Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW) - A #Vegan Meal

Welcome to Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW)!

Wondering how to live greener? You've come to the right place. Each week we challenge ourselves to try a new task ... or "amp up" something we're already doing. We raise our awareness, learn from each other and develop Eco-friendly skills which will improve our lives and protect our planet. Doing so together gives us power ... the power to Change The World!

If this is your first visit, please click HERE for information and a complete list of all the challenges we've taken on so far.

This post contains great information and I encourage you to read through it at your leisure ... however, if you are short on time, you might find the following quick links helpful:

• The #CTWW Gang
• The Honor Society
• My Final Thoughts on Our Last Challenge
• This Week's Challenge

Last week we cleaned house. Why? Because, as we seal up doors and windows in preparation for the cold months ahead, we trap air inside our homes. If that air is toxic (containing dust, mold or chemicals from cleaning products and room deodorizers), then we have a problem; namely, putting our health in jeopardy with every breath we take. The "fix" is easy! We give our homes a thorough cleaning using safe, Eco-friendly cleansers.

The Honor Society are those people who help us spread the "green" word by writing an article about our challenges and/or leaving pertinent comments.

Amber got busy and tidied up her home. In Eco-friendly Ways to Scrub Your Home: #CTWW she offers tips for cleaning the sink, garbage disposal, walls and the bathtub. Each method uses cleansers made from natural ingredients ... items you probably have in your home.

This edition of Shopping Charity includes several CTWW mentions of your posts ... hop over to find out if yours was mentioned.

Argentum Vulgaris is heading into summer so his windows are always open, allowing fresh air to circulate. He offers another way to improve indoor air quality in Change the World Wednesday – 2nd Oct. Want a hint? Think green!

Lois was busy, last week, getting her home ready for the cold months. One of her tasks made an immediate difference. Change the World Wednesday; Autumn talks about her home improvements and the timing of her least favorite chore.

La Alicia, a dedicated CTWW Gang Member, jumped over from twitter this week and says "it's that time of year for a tidy up and checking to make sure the house is ready for the change of seasons! ;) Happy Wednesday!"

The Miljöbloggen Daily included our challenge this week. Other interesting content includes a video entitled Compassion in world farming and an article on how Australia has a chance to slow global warming down.

Change The World Wednesday got a headline spot in Tweets for Good. I also found posts entitled UK to help World Food Programme reach an extra 230,000 Syrian children, The Power of Words: How You Say "No" Matters and Loans that change lives.

Clare joined us and shares, My home could certainly do with a Spring Clean, but it's not going to get it this week, I'm afraid. The summer rains are starting so it's time to clean the gutters and roofs of dead leaves etc, and spray coconut oil and vinegar to discourage spiders (they grow big here and I'm terrified!). Still, at least I don't need to check seals on doors and windows - they're open all the time - but fridge seals are certainly important, and I need to replace the seal on my oven door - thanks for the reminder, and I wish everyone a great week! While I was visiting Clare, I found this post which adds to our conversation: 6 Ways to Avoid Formaldehyde in Your Home.

Was your article picked up in this edition of Sunflowers & Edibles? How about in this EDITION? Both of those papers include interesting posts and photos ... check them out!

I love McBride’s Organic Farm Daily which includes, among other things, CTWW and an article on the problems with pesticides?

Alicia has been having computer problems (as in ... her's died). But, she jumped on a borrowed laptop and dropped by to see us. She shares this: So glad to be back after a little bit of computer challenge the past several weeks. We have already started doing pre cold weather cleaning. We make all of our cleaners so everything is non toxic.We have been checking doors and windows for any leaks. Our back door is sort of the French kind that have windows on both sides of the door. I am looking for insulated curtains for them which I think is going to make a big difference. We have just started and there is so much more to get done before the cold weather gets here!

Most homeowners cringe when they hear the words "winterize your home". It means a lot of work and a lot of money ... right? Not necessarily! Lisa shows us just how easy and inexpensive it can be in Simple non-costly Ways to Winterize your Home. She shares some video tutorials to help us along.

Our Twitter friends joined the conversation and shared the following:

From @OfficialCWerner
- Here is my #ctww #CTWW progress! Going to pot these and put them in the kitchen this week! They are so happy! pic.twitter.com/1lnwWNuxtk

From @GiveTreeGifts
- 10 toxic hotspots in the home: How to get rid of toxins in each room of your house ow.ly/pqTKh
- 10 Ways to Detox Your Home ow.ly/pqTUZ
- Non-toxic Home Cleaning & Care ow.ly/pqU6P
- Non-Toxic Cleaners You Can Make at Home ow.ly/pqUgM
- Green Cleaning Recipes: Make your own non-toxic natural cleaners with these simple recipes ow.ly/pqUlx

From @dusdifissette
- "Let us not be content to wait and see what will happen, but give us the determination to make the right things happen." Horace Mann

From @HerbGir1972
- Doing Anything Especially Green this weekend? New Practices #CTWW Crew? A: #Oktoberfest support some local artisians & Farmers.
- We're going to try to change all our outer lighting to #solar (and times to save the battery life). #CutTheWires #CTWW
- Doing Anything Especially Green this weekend? New Practices #CTWW Crew? A: #Oktoberfest support some local artisians & Farmers.

From @KrmbalClothing
- Great links for what to do w old shoes #CTWW RT @downsizinghome: It's #MotivationMonday! http://downsizingthehome.wordpress.com/2013/09/26/where-have-all-your-shoes-gone/

From @GlobalIHN
- Learn more about the global burden of indoor air pollution http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjxoK2aVrq0&feature=youtu.be

The #CTWW Gang are those folks who tweet our challenges using the hashtag #CTWW. If you're a Twitter member, I recommend following them ... they share great things. Let's meet them:

@_lyal_	@a_kiasi	@aleamilham
@allnaturalkatie	@beatepdx	@biggreenpen
@bobbiskozyktchn	@burp_blog	@busyathome
@ccuisiniere	@cleansediva	@collegegogreen
@cravingslunatic	@crazykids6	@csrvastsverige
@diethood	@dusdifissette	@ecoexpert1
@ecopassport	@ecothrifty	@eddiegear
@esssc7	@evelynmccpeters	@ferrarokitchen
@ff2ffblog	@flouronmyface2	@foodiearmywife
@foodtoglow	@ginavalley	@givetreegifts
@globalihn	@gottagetbaked	@groovygreenlivi
@guayaba	@herbgir1972	@hezzid
@hismerecry	@inthekitchenkp	@jenkehl
@jenniharris4	@jnjgogreen	@julialittlebit
@kanelstrand	@kayelleallen	@krmbalclothing
@laalicia	@ladyjcmuses	@leslie_limon
@lorcadamon	@mamapoolecooks	@manusmenucom
@martindredmond	@mcbridesorganic	@messybakerblog
@mike_printeco	@miljobloggen	@millarjohn
@mom2tle	@mommacuisine	@mommyladyclub
@nicolehcook	@officialcwerner	@ourfavadventure
@pinkladyapril	@pooja_y_jain	@rckweddings
@realityarts	@redkathy	@reginaryerson
@robertlaird80	@rtrecipe	@rulesofgreen
@ruralmoms	@seetfei	@shannongrissom
@shoppingcharity	@smallbits	@sonisfood
@soulfullab	@squishablebaby	@srushton1
@ssunithi	@starcreations	@supperforasteal
@taranoland	@theworld4realz	@treesgroup
@tsmp_blogguide	@tumbleweedconte	@useventphotos
@varunner7	@vintagekitchen1	@violetsbuds
@wahmdiva	@whopaysthepiper	@wrenmeyers
@writelane	@zenfarmz

My Final Thoughts:

Cleaning our homes is a good idea ... it removes dust, dirt and other "stuff" which endangers the air we breathe. That said, we must also be conscientious about what we introduce into our homes, avoiding items which negate our hard work. For example, plastic shower curtains "off gas" harmful chemicals. Room deodorizers, like those plug-in varieties, spray a toxic mist into the air. Many commercial cleaning solutions pollute our air and our water systems. Avoid pollutants and clean ... it guarantees easy breathing this winter.

Thanks, everyone! If you wrote an article, I Stumbled, Tweeted, Facebooked and posted it on Google +. You can help spread the "green" word by using the share features located below this post.

This Week's Challenge:

Autumn always makes me think of food ... beautiful dishes made from the summer's harvest, holiday fare, comfort food. If you've followed me for any length of time, then you know that I believe our food choices are one of the easiest ways to live green, with plant-based foods being the most earth-friendly. Ready to eat? Here you go ...

This week prepare at least one vegan meal. Vegan means no animal products ... no chicken, pork, fish, beef ... not even milk, cheese, or eggs. I encourage you to consider whole foods and avoid processed items. If you're feeling ambitious, go for a whole day or even a week ... make a switch for a month and you'll be my hero!

WANT MORE? HERE YOU GO ...

If you've embraced this challenge, or have already made it a lifestyle, please share tips and ideas. Leave a comment on this post or use the link-up below to share vegan recipes and/or articles about incorporating plant-based foods into your diet. Posts can be your own or your favorites from around the blogosphere.

Are you ready to head into the kitchen? I know that you are!

Until next time ...

WE'RE CHANGING THE WORLD ... ONE CHALLENGE AT A TIME!

Vegan Recipe: Yellow Split-Pea Loaf with Almond-Cardamom Gravy

Welcome to the first Friday of the month ... the day we set aside for featuring a delicious vegan recipe. Why does a blog about green living include recipes? Because choosing a meatless meal is one of the easiest ways to live green. Simply put ... plant-based foods are easier on the environment than animal-based foods.

I am so pleased to introduce you to this month's guest chef ... Alaiyo of Pescetarian Journal. Wait a minute ... Pescetarian??? Yep, you heard me right ... Pescetarian! Alaiyo features both fish and vegetarian recipes which include sustainable ingredients ... and she shares important information about food choices. For example, this POST will tell you which shrimp are sustainably raised. And this ARTICLE will tell you how to find dungeness or blue crab. In addition to fish/seafood recipes, Alaiyo shares a number of vegetarian & vegan recipes ... delicious dishes like Vegan Burger Sliders, Asian Barbecue Seitan Salad and Double Pea & Rice Salad. Pescetarian Journal is a fabulous blog. But don't take my word for it ... go visit and see for yourself ... you won't be sorry!

Alaiyo has graciously agreed to share a recipe with us. I can't wait to try it!

I'm thrilled that Cyndi asked me to create a guest post for her blog, and I'm proud to be part of the "Change-the-World-Wednesday Gang." Cyndi and I met, virtually, when I asked her to be part of "The Green Group" on Triberr. We're a group of bloggers that write about strategies and solutions for green and sustainable living. I hope you enjoy my first guest post!

To assert that beans are a staple in my pantry is a kitchen cliche. They are more valuable than that. On any given Saturday, you will see me at the bulk bins at Mom's Organic Market, studying the beans and peas within their clear bins almost as intently as a jeweler studies gems. I consider color, clarity, and shape, as well as my culinary purpose. In this recipe, velvety yellow split peas are a flavor foil for the vegetable and spice ingredients in the Yellow Split-Pea Loaf.

My husband and I have vegan friends who don't feel slighted when we serve a bean loaf, and I generally make this dish for special occasions: a special dinner with guests or on holidays.

Start with two cups of cooked, yellow split peas (organic if possible). Cook the beans as you would any quick-cooking legumes, such as lentils, and include the aromatics: onion and garlic, in the cooking pot. As with lentils, yellow split peas don't need soaking prior to cooking.

Two cups of yellow split peas, plus additional ingredients in this recipe, will make enough to feed four. After years of making bean loaves, I've learned that thick loaves don't bake fully. The loaf will be full cooked on the outside, but will be too soft, even runny, on the inside--not a good discovery to make when serving.

Bulgar wheat is one of the binders in this loaf and helps to develop a delicious, crunchy crust. Add the bulgar wheat directly into a large bowl containing the yellow split peas.

Add the tomatoes, carrots, and scallions into the pea/bulgar wheat combination and mix thoroughly. Create a well in the middle of the mixture and add a dairy free egg substitute, such as the egg replacer by "Ener G" Foods, which acts as an additional binder.

Place the ingredients on a clean cutting board, rub a few drops of olive oil between your palms, and shape the loaf. The loaf should be 1.5 inches thick--and not much more--otherwise, it will not be uniformly firm throughout.

This loaf will serve four people, and the Almond-Cardamom Gravy contributes to the rich texture and flavor. I usually will make 4-6 loaves at a time and freeze several of them (they freeze beautifully). Consider making this loaf for Easter or another special holiday--or for Sunday dinner. It's worth the extra time.

Recipe: Yellow Split-Pea Loaf with Almond-Cardamom Gravy (Serves 4)

Ingredients

1 cup (250 ml) yellow split peas
1/2 large onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
2 cups water
2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/2 cup bulgar wheat
2 teaspoons miso tamari (or soy sauce)
1 pinch red pepper
1 14.5 ounce can (428.816 ml) diced, canned tomatoes (unsalted)
1/2 cup carrots, minced in food processor
3 tablespoons egg substitute (I use the egg replacer by EnerG Foods.)
4 tablespoons warm water
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika powder
3 scallions, chopped
Dill for garnish

Directions

1. Sort and rinse split peas. Place into two-quart pot with water, onion, garlic, and onion. Cook peas for 40 minutes or until tender (avoid overcooking peas--they should retain most of their shape after being cooked).
2. In another small to medium pot, cook bulgar wheat in 1 cup of water until light and fluffy (about 15 minutes). Let stand until cool enough to handle with your hands.
3. Spoon peas and bulgar wheat into a large mixing bowl. Add miso tamari (or soy sauce), red pepper, tomatoes, carrots, and scallions. Stir with a large wood spoon until ingredients are thoroughly mixed.
4. In a small bowl, mix egg substitute powder with 4 tablespoons warm water. Make an indention in the center of the pea mixture and pour egg substitute into the indention (see photo above) Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees.
5. Empty ingredients onto the parchment-paper-covered cookie sheet. Grease your palms with a few drops of olive oil to avoid having the pea mixture stick to your hands. Shape the loaf in a football shape that is no more than 1.5 inches thick. Place loaf in oven and bake for 1.5 hours. Check firmness of the loaf by gently prodding the middle of the loaf. If it seems too soft, bake for an additional 15-20 minutes. Remove loaf from oven and allow to "rest" (become firmer) before serving.

Recipe: Almond-Cardamom Gravy

Ingredients

1 cup vegetable broth, plus 1/2 additional cup of broth
2 tablespoons almond butter (no salt added)
1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder
1/4 teaspoon paprika
pinch cayenne pepper
Dill leaves for garnish

Directions

1. Pour 1 cup vegetable broth into saucepan. Add almond butter, cardamom powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper.
2. Set burner on medium low heat and stir until almond butter dissolves and the gravy thickens (about three minutes). If gravy becomes thick too fast, add the remaining 1/2 cup of vegetable broth. Spoon gravy over the Yellow Split Pea Loaf Slices. Garnish with dill leaves.

Thanks so much Alaiyo for that wonderful recipe. And I hope that this is just the first of many guest appearances!!

If you have a vegan recipe which you'd like to share, please contact me HERE. And for all the recipes we've shared so far, be sure to visit our recipe page using the tabs at the top of this blog ... or by clicking HERE.

Also posted at Healthy Vegan Friday MoFo Edition

Do those Twinkies hurt the earth?

We all know that some ingredients in our food are less than healthy. For example:

Hydrogenated and Partially Hydrogenated Oils create trans fats which increase LDL (bad) cholesterol in the blood and decrease HDL (good) cholesterol. They have been linked to heart disease, strokes, and contribute to diabetes. A 2% increase in calories from trans fats can result in a 23% increase in the risk for heart disease.

High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) has been linked to insulin and leptin resistance. Insulin resistance is when your body doesn’t use the sugars that you eat correctly. Leptin resistance is when your body no longer recognizes when it is full. HFCS has been linked to Diabetes and Obesity.

Inorganic phosphates, chemical additives designed to improve the texture of foods such as meats, cheeses, beverages and bakery goods, have been linked to lung cancer.

The list could go on and on! Artificial ingredients pose potential health risks. That, in itself, is enough to steer clear of them. But wait ... there's more ...

These ingredients, found in most processed foods, hurt the environment as well. Yes, processed foods require a lot of natural resources to make them attractive and convenient ... but the problem we're talking about today is the danger to the environment when these artificial ingredients end up in our landfills and leach into the soil and waterways. What happens when animals ingest these chemical additives?

Higher than normal levels of phosphates can make aquatic systems so productive that they choke themselves out. Hydrogenated & partially hydrogenated oils have been known to cause emphysema, respiratory distress, anemia, constipation, irritability, and blindness in animals. Mice who have ingested high fructose corn syrup have shown reproduction problems and heart disease.

The fact is that artificial ingredients hurt everything ... our health, the environment and everything that lives.

So ... today's tip is easy ... eat whole foods ... foods which are unprocessed and unrefined, or processed and refined as little as possible before being consumed. Eat fruits, vegetables and foods as close to their natural form as possible. Shop the perimeter of the supermarket rather than the center (most processed foods are located in the center of the store).

We no longer have the luxury of making our food choices based simply on our health ... we now must consider the environment and all living creatures when we decide between processed foods and whole foods.

As always ... I would love to hear from you!