Our intentions play a huge role in everything we do. But is “love” — yes, actual love — really a food ingredient? How does it taste?

If you’re a label reader, you’ve likely seen “love” added to more than a few of your favorite products: Fizzy kombuchas, creamy chocolates, cereal and snack brands often add this intangible element to their products. But it’s gratuitous and useless, says Jen Doll in The Atlantic, “Love is not an actual ingredient; it cannot go in one’s brownies, one’s spaghetti, one’s ‘faux’ gras. Nor is respect, enthusiasm, whimsy, irritation, lust, crankiness, or ‘a bad mood’ something that makes food taste any different.”

Even the FDA has said love doesn’t count as a food ingredient, and claiming it’s in a recipe is cause for warning letters and even fines.

But should we intentionally try not to add love to our foods? Be impartial chefs when making soup for sick family members or cookies for Santa?

In Aimee Bender’s 2010 novel, “The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake,” the story’s protagonist can taste much more than the physical ingredients she bites into. Sadness, frustration, concern, guilt, anger, love—if the person who made the food was feeling any strong emotion, Rose Edelstein can taste it. She becomes overwhelmed by this sensitivity to such a paralyzing point that she opts instead for ersatz factory-made food, void of human interaction. It’s a novel, of course, but it illustrates the potential our growing sensitivities hold. Isn’t the saying “you are what you eat” for good reason? And one could also argue that our lack of food “made with love” since the advent of industry and packaged foods corresponds with our rise in diseases, depression, and loneliness.

The fact is, we know relatively little when it comes to those invisible, intangible energies that pass between humans, especially along our food chain. Beyond the chemical reactions triggered by pheromones that make us want to lunge into the laps of virtual strangers, we can also “sense” other things, like when someone’s in a bad mood or even lying. And as we continue down the evolutionary road, we’ll likely be able to sense quite a bit more as well–that is, unless our diet continues to be void of healthful and human-made food that connects us to the earth and each other, in more ways than one.

If more people are beginning to become aware of the reasons why we should move away from diets that not only harm our bodies, but also harm the environment and other animals, then why can’t we also appreciate the addition of “love” to a product even if we don’t think we can actually taste it? Isn’t that changing our relationship with food, even if we’re not quite sure how yet? Perhaps the one really important ingredient missing for many of us is not so much love, but a little bit more imagination.

Find Jill on Twitter and Instagram

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We all start out the school year with lofty goals for our kids’ packed lunches (not to mention our own!) but it’s been a few weeks, and we’ve all hit a rut. But before you fall back on packaged snacks, give these whole foods packed lunch ideas a whirl. They’re fast, they’re easy, and best of all, you can pack the same thing for everyone in the family.

1. The Classic: Sandwich, Veggie and Dip, and Fruit

This lunch idea falls back on the old classic you grew up with, with a few modern twists. Start with a sandwich: swap out that white sandwich loaf mom used with a healthier organic bread. You can either make your own (this vegan spelt bread is to die for) or choose your favorite store-bought or bakery bread.

Sandwich the slices around a simple filling made of healthy, whole food ingredients. Here are just a few of our favorite combos:

• Organic roast turkey with mustard
• Hummus and alfalfa sprouts
• Organic beets and goat cheese
• Organic cashew butter and raw honey

Next, throw in a baggie of carrot sticks, a fresh organic apple, and a little container of hummus, nut butter, or tahini, and you’re ready to go.

2. Rice or Grain Salad

Rice or grain salads are a great way to use up leftovers from the night before. When you’re making dinner, make a habit of cooking up a pot of rice, quinoa, or spelt, and toss it with a bit of oil, butter, or vinaigrette to keep it from sticking. Then add some mix-ins, and lunch is ready.

Here are just a few of our favorite combos:

• Quartered cherry tomatoes and basil
• Cooked black beans, chopped scallions, and salsa
• Canned sustainable tuna and sliced olives
• Goat cheese and leftover roasted squash

3. Fajitas

While a lot of Mexican options like nachos, tacos, or burritos can get soggy by the time you get them to school or to work, fajitas work a charm because you keep the tortillas separate until you’re ready to eat. Try using bento boxes like GoodByn to separate the tortillas, guac, salsa, and fillings (roasted veggies or sliced grilled meats are great options).

4. Smorrebrod

For a super special sandwich, why not try a Scandinavian smorrebrod? The grainy rye bread is rich in fiber and super filling, and it makes a great base for a variety of ingredients (here are just a few of our favorite combos).

Some toppings may make the bread soggy, so consider packing the topping and the bread separately so that you can assemble when you’re ready to eat.

5. Lettuce Wraps

Leftover ginger chicken or barbecued tofu are the perfect fillings for lettuce wraps. Just choose a lettuce that will hold together well like butter lettuce or bibb – or even a heartier green like Swiss chard or kale. Add a small container of your favorite dipping sauce like teriyaki, sriracha, or coconut aminos to make this lunch even more special.

6. Spanish Tortilla

A well-made Spanish tortilla holds together even better than an omelet and is even better cold than hot. While a traditional tortilla features just potatoes and a bit of onion as a filling, you can also add other low-moisture ingredients like bell peppers, chiles, or peas to add color and nutrients.

Make the tortilla the night before, and once it’s cool, cut it into wedges. Wrap the wedges in a sustainable material like bee’s wrap, and let everyone grab their piece out of the fridge before heading to school or work.

7. Leftovers

With a little bit of planning, you can ensure that all the effort you’re putting into dinner serves you twice. Recipes like stir fries, Buddha bowls, or heartier soups can easily be doubled or tripled to make enough to pack up for the next day with no extra work or effort at all. Just be conscious of whether your kids have access to a microwave when picking your recipes: you want it to be something that’s just as delicious cold as it was hot.

Do you have any other tips and tricks for making a healthy packed lunch quickly? Share them with us via Facebook or Twitter.

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Can smelling food make you fat? A new study may have just discovered the answer.

You’ve likely heard the phrase ‘a moment on the lips, forever on the hips’, but it looks like now you don’t even need that brief moment of actual contact to gain weight. Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley have discovered that the sense of smell impacts metabolic health and obesity.

The Study

Berkeley researchers concede something we can all attest to: our sense of smell helps us to make food choices and appreciate the deliciousness (or not!) of what we eat. As you chew, air is forced through your nasal passages, carrying the smell of the food along with it. A lot of what you “taste” actually relies on what you smell. Without that interplay of taste and smell, you would not be able to experience complex flavors. Imagine biting into your favorite warm, gooey, fatty comfort dish and pinching your nose closed while you do it. Not the same, right?

However, the study’s results, which were published in the journal Cell Metabolism this past July, unravel a new function for the olfactory system: “to control energy homeostasis in response to sensory and hormonal signals.” Researchers found that obese mice that lost their sense of smell shed weight on a high-fat diet even though they ate the same diet as mice that retained their sense of smell but gained twice their body weight. The mice with the best sense of smell gained the most weight. So, what gives?

Andrew Dillin, the Thomas and Stacey Siebel Distinguished Chair in Stem Cell Research, professor of molecular and cell biology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator, told Berkeley News what the study’s outcome suggests. “Sensory systems play a role in metabolism. Weight gain isn’t purely a measure of the calories taken in; it’s also related to how those calories are perceived.”

The Takeaway

These findings imply that smelling food can affect how the body processes calories, indicating a crucial connection between the olfactory system and regions of the brain that regulate metabolism.

So, how do we use this information to our advantage? Maybe not at all. First, it is important to note that simply smelling food (and not consuming it) isn’t going to lead to weight gain – according to the study, the two go hand-in-hand in realizing that outcome (for now, at least). Then, there is the fact that the study was conducted on already obese mice, not humans. Trials on humans, and already obese ones at that, could lead to different, or less significant, implications.

Even so, the results of the study point in a promising direction. Andrew Dillon imagines the future: “If we can validate this in humans, perhaps we can actually make a drug that doesn’t interfere with smell but still blocks that metabolic circuitry. That would be amazing.”

For now, it’s hard to make a conclusive argument for refraining from smelling your food if you’re trying to lose weight. Plus, who would want to? Smelling your food is half the fun, especially when it comes to indulging in high-fat options! I’ll sit this one out. Pass the pizza.

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These days, climate change has a lot of us thinking about the way we treat the environment. But our minds often drift to the obviously offensive images: factory pipes pumping clouds of toxic grey smoke into the otherwise pristine sky. But pollution runs deep, from producers all the way down to consumers, and it can be a result of something as subtle as your last meal. In fact, recent research found that the majority of food waste — a detriment to the environment as well as wasted calories that could feed millions of people —  happens at home.

How Does Food Waste Pollute?

There are two categories when it comes to food waste’s effects on the environment: upstream and downstream. Upstream effects are a result of the production of greenhouse gases through the supply chain of production, storage, manufacturing, and distribution of food. The downstream effects are witnessed after food has been thrown away, either by the consumer or retailer (and often the farmers and distributors themselves). Wasted food is sent to landfills to decompose anaerobically, or without the presence of oxygen. This is when methane is formed.

Food waste is the single biggest occupant in U.S. landfills. When it is discarded and broken down, it produces carbon dioxide. But even more alarming is that it emits methane, a greenhouse gas that is 25-times stronger than carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere. Each kilogram of food waste produces 3.8 kilograms of greenhouse gases.

Meanwhile, food waste pollutes the land. Many countries around the world are running out of landfill space. How do they remedy this? They destroy more land to accommodate it. The underground water and runoff is then infected with the food waste. The overuse of fertilizers creates excessive amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus, which poison drinking water and aquatic ecosystems.

11 Facts About Food Waste You Can’t Ignore

1. In the U.S., agriculture itself emits 9% of the country’s total greenhouse gas emissions. Meanwhile, American farmers are throwing away as much as 50% – half! – of all produce because it doesn’t live up to consumers’ aesthetic standards. Imagine how much food waste and agriculture sector green house gas emissions we could cut by learning to love ugly fruits and vegetables!
2. About 60 million tons of produce – $160 billion – are wasted by retailers and consumers each year. This constitutes one third of all foodstuffs.
3. An American family of four wastes $1,600 worth of food each year.
4. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that one-third of the world’s food is lost or wasted. That amounts to nearly $3 trillion.
5. If food waste were a country, it would be the world’s third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases with a carbon footprint of 3.3 gigatonnes of CO2.
6. Food waste is economically driven. Fresh produce makes up 15% of supermarket profits. Reducing food produce waste by 50% would cause supermarkets to go from a 1.5% profit margin to a 0.7% one. And losing 50% of consumer waste would result in a loss of $250 billion in economic activity.
7. According to the UN, reducing food waste by just 25% would be enough to all the currently malnourished people.
8. About 1.4 billion hectares, or nearly 30% of available agricultural land, is used to grow or farm food that ends up wasted.
9. Consumer waste per capita is between 95 and 115 kilograms each year in Europe and North America. Consumer waste per capita in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia is only between six and 11 kilograms per year.
10. In the US, 25% of all the freshwater consumed annually is associated with discarded food.
11. Despite America wasting 50% of total produce, nearly 42 million Americans live in food-insecure households. That means millions of children don’t know where their next meal will come from.

How to Solve the Food Waste Problem

It’s a much longer and more difficult road to start transforming the agriculture sector by targeting farms and distributors. As consumers looking for the prettiest fruits and vegetables, we contribute to their dilemma. How do we expect to transform farming and distribution practices if we continue to refuse to purchase an apple with a minor blemish, even if its quality and taste is completely unaffected by the blemish? Let’s embrace ugly fruits and vegetables and demand them from our local grocery stores. Meanwhile, let’s also download a shelf life cheat sheet and learn about the true lifespan of our favorite foods. Then, let’s purchase food and plan our weekly meals accordingly, understanding how long food stays fresh before spoiling as well as proper storage methods.

Re-use your leftovers as a rule and whenever your fruits or vegetables are rounding their last leg, turn them into a juice, a casserole, soup, fruit pie, or fruit bread. In the meantime, seek out local “ugly” produce companies that make the best of otherwise tossed fruits and vegetables. Companies like Imperfect Produce, Perfectly Imperfect, and Fresh Direct are leading the charge.

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Our Father’s Day gift guide will appeal to a range of different dad’s – from the health nut to the geeky guy, we’ve got something for everyone.

For the special man in your life, whether it’s the father of your children, your own dearest dad, or a surrogate father figure, show him how much you care with a small token of appreciation. Whether he’s into an organic and sustainable lifestyle or not, our Father’s Day gift guide still has mass appeal and is a great jumping off point for some really special and unique presents for Pops.

1. The Grillmaster

If your Dad is a vegetarian or vegan, that doesn’t mean he has to give up one of his favorite pastimes. Cracking open a beer, sporting his favorite apron, and firing up the grill is not only possible, but also delicious and healthy with one of these meat-free cookbooks. Depending on dietary preferences, we recommend the highly rated “Cookouts Veggie Style!: 225 Backyard Favorites – Full of Flavor, Free of Meat” or “Grilling Vegan Style: 125 Fired-Up Recipes to Turn Every Bite into a Backyard BBQ.”

2. The Dapper Dad

For the dad that’s always dressed to the nines, impeccably groomed, and smelling great, then the Herban Cowboy line of men’s all natural cologne and grooming products should be right up his alley. Not only are we loving this popular dusk blend fragrance that’s both organic and cruelty-free, but the ethical brand also offers shaving cream, soap, lotion, deodorant, and more.

3. The Adventurer

When the great outdoors is when Dad is truly in his element, then perhaps some upgraded camping gear will brighten his day. The Encampment 15 from Big Agnes is a synthetic sleeping bag that features Insotect Hotstream insulation, comprised of one hundred percent recycled material, which is said to feel as warm and as soft as down insulation. Now, Dad can still do rugged, manly things while having a soft spot to sleep. Maybe he can even convince you to tag along.

4. The Hipster

If Dad is a trend slayer on the regular and loves to dress in the latest styles, then a hip and handy messenger bag might be just the thing to complete his outfits this year. For a cross-body tote that he can carry to the office or to the park, choose The Quintessential Commuter from Blue Lounge. Perfect for a bicycle ride, subway commute, and more, this messenger bag is made entirely from plastic bottles, water-resistant, and hardwearing.

5. The Sporty Father

The All Out Crush running shoe from Merrell will have your fitness loving father pounding the pavement in comfort and style. One of the best features of these shoes, aside from the ergonomic design and pleasing aesthetic, is the fact that they’re also vegan-friendly. This ethical footwear is made from mesh, TPU, a washable synthetic upper, and the advanced Trail Protect pad for underfoot protection.

6. The Tech Lover

If gadgets always ran amuck at your house and dad is still tinkering with the latest in technology, then blow his mind with a sound enhancer that uses no batteries, has zero cords, and was formerly a living plant. Enter the iBamboo Speaker that’s designed specifically for use with the iPhone. And just as described, this music amplifier made from nothing more than a piece of bamboo is as novel as it sounds.

7. The Spirited Fella

Kicking back with a brew is something many dads enjoy, especially after a long day or on a hot summer afternoon. If yours is conscientious about what he puts in his body, or is willing to try new things, then why not bring by a six pack of ice cold beers from Peak Organic? They’re in most local stores and the company prides itself on using local, artisan, and organic ingredients. With a variety of ales and lagers, there’s something for every beer imbibing dad.

To the first man who taught you how to throw a ball, battled you at video games, helped you study your first specimen, or just gave really good advice, let him know you’re thinking about him this year and every day. Surprise dear old dad with some of the coolest in sustainable, organic, and eco-friendly ideas from our Father’s Day gift guide. Do you have any special Father’s Day memories? Share your thoughts on the EcoSalon Facebook page!

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The time to show Mom your appreciation is just around the corner, so we’ve compiled this special Mother’s Day gift guide to help you finalize the perfect present for the parent who has played such an important role in your life.

Surprise her with something that’s thoughtful, personal, and sustainable without sacrificing style. You know your mom (or that special mother figure) in ways that no one else does, which is why it’s important to take a little time to show your gratitude for all that she’s done. Have a look at our suggestions below – and remember that even if you can’t get these to her before Sunday, they will at least provide some gift giving inspiration that can be recreated by visiting your local co-op, health food, or specialty store.

1. The Earthy Momma

If you’re going to get Mom a card that’s not handmade – which, by the way, you’re never too old to participate in – then opt for a recycled greeting card instead. Boutique style gift shops typically carry these, but you may also get lucky at a big box store if you don’t have another alternative. Recycled Paper Greetings has a handy zip code search for retailers near you and your eco conscious mom will appreciate the extra thought.

2. The Chocolate Lover

Peanut butter cups, peppermint crème patties, truffles, salted caramels…are you drooling yet? Mom definitely will be when you give her the gift of delicious, organic, fair trade chocolates from one of three gourmet chocolatiers we’ve handpicked for you. For the vegan mom, we recommend Allison’s Gourmet, the traditional mommy will appreciate the heart shaped goodies from Mama-Ganache, and the hip momma will adore the trendy confections from Theo Chocolate.

3. The Green Thumb

Rather than flowers that will only last a few days, give her a gift that will flourish for weeks and months to come. Not only will it give mom a reason to smile, but she’ll think of you every time she tends to her plants. Succulents are still popular among botanical lovers and this little living wall planter kit from Uncommon Goods may be just the thing for Mother’s Day.

4. The Techy

Ok, so maybe tech savvy is a stretch for the mom that recently learned to (sort of) send text messages, but she would probably appreciate pimping out her cell with one of the pretty and biodegradable phone covers from Pela. Made from Flaxstic, these cases utilize the often overlooked flax plant combined with plant based bio-plastic in order to create a durable, functional, and beautiful product. They come in multiple colors, but we especially like the lavender.

5. The Zen Mom

For the meditating momma who loves to relax with a good fragrance, we recommend Neom Organics for her aromatic gifts. Whether she regularly channels her inner Zen, or just prefers to smell something wonderful while she burns the midnight oil, choose a candle that contains a whopping 30 to 4o milliliters of pure essential oils, combined with a complex blend of pure, natural vegetable wax.

6. The Caffeine Craver

Whether it’s a strong cup of joe or an afternoon break for tea she craves, give your mom what she wants this year by ordering some of the best organic and fair trade gourmet coffees and teas from Equal Exchange. The beans are grown by small farmers and sourced from co-ops that produce the best product from each harvest, and the teas are from small farms in India, Sri Lanka, and South Africa as opposed to plantations.

7. The Glamour Gal

There are plenty of beautiful fair trade options for the fashion lover in your life, and One World Fair Trade has numerous choices for Mom no matter her personal style. From jewelry to clothing to handbags and more, there is something for every mom from this online retailer. We especially like the aesthetic (and the price) of the unique and elegant Capiz Shell Leaf Earrings found on the site.

8. The Hostess

Viva Terra is the spot for helping your mom stockpile her kitchen with some of the best serving ware for her next gathering. From beautiful serving utensils to recycled glass dishes and bowls, you’ll be sure to find something that fits her personality perfectly. We are especially fond of the Teak Wood Riser and Tray Collection, as well as the Aurora Recycled Glass Serving Bowl.

We hope you’ve enjoyed our Mother’s Day gift guide to sustainable, organic, and eco-friendly ideas that have something for every mom, young or old. Now you can not only show your love and appreciation for the mom or mother figure in your life, but you can also share your passion for making the world a better place – she should be proud for raising such a thoughtful and compassionate child! Do you have any special Mother’s Day gift giving tradition? What do you think of our list? Share your thoughts on the EcoSalon Facebook page!

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The post Mother’s Day Gift Guide: 8 Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Ideas appeared first on EcoSalon.

That purpose: to be enjoyed and eaten.

The video below is a cute and, honestly, kind of sad representation of what happens when we leave food in our fridge. Let’s not deny strawberries their life purpose — or their apparent love for limes.

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Ever felt like cutting into your food to mutilate it before you consume it? Me too.

I used to carve my bread and vegetables before I ate. My friends would call me a “food cutter.” Well, it appears that there is at least one other person who likes to cut and play with their food before they eat it — the food surgeon. Watch the Reese’s Peanut-Butter-Ectomy with Oreo Cream Transplant below.

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It’s time to spread some love and cheer this year, so what better way to give gifts than to ensure that they don’t destroy our precious resources in the process? It’s important to consider the environment and the animals while out shopping for our loved ones, which is why we’ve compiled a simple, yet effective, cruelty-free holiday gift guide.

Whether the recipient is a vegan or an omnivore, these items are still perfect for people from all walks of life, so grab some vegan eggnog and let’s get started!

The Conscious Chocoholic

Vegan! Premium Chocolatiers has the perfect gifts and stocking stuffers for the chocoholics in your life. This gourmet chocolatier works hard to bring you and your loved ones the best tasting dairy free, nut free, and gluten free truffles and chocolates that are great for vegetarian, vegan, lactose intolerant, and kosher diets.

We love the festiveness of the holiday-themed chocolates, like the Santa Pops, White Chocolate Candy Cane Pretzels, Chocolate Dreidels, and the Snowflake Assorted Truffle Collection, but the selection doesn’t stop there. Vegan! Premium Chocolatiers has holiday neutral gifts that are equally as gorgeous. The box of Chocolate Mint Cremes, Signature Truffle Collection, and Milkless Chocolate Bars look completely delicious and sophisticated, too!

The Free-Spirited Fashionista

For the healthy, active, and free-spirited comes our next suggestions from the sustainable and cruelty-free clothing company many of us know and love, prAna. Perhaps there’s a laid-back casual chicness to your friend’s style, or she’s always on the go – whether it’s with the kids, at the yoga studio, or embarking on her next destination, then prAna’s got you covered.

Our favorite picks this season are the Demure Cardigan, Juniper Pant, Phoebe Top, Pammy Beanie, and the Sondra Sweater. From recycled polyester and cotton to hemp, your pal can rest assured that the clothes are made from the finest recycled fabrics. The best part is that the clothes mix and match so well that you can create outfits from virtually any and all of prAna’s separates.

The Vigilant Vixen

For the beauty junky in your life who also happens to lead a cruelty-free and conscientious lifestyle, we’ve got just the brand for you. Mineral Fusion has all the makeup, skin, body, hair, and nail care you need, making it your one-stop shop for all things beautiful this holiday season.

Mineral Fusion does not test on animals and the products are free of gluten, parabens, SLS, phthalates, artificial colors, and synthetic fragrances. All of the products are vegetarian, and most are vegan. We’re especially fond of gifting the Northern Lights Mini Nail Polish Kit, Sugar Plum Lip Tint Kit, and makeup brushes.

The Happy Homebody

Bambeco is a great online place to shop for the happy homebody, kitchen ninja, or decorating diva in your life – for real, yo. With luxuriously organic and sustainable items, this is perfect for the conscious consumer who would rather spend some time perfecting their interior habitats and Grandma’s peach cobbler than crashing that holiday party.

Much of what Bambeco does is centered on thoughtfulness and sustainability, including the incentive to plant a tree in exchange for every one of your purchases and the detailed criteria that the products must meet. The organic Coyuchi Mediterranean Wash Cloths would make beautiful gifts, as would the Acacia Wood Pinch Bowls, Butri Serving Trio in Avocado, Chef’s Collection Salt Bar Gift Set, and the Petite Diamond Organic Sheet Set.

The Warmhearted Wine Lover

The Eco Vine Wine Club has the perfect gift for all the connoisseurs on your list. This organic wine shop offers an excellent selection with over 60 wines to choose from, including vegan, sulfite free, biodynamic, and non-GMO wines.

For gift giving purposes, the Eco Vine Wine Club offers 2, 3, and 4 bottle packages that allow you to choose all reds, all whites, or a mix of both. You can also surprise your loved ones with the ultimate present from the wine club that will ship out bottles as often as you’d like throughout the year.

With red blends, Syrah, merlot, Riesling, and more there’s no shortage of variety to please your pals. And we promise not to judge if you decide to stock up on a few for yourself – after all you deserve a reward for your generosity this year – I’ll raise my glass to that!

Thanks to all of these super ideas from our cruelty-free holiday gift guide, this season should be smooth sailing when it comes to shopping, which means more time with friends and family, less stress, and a clear conscience. What more could you ask for? Aside from some of that vegan chocolate – yum!

Did you enjoy our suggestions? What’s on your wishlist this year? Let us know on the EcoSalon Facebook page!

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The post The Ultimate Cruelty-Free Holiday Gift Guide appeared first on EcoSalon.