Eating an Organic Mediterranean Diet Helps Fight Disease

For years nutritionists have extolled the virtues of a Mediterranean diet, now environmental NGOs like WWF are calling for us to improve our health and the environment by following the Med.

#MedFoodHeroes shows us the true meaning of “good food”

The #MedFoodHeroes campaign from 15-27 June coordinated by @RootedEveryday celebrates the rich cuisine the Mediterranean has to offer and the benefits to people and planet when we buy from small sustainable producers.

Recipes for la dolce vita

Mediterranean chefs and food bloggers have got on board as ambassadors sharing recipes for how to make the most of regional ethical delicacies from artisan producers (ever tried Portuguese Mushroom and Acorn bread?). All #MedFoodHeroes recipes available for free on rootedeveryday.org Why not try a few…

Raheb Salad (the Priest’s Salad) – created by communities who lived in the Lebanese mountains as a substitute for meat and dairy by Ali Fakhry using pomegranate

Remojon Andaluz – a refreshing, cold Spanish salad made with cod, salty olives and lots of fresh citrus and a healthy helping of olive oil by Renato Álvarez.

Boletus Mushroom Bread – using Portuguese Boletus mushrooms by Fábio Bernardino

70% of your immune system is in your gut

Give your immune system an instant boost for long-term health benefits. A true Mediterranean diet is based on the region’s traditional fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, seafood, olive oil, and dairy. It can help fight against heart disease, certain cancers, diabetes, and cognitive decline. You could instantly improve what you eat by adding in olive oil, walnuts and legumes.

Olive oil is like liquid gold – Olive oil is a good fat and it also helps you absorb the natural food colours. Try putting a table spoon in practically everything.

Walnuts boost brain power – Start the day with brain power. Walnuts are high in omega 3. Add a thumb sized portion to your breakfast cereal like the Moroccans from the High Atlas.

Save pounds with legumes – Eating more legumes and particularly pulses as a source of protein instead of meat is not only healthy but also environmentally friendly and an inexpensive meat alternative. In Lemnos islanders enjoy a healthy portion of a local variety called Afkos. Legumes have been linked to various health benefits, such as reduced risk of heart disease and lower cholesterol levels

For a “good” tasty treat

For those looking for the more decadent side of Mediterranean life #MedFoodHeroes recipes include almond sweets treats from Morocco, rich Red Cow Cheese from Menorca and sumptuous Samsades from the Greek Island of Lemnos.

Almond Ghoriba Cookies – yummy bite size Moroccan pastries

Flao Menorcan Pastry – a savoury pastry typical of Menorcan gastronomy by Rosa Rotger

Samsades – a traditional Greek dessert made of golden pastry encased around nuts and soaked in a sweet, sticky syrup

Cook with Us on Share a Dish Night

Join food lovers from across the globe cooking up sustainable ingredients into delicious Mediterranean meals and share your photos, cooking tips and love of good food during the parties on Share A Dish Night by joining one of our #MedFoodHeroes online events on Facebook Live on Friday 26 June and Instagram Live on Saturday 27 June 2020 @RootedEveryday.

We’ve all been missing out on sharing meals with friends and loved ones for weeks so what better way to spread the love for people and planet. By joining you’ll be showing your support for shopping and eating sustainably because the small choices we make in our day-to-day lives can have a positive impact on the environment and people.

 

About the campaign:

#MedFoodHeroes is part of the Rooted Everyday campaign run by a core team of environmentalists who are working with projects, eco-regions and partners from across the Mediterranean. Our mission is to reverse the loss of biodiversity which is caused when people stop cultural practices that have existed for generations. By working with Mediterranean critical eco-regions and partners we aim to show the value traditional ways of life can have in protecting our environment.

The Rooted Everyday eco-regions are in Lemnos in Greece led by the Mediterranean Institute for Nature and Anthropos (MedINA), the High Atlas mountains in Morocco led by the Global Diversity Foundation (GDF), the Shouf Biosphere Reserve in Lebanon led by the Society for the Protection of Nature Lebanon (SPNL), and the Dehesas and Montados in Spain and Portugal led by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and GOB Menorca as well as Trashumancia y Naturaleza. DiversEarth is also part of the core team looking at the culinary traditions of religious and spiritual communities. Other campaign partners working across the Mediterranean are IUCN, Yolda Initiative in Turkey. The projects and campaign are funded by the MAVA Foundation for Nature. The campaign and communications are created with Wordsby Communications.