Celebrate Seasonally and Toxic-Free

Growing Up Green
November 2009

Please don’t pass the toxins! Thanksgiving is a time to count blessings, enjoy good company and, of course, fill up on turkey for the year. We don’t need an excuse to stuff our stomachs, just be sure you or your guests are not gobbling harmful chemicals. It is always easy to be grateful for foods and products that are nourishing our health. Don’t let worries about toxics get in the way of your forkful of enjoyment. Feast your eyes on these suggestions to gear up for a toxic-free celebration!

Give thanks without guilt by shopping local and organic. By reconnecting to local and organic food sources we can support farmers and eat foods that are healthy for us. Bell peppers, celery, potatoes and spinach are some “risky” vegetables that are best to always buy organic. Celebrate local agriculture and take the Cascade Harvest Coalition pledge to eat local this Thanksgiving!

Green bean casserole with a side of BPA? Bisphenol A is used in the linings of many food and beverage cans and can leach into food. Consumer Reports recently found BPA in canned foods and beverages, including canned green beans and soups. Take the time to start with fresh ingredients to avoid canned products that contain BPA.

Choose glass and stainless steel for cooking; avoid Teflon and plastics. When you’re cooking up a storm, be sure not to ring the alarm by adding chemicals to your recipe. Always do your best to avoid Teflon and choose glass bakeware and pots and pans made of stainless steel or cast iron. Check out these tips to learn more about how and why to choose safe kitchenware.

Dress up your table in a toxic-free way. Create all the frills without the fuss by choosing natural and homemade decorations. Avoid place mats and table settings that include vinyl. Vinyl has been found to contain lead and phthalates, unwelcome guests at any table! Many alternatives are safer for our health. Use natural materials, such as pine cones or multi-colored corn cobs, or check out Green Living for more ideas about how to decorate with in an eco-friendly way.

Don’t forget delicious vegetarian main dishes. Why not get creative and add a vegetarian entrée to your table? If turkey is going to be a star of the table, shop for an organic free-range bird. Avoid "pre-basted" turkeys that are injected with chemical plumping solutions. 

Recipe: Walnut Carrot Loaf

1 pound fresh carrots
2 medium sized onions
2 cloves garlic
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 pound fresh mushrooms
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon rosemary
1/4 cup chopped parsley
1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts
3/4 pound fresh spinach
1 cup cottage cheese
2 eggs
 
Walnut Carrot Loaf is a festive vegetarian main dish alternative that is as fun to make as it is to eat!

Mince carrots, onions, mushrooms and garlic and sauté the vegetable mixture with spices. In a large bowl, mix chopped walnuts, spinach and sautéed vegetable mixture. Press cottage cheese through a sieve; add to vegetable mixture. Stir in egg and parsley and mix well.

Pour mixture into oiled 9x5 inch loaf dish and bake 350-degree F oven for 1 1/2 hours.