World Ark Magazine - January/February 2009 - (Page 9)

harvest “in the bleak midwinter,” as the old spiritual goes, when the ground is “hard as iron, the water like a stone,” what is there to eat? we can take a page from the recipe books of eastern europe and russia, particularly ukraine, where the hearty stew known as borscht is considered a national dish. rich in root vegetables, which store well, and hardy cabbage, beet-red borscht is a vivid spot of color and a tasty source of nutrients on a winter table. Walking the Walk Something you already know: One of the easiest—and healthiest—ways to reduce transportation costs and gas consumption is to run your errands on foot. Something you may not know: your neighborhood’s “walkability” ranking, as calculated by a new website: www.walkscore.com. The site ranks the area around your house on a scale of 1 to 100 by calculating the number of restaurants, stores, schools and other amenities within easy walking distance (defined as less than a mile). The site freely admits that the formula is not a perfect science, but it’s a good start—and a great way to raise general awareness about the importance of a walkable community. Green Wisdom when it comes to heating your home, it’s easiest to make the best of whatever system was in the house when you bought it. but if you have the chance to start from scratch, you’ll want to install the most energy-efficient and environmentally friendly option available. while all systems have their pros and cons, it’s helpful to keep some general guidelines in mind. Good: electric-fueled furnaces or heaters. generating heat from electricity is relatively expensive, and nearly half of electric energy comes from burning coal. however, this can be a good choice for homes in warm climates where annual heating needs are minimal. simple Winter Borscht Better: gas- or oil-fueled furnaces. Systems powered by furnaces are called forced-air systems, which heat by blowing hot air through registers in your floors. Powering these by gas or oil is usually cheaper than using electricity, though they can be noisy and somewhat inefficient. Best: gas- or oil-fueled boilers. In a heavy-bottomed soup pot, sautée the following in butter or olive oil until soft: 1 small head of cabbage, shredded 2 carrots and/or turnips, sliced thinly 1 onion or leek, finely chopped boilers heat water or steam that circulates through radiators or baseboard heating. boilers are generally the most efficient, most adaptable to “zone” heating, or heating only certain parts of the house, and require less energy to distribute the heat than furnaces. w w w. h e i f e r . o rg Add 1 small can crushed or diced tomatoes, 6 to 8 shredded beets, and bay leaves to taste. Cover to a depth of 1 inch with water or beef stock, and simmer until soft. Before serving, add salt, pepper, and lemon juice or vinegar to taste. Garnish with a spoonful of plain yogurt or sour cream and serve with a thick slice of dark bread. n januar y/f e bruar y 2009 | wo r ld a r k 9 http://www.walkscore.com http://www.heifer.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of World Ark Magazine - January/February 2009

World Ark Magazine - January/February 2009 Contents Letters For the Record The Good Life Asked and Answered Microfinance: A Lot for a Little Business is Buzzing in Honduras The World Grows Smaller Mixed Media Heifer Spirit Heifer Bulletin Calendar First Person

World Ark Magazine - January/February 2009

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