Peaches by Plums

BYOB (Bring Your Own Bags)

I throw out an embarrassing amount of plastic warp, cardboard boxes and Styrofoam containers but I have a feeling that I’m not the only one. So much of our purchases are determined by design and branding. What would happen if that didn’t exist? Would there be a consumer uproar or perhaps just a more conscious sustainable way to live.

In.gredients is a leader in the concept of zero-waste, package free grocery store. Their mission is “to reduce waste by ditching packaging altogether. Instead of recycling packaging that’s already been produced, we’re “precycling it before it’s even made – proving that most food packaging is unnecessary.”

The idea behind this store is incredible. A world without plastic bags floating in the ocean sounds pretty appealing to me. Not only will you be reducing your carbon footprint but you will be able to eat local organic foods to provide for a healthier life. What I love most about In.gredients is that you are in control of how much you want to buy. So many times we over buy and throw out unused food. Don’t agree? Here’s a statistic for you. “Americans add 570 million pounds of food packaging to their landfills each day, while pre-packaged foods force consumers to buy more than they need, stuffing their bellies and their trash bins: 27 percent of food brought into U.S. kitchens ends up getting tossed out” explains In.gredients co-founder Christian Lanevia, via Good Food.

This is the way of the future and I am excited about it. I just hope Boston jumps on board soon so I can enjoy what In.gredients has to offer!

Let’s Talk About Food Festival

It’s been quite a foodie weekend here at Peaches by Plums! From watching Food Inc. for the first time and changing my perspective on food to attending ButterGirl’s dessert tasting, I’ve realized that there are a lot of great things happening in the food industry. The event that kicked off this food venture for me was the Let’s Talk About Food Festival that took place in Cambridge, MA.

Let’s Talk About Food….

“Launched in Boston 2010, in dynamic partnership with the Museum of Science, Let’s Talk About Food Initiative hopes to become a national, educational, event driven, organization that creates programs to increase the level of public literacy about all aspects of our food system – from sustainability, to cooking, to obesity and other food-related health issues, to fishing and farming, food access, food justice, food safety, environmental concerns, agriculture and nutrition policy, and at the same time celebrates the richness that good food brings to our world.” LTA Food

Regardless of the dreary weather, the event went off without a hitch. Here’s a sneak peek into this amazing festival!

Food trucks lined the street and ranged from Vietnamese cuisine to BBQ. I made sure to visit the grilled cheese truck and grabbed a cupcake from kick ass cupcakes on the way out.

On the main stage were presentations from top chefs (literally!- see photo below of Tiffani Faison of Top Chef Season 1 and Top Chef All Stars) and top restaurants in the city discussing sustainable food and performing awesome food demos.

images via my personal collection

This event really kicked off my focus in living a sustainable life. It was approachable, fun and truly showcased how easy it is to care about what you are eating. I can’t wait until the next Let’s Talk About Food Event!

Food For Thought.

image via Didn’t You Hear

I have been thinking about food more and more lately. Where does it come from, is it processed, where is it grown?

The sad thing is is that I couldn’t tell you what goes in to make a homemade stew but I could definitely tell you what a “number three” is on the Wendy’s value meal or what aisle the frosted flakes are in Walmart and let’s face it, that’s just sad. It’s not really my fault though. It’s normal and something we grew up with. Trips to McDonald’s for happy meals or Tuesday nights at Pizza Hut, it was just the way it was.  The older I got the more conscious I was about what I was eating but I didn’t feel equipped with the right tools to make the right decision. I had no idea how to make anything more than a grilled cheese sandwich but I sure knew how to go to a drive in. Just recently, I went home and my entire 7 days consisted on going to my favorite fast food “restaurants” and believe me I paid for it afterwards.

There was always an excuse for me, time, money, availability of product…How in the world can anyone make a real home cooked meal and work 10 hours a day? It was when I watched Food Inc. that it hit me. My excuses had to go and I had to make the decision to do the right thing for me and my family. It was no longer a choice. Life is short and the food that you put into your body is incredibly important to your health.

I encourage EVERYONE to watch Food Inc. It is a fascinating documentary on the food industry and how it is affecting farmers, communities and corporations. I’m sure it will change the way you think about the food you are buying.