A Sustainable LIFE

Wordless Wednesday

swgeorge — Wed, 22 May 2013 14:46:23 +0000

Meatless Monday

swgeorge — Mon, 20 May 2013 15:16:35 +0000

In a turn of events for today’s Meatless Monday post I am not distributing information, but seeking it. I have heard so much about Kale Chips I want to know if they’re really as good as the internet makes them out to be. I like Kale in smoothies and sautéed/boiled, but I don’t know that any preparation would make Kale taste like a potato chips.

Yes, the reviews on the internet claim that spraying Kale with oil and baking it will make them as crispy and as tasty potato chips. I have a hard time believing this so…..for those of you that have tried Kale chips please let me know what you think. Did the internet get this right or is this a case of “believe none of what you hear and half of what you read?”

Photo: Nomnompaleo.com

Wordless Wednesday

swgeorge — Wed, 15 May 2013 15:34:12 +0000

Meatless Monday

swgeorge — Mon, 13 May 2013 13:04:07 +0000

A public school in New York City has started serving only vegetarian meals. The change was prompted by parental involvement and the popularity of veggie dishes by students. If my child attended this school, I am not sure how I would feel about it. Although I am big on introducing healthy meals to kids at a young age, I believe that having choices is equally as important. But if a parent wanted their child to have meat (or choices), I guess they could choose to pack their lunch. What do you think? How would you feel if your child’s school only served vegetarian lunch options?

Source: mnn.com

How Not to Go Green

swgeorge — Fri, 10 May 2013 14:24:47 +0000

Although Earth Day has passed I thought these tips were relevant for any day. Don’t forget the Office of Sustainability will host a “post” Earth Day Display in the Socrates Café on May 14th from 10:30am to 2:00pm. This year the theme for our display will be “Eat Local, Think Global.” Learn about the benefits of buying local goods and have the chance to win a “Made in Georgia” basket filled with products made in the Peach State. For more information contact Shannan George (shannan.george@life.edu).

Don’t spend twenty minutes in your idling car composing the perfect Earth Day tweet.
Driving ‘green’ doesn’t mean eating a salad while you cruise at 95mph in the HOV lane.
Don’t walk to work to reduce emissions only to end up snagging lunch at Micky D’s or Subway.
Reconsider riding your electric bike to your sales job at the Humvee dealership.
Pass on buying that 92-inch flat screen TV to watch all of NBC’s ‘Green Week‘ programming.
Don’t use all the energy created by your rooftop solar panels to power your single-cup espresso maker.
Perhaps you didn’t need to dry clean all of your 37 suits so you’d have fashion choices for your lunchtime ‘Earth Day’ talk to your co-workers.
Don’t use 3 rolls of paper towels to clean the windows of your thrift shop so people can read your Earth Day signage.
Remember: making your loser cousins sit at another table for family dinners doesn’t classify as separating your trash.

Source: Alternative Consumer

7 Billion People

swgeorge — Thu, 09 May 2013 12:00:37 +0000

I am a visual learner, and so you know that one of my favorite ways to convey information is through infographics. This one is really simple. Just contemplate the magnitude of the sentence below. Wow!

Source: mnn.com

Earth Day the Sequel

swgeorge — Tue, 07 May 2013 17:55:36 +0000

The Office of Sustainability will host a “post” Earth Day Display in the Socrates Café on May 14th from 10:30am to 2:00pm. This year the theme for our display will be “Eat Local, Think Global.” Learn about the benefits of buying local goods and have the chance to win a “Made in Georgia” basket filled with products made in the Peach State. For more information contact Shannan George (shannan.george@life.edu).

Wordless Wednesday

swgeorge — Wed, 01 May 2013 11:36:49 +0000

Meatless Monday

swgeorge — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:12:14 +0000

A vegetarian diet can be a healthy choice for all kids, as long as it’s properly planned. (These tips are also helpful for little ones that don’t care for meat.)

The principles of planning a vegetarian diet are the same as planning any healthy diet — provide a variety of foods and include foods from all of the food groups. A balanced diet will provide the right combinations to meet nutritional needs. But be aware of potential nutrient deficiencies in your child’s diet and figure out how you’ll account for them. With a little exploration, you may find more vegetarian options than you realized.

Experts believe one of the biggest mistakes parents they make is just taking the meat off the plate without replacing it with anything.Here are nutrients that vegetarians should get and some of their best food sources:

vitamin B12: dairy products, eggs, and vitamin-fortified products, such as cereals, breads, and soy and rice drinks, and nutritional yeast
vitamin D: milk, vitamin D-fortified orange juice, and other vitamin D-fortified products
calcium: dairy products, dark green leafy vegetables, broccoli, dried beans, and calcium-fortified products, including orange juice, soy and rice drinks, and cereals
protein: dairy products, eggs, tofu and other soy products, dried beans, and nuts
iron: eggs, dried beans, dried fruits, whole grains, leafy green vegetables, and iron-fortified cereals and bread
zinc: wheat germ, nuts, fortified cereal, dried beans, and pumpkin seeds

Are you sure that your child’s nutritional needs are being met? If not consult a professional for help.

Source: kidshealth.org

I Apologize

swgeorge — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 12:09:01 +0000

I must apologize for missing our Earth Day celebration. On Tuesday morning I woke up feeling bad and my health rapidly declined after I uttered the famous words “I think I can make it.” The bad decision to leave my home ended with my office mates re-packing my car and sending me home. The diagnosis was a stomach virus of which I will spare you the details.

I was so disappointed that, as a work study so affectionately (Not!) put it ” on my only day of the year to shine” I was too sick to perform. If there was any way I could have “limped” my way through the day, I would have done it. So I apologize to all of you that we’re inconvenienced in any way by my Earth Day absence. Once I get a chance to synchronize my calendar with some others on campus I will (re) create my display and “Made in Georgia” raffle. Thanks for your understanding and continued support.

Thanks,

Shannan