Apple Gallette

Simple Apple Galette.

Little did I know that my life would change so considerably after watching A Plastic Ocean. While I’ve always been conscious about reducing, reusing, recycling and repurposing, I never considered that one could actually refuse plastics, let alone inspire others to do the same. Sure, I always say “no” to straws, plastic bags and cutlery, but that was about the extent of it. At the same time, I was getting more and more annoyed to be given plastics at every turn when purchasing food. I have since found ways of going around this, by shopping at the greenmarket and eating according to the seasons, as well as bringing my own containers to purchase bulk food items and takeout foods.

 
Sharing my plastic-free journey each day on Instagram @conscious_cooking (91K), I’ve received endless commendations and appreciation, both virtually and IRL. People appreciate promoting this global awareness that is so relevant and in urgent need for action. Gaining this support and encouragement gave me the idea for a project to bring the virtual food community together, whilst benefitting the planet… attempting to save the oceans, to be more precise.
 
Mandredine with porcini and fried sage

Manfredine with Porcini and Fried Sage.

The #plasticfreefoodie eZine is a collection of recipes showcases 80 recipes contributed by over 60 inspirational food Instagrammers and zero-waste influencers Lauren Singer from Trash is for Tossers and Shia Su from Wasteland Rebel. Also featured are stunning photos by top ocean / marine life photographers. From Australia to New York, Germany to India, the contributors of this issue are sharing, with their collective 5.5 million followers, an important message beyond beautiful foods they create and showcase each day. The responses from these posts has been incredibly positive in promoting plastic usage awareness, building momentum for what I hope to be an ongoing recognition and positive change in spending habits.

 
All the recipes are made with ingredients that aren’t packaged in single-use plastic to show that we can eat deliciously without the trash! The recipes are also all vegan, even though not all the contributors are, because fresh produce is the easiest food to find unpackaged. Eating more vegetables is also better for the planet, and let’s face it… it’s always great to get some veggie inspiration. From breakfast to main courses to dessert (and everything in between!) this is the perfect inspiration for the holiday table, and every other day of the year. It makes a great eco-friendly gift too! Ordering details (pdf and ePub formats) can be found at yommme.com.
 
Christine Wong is a NYC healthy chef, freelance content creator and social media consultant. She is the founder of Yommme and @conscious_cooking, platforms that celebrates the beauty of plant-based eating and plastic-free cooking.