CLP Art: Guatemalan Pig Trough

At the Center For Living Peace, we have several different pieces of art that embody our values of compassion, courage, connection and collaboration, and of course inspire peace.

Since each work of art has a special meaning, we will take a look at a specific piece once a month to learn more about its significance and how it contributes to our mission.

Taking this month’s spotlight is our Guatemalan pig trough, located right next to the front desk of the center.

Guatemalan Pig Trough 

Our special wish jars rest on this wooden structure that was once a pig trough from Guatemala. Each jar is marked with a label such as “I’m peaceful when…” or “I’m thankful for…” or “I will change the world by…” All visitors are invited to write and leave behind inspirations, aspirations, or simple words of thanks.

The idea that this pig trough was once used in nature as a vessel to feed and nourish pigs complements the idea that it now nurtures our wish jars. We can all benefit from finding new uses in different resources.

A closer look at our special wish jars 

Our wishes within these jars are everlasting, and we know that with continued love, peace and kindness, they can one day come true.

We hope you enjoyed learning a little more about our art – stay tuned for next month!

Good Happens.

Peace Grl Out!

Meatless Monday: Three Bean Chili

Mondays don’t have to be long and dreary anymore – our new meatless recipe will brighten your day and open your eyes up to a whole new world of food!

Today’s weekly statistic comes from the Meatless Monday website:

“Red and processed meat consumption is associated with increases in total mortality, cancer mortality and cardiovascular disease mortality.”

And now, as promised, it’s time for our weekly recipe. We hope you see that vegetarian meals can still be hearty and delicious when you try out this three bean chili!

Three Bean Chili

Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 cup pre-chopped onion
• 1/2 cup pre-chopped green bell pepper
• 2 teaspoons bottled minced garlic
• 3/4 cup water
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 (15 1/2-ounce) can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (15 1/2-ounce) can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (15 1/2-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can organic vegetable broth (such as Swanson Certified Organic)
• 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can no-salt-added diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 tablespoon yellow cornmeal
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 6 tablespoons reduced-fat sour cream

Directions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat.
2. Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic to pan; saute 3 minutes.
3. Stir in 3/4 cup water and next 9 ingredients (through diced tomatoes); bring to a boil.
4. Reduce heat, and simmer 8 minutes.
5. Stir in cornmeal; cook 2 minutes.
6. Remove from heat; stir in cilantro. Serve with sour cream.

Recipe originally posted by CookingLight.

Enjoy your day of being meatless!

Good Happens.

Peace Grl Out!

Meatless Monday: Curried Tofu Scramble with Spinach

The United Nations has estimated that the production of meat contributes up to 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions. It’s pretty astounding to think about. You can read the article and learn more here.

By eating less meat, we can help reduce up to one fifth of the greenhouse gas in our atmosphere! It’s easier (and far more delicious) than you could ever believe! One simple meal can help make a difference.

Here’s another delicious recipe to get you started on your Meatless Mondays!

Curried Tofu Scramble with Spinach

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 container firm or extra firm tofu, pressed and crumbled
• 1 tsp curry powder
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 1/2 tsp cumin (optional)
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tomatoes, diced
• 1 bunch fresh spinach

Preparation:

Sautee the garlic and onion in olive oil in a large skillet. Allow to cook for 3 to 5 minutes, or until onion turns soft. Add remaining ingredients except spinach and cook, stirring frequently for another 5 minutes or so, until tofu is hot and cooked, adding more oil if needed.

Add spinach and cook a minute or two, just until wilted, stirring well.

Makes two servings of tofu scramble. Recipe originally posted here.

Good Happens.

Peace Grl Out.

Introducing our custom Live Peace FEED bags!

We are so excited about one of our newest additions to the Live Peace Store, and you should be, too. Why? Because each FEED bag comes with a story that we love.

Here’s the deal: FEED Projects donates a set amount of meals to the United Nations World Food Programme for each bag sold. Since it started in 2007, FEED has sold over 570,592 bags (head to their website at http://www.feedprojects.com to see the most up-to-date number; it went up by 31 just while this was being written!)—that’s enough for over 66 MILLION meals provided through the WFP.

A criticism of similar good-based donations we have frequently heard is, “Why buy the item? Couldn’t you just give the money straight to the charity instead? Instead of spending $40 on a bag, you could give that $40 to the organization!” This is true, but misses an important aspect of FEED and other organizations’ goal: to raise awareness at the same time as making an impact. By buying the FEED bag, you are raising awareness for WFP and the global need for food at the same time as donating much-needed funds to the organization. Maybe 10 others will see your bag, ask about it, and then make a donation or even buy their own bag! You can have an exponential impact by becoming a visible supporter of the organization and inspiring others to do the same. When you carry this bag, you help support FEED, WFP, and the Center for Living Peace all at once.

Whether as a gift to someone else or to yourself, we encourage you to check out our limited edition, custom FEED bags! Who knows— you just might inspire others to spread peace and make good happen.

Our Live Peace FEED bags are available only in the Live Peace Store located here in the Center. Each bag is made of sturdy canvas and has an inside pocket—perfect for groceries, class, or just carrying things around. For each Live Peace bag sold, FEED Projects donates 10 meals to the World Food Programme’s school meals program.

Want to know more about FEED or WFP?
FEED Projects: www.feedprojects.com
WFP: www.wfp.org/school-meals

To see more of the items in our LIVE PEACE store, click here.

 

Good Happens.
Peace Grl Out.

A Sustainable Movement

Reblogged from Pamela Donohoo:

Thursday, March 15, 2012 - 8 to 8:30pm

The intention of my art is to express a story that generates thought, discussion and action in our community- a story that can catalyze the change that we so desperately hunger for.

I like to think about renaissance art. Art that was respected. Art that was so forward looking that it truly gave a voice to progress.

Read more… 237 more words

So excited for this performance by Pamela Donohoo, the Artist in Residence for the Center for Unconventional Security Affairs.

Meatless Mondays: Fettuccine Florentine

It’s Monday again, which means it’s time for another tasty meatless recipe and statistic that will help you start your week off right!

Today’s statistic comes from the Meatless Monday website.

“The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization estimates the meat industry generates nearly one-fifth of the man-made greenhouse gas emissions that are accelerating climate change worldwide… reigning in meat consumption once a week can help slow this trend.”

Lowering meat consumption can help with the environment and improve our general health, so let’s take a look at a new recipe: Fettuccine Florentine!

Fettuccine Florentine

Ingredients:

• 8 oz fettuccine, cooked according to package instructions
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 fresh red chili pepper diced or 1 teaspoon diced bottled red chili
• 2 cloves garlic, diced
• 6 large flat mushrooms, sliced
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 cup low fat evaporated milk or 1 cup low fat non-dairy powdered milk
• 1 large bunch of fresh spinach, roughly chopped
• 1 cup parmesan cheese or non-dairy parmesan, freshly grated
• 1/4 cup parsley, chopped
• 6 sundried tomatoes, diced

Directions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large heavy-based pan over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and chili and cook for 3-5 minutes, or until soft and fragrant.
2. Add the mushrooms to the pan and cook for about 3-4 minutes, or until soft and browned. Season with salt and pepper to taste and toss well.
3. Reduce heat to low and add the evaporated milk. Slowly stir for about 5 minutes, or until liquid has reduced by three quarters.
4. Add the cooked fettuccine, spinach, parmesan, parsley and sundried tomatoes to the pan. Toss for 2-3 minutes, or until spinach is wilted and fettuccine is well incorporated.
5. Serve topped with a little extra parsley and fresh cracked pepper.

Recipe originally posted on Veggie.Num.Num.

We hope you enjoy being healthy, happy and good to the environment!

Good Happens.

Peace Grl Out!

Introducing: Meatless Mondays

As members of our community, we can “do good” and live peacefully in an innumerable amount of ways. At the Center for Living Peace, we’re always looking for new ways to do good in our lives and our communities.

Enter: Meatless Mondays

Staring this week, every Monday we will post about the benefits of eating one less meal with meat, along with some startling statistics and factoids and delicious meat-free recipes.

So why “Meatless Mondays”? Well, think about all the good you’ll be doing your community when you contribute to freeing 15 million square kilometers of farmland and reducing greenhouse-gas emissions up to 18%!

So, as promised: Here is your statistic and your recipe. Please join me every week for a Meatless Monday!

From The Daily Green:
The amount of greenhouse gas (gases that trap heat in the atmosphere) emissions caused by cheeseburger production and consumption is equivalent to that of about 6.5-19.6 million SUVs.

If we’ve all begun committing ourselves to more eco-friendly driving, then perhaps we can also commit to more eco-friendly eating! For example, instead of burgers for dinner, how about a delicious grilled sandwich?

California Grilled Veggie Sandwich?

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/8 cup olive oil
• 1 cup sliced red bell peppers
• 1 small zucchini, sliced
• 1 red onion, sliced
• 1 small yellow squash, sliced
• 2 (4-x6-inch) focaccia bread pieces, split horizontally
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

Directions

1. In a bowl, mix the mayonnaise, minced garlic, and lemon juice. Set aside in the refrigerator.
2. Preheat the grill for high heat.
3. Brush vegetables with olive oil on each side. Brush grate with oil. Place bell peppers and zucchini closest to the middle of the grill, and set onion and squash pieces around them. Cook for about 3 minutes, turn, and cook for another 3 minutes. The peppers may take a bit longer. Remove from grill, and set aside.
4. Spread some of the mayonnaise mixture on the cut sides of the bread, and sprinkle each one with feta cheese. Place on the grill cheese side up, and cover with lid for 2 to 3 minutes. This will warm the bread, and slightly melt the cheese. Watch carefully so the bottoms don’t burn. Remove from grill, and layer with the vegetables. Enjoy as open faced grilled sandwiches.

Recipe originally posted on All Recipes.

Do you have a recipe you’d love to share? Email it to contact@goodhappens.org! Enjoy being healthy and eco-friendly my friends!

Good Happens.

Peace Grl Out!