To Organic cook or NOT to Organic cook??

I asked one of SA's Eco-Babes to fill us in ...

Michelle Cory a Graphic designer and Miss Earth SA Finalist 2009 is working on her own organic cookbook. Here's what she has to say...

We think 'organic cooking' and the words raw veggie diets, earthy soiled lettuce and a big greenhouse in your backyard comes to mind…What is organic cooking, and do we need a big greenhouse?
"Organic cooking basically put, is cooking with organic food, which is produced without the use of sewer-sludge fertilizers, most synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, genetic engineering, growth hormones, irradiation and antibiotics. A variety of agricultural products can be produced organically, including produce, grains, meat, dairy, eggs, and processed food products… all of which are great for cooking:)

LOL You don't need a big greenhouse - but growing your own veggies is a great idea because it's healthier, cheaper and of course has a positive impact on the environment! Buy organic produce from your local supermarket."

Why should we be cooking organic?
"Organic food is full of flavour and tastes great, plus it’s healthier for you than processed foods full of pesticides and chemicals. AND as an added bonus organic agriculture helps to minimize the greenhouse effect and global warming through its ability to sequester carbon in the soil. It's better for us and the environment:)"

Where's your favourite green hangout for some good green food?:)

"Tash’s at Morningside Centre wins hands down. I love their separate organic menu, and would recommend the wild brown rice chicken salad to anyone any day. "

Got some Green Christmas recipes to share with our Eco-glam readers?
"I think food is the best Christmas gift. Every year my Austrian Gran and I do all our Christmas baking together, I always make sure there is extra Vanillekipferln (Vanilla Crescent) and Husarenkrapferln, which I wrap beautifully and give as gifts:)"

YUM! I love the idea of baking home-made cookies, wrapping them beautifully and giving them as gifts this Christmas.

Michelle's home-made cookie recipes:

Vanillekipferln

For Dough:
200g butter
250g flour
100g pelled grated almonds
1Tbs vanilla sugar
50g sugar
1 egg yolk

Sugar to roll in:
100g sugar 1 Tb vanilla sugar

Spread the flour on a board, cut butter in it, rub with fingers until the mixture looks like fine breadcrumbs. Mix in all dry ingredients with the yolk and quickly knead into a dough. Allow to set for ½ hour in the fridge. Once the dough has set, break off small pieces and shape into crescents (or whatever shape you fancy- I often shape mine into m’s:) ) Place on a baking tray and bake in a medium oven until light brown. Roll in sugar, mixed with vanilla sugar.

Huarenkrapferln

Dough:
175g butter
50g sugar
2 egg yolks
240g flour

Filling
Jam of choice

Mix ingredients together. Make sure butter is soft and creamed. Once dough is made, leave to set in fridge for ½ hour. Once dough has set break off small pieces and roll into small round balls. Place on baking tray and with the end of a wooden spoon pre-dipped in flour, create 1cm deep hole in the biscuit. This hole will later be filled with jam.
*Tip Dip wooden spoon into flour first, after every biscuit to avoid it sticking to the dough*
Glaze with egg yolk and milk (or just milk), and bake until golden. Whilst still warm fill with jam of your choice. (I usually use apricot, fig and strawberry... mmm)

Lastly, your favourite pair of heels ever bought?:)

"I would have to say my pair of cream no brand peep toe heels, which I wear when I want to feel sweet, cute and feminine."

Ok last last one... What's your favourite shoe label?

"Mmmm I actually don't have a favourite ... Yes i know!!! Shock Horror ha ha but if someone was holding a gun to my head i HAD to choose i'd probably pick Jenni BUTTON. I love their diamonte collection-super sexy!!"

Thanks for sharing Mich, eco-chef extraordinaire, we'll look out for your Organic cookbook!

xxx

Miss Earth Eco-Hottie of the week!

This week's Miss Earth Eco-Hottie of the week goes to.....

Diana Kubasova!

Miss Earth Latvia 2009, and FHM model

I caught up with Diana for a quick interview before she jetsetted off to London, heres what she had to say...

Whats your favourite colour? (Note this is a trick question...:)

"Well, I'd love to say green, but it would then be true only in terms of the meaning it holds. In that case most of my cosmetics, food and clothing is 'green' and so is my hybrid car. But unfortunately in terms of look, green is my least favorite color for clothing, accessories and interior.
My favorite colors are pink, red and white."

What was your advocacy during the Miss Earth pageant?

"I believe that most of environmental ignorance is caused by lack of knowledge. Therefore let's increase the knowledge of what enormous harm everyday waste and carbon emissions are doing to our Mother Earth!"

What’s your TOP green tip for our Eco-nistas?

"GREEN IS SEXY!
We all know, that you cannot go twice to a high-end party in the same dress. But buying a new dress for each party is such a waste, right?
The best solution is to make clothing swap parties with a bunch of girls - you will have so much fun when trying on each others clothing!
Another tip is to make new clothes out of the old ones - just cut two dresses into halves and switch the tops - put on a belt or sew them back together or combine with other clothes - and you have two completely new hot and original outfits!"

Ok let's talk Eco-fashion... Favorite Fashion label/designer?
"I have SO many designers I like and they depend a lot from the time of the year, occasion and mood - if I want to feel rebellious, classy or romantic!:)

Actually most of the clothes I have bought in the past months are from Latvian designers. They are very original and usually every is different, which I really appreciate. "

Your top best-kept beauty secret? (tell tell)
I love taking milk bath once a week. I just add 1-2 liters of whole milk to my bath and my skin is soft as baby's! :)
And I know it might sound weird, but when I'm cooking I put pieces of food on my face, for example cucumber, berries or sour cream, which are actually great masks for the face, but I'm so used to this I sometimes even when I'm not alone! And then it becomes funny!

Lastly… what's your ALL time Favourite shoe brand/label? (this is "Greening in Stilettos" after all:)
Definitely Christian Louboutin. I adore those extremely high heels, sexy and confident designs & playful red soles!

There you have it Eco-nista's, and you heard it first on "Greening in Stilettos"...

GREEN IS SEXY!

We love u LONG time Diana! xxx

Building a Greener World

Did you know that buildings are responsible for 40% of the world's total carbon emission?? That's ALOT! Now can you imagine the postive impact we could have on our environment if we build the "green way", according to green principles and make our buildings completely energy efficient? What a wonderful world that would be:)

Here's some of the green building projects that have absolutely blown my mind!

Nuvali Evo-living, an Eco-Village in the Philippines that we visited as Miss Earth delegates

It reminded me of the world that the Teletubbies live in - almost TOO green and TOO perfect to be real. But delightfully, it was completely GREEN and very REAL! I seriously expected "Lala" or "Po" to jump up over the rolling hills at any second...:)

...here I am trying to figure out some of the latest eco-technology

"...mm what does this button do?" If only we could press a button and make

the entire world green...now there's a thought...

Miss Earth contestants feeding the fish...

seriously, look at all those fish, UNBELIEVABLE!

Greening young minds...

my young audience were keen and eager to hear the green word

"Armed in Stilettos, we were ready to GO GREEN!"

"It all begins with a revolution in our way of thinking, a vision not just for today but for the years to come. A forward-looking mindset that embraces sustainability as key towards shaping our future. Nurturing the welfare of our environment is steadfastly linked to assuring a solid future for generations to come. Ultimately, it’s about what really matters to us—clean, fresh air, abundant greenery, safety and security, education, a good job, sound health. NUVALI seamlessly integrates family, work, and leisure, generating a diversity of spaces, activities, and communities—allowing people the means to live their full potential. A vibrant landscape springs forth, freely shared by all."

(Nuvalievoliving.com)

Hellooo World!

"You can do anything you put your mind to, and you can do it in stiletto's:)"

YAY!!! My first blog entry - how exciting!!

Having just landed back on South African soil from the Philippines where I took part in the Miss Earth global pageant - I can't wait to share my experience and tell you guys ALL about it! I may even give you an inside scoop into the world of pageantry...;) From the top eco-fashion trends, to award-winning green buildings I really have been living in the world of green, and what a beautiful world indeed. Having lived among 90 of the worlds most beautiful "beauties for a cause" for a month, I stiletto away with lasting friendships, a wealth of knowledge gained and loads of beauty secrets I learnt along the way (will share).

And of course, being Miss Earths of the world there was plenty of "Greening in Stilettos".

I trust that I have mastered the art of this by now:)...so join me and let's stiletto size our carbon footprints!!

Well done again to Larissa Ramos Miss Earth Brazil for taking the title!!

Green Peace and Love x x x