from shirley's cottage

It’s not easy being green

There was a feature recently in one of the papers titled "Go Green." It was about how our dumps are becoming mountains from our trash. And how one person can make a difference.
The stats were eye-opening. I Can’t quote the numbers, but it told of how many trees it took to make so much paper, and how many years it takes plastic to decompose, if at all.
I am sorry to say I have not thought too much about ecology and saving the earth. I didn’t even have a container the waste company gives you for cans, plastic, and paper.
That day I called the waste management company,. They dropped off my green container, and I was on my way to saving the earth.
It wasn’t as much of a pain as I thought to separate the garbage. I just put two waste baskets in the kitchen, one for garbage and one for paper, plastic, and cans. The cans get rinsed, cardboard gets folded, and plastic bottles get crushed.
I never thought of myself as a tree hugger, although I never liked to see a tree cut down. Especially an old one who loses its spot on this earth to become yet another ream of paper.
Don’t get me wrong. I know we need paper. But as I get more and more junk mail, and multiple mailings from work, I wonder about a better way. So much waste..
I have started asking for paper instead of plastic at the grocery store. At least paper can be recycled. I haven’t started bringing my own bags yet. That is next on my list..
The other day I was in a store. There were canvas bags for sale to bag your groceries. They were stamped with "Go Green." Well, there you go, I thought. I’m on the right track.
My thumb may be getting green, too. I have blossoms on my tomato plants.(Organic, of course.) I have never been able to grow tomatoes. This year I put them in pots and I was so happy to see those little flowers. Go Green!
You won’t see me marching for a cause, or defending a tree against the chain saw. But when I see my green container full, and my tomatoes beginning to bloom, I think I am doing some good for the earth. That is a good feeling.
Another good feeling is to make food that everyone enjoys. As long as we’re talking green, how about fried green tomatoes? You may have seen the movie, but have you ever had them?
Maybe my tomato plants will yield enough to make some soon.
Fried Green Tomatoes
(Like my mother-in-law used to make)
you will need;
preferable a cast iron frying pan
some good cooking oil (in those days she used lard)
three or four firm green tomatoes, sliced about ½ inch thick
flour and bread crumbs, mixed together
two or three beaten eggs
salt and pepper to taste
dip tomato slices in the egg
dredge in flour mixture
heat shortening or oil before adding tomatoes
salt and pepper the slices
fry on both sides until browned
drain well on paper towel
Pick up with your fingers, eat, and enjoy!