If you are planning to go to an event this summer where you share some food with others, I encourage you to bring a dish that celebrates our role as stewards of the Earth.
When I go to a potluck event, I bring a dish with healthy ingredients. For example, I recently brought “carrot dogs” to a luncheon and they were all eaten quickly.
I know that recipes with vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes have a much smaller ecological footprint that is essential for a sustainable planet. However, I also acknowledge that more than 70% of Americans are used to eating the Standard American Diet (SAD) which contains lots of processed foods. How do I provide a healthy dish that might be unfamiliar and encourage others to try it?
Here are two idea that have worked for me:
I separate ingredients into individual serving bowls. When someone can see their food choices -brown rice, black beans, roasted sweet potatoes- each in a separate bowl, they will often take a small amount to give something new a try.
Whenever I combine ingredients in a casserole, I always include a recipe card. This works well. People who love the dish can take a picture of the recipe. Anyone who has food sensitivities or allergies can see what ingredients are included.
Additional Tips:
Serve ingredients in season and locally whenever you can.
Never try to “sneak in” an unfamiliar ingredient even if you consider it a healthy alternative.
By merging healthy eating with Creation Care, we can respect the Earth and the well-being of ourselves and others.
Mary Kaeding