Food Culture, an interview
I found this gem in my draft folder. I can’t remember why I never posted it. As we approach the one year mark of Covid 19, reading this, even though it was only a year and a half ago brought me a wave of nostalgia. So much has changed, there’s been so much loss. Way too much. I thought 2020 was going to be the year I started on a community compost project and planned to partner with schools to get Tower Gardens. Well, the pandemic had other plans, and like a lot of people my mental health has suffered. Loss is real, depression is real, anxiety is real. All of which can be debilitating at times. I’m grateful that I’ve made it though the last year.
Anyway, please enjoy this “little piece of nostalgia”,
October 2019:
Last month my daughter interviewed me for a school assignment. (Which was super fun) It really made me think about my “food culture” and what’s important to me. Here’s the interview, I later added a couple of stories….
What’s the most important part of your food culture?
Healthy eating has always been important to me. I really wanted to raise my kids vegetarian but my husband was a meat eater when we met. I quit eating meat when I was 15. Over the years he changed his view on thinking you couldn’t get enough protein without meat, thankfully now we have a mostly vegan household.
How has your relationship with food changed, having grown up in the most highly processed food decades (70s and 80s)?
Both sets of my grandparents had gardens in the 70’s and my dad started juicing and shopping at health food stores, so I don’t think I was affected until I went to live with my mom. I remember the natural foods store in Mammoth, I got to have carob chips & banana chips for treats. My dad let me have mandarin lime soda and Have’a corn chips, while the other kids were eating twinkies and cokes. I remember wanting ‘Corn Pops’ cereal so badly, that I threw a temper tantrum in the middle of the grocery store. His compromise was puffed rice central with pure maple syrup and fresh raw goats milk. To a six year old that was “cruel and unusual punishment”. Haha!
Once I went to live with my mom things were quite different, especially after she got our first microwave. She still made a lot of things from scratch (for a while), we canned fruit & jam and she baked bread. But my mom started buying Lean Cuisines and other frozen stuff and a lot of processed foods. I remember Otter Pops being one of my favorite treats in the summer, I also loved canned frosting. Now I’d never let that stuff in my house. All the Artificial colors, flavors and preservatives..... When my kids were little, it was a lot easier to make sure they were eating healthy but snack & lunch at school changed that some. They wanted “the good snacks” like everyone else had....they didn’t want to be the weird kid. So I started buying chips, fruit snacks and packaged drinks. Again, something I’d never do now. (I was right to begin with and now research supports it!)
Why did you want to start growing your own food?
I remember picking veggies from my grandparents gardens, and having fruit right off the tree and I wanted my kids to experience that too. I planted my first garden when I pregnant with my son back in 1996, it was fun but also a lot of work with a newborn so it’s not something that I kept up on. I did manage to plant a garden at most of the houses we’ve lived in even if they were very small, sometimes only tomatoes and zucchini. I liked the idea of having the kids help, I thought it would be fun and they’d be more likely to eat what they grew. We’ve also had fruit trees at a couple of our houses, we made jam from plums, lots of lemonade from our lemons. One year we had so many peaches that we froze them and used them for peach cobbler, peach salsa, peach smoothies. We also had tons of figs, I tried making fig bars and fig jam. After my kids all left the house, I needed another project, and love spending hours in my garden everyday now.
Beet burgers
This recipe is inspired by Eureka Burger in Berkeley and a recipe I saw in a magazine from The Change cookbook. I like simple recipes that use things that are mostly in my pantry. Also, it’s a pet peeve of mine to say something like “1/2 medium beet grated or 1 portobello mushroom chopped” Tell me how many cups dang it! Your idea of a medium sized beet and mine might be very different. And have you seen some portobellos, they’re literally the size of my head….okay enough bitching, lets get on to cooking these bad boys. Also, these freeze well, I sent some patties with my daughter to school and they were still really tasty.
Beet burgers
1 cup raw walnuts (1/2 walnuts and 1/2 almonds works great too)
1 cup uncooked oats
1 medium white onion finely chopped (any onion will do, even 4-5 green ones)
1 cup finely chopped portobello mushroom
3/4 cup beet, grated
15 oz can kidney beans, rinsed & drained
1/2 cup cooked rice (brown or white, quinoa works well too)
3-4 cloves of garlic, chopped
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp chopped chives
3 Tbsp bbq sauce (smoky, spicy, whatever you like)
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 flax egg (1Tbsp flax meal & 3 Tbsp water)
1/2 tsp pink salt
1/2 pepper
In a dry skillet toast the oats for about 3 minutes and put into a food processor. Do the same thing with your nuts. Pulse them together until you have a fine meal that resembles sand. Pour in your olive oil and sauté onion stirring frequently until translucent. Add the garlic, mushrooms and chives, cook until the mushrooms are soft and remove from the heat. Stir in the grated beets, they’ll release a beautiful pinkish red color.
Get your kidney beans into a large mixing bowl and mash with a potato masher so you have some mashed and some remain whole, add the rice, oatmeal/nut mixture, mushrooms, flax egg, bbq sauce and spices until you have a moldable dough. This recipe makes about 8 burgers.
You can grill these outside or on a grill pan but this time of year I’ve been cooking them in a cast iron skillet or in the toaster oven (mine has an air-fry setting and that makes them crispy on the outside and moist on the inside). They only need to cook 3 to 4 minutes on each side.
Serve on a bun with more bbq sauce if you’d like. I like mine with vegan mayonnaise, tomato, sprouts, avocado, lettuce and some vegan cheese. French fries or sweet potato fries with spicy ketchup make the perfect addition. Enjoy!
How the world’s recycling system broke
For decades, we've been told that recycling is one of the best things we can do for the planet. We dutifully rinse our containers, sort our plastics, and feel good about doing our part. But here's an uncomfortable truth: the recycling system isn't working the way most of us think it is and in 2018, much of it came to a screeching halt.
This isn't meant to discourage you. It's meant to empower you with knowledge so you can make choices that actually make a difference.
What Happened in 2018: China's National Sword Policy
For years, the United States and other Western countries shipped their recyclable materials to China for processing. We're talking about millions of tons of plastic, paper, and other materials crossing the ocean to be sorted and recycled. Then, in January 2018, China implemented their "National Sword" policy, effectively banning the import of most recyclables. Why? Because much of what we were sending wasn't actually recyclable and it was contaminated with food waste, non-recyclable materials mixed in, and plastics that couldn't be processed.
The immediate impact:
Recycling facilities in the US had nowhere to send materials
Many municipalities stopped accepting certain types of recyclables
Millions of tons of "recyclables" ended up in landfills
The economics of recycling collapsed overnight
The system we relied on for decades was suddenly broken.
The Uncomfortable Truth About Plastic is that most of it can’t actually be recycled.
Of the seven types of plastic (marked with numbers 1-7), only #1 (PET) and #2 (HDPE) are regularly recycled—and even then, only a small percentage actually gets recycled.
The numbers:
Less than 9% of all plastic ever produced has been recycled
About 12% has been incinerated
The rest (79%) is in landfills or the environment
Plastic Degrades Each Time It's Recycled
Unlike glass or metal, plastic can't be infinitely recycled. Each time it's processed, the quality degrades. A plastic bottle might become a lower-grade product once, but then it's done.
"Recycling" Often Means Something Else
Much of what gets "recycled" is actually:
Downcycled - turned into lower-quality products that can't be recycled again
Incinerated - burned for energy (releasing greenhouse gases)
Exported - sent to countries with less environmental regulation
Landfilled - when contamination is too high or markets don't exist
The recycling crisis isn't your fault. The system was flawed from the start:
1. Industry Shifted Responsibility
In the 1970s, beverage and packaging companies facing criticism for waste created the "Keep America Beautiful" campaign. The message? Litter is YOUR problem, not ours. This clever marketing shifted responsibility from manufacturers to consumers.
2. Wishful Recycling
We've been encouraged to "when in doubt, recycle it"—but contamination ruins entire batches of recyclables. That pizza box with grease? That plastic bag? They contaminate everything they touch.
3. Economic Dependency
Recycling only works when there's a market for recycled materials. When virgin plastic became cheaper than recycled plastic (thanks to fracking and oil subsidies), the economics collapsed.
4. Lack of Infrastructure
The US never built adequate domestic recycling infrastructure because we relied on shipping materials overseas. When that stopped, we had no backup plan.
This isn't about guilt or giving up. It's about understanding what actually helps so you can focus your energy where it matters most.
The Hierarchy of What Works (In Order of Impact):
1. REFUSE Don't accept what you don't need.
Say no to single-use plastics
Decline freebies and promotional items
Refuse excessive packaging
2. REDUCE Use less of everything.
Buy only what you need
Choose quality over quantity
Opt for products with minimal packaging
3. REUSE Extend the life of what you have.
Use reusable bags, bottles, containers
Repair instead of replace
Buy secondhand when possible
4. RECYCLE Only after the above three.
Focus on materials that actually get recycled (aluminum, steel, cardboard)
Keep it clean and uncontaminated
Know your local recycling rules
5. ROT Compost organic waste.
Food scraps belong in compost, not landfills
Reduces methane emissions
Creates valuable soil
High-Impact Actions:
Based on current research and infrastructure, here's what you can do that truly helps:
Aluminum & Steel Cans
These ACTUALLY get recycled at high rates (around 50-70%)
Infinitely recyclable without quality loss
Economically valuable - there's always a market
What to do: Rinse and recycle all aluminum and steel
Cardboard & Paper
High recycling rates when clean and dry
Can be recycled 5-7 times before fibers break down
What to do: Keep dry, remove tape/labels when possible, flatten boxes
Glass
Infinitely recyclable
Some municipalities struggle with economics/weight
What to do: Check if your area accepts glass; if not, some stores take it back
Reduce Plastic at the Source This is the MOST important thing you can do:
Bring reusable bags, bottles, cups, containers
Choose products in glass, metal, or cardboard instead of plastic
Buy in bulk when possible
Support legislation requiring manufacturers to reduce packaging
Your Action Plan: Small Steps That Matter
This Week:
Don't try to do everything at once. Pick one or two changes to start:Learn your local recycling rules (they vary widely!)
Start carrying a reusable bag
Buy one reusable item (water bottle, coffee cup, shopping bag)
This Month:
Audit your trash - what could you refuse or reduce?
Switch one regularly purchased item to less packaging
Start composting (even just coffee grounds and produce scraps)
This Year:
Build a collection of reusable items for daily life
Support businesses and brands reducing packaging
Talk to others about what you've learned
Individual actions are important, but we also need systemic change:
Support Policies That Work:
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) - Making manufacturers responsible for end-of-life of products
Deposit return systems - Financial incentive to return containers
Bans on problematic single-use plastics
Investment in domestic recycling infrastructure
Hold Companies Accountable:
Choose companies committed to reducing packaging
Avoid brands using excessive plastic
Support businesses with take-back programs
Hope Amid the Broken System
Share what you've learned. The more people understand the reality of recycling, the more pressure there is for real solutions. Learning that recycling doesn't work as promised can feel defeating. I get it. But here's the hopeful part: now that you know, you can focus on actions that genuinely help.
Every piece of plastic you refuse is one less that needs to be "dealt with." Every reusable item you choose prevents waste from being created in the first place. Every conversation you have spreads awareness that can lead to better policies.
The solution isn't better recycling; it's less waste. And that's something each of us can work on, one decision/one bite at a time.
Learn More
My daughter Sage continues to educate people about sustainability and zero waste. Follow her on Instagram at @sagelenier for evidence-based information about what actually works for the planet.
For more information about recycling and what you can do:
Your local recycling facility - Find out exactly what they accept
EPA's Recycling Resource - epa.gov/recycle
The Story of Stuff - Documentary about consumption and waste
Your city's waste management department - Many offer free educational programs
Real Solutions
We've been fed a comfortable narrative about recycling that let us feel good without questioning the system. Now we know better. The recycling system broke not because we weren't trying hard enough, but because it was fundamentally flawed. Knowing the truth gives us power. Power to make different choices. Power to demand better systems. Power to focus on what actually works.
Refuse what you don't need. Reduce what you use. Reuse what you have. And recycle what's left smartly, understanding its limitations.
That's how we move forward. Not with false hope, but with real action.
One decision, one step, one bite at a time.
“Recycling is commonly conceived of as 'good for the planet'. What most people don't know is that it actually isn't, and that most of the recycling industry grinded to a halt in 2018. With the shape our planet is in, there's no time to waste on false solutions, so it's imperative that we understand the actions we can take that will truly benefit the earth.” Sage Lenier
Gratitude changes everything
I am grateful.
I am grateful for my health, for my husband, for my children. I’m grateful for my mom and that she’s still alive, I’m grateful for my family. I’m grateful for a business that I love. I’m grateful that I have a home, that I have a garden that produces organic food. I’m grateful for good friends. I’m grateful that I have found my voice and that I get to share my insights and experience.
Gratitude is defined as the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness
We all know that gratitude is a good thing, but here’s something that might surprise you: gratitude is good for your health. The concept is simple; a healthy mind = a healthy body. Kindness lifts our spirits it can aid in fighting off, healing and sometimes even curing a plethora of illnesses that ail us. There are many ways to practice gratitude. Keep a gratitude journal (I use a section in the notes app on my phone) praying, meditating or simply telling someone what you’re grateful for.
What you focus on grows. Why not focus on what you’re grateful for?
“Your subconscious mind is subjective. It does not think or reason independently; it merely obeys the commands it receives from your conscious mind. Just as your conscious mind can be thought of as the gardener, planting seeds, your subconscious mind can be thought of as the garden, or fertile soil, in which the seeds germinate and grow. This is another reason why harnessing the power of positive thinking is important to the foundation of your entire thought process.
Your conscious mind commands and your subconscious mind obeys.
Your subconscious mind is an unquestioning servant that works day and night to make your behavior fit a pattern consistent with your emotionalized thoughts, hopes, and desires. Your subconscious mind grows either flowers or weeds in the garden of your life, whichever you plant by the mental equivalents you create.” Brian Tracy
My life isn’t perfect, whose is?! Sometimes you have to reduce things to the ridiculous, including finding things to be grateful for. When I’m in that place this is my mantra “I have what I need for today”. I can always come back to ‘I have a house to live in, food in the frig, clothes to wear, gas in the car and I am grateful’.
UC Berkeley wrote an article on how gratitude changes you and your brain, check it out, it’s excellent: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_gratitude_changes_you_and_your_brain (Go Bears! 💙 🐻 💛)
If you don’t have a gratitude practice, I challenge you to start one and see how you feel in 30 days, it takes 21 days to make a habit and this is an excellent habit to have.
What is actually recycleable?
Recycling can be very confusing and somewhat frustrating. According to the UC Berkeley Office of Sustainability the following is what’s actually recycleable.
Recycling must be CLEAN and DRY.
⁃ If bottles and cans have food or liquid in them, they will be thrown away at the recycling plant. Moreover, if a bag of recycling is more than 20% contaminated, either with food or non-recyclables, ALL OF IT will be landfilled.
⁃ If paper is wet or damp (or gets wet or damp because of wet bottles and cans) it will go to landfill.
What is recyclable?
⁃ Clean, dry aluminum foil (feel free to wash and dry it if it has food on it)
⁃ Aluminum cans
⁃ Plastic drink bottles/milk jugs, some plastic containers but not most
⁃ Glass
⁃ Clean, dry paper & cardboard (egg cartons too!)
What isn’t recyclable?
⁃ Film plastic (plastic bags or anything like that); they clog the machines at the plant
⁃ Coffee cups/boba cups/Solo cups
⁃ Anything contaminated with food
⁃ Any mixed material. For example, orange juice cartons are plastic layered with paper. They cannot be separated, and therefore can’t be recycled.
If you don’t sort properly, or if a few people don’t sort properly and contaminate our bin, all of our efforts to cycle resources will be wasted. So it is very important that this is followed.
Also, I encourage you all to avoid packaging whenever possible. You can buy reusable mesh bags to put produce in instead of using plastic bags. The Strauss milk company sells milk in glass ($3) that you can return to the store and they give you $2 back when you return the bottle for reuse. These are two examples, but the best trash, and the best recycling, is the trash that was never created in the first place.