October

2009-10-02T06:23:00.000-07:00

Almond Fudge Brownies, Mercury and 10:10

This week we decided to make the irresistible-looking Almond Fudge Brownies that feature in the latest issue of Off The Hoof – we were particularly attracted to it as it’s a raw food recipe. So we gave our new Kenwood a test-drive. Our daughter, Emily loved helping to weigh and add all the ingredients and it didn’t take long to make. The result was absolute heaven!!! - it firms up nicely in the fridge and is very filling compared to non-raw equivalents (probably due to its protein-rich ingredients) – we’ll definitely be making more!

Just found out about the 10:10 campaign, which advocates a plant based diet www.1010uk.org

The site mentions that ‘Food made from animal products tends to cause a lot of emissions, especially red meat and cheese. Eating too many of these foods isn't always particularly healthy either. Why not try having one meat-free day per week with Meat Free Mondays.’

The Guardian also recently mentioned plant based diets on Sept 1^st, in an article by Chris Goodall, entitled ‘How to reduce your carbon emissions by 10%. It stated,

‘If you are signed up to 10:10, you need to cut about 1.4 tonnes of your carbon emissions by next year. It could be easier than you think …’

Here is a particularly relevant excerpt from his section on food:

‘Food

(1.5 tonnes of CO2)

This always surprises people, but the global food production system is a really important source of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Except for a few air-freighted foods, the main cause of the emissions isn't "food miles". Packaging is not particularly important either. The high emissions come from livestock farming and from the heavy use of fertilisers, some of which break down into nitrous oxide, a global warming gas hundreds of times more powerful than CO2. The best way to make a real difference to food-related emissions is to reduce your consumption of meat and dairy products...

Annual savings in tonnes of CO 2

· Go vegan three days a week 0.5

· Change to an almost entirely vegetarian diet, using mostly unprocessed wholefoods such as grains, seeds and nuts 0.5

· Never buy processed food or ready meals 0.2

· Buy more carefully and never throw food away 0.2

· Grow all your own fruit and vegetables for July, August, September 0.1’

- Pretty cool reasons for eating more ecologically!!!

Just heard from the owner of a new health food shop and treatment centre in Radstock, Sunshine Foods, that Corn Syrup can contain mercury, as the third stage in processing involves filtering through mercury!

Hubbie Ian and I are in choccie heaven at the moment, designing a mouth watering chocolate feature for issue 5 – not to be missed!!

Keep positive :)

Peace and hugs

Jenny Jenius' Blog 18 August 2009

2009-08-18T12:12:00.000-07:00

Having an ‘interesting’ time trying to incorporate more raw food into our family’s diet. Favourites with daughter Emily seem to be bean sprouts. Luckily she’s enjoying her daily raw veg, which otherwise could have been a total nightmare. Apparently keeping things more raw helps preserve nutrients and prevents cancers from foods cooked at high temperatures.

Have also realised that a lot of foods are already cooked, such as Redwood’s range and am beginning to think it’s a lot more ethical (uses less energy and resources) to eat pre-cooked foods cold with salad, rather than cooking them again– it also saves time and money too.

Heard a great veggie joke from Frankie Boyle this week on ‘Mock the Week’

– man walks into a restaurant and asks, ‘Is there a vegetarian option?’

Waiter answers’ Yes, you can **** off!!’

Music I’ve been enjoying this week includes the SohoDolls, a glam new veggie-friendly band - if Phil Oakey and Alison Goldfrapp had a love child, this is what it would sound like – totally awesome!! Seductive lead singer, Maya Von Doll, who is vegan incidentally, along with Toni, is the ultimate sultry performer. ‘Stripper’ is an addictive, atmospheric and memorable mix, conveying dangerous excitement and enticing lush harmonies - and I’m listening to it on a loop as I write this.

Am totally addicted to Macka B – who’s also a big hit with Emily. ‘Wha Me Eat’ is our anthem at the moment – I think it speaks to every vegan and vegetarian out there who’s ever experienced some grief. Long live the Reggae king!

I’m proud to be helping create the designs for the Off The Hoof pages along with my wonderful husband and business partner, Ian. We have a lot of fun coming up with some of the amusing visuals to enjoy in this truly unique ethical magazine.

Hope you all enjoy our exciting issue 4!

Love and veggie wishes to everyone

Jenny Jenius Blog

October

Jenny Jenius' Blog 18 August 2009