Many Egyptians have stopped buying meat after thousands of livestock have died from foot and mouth disease in the last three weeks. Even though it is extremely rare for humans to contract foot and mouth disease, many panicky Egyptians have stopped purchasing meat since the virus began to spread through the country, leaving thousands of […]
World-renowned Sengalese musician Baaba Maal visits drought victims in Mauritania. Regardless of criticism or the fact that its narrator was arrested for disorderly conduct in San Diego, the Kony 2012 campaign video that recently “went viral” on social media networks has demonstrated that the masses can be called to action when invisible people from the […]
Good news! McDonald’s burgers sold in Israel don’t contain pink slime, and never did. Pink slime, a beef filler ingredient made from from slaughter house beef trimmings is freaking out consumers worldwide. The pink slime is made as meat parts are converted to pink slime as the meat passes through a centrifuge. Pink slime aroused […]
Flavorful basil for cooking now grows on trees, says Hishshtil, Israeli garden and agricultural nursery. I’m used to growing a handful of basil sprouts in a window box, never enough for two batches of pesto (see our delicious pesto recipe here). It seems like a dream to stroll over to a tree and pluck off […]
You can make variations of sauerkraut and all sorts of winter sauces, using natural fermentation
Food miles explained: I know the best option is to grow and buy locally. But when that isn’t possible, what is the least worse option? It was like one of those weird trivia quizzes, What do these places have in common: Israel, Egypt, Chile and the United States? The answer is that berries from these countries were […]
When mothers want to give their little ones the best (and most environmentally friendly) nutrition there is – breast milk – but can’t, they can turn to the breast milk bank. The health benefits of breastfeeding have been praised by health care professionals for years, and breastfeeding is obviously a healthier choice than formula. What […]
Is no egg sacred? An Israeli company buys rights to print advertising on eggs. Stand up for your rights to crack a clean egg. Despite the sad job of having to sell three of my young roosters back to the farm today, god am I happy that I farm my own eggs in the city. […]
Few vegetables are so well-loved in the Middle East as cucumbers. This spicy cucumber pickle is delicious as an appetizer or to top your next falafel. “Cool as a cucumber” still applies when the cukes are pickled. Even when spiced and brined, cucumbers add a welcome, refreshingly piquant note to meals featuring fish, meat, and […]
Cold weather is still calling for soup. Try this light, vegan one based on Jerusalem artichokes. Vegeware or do you identify as a climatarian? This might mean you might not be committed to vegetarianism, but are committed to doing your part by being vege “aware”. Here’s a great vegetarian recipe with in season Jerusalem artichoke […]
Translated from a poster in Jordan: “Smoking for a long period of time affects marital relations.” I’m not “blowing smoke” when I rave about Amman. No need, because Amman generates enough smoke on its own. This city rivals onions in making eyes water. Blame diesel fuel. Trucks, cars, buses blast chewy plumes of black exhaust. […]
Cook stinging nettles and wild mallows that you forage.
Urban farming in Egypt has soared. Read about Schaduf – a soilless solution taking root in Maadi. Two Egyptian brothers have received enough donations to set up three rooftop farms in Maadi – a once wealthy suburb of Cairo. Due for full installation by April, these won’t be any old farms. Sherif and Tarek Hosny […]
As the political conflict rages on, drought-hit farmers in Syria struggle on and the aid trickling in to help is severely inadequate In March 2011, the political situation in Syria began to unravel. Syrians took to the streets in places like Homs and Hama in an uprising against president Bashar al-Assad, who responded with mortar […]
Egypt topped the world Environmental Performance Index for the Middle East and North Africa region, followed closely by Israel Every two years, Yale University in collaboration with Columbia University release the world Environmental Performance Index which ranks most countries environmental performance. This year, Egypt topped the list for the MENA region, followed closely by Israel […]