 29, 2009
Lisa Borden
Dining out is one of life’s absolute pleasures and privileges, especially in Toronto where more and more local, organic cuisine is peppering the culinary scene. Restaurants are a key part of our culture – think celebrations, business meetings and first dates and it’s crucial for us and our world to eat off of greener menus (and we are not simply referring to a leafy salad).
I find my own palate has changed as I stick to my own set of eating-values. I now want slow food (but sometimes when I’m out with all 3 kids, not too slow) and organic menus supporting local food providers. In fact, I’ll drive across the city for it (because there are but a few gems). I try to counteract the un-eco-ness of the travel in as many ways possible and hope that as we all demand more, there won’t be a “green restaurant” category, and it’ll be the standard because it just makes sense for all of us.
Sample and savour the following ways that you can easily dine al-eco and continue to adapt as many that are right for your unique palate.
1. Check Please! Before you make a reservation or choose where to dine, check out what the restaurant offers in terms of ingredients, menu items and eco-aspects – www.ourfaves.com is a great resource for Toronto. Ask if they use reusables, including cloth napkins and tablecloths. If you currently frequent establishments that use disposables (plastic cups for condiments and coleslaw?), suggest that they switch. Also, when you are seated, take a good look around and see if anything jumps out at you…do the kids have Styrofoam cups? Are they giving out paper, throwaway menus (in which case, share one)? Taking a moment or two to think ahead will most likely save some trash (and cash) in the long run and don’t think it’s unreasonable to ask – those raised eyebrows may get others to think your way also.
2. W(h)et Your Appetite. We are fortunate in Toronto to be able to drink “free” tap water. It used to be that one would be considered cheap when saying “just tap, please” rather than ordering a fancy (read: rip off) bottle of H20. Now, you’ll simply proclaim yourself an eco-hero. There are many restaurants that now offer their own filtered water i.e. Pizzeria Libretto. But, don’t let your glass be filled if you are not going to drink it…no sense wasting our precious resource. For every glass of water not served, you save even more, since it takes water to make water drinkable. When you refuse a glass (and explain why if you can), it might just get the restaurant and those sharing your table thinking about conserving also.
3. Don’t Suck. How many times have you seen drinks get served where the swizzle sticks and straws immediately get removed and put down on a plate or table? I’m disappointed if I forgot to remind the server to NOT use a straw. Even those compostable ones are a waste and take our precious resources to manufacture. If you really need a straw, buy reusable ones from the lifetime guaranteed, Glass Dharma straw collection.
4. Confucius Says: Re-Fuse. Did your dessert come in a little plastic wrapper? How about those wood sticks? Bring your own chopsticks (To-Go ware makes great sets in carrying cases) or refuse them and stick to eating with your fork (also an easy way to avoid sloppy chopstick technique from being noticed). Pass on the fortune cookie knowing that we’re all more fortunate that you did.
5. Skip that Joint. Jump the fast food line altogether, but if you must (why, oh why?) don’t take the ketchup and mustard packets, the disposable napkin (now you have to eat neatly), the straws and the outer bag that gets trashed immediately. Health concerns aside, eating at a fast food joint is one of the quickest ways to create unnecessary waste.
6. ‘Tis the Season - If you see fresh strawberries or asparagus on the menu in December, you can be sure they weren’t just picked in Ontario. Locally grown, organic foods are better for you and the planet, and arguably taste better. Everything has an impact, but give into your cravings – you are out after all, just choose the most sustainable option you can – lots of veggies trump red meat!
7. Kids are People Too. Why treat your kids differently? We all tell our kids that life isn’t fair, but a restaurant is one place your children should be treated as adults. Avoid those kids’ menus (read: crap). If they are too young to drink from a glass, bring your own from home and don’t take those plastic cups with lids! And then there are the crayons, why are they considered disposable? 12 Million Crayons are made each day in the USA which equals about 120,000 pounds of petroleum based product. Applause goes to Crazy Crayons in the USA who has been recycling unwanted crayons into new ones for over 16 years!
8. Stay out of the doghouse! Those doggie bags aren’t really a way to be thrifty…if you plan on taking something home, take your own reusable containers along with you. You’ll start a trend – trust me. Don’t over order food and your waistline and wallet will thank you because whether the packaging is Styrofoam (arghhh!) or is compostable, it’s still waste.
Now that you are full from these ideas, your new table manners should make you a little lighter and a lot healthier. I hope you’ll enjoy sitting down for your own “trash” talk with your friends and family. Bon Appetit.
Lisa Borden is an eco-advocate and mother of three, whose full-service marketing firm, Borden Communications + Design Inc., is a direct reflection of her commitment to better, more responsible living. She is a dedicated workaholic, admitting that it takes a lot of time and effort to change the world, especially in her non-preachy, fun, engaging and inspiring ways.
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