Sunday, November 18, 2007

Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate all that we have -- and that includes the resources of the planet we live on. What better opportunity to go green and set an example for your family to do the same?

The holiday originated as a celebration of the season's harvest, so it makes perfect sense to support the region's land and farmers by shopping for seasonal, organic local produce such as squash, leafy greens and root vegetables. Not only are they better for you than stuffing from a box, but local foods require less energy for transportation. (A University of Washington study estimated that a plate of regionally grown Thanksgiving food saves about two pounds of carbon emissions, compared with a meal made from food transported from afar.)

As for the meal's main attraction, choose organic farm-raised turkey over its factory-farmed counterpart, which contains antibiotics and hormones, and consider energy-saving cooking techniques.

"I use two smaller, 10- to 13-pound turkeys in the oven at the same time; they take much less time to bake," says Nora Pouillon, chef and owner of Restaurant Nora in the District, the nation's first certified organic restaurant. "A Spanish roaster helps save energy, too."

Of course, an even greener option is to forgo the turkey; meat requires much more energy to produce (in the form of grains grown to feed the animals) than vegetables. Then again, soy-protein facsimiles aren't always appetizing or eco-friendly. Use legumes and nuts, which are good sources of vegetarian protein. As for cranberries, try making a salad or compote with the berries rather than serving the canned, jellied variety, which usually is loaded with sugar and made through energy-intensive factory processing.

One way to demonstrate an appreciation for our material abundance is to avoid waste. Use non-disposable plates and utensils, as well as cloth napkins. Reuse materials such as tinfoil for as long as possible and recycle. Don't load up on more food than your family can eat.

Decorate using natural and found materials, and create arrangements you can reuse next year. "I just go out in the garden or park and pick up multicolored leaves, acorns and pine cones," Pouillon says. "You can make beautiful bouquets that way, instead of buying something you'll throw away." If you're using candles, choose natural beeswax or soy-based formulations with lead-free wicks.

Thanksgiving is also one of the year's busiest travel times. If you can't save carbon dioxide emissions by staying home, consider buying carbon offsets. A company (such as Silver Spring-based Carbonfund.org) will plant trees or invest in renewable energy to compensate for the CO2your trip produces. Use public transportation when possible; if you're driving, carpool.

Finally, consider the holiday an opportunity to begin green traditions: Plant a tree or use leftovers to start a compost pile. The more you do, the more future generations will have to be thankful for.

-- Eviana Hartman