Have you given much thought to how and where your food is sourced from, and what’s the production method that goes into your plate? Organic September is a month-long campaign that encourages you to rethink your food choices with the environment in mind, challenge the toxic supply chain, and contribute to a better future for our planet.
As a collective, it is our responsibility to work with nature, not against it. Organic September is a mindful reminder of our relationship with food and nature. Within the span of a month, we can opt to take part in small acts of organic, from supporting local farmers to eating in sync with the seasons.
These 3 healthy and yummy recipes are a celebration of Organic September and Mother Earth, and the perfect 3-course meal for the whole family! Try them and see for yourself how good it feels to be doing your bit for the environment and yourself.
The benefits of going organic
It’s no secret that Mother Earth is currently facing a decay. Climate change, diet-related ailments, and the decreasing wildlife are only a few of the pressing issues our planet is fighting. But is her immune system strong enough to win?
While we don’t have the answer to this question, we know of a little trick that can give our nature a much-needed health boost. Going organic means transitioning to an ‘agroecological’ farming system which produces high-quality foods through fully sustainable methods. It brings an array of benefits for both the planet and the people. These include supporting biodiversity and wildlife, helping withstand climate change, adhering to the highest animal welfare standards, and reducing exposure to pesticides.
Together, we can build a greener future by making small changes to our food supply routines. Cooking organic on some or most days is just the start. Growing your own fruit and veg, buying free-range eggs, and supporting organic campaigns such as Organic September, are also exciting prompts to get your healthy juices going.
Organic Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
As the author and activist Helen Keller once said: “Life is short and unpredictable. Eat dessert first.”
What’s even better is indulging in a homemade organic dessert imbued with all the love and care for the environment, and sharing it with your close ones.
There are one too many perks about this Organic Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups recipe that we don’t know where to start listing them from. With only four main ingredients, including cacao chips, peanut butter, sugar, and butter, you can easily find organic options for all of them.
First, let’s talk CACAO (not cocoa). Cacao is made by pressing raw cacao beans, whereas cocoa has been roasted and heavily processed. The raw cacao production method preserves all the nutrients contained in the bean and also reduces energy usage. Cacao is considered a superfood due to its high nutritional profile featuring flavonoids and magnesium, and has countless health benefits like fighting fatigue and tooth decay, improving digestion, and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. It’s also the perfect alternative to coffee.
Next up is peanut butter – the all-time favourite nut butter of both little ones and grown-ups. This indulgent spread is a good-doer when it comes to the environment, because peanut crops have been used as soil rejuvenators since the early 1890s, and no bioproducts are wasted in its production. It’s also incredible beneficial for your health in that it helps manage blood sugar levels and is a great substitute for meat due to its high protein content.
Although butter and sugar are labelled as fattening, organic butter is a bioproduct of organic farming and is devoid of antibiotics, and organic sugar decreases water waste and soil erosion.
To make this mouth-watering Organic Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups, simply mix the filling ingredients, melt the chocolate chips, and layer the filling, the melted chocolate, and the peanut butter into each wrapper. Leave the mini-muffin tray in the fridge to set for at least 30 minutes. Once set, store in a container at room temperature for up to a few weeks.
Organic Beetroot Burger Recipe (Vegan)
Speaking of eating seasonal foods, beetroot is a staple vegetable for September and cooked into an organic burger alongside flavoursome grains, it makes for the perfect vegan recipe.
This dish is not only healthy and organic but also EU-approved. It was submitted by the City of Oslo, Europe’s Green Capital in 2019, and is featured in a novel cookbook published by the European Commission. The cookbook highlights organic recipes from 21 European green cities, and promotes sustainable food practices, such as fighting food waste and encouraging healthy food choices.
What is special about this vegan beetroot burger recipe is that is has low environmental footprint since all the ingredients are organically sourced. Consuming beetroot supports organic farmers and sustainable supply chains, and is also great for detoxification. This recipe also contains nutritious grains and legumes like barley, red lentils, and oatmeal, which support biodiversity and are a great source of protein.
Although it takes about an hour to make this satisfying meal, it’s easy-to-prepare and incredibly gratifying. Start by preparing the dough for the burgers by making a mixture of cooked barley, lentils, oatmeal, beets, onion, and garlic. Leave the dough set in a cold place for a minimum of 30 minutes and when ready hand-shape the burgers and cook them in a pan on a medium heat for about 5 minutes on each side. Serve with your favourite condiments like organic lettuce, tomatoes, and sprouts for extra flavour and enjoy!
Organic Spiced Coconut Porridge with Banana
September brings about the autumn flavours and this Organic Spiced Coconut Porridge with Banana is a delightful twist to the classic porridge breakfast.
Porridge is often the preferred choice for a great start-of-the-day meal due to its high nutritional profile consisting of protein, fibre, calcium, and zinc. Although porridge can be made using different grains including buckwheat, quinoa, brown rice, spelt, and amaranth, oats-based porridge is the most popular, and is also the main ingredient of this recipe. Porridge is not only delicious and immune-boosting, but it’s also classed as a slow-burning carbohydrate, which makes it great for managing cholesterols levels and balancing blood sugar level. No wonder it’s such a staple in weight-loss diets.
With such a range of fragrant spices like ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, vanilla, and cardamon, the Organic Spiced Coconut Porridge with Banana by Niki Webster of Rebel Recipes is the perfect autumn heart-warming breakfast idea.
The base of this porridge recipe is quite easy to make. Simply add the oats, milk (plant-based if wish), and spices into a saucepan and cook over low heat, while stirring continuously for a few minutes until the milk has been absorbed. Turn off the heat and stir in the coconut yogurt and maple syrup (or honey).
Then comes the twist: a sticky sesame banana. To prepare, start by heating up the sesame oil and maple syrup into a non-stick frying pan over a medium heat. Next, slice the banana lengthwise and fry it on both sides until starting to caramelise. Turn off the heat and sprinkle with the sesame seeds on both sides.
Pour into a bowl and top with the caramelised banana and a small pinch of black pepper. Savour in!
Now get yourself cooking and pour all the love and care you have for the planet and your healthy body into these indulgent recipes. Who knows, maybe Organic September will inspire you to switch to an organic lifestyle in no time.
