Chef Benny Doro

Earth Day Sunday April 22^nd 2012:

I wanted to post this today so maybe we can make a difference tomorrow.

Sometime I think it’s the things that we don’t do that will make the most difference to this planet. For instance it’s great that we plant a tree we know the benefits that it gives the earth and ourselves. That tree will be much more significant if we don’t do something in our lives like eating out all the time.

Now I’m not talking about the nice local restaurant that gets most of its food from the local farm and only serves 45 tables a night you know a place that you go for a once a week meal that is a special and hopefully healthy experience for your body. I’m talking about the national chains that are not only killing the earth but also KILLING PEOPLE with their plastic chemical food.

The amount of energy that it takes for the fast food chains to produce that junk is mind boggling. The amount of fuel used to make a cheeseburger, the gasses from the cows (5mill plus cows a year for McDonalds), the gas you use in your vehicle going to these places to pick up or eat this junk plastic food, the energy it takes to make the plastic vessels they put that junk into that jams up out landfills . Overall researchers came to the conclusion that a single cheeseburger takes up somewhere between about 7 and 20 mega joules in energy. Taking everything else into consideration, this can be converted to a CO2 emission of between 1 and 3.5 kilograms!

The damaging footprint McDonalds, Wendy’s, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Papa John’s to name a few (Subway is the least offender) leave is becoming immeasurable. Not to mention the strain on the health system from all the people that get cancers, diabetes and a host of other ailments from people  and most heart breaking children eating at these places 3-7 times a week!

If there is something that we can all do for EARTH DAY is to suggest to someone who is eating at these places as their regular kitchen to encourage them to cook at home. Take the time to show them how to make a really nice homemade burger one that will be delicious and healthy for them. If you yourself find that your stopping at these places because you say you don’t have time to make food or you think it’s too expensive to eat healthy at home  well that’s  BS. Eating at McDonalds and thinking their DOLLAR menu is cheap is a false economy its way more expensive at the end of the ticket.

Pick up some ingredients for what you  like. You can prep all your food the night before and assemble a really good sandwich in the morning. Make a pasta dish, a salad with some really good crusty bread. If we all took a moment to make even the slightest change in these fast food habits we will make a difference to this planet. We need to show some more respect for her she gives us everything we need and we have to stop abusing it at least when we can.

So on earth day tomorrow make a celebration at home with some healthy local veg, bake some bread nothing like homemade baked bread. Make some dressing for the salad don’t go out and buy something bottled a simple vinaigrette of olive oil, lemon juice, mustard and a little water is the perfect way to bring out the natural flavors of raw veg. If you wanted to go all out get some local protein like a leg of lamb that you can roast and feed many for a lot less expensive than taking the lot out to eat.

That also allows everyone to sit together without the distraction of a restaurant, waiters etc. You can sit together discuss the planet and what is happening and what little things you can be doing in your home and your lives to make a difference.  Make sure your kids if you have them know about fresh food and how good it is for them and what junk food is doing to the place they live and will probably live for a long time.

I don’t think there is anything more bonding than teaching your children in the kitchen to make some simple food that you eat at the table together, no TV maybe a little music and talk to one another and not while reading your FB page on the IPhone.  A child only wanting to eat junk food is a taught habit just like racism. I have been to dozens of countries and I am eating a bowl of soba noodles and clams first thing in the morning with the kids trust me junk food is a learned habit.

You can find on my food site www.bennydoro.com/chef many healthy quick and easy recipes perfect for the new cook that is perfect for earth day. In fact I have chosen a few for you that I think are appropriate and easy for anyone and even included healthy version of a couple fast food classics.

Greek Sumac Salad

/archives/v1/chef/2011/08/27/greek-sumac-salad/

Summer Chick Pea Salad

/archives/v1/chef/recipes/chickpea-salad/

Grilled Sumac Chicken

/archives/v1/chef/recipes/grilled-chicken-with-zahtar-and-sumac-salad/

BBQ Wild Salmon

/archives/v1/chef/recipes/bbq-wild-salmon-with-pineapple-salsa/

Rolled Pork Loin

/archives/v1/chef/recipes/stuffed-and-rolled-pork-loin/

Tuna Burger

/archives/v1/chef/recipes/grilled-tuna-burgers-with-broccoli-asian-slaw/

Lamb Burger

/archives/v1/chef/recipes/grilled-lamb-burgers/

Healthy Big Mac

/archives/v1/chef/recipes/big-mac-benny/

Healthy Filet O Fish

/archives/v1/chef/recipes/healthy-filet-o-fish/

Treat the planet as you should treat your body as the temple that it is. I wish everyone a mindful earth day tomorrow as I will be thinking of all of you.

Love,

Benny