I’m old enough to remember when most street food vendors sold their chow out of carts with limited menus consisting primarily of fetid delicacies like over-boiled hotdogs aged to perfection in a caldron of used bath water, or pretzels coated with enough salt to cause instantaneous cardiac arrest. Well, how times have changed. Today’s street food movement/fad is lead by state-of-the-art food trucks selling all manner of morsels: from delicious crepes to countless varieties of burgers, tacos and confections.

Many food trucks use only locally grown produce, meats and breads and are run by individuals that revel in the independence and creativity that their mobile restaurants afford them. One shining and successful outfit is L.A.’s Green Truck, which has been doing their ‘green’ thing for a few years now. Their menu is totally (more…)

Bluefin tuna is one of the most coveted varieties of fish in the world. Their meat goes for outlandish prices and is exported daily all over the planet. The high demand for wild bluefin tuna has led to overfishing of the species, particularly in Japan — as a result, the tuna population is greatly threatened. It does not help the tuna population that restaurants all over the world, including right here in the United States, are putting constant pressure on local fish markets to provide daily fillets and bluefin steaks.

Japanese scientists have developed a new method of hatching bluefins from eggs and farm raising the fish as a way to reduce overfishing and slow the destruction of the global bluefin population (traditional bluefin farming involves raising captured juvenile fish). One might think replenishing the tuna population and providing tuna for consumption via ocean fish farms might prove beneficial to both consumers and the dwindling wild bluefin numbers. Unfortunately, this might not be the case. (more…)

The inspiration for this documentary: recent college graduates Ian Cheney and Curt Ellis find out that their generation could have a shorter life span than their parents because of what they’re eating — corn. The following are four of many reasons that I’m glad I spent an hour and a half of my time watching this documentary in which two young men travel to Greene, Iowa to plant and track a single acre of corn.

• I learned that a certain type of corn, a commodity corn that has been genetically modified, can be found in A LOT of things we eat. Think about the endless number of foods that have corn starch or high fructose corn syrup in them. To our non-vegetarian readers, what do you think comprised the diet of the last cow that you ate — lush green grasses? Chances are that cow was corn-fed.
• (more…)

Brooklyn-based Rooware’s new collection of kids’ tableware is fun, healthy and well designed. The company’s eco-friendly, bio-based tableware features an engaging array of cartoon characters and was conceived in response to parental concerns over the toxins in traditional plastic and the demand for character-based tableware not made from melamine.

Each of Rooware’s colorful Rooplate sets (above) is made up of a plate and divider bowl — the perfect plating option for those fussy youngsters who freak out when their different food groups touch. The pieces can be used together or separately. Rooware also makes bio-plastic Roobowls with removable handles (photo below) and matching utensils.

Notes:
Made in USA
Microwavable up to 45 sec
Not recommended for dishwasher or prolonged soaking
Created with plant-based materials
Non-toxic
Industrially compostable
BPA-free, Phthalate-free, PVC-free, Melamine-free
Hand wash only/wash before first use
Packaging made from 100% recycled paper and vegetable inks

Related: more kid’s products on The Alternative Consumer

New Year’s Resolution #9: Eat Well No Matter Where You Roam

This one’s for the road…are you listening Mr. Bourdain?  inBloom is a new app, created by 2 indie musicians who grew tired of eating poorly while on their way to their next gig… Andy Ross of OK Go and Eytan Oren of Eytan and The Embassy designed this user friendly app to be easily customized to suit one’s personal dietary and eco preferences — it features the nearest organic, locavore, vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, raw, Paleo-friendly and environmentally-friendly businesses in New York City’s five boroughs as well as biz members of Musician’s Energy Conservation Alliance (MECA) … more cities will continue to be added throughout 2012. (more…)

As we all know by now, certain plastic food storage containers (recycle #7) can unfortunately leach Bisphenol-A (BPA) into liquids and food. For safe food storage, especially warm food – I prefer eco-friendly glass. Under proper conditions and use, glass can be microwave, oven, freezer, and dishwasher safe. Extra perk – you can easily discern what’s stored in each container in your fridge. Here are a few good glass food storage options you might want to try: (more…)

A few green  tip for avoiding being that guy, the Thanksgiving turkey.

• Reduce unnecessary emissions. Don’t leave the car running while you pick-up grandma.
• Tryptophan junkies should eat more veggies – preferably locally grown and organic.
• Make dining a classier, less wasteful & more sustainable endeavor; avoid the paper plates, cups and plastic utensils.
• Reuse that plate you keep shoveling food onto, you’ll save water by making your mother-in-law wash a few less dishes and it will allow her to play in your brood’s annual Thanksgiving Day Texas Hold ‘em’ Tournament.
• Don’t be a pig; exercise portion control. You’ll reduce food waste, fit into your chino’s and send less cranberry sauce to the landfill.
• Donate some of your excess food to a local soup kitchen or charity.

Related – more green tips on The Alternative Consumer

Today Only $19.99 @ amazon.com … take your pick – green, blue, pink or orange and enjoy your campfire or on the go dining in BPA-free sustainable style.

For many, “the bird” is the focal point of the Thanksgiving meal. If you’ve never prepared a turkey and you’re in charge this year, no worries. Our friends at Whole Foods have posted a comprehensive guide on their blog and shared a few quick tips and recipes with us to successfully guide our turkey prep from selection to cooking and carving.

At the end of the day, it’s all about gathering and spending quality time together, so relax and enjoy your family and friends. We always take a break, stroll and play outside – enjoy the fresh air, no matter what the weather – it’s a great way to balance the frenzy of indoor activity. Before you kick back – here’s how to prepare for the festive feast: (more…)