Today was the Global Gratitude Food Festival in Point Loma (San Diego). The focus was on Vegan Fun, with food and drinks for everyone.
Can you imagine how people can design fruits and veggies to be a piece of artwork? That’s what I see here. That’s why I changed the shot into a watercolor in Photoshop. And we eat with our eyes, don’t we… ? And we look to eat the colors of the rainbow?
YES CHEF!
So that’s the lesson. We can make anything enjoyable by creating the perfect presentation. You probably want to think of this when you serve guests this holiday season. It’s about fresh fruits and vegetables along with whatever proteins you are serving. Some roasted garlic with a baguette? So good. And if you’re gluten free or vegan, there’s so many choices these days.
I just have to say about this festival…. it was truly eco friendly. We each brought our own containers for water, plates and silverware. A vegan lifestyle. It’s healthier for sure! And if you have seen any of the recent movies like “Cowspiracy”, you know it’s healthier for the planet as well!
As I continue my flight into the vegan world of dining, I must say it absolutely does help that I’m a chef! As someone who has studied both food and nutrition, I always say: As much as I know, is as much as I still have to learn”.
And taking my review of this Festival one step further, the job of this event was to educate. And that it did.
So let me pass on some of what I learned. I walked in towards the end (after picking up my daughter and soon to be son-in-law from a trip that took them overseas). So I’m sure I didn’t get everything. But here’s a ‘tasting’…
Liz Gary, a representative of the San Diego Soy Dairy was there grilling tofu and educating people on its’ benefits. She and I were talking about all the misconceptions about tofu being processed or not good for you and your hormones. I plan to interview her in depth and do some research to see what others are saying. And that, for sure, is a future blog coming your way!
I was happy I made it there since there was someone talking about feeding everyone. My Foundation “No-Face-Goes-Un-Fed is very supportive of all information on how we can feed people.
We hear all the time from Restaurants saying they can’t give away unused food because they’re afraid of lawsuits. Well maybe now that there’s the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Act and the Food Donation Connection we now have the following clearly addressed: Each year, 14 billion pounds of food are sent to landfills. Meanwhile, nearly 30 million Americans, including 12 million children, are at risk of hunger. Potential donors most often cite fear of liability as the reason they refuse to donate to feeding programs. Before passage of the national law, all 50 states and the District of Columbia had adopted laws protecting donors. Yet, differences in language and applicability between states often discouraged national and regional companies from donating. With the national law in place, regional and national donors have the uniform language that protects them from civil and criminal liability. Now, perhaps they will see there is nothing to fear but fear itself! lol
I support all the food rescue programs. And I love that we are talking about it at a Global Gratitude Food Festival sponsored by Tracy Childs/Veg-Appeal and many of the people that work tirelessly to support the San Diego 350 Planet Based Diet Team to create events like this.
Bravo! And a Happy Holiday to all!
Happy Healthy Eating,
