Archive for the ‘food’ category

How To Be Ocean Wise In Vancouver

February 5th, 2010

VancouverAquariumOceanWiseviewer How To Be Ocean Wise In Vancouver

Will you be traveling to Vancouver, British Columbia for the 2010 Olympics or on vacation?   If so, when you’re dining out, ask about Ocean Wise, a leading Canadian sustainable seafood program.

Founded by the Vancouver Aquarium in January 2005, the program gives consumers and travelers information on making smart seafood choices.

The Ocean Wise logo on a restaurant menu, deli-counter or seafood product has become a  symbol of ocean-friendly seafood choices.  Whether you’re buying canned tuna at the supermarket or spicy tuna rolls at a sushi restaurant, look for the symbol on a restaurant menu, display case or product.

In 2009, Ocean Wise went national in Canada from coast to coast with partners from Halifax, NS to Victoria, BC.  Today, Ocean Wise works with 300 partners from the restaurant, supplier and retail sectors at 2700+ locations.

Says Ocean Wise:

“Overfishing is the number one problem facing the world’s oceans. Ocean Wise addresses this critical issue by promoting sustainable fishery practices to prevent habitat destruction and enable species to thrive at optimum population numbers. The program enables Canadians to make environmentally-friendly seafood choices.”

Here are the BC locations where you’ll Ocean Wise:

» Read more: How To Be Ocean Wise In Vancouver

World Terra Madre Day!

December 10th, 2009

terramadredayLogo ENG 2 973x1024 World Terra Madre Day!

Happy Terra Madre Day!   Today is the first worldwide day to promote sustainable food and eating locally.

On the occasion of Slow Food International’s 20th birthday, Terra Madre Day is being marked by 100,000+ farmers, producers, cooks, students and consumers around the world.

Terra Madre Day celebrates “locally produced food that is good, clean and fair: food that tastes good and is produced without harming the environment and taking social justice issues into consideration.”  Across 150 countries, Slow Food’s 1,300 convivia (local chapters) and the Terra Madre network of 2,000 food communities will participate in this global occasion.

TerraMadreWorldSlowFood 2 1024x542 World Terra Madre Day!

Terra Madre Day celebrations will range from communal meals, themed film screenings and cultural events to excursions to producers, campaigns, meetings and discussions, food and taste education activities and local gatherings of producers, cooks or youth.

Check out the above world map here on the Terra Madre Day website to find events going on in a community nearest you.

What will you be doing this Terra Madre Day?  If you’re interested, join the local celebration in your community.  Or you can plan your own personal celebration wherever you are, from dining out at Venice restaurants, finding green NYC restaurants or buying local food at a Vancouver market.

Here are some of the Terra Madre Day activities around the world:

  • India’s Slow Food Information Day will focus on good, clean and fair food to farmers, local food producers, educators and students.
  • Romania’s Back to Traditions event will show school children how to make traditional bread.
  • Belarus students will learn how to dry and use herbs and berries  in cooking and traditional Belarusian teas.
  • In two Azerbaijan mountain villages, there will be a special Terra Madre school lesson and tasting of products from local beekeepers and producers of mazoni (fermented milk).
  • At Seattle’s Progressive Holiday Block Party, each house will prepare a meal course using locally grown, organic and ethnically diverse ingredients.

For more info, check out Terra Madre Day online.

Images courtesy of Slow Food International

Feeling Christmas In New York

November 19th, 2009

NewYorkStateChristmas2008 WF 72dpi sharp 0123 Feeling Christmas In New York

If you’re traveling or living in New York, the state will  be getting into the Christmas spirit soon with upcoming, local festive events.

Here are some of the winter activities and deals:

Lights on the Lake, Onondaga NY
Lights on the Lake is a two-mile-long drive-through show featuring towering holiday displays at Onondaga Lake Park taking place November 25, 2009 – January 10, 2010 from 5:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. every night including holidays.

Candlelight Tours and Twelfth Night At Van Cortlandt Manor
This late 18th century celebration and candlelit festivities begin with a visit to the home of one of the wealthiest families of the post-Revolutionary War era. Guests can experience a lively celebration at the Manor’s ferry house. The celebration will be held on December 12, 19 and 26 from 4:00-8:00 p.m.

Santa Train Excursions at Medina Railroad Museum, Medina NY
Santa Claus is hosting train rides along the Historic Erie Canal through small villages with sparkling lights and festive scenes.

Wonderland of Lights, Utica NY
This light show attracts 30,000+ children and adults and raises thousands of dollars to support the Resource Center for Independent Living. Open November 25-January, the light show is once every night except Christmas Eve from 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. on the Masonic Care Community Campus.

Lyndhurst Mansion, Tarrytown NY
Visit the historic mansion and see Lyndhurst in its “full winter fairy tale beauty” with live music and hot mulled cider. Reservations required. The mansion is open December 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 and 27. Saturday from 4:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m.; Sunday from 3:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m.

Organic Nation U.S.A.

November 17th, 2009
OrganicNationTV beach

Image courtesy of OrganicNation TV

Want to learn more about sustainable food in the U.S.A?  OrganicNation.tv is exploring the American sustainable food landscape, “focusing on the people, places and products that are shaping a new green economy and lifestyle.”

They’re traveling the United States to document how sustainable food systems are being created, meeting farmers to urban gardeners, teachers to restaurant owners.

OrganicTVNationDorothee & Mark with lobster

Photo credit: © Zack Bowen

OrganicNation.tv has traveled up the East and West Coasts and the Midwest and plans upcoming tours of the Southeast and Southwest.

The team are sharing  stories, interviews and what they’ve learned via their weekly web video series and daily blog.  There is also an interactive community map of organic locations around the U.S. including places they’ve visited and fan submissions.

Sweet Travel Companions

November 11th, 2009

fruition peach bar Sweet Travel Companions

Are you looking for a greener nutrition bar for your travels?

This summer, traveling greener hit the road with PROBAR nutrition bars sent over by a company representative for review.  These high quality nutrition bars were the perfect travel companion on camping, cycling, hiking and day trips.

The best part is they are 100 percent vegan and rich in raw, organic ingredients.  Their Sweet & Savory bars were flavorful, satisfying and filling as whole meal replacements or snacks in flavors including Sesame Goji, Maple Pecan and Kettle Corn.

PROBAR’s newest line, fruition, a collection of snack bars blended with organic fruit, was a fast favorite especially Peach (above).  This super food snack bar blends organic oats and organic fruit chunks with chia seeds and cashews.

Low in sugar, 160 calories and easy-to-carry at 48g,  fruition bars are nutritionally dense and rich in antioxidants and essential fatty acids.  Chia seeds are an ancient, high-energy food indigenous to North, Central and South America.

For more info, check out the PROBAR website.

Image above: © PROBAR