#green corner

04/07/2022

BY SJECWARRENTON

FROM THE GREEN CORNER:LENTEN PRACTICE OF MEATLESS MONDAYS

Consider what would happen if each member of St. James’ continued the practice of meatless Mondays after Easter– and even added additional days. Agriculture is responsible for about 9% of total US greenhouse gas emissions. Livestock accounts for almost half of that figure. Beef cattle alone are responsible for about a quarter of the emissions from US agriculture. Additionally, imported beef from South America ( often used by fast food restaurants) is causing deforestation in the Amazon rainforest. Consider the difference we could make with this simple change.

SHEPHERD’S PIE:Mashed potatoes: cook and mash 4 large baking potatoes or use instant.Filling:1med. onion, peeled and chopped1 T olive oil2 cloves garlic, mninced1 t. ground cumin4 carrots, peeled and sliced28 oz. can stewed tomatoes, chopped, reserving juice2 T. tomato paste3/4 C. vegetable broth1 1/2 C. EACH thawed frozen corn kernels, peas15 oz. can kidney beans, drained and rinsed1/2 t. saltCook the onion in oil until softened, add garlic, cumin, carrots, and 1 T. water. Cook, covered 5 min.Add tomatoes with juice, tomato paste, broth, simmer until reduced by half.Stir in corn, peas, kidney beans, salt and pepper.Pour filling into 10” quiche pan and smooth mashed potatoes on top. Bake in preheated oven at 350 until filling is bubbly, about 20 min.

NEW GMU CLIMATE CENTER TO HELP COMMUNITIES:https://www.gmu.edu/news/2022-03/masons-virginia-climate-center-will-help-local-communities-meet-challenges-climate

CLIMATE CHANGE & YOUNG PEOPLE:

https://interfaithpowerandlight.salsalabs.org/youthvgovwebinar/index.html?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=2ee4bb8f-c4a3-4ce3-8ce0-67cb8aea8841

03/31/2022

BY SJECWARRENTON

FROM THE GREEN CORNER: STOP UNWANTED JUNK MAIL

Lent provides time to focus on the small things in our lives that we can change for the better. Consider this:  The average U. S. adult receives 41 pounds of junk mail annually. This requires 53 million trees and 56 billion gallons of water to produce. Visit <www.dmachoice.org> to help stop unwanted junk mail. Call specific companies to unsubscribe from their mailings or catalogs.

Reducing meat intake helps our planet.

THIS WEEK’S LENTEN RECIPE FOR MEATLESS MONDAYS: VEGAN BOLOGNESE

2 T. olive oil

1 C. grated carrots

1 C. minced celery

1 C. minced, yellow onion

4 large garlic cloves, minced

1 C. walnuts, finely chopped

1 C. dried lentils, rinsed in a sieve

1 t. salt6 C. water

24 oz. jar good quality marinara

1 t. garlic powder

1 t. Italian seasoning

1 lb. Cooked wide pasta noodles such as pappardelle or tagliatelle

Saute carrots, garlic, celery, and onions.

Add walnuts, lentils, a jar of marinara sauce, salt and water.Simmer, cook low and slow until the lentils are cooked through, about 45 min.

Blend (immersion blender or regular blender) 2 C. of the sauce to create a creamier texture.

03/10/2022

BY SJECWARRENTON

FROM THE GREEN CORNER:WHY DOES THE DATE FOR EASTER CHANGE EVERY YEAR?

Easter is always on Sunday, but which Sunday?

You can look at a calendar each year to find out. But it is more fun to watch the spring sky. Here’s how.March 21 is the first day of spring.

After March 21, go outdoors and watch the moon each night. When you see a full moon, Easter will be the next Sunday.Lent, preceding Holy Thursday, is a time to remember Jesus’ 40 days of penitence and meditation in the desert.

CLIMATE CHANGE AND BEEF:The Amazon rainforest is approaching a critical threshold beyond which much of it will be replaced by grassland, with vast consequences for global climate change. Climate change, together with widespread clearing for ranching, has made it warmer and drier. More than three-quarters of the untouched rainforest has lost resiliency since 2000. About 17 percent of the Amazon has been deforested over the past half-century. The Amazon lost an astounding 5,100 square miles of tree cover from August 2020 to July 2021. Losing the Amazon rainforest could add up to 90 billion tons of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, the equivalent of several years’ worth of global emissions.  A major driver of this deforestation is agriculture, specifically beef production. Going vegetarian, even for a few days each week, —and avoiding imported beef every day– is a tool each of us can easily use.

RECIPE OF THE WEEK:

LIZ’S BURGERS

4 C. cooked, mashed pumpkin or winter squash

2 cans black beans, rinsed and drained

2 C. rolled oats, ground into oat flour in blender

1 t. salt

1 T chili powder or any seasoning you prefer

2 T. dried chopped onion

Mix all in a bowl. Let the mixture sit for 10 min. so the oat flour soaks up the liquid. If your pumpkin doesn’t have much liquid, you may want to reduce the oat flour.

Line 2 baking sheets with parchment.Using a 1/3 C. measure, scoop the mixture into balls onto the baking sheet. Flatted the balls into a burger shape using the back of the measuring cup. You can get 12-14 burgers.

03/03/2022

BY SJECWARRENTON

LENT WITH THE GREEN CORNER

There are many ways to make Lent a meaningful time. Lenten Calendars are often used to remind us to remember our intentions on a daily basis (and two links are below). But we can also choose to find our own way.

Consider these two ideas this week:

SPEND MORE TIME IN GOD’S CREATION:

The average person spends 87% of their time indoors and another 6% of their time inside a vehicle. During Lent, consider adopting a new spiritual practice that makes you more attuned to God’s creation. Find ideas here: www.centerforspiritualityinnature.org/practices.

EATING MEAT AFFECTS THE HEALTH OF OUR BODIES AND OUR ENVIRONMENT.

The Green Corner encourages “Meatless Mondays” (and more) during Lent. Try this delicious spring recipe: ANNE’S CASSEROLE Layer in an oiled 9 x 9 pyrex dish:Greens (I like spinach)1/2 C. uncooked orzo Garlic sautéed in olive oil4 chopped tomatoes or use one 28 oz can with juice sliced mushrooms (raw)Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.Top with:Grated Parmesan or non-dairy substitute1/2 C. breadcrumbs and more garlic sautéed in olive oil Return to the oven and bake 20 more minutes.

02/24/2022

BY SJECWARRENTON

FROM THE GREEN CORNER: SPRING IS COMING!

On the warm days, we are already searching for our gardening gloves and making plans. Here are ten easy ways to make your yard a better place for birds, bees, butterflies. Did you know that creating even a small log-pile can harbor worms and grubs which attract birds? Find out more in “Create a Wildlife Oasis” by Jane Moore (Birds & Blooms, March 2022)

Learn More

Try this to attract butterflies:

Learn More

THE GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT ended Monday . Take a look at the fascinating results: www.birdcount.org

Reports are still coming in. You can watch live:

Watch now

LENTEN CALENDAR: During Lent, the Green Team encourages Meatless Mondays (or more) for improved planet and personal health. We will be providing recipes. Here is a Lenten calendar for thought and practice:

Lenten Calendar

DID YOU KNOW?

The Episcopal Church has an office in Washington, DC, that watches and researches federal level legislation. You can learn more about what they do, how to contact your legislators, and sign up for their newsletter here: