Our Aim
-By Mrunmayee
We, the Green Gourmands, are here to introduce you to ‘green meals’. You might have heard these words as often as you ask for a glass of water, but have you ever thought over it? It is high time now! We must move towards greener meals for a greener Earth for a greener future.
Our Mantra
What is carbon emission?
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/3/6/133641871/published/whatsapp-image-2020-12-16-at-5-55-58-pm.jpeg?1608121609)
- Food's carbon footprint, is the greenhouse gas emissions produced by growing, rearing, farming, processing, transporting, storing, cooking and disposing of the food you eat.
- Global carbon emissions are expected to hit an all-time high in the next few years.
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- Some of the most carbon emitting foods are :
- -> Meat
- -> Packaged foods
- -> Processed foods
- -> Refined sugar
- -> Artificial foods
This is the carbon footprint of various countries
- We calculated the Carbon Footprints of each member of our team.
Make Meals Greener
What are green meals?
Eating greens is not just a diet; it is a lifestyle.
A green lifestyle is about making healthy, natural choices.
When it comes to the foods, choosing what is better for our planet,
is to be taken into consideration. Green foods conserve the
natural environment as they have a low carbon footprint.
Therefore, it is inescapable to start working towards greener meals.
A green lifestyle is about making healthy, natural choices.
When it comes to the foods, choosing what is better for our planet,
is to be taken into consideration. Green foods conserve the
natural environment as they have a low carbon footprint.
Therefore, it is inescapable to start working towards greener meals.
Why Green meals?
-> Green meals are made up of plant productions which emit a very low amount of carbon in their production, processing as well as transport.
-> Meat and packaged foods have a long process of cooking which consume too much fuel and energy, and therefore release a large amount of carbon. Unlike this, green meals have shorter cooking processes and less fuel consumption.
->Thus, choosing green meals has become an important part of our responsibility of conserving our planet.
-> Meat and packaged foods have a long process of cooking which consume too much fuel and energy, and therefore release a large amount of carbon. Unlike this, green meals have shorter cooking processes and less fuel consumption.
->Thus, choosing green meals has become an important part of our responsibility of conserving our planet.
Green meals can always be preferred for lowering our carbon footprint,
but are they healthy for us? Yes, green meals have various nutrients
than only the proteins which the meat has. Below is a table that shows the nutritional values of green foods.
but are they healthy for us? Yes, green meals have various nutrients
than only the proteins which the meat has. Below is a table that shows the nutritional values of green foods.
To know which green foods replace meat and seafood, watch the video given below.
Methods for saving energy
How are green meals coming up?
Many steps are being taken to promote green foods in the world. Some of these activities are listed below.
Earth Day
Earth Day is an annual event celebrated around the world on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First celebrated in 1970, it now includes events coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network in more than 193 countries. On this day tree plantation is carried out worldwide and green food is eaten.
St. Patrick’s Day
Saint Patrick's Day, or the Feast of Saint Patrick, is a cultural and religious celebration held on 17 March. Celebrations generally involve public parades and festivals, Irish traditional music sessions and the wearing of green attire or shamrocks. Eating green food is an indispensable tradition of this day.
Awareness by Our School
School Garden
Our school, Pawar Public School, Nanded City, Pune, gives many opportunities to create awareness about green meals and a green environment.
Our school has encouraged students in building and maintaining a school garden. This garden is a vegetable garden where many flowers and vegetables like Cabbage, Brinjal, Fenugreek, Spinach, Lemon grass, etc. are grown. Once these vegetables grow and are ready to cook, they are distributed among the school students who take them home and make green meals of these vegetables.
Green Day
Every year, on 5th June i.e., World Environment Day, our school celebrates a ‘Green Day’. All the students in school wear green color dresses and bring green food for lunch on this day. We also plant vegetable plants in the school vegetable garden once every season.
How to Make Meals Greener?
Now that we know how green meals are better and
necessary for us, let us take a step towards them.
Let us make our meals greener! We have some suggestions
for you which can help you to replace your carbon emitting
meals with a better nutrition and a richer taste!
necessary for us, let us take a step towards them.
Let us make our meals greener! We have some suggestions
for you which can help you to replace your carbon emitting
meals with a better nutrition and a richer taste!
Green Meals you must try out
Click on the names below to see their recipe videos.
Green Meals in Indian Tradition
Click on the names below to see their recipe videos.
Green Recipes by the Green Gourmands
By studying various green foods and their nutrition, we created and cooked various meals. Check out these meals and Go Green!
Click on the names below to see their recipes.
Click on the names below to see their recipes.
A Green Day
Devising Meals For One Day
We researched about green meals and some ways to make them. And our team, THE GREEN GOURMANDS was successful in making these recipes! We replaced our daily diets with green substitutes.
Watch this video to see how we did it.
Watch this video to see how we did it.
Results of Devising Meals
We asked our families about their experience in the activity. Here is what they said.
Q1. Was eating greener cheaper or more expensive?
Answer: It was cheaper. The local green vegetables which were used to make these meals are cheaper than meat and packaged food items.
Q2. Was eating greener healthier as well as tastier?
Answer: Yes, it was healthier. Green meals have many benefits and they are easy for digestion. And for the taste, some vegetables have a very good taste whereas some do not. However, a good combination of these with spices enhanced the taste of these meals.
Q3. Do you think these would be better than meat and processed food for daily consumption?
Answer: According to us, green meals are surely preferable as they release a small amount of carbon. Also, they are cheaper and healthier. So, green meals are always better for daily consumption.
Answer: It was cheaper. The local green vegetables which were used to make these meals are cheaper than meat and packaged food items.
Q2. Was eating greener healthier as well as tastier?
Answer: Yes, it was healthier. Green meals have many benefits and they are easy for digestion. And for the taste, some vegetables have a very good taste whereas some do not. However, a good combination of these with spices enhanced the taste of these meals.
Q3. Do you think these would be better than meat and processed food for daily consumption?
Answer: According to us, green meals are surely preferable as they release a small amount of carbon. Also, they are cheaper and healthier. So, green meals are always better for daily consumption.
Green Methods to Save Energy
Energy consumed by two members on a Saturday
We calculated the energy consumed by two group members on a Saturday with the help of
https://www.saveonenergy.com/energy-resources/energy-consumption%20
We calculated the energy consumed by two group members on a Saturday with the help of
https://www.saveonenergy.com/energy-resources/energy-consumption%20
Mrunmayee
Gadgets used: Microwave, Refrigerator Washer,
Hair Dryer, Iron, Ceiling Fan, Laptop, Television
and Heater.
Total Energy Consumption: 8,014 Wh/Day
Aatish
Gadgets used: Microwave, Refrigerator Washer,
Hair Dryer, Iron, Ceiling Fan, Monitor, Television
and Heater.
Total Energy Consumption: 10,132 Wh/Day
Gadgets used: Microwave, Refrigerator Washer,
Hair Dryer, Iron, Ceiling Fan, Laptop, Television
and Heater.
Total Energy Consumption: 8,014 Wh/Day
Aatish
Gadgets used: Microwave, Refrigerator Washer,
Hair Dryer, Iron, Ceiling Fan, Monitor, Television
and Heater.
Total Energy Consumption: 10,132 Wh/Day
Saving Energy
Most of the energy and resources on Earth are limited. Some others which are renewable take years to get renewed. Thus, it becomes a necessity to conserve these resources and save this energy. To conserve these we have to use them wisely and prevent them from getting polluted or depleted.
Energy is consumed in almost all activities of our life. Our foods also affect the resources and energy. Hence, we have to look for ways to save energy from this aspect too. We can lend a helping hand in saving energy by doing the things mentioned below.
Energy is consumed in almost all activities of our life. Our foods also affect the resources and energy. Hence, we have to look for ways to save energy from this aspect too. We can lend a helping hand in saving energy by doing the things mentioned below.
Methods for saving energy
Use of proper cookware
Cooking consumes various resources like water, fuel, electricity, etc. So, choosing suitable cookware helps in saving energy.
We can replace old cookware with these to save energy.
Pressure Cooker
A pressure cooker accumulates the water vapors inside them and helps to cook the food faster. Due to this, less fuel is consumed and the vapors with the food’s nutrients are not lost in the surroundings.
Nonstick Pans
Nonstick pans prevent corrosion even if the food gets overcooked. This results in less carbon emission.
Lidded Vessels
Lidded vessels trap heat and make the cooking process faster resulting in less fuel consumption.
We can replace old cookware with these to save energy.
Pressure Cooker
A pressure cooker accumulates the water vapors inside them and helps to cook the food faster. Due to this, less fuel is consumed and the vapors with the food’s nutrients are not lost in the surroundings.
Nonstick Pans
Nonstick pans prevent corrosion even if the food gets overcooked. This results in less carbon emission.
Lidded Vessels
Lidded vessels trap heat and make the cooking process faster resulting in less fuel consumption.
Like local and savor the seasonal
Local foods have a shorter time between harvest and our dining table, and it is less likely that their nutrient value has decreased. Whereas, food imported from far-away states and countries is often older, has travelled and sits in distribution centers before it gets to your store. Moreover, imported foods are a serious harm to our environment as a lot of carbon is emitted during their transportation.
In contrast to it, local foods are better for our environment. They also support the local economy. The money that is spent with local farmers and growers all stays close to home and is reinvested with businesses and services in local community. Thus, we should eat more out of the local foods.
At the same time we should savor seasonal foods so the need for importing different foods reduces and gradually the fuel usage in transport reduces, lowering the carbon footprints.
In contrast to it, local foods are better for our environment. They also support the local economy. The money that is spent with local farmers and growers all stays close to home and is reinvested with businesses and services in local community. Thus, we should eat more out of the local foods.
At the same time we should savor seasonal foods so the need for importing different foods reduces and gradually the fuel usage in transport reduces, lowering the carbon footprints.
Eating salads
Meat emits lot of carbon as compared to salads. Most salads do not require cooking.
Thus, a large amount of fuel is conserved and carbon emission is lowered.
Thus, a large amount of fuel is conserved and carbon emission is lowered.
Maintaining a kitchen garden
A Kitchen Garden is a vegetable garden planted in the house courtyard or terrace.
Kitchen gardens reduce the need to visit the market to buy vegetables. Due to this the fuel consumption in transportation is lowered and the emission of greenhouse gases reduces. Also these plants keep purifying the air resulting in good human health.
Kitchen gardens reduce the need to visit the market to buy vegetables. Due to this the fuel consumption in transportation is lowered and the emission of greenhouse gases reduces. Also these plants keep purifying the air resulting in good human health.
Visit to Prestige
*We could not pay a physical visit to ‘Prestige Cookware’ but we visited their website and contacted them through WhatsApp chatting.
Eco Plant-based Products
The Prestige Cookware, recognizing their responsibility to contribute to save energy, have launched various eco-friendly products.
These products have various features which help in the conservation of energy and reduction in global warming. These features are listed below.
PFOA Free Product
PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid) is a chemical which resists heat,
water, grease, and sticking and hence is used to coat various utensils.
However, PFOA can contaminate the water, soil, and air during and
after the manufacturing process. Thus, to avoid these effects Prestige
has introduced PFOA Free Products which are made up of plant-based
recycled materials.
water, grease, and sticking and hence is used to coat various utensils.
However, PFOA can contaminate the water, soil, and air during and
after the manufacturing process. Thus, to avoid these effects Prestige
has introduced PFOA Free Products which are made up of plant-based
recycled materials.
Visit to a home
We talked to a family friend who had already taken many measures to save energy. We communicated through phone calls and WhatsApp chatting.
Some of the measures which they had taken are listed below.
Some of the measures which they had taken are listed below.
Maintaining a Kitchen Garden
They planted various plants like Celery, Turmeric, Lily, Basil, Aloe Vera, Spring Onion, Lemon Grass, etc.
Energy Saving Cookware
They use utensils which conserve energy while cooking, like the pressure cooker, lidded vessels, nonstick pans, etc.
InterviewS
Parent's Interview
We interviewed our parents regarding various aspects of saving energy.
Below is the video of the interview.
Below is the video of the interview.
expert's interview
We interviewed Dr. Mrs. Dnyaneshwari, an expert dietician,
about green meals through online chatting because it is important
to know whether the meals we consume are healthy for us.
Below are the questions and the answers to them.
about green meals through online chatting because it is important
to know whether the meals we consume are healthy for us.
Below are the questions and the answers to them.
Below is the video of the original online Interview.
‘Awareness Activity by the Green Gourmands’
If we want a change in the society, it is necessary to spread awareness about it!
Awareness about green meals should be spread worldwide. We initiated this with a small activity.
We created a video for the awareness regarding green meals and circulated it through our school website and whatsapp group within the school with the help of our school Principal, teachers and friends.
Awareness about green meals should be spread worldwide. We initiated this with a small activity.
We created a video for the awareness regarding green meals and circulated it through our school website and whatsapp group within the school with the help of our school Principal, teachers and friends.
Watch the awareness video on YouTube
Awareness Campaign In School
We made posters for awareness of eating a green meal and put them up in our school.
We made posters for awareness of eating a green meal and put them up in our school.
Conclusion to the Main Research Question
Main research question:
How can we make our meals greener?
Conclusion
Our planet is our life! The future can survive only when our planet survives. Let us make our future better by making it greener! Our foods affect our environment. Every incorrect bite adds to the destruction of our planet. So, let us take steps towards making our planet greener by making our meals greener.
We, the GREEN GOURMANDS (Aatish, Mrunmayee, Siddhi, Yash and Reva) have contributed in making meals greener once every week and noticed a vast difference.
It’s YOUR turn now! By following these you can surely contribute in making your meals GREENER!
• You have to give up ‘who you are’ to become what you ‘want to be’! So, change yourselves by changing your food habits. Give up meat, artificial foods, processed foods and packaged foods. And pick up your GREENS.
• Start eating LOCAL FOODS as the carbon emission in their transportation is very low.
• Eat SEASONAL FOODS as they are fresh and reduce the need to import foods.
• Eat GREEN SUBSTITUTES of meat for your nutrition. Green foods can nourish you well.
• Eat SALAD twice a week as it reduces fuel consumption and cleanses our body.
• Use suitable COOKWARE (Pressure Cooker, Nonstick Pans and Lidded Vessels) to conserve energy while cooking.
• Try to maintain a private KITCHEN GARDEN.
Taking these suggestions into consideration, WE can take steps towards making it a habit. Let’s joins HANDS in making 'OUR EARTH' greener. EAT GREEN! GO GREEN!
Main research question:
How can we make our meals greener?
Conclusion
Our planet is our life! The future can survive only when our planet survives. Let us make our future better by making it greener! Our foods affect our environment. Every incorrect bite adds to the destruction of our planet. So, let us take steps towards making our planet greener by making our meals greener.
We, the GREEN GOURMANDS (Aatish, Mrunmayee, Siddhi, Yash and Reva) have contributed in making meals greener once every week and noticed a vast difference.
It’s YOUR turn now! By following these you can surely contribute in making your meals GREENER!
• You have to give up ‘who you are’ to become what you ‘want to be’! So, change yourselves by changing your food habits. Give up meat, artificial foods, processed foods and packaged foods. And pick up your GREENS.
• Start eating LOCAL FOODS as the carbon emission in their transportation is very low.
• Eat SEASONAL FOODS as they are fresh and reduce the need to import foods.
• Eat GREEN SUBSTITUTES of meat for your nutrition. Green foods can nourish you well.
• Eat SALAD twice a week as it reduces fuel consumption and cleanses our body.
• Use suitable COOKWARE (Pressure Cooker, Nonstick Pans and Lidded Vessels) to conserve energy while cooking.
• Try to maintain a private KITCHEN GARDEN.
Taking these suggestions into consideration, WE can take steps towards making it a habit. Let’s joins HANDS in making 'OUR EARTH' greener. EAT GREEN! GO GREEN!
REPORT ON Collaboration
When it comes to world awareness, it is very important to collaborate and discuss ideas with people around the world.
We had the privilege of collaborating with the students of Baken Park Lyceum. We contacted them through email and had an online meeting to share our experience with them. We compared our projects and exchanged suggestions. We asked them various questions and answered their questions too . Some of the points we shared and discussed are given below.
Many students interacted with enthusiasm and discussed about green meals. It was a very spontaneous interaction and it gave us an idea about the lifestyle and food habits of people living in the Netherlands.
We had the privilege of collaborating with the students of Baken Park Lyceum. We contacted them through email and had an online meeting to share our experience with them. We compared our projects and exchanged suggestions. We asked them various questions and answered their questions too . Some of the points we shared and discussed are given below.
- Green delicacies in India and the Netherlands.
- Experience of cooking and eating green.
- Green food items eaten regularly.
- Methods to reduce carbon footprint.
Many students interacted with enthusiasm and discussed about green meals. It was a very spontaneous interaction and it gave us an idea about the lifestyle and food habits of people living in the Netherlands.
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evidences of the collaboration
Online meeting with the students of Baken Park
Email to the students of Baken Park
REFlection
Our schools were closed in that period due to the Covid-19 pandemic and hence, we could not physically work together. However, we communicated and discussed through various mediums like online chatting, group meetings, video calling etc. We distributed the work among ourselves and set deadlines. We worked on various topics in the following ways.
* All the members researched on the allotted topics.
*We shared the research results through WhatsApp and discussed about the compilation.
*The editing of the website was done by group leader. During this we gave our suggestions and opinions through online meeting.
*The research was done with the help of various websites like www.eatlowcarbon.org, Wikipedia, www.prestige.co.uk, www.savenerergy.com and various YouTube videos.
*We communicated with Prestige, company manufacturing eco friendly cookware, through online chatting.
*Many quotes presented in the website were created by the group members themselves.
The evidences of the communication among the group members are given below.
* All the members researched on the allotted topics.
*We shared the research results through WhatsApp and discussed about the compilation.
*The editing of the website was done by group leader. During this we gave our suggestions and opinions through online meeting.
*The research was done with the help of various websites like www.eatlowcarbon.org, Wikipedia, www.prestige.co.uk, www.savenerergy.com and various YouTube videos.
*We communicated with Prestige, company manufacturing eco friendly cookware, through online chatting.
*Many quotes presented in the website were created by the group members themselves.
The evidences of the communication among the group members are given below.