Dear EarthTalk: What on Earth is “plant blindness?” – Betsy Carlucci. New York, NY Botanists James Wandersee and Elizabeth Schussler coined the term “plant blindness” in 1998 to describe “the inability to see or notice the plants in one’s own environment, leading to the inability to recognize the importance of plants in the biosphere […]
Overnight Walnut French Toast with Cranberry Walnut Ginger Compote
Cranberry Walnut Ginger Compote: 1/2 cup California Walnuts 2 cups cranberries 1/2 cup orange juice 1/2 cup maple syrup 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger 1 orange, zest only Overnight Walnut French Toast: 8 slices Texas Toast or 1-inch thick slices French bread 1/4 cup butter, melted, plus additional for baking dish, divided 2 1/2 cups milk […]
PPE & The Environment
Dear EarthTalk: What’s the environmental impact of all the single-use PPE we are throwing away now in huge numbers as a result of responding to the COVID-19 crisis? — Jay M., Cary, NC There’s no question about it: all the disposable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in our waste stream is taking a toll on the […]
Apple-Cranberry Cobbler
Nonstick cooking spray 5 apples, peeled, cored and cut into 1/2-inch thick slices 1 ½ cups fresh or frozen cranberries 2 teaspoons lemon juice teaspoon vanilla extract ½ cup granulated sugar 2 tablespoons cornstarch ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon container (10.2 ounces) refrigerated home-style biscuits, quartered tablespoons butter, melted tablespoons sparkling sugar Heat oven to 375 […]
Wild Animal Rights
Dear EarthTalk: Do wild animals have any rights under the law in the U.S. (or other countries) the way human citizens do? — John Hamilton, Raleigh, NC Winnie the Pooh said it best: “Some people talk to animals. Not many listen though. That’s the problem.” While attention to animal rights has increased over the […]
Easy Pastry Brunch Cups
2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons flour 1 ½ cups milk 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese 2 sheets puff pastry 18 eggs 2 cups diced ham chopped fresh green onions Heat oven 375 F. In small saucepan, melt butter. Whisk flour with butter. Gradually pour in milk, whisking each time. Bring to simmer, whisking until mixture […]
Cheesy German Potato Soup
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese 1 cup shredded Gruyere cheese 3 tbsp all-purpose flour 8 slices bacon, chopped 3 large carrots, chopped 1 medium onion, diced 2 cloves garlic, minced 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth 1/2 tsp ground black pepper 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes 1/2 tsp dried thyme 1 tbsp dried parsley […]
Solar Storms
Dear EarthTalk: Are there any environmental or health risks associated with the solar storms that have been hitting the Earth recently? — Betsy R., Suwanee, GA Solar storms have been in the news lately, but the truth is these naturally occurring solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) from the Sun happen all the […]
Shrimp Scampi
8 ounces pasta linguine2 tablespoons butter2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil4 garlic cloves, minced1/2 cup dry white wine or seafood broth3/4 teaspoon kosher salt1 dash crushed red pepper flakes1/4 teaspoon black pepper1 1/2 pounds large or extra-large Aqua Star shrimp, shelled1/3 cup parsley, chopped1/2 lemon, juice only Cook pasta according to package directions. In large skillet, […]
Desalinating Ocean Water
Dear EarthTalk: If the world is running out of fresh water, why aren’t we desalinating more ocean water? — H. Smith, Providence, RI The protagonist of Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s 1798 lyrical ballad The Rime of the Ancient Mariner proclaims: “Water water everywhere / nor any drop to drink” as his ship drifts through Antarctic […]