“Burpless” Cows Attribute Success to Omega 3 Rich Diet

According to this article by the Associated Press, one organic dairy farm in Coventry, Vermont is helping reduce their carbon footprint by modifying the diets of their cows.

After an energy audit in the 1990’s, environmentally progressive Stonyfield Farm was surprised to hear that their dairy farms, not their production factories, were their number one contributor to climate change. The dairy industry as a whole contributes about 2 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions of the U.S. – mostly stemming from methane emission from the cows’ enteric system. Many might think that methane primarily escapes from the rear of the animal, but in reality 95 percent of the pollutant is emitted through bovine burps.

After years of researching, Stonyfield found a solution through its French partner, Groupe Danone. Danone figured the burps originated from a poor diet, and set out to feed the cows better quality grains.

Coventry Valley Farm and 14 other organic farms are working in conjunction with Stonyfield to reduce their cows’ methane production. Coventry Farmers Tim Maikshilo and his wife Kristen Dellert feed their herd a diet consisting of Omega 3 rich grains and grasses such as flaxseed and alfalfa to moderate methane laden burps from the cows.

Another benefit the farmers have found is that their cows are in better general health. The superior grain isn’t even costlier – though it is only a wintertime treat. Grass acquired through grazing during warmer months provides adequate Omega 3’s without any need for supplementation. The Coventry farm has managed to reduce methane emissions by 13 percent, and have also profited from reduced veterinary costs. Other farms have reduced emissions by up to 18 percent.

Healthier cows, of course, mean healthier milk. Milk higher in Omega 3 fats can enhance cardiovascular health among a host of other benefits.

A final advantage to feeding cows nutrient-rich grains is that it will reduce the amount of corn and soy cultivated. As detailed in the incredible documentary “The Future of Food”, many environmentalists and scientists consider bioengineered corn crops (a growing portion of our corn supply), as unsafe for the environment and consumption. Corporate giant Monsanto currently holds a monopoly on seed patents, which they utilize to slowly nudge thousands of small farmers out business.

For more information about the “Greener Cow” project, visit:
http://www.stonyfield.com/GreenerCow/

Heifer.org - Do You Want to Give a Pig?

I was flipping around the T.V. yesterday and came across the Bonnie Hunt show. Her guest was a sheep and – as I love sheep, stopped to see what the topic was. The other guest was Jane Kaczmarek, who is probably best known for her role as the mother on Malcolm in the Middle. Anyway, she was promoting an organization called Heifer International.

Heifer International is a non-profit organization that provides assistance to communities in the United States and around the world. Their website, heifer.org, boasts that they have aided 8.5 million people in over 125 countries. They are of the “teach a man to fish” school of thought, though they have created the phrase “not a cup, but a cow” instead.

When encountering a disadvantaged area, they first provide the “immediate” necessities required for survival (food and shelter), and then grant residents with livestock and other goods to help sustain their community. Heifer distinguishes itself by focusing on ensuring they are trained to utilize these contributions to the best of their ability. They also encourage recipients to “pass on the gift”, which means: if a family receives two rabbits that in turn produce 20 offspring, they should give away some of the baby rabbits to another family in need.

Heifer International also addresses other big issues such as the HIV crisis, special needs of young people, and the distribution of small loans to new enterprises.

The point that Jane Kaczmarek was making is that instead of donating cash (though I’m sure you can do that as well), you can “give” a cow, a trio of rabbits, a flock of chicks, a pig or other animals. Being a vegetarian, I am very conflicted about that. I will say that this organization seems as though it really focuses on proper treatment of the animals under the care of these communities. Considering the deplorable way this country’s corporations treat their livestock, they would probably have better lives on Heifer’s areas than here in the States.

The good part is if you’re not interested in giving away livestock that will inevitably be slaughtered, you can give a basket, bees or some trees.

I was just curious as to what other vegetarians thought about this. I feel quite torn between my wish for all people to be adequately fed and their communities to be prosperous, but can’t quite bring myself to send livestock for a gift.

Let me know what you vegetarians think! Should I be more open minded about this? How do you feel about it?

Ten Minute Tofu Dish

I was never a big fan of tofu as a kid, but now having experienced different methods of preparation, I can see its versatility and tastiness.

My new habit is purchasing Nasoya brand Super Firm Cubed Tofu. I enjoy my tofu as firm as can be, and I have had the best luck with this product. The added bonus is that it’s already been cubed, so there is no preparation necessary but to drain it.

10-Minute Tofu Side Dish
1-2 Servings

Ingredients:
3 Tablespoons Canola Oil
8-ounce container Nasoya Cubed Super Firm Tofu
¼ cup marinade, such as Very Very Teriyaki by Soy Vay

Drain tofu well. Heat oil in a pan over medium high heat. When hot, add tofu. Fry tofu on all sides, stirring almost constantly as the tofu begins to crisp. The tofu will stick mercilessly if left unattended. Fry for about 8-10 minutes, until golden. It should look like this:

Lower heat to medium and add marinade. Stir and let simmer for about a minute.

Serve alone or with rice if desired.

I like the Soy Vay marinades, but they are incredibly salty so avoid that if you prefer have a low sodium diet. You may use any marinade you like that suits tofu well.

Nutritional Facts (figures reflect entire recipe)
Calories: 840
Total Fat: 65 g
Saturated Fat: 5.8 g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 23 g
Monounsaturated Fat: 29 g
Cholesterol: 0 g
Sodium: 1991 mg
Potassium: 538 mg
Total Carbohydrate: 33 g
Dietary Fiber: 5.2 g
Sugars: 20 g
Protein 35.8 g
Vitamin A: 7%
Vitamin B-6: 10%
Vitamin E: 43%
Calcium: 155%
Copper: 43%
Folate: 16%
Iron: 33%
Magnesium: 33%
Manganese: 134%
Niacin: 4%
Pantothenic Acid: 3%
Phosphorus: 41%
Riboflavin: 13%
Selenium: 56%
Thiamin: 24%
Zinc: 23%

The Cage Free Egg Debate

After encountering a short but fiery squabble over the virtues of free range chickens, I decided to do some research and shed a little light on the issue.

On more than one occasion, my cage free egg purchase has been met with a defiant declaration that “Cage free eggs are no better than regular eggs.” While raising chickens for profit almost always facilitates a degree of suffering, cage free appears to offer some tangible benefits for hens.

Check for the “Certified Humane” label. What does “Certified Humane” really mean? For free range hens, this deems that certain standards have been implemented:

· A well-drained and adequately tended outdoor area
· Ready access to the range from indoor areas
· Daily four hour minimum access to dust bathing area
· A grazing area with a suitable cover of vegetation
· Minimum of 2.5 acres per 1,000 birds
· Active parasite control management
· Access to overhead cover
· Shelter from extreme weather conditions

Beak trimming. Here’s the part that might make the sensitive squeamish. Will chickens peck each other more in a cage free environment than when caged? Apparently, yes. Humane farms opt for beak trimming rather than debeaking. The pain of beak trimming is lessened if performed before 10 days of age, and does not impede other processes such as feeding or preening. It appears this is a lesser-of-evils solution, but not ideal for animal lovers.

Europe agrees. The European Union is scheduled to ban all conventional battery cages by January 1, 2012. There is some debate over this issue as well, with farmers pushing for a delay and animal rights activists showing dissatisfaction over the questionable benefits of replacing battery cages with “enriched” cages. The good news is Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Finland, Norway and Austria have already banned the cages, with many of these countries moving steadily toward free range.

In short, factory farming using battery cages is clearly not humane. It remains to be seen whether the industry will rightly move toward more compassionate handling of our livestock. If you’re unsure of what to purchase, just remember that consumers drive the corporations, not the other way around. If we continue to purchase standard eggs, companies won’t have to think twice about the quality of life of their hens.

Non-toxic Cleansers

A few years ago I grew tired of the conventional cleansers after realizing I was spraying a surface to effectively kill every microbe present, and then preparing food upon the same surface. In my opinion, our society has been entirely too focused on destroying the bad, rather than bringing in the good, though the green movement appears to be changing that. I still have yet to get an answer from someone keen on constantly disinfecting the entire house with bleach to tell me what a “germ” actually is.

Here are a few of my favorite brands:

Seventh Generation
I have been really enjoying the non-toxic offerings out there. My favorite brand by far is Seventh Generation, though their products are a bit pricey. The quite generically labeled “Natural All Purpose Cleaner” is a staple in my home. It cuts greasy residue easily and leaves a clean, odorless shimmer behind. The best part is that you can wash a multitude of surfaces with just one product (I have a weakness for being able to simultaneously use counter cleansers on mirrors and glass surfaces). The Seventh Generation line instills me with a sense of confidence, bolstered by the fantastic e-newsletter they send me every so often, which is full of fascinating information and news.

Method
Having tightened my purse strings as of late, I decided to try a less costly multi-surface cleanser. One day my boyfriend noted the appeal of the Method product packaging. I hadn’t even noticed their section due to my blind Seventh Generation loyalty. I purchased the cucumber-scented “All Surface Cleaner”. It took a little getting used to, for the scent is rather overpowering. I felt as though I was shampooing my hair rather than cleaning my kitchen. But after a while, I grew to love it. If you dislike strong scents, this line is not for you.

Ecover
When it comes to floors, I adore Ecover’s floor soap. It contains linseed oil, but I use it regularly on linoleum floors without encountering any sticky deposits. It has such a light, delightful fragrance, and dries to a lovely shine. I also have Ecover’s dishwashing liquid sitting on my kitchen sink and find a little goes a very long way.

I very much enjoy using non-toxic products. I’m starting to get the same thrill when I am shopping for them as when I’m in a fancy store selecting scented body washes and lotions.

I’m almost excited to get home and clean. Almost.

New Milford's Fort Hill Farm

Oh goodness — Summer is almost over! That means that those fresh crops won't be as available any more. What a shame! Be sure to get on the waiting list for next year's Fort Hill Farm if you live in the New Milford, CT area.

New Milford’s Fort Hill Farm, run by award-winning local farmer Paul Bucciaglia, is one of the finer examples of organic, tasty and feel-good farmer’s markets in the State. Fort Hill Farm offers a 21-week long Community Supported Agriculture program, or CSA, with options of boxed or “pick-your-own” shares (PYO shares offer a reduced cost). If you don’t live near the farm, you can have a boxed share delivered to drop sites in Candlewood Isle, Darien, Fairfield, New Canaan, New Fairfield, Sandy Hook, Southbury, West Redding, Westport or Woodbury.

There is an incredible variety of crops available, which vary slightly each year. I enjoy experimenting with new and unusual vegetables that I might not even notice in the grocery store. (Broccoli rabe has been my favorite atypical veggie thus far.)

Mr. Bucciaglia even offers a fun little newsletter each week for his shareholders, containing updates about the farm, what produce to expect in the upcoming week, and appetizing recipes featuring the fruits and vegetables in season at that time. It’s also quite nice that the recipes usually have a decidedly vegetarian slant!

Bucciaglia and his farm were featured in the 2008 film, "Working the Land, the Story of Connecticut Agriculture", a varied and detailed documentary narrated by Law and Order's Sam Waterston.

The waiting list closed for 2009, but could reopen as early as January 2010. Let's just say, this produce is worth the wait. If you need to experience it before then, Fort Hill Farm’s produce is available at the Westport Farmer’s Market and New Morning Country Store in Woodbury.

However, I warn you: once you get these strawberries, tomatoes, peppers and watermelons in your mouth, you may just be spoiled against grocery store produce forever!

Visit www.forthillfarm.com for more information.

So, You're Dating an Omnivore...

Congratulations, you’ve met someone great! But upon the first mention of having a meal together, you may feel compelled to sit them down and have “the talk”. Yes, you know the one – the moment when you have to admit that you’re a (gasp!) vegetarian.

We all know the wide-eyed look we receive when we bare our dirty secret to the new love in our lives. We can see the wheels turning as they wonder, “How did I not see this coming? Am I ever going to be able to eat steak again? What will my friends think?”

It’s going to be okay. Just break it to them gently, and eventually they will grow accustomed to your peculiar dietary habits. Here are some pointers to help bridge the gap between the predators and pacifists.

Tip Number One: Make them feel comfortable.
A lot of folks become immediately defensive when they hear the “V-word”. They feel as though you will harshly judge them and disapprove of their meat-eating lifestyle. Make sure that your new boy or girlfriend knows that you respect their decision, as they should yours. Don’t lecture them on their lifestyle, but feel free to calmly educate them with objective facts on the benefits of a vegetarian lifestyle.

Tip Number Two: Avert your eyes.
They’re going to eat meat in front of you. You may have forgotten what it looks like if you haven’t been around it much. Don’t even look at it, for you will either be a) revolted or b) strangely fascinated…and then revolted. It’s best to pretend as though it doesn’t even exist.

Tip Number Three: Make Wise Restaurant Decisions.
If John or Jane wants to go to the steakhouse, you may have a tough time finding something to eat. Even seasoned vegetarian scroungers can have trouble with exceedingly meat-focused menus where a small garden salad is the only option. A good mate will take your feelings into consideration and won’t take you to those kinds of places. Conversely, be sure to keep your mind open with the options you are given. If your date wants to go out for Italian and you’re not in the mood for pasta – you should give them a break. After all, your beliefs will cause your companion to occasionally sacrifice, so cut them a little slack and order an eggplant parmesan grinder.