It is challenging for busy moms and dads to prepare healthy and well-balanced meals for their family each day. According to Terra Wellington, author of "The Mom's Guide to Growing Your Family Green: Saving the Earth Begins at Home," packaged foods are not healthy for your family, and they are not healthy for the planet. Wellington suggests finding some healthy and green menu options that can be prepared quickly so you can feed your family a healthy meal while also caring for the earth.
Organic Chicken Thighs, Wild Rice, Colorful Veggies
Jackie Newgent, author of "Big Green Cookbook: Hundreds of Planet-Pleasing Recipes & Tips for a Luscious, Low-Carbon Lifestyle," suggests organic chicken thighs as one way to feed your green family something that is healthy and better for the environment. Cooking your chicken thighs in a pressure cooker with your choice of spices will use less energy because your meal will cook much faster than in the oven or on the stove, says Newgent. Wild rice is a healthy side dish option because it has fiber and you can add different ingredients, such as onions or garlic, to change the flavor to match your taste. Newgent recommends eating as many vibrantly colored vegetables with your meals as you can because a variety of colorful vegetables will provide your family with the nutrients and minerals they need to stay healthy. Choosing vegetables from local farmer's markets is one way to enjoy them while also helping the planet.
Fresh Fish, Spiced Squash, Broccoli Saute
Newgent writes that fish is a healthy option for your family and can easily be incorporated into a green lifestyle. Catching your own fish is one way to green your eating habits because it reduces the greenhouse gas emissions necessary to buy fish from the supermarket. If you cannot catch your own fish, Newgent recommends cooking store bought fish in the microwave to achieve a tender meal and reduce the energy required to cook it. You can spice your fish however you would like and place it and your favorite vegetables in a microwave safe dish and cook it until it is tender and juicy. Spiced Squash can also be cooked in the microwave to save energy. Brush it with maple syrup and sprinkle it with sugar, writes Newgent, and cook until soft. Organic broccoli can round out the meal by grating into into a saute pan and cooking it for two or three minutes until it is bright green and slightly crunchy.
Cage Free Eggs, Whole Wheat Toast, Fresh Fruit
Cage free eggs are often higher in nutrients and are better for the environment, says Dierdre Imus, author of "The Essential Green You: Easy Ways to Detox Your Diet, Your Body, and Your Life." Imus also suggests searching out fresh eggs at local farmer's markets if they are available because they are one of the best options for eating green. Imus recommends whole grains as a healthy option for your family because they are filled with fiber and make a hearty accompaniment to a breakfast of eggs and fruit. Newgent recommends eating a variety of brightly colored fruits because your family will benefit from the antioxidants they contain. Farmers markets are a green way to buy your fruit because they are often locally grown, which is better for the environment. Organic produce is another healthy choice when a farmer's market is not an option.
References
- "The Mom's Guide to Growing Your Family Green: Saving the Earth Begins at Home"; Terra Wellington; 2009
- "Big Green Cookbook: Hundreds of Planet-Pleasing Recipes & Tips for a Lucious, Low-Carbon Lifestyle"; Jackie Newgent; 2009
- "The Essential Green You: Easy Ways to Detox Your Diet, Your Body, and Your Life"; Dierdre Imus; 2008
Member Comments
terra100 July 14
I'm Terra Wellington who is paraphrased in this article. Although healthy meals is a great topic, I do not recall speaking with Sara, and what she is paraphrasing is not what I would say. Packaged foods are not bad, but they can be if you aren't reading the label. Label reading is what is key.
If you are trying to be more green with your food eating, the best things you can do are:
1) support your local farmers and regional food systems
2) buy organic whenever possible
3) if you are aware of foods that are more sustainably produced, those are also good options besides organic; perhaps you can learn of sustainable farmers at your local farmer's market, by reading an article, or through packaged goods at GoodGuide.com. Currently, there is not a sustainable certification for agriculture.
4) garden at home to grow your own food -- it's a way to teach your family about food and to grow guaranteed organic
5) if you eat seafood, only purchase the best choices as indicated by SeafoodWatch.com
6) move your family toward a more plant-based diet to take the pressure off our animal protein production; this is also healthier
7) look into a CSA to get your food fresh from a local farmer -- www.localharvest.org
terra100 July 14
I'm Terra Wellington who is paraphrased in this article. Although healthy meals is a great topic, I do not recall speaking with Sara, and what she is paraphrasing is not what I would say. Packaged foods are not bad, but they can be if you aren't reading the label. Label reading is what is key.
If you are trying to be more green with your food eating, the best things you can do are:
1) support your local farmers and regional food systems
2) buy organic whenever possible
3) if you are aware of foods that are more sustainably produced, those are also good options besides organic; perhaps you can learn of sustainable farmers at your local farmer's market, by reading an article, or through packaged goods at GoodGuide.com. Currently, there is not a sustainable certification for agriculture.
4) garden at home to grow your own food -- it's a way to teach your family about food and to grow guaranteed organic
5) if you eat seafood, only purchase the best choices as indicated by SeafoodWatch.com
6) move your family toward a more plant-based diet to take the pressure off our animal protein production; this is also healthier
7) look into a CSA to get your food fresh from a local farmer -- www.localharvest.org
terra100 July 14
I'm Terra Wellington who is paraphrased in this article. Although healthy meals is a great topic, I do not recall speaking with Sara, and what she is paraphrasing is not what I would say. Packaged foods are not bad, but they can be if you aren't reading the label. Label reading is what is key.
If you are trying to be more green with your food eating, the best things you can do are:
1) support your local farmers and regional food systems
2) buy organic whenever possible
3) if you are aware of foods that are more sustainably produced, those are also good options besides organic; perhaps you can learn of sustainable farmers at your local farmer's market, by reading an article, or through packaged goods at GoodGuide.com. Currently, there is not a sustainable certification for agriculture.
4) garden at home to grow your own food -- it's a way to teach your family about food and to grow guaranteed organic
5) if you eat seafood, only purchase the best choices as indicated by SeafoodWatch.com
6) move your family toward a more plant-based diet to take the pressure off our animal protein production; this is also healthier
7) look into a CSA to get your food fresh from a local farmer -- www.localharvest.org
terra100 July 14
I'm Terra Wellington who is paraphrased in this article. Although healthy meals is a great topic, I do not recall speaking with Sara, and what she is paraphrasing is not what I would say. Packaged foods are not bad, but they can be if you aren't reading the label. Label reading is what is key.
If you are trying to be more green with your food eating, the best things you can do are:
1) support your local farmers and regional food systems
2) buy organic whenever possible
3) if you are aware of foods that are more sustainably produced, those are also good options besides organic; perhaps you can learn of sustainable farmers at your local farmer's market, by reading an article, or through packaged goods at GoodGuide.com. Currently, there is not a sustainable certification for agriculture.
4) garden at home to grow your own food -- it's a way to teach your family about food and to grow guaranteed organic
5) if you eat seafood, only purchase the best choices as indicated by SeafoodWatch.com
6) move your family toward a more plant-based diet to take the pressure off our animal protein production; this is also healthier
7) look into a CSA to get your food fresh from a local farmer -- www.localharvest.org