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eat well. heal the planet.

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I’ve always been an idealist. I believe that humans are good and that we can make a difference if we put our minds to it.

One day many years ago I happened upon the documentary The Botany of Desire on PBS. For the first time it really made sense to me why the way we eat is hurting Mother Earth. I’ve read and watched a lot of other “stuff” over the years, further learning about our food system and it’s impact on the environment. When I read Food Matters by Mark Bittman, I decided to make a real change in my own life to try to get on a new path, one that is focused on food sustainability.

So much of what we do in the kitchen and at mealtime impacts the environment. Each year I choose a new year’s resolution that impacts the environment in a positive way by changing what I do with the food we eat. I truly believe if we all make small, gradual changes, we can make a difference and forge a new path that will both nourish ourselves and Mother Earth.

2010: Eat Less Meat

For my first resolution I decided to cut back on meat. Meat production takes a major toll on our beautiful planet and we are demanding more and more meat per capita than we ever have before. Even if we all switched to pasture-raised meat, there wouldn’t be enough land to raise the amount of meat we are demanding. Simply put, we’re eating too much meat and it’s not sustainable. I decided to cut back on meat in general and to be more thoughtful about the meat our family does eat. Click here to read more about my personal Eat Less Meat challenge.

2011: Eat More Veggies / Join a CSA

For 2011, I focused on eating more locally-produced food and eating it in season, thereby reducing the resources needed to produce and deliver our food. Community Supported Agriculture is a great way to get on the path to eating locally and seasonally. In 2011, our family joined a CSA for the first time. Click here to read more about our CSA experience.

2012: Use Less Plastic

For 2012 our family decided to use less plastic, both to positively impact Mother Earth and to improve our own health. Click here to read the kick off post.

2013: Use Less Plastic, Take Two!

2012 didn’t quite go as planned, so we’re giving this goal another go in 2013! I’m starting small, with just a few specific goals. Click here to read the kick off post for 2013.

2014: Use Less Plastic (Again!)

2013 went quite well with the Use Less Plastic goal, so I want to keep at it! Here is the post kicking off this year’s efforts.

2015: No More Paper Towels

As an extension of our goals to reduce the use of disposable items like one-time-use plastic and napkins, this year our family is cutting the paper towel cord. Click here for the kick off post!

2016: Waste Less Food

This year it’s all about reducing food waste, including starting to compost. Click here for the kick off post!

2017: Cook More!

This year I am really focusing on cooking more at home, to not only help Mother Earth but to also feed our family better and more deliciously! Click here for the kick off post!

2018: Learn How to Can Food

Confession: I have always been afraid of canning. This year I am overcoming my fears and learning how! Click here for the kick off post! (Confession: I completely failed at this resolution. Apparently I did not overcome my fears, although my husband Nate did can peppers he grew in our garden. So, go Nate!)

2019: More Plant-Based Eating

This year it’s all about looking at ways to incorporate more plant-based eating into our family’s diet. In addition, we are going to focus on really scaling back on our consumption of products that come from cows, which have the largest environmental impact in the food system. Click here for the kick-off post! In addition, I will be sharing “Plant-Based Hacks” throughout the year, exploring ways to go more plant-based. As those publish I will list them here.

2020: Waste Less Food

This year’s resolution is to waste less food! This was my resolution a few years ago, but I think it’s a good one to recommit to and think hard about once again. Click here to read the kick off post, including real-life tips to help with the goal! 

2022: Back to Basics

After an absolutely insane 15 months of life “happening,” it’s time to re-commit to meal planning and grocery shopping on a weekly basis so our family can cook at home. Good for our bodies and for Mother Earth. 

2023: Eat Less Meat and Use Less One-Time Use Items

My girls have called me out and it’s time to get back into our old routines of using less meat and one-time use items in the kitchen. Come join us!