Okay, I admit it, I’m old enough to remember the first Earth Day in 1970. I don’t remember the actual celebration, being only 10, but I did grow up with the feeling that my generation had a new way of seeing things, of being able to make choices, of questioning the attitude of “better living through science” that we’d been born into. Now, almost 40 years later, seems we were onto something. Green is the new black, and it appears the whole world is chanting the mantras of local and sustainable.

In terms of scale, I have to grudgingly admit it’s a good thing that global behemoths such as WalMart have dipped their corporate toe into organics, but a lot of potential change still depends on all of us making choices as individuals, especially as consumers; just ask the manufacturers of CFL light bulbs, hybrid cars, and cotton grocery totes.

In celebration of this year’s upcoming Earth Day, here are a few more options for your consumer choices … some involve cuisine, some involve trees, all involve us and our planet.

1) Cooking pasta in less water – if it works for food science guru Harold McGee, it’s good enough for me!

“After some experiments, I’ve found that we can indeed make pasta in just a few cups of water and save a good deal of energy. Not that much in your kitchen or mine — just the amount needed to keep a burner on high for a few more minutes. But Americans cook something like a billion pounds of pasta a year, so those minutes could add up.
"My rough figuring indicates an energy savings at the stove top of several trillion B.T.U.s. At the power plant, that would mean saving 250,000 to 500,000 barrels of oil, or $10 million to $20 million at current prices.” – Harold McGee

2) Also from Harold McGee, how to sensibly use heat in the rest of your cooking -- simple things like putting a lid on a pot of water to bring it to boil faster or turning down the heat once it starts boiling.

3) Eat Less Meat – yes, this one’s been flogging us full-time lately, but think about it: It’s good for your health and the planet’s health, and you can return major proteins to their once rightful spot on our plates as indulgences and treats rather than the norm. Instead of spending pennies on tasteless commodity meat, pay a little more and get a humanely raised cut from a local farmer -- especially if you live in San Luis Obispo County!

4) Our West Coast salmon fishery is probably going down the tubes again this year, further indication that we all need to be paying attention to our fish buying habits. The problems with the salmon stocks are wide-reaching, but keep in mind that it was consumer demand for Blackened Redfish and Chilean Seabass that pretty much crashed those species.
Check out the best and worse choices for sustainable seafood and sushi at either the Environmental Defense Fund or the Monterey Bay Aquarium sites. (Our locally farmed Abalone is among the best choices!!) You can also download portable guides, email to have some sent to you, or sign up to get updates on your mobile phone.
More questions to ask and info to know when buying fish

5) Please don’t squeeze the Charmin!
Could it be Mr. Whipple was an environmentalist? Well, probably not, but the toilet paper he made famous is no friend to trees. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, if every household in the United States replaced just one 500-sheet roll of virgin fiber toilet paper, such as Charmin, with 100% recycled ones, we could save 423,900 trees. Likewise, if every household in the United States replaced just one 70-sheet roll of virgin fiber paper towels with 100%-recycled ones, we could save 544,000 trees; and if every household in the United States replaced just one box of virgin fiber facial tissues (175 sheets) with 100% recycled ones, we could save 163,000 trees. As for napkins, chuck the paper ones and go for cloth – they’re more festive, more durable, and probably less expensive in the long run.
Check here for the best brands to buy ... and avoid!

fyi … in addition to finding recycled paper products, look for those with a significant amount of “post consumer” content, which means that it’s not just industrial scrap paper etc. being used, but also a portion of the “post consumer” stuff we put in our curbside recycling.

6) And last, but not least – make some eco-friendly Easter eggs this year!

Ground Cinnamon = Light Brown
Paprika = Light Orange
Turmeric = Bright Gold
Ground Coffee = Creamy Brown
Blueberries­ = Deep Blue
Blackberries = Magenta
Concord Grape Juice = Lavender
Spinach­ = Soft Green
Yellow Apple Skins = Lavender
Chopped Beets = Dark Pink
Whole Beets = Reddish Brown
Red Cabbage = Teal
Onion Skins = Yellowish Brown

Directions: Place a single layer of uncooked white eggs in the bottom of a sauce pan. Add fresh dye material (2 cups shredded produce or spices, 1 cup chopped dried plants or 1/2 cup ground herbs). Barely cover eggs with tepid water. Add 2 Tablespoons white vinegar to water. Bring to a gentle boil.
Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes. Carefully remove eggs from dye bath.
Rinse with cold water and air dry.

Hide eggs from children of all ages!

plus ...
Check out Lynn Diehl's new "Wine Region News" television show focusing on "Wine. Food. Lifestyle. California's Central Coast."