Ellen Kanner

Q&A: Edgy Veggie Ellen Kanner on Life, Faith, and What to Eat for Dinner

smcdonaldHealth, Interviews Leave a Comment

Ellen KannerEllen Kanner—award-winning food writer, Meatless Monday blogger for The Huffington Post, syndicated columnist Edgy Veggie, and now author of Feeding the Hungry Ghost: Life, Faith and What to Eat for Dinner—has invited you to share a meal. You, and the 7 billion other people on this planet (or as she calls it, her “ideal dinner party guest list”), as she wants nothing more than for “everyone to be fed, nourished, and celebrated.”

With that desire, this ardent advocate for organic, sustainable, and accessible food has penned a glorious memoir/cookbook to satiate both our souls and our appetites. Because we so often resemble the hungry ghosts of Taoist lore—eating mindlessly, wandering aimlessly, and wanting more than food itself can provide—Ellen, with warmth, humor, empathy, and insight, offers that recognizing our relationship to food (how it’s grown, a recipe’s cultural and spiritual underpinnings) gives it as much depth and flavor as fresh ingredients or lavish spices, and ultimately provides the real sustenance we’re craving: meaning, emotional fulfillment, community. According to Ellen, “Saffron, tarragon, cardamom, and cumin make food taste better. Culture, connection, and faith do the same thing for our lives.”

Vegetarian

This Valentine’s Day Have a Heart for Animals, Your Health, and the Environment

smcdonaldEnvironment, Health, Outreach Leave a Comment

Every year on Valentine’s Day, we’re inclined to buy candies, cards, flowers, and stuffed animals to show our loved ones, friends, and family just how much we care. Why not, however, go beyond these small displays of affection and make choices that truly have a positive impact for animals, for your health, and the environment? It’s as simple as choosing to leave animals off our plate this Valentine’s Day.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel Promotes Plant Strong Diet

smcdonaldUncategorized Leave a Comment

Rahm-Engine2-350x235.jpgIn the land of half-smokes and hot dogs, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is making headlines by encouraging city residents to take charge of their health by eating more plant-based foods.

As a champion of healthy-eating initiatives, Mayor Emanuel has cracked down on junk food in school vending machines as well as worked to improve access to fresh foods in the city’s “food deserts.” 

Maryland Law Takes Effect: Arsenic Banned from Chicken Feed

smcdonaldUncategorized 1 Comment

poison-banned-white-270x260.jpg

Yes, arsenic. It’s a known toxin and carcinogen, yet it’s commonly used as an additive to chicken feed. Why? It’s been fed to chickens since the 1940s to promote growth and kill parasites.

Sound shocking and dangerous? Maryland Delegate Tom Hucker thought so, too. So in 2010, he introduced a bill in the state legislature aiming to prohibit poultry companies from adding this toxic drug to feed given to chickens who are raised for their meat.

eating eggs

Think Smoking is Unhealthy? Eating Eggs Might Be Worse

smcdonaldAnimals, Health, News, Veg Eating Leave a Comment

eggs-smoking-286x167.jpgIn a new video, posted on one of our favorite websites, NutritionFacts.org,  Dr. Michael Greger discusses the details of a competing risk analysis from a Harvard Nurse’s Health Study on women’s health.

Among other important topics, the review compares the dangers of smoking to the dangers of eating animal products. The results?     

According to the study, the number one single cause
of death was heart disease, and dietary cholesterol consumption was a
significant risk factor for death. The second leading cause of death was from smoking-related cancer.

Food Justice: Education and Access the Key to Minority Health

smcdonaldHealth Leave a Comment

boy eating veggies

Did you know that April is National Minority Health Month?

Minority populations may have higher health risks due to genetic predisposition, cultural dietary preferences, or socioeconomic or geographic factors limiting access to fairly and sustainably grown, fresh, and healthy foods. This issue is at the core of the food justice movement.

Meat

Dying for a Piece of Meat? Yes, it Might Kill You.

smcdonaldHealth Leave a Comment

meat-kills-gunonplate-250x187.jpgIt’s no secret that eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and other plant-based foods is good for our health. In just the past couple of years alone, as delicious vegan options keep sprouting up everywhere, so too are the number of people touting the many benefits of choosing meat-free meals — including Bill Clinton, Oprah Winfrey, Al Sharpton, Ellen Degeneres, Ted Danson, UFC fighter Jake Shields, and Mike Tyson, to name a few.

Vegan Children

Raising Vegan Children: Easy as ABCs

smcdonaldHealth Leave a Comment

les' kidsAccording to ABC News, today many compassionate parents are raising their children vegan. These conscientious moms and dads recognize that choosing animal-free foods is a wonderful way to keep their children healthy. It’s also a great opportunity to impart important values to the next generation, and best of all, bond in the kitchen!