Earth Hour Appies

Being mindful of our environment engages every aspect of our being. What we buy, what we wear, what we use, and what we eat all contribute to a mindful life. Our glorious earth has regenerative resources, but we need to limit our consumption so our planet can renew its assets.

Earth Hour began as a one-hour event organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in Sydney, Australia, in 2007, where it created awareness of what our planet ultimately needs to sustain itself. It has since grown to encompass thousands of cities around the world.

This year Earth Hour falls on March 28 from 8:30 to 9:30 pm. Millions of people around the globe will be participating. Everyone is encouraged to turn off all nonessential electronics and lights in their local time zone for one hour to limit electricity consumption.

Many Canadians take Earth Hour as an opportunity not only to “shut off the lights,” but also to reverse or eliminate other wasteful habits to lessen their carbon footprint. Many have created an event for their friends.

We bring you Earth Hour appies—a collection of raw foods for eco-friendly repasts that you can enjoy over candlelight with a couple of friends or a crowd.

Our appetizers embrace all aspects of Earth Hour: they can be produced without a stove, oven, microwave, or other electrical appliance. Eating plant-based food in its natural state, by candlelight, benefits us and the planet. It’s a win-win.

Recipes

• Cucumber Waldorf Cupcakes
• Apple Beet Salad with Crunchy Cashew Sauce
• Oysters on the Half Shell with Fresh Tomato Mignonette
• Vegetable Salsa Ceviche
• Vegetable Sushi Rolls with Ricotta Butter

Interested in going raw?

• Stock up on plenty of your favourite raw fruits and veggies to snack on whenever you’re hungry.
• Start your day with a flavour-packed smoothie full of veggies and greens.
• Gradually work plenty of salads, fruits, and veggies into your midday meal.
• Take it one meal at a time, slowly increasing raw foods in your diet.
• Begin your supper with a little fruit or citrus and end with cooked fruit or veggies, gradually adding more raw food into the main course.
• Educate yourself about detox effects before starting raw so you’re prepared for feelings of tiredness.
• Be sure to get adequate calories and nutrients when eating a full raw food diet.
• Exercise regularly.
• Find knowledgeable raw foodies for mutual support.