BUDGET FRIENDLY RECIPES: Chana Masala

Serves 4. Prep time: 35 minutes active; 55 minutes total.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups long-grain brown rice
• 3 tablespoons Field Day canola oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
• 1 tablespoon garam masala
• 2 tablespoons curry powder
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 cups water
• 1 15-ounce can Field Day garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 large russet potato, peeled and diced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

Bring rice and 3 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Cover tightly and reduce to a simmer for about 40 minutes or until water is absorbed.

Heat oil in a deep frying pan or shallow soup pot. Add onion and cook over medium heat until soft and translucent, then add garlic, ginger, spices and tomato paste. Pour into a blender or food processor and blend thoroughly. Return the spiced tomato paste to the same pan; there will still be a thin coat of oil in it. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it turns medium brown and oil separates around the edges of pan. Gradually whisk in water until it makes a thick gravy, about 2 cups. Bring to a boil.

Add potato and salt, and reduce heat to simmer. Cook for about 8 minutes, then add garbanzo beans. Return to a simmer, cover and cook for 10 minutes, until potatoes are tender. Stir in lemon juice and red pepper flakes, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve over rice.

Reprinted by permission from StrongerTogether.coop. Find articles about your food and where it comes from, recipes and a whole lot more at www.strongertogether.coop.

News Roundup: October 21, 2016

Pa.’s first step toward nixing life without parole could be taken this week

Here’s the difference between capital punishment and life without parole in Pennsylvania: The first has taken three lives in its 40-year history. The second kills an average of 28 people on an annual basis.

Which one is the death penalty, again? Read more. 

Spruce Hill Halloween Tot Parade Returns October 31st

The Annual Little Tot Halloween Parade and Party will return to Osage Avenue on Monday, October 31st. This yearly tradition, a joint effort between the Spruce Hill Community Association and the neighbors on the 4200 block of Osage Avenue, brings together hundreds of children, 6 and under, with their adult parent or guardian for an afternoon of trick-or-treating along a short parade route. Read more.

Cyclist videos roadside arrest, refuses to hand over cellphone to Philly police officer

Jean-Jacques Gabriel was biking home Tuesday night when a pair of strangers stopped by Philadelphia police called out, urging him to record the scene on his cellphone.

Two white, plainclothed officers had stopped two black men, whose hands were on the back of their heads, along Kingsessing Avenue, between 48th and 49th streets, in West Philadelphia, Gabriel said. It was sometime after 11 p.m. Read more. 

How our produce adds up

In addition to providing quality produce and great service, it’s important to Mariposa’s values and mission that we remain competitive. Last Friday, our produce department conducted a price comparison to a local natural market that recently opened a new store. Check out the results:

Please note, this price comparison was compared on October 14, 2016. Produce prices are subject to change frequently.

How to choose the best oil

Move over, Rachel -- there's more to oils than EVOO. Join Hilah Johnson as she reviews the different types of oils available and which ones are best for particular uses, like baking, frying and salad dressings. The oils discussed include olive oil, corn oil, vegetable oil, safflower oil, canola oil, peanut oil, toasted sesame oil, walnut oil, grapeseed oil, sunflower oil, and coconut oil.

Authored by Hilah Johnson. Reprinted by permission from StrongerTogether.coop. Find articles about your food and where it comes from, recipes and a whole lot more at www.strongertogether.coop.

Fair Trade is for the people

We all want to feel good about our food choices, and buying produce from a local farmer makes it easy. But what about food that comes from afar? In some communities around the world, impoverished workers are paid low wages while their land is depleted by industrial agriculture. Luckily, the Fair Trade Certified label can help us steer clear of foods grown under such conditions.

When a product sports a Fair Trade Certified label, it means producers were paid wages that allow them to support their families and contribute to the betterment of their communities. Fair Trade farmers deal one-on-one with importers (rather than middlemen), and Fair Trade encourages democratic decision-making, transparency, gender equity, and independence.

By choosing Fair Trade, we can support the environment, too. Since Fair Trade supports small-scale farmers, it encourages biodiversity (think shade-grown coffee and cocoa, which protect wildlife habitats) and sustainable practices like organic farming. There's no need to sacrifice quality with Fair Trade either; one emphasis of Fair Trade is supporting farmers in improving the quality of their crops.

Fair Trade Certification is not yet available for every kind of food, but it's a growing trend; you'll spot the label on coffees, teas, spices, chocolates, sugar, vanilla, fruits, wines and other foods. Fair Trade Certified non-food items like clothing and accessories, bodycare items and home and garden products are also available.

On your next trip to the Co-op, try looking for the Fair Trade Certified versions of your favorite products—and feel great about helping to improve the lives of farmers and conserve the environment.

Reprinted by permission from StrongerTogether.coop. Find articles about your food and where it comes from, recipes and a whole lot more at www.strongertogether.coop.

News Roundup: October 7, 2016

Activists protest gay club following owner's racist remarks

The removal of Black Lives Matter protesters from a popular gar bar was the latest episode in a fast moving series of events in Philadelphia’s renowned Gayborhood.

On Thursday, the release of a video of Darryl DePiano, ICandy’s owner, repeatedly calling Black customers “niggers” drew the ire of the Black and Brown Workers Collective (BBWC). Protestors launched a protest inside the store, after video of owner's disparaging remarks about Blacks was disclosed. Read more. 

These data visuals show how Big Tobacco is impacting low-income communities

Back in January of 1990, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company was gearing up to test its flashy new brand of cigarettes in Philadelphia. Dubbed Uptown, the cigarettes would be marketed toward Black consumers — including young Black high schoolers.

The market test came to a halt when a coalition of organizations including the city’s Health Department and the Black clergy rallied around a resistance effort. It seemed like a big win at the time. Read more.

New community group offers help in processing traumatic current events

A new community discussion group hosted by Council for Relationships (CFR) held its first session on September 17 at its University City location at 4025 Chestnut Street. The public forum, titled “Reflections,” was created to provide a safe and supportive environment for those who have been emotionally impacted by troubling current events. Events may include local or global tragedies, mass killings, global warming, civil rights and other issues. This is an opportunity to share your feelings, listen to one another, and connect with others. Read more.

DIY Body Scrub with Essential Oils

Your skin is your body's first line of defense against a host of tough customers - sun exposure, pollution, hot days and freezing cold temps. It's important to take good care of your skin with organic tools - such as body scrubs and essential oils - so it can take good care of you.  

Basic formula and function

Start with the basic formula: something scrubby + skin care oil. For scrubby ingredients, use food-grade, biodegradable ingredients like sugar, salt or coffee grounds (before or after brewing). These will exfoliate the skin, removing dry, dead and dull-looking skin cells and helping to prevent clogged pores. Incredibly, your skin will respond by generating new, fresh skin cells more quickly.

Next, choose plant-based oils that nourish the skin and provide lubrication for the scrubby ingredients. Sweet almond oil is a great choice, with its rich texture and skin-hydrating properties.

Add your favorite essential oils to the mix and take the benefits of your scrub to a whole new level of luxury and efficacy. 

Not sure where to start? Find some inspiration below. 

Clarifying Energizing Body Scrub

• 4 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1/2 tablespoon coarsely ground coffee
• 3 1/2 tablespoons sweet almond oil
• 30 drops sweet Orange essential oil
• 9 drops peppermint essential oil
• 9 drops spearmint essential oil
• 4-ounce amber glass wide-mouth jar

Clean & Fresh Body Scrub

• 18 drops fresh ginger essential oil
• 16 drops grapefruit essential oil
• 14 drops coriander seed essential oil
• 4 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 1/2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger (optional)

Peppermint Citrus Scrub

• 1 cup granulated sugar 
• ¼-1/3 cup oil: coconut oil, olive oil, sweet almond oil, apricot oil, avocado oil, or a combination
• Optional: 2-4 tablespoons orange or grapefruit zest (for extra exfoliation)
• 10 drops peppermint essential oil
• 10-15 drops wild orange essential oil (lemon or grapefruit will also work- or any combination of these)

Preparation

1. In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients and stir until well blended. Transfer to wide-mouth jar.
2. To use, scoop scrub out of jar with fingertips and apply to skin using gentle circular motions.
3. Rinse with warm water and pat dry.

Authored by Aura Cacia. Reprinted by permission from StrongerTogether.coop. Find articles about your food and where it comes from, recipes and a whole lot more at www.strongertogether.coop.

Co-ops Grow Communities: Celebrating Co-op Month 2016

Co-ops around the world share a set of guiding principles, including “cooperation among cooperatives,” and “concern for community.” When you purchase delicious, healthy food at a locally-owned food co-op, you’re supporting a business that cares about people and contributes to a livable, sustainable community. And when you choose products from co-op farmers and companies, that impact grows and grows!

In October, nearly 150 food co-ops around the country are coming together to celebrate the many stories of how companies, suppliers, manufacturers and farmers are using the principles of cooperation to grow strong, healthy communities around the world. The October 5-18 promotion highlights companies that work with cooperative suppliers and manufacturers or are cooperatives themselves. Co-ops offer a way to transform how business is typically done; co-ops give you the opportunity to get the products and services you want and need on a daily basis while strengthening the community around you.

Here are just a few examples of how co-ops grow communities

Alaffia

Body care company Alaffia works with Togolese women’s cooperatives that celebrate their members’ unique skills, traditions and knowledge. The workers receive fair wages and are able to support their families, while maintaining traditions and managing a sustainable resource: shea butter. Fair for Life: Social & Fair Trade Certification confirms Alaffia meets standards concerning fair working conditions, environmental performance and community relations. Alaffia’s success is not simply measured by profit, but rather empowerment. Their goal is to alleviate poverty and encourage gender equality, through empowerment projects focusing on education, improving health and reforestation.

Divine Chocolate

Kuapa Kokoo, the cooperative of family farmers that owns Divine Chocolate, has prioritized equal participation and access for women since its founding in 1993.  Women have been learning a range of income-generating skills and are encouraged to take positions of responsibility throughout the organization. Trainings prioritize facilitating the advancement of women as recorders (elected buying clerks) for opportunities to earn additional income, ensuring that women’s groups are rolled out across all 58 cocoa farming districts and increasing literacy and numeracy training for women to enable them to earn income through selling vegetables, clothing or baked goods.

Equal Exchange

Fair Trade, worker-owned cooperative Equal Exchange, based on Cambridge, MA, partners with CESMACH co-op, which borders a UN-protected biosphere reserve in Mexico. Through thoughtful organic coffee farming, they strive to sustain rural communities while protecting incredible ecosystems. Their Sustainable Coffee Project is planting new coffee, citrus and other fruit-bearing trees. Their Women's Project teaches leadership development and cooperative management to women in the community, who are also working with organic gardens and domestic animals to diversify incomes and their families' nutrition.

During this promotion, NCG cooperatives and their partners are aiming to raise $80,000 for the La Riojana Co-op, an Argentinian producer of wine and olive oil. Through the cooperative business model, La Riojana has been able to significantly improve the well-being of their member communities. With the funds raised, La Riojana Co-op can obtain organic certification for almost two villages, which means 80-95 growers.

Reprinted by permission from StrongerTogether.coop. Find articles about your food and where it comes from, recipes and a whole lot more at www.strongertogether.coop.

Become an owner during National Co-op Month

In celebration of National Co-op Month, we’re holding an owner drive during the month of October!

What do you get for joining? Join Mariposa between October 1 and October 31 to be entered to win a 12-14/lb holiday turkey (or vegan/vegetarian equivalent)!

The first 50 owners to join during the month of October will also receive an exclusive “I Own It” reusable shopping bag filled with fair trade goodies (pictured above) in honor of National Fair Trade Month.

Already a member? Refer an owner during the month of October and you, too, will be entered to win a holiday turkey.

Ready to join?

Need more information? Read more about the benefits of ownership.

Oven-Dried Tomatoes

The rich, sweet, tomato flavor concentrates in these little jewels. Store them away for winter if you can wait that long!

Note: because this recipe involves leaving an oven door ajar, this is not for homes with small children.

Ingredients

• Olive oil or parchment paper
• Fresh tomatoes (Roma or paste tomatoes are best)
• Sea salt

Preparation

1. Set your oven dial to its lowest setting (140–150°F is ideal).
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly brush with olive oil. Prepare tomatoes by slicing in half lengthwise and scooping out most or all of the seeds. Place cut-side up on the baking sheet and lightly sprinkle with sea salt. Place sheet in oven and leave oven door slightly ajar to encourage air flow.
3. Dehydrate in the oven for 6–10 hours or until leathery, but not brittle. Cool completely, then store in a transparent air-tight container.
4. Shake container daily for 7 to 10 days to evenly distribute any residual moisture. If condensation develops on the container, open and return tomatoes to the oven for more drying.

Serving Suggestions

Enjoy the tomatoes dried, or rehydrate in hot water for plump, juicy tomatoes in your winter sauces and soups.

Total Time: 20 minutes preparation, 6-10 hours drying

Servings: About 6 2 ounce portions

Authored by Liz McMann. Reprinted by permission from StrongerTogether.coop. Find articles about your food and where it comes from, recipes and a whole lot more at www.strongertogether.coop.