Monday, September 30, 2013

How to Cook Local


Here is a list of foods and types of recipes that you can make and enjoy from foods you can buy from local farms and markets. The trick to eating healthy and local is to eat in season. Zucchini is best during the summer to fall season, but butternut squash is just in season now as a winter squash. Eggplant is best from summer to early winter, while the pumpkins ripen end of summer and are currently available to eat. Goat cheese is available all year round. I hope you enjoy the suggestions and create some very tasty meals!

 Zucchini:
- Penne with Creamy Zucchini and Basil Sauce
- Zucchini Noodles with Roasted Tomatoes
- Lemon-Zucchini Loaf with Lemon Glaze
- Spicy Turkey Zucchini Burger
- Zucchini Noodles with Pesto & tomatoes
- Zucchini Penne with Ricotta and Parmesan
- Zucchini Flax Guacamole Wraps

Eggplant:
-       Grilled Eggplant Rolled with Ricotta and Basil
-       Eggplant Lasagna
-       Eggplant Pizzas
-       Parmesan Fried Eggplant
-       Eggplant Creole
-       Tri-Tip & Eggplant Mozzarella Stacks from Partner in Dine
-       Bulgur Wheat Salad With Tomato and Eggplant
-       Grilled Marinated Eggplant

Pumpkin:
-       Pumpkin bread
-       Chicken & Pumpkin Soup with Chipotle and Black Beans
-       Protein Packed Breakfast Pumpkin Cinnamon Muffins
-       Clean Eating Pumpkin Butter
-       Pumpkin pancakes- with almond milk
-       Penne with Creamy Pumpkin Sauce
-       Pumpkin-Chestnut Soup Recipe

Butternut Squash:  
- Butternut Squash and Pesto Rotini: rotini tossed in garlic, lemon, basil, and Parmesan cheese
            - Cheesy Butternut Squash Pasta
            - Butternut Squash & Apple Bisque
            - Butternut squash steak fries
            - Italian Sausage Stuffed Butternut Squash
            - Creamy Butternut Squash Risotto
            - Butternut Squash Hummus
            - Butternut Squash Black Bean Burritos

Goat cheese:
-       Mac and Cheese with Roasted Chicken, Goat Cheese, and Rosemary
-       Cucumber Goat Cheese Grilled Cheese
-       Spinach and goat cheese quesadillas
-       Tomato-Goat Cheese Bruschetta
-       Flaky Goat Cheese Chive Biscuits
-       Goat Cheese & Apple Stuffed Chicken

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Eco-Hangouts


             Want to have fun outside at some awesome sites?! Well there’s plenty in the area from Beverly to Ipswich to Gloucester and more! Check out this link to Google maps to see where these great, fun locations are!

Google map link: 
And here's a list of the site and what activities you can do there.

Long Hill and Sedgwick Gardens, Beverly, MA:
            - 14-acre hillside property
            - trails
- garden “rooms”

Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Ipswich, MA:
            - paddling/canoe, picnicking, bird watching, butterfly/other specified gardens.

Den Rock Park, Lawrence, MA
-       rock climbing
-       trails

Maudslay State Park, Newburyport, MA:
-       bald eagle sightings 
-       Garden, trails, bridges

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Newbury, MA:
            - free public programs: kayaking, photography, “behind the scenes” tours, and nature kids
            - trails
            - http://www.fws.gov/refuge/parker_river/

Plum Island, Newburyport, MA:
            - public beaches, boardwalks in the Refuge that takes you through the dunes, tidal
               marshes, and hundreds of beach-plum bushes growing everywhere on the island


Appleton Farms, Ipswich, MA
-       Appleton Farms is one of the oldest operating farms in the country.
-       It has been established and maintained by nine generations of the Appleton family.
-       Appleton Farms Grass Rides
-       Six miles of footpaths, bridle paths, and farm roads (easy walking)
-       “green” transformation of the Appleton family home, the Old House

Crane Beach on the Crane Estate, Ipswich, MA:
-       5.5 miles of trails traverse dunes and track the beachfront on both the Ipswich Bay and Essex River Estuary sides of the Castle Neck peninsula.
-       Castle Neck is the site of the North Shore’s largest pitch pine forest
-       Crane Beach is also among the world’s most important nesting sites for piping plovers, a threatened bird that was nearly hunted to extinction in the 19th century for its eggs and feathers

Ravenswood Park, Gloucester, MA:
-       landscape of hemlock groves, a magnolia swamp, and other trees species where you’ll find remnants of a colonial habitat 
-       10 miles of carriage paths and trails
-       trekking to the overlook to Gloucester Harbor or traversing the boardwalk through the Great Magnolia Swamp

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Play Outside!


Valery Notaro is bouldering with
spotters at Hammond Pond Park Reservation. 
          Rock climbers are often very attuned to nature. They see it. They feel it. They live it. But for a sport that depends so much on the state of nature, it can cause an extensive amount of environmental damage. It can cause defacement of rocks, removal of bits of rocks and plants, calcium carbonate chalk residues, and the addition of drilled bolts and painted markers. Despite such effects, rock climbing should still be encouraged as an Earth-loving activity.

            Rock climbing compels climbers to become more aware of their surroundings and realize the importance of site upkeep in order to climb enjoyably. As a climber returns to the same site and it becomes more familiar, he or she can develop an even deeper attachment to the place and care even more for its health.
           
            Rock climbers can practice minimum impact practices. They can exercise the “Leave No Trace” method, which encourages them to not only leave the site in a state as if they had never been there, but also leave it in a better condition than how they found it. Climbers can also remain on designated paths in order to protect vegetation and reduce impacts of trampling. Climbers can also give back to nature and perform revegetation projects that motivate them to explore the place, care for its well-being, and return to see its progress. These practices can also apply to hikers, surfers, mountaineers, or even the general public.

           Becoming passionate about an outdoor activity helps one establish a stronger connection between self and nature. Consequently, outdoorsy folks realize the human dependence upon nature and experience the desire to protect it. They critically evaluate their own actions and impacts upon the environment, extending their awareness beyond the bounds of their sport or hobby and into the world of their daily lives.

So bridge the gap between humans and nature and play outside! Post a photo of you playing outside on the Change is Simple Facebook page and you could win a free “I Play Outside” t-shirt! Winner will be announced September 30. Get outside and have fun!

Flyer of contest by Meghan Perkins. 

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Keep New Zealand Beautiful


            The toilets have two options: less flush and more flush. This feature found in the airport bathrooms was the first green behavior I noticed while studying abroad in New Zealand, a country passionate about protecting the environment. I had seen toilets such as these every once in a while in New England, but these eco-friendly toilets were everywhere in New Zealand. I think maybe once I saw a regular toilet and that was at a tiny, old restaurant in a nearly deserted town. It seems such a simple solution, but it makes such a difference in conserving water.

            Since New Zealand’s islands are so isolated from the continents, the country has a very unique biodiversity. It has no snakes and only one poisonous spider, which does not have a lethal bite. Its only native mammals are bats and seals. Meanwhile, New Zealand has many various species of birds. However, humans introduced some species, such as rats, ferrets, weasels, and opossums, that are dramatically decreasing the bird populations, which have few defenses against predators because there had never been any evolutionary need. It is common to see traps for these invasive species in fields, campsites, or hiking trails. Another common occurrence in the Kiwi culture is to personally end the life of one of these pests with any tool available such as a rock or a stick…I did not partake in such gruesome activities.

Meghan helped plant over 400 trees in the Lord's Bush.
  But I did complete several eco-management tasks. At the Sanctuary Park Trust in Tauranga, my study abroad group and I identified and flattened invasive plants to let the native plants grow. During a community service event, the Rattray Street Revamp, we picked up litter throughout the neighborhood and nearby parks. After a rock climbing class field trip, we offset the carbon footprint of our travels and planted over 400 young trees in the Lord’s Bush.

            Kiwis are very attuned to the outdoors: how could they not be with such gorgeous landscapes? Many Kiwis are avid hikers and campers. They love their adrenaline sports, like white water kayaking, surfing, rock climbing, bungee jumping, splunking, zorbing, canyoning, and more.  Spending so much time in the outdoors makes New Zealanders care very much about the upkeep of their environment, which is evident through the popular support of Keep New Zealand Beautiful, a charitable trust non-profit that works to prevent litter and waste and beautify the country. Volunteers and stickers, t-shirts, and posters are everywhere in New Zealand, reminding everyone to be a tidy Kiwi. 

Monday, September 16, 2013

Looking Towards a Greener Europe


           This past spring semester, I studied abroad in Madrid, Spain. During my time spent abroad, I also had the opportunity to visit Ireland, Morocco, Croatia, and Italy. Throughout my travels, I’ve noticed different ways in which these countries have green energy or green activities. Some of these green ways are part of their cultures and have continued to this day but in a more modern form.
            One iconic image from Spain is of the windmills from the popular novel Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes. This novel was written in the 1600s, and is considered one of the most-read novels in the world, along with the Bible and Harry Potter. These windmills were used to grind grain. However, although this particular type of windmill is no longer in use, Spain has kept their iconic image, but in a more modern form through wind power created by massive wind turbines.
Venetian Gondolas, photographed by Angelise Musterer

Italy also has an iconic image that has been a part of its culture for centuries. If you couldn’t guess it, it’s the Venetian boats called gondolas. These rowing boats were used as the main form of transportation through the canals in Venice, Italy. Nowadays, they are more for show and for tourists.
            Ireland is known for being extremely green and rainy. When driving through the countryside, there are rolling green hills dotted with sheep and cattle. Ireland has what they call a “Green-School” program. These are also known as Eco-schools. The schools that are part of this program have an initial focus on the theme of litter and waste. These schools can also have other themes, such as energy and water.
            What I noticed most about Croatia was the walking. I mainly visited the Old City of Dubrovnik, and in this area there were no cars. People either walked to rode their bikes. The streets and allies were very narrow and were made of cobblestones. Here in Dubrovnik, there is a famous island named Lokrum. This island is completely covered in trees and foliage. There are very few buildings here, one of which is an old fort that over looks the island, Dubrovnik and the Adriatic Sea. The other main attraction of Lokrum is the old Benedictine abbey and monastery. In 1959, a Botanical Garden was founded on Lokrum where visitors can see endemic tropic and subtropical plants and other vegetation that are native to countries from Australia to South America. The last buildings include a tiny hut that serves food and drinks and a small museum.
            Morocco was a completely different experience than the other countries I’ve visited. However, it is still developing, and many place in Morocco are integrating approaches of sustainable development. Morocco and a few other countries like Croatia and Nepal, have been experimenting with harvesting fog to provide water to the communities. This collection of fog is not only sustainable, but is also necessary for parts of Morocco.   

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

A New Plover in the Nest

           Hi, my name is Angelise Musterer, and I am a fall semester intern from Endicott College. My major is Liberal Studies, and I have a minor in Spanish. I am from a very small town on the coast of Connecticut. I come from a very green, healthy family that has greatly impacted my life and the choices that I make that have led me to find Change is Simple. My parents recycle anything and everything that is recyclable. We also have a garden where we grow some fruits and vegetables, like zucchini and squash. We also have herb plants that my mom buys from a local farm. It’s nice having these little plants around the house to just pick off some leaves and add them to our meals. My dad has also created his own compost bin from an old garbage bin, and uses the compost soil for our garden.
            I am very excited to start my internship at Change is Simple alongside a great staff with a passionate mission. Change is Simple is an up and coming organization with wonderful ideas that they are making come true. The atmosphere is friendly, inviting, and is the complete opposite of the negative side of the corporate world. They all are focused and driven about getting to the finish line for their goals. Patrick, Lauren, Hannah, and Kelly all have their different personalities that come together with an instant click. Their personalities and attitudes form this welcoming atmosphere. I am thrilled to begin this internship and join the rest of the plovers on their next adventure. 

Monday, September 9, 2013

A New Plover in Town


          When I first pulled in the driveway where Hannah was waiting for me, rocking a Change is Simple t-shirt, I knew that this would not be the traditional internship. Dressed in my blouse, slacks, and heels, I followed Hannah through the patio to the office, slightly stumbling from my heels catching in the cracks of the stones. The first thing my supervisor, Patrick, said to me was, “You are way too overdressed.” Although I expect to never live that one down, I have a feeling that by the end of this semester internship I will be cracking jokes like the rest of this little family.

            My name is Meghan Perkins and I am one of two new interns that Change is Simple has welcomed for the fall. I am an English major and as such am a dedicated upholder of the Oxford comma. Before college, I never thought of myself as much of a scientist, but a general education plant biology course got me hooked on all things Earth, and so I acquired an Environmental Studies minor.

Meghan on the rim of the volcanic crater of Mt. Ngauruhoe on the North Island of New Zealand

            Many of my friends are interning at publishing houses, but I could not see myself in a place that did not address something for which I was so passionate. So when Hannah first sent out the Change is Simple email to the Endicott College student body, I knew it would be the perfect place for me to include both my interests. Patrick could clearly tell how excited I was about getting involved with Change is Simple during our skype interview last spring semester when I was studying abroad in New Zealand. He probably felt he had to accept me as an intern so as not to break my heart!           

            So when I met with the Change is Simple crew, looking more comfortable –and somehow more professional – than me in their company shirts, I realized I was not the only one pumped to be there. The atmosphere here is amazingly fun, welcoming, and energetic. Every one of them is genuinely passionate and incredibly devoted to the mission of Change is Simple. My goal for this semester is to follow their brilliant examples, sharing my enthusiasm, and hopefully, inspiring others to make a difference in the environment and society.

            Thank you to the Change is Simple team for giving me this awesome opportunity. I won’t let you down!