Did you know, the thousands of insects bats eat each night save farmers millions of dollars on insect control and crop damage. That makes bats the most organic form of insect control you can get. They readily devour the pests that eat our food crops and trees and spread disease. Some bats have even been documented to have survived for over 30 years. Most bats are only able to produce one to two pups each year (some species may have up to 4 pups). Unfortunately, right now bats have something to fear themselves – white-nose syndrome (WNS). WNS is a rapidly spreading fungal disease that has resulted in the catastrophic decline of bats throughout eastern North America. Over 5.7 million bats have already died, and because bats are long-lived and produce so few young, it will take many generations for populations to recover from this disease. Read more information about bats, the white-nose syndrome and how you can help here. If you're doing something in particular to help the bats, please share it with our Gratitude Gourmet Facebook Community. Thanks! :) Hi Gratitude Gourmet Readers! We wanted to ask you a big favor. Do you like our Gratitude Gourmet Content, including Health, Environment and Policy Posts and/or Chocolate? Please write us a brief recommendation on our Facebook Page (right side). Do you have a Pinterest Page? Please Like and Repin our Gratitude Gourmet Pinterest Pics as well. Thanks very much in advance! :) We wanted to thank you for your support of Gratitude Gourmet. Since we launched in May 2008, we've featured news on sustainable food policy, science, health and inspiring entrepreneurs, and fun events and giveaways. We've also received a great response on own fair trade chocolate line & healthy food snack boxes launched last year. Thank you for your great feedback and support along the way, including your Facebook comments! We hope our Gratitude Gourmet news has provided helpful food perspectives for you and your communities. Our tagline from the start has been 'Fun, Sustainable Lifestyle' and that's the theme we've worked to maintain. Would you like to see additional story ideas and themes? Have a favorite Thanksgiving Veggie Recipe you'd like to share? Please leave a comment on Facebook and let us know. Thanks and we wish you a Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving! :) Great News! Thank you to our Gratitude Gourmet Readers for entering our Veggie Broccoli Recipe Contest!! Here are the Entries in Order of Submission: 1. Dragon Rice Bowl with Marinated Tofu by Leanne Vogel 2. Baked Broccoli and Tomato with Garlic Oil Sauce by Hidemi Walsh 3. Wilted Broccoli with Fig- Apple Vinaigrette by Donna-Marie Ryan 4. Noodle Stir Fry by Amy Clouser 5. Malaysian Tofu and Broccoli Curry 6. Roasted Broccoli & Raisins by Mary Marlowe Leverette 7. Super Easy and Great Tasting Recipe by MB Food-Creations 8. Mushroom Stroganoff by Laura Francis 9. Dreamy Broccoli Risotto by Kay Kuebler 10. Oven Roasted Broccoli by Sherri Logan Williams 11. Broccoli & Cranberry Slaw by Robert Priddy Now: Vote (Like) Your Favorite Recipes on this Facebook Page by April 30 - Just click on each picture and 'Like' your favorites! The Recipe with the most likes by April 30th wins!! (Note: some folks didn't have a food picture so their Facebook picture was uploaded instead.) Good Luck to Everyone and Share with your friends and have them vote on this Gratitude Gourmet Facebook Page by April 30th! You can Like as many as you want and if you try some recipes, comment on them on Facebook and let us know your thoughts on flavors, taste, creativity etc! Have Fun and Happy Cooking! Hi Gratitude Gourmet Readers! We'll be four years-old in May!! Has Gratitude Gourmet impacted your life in some way through the information we provide on health, food and drink news, science, etc? Please share your thoughts on this blog post or on our Facebook Page. Thanks very much!! :) Bellini A Bellini made with Prosecco and Peach Puree is a Great Holiday Drink! What's your Holiday Drink recommendation? Please share on Facebook with a Picture if you have it. If your drink is chosen as one of our favorites, we'll let everyone know on Facebook and place it and your recommendation on our Gratitude Gourmet Drinks Page! Cheers! |