Eat Clean Live Well!

]]> http://terrywalters.net/2012/05/green-faire-on-saturday/feed/ 0 http://terrywalters.net/2012/05/burlap-is-the-new-black/ http://terrywalters.net/2012/05/burlap-is-the-new-black/#comments Tue, 15 May 2012 11:50:58 +0000 Terry Walters http://terrywalters.net/?p=5186 Yes, burlap took over the runway recently at the ReCONNstruction Center’s very first Funds Through Fashion. I’m not saying that organic cotton is “out,” but clearly recycled drapes, coffee bean sacks and even mini-blinds are “in!” These were just some of the materials used to create these fashion-forward looks and raise funds for this great cause. Deconstruction and reconstruction (over demolition) reduces waste, conserves energy, saves natural resources and creates jobs. But who knew how beautiful repurposed items could be the second time around.

(Apologies for my poor on-location photography.)

First up on the runway, I’ll call this first creation the chaise lounge, as it’s made with outdoor chair webbing that’s seamed and highlighted with electrical tape.

This next piece is 100% burlap coffee bags (and has the aroma to prove it). I hope you can make out the gold-hinge details, the plastic tape, and the “key to my heart” necklace.

Third up, this swinging and swaying colorful dress and hat are exclusively from the pages of InStyle Magazine! The designer told us she used her favorite issue, the one with Beyonce on the cover. Beyonce, if you’re reading this, this one’s clearly for you!

And finally, this Jackie O ensemble is made from repurposed drapes, with a burlap shrug, custom nail necklace, wire box hat and toolbox clutch. Best of all, the entire creation was made by our youngest designer – just 16 years old!

The winner was picked based on design, creativity, choice of materials and fit. Now it’s your turn. Leave a comment with your vote for the best design and let’s see if we pick the same winner as the esteemed panel of judges.

Eat clean, live well… and repurpose!

…to be the face of Wesleyan University’s inaugural FOODSTOCK this past weekend. More than a conference, this great event was a community gathering – a festival of food that was relevant, thought-provoking, sustainable, delicious and fun! And most importantly, this event was free to the public making it super-accessible for all – just as food should be.

My thanks to Wesleyan University for bringing us all together, to Miya’s Sushi for the delicious sustainable sushi, and to all who participated along with me in this day and dialogue about “all things food.” I left feeling energized, inspired and hopeful that Foodstock will become an annual event, and that the intention and energy we shared will create even more nourishment moving forward. In the words of the man himself, “knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens.”

Eat clean live well!

More details to come on the NEWS-8 site here.

Saturday and Sunday, June 8 – 9, 2012
Fairmont Olympic Hotel | Seattle, Washington

For more information about the BlogHer Food ’12, including location, speakers, agenda and registration, visit the BlogHer site here.

Food, Artists, Activities, Music and an Organic & Heirloom Plant Seedling Sale!

Saturday, May 19, 2012 | 11:00 – 3:00 pm
Urban Oaks Organic Farm | 225 Oak Street | New Britain, CT
For more information about the day and Urban Oaks Organic Farm, click here.

Join Terry for an in-depth conversation on this live event for holistic minded entrepreneurs!

Wednesday, May 10, 2010 | 8:30 – 9:30 am EST

For more information and details on how to join the discussion, click here.

Thank you for your incredible support and interest in this great event. While FOODSTOCK is free and open to the public, registration is now closed as the conference is sold out! Guests who did not register are welcome to attend the Food Truck Lunch from 1-2 in parking lot C!

Eat clean live well!

Can we be honest? I would attend any event with a promotional poster as cool as this one! As it happens, I’m lucky enough not only to attend FOODSTOCK this weekend at Weslyan University in Middletown, CT, but to be part of it! I hope you’ll join me for this awesome day of talks, panel discussions, workshops, book signings, a farmers market and much more.

Join me, Ariana Bain and Christopher Prosperi at 3:30 for our panel discussion, Sustainable Cuisine. And click here to check out a complete schedule of events for the day.

Other speakers and guests include:

Dorie Greenspan * Ruth Reichl * Molly O’Neill * Faith Middleton and many more!

FOODSTOCK is free to attend and open to everyone!

Donate a non-perishable food item at registration, and receive a FREE raffle ticket. All donations will go to Amazing Grace Food Pantry in Middletown, CT. Nonperishable food items are always sought after by the food pantry, in particular, tuna fish, peanut butter, soup, canned fruit and vegetables, cereal, beans, rice, and pasta sauces.

See you at FOODSTOCK!

Eat clean live well!

This is the sugar shack of Eastman Long. Each winter, he and a crew of 4 others (mostly family) trek through the woods on snowshoes wearing equipment belts almost as heavy as my gallon jug of syrup. Together they tap 11,000 trees. That’s right, 11,000 trees!!! The sap runs through lines into this house where it is purified and heated just hot enough (below boiling) to separate out the water, which is about 97%.

Sugar shack

Eastman Long

The season is a short one and just the right conditions are required for the sap to flow, but the work is year-round making sure the lines are clean, the machinery tuned up and ready to go the instant the sap starts running, and that the whole system works to perfection. All it takes is one glitch – perhaps a frozen line or a broken motor – to dramatically reduce the year’s production. This is a labor of love if ever I’ve seen one.

The final touch

For me, it’s not a question of organic vs. locally grown, but rather a desire to put a face on my food – to know where it comes from, how it was grown and produced and what exactly I’m getting – so that I  can make a healthy choice. I have Eastman Long to thank for adding delicious and nutritious sweetness to my clean food creations.

Eat clean live well!