End of the Year is Here

Is it really the end of the 2010-11 school year? Wow, this year has flown by but not without creating many memories that will be remembered for years to come. I know I can speak for Kate, Jim, and myself when saying that we will never forget our time at the Ecohouse and all of the knowledge we have soaked up while living there this year. Luckily for me, I will be back for another exciting year in the Fall!

So you might be wondering what we have been up to at the Ecohouse this quarter, and the answer is gardening! The three of us have never grown a garden on our own, so it has been a learning experience trying to start seedlings this year and keep them alive, but we succeeded! In this post you will find lots of pictures documenting our adventure over the last ten weeks. It was amazing to me how fast the seedlings would grow in just one week. We grew cucumbers, green lettuce, peppers, tomatoes, basil, oregano, spinach, onions, carrots, broccoli….and the list goes on and on! 

Starting the seedlings

The seedlings start to come to life

After just a few days the Dragon beans are sprouting like crazy!

My favorite growing experience was starting Dragon Tongue Bean seedlings. Jim and I decided that these must be the beans from the fable “Jack and the Bean Stalk,” because they grew like magic! Once I started all of the seedlings, I covered them in plastic wrap and put them on top of our refrigerator to wait for sprouting. Only a few days after planting these “magic beans,” they were sprouting half an inch! Within a week we needed to transplant them because they were too big for their containers while the other seedlings were just starting to develop. These beans are purple with a hint of green and are of the bush bean variety. The pictures tell the story!

They're magic beans!

Kylie and Mary planting lettuce

Tilling the garden the ole' fashioned way

We ran into a few bumps along the road in our gardening journey, starting with the rain. We all know the saying “April showers bring May flowers,” but I didn’t realize that literally meant the ENTIRE month continuing into May. This was one of the rainiest Springs Southeastern Ohio has seen in a long time. While it was frustrating not being able to use the Rota-tiller on our garden due to the high volumes of rain, we persevered and managed to find a couple days where it was dry enough to get the ground ready. 

Unfortunately, those days were not ones that we had the Rota-tiller available, so we decided to garden the old-fashioned way with rakes, hoes, and shovels. One thing I quickly learned: Gardening is not for the weak minded! It takes a lot of dedication and back-breaking labor to get a garden ready, but I found the experience to be completely fulfilling and rewarding. It is a great feeling to be self-sufficient and able to create conditions for living things to come to life.  

My grandparents lived through The Depression, and they had to live off the land in order to survive. They knew how to garden, reuse, and save in every way possible to live and feed their eight kids. I’ve heard many people today say that the older generation that lived through The Depression would be the people to survive today if a major catastrophe happened.  More and more, people are relying on technology to do things for them and we are losing basic survival skills like those needed during The Depression.

Jim glistening in the sun from workin' hard

 People are in such a hurry and so “busy” today that they don’t have time to garden. Instead, we buy food transported from thousands of miles away, grown in locations we don’t know, in conditions of which we are not aware. I don’t know about you, but I want to know what is in the food that I am putting into my body. I want to know that I am not eating genetically modified vegetables covered in chemicals and pesticides, grown in synthetic petroleum-based fertilizers. 

Why don’t we care about these things anymore? Personally, I never used to care about these issues because I was not aware that they were issues in the first place. I never gave a thought to what I was eating because I was never educated about the dangers of pesticides and big agriculture. We need to work these issues into more conversations because if people knew the truth about their food, more people would be on board with the organic/ DIY gardening movement.

While Jim and I focused our eco-hours on tending to the garden this quarter, Kate was busy working on food issues from a different aspect. She challenged herself this quarter to only buy and eat locally for a month, while posting her triumphs and tribulations on her own blog site. We talked weekly about her progress at our eco-meeting, and from her stories I could tell that this was an enlightening experiment. She found that the line was often blurred between buying local and getting food that was actually produced locally. When in the local health food store The Farmacy, she found herself conflicted about buying locally sold guacamole when she knew that the avocados were not actually grown locally. While she felt good about contributing to the local economy, she decided that eating seasonally and eating food produced locally is more sustainable than just buying locally.

Spring quarter brought everything to life at the Ecohouse, and I am sad to see my roommates leave but am excited for them as they are both off to California for their next exciting adventures in the world of eco-mindedness! Jim just recently earned an AmeriCorps position working for Return of the Natives and Kate will be doing environmental web-based work before heading to Spain for the year. As for me, I am off to compete for the title of Miss Ohio this week and hopefully having the opportunity to share the great things Ohio University and the Ecohouse has to offer to the entire state. On that note, have a great summer and keep on keepin’ it green until next school year!

Nutritional Yeast

Tired of eating the same meals all the time? Looking for new ways to spice up boring dishes? If so, nutritional yeast is the answer for you! Not only does nutritional yeast add flavor to your food, it provides you with tons of essential nutrients (I know, the name gives it away).

What IS Nutritional Yeast?

Flakes- Mmmm mmm good!

So what exactly IS nutritional yeast? Nutritional yeast, or as we lovingly like to call it "flakes," is a yeast that is produced specifically for its nutritional value and is grown by culturing yeast with a mixture of beet molasses and sugarcane. After the yeast undergoes the fermentation process, it is harvested, washed, and dried. The result is a delicious substance that slightly resembles fish food, but don't let its flaky appearance fool you. Once you add flakes to your meals, you will never turn back! Mary Leciejewski, an Environmental Studies grad student and Ecohouse friend says, "Nutritional yeast is delicious and nutritious. I use it on everything. Honestly, I don't know how I lived without it!"

Nutritional Value

In addition to being naturally low in fat and salt, nutritional yeast is an excellent source of protein, dietary fiber, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. It is an especially good source of the B-complex vitamin, which is important in promoting healthy skin growth, increasing metabolism, immune and nervous system functions, as well as reducing the risk of pancreatic cancer. Two heaping tablespoons of flakes contains 8 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber at just 60 calories!

What Does it Taste Like?

Nutritional yeast has a strong cheesy or nutty flavor, which makes it popular as a cheese substitute among vegans and vegetarians. It can be paired with almost any dish, including stir fry, scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, pasta dishes, garlic bread, and so many more. My personal favorite use for flakes is as a popcorn topping. Some movie theaters offer nutritional yeast in addition to salt and butter, and once you try it you will understand why!

Fun Facts 

Nutritional yeast is referred to as "savoury yeast flakes" in Australia, while it is known as "brufax" in New Zealand. In the U.S., it is sometimes called "yeshi" which is Ethiopian and means "for a thousand." Prisoners of war have used "home-grown" yeast to prevent vitamin deficiency.

Where to Find Flakes

Nutritional yeast can be found in most natural foods stores. The Nature's Market section in Kroger also carries this tasty kitchen must-have. If shopping locally at the Athens Kroger, you can find flakes packaged in a pound container and a pint (quarter pound) container.

Try These Recipes!

Ok, so you bought some flakes but aren't sure how to incorporate them in your diet. Try one of these delicious recipes and you will be hooked!

For the best popcorn you've ever tasted:
Ingredients:

• Organic popcorn
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Nutritional yeast
• Salt, pepper, garlic powder (optional)

STEPS

1. Cover the bottom of a medium saucepan with a layer of extra virgin olive oil
2. Turn the heat on the stove to medium-high and add a few kernels of popcorn 
3. Cover with lid
4. When the kernels have popped, the pan is hot enough to add the amount of popcorn you want.
5. Wait for popcorn to pop and remove from heat so that it doesn't burn
6. Pour popcorn in a bowl and sprinkle with a generous amount of nutritional yeast
7. Add salt, pepper, and garlic powder if desired and enjoy!

Delicious Pasta and Greens

Ingredients:

• Pasta of your choice (We recommend vegan pasta from Crumbs Bakery in Athens)
• Greens of your choice-broccoli, collards, kale, etc.
• Nutritional yeast
• Butter (to help yeast stick to pasta)

 STEPS

1. Boil water and cook desired amount of pasta in a pot on the stove
2. In a separate pan, melt two tablespoons of butter (or more depending on how much you are making) and add greens to cook on a medium heat
3. Once the pasta and greens are cooked, combine them in one pan
4. While it is warm, add a generous amount of nutritional yeast to the dish 
5. Enjoy!

*Remember, you can never have too much nutritional yeast, so don't be afraid to use a lot. Well, at least that's our philosophy at the Ecohouse!

DIY: Sprouts

Interested in saving money on your grocery bill while still eating healthy? Growing sprouts at home is the perfect solution!

Sprouting is a great way to garden in the winter, and it is perfect for people who have a small living space because sprouts can be grown in a glass jar without taking up any room. Sprouts are nutritious and tasty, and compliment just about everything from sandwiches and salads to stir-fry and casseroles. Once you start sprouting, you will be hooked! Thanks to Jim, we have a constant supply of sprouts at the ecohouse in a variety of different types including red clover, alfalfa, and lentils.

To start your very own sprout collection, follow the easy step-by-step instructions below. You'll be a sprouting pro in no time!

Getting Started: What You Will Need

1) Seeds of your choice (recommendations listed below)

2) Jar (any type will do but we use glass mason jars)

3) Cheesecloth

4) Rubber Band

** If you live in Athens, my suggestion for buying seeds locally would be The Farmacy. You can buy seeds there for sprouting in addition to sprouting mixes that include a blend of seeds. Also, if you're looking for cheesecloth in Athens, you can find it at Kroger in the kitchen section.

Choose Seeds and Measure

Here are the best choices of each type of sprout source.

(Recommendations from www.thefarm.org) 

• Best seeds: alfalfa, clover. 
• Best beans: mung, lentil, garbanzo. 
• Best nuts: almonds, filberts (hazelnuts). 
• Best grains: wheat berries, rye. 

The next list indicates what amount of sprout source is appropriate. 

• small seeds: 2-3 tablespoons (30-45 ml). 
• medium seeds: 1/4-1/2 cup (65-125 grams). 
• large beans and grains: 1 cup (250 g). 
• sunflower seeds: 2 cups (500 g). 

The Process

1. Before you go to bed, measure out the correct amount of seeds. In the case of alfalfa, 2-3 tablespoons.
2. Next, pour the seeds onto a plate and inspect them for broken or withered pieces, small stones, and lumps of dirt (pictures below).
3. After they're sorted, pour the seeds into a strainer and rinse under water. Make sure your strainer has very fine netting so that your seeds don't get washed down the drain!
4. Pour your rinsed seeds into a jar.
5. Cover the seeds with water. The water level should be a few inches (6-8cm) above the seeds. Let them soak overnight. If your seeds are medium sized, soak them for 8-12 hours. Large seeds should soak 12-24 hours.  
6. Cover the mouth of the jar with cheesecloth the next morning and secure with a rubber band. 
7. Turn over the jar in the sink and strain out the water. *Note- Some people save this water because it is full of nutrients. You can use it as an ingredient in a health shake or feed it to your houseplants! 
8. Shake the jar to remove excess water. 
9. Rinse the seeds again and shake the jar to remove extra water. Hold the jar up to the light to ensure the seeds are mostly dry. If they're too wet, the seeds may rot during sprouting.
10. Drain the seeds all day by tipping the jar on its side upside down in a bowl or dish. 
11. Repeat the rinsing process on the evening of the same day. For 4-5 days you will continue this process of morning and evening rinsing and draining. 
12. Watch for growth. After a few days you will begin to see green leaves sprouting on the seeds, and white shoots will appear on beans, nuts, and grains. 
13. Harvest! The sprouts will reach their best flavor and nutritional value after 4 or 5 days. Give them one last rinse and shake. They're ready to eat! 

**For more detailed instructions and ideas for using your sprouts once they are completed, click here.

Tips

• For best results choose organic seeds. They are less likely to be treated with pesticides. You can buy seeds online, or visit your local health food store to buy organic dried beans and seeds to start sprouting on your own.

• Only grow as many sprouts as you can eat in a week. Sprouts become soggy very quickly. While sprouts usually mature in 3-5 days, the sprouting time depends on the temperature of the growing environment.

• According to Becca (a fellow environmental blogger in Athens), sprouting kits are on the top ten list of sustainable must-have items for 2011. Visit her blog for additional information about sprouting and see the other nine must-haves for this year!!

Step 2- Jim inspecting seeds

Step 6- Cover the jar with cheesecloth

Step 6- Secure cheesecloth with rubber band

Step 10- Drain the seeds

Our collection of sprouts!

We're Back!

Winter Break

After a long and relaxing holiday break, Winter quarter is back in full swing...and so is life at the ecohouse! In my last post, I mentioned that it was my goal over break to share what I have learned about eco-friendly living with my family and friends. My family was really excited about the new information, and were on board with trying to recycle more. They are now recycling aluminum, plastic, and cardboard!

Now that they are recycling more, my next goal is to have them start their own composting bin. While living at the ecohouse, I have found composting to be my favorite lifestyle change. It is very simple to do, and there are many benefits. Not only does composting divert trash from the landfill, it also creates nutrient-rich soil that can be used in the place of chemical fertilizers. While my mom finds composting to be interesting, I am still trying to convince her that it is easy and mess-free (for more information about how to start your own compost bin, refer to my previous post). For now, increasing their amount of recycling is a step in the right direction, and I am happy that they were so receptive to the idea.

Winter Quarter Projects

Every quarter the ecohouse residents devote 14 hours of work to projects that pertain to sustainability and eco-friendly living. This quarter, the three of us have all chosen a common theme: DIY. There is a large amount of information available related to do-it-yourself projects, so we decided that narrowing down some of the best methods for sustainable DIY projects would be worthwhile. We will be updating the blog throughout the quarter with what we have found so that you can try sustainable DIY too!

Since much of our time during Spring quarter will be devoted to making our own food by gardening outdoors, we decided that we wanted to learn about other sustainable options that can be made year-round. Jim's main focus this quarter will be on making food. He has already successfully made sprouts and homemade yogurt (posts will be coming soon on how to make these yourself). More projects are in the works to make Kombucha tea among other things...stay tuned for more!

Kate is more interested this quarter in DIY body care. She is in the process of making face/body scrubs that can be made out of simple ingredients that are all-natural and nourishing to your skin. Most body products out on the market actually contain petroleum and toxins, and that is not good for our bodies! She will be making guest posts to talk about what products she has found to be the easiest to make and the most sustainable.

As for me, I am going to be looking into green cleaning products in addition to sustainable food ideas. Growing up, my mom was always very meticulous about cleaning our house, and this is a habit that I have carried with me into my adult life. As strange as it may seem, I actually enjoy cleaning. It always feels great to have a clean house. Cleanliness is especially important living at the ecohouse, where people are constantly taking tours or visiting. At this point, all of the cleaners I use are considered "green," as most of them have ingredients derived from coconuts. However, many of the eco-friendly cleaning products on the market are expensive and come in packaging that isn't recyclable. It is my goal to make my own cleaning products this quarter that are inexpensive and sustainable while still being effective.

So that's the breakdown of this quarter's projects. Look for my next post coming soon on how to make sprouts!