What we eat impacts the health of our planet–the production of different foods emits different amounts of greenhouse gases.
The Planetary Health Diet is a science-based dietary pattern designed by the EAT-Lancet Commission to promote human health and protect the planet, linking what we eat with how we sustain life on Earth.
The Planetary Health Diet is closely aligned with the Healthy Eating Plate, a guide for creating healthy, balanced meals developed by the nutrition experts at the Harvard School of Public Health.
So, what should we cook?
Just look into our delicious cultural culinary heritage.
“[T]here are thousands of plant-rich meals, recipes and culinary techniques, developed and refined over centuries by home cooks around the world. This delicious heritage is often hiding in plain sight, just waiting to be discovered, tasted, and shared.” (from Our Cultures, Our Meals: Cooking for Planetary Health)
This Earth Day, come try these traditional family meals
Traditional Indian Family Meal at Aurum
Dal
Saag
Jackfruit Kofta
Roti/Rice
Dahi (optional)
Chicken Curry (optional)
Dal refers to both dried, split pulses—such as lentils, peas, and beans—and the rich, spiced, slow-simmered stew made from them. Dal is an integral part of every Indian meal. It is served with roti or rice or both.
Try eating dal and roti the traditional way: tear a small bite-size piece from the roti and use it to scoop up some dal. Eaten together, the texture of the roti complements the creaminess of the dal. Enjoy every last bit of dal by soaking them up with roti!
Family meals also include one or two sabzis–-cooked vegetable dishes.
Saag is a popular sabzi made from leafy greens, cooked with spices and aromatics, like onions, garlic, and ginger, then pureed to make a thick, velvety and luscious curry.
Jackfruit is a staple in traditional Indian cuisine. Its popularity has been rising globally because diners like its meaty texture. Jackfruit is very sustainable: it grows wild in India, it can grow in warm climates, does not need a lot of irrigation, is resilient to pests and disease, and yields a high amount of fruit per season! Come try the Jackfruit Kofta!
(Health notes: with the variety of vegetables, aromatics, herbs and spices used in this Traditional Indian Family Meal, you’re much, much closer to reaching 30 plants per week for overall health, and in just one meal! Dal contains fermentable fiber, foods containing fermentable fiber boost levels of an Ozempic-like hormone. Animal protein does not contain any fiber.)
Aurum
132 State St., Los Altos, CA 94022
Free Tasting
Come by Aurum on Saturday, April 18 between 11:30 am and 2:30 pm, members of GreenTown Los Altos will give you a free tasting of Aurum's Jackfruit Kofta.
And if you have questions about green living, their answers will be electrifying!
Traditional Turkish Family Meal
Kuru Fasulye (White Bean Stew)
Zeytinyağlı Taze Fasulye (Green Beans with Olive Oil)
Çoban Salatasi/Mevsim Salatasi (Salad)
Pilav
Kuru Fasulye is a classic Turkish white bean stew, often considered the national dish of Türkiye. Spices like pul biber (Aleppo pepper) and pepper paste bring unique flavors to this dish. Kuru Fasulye is rich, savory and deliciously satisfying.
In Turkish cuisine, Zeytinyağlı is a style of preparation in which vegetables or legumes are simmered in olive oil, which preserves the nutritional quality of the ingredients, and adds an extra layer of depth and richness. This is a must try!
Zeytinyağlı Taze Fasulye (Green Beans with Olive Oil) is one of the most classic Zeytinyağlı dishes. Green beans are cooked with onions, tomatoes, and plenty of olive oil until they are soft and tender and full of olive oil and tomato flavor. Zeytinyağlı dishes are usually served at room temperature.
Çoban Salatasi
Çoban Salatasi, Shepherd’s Salad, comes from its roots in Turkish village life. It is one of the most popular and frequently made salads in Türkiye. A simple yet delicious side salad of tomatoes and cucumbers as its main ingredients, with herbs and a lemon-olive oil dressing. It’s light and refreshing.
Mevsim Salatasi
Mevsim Salatasi, Season Salad, is a refreshing mix of crisp lettuce, purple cabbage, parsley, and carrot, tossed in a tangy lemon-olive oil dressing. It’s also one of the most popular salads in Türkiye. While Çoban Salatası is typically enjoyed in the summer due to its use of seasonal tomatoes and cucumbers, Mevsim Salatası is more common during the winter months when ingredients like lettuce, cabbage, and carrots are at their best.
Pilav comes in many different forms in Turkish cuisine. Bulgur Pilav is a beloved staple in Türkiye, where bulgur, a whole grain made from wheat, with more flavor and texture than white rice, is infused with the flavors of tomatoes, aromatics and spices. Turkish Baldo Rice Pilav is fragrant, buttery baldo rice slowly simmered to perfection with a tender, fluffy texture.
Türkiye is a country with a rich food heritage; start exploring with this Traditional Turkish Family Meal at Café Nur.
Café Nur
280 Main St, Los Altos
Free Tasting
After viewing our Climate Exhibition, stop by Café Nur, answer a question about the Climate Exhibition, and get a free tasting of Mercimek Köftesi (Lentil Balls)!
Mercimek Köftesi is one of the most popular mezze in Turkish cuisine. The main ingredients are red lentils and bulgur, which are seasoned with special herbs and spices. Stop by and get a taste!
We are a Guadalajara (MX) inspired cafe and tienda that celebrates our Mexican heritage and East Bay roots.
Our tiny kitchen feeds your soul, offering limited bites that showcase Mexican tradition and fresh seasonal local offerings. Everything we serve is crafted with care and offered family-style. There are NO MENUS for our small batched cooking.
Our space is created to make you feel like you are a guest in our home. Antecomedor is the room before the dining room, where you spend most of your informal meals. Let us be your cozy nook in Downtown Los Altos.
Our Mexican inspired food has a focus on fresh quality ingredients and nostalgic classics. You can always count on vegetarian and vegan options.
RESERVATIONS are required if you wish for a full dining experience.
Adriana and Aaron feed YOU. We take a great deal of pride in what we cook and how we go about it.
Daily market runs, small batch, highest quality.
We are cooking for you, one delicious dish at a time. Please be patient with us.
All reservations are pre-paid bookings that may reserved online here.
149 Main Street, Los Altos, CA 94022
Interested in future Planetary Healthy Dining opportunities?
Send your contact information to info@earthdaydestinationlosaltos.org.