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Making your life greener - one bite at a time.

Choosing heart-healthy, eco-friendly fish. Rich in omega-3 fatty acids and low in fat, fish can be a healthy, delicious centerpiece of a meal. But not all fish are created equal. The fish on your plate may be from an ecologically sound fishery or from a depleted one, or it could be raised on a farm that does damage to marine ecosystems or one that is environmentally benign.

The good news is that there is a range of seafood that is farmed or caught in an ecologically responsible manner and safe to eat.

Organic Seafood - Buyer Beware

An "organic" label on seafood might not mean what you think it does. Standards vary widely. Organic labels might not be low in contaminants, and some standards allow pesticides to be used to kill sea lice.
The bottom line: read labels carefully and ask your fish seller lots of questions.

Easter Fish Cakes

450g (1 lb) wild salmon, cooked and flaked
225g (8 oz) peeled cooked prawns Spot prawn from Canada Pink shrimp from Oregon
2 eggs, beaten
150g (5 oz) fresh breadcrumbs
2 fresh lemongrass stems, finely chopped
1 tablespoon french mustard
1 teaspoon worcesteershire sauce
1 teaspon cajun spices
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
coconut oil, for shallow-frying

Mix all ingredients together thoroughly. Divide into small patties and place on trays. Cover with greaseproof paper and refrigerate overnight.
The next day, shallow-fry the fish cakes in hot oil until golden brown on both sides, about 5-6 minutes total cooking time. Serve hot, with lemon wedges and homemade mayonnaise or vinaigrette.

Where to find eco-friendly food

"Green" eggs and ham, anyone?  Whether you settle on seafood as the main course, sausage and eggs, Easter lamb baked with lavender, turkey or an all-vegetarian meal, you can find all manner of fare that is produced in an ecologically responsible way and fits your budget. Consumers have a wide array of choices that are better for the environment and healthy to eat, including:

environmentally responsible, safe seafood
organic and locally grown fruits and vegetables
organic meat, poultry and dairy

Picked from our own garden of eating is the best. Followed by shopping at the local farmers' market is the second best. The produce, baked goods, dairy products, seafood and other items are as fresh as can be, and there is usually a good selection of organically grown produce. The products are local, which means that a minimum of energy is used in transport, and the items are in season.

Your purchases also help to support small farmers and preserve rural open space.

What if you are not inclined to cook...check to see if you have a local service that delivers organic meals.

Based in San Francisco, Dining In is a specialized personal chef service that delivers fresh, flavorful and affordable meals to your home or office on a weekly basis. We take pride in providing healthy, organically prepared, low-calorie food that taste great. This is a "personal chef service" which means that we will work with you on an individual basis to meet your specific dietary needs.
A Dining In gift certificate is perfect for new moms and dads, the person that has everything, a co-worker,family member or someone that wants to embark on a healthier lifestyle.
http://www.dininginsf.com/

Or you can call your favourite restaurant, or one you want to try, and ask if they serve organic meats or eco-friendly seafood. Many will advertise that they serve such food, but if not, it might help to ask – the more demand there is for earth-friendly cuisine, the more restaurants will begin to accommodate consumer wishes.

Raising a "green" glass

Okay, so you're ready to enjoy a glorious menu of healthy foods, and now that you've gone this far, you want to consume ‘sustainable' drinks too.
If you want to serve alcoholic beverages or cocktails, there are a wide variety of organic beer, wines and champagnes available at most liquor stores and online. You may have thought you had seen everything, but there are also organic vodkas, as well as other organic hard liquors too. You can even buy certified organic cocktail mixes!

If you don't drink (or if you happen to be designated driver for the night), try organic sodas like Blue Sky, Santa Cruz Organic, Maine Root, and Whole Earth Foods. For a coffee soda (that's organic and fair-trade), check out JavaPop. Organic juices are another great option. Santa Cruz Organic and R.W. Knudsen have a wide variety. And if all else fails, there's always water (as long as it's not bottled).

http://greenhome.huddler.com/wiki/organic-local-solar-powered-booze

Setting the table or gifts for Easter: Think recycled

My Depression-survivor mother always used cloth napkins, which as an ignorant child I thought impossibly old-fashioned because other mums used paper napkins. Little did I know that she was not only saving money but also paper and resources! (Since you can throw cloth napkins in with your clothes, washing them should take no more energy, soap and water than your normal weekly laundry load)

Besides cloth napkins, consider glassware made from recycled glass. Reusing recovered glass saves resources and lessens the load on landfills. Also check out your local thrift stores for glasses.

http://greenhome.huddler.com/wiki/throwing-an-eco-shindig

DIY recycled Easter gifts, for inspiration check out the following Ecobites Easter links:

http://ecobites.com/diy-recycling-projects/diy-recycled-easter-gifts.html

http://ecobites.com/eco-arts-crafts-activities/natural-colours-for-easter-eggs.html

http://ecobites.com/ecokids-1/grass-easter-basket.html

http://ecobites.com/ecokids-1/easter-activities.html

Related Recipe Articles:

HEALTHY BITES  Recipe ideas without all the nasties using love and care + organic ingredients. Enjoy ecobites' collection of fully illustrated recipes (with photos). All written exclusively for ecobites by CEO Lyn Stein (or user submitted). Eating healthy doesn't have to be bland. Choose from soups, starters, snacks, drinks, exotic fruit treats, vegetable dishes, pasta and more. Click here