September 2023: Seasonal Cooking – Chinmaya Mission Niagara

Article 18: Seasonal Cooking

by

Amolina Bhat

Our global food system accounts for the use of 70% of the world’s fresh water supply and 80% of river and lake pollution. While this mostly considers farms which raise animals for food, dairy farms are no exception. In fact, cattle raised specifically for dairy production, are the cause of over 19% of the “global water footprint of animal agriculture.” Especially in the United States, animal products are entrenched in food culture. It is quite difficult to eat at restaurants or buy groceries without dairy additives or other animal by-products. However, if we cook more at home, and try to buy less processed foods, we can reduce our impact on the planet every day.

It is important to note, however, that eating a plant-based diet (staying away from all animal by-products including dairy and eggs) does not necessarily mean we are reducing our environmental impact to zero. While eliminating animal products is an incredible step in the right direction, buying produce out of season or non-locally can still affect the environment in substantial ways. For example, growing a single avocado expends over 60gal of water, not to mention the environmental cost to flying them from Mexico or California to other parts of North America. We have become accustomed to having berries and tomatoes at all times of the year and in all parts of the country without thinking about the environmental impact that convenience may have.

It is not possible to be perfect in our food purchasing habits. Importantly, factory farming and modern agricultural practices have made groceries increasingly affordable and easier for more people to relish in the joys that food can bring. Many of us also live in colder climates where many vegetables and fruits are unable to grow in the winter months. When we are able, however, it is important for us to buy locally and in season and think about the choices we make in the grocery store. If available to you, consider doing some research in your local community farms to see if they have sustainable, delivered produce options.

The exciting part about shopping and eating in season, is that it is likely that the produce we consume will be tastier than through the rest of the year! Here are some fruits and vegetables I’m excited to find new recipes for in the month of September: berries, stone fruit, green beans, summer squash, tomatoes, bell peppers, and eggplant. In our upcoming workshop we will explore a plant based recipe using seasonal produce. Fall is just around the corner which opens up opportunities for delicious root vegetables and pumpkins!

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Action to Implement

Post your reflections & observations in the comments section below ⬇️

🌱 September 2023: 🔍Find a local community farm.
🍅 Sign up for a trial of their produce.

Past Months Action to Implement

🌱 August 2023: (1) Download the Prthvi Seva guide. (2) Choose an idea from the guide to try before the workshop

🌱 July 2023: Register and join us for the Prthvi Utsava Celebration and spread the word.

🌱 June 2023: 🏢 In your workplace, join or initiate a “green team” that is committed to reducing emissions and educating people on climate change.

🌱 May 2023:

🏪 Make a list of places (local cafes, stores, etc) where plastic use is unavoidable.
📝 Create a plan to reach out to one place to reduce their plastic use.

🌱 April 2023: 💝 Gather your loved ones and plant native trees and native perennials!. 🌳 Track progress and share pictures with the Community to reach the goal of 1000 trees by Arbor Day! (April 28th).

🌱 March 2023: (1) Plant seeds to start a kitchen garden indoor or outdoor. (2) share pictures in the comment section below.

🌱 February 2023: Research a local environmental group and attend their upcoming meeting

🌱 January 2023: 🌍 Create your personal practices for the 6 fundamental virtues

🌱 December 2022: ✅Do the following:

Simplify one closet or one drawer in your home every week. Remove items that have not been used in the last 1 year.
Dispose of unneeded items in a responsible way.

🌱 November 2022: ✅Make a list of the gifts you usually give during the holidays.

🌱 October 2022: This month, add 1 or 2 regional plants from the Xerces Pollinator Conservation website to your landscape!

🌱 September 2022: This month, review the Green Building list & commit to 1 simple and 1 challenging item to implement in your community/center.

🌱 August 2022: This month, read the Prthvi Seva Guide & commit to at least one practice to make your center/community more sustainable.

🌱 July 2022: This month, take a closer look at your travel impacts:

🔢 Estimate the carbon emissions of your mode of travel, lodging, food, and purchases
🙋🏻‍♀️ Commit to making one change to reduce your carbon footprint

🌱 June 2022: This month, take a closer look and identify your food waste as:

🍌 food prep scraps
🍽️ plate waste (unfinished food)
🤦🏻‍♀️spoiled or unwanted foo

🌱 May 2022: Implement the following actions.

Reduce food Packaging.
Learn about local and seasonal foods.
Support a local grower & shop at Farmer’s Markets.

🌱 April 2022: Sahasra Vrksha Sankalpa – As a CommUnity, bring your heart and hands to the ground to plant 1000 trees together. Track and share here.

🌱 March 2022: Contribute to the health of our planet and the health of beings by doing the following:

Each day take inventory of what goes in the trash.
Identify the most common item.
Find an alternative that eliminates this waste.