CHANUKAH
Use organic oil to make your latkes this year.
Make the Holiday More Earth-friendly this Year Nine creative ways to have a more sustainable Chanukah. ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITER
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s we continue to think of new and creative ways to lead more sustainable lives, even our annual Chanukah celebrations can be transformed into greener, Earth-friendly practices. This year, there are numerous steps you can take to have a healthy and sustainable Chanukah with loved ones. Here are nine ways to have a green Chanukah without skimping on traditions. 1. TRANSFORM YOUR LATKES Typically served with sour
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cream or applesauce, a few simple changes to a traditional latke recipe can go a long way in creating more sustainable meals for the Jewish holiday. Opting for an all-natural or organic sour cream can be a great start, as can creating your own applesauce from locally purchased apples. For a new and healthier taste, consider making latkes out of sweet potatoes as well. 2. COOK WITH ORGANIC OIL Oil is a staple of Chanukah cooking, which means using
an organic oil can increase sustainability. From latkes to roasted vegetables, having an organic oil on hand can help you create a number of flavorful dishes. “We recommend palm oil that comes from a regenerative forest,” suggests Wren Hack, director of Hazon Detroit, a Jewish organization that promotes sustainability. “It won’t hurt the planet as much as everything else.” 3. CHOOSE LOCAL POTATOES AND ONIONS Potatoes, onions and other
root vegetables are a mainstay in the fall and winter, which means these items can easily be found when grocery shopping. Buying produce from local vendors or farmers markets not only helps support Michigan-based small businesses, but it also helps promote sustainability while cutting down on food waste. “Many farmers markets are still open,” Hack says, “like Eastern Market, Royal Oak and Pontiac.” Buy potatoes and onions from local growers.
