Category: Food

Buy Bird friendly Habitat certified coffee

10/31/2025

When buying your morning java, select coffee that is certified as Bird Friendly Habitat Coffee to promote coffee growing practices that support birds.

To quench the international thirst for coffee, plantations have sprung up throughout tropical areas, replacing habitat used by both resident and migratory birds. Americans alone drink 1/3 of the world’s coffee. The issue has been made worse by the development of sun-loving varieties being grown on large plantations that have already replaced 40% of the shade-grown varieties. However, by employing sustainable practices, these shade-loving tropical plants can be grown in such a way to recreate necessary bird habitat. Look for coffee that is certified as Smithsonian Bird Friendly® coffee: it is sustainably grown in shade created by a canopy of at least 60% native plants.

Learn more from The Willistown Conservation Trust.

Eat smaller portions for better health

9/26/2025

People eat less when exposed to smaller portions, according to research.

Exposure to smaller portions of food changes perceptions of what constitutes a normal amount of food to eat and affects the amount of food people choose to eat in the future.

Read the 2019 article in the journal Food Quality and Preference.

Photo by AVID Vines, Flickr

No oil or grease down the drain

9/5/2025

Collect leftover cooking oil in a sealed container. If you pour it down the sink, even a small amount, “fatbergs” can form that stick to your pipes and lead to blockages. If you have a septic tank, the results are riskier.

The problem goes beyond having a blockage in your own pipes. Your oil or grease combines with all the other oil and grease floating around in the sewer. When it meets “flushable” wipes and other products, a lethal bond is formed. It may not seem like a big deal to pour a little grease down the sink from time to time, but it becomes a major issue when everyone else is doing the same. The removal of fatbergs costs cities tremendous resources.

Read more at earth911

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Beans instead of beef

7/11/2025

Beans, a superstar food, ward off hunger as well as beef, according to a new study using breakfast tortillas. Consider the option of mixing the two together.

Beans and other legumes are superstars, easy on the planet and packed with nutrients, fiber, and protein. A new study shows they ward off hunger as well as beef. Consider the option of mixing the two together.

Read more here.

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Fiber reduces PFAS

6/27/2025

Eating more fiber can reduce the levels of two common PFAS or “forever chemicals” in both children and adults, finds a new study in the journal Environmental Health.

Forever chemicals are present in the blood of almost everyone on the planet, with growing concerns about their toxicity. Researchers hypothesized that a gel formed by dietary fiber could stop the gut’s cell lining from absorbing PFAS.

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Read more at Ecowatch.com

Reuse glass jars for food storage

5/9/2025

Glass is safer than plastic for food storage: give used glass jars a new life by using them to store food.

This is especially the case for hot food which can cause chemicals to leach from the plastic container into the food. You can buy canning jars and re-usable screw-on lids, or even better, wash out jam, peanut butter, or spaghetti sauce jars and use them for storing leftovers. They are also great for storing food items that you buy in the bulk section, like dry pasta, dried beans, and rice. Another advantage to glass for storage is that you can see the contents so that you can remember what leftovers need to be eaten (link to other tip). When your glass jars are no longer useful, recycle them at the Swarthmore Recycling Center.

Extend the life of fresh asparagus

5/2/2025

Spring is the season for fresh asparagus! Cut down on food waste by following these steps to keep your asparagus fresh longer:

When you get your asparagus home, trim off about 1 inch of the bottom ends.
Stand them upright in a jar or other container filled with about 1 inch of water.
Cover the tops loosely with a plastic bag
Store in the refrigerator
Change the water if it gets cloudy
They should stay fresh this way for at least 3-5 days.

Read more here:
Southernliving.com
Foolproofliving.com

Nutritional yeast

4/25/2025

Nutritional yeast has an umami flavor that enhances many dishes as well as being a complete protein and high in B12, an important vitamin that much of the population is deficient in.

Nutritional yeast can be used in rice and pasta dishes, salads, soups, popcorn, and more. The key when using it is to add a bit of liquid since it’s dry and flaky—olive oil or fairly moist food works well.

Read more at TreeHugger.com

Plant-based milk for baking

4/18/2025

Bake with plant-based milk even if you still use dairy.

Stick with the plain, unsweetened version. Nut milks, coconut milk, and oat milk are all good choices. Their taste aligns perfectly with sweet foods and tends to have a creamy consistency.

Read more at Earth911.com

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Edible weeds

4/11/2025

Eat your weeds. Seriously, dandelions, purslane, and other common garden weeds are highly nutritious and can be eaten raw or cooked.

Dandelions are rich in vitamins A, C, and K. They also contain vitamin E, iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and B vitamins. Every part of them can be eaten raw or cooked. The list goes on.

Read more at TreeHugger.com

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

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