Great Green Idea: Green Eating: Five Ways to Eat Green

Five Ways to Eat Green

Environmental, economic and health concerns top the list of reasons why millions of people around the world have decided to incorporate green cooking into their eating habits. Growing numbers of consumers are now shopping at farmers' markets to get organic food; which they take home in reusable shopping bags. And as heightened awareness continues to steadily rise, more people look for creative ways on how to eat green.

1. Keep the Kitchen Green

Green Cooking starts with saving resources in the kitchen. For instance, once pasta has finished cooking conserve energy by turning off the heat and reusing the water before pouring it down the drain. Add fast cooking food such as shrimp; which will fully cook from the residual heat. Keep in mind that a filled freezer uses less energy than an empty one and shop accordingly. Remember to turn out lights when leaving the kitchen and to compost any green cuisine leftovers from the meal.

2. The Best Ingredients

Create menus around food that incorporates a variety of fresh vegetables because they generally take less energy and water to grow. Vegetables are great for green cooking recipes since they don't produce greenhouse gases and can be helpful in lose weight. Alaska takes care of the salmon stock in that state with extreme care. Make dishes that include wild Alaskan salmon; which has a purer flavor and is high in omega 3 fatty acids. Sardines contain less mercury than tuna and are not an endangered fish. Purchase organic beef that contain no chemicals and hormones. A label on the meat package that reads "100% grass fed and finished" means that the cattle was allowed to graze in pastures without limitation.

3. Packaging

It is common knowledge that careless packaging is a danger to the environment and to energy conservation. Eat green by choosing whole foods that are not heavily packaged, such as fruit and vegetables. Packaged food usually has additives and chemicals that consume additional energy in order to be produced. Recycle take out food containers whenever possible. Wash and reuse them for storing leftovers. Buy boxed wine since the carbon emissions produced when it is transported is half the amount as bottled wine.

4. Farmers Market

Support the nearest local farmers market to buy ingredients needed for green cooking. Become comfortable enough with the farmers to ask questions. Inquire about their growing practices to determine whether their farm is certified organic. If not, get specific details about how their produce is farmed, like the type of pesticides used, if any. Farmers often throw unsold food away at the end of the day. Ask if they have leftover produce then research creative recipes for dishes in which the free food can be used.

5. Eating Out

It is possible to eat green when dining away from home. Eat at restaurants with green cuisine on their menus. To feed employees at corporate meetings or company parties, choose to have healthy food catered instead of ordering fast food. Encourage whoever is responsible for ordering food for business or school campus cafeterias to offer green food choices on their menus. Support the effort by purchasing these better choices on a consistent basis.