Showing posts with label water. Show all posts
Showing posts with label water. Show all posts
Monday, August 3, 2009
EASY VEGAN POPSICLES-- GROWN-UP ONES, TOO; & CONSERVING WATER WHEN MAKING HOMEMADE SOYMILK OR TOFU
A Vegan Pineapple Sherbet Pop about to be eaten, in front of a new batch of Vegan Orange Creamsicles
Last week all temperature records were broken in BC-- it was HOT! Popsicles and salads were the order of the day, and I'll get back to those popsicles very soon. A prime concern for many people, even in our rain forest, is water-- or the lack thereof. We had a dry winter and spring, and now a dry summer. Forest fires are raging in parts of the province; wells are drying up. You see trucks with huge water tanks waiting in the ferry lineups to bring water to fill island wells. (We are lucky-- we have a back-up deep well to fill up our well in the summer.)
A reader pointed out the problem of how much water is used in soymilk making some time ago. I recently began to use a more efficient way of utilizing water during the soymilk-making process, and I'd like to share it with you.
If you make your own soymilk and/or tofu and you are having water problems, here are some ideas to conserve water during the very water-intensive process:
You can use the same 2 quarts or so of water to:
a.) float the skins off the soybeans;
b.) scald your equipment;
c.) wash your equipment after making the soymilk;
and d.) water your plants or garden!
While rubbing the skins off of the beans before making the soymilk (removing the skins results in a product with a less "beany" taste), strain the water in which you are floating off the skins through a sieve into a pot or bowl each time. Re-use the same water for each round of rubbing off and floating off the skins and save the water after the last round. (NOTE: I have found that the age of the soybeans makes a difference in terms of removing the skins. For older, more shrunken soybeans, it takes me about 7 minutes to remove the skins; for nice plump newer soybeans it takes only about 3 minutes. I soak them in the refrigerator first for a few days. Freezing the soaked beans also helps the skins come off more easily.)
Now you can boil that same strained rinsing water and use it to scald your equipment in a basin. After making your soymilk, you can re-use the same water (in a washing basin and reheated) to wash out your straining cloth and clean and rinse your soymilk-making equipment. If you use dish soap, use a biodegradable one. You can then use this washing and rinsing water to water your plants or garden, or even flush your toilet, if water is very scarce.
If you make your own soymilk and/or tofu and you are having water problems, here are some ideas to conserve water during the very water-intensive process:
You can use the same 2 quarts or so of water to:
a.) float the skins off the soybeans;
b.) scald your equipment;
c.) wash your equipment after making the soymilk;
and d.) water your plants or garden!
While rubbing the skins off of the beans before making the soymilk (removing the skins results in a product with a less "beany" taste), strain the water in which you are floating off the skins through a sieve into a pot or bowl each time. Re-use the same water for each round of rubbing off and floating off the skins and save the water after the last round. (NOTE: I have found that the age of the soybeans makes a difference in terms of removing the skins. For older, more shrunken soybeans, it takes me about 7 minutes to remove the skins; for nice plump newer soybeans it takes only about 3 minutes. I soak them in the refrigerator first for a few days. Freezing the soaked beans also helps the skins come off more easily.)
Now you can boil that same strained rinsing water and use it to scald your equipment in a basin. After making your soymilk, you can re-use the same water (in a washing basin and reheated) to wash out your straining cloth and clean and rinse your soymilk-making equipment. If you use dish soap, use a biodegradable one. You can then use this washing and rinsing water to water your plants or garden, or even flush your toilet, if water is very scarce.
*******************************************
Now, ABOUT those popsicles:
Sure, I keep them around for treats for my grandchildren, but DH and I like them for a cold treat, too. And the ones I make are low in calories, fat, and even sugar. I don't have any of those fancy, flat Popsicle molds. I like the small ones you can buy in a large supermarket just because they ARE small. These small molds make a popsicle that's only around 50 cool calories and about 1 WW point.
If you are looking for BPA-free molds, here are three: Tovola molds
[doesn't say they are BPA free, but I according to this site, they are]; Norpro molds
; and Soft Landing molds. Stainless-steel popsicle molds
are also available. You can also use wooden popsicle sticks [buy them at craft stores if you can't find them elsewhere] with tiny glass jars or drinking glasses. Because it is a cold mixture that goes into them, and they can be removed from the mold as soon as they freeze, and the plastic is never heated, I personally don't worry too much about this.)
For special occasions, you can make "adult popsicles" by adding a little liquor or liqueur to the mix.
Here are two of our favorite popsicle recipes, and I'll share some more of our favorites in the weeks to come.
Printable Recipe
BRYANNA'S VEGAN ORANGE CREAMSICLES (WITH GROWN-UP OPTION)
Servings: 16
Yield: 16 small popsicles
1 cup non-dairy milk
(NOTE: you can even use soymilk that has turned to "buttermilk")
1/ 12.3 oz. box firm
or extra-firm SILKEN tofu
(use soft or medium tofu if silken is not available)
6 oz frozen orange juice concentrate
1/3 cup unbleached organic granulated sugar
(or agave nectar
)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 pinch salt
GROWN-UP OPTION: 3 tablespoons citrus vodka or orange liqueur
Blend until smooth in a blender
or Vita-Mix
, fill your popsicle molds, put the sticks in place, and freeze solid. To remove, turn the mold upside down and run under hot tap water for a a few seconds, until the popsicles loosen in the molds enough to slide them out.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition (per serving): 54.2 calories; 9% calories from fat; 0.6g total fat; 0.0mg cholesterol; 39.3mg sodium; 142.5mg potassium; 10.2g carbohydrates; 0.2g fiber; 9.7g sugar; 10.0g net carbs; 2.3g protein; 1.1 points.
Nutrition facts with the vodka or liqueur added: Nutrition (per serving): 60.3 calories; 8% calories from fat; 0.6g total fat; 0.0mg cholesterol; 39.3mg sodium; 142.6mg potassium; 10.2g carbohydrates; 0.2g fiber; 9.7g sugar; 10.0g net carbs; 2.3g protein; 1.2 points.
**********************************************
Printable Recipe
BRYANNA'S VEGAN PINEAPPLE SHERBET POPS (WITH GROWN-UP OPTION)
Servings: 18
Yield: 18 small popsicles
1/ 12.3 oz box firm
or extra-firm SILKEN tofu (use soft or medium tofu if silken is not available)
1/3 cup unbleached organic granulated sugar
(or agave nectar
)
4 teaspoons lemon
or lime juice
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
19 oz canned unsweetened crushed pineapple packed in juice (with the juice)
GROWN-UP OPTION: 3 tablespoons vodka, rum, pineapple liqueur or coconut liqueur
Blend until smooth in a blender
or Vita-Mix
, fill your popsicle molds, put the sticks in place, and freeze solid. To remove, turn the mold upside down and run under hot tap water for a few seconds, until the popsicles loosen in the molds enough to slide them out.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition (per serving): 43.6 calories; 8% calories from fat; 0.4g total fat; 0.0mg cholesterol; 12.5mg sodium; 68.1mg potassium; 8.9g carbohydrates; 0.3g fiber; 8.2g sugar; 8.6g net carbs; 1.6g protein; 0.9 points.
Nutrition facts with the liquor added: Nutrition (per serving): 52.4 calories; 6% calories from fat; 0.4g total fat; 0.0mg cholesterol; 12.5mg sodium; 68.1mg potassium; 9.7g carbohydrates; 0.3g fiber; 8.2g sugar; 9.4g net carbs; 1.6g protein; 1.0 points.
Keep cool!
[doesn't say they are BPA free, but I according to this site, they are]; Norpro molds ; and Soft Landing molds. Stainless-steel popsicle molds are also available. You can also use wooden popsicle sticks [buy them at craft stores if you can't find them elsewhere] with tiny glass jars or drinking glasses. Because it is a cold mixture that goes into them, and they can be removed from the mold as soon as they freeze, and the plastic is never heated, I personally don't worry too much about this.)For special occasions, you can make "adult popsicles" by adding a little liquor or liqueur to the mix.
Here are two of our favorite popsicle recipes, and I'll share some more of our favorites in the weeks to come.
Printable Recipe
BRYANNA'S VEGAN ORANGE CREAMSICLES (WITH GROWN-UP OPTION)
Servings: 16
Yield: 16 small popsicles
1 cup non-dairy milk
(NOTE: you can even use soymilk that has turned to "buttermilk")
1/ 12.3 oz. box firm
or extra-firm SILKEN tofu (use soft or medium tofu if silken is not available)6 oz frozen orange juice concentrate
1/3 cup unbleached organic granulated sugar
(or agave nectar)1 teaspoon vanilla
1 pinch salt
GROWN-UP OPTION: 3 tablespoons citrus vodka or orange liqueur
Blend until smooth in a blender
or Vita-Mix, fill your popsicle molds, put the sticks in place, and freeze solid. To remove, turn the mold upside down and run under hot tap water for a a few seconds, until the popsicles loosen in the molds enough to slide them out.Nutrition Facts
Nutrition (per serving): 54.2 calories; 9% calories from fat; 0.6g total fat; 0.0mg cholesterol; 39.3mg sodium; 142.5mg potassium; 10.2g carbohydrates; 0.2g fiber; 9.7g sugar; 10.0g net carbs; 2.3g protein; 1.1 points.
Nutrition facts with the vodka or liqueur added: Nutrition (per serving): 60.3 calories; 8% calories from fat; 0.6g total fat; 0.0mg cholesterol; 39.3mg sodium; 142.6mg potassium; 10.2g carbohydrates; 0.2g fiber; 9.7g sugar; 10.0g net carbs; 2.3g protein; 1.2 points.
**********************************************
Printable Recipe
BRYANNA'S VEGAN PINEAPPLE SHERBET POPS (WITH GROWN-UP OPTION)
Servings: 18
Yield: 18 small popsicles
1/ 12.3 oz box firm
or extra-firm SILKEN tofu (use soft or medium tofu if silken is not available)1/3 cup unbleached organic granulated sugar
(or agave nectar)4 teaspoons lemon
or lime juice3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
19 oz canned unsweetened crushed pineapple packed in juice (with the juice)
GROWN-UP OPTION: 3 tablespoons vodka, rum, pineapple liqueur or coconut liqueur
Blend until smooth in a blender
or Vita-Mix, fill your popsicle molds, put the sticks in place, and freeze solid. To remove, turn the mold upside down and run under hot tap water for a few seconds, until the popsicles loosen in the molds enough to slide them out.Nutrition Facts
Nutrition (per serving): 43.6 calories; 8% calories from fat; 0.4g total fat; 0.0mg cholesterol; 12.5mg sodium; 68.1mg potassium; 8.9g carbohydrates; 0.3g fiber; 8.2g sugar; 8.6g net carbs; 1.6g protein; 0.9 points.
Nutrition facts with the liquor added: Nutrition (per serving): 52.4 calories; 6% calories from fat; 0.4g total fat; 0.0mg cholesterol; 12.5mg sodium; 68.1mg potassium; 9.7g carbohydrates; 0.3g fiber; 8.2g sugar; 9.4g net carbs; 1.6g protein; 1.0 points.
Keep cool!
Friday, August 3, 2007
WATER, WATER, EVERYWHERE??
Today, this story was making the headlines: "NEW YORK - So you thought that water in your Aquafina bottle came from some far-away spring bubbling deep in a glen? Try the same place as the water in your tap.
PepsiCo Inc. is the latest company to offer some clarity about the source of its top-selling bottled water as it announced on Friday it would change the label on Aquafina water bottles to spell out that the drink comes from the same source as tap water."
Want to know more about this important issue? Watch the video below, an interview with Brian C. Howard, author of the article "Message in a Bottle".
Here is the report mentioned in the video, by the Natural Resources Defense Council, "on the results of our four-year study of the bottled water industry, including its bacterial and chemical contamination problems. The petition and report find major gaps in bottled water regulation and conclude that bottled water is not necessarily safer than tap water."
AND, WATCH THIS HUMOROUS, YET VERY REVEALING, VIDEO. (Caution-- swearing in this second video, but it's worth watching; I'm just warning you in case it might offend you.)
We are being duped, something I've believed for a long time. This video shows the extreme to which this has gone.
More articles:
Bottled Water Isn't Healthier Than Tap, Report Reveals
Bottled Water and Snake Oil
Pouring Resources Down the Drain
Please remember that we in North America and Europe are blessed with an abundance of clean water. Let's be thankful that we are not in Baghdad, where some neighborhoods have been dry for a week, and those that have it risk illness if they drink it. The electricity grids are so strained that they can't be used for water purification! So, let's get some perspective.
However, I know that not everyone has good water. Some of the water here on Denman Island, where most of us have wells, is delicious (like ours) and some has such a strong smell of sulphur that you can't drink it. What do you do? Consider Earth Water. (Hat Tip: my good friend Fireweed)
"Did you know...
...that globally, there are 6000 deaths daily, and 2.2 million annually - all due to the lack of clean drinking water?
...In the past 10 years, water related diseases have amounted to more deaths among children than the combination of all the deaths attributed to armed conflict since the Second World War.
Earth Water International is a bottled water company; a new type of corporation whose bottom line is to help save the lives of people in the most desperate of situations.
Earth Water works in support of the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) by donating 100% of it's net profits to be used in water aid programmes in developing countries.
Unlike other corporations, Earth Water's shareholders are every man, woman and child living in the most desperate of situations. Earth Water makes all of its corporate decisions by considering how our policies will impact our world and the people around us.
...our profitability is gauged by how well our corporation is able to positivley impact the lives of citizens around the world and by maintaining sustainable economic practices."
"Access to water is a basic human right. Ensuring refugees have an adequate supply of clean fresh water is the UNHCR’s top priority. Water is brought immediately to refugee camps by using trucks. Over long periods of time, UNHCR sets up permanent, sustainable and cost-effective water supply systems.
The UNHCR cares for 20.8 million people in 117 countries.
Of that 20.8 million people:
8.4 million are refugees
6.6 million are internally displaced persons
5.8 million are stateless, refugees who have returned home but need assistance, asylum seekers, or are others of concern"
UN "Water for life" website and their "Kids' Corner" with lots of resouces for students. This site has information on all of the issues around water, including gender issues.
Check the Earth Water website for where you can find it all over the world. They have cooler systems, as well as bottles.
So, if we MUST use bottled water (and we all do from time to time-- on trips, etc.), let's make sure the profits are not going to a big soft drink conglomerate like Pepsi (sells "Aquafina") or CocaCola (sells "Dasani"), or HUGE big business like Nestle, which sells "Pure Life"! Let's make the profits work for those who have no access to clean water!
ALTERNATIVES TO BOTTLED WATER?
Of course, the ideal would be for everyone to have access to free, clean, safe tap water for drinking. Even non-profit bottled water is not the answer! The Natural Resources Defense Council (their report on bottled water is the subject of the video below) has an excellent page on water, and issues such as activism, fighting and preventing pollution, and water conservation and restoration. They have a page called "Consumer Guide to Water Filters: How to find the right water filter for your home". "NRDC is working toward the day when all Americans can drink and shower in tap water without worry, but if you have immediate concerns about the water in your home, an independently certified water filter can be a good temporary fix for your kitchen faucet. Some filters aim to produce clearer, better-tasting water, while others work to remove contaminants that could affect your health. This guide will help you determine what type of filter might be right for your home."
They also have a page on "How to Clean Up Our Water: Twelve simple ways you can help stem the tide of polluted runoff" (These are available in Spanish and English.)
Peace/Shalom/Salaam
"MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE" VIDEO:
NOTE: My vegan Peruvian recipes are featured on a blog post at the wonderful blog Peru Food! It's a real honor to be featured there!
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