local

InLiquid is hosting a film screening in conjunction with our 40PNPB programming. We will be showing two films by local filmmaker Ben Kalina, and will finish with a Q&A with Ben. Light refreshments will be provided. When: Tuesday, January 16th, 2024...

‘Planet Local: A Quiet Revolution’, a 50-minute documentary film directed by Helena Norberg-Hodge, Henry Coleman and John Page, gives voice to a growing number of people building a more beautiful world. From restoring topsoil, to sharing traditional knowledge, to opposing...

“If you don’t take care of your body, where are you gonna live?” Sisters Nakia and Taahirah Stith help city dwellers heal with plant-based solutions at Dope Botanicals.  Self-care is an act of sustainability, and Nakia and Taahirah Stith take...

As we say goodbye to April showers and hello to May flowers, you too can bloom and grow by taking part in the Philadelphia City Nature Challenge, a 4-day bio-blitz where cities worldwide see who can record the most wildlife....

We talked with the founder  and co-founder of “DIY Shelf” Adil and Deirdre Vezir to get the scoop on how the new modular storage system “Shelfbots,” is charming Philly residents. Guess what? You don’t have to put down the remote to...

Let's not let Black Friday get all the glory this year. Saturday, November 24th is Small Business Saturday 2012. Celebrate by hitting up local boutiques, vintage shops, independent coffee shops, farmers markets and the like! According to the National Federation of Independent Businesses Small Business Saturday is the most important shopping day for 36% of independent retailers. Using our wallets to show support for local companies will help these businesses grow - in turn fostering the economy. So skip out on Starbucks and Target for a day or two and throw your dollars to the little guys. Philadelphia offers an abundance of options - like Arcadia boutique and One Shot Coffee in Northern Liberties, for example. Readers, any Small Business Saturday 2012 spots you plan on hitting up?

I recently received an invite to attend an evening sold as a "conversation" about the local food movement. (Disclaimer #1: Specifics withheld:My intention is not to embarrass any individuals, but to discuss my frustration from this experience.) Since I've been screaming 'GO LOCAL" on GPB for the past few months, I felt like I wanted to rejuvenate my feelings on the topic and get some new insight. Unfortunately, I was very disappointed. The format of the discussion was pretty straight forward: Young woman "expert" wrote a thesis, presented a PowerPoint with a few short clips (including Food Inc. & Freakanomics), followed by discussion. The most frustrating part of the evening was the presenter's arguments against the local food movement. (Disclaimer #2: I've read a book pro-locavore and anti-locavore.) Although I love a good debate, I felt that many of her anti-locavore arguments weren't well explained. Therefore, I've analyzed a few of the "Going local isn't all it's cracked up to be" arguments:

I'm a big fan of dishes that can be easily customized based on what's in season in your area. And, by what you happen to have in your kitchen at the given moment. This recipe serves as a perfect example ( ugh sorry unintentional pun!) Risotto, traditionally created with arborio rice is delicious. But I find all the stirring and standing over the stove unappealing at the end of a long day. This variation using quinoa is less time-consuming, and high in fiber and protein. And, it's creamy and comforting like traditional risotto. Click through for the recipe.

In the summertime I get the urge to eat out more. The longer days and opportunity for al fresco dining (one of my favorite little pleasures in life) just make restaurants that much more enjoyable for me. I frequent establishments that boast the use of organic and local ingredients, along with lots of vegan and vegetarian hot spots. But, I also head to restaurants that aren't necessarily well known for any of these things. While dining I’m often on the lookout for how restaurants measure up in the eco-friendly department. Here are some practices that help keep businesses in the food industry greener. Don’t be shy - suggest some of these next time you’re at one of your favorite spots. Green restaurant practices: