MAGA ZINE Welcome to the June edition of ECCO Magazine’s monthly e-Newsletter, where we look at ways to green your daily routine. This month in the 2010 Green Challenge we examine Biodegradable Food Containers. We also celebrate our Dads this month. While they enjoy FIFA World Cup activities, let’s serve them delicious healthy meals with a smile. J The recent activities in Western Kingston have many concerned about our island paradise. Where do we go from here? It has been over a month since the activities in Western Kingston and we need to begin the process of revitalization and rehabilitation of those affected. Change begins with just one person, let’s make a change. Another tragedy we should not forget during this season of festivities is the recent BP Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico. This spill has turned out to be one of the most catastrophic spills in history and will continue to affect many persons as well as wildlife for years to come. We hope with the fast approaching hurricane season, the oil slick will not find its way to our shores. GOOGOOOAAALLL!! Nothing brings Jamaicans together more than the mention of drinks, dominoes and a good ball game. June 11th, marks the official launch of 2010 FIFA World Cup. Each and every Jamaican will be glued to the nearest television set for the next month, for the greatest sport ever. Let’s enjoy the festivities, learn and grow from our past and live life to the fullest. Ke Nako!!
Shelly-Ann
Shelly-Ann Dunkley E.C.C.O. Magazine Cel: (876) 378-1257 Fax: (876) 926-8152
OUR PRINT PARTNER
Jamaican Love
Loi-Natalie Laing
While developing a recipe for Father’s Day, I thought of all the men in my life who I love and care for. As women we are more often than not, charged with the responsibility of taking good care of them, especially when it comes to their nutritional needs. Guinness Stout is a beverage that I’ve always associated with “strong” men in Jamaica and though cupcakes are often viewed as delicate, I’ve transformed them into a healthy, yet manly version of the famous desserts. All the ingredients are locally sourced and since the recipe is dairy-free it is also easier on the environment. Bake them with love for the men in your life.
INGREDIENTS
Directions for your Jamaican Love:
Cupcakes 1/2 cup Guinness Stout 1/2 cup molasses 1/2 cup coconut oil 1/4 tsp. baking soda 3/4 cup light brown sugar 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour 2 tbsp. flaxseed 6 tbsp. water 1 1/4 tsp. baking powder 2 tsp. ground ginger 1 tsp. ground cinnamon 1/4 tsp. ground cloves 1/2 tsp. salt
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line muffin tin with 12 cupcake liners. 1. In a large saucepan, bring the Guinness Stout, molasses, and coconut oil to a boil over medium-high heat. Remove saucepan from the heat and mix in the baking soda until dissolved. It will start to foam and then settle. 2. Stir in the brown sugar, and set aside mixture to cool. 3. In a small bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. 4. In another small bowl, stir the ground flaxseed with the water. 5. Combine flaxseed mixture with stout mixture, then fold in the flour mixture until blended. Be careful not to over mix. 6. Fill the cupcake liners with batter until 2/3 full. 7. Bake for 22 to 24 minutes and let cool completely before frosting.
Frosting 4 tbsp. margarine 2 cups confectioners’ (powdered) sugar 2 1/2 tbsp. Guinness Stout 1 tbsp. coconut milk Crushed peanuts mixed with cinnamon and nutmeg for garnish.
Frosting: In a large bowl, mix ingredients until smooth and frost with love. Garnish with crushed peanuts, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Enjoy!
2010
June Newsletter
Green Challenge
Biodegradable Food Containers Disposable food containers give us the flexibility of eating out: on the run, at a friend’s or at a barbecue or party. The convenience of disposable containers makes cleaning up after functions a cinch, but the conventional plates, cups, bowls, knives, forks etc. do not biodegrade. Our take-out and our lunch typically are made from either in styrofoam or plastic containers. Some plastics can be reused. Research has shown that plastics begin to leak chemicals once they are scratched or breaks are seen in the containers, please recycle once this occurs. Styrofoam and plastics take hundreds of years to break down. Because they do not biodegrade they stay in the environment wreaking havoc: poisoning animals that mistake them for food and clogging our landfills. Plastics and styrofoam also leak chemicals under certain conditions, there are also environmental and health related problems when these products are burnt. This leads us to the environmentally friendly alternative: Biodegradable containers. In Jamaica the number of recycling facilities is growing, but we should, at all times, be mindful of our carbon footprint, and what the after effects are of the products we use in our daily lives. Biodegradable
Food Containers look and feel just like their less environmentally friendly cousins: Styrofoam and Plastic. Biodegradable containers are safer for the environment and for us because they do not have a negative impact. What are Biodegradable Containers made from: · Bagasse Sugarcane: the byproduct of the sugar cane industry · Corn (PLA) · Potato Starch (PSM) · Hygienic Bamboo Benefits of Biodegradable Food Containers: · Naturally compostable · Naturally breakdown in landfills in a matter of months. · Made from renewable resources · Allergen free · Freezer safe · Can tolerate heat between 120 degrees to 200 degrees · Alternative to burning bagasse to dispose of it, thus reducing air pollution PLEASE NOTE: Not all these products may be microwave safe
uggested Disposal of Earthbound S Biodegradable Products: • 100% biodegradable organic fertilizer. • Compostable into organic fertilizer. • Recyclable in conventional paper stream. • To be stored in sunless room with max relative humidity 99%. Where to buy? Earthbound Biodegradable: earthboundja@yahoo.com
Recycling Resources: One Jamaica Recycling Group (All other except glass) Tel: 449-4276 Protect The Environment Trust (PLASTICS) Tel: 934-7336 (93-GREEN) Garbage Disposal & Sanitation Systems (GLASS) Tel: 757-4377 Drop off locations: - Jojo’s Farmer’s Market, 12 Waterloo Rd - Jamaica Environment Trust 11 Waterloo Rd
ar d ECCO’s GREEN ARMY n e l a c JUNE
5th: World Environment Day
8th: World Oceans Day
12th – 20th: 20th Annual International Jamaica Ocho Rios Jazz Festival 2010
15th – 21st: CFW - Caribbean Fashion Week @ The National Indoor Sports Centre
18th – 26th: Kingston on the Edge (KOTE) @ Various locations
21st: Shakti’s Fit & Fabulous in 40 Days (Ends July 30th, call 906-8403 for details)
24th: Jamaica Environment Trust – Jamaica’s Environmental Action Awards
25th: One Jamaica Recycling Group Beach Cleanup (Ongoing event. Call 826-0849 for details. Volunteers needed)
25th – 26th: Voices for Climate Change event (Details TBA)
26th: Poetry Reading and Signing @ 553 Knutsford Blvd (Features: Tanya Shirley and Joan Andrea Hutchinson)