THE KITCHEN ACTIVIST
THE KITCHEN ACTIVIST podcast will give you bite-size action steps in each episode you can implement NOW in your kitchen, the most effective place to grow well-being for people and our planet. The host is the award-winning author of EAT LESS WATER and Kitchen Activist Florencia Ramirez.
THE KITCHEN ACTIVIST
12 DAYS OF KITCHEN ACTIVISM: SAVORING THE SEASON SUSTAINABLY AND WITH MORE SATISFACTION
This episode uncovers how embracing the 12 Days of Kitchen Activism can enhance the holiday season, dramatically reduce waste, and foster genuine connections. Florencia Ramirez delves into the staggering statistics of holiday trash and explores practical ways to slow down, savor moments, and connect with loved ones, transforming the festive season into one of joy, reflection, and meaningful action.
Ramirez brainstorms traditions that reflect community values, such as neighborhood toasts, community gatherings, and simple meals prepared with others. She encourages listeners to skip the pressure to overbuy, create a Pinterest-perfect holiday, and instead return to the true holiday spirit—one focused on connection, love, generosity, and savoring what matters most.
Start Meal Planning to Save the Planet and Money! Click Here to get started.
Click here for the free How to Eat Less Water CONDIMENT STORAGE TABLE. It is a printable list of popular condiments that belong in the pantry and those in the refrigerator that can be hung in your kitchen for easy reference.
Get a copy of the EAT LESS WATER book.
Reach me at info@eatlesswater.com
Welcome. I'm glad you're here. Together, we will turn our shared concern about the state of our environment into a force for change. It will require you to reimagine the role of your home kitchen as more than a warehouse of food or a room where we cook and gather to eat. The time has come to enter your kitchen with eyes open to the transformative power it harnesses for the planet and you. The home kitchen has always been ground zero for positive environmental and social change. Waiting for you to take your position as a kitchen activist, now that you arrived, you will change the world with what you eat.
Speaker 1:You ideas, in the span of time between now and the holiday, even if you don't celebrate Christmas, to slow down, to savor moments with loved ones and friends and to extend the spirit of generosity and joy beyond a single day. I'm recording this podcast the morning of December 12th and it got me thinking about the 12 days of Christmas. Traditionally, the 12 days of Christmas begin on December 25th and conclude on January 5th, leading to the celebration of the Epiphany. It's a time of celebration and reflection. The period was originally seen as a sacred festive time to focus on faith, family generosity, and the 12 days were filled with various customs, like feasts and gift giving and acts of charity. Concentrating all celebrations on a single date reflects the intention of creating an extended time to connect with loved ones and appreciate the season's blessings. In medieval England I thought this was interesting For example, each day of the 12 days was marked by a specific feast or celebration that included community gatherings and shared meals. In other parts of Europe, local traditions varied from parades and performances to symbolic acts of giving, such as distributing food to those who find themselves in slim times or lighting candles for loved ones who can use our prayers. These customs remind us that the spirit of the season is rooted in togetherness and mindful celebration, which is why celebrating the 12 days before Christmas instead of after makes perfect sense to me, because it sets us up to truly enjoy the season.
Speaker 1:In this time that just becomes bombarded with messages to shop and consume right, buy, buy. Our phones ping with text messages from shops offering discounts, our email lists and mailboxes are jam-packed with offers to spend money, and our precious time scrolling through digital shops or going to big box stores that we'd rather not be inside. But at the end of the season, what often lingers is not the material gifts but the moments of connection and the memories we've created. Can you even remember the gifts you gave or received last year? Truly, I was really spending time this morning as I was putting this together for you, this podcast, and really reflecting on this. I cannot come up with one single thing, but I can remember the gatherings. That's what I remember is the gatherings. And I also remember that feeling at the very end, after things are cleaned up on the 25th, and especially when decorations start coming down, and then I start to think, wow, I didn't do the cookie baking that I wanted to do. Or gosh, I really wanted to go check out the Festival of Lights which is in my community with my kids, who are growing up really fast. So those kinds of things that I just didn't slow down enough to do, and that's not just last year, it was a year before that and the year before that. So this year, on this beginning of the 12 days, I'm going to do it differently, because modern culture tends to squeeze holiday merriment into a frenzied blur of one or two days, and that's why we often feel drained and overwhelmed and just not satisfied. But the beauty of the 12 days of Christmas is that it encourages us to pace ourselves of Christmas is that it encourages us to pace ourselves spreading out joy, reflection and meaningful activities. No-transcript. The moments At the same time the holiday generates significant waste.
Speaker 1:It's reminding us of the importance of mindful celebrations when we really start to slow down. Just think of these statistics Americans create 25% more waste between Thanksgiving and New Year's, accounting to 1 million extra tons of trash per week, and we all have seen the trash cans overflowing right after. On the 25th, my recycle bin is always overflowing, and unfortunately, so is my trash can. So this includes food waste too, like packaging and plastic decorations, and that's really where the trash comes from. It's the plastic inserts within boxes of the gifts that we give or we receive and that cannot be recycled. Even if it has a little recycle symbol on it does not mean that it can be recycled, and so that's something I'm always thinking about is how can I reduce my plastic waste? Here's another statistic 2.3 million pounds of wrapping paper end up in landfills each year after the holidays. 200 million pounds of turkey are discarded during the season.
Speaker 1:A couple episodes ago, I talked about how we can reduce our food waste during the holidays. Reflect on how did it go for you on Thanksgiving, did you end up throwing away turkey? And I encourage you to go back to that episode if you haven't listened to it, or to listen to it again, because I give some really good ideas of how we can dial that back, because these are things that I don't expect for you to be thinking about how can I improve what I'm already doing, the systems that I already have in place in my house, and how can I help others do the same thing, so that you don't have to go through that whole same process, but rather just listen to these episodes, get on my email list, listen to other people who are also dialed in and thinking about these things, because we can't all be experts, so that's why we need each other and each other's gifts. In this episode, I'm going to give you these ideas of how we can dial back our footprint and amplify joy and connection during these next 12 days. In the last podcast episode, I offer ideas on how I approach gift buying at my farmer's market, which supports small scale artisans and food producers.
Speaker 1:And remember, when I talk about farmer's markets, I don't just mean the pop-up tents. Where I live, it doesn't snow. I'm here near the beach in Oxnard, california. So we have weather that can support a farmer's market outdoors all year long. So we have two in my community every week. But there's also the brick and mortar farmer's market. Right, that's those coffee roasters in your community, the cheeseesemonger if you're lucky enough to still have a cheesemonger in your community. We don't Bakers, the chocolatiers, the ice cream makers that are using the best ingredients that they can get, that they're purchasing organic, they're purchasing from small scale farms. They are mindful in the kinds of materials that they use, because they're driven by not just profit but by purpose. So that is a brick and mortar farmer's market. And then you have this virtual marketplace, this virtual farmer's market, which is connected to the vendors that you do find at the farmer's market, the pop-up tents or these small community shops that we all have. Or it could be a virtual marketplace Like.
Speaker 1:I've really dug into Etsy lately. I really enjoy. I just bought this gorgeous felted garland that I mentioned in the last episode, but I just got it in the mail yesterday and it's beautiful that I have going up my stairs and there's no glue. It's all hand-sewn by a mother and daughter in South Carolina. How sweet is that. It came with a note. Those are the things that build connection right. They just. That's part of our kitchen activism.
Speaker 1:Last week I went to the farmer's market and I purchased some of my gifts for my siblings and my parents and stocking stuffers as well, and one of the gifts I got were two gorgeous hand-thrown rice bowls that comes with chopsticks and even little like opening in the bowl so that you can slip the chopsticks in there, and I plan to include a large jar of Lotus Foods, which is my favorite go-to rice, because they're doing all the right things, and I'm also going to include a recipe for baked tofu stir fry. I'm not saying who this gift is for, just in case you're listening, but what is also packed in the box with those bowls is the sweet smile I received from the potter with my purchase and the conversation we had when I mentioned that I was going to include some white rice with it, and then it made her remember how about an organization called Empty Bowls that she participated in. That was founded by a potter, lisa Blackburn, back in the 90s, and the fundraiser, as far as I can tell, can be organized by anyone in their home community and connecting participating artists and groups to create and donate bowls, then serve a simple meal to give to those who are in need of a meal or to use it as a fundraiser so that that money then can go to food banks. So there's all kinds of ways that I saw that people have carried this idea of the empty bowl into their community, and I love that idea too, that we each throw a stone. We each toss a stone and there's ripple effects of our actions and we just have to keep tossing those stones and we just don't even know how it's going to influence or take shape as it merges with others and other ripples.
Speaker 1:For me, this first day of the 12 days of Christmas, I'm hosting my sister and my father for a home-cooked meal and we're celebrating the season plus my baby sister's birthday, which I missed last week because I was just too busy Again. That's why I really need to slow down. Around the table, we're going to enjoy enchiladas with fresh beans and calabacitas, which is zucchini sauteed with some corn, garlic and tomatoes, and when seasoned with cumin, it's so delicious, it's so nourishing, and this homemade feast will embody love and care that I feel for my sister and my dad. And really it started last night already the slowing down just with this meal, because one thing leads to the other thing, that leads to the next thing. So my daughter, esreia, and I shop for the missing ingredients. Once my sister let me know that she wanted to have enchiladas. Then I realized that I had some things that I still needed to go out and get, and my teenage daughter, who often doesn't join me for food shopping these days, especially on a school night, said that she would come with me. So I was already starting the season of savoring the time spent with those that we love, and we shared stories with each other as we walked through the grocery store, because there was all this Christmas stuff out and I mostly listened to her remember things like eggnog and cookies we baked. There was not a single mention of a Christmas present that she got. Now that I think of it, because it's not that we remember, it's the time spent, it's the gathering, it's the slowing down, it's not those elaborate events or grand gestures, but about connection, intention and shared experiences.
Speaker 1:So here are some day-to-day inspirations for the 12 days of Christmas. Maybe you take these ideas as is, or they spark another idea that reflects your situation where you live, the things that make you uniquely, you. So one would be to host a neighborhood toast. I've been wanting to gather my neighbors together. I have some really wonderful neighbors and some new ones and it could be something small. Share a holiday drink, whether it's mulled wine, hot cider, a simple herb tea. It's just a time to gather, to connect and strengthen your neighborhood community. The second is to bake and share. Finally, make those cookies you've been meaning to bake every year. Package them up with a personal note. I like to use parchment paper and string all of it compostable and then put a little note and deliver it to friends, neighbors, strangers, anyone who could use a little holiday cheer.
Speaker 1:Three is to make tamales or another community meal. Gather family and friends for tamale making or something that thrives on many hands working together. The process is as rewarding as the meal itself, because it's creating shared memories while keeping cultural or family traditions alive. In my book Eat Less Water, I have a really great recipe for plant-forward tamales that you are more than welcome to use, and if you don't have the book, I know that they have the library, many libraries around the country. Or just send me a message and I will make you a copy of it and send it to you.
Speaker 1:Four string popcorn for the birds. Spend an afternoon stringing organic popcorn because remember, they're little bodies. They have little bodies, so they don't need the chemicals from conventional popcorn and cranberries to hang outside. This is a simple act that's fun but also gives to nature right, helping wildlife through the colder months. This is especially sweet in areas where there's snow outside. Five take an evening hike. Say no to a meeting or event and instead take an evening hike. Connect with nature, marvel at the night sky, find peace in the stillness.
Speaker 1:Six cozy up with a book. Dedicate an evening, or couple evenings, to reading a book, with a cup of tea or hot chocolate. My favorite is Tasa hot chocolate. That's also a recipe in the book of Eat Less Water. This intentional slowdown can be restorative amid the busy holiday season. Try a new recipe. Seven dust off that eggnog recipe that you say every year you're going to do and you never do, or the apple cider recipe.
Speaker 1:Experiment with something you've always wanted to make. The kitchen is the best place for creativity. Eight craft handmade cards or gifts. Skip the plastic trinkets and instead make heartfelt gifts or cards, whether it's a jar of homemade jam, a batch of granola, I love to make homemade granola in my electric oven. It does it so well. And then I could add I always think about how can I layer in some more goodness. So I put flax seed and hemp seed, as many nuts as possible for good protein, and some dried fruit. Put it in a mason jar and there you have a wonderful gift Zero plastic, just good, wholesome, nourishing, clean food.
Speaker 1:Nine cook together, gather your children, your siblings, if you have children, whether they're young or they're grown, to come and make a simple meal or dessert. The act of cooking together just fosters connection, creates memories that last long after the food is gone and you could think about what seasonal foods can you bring in. Maybe it's making a butternut squash soup, for example, because that's in season. Maybe it's a roasted beet salad. So just think about, let the season inspire you, but it doesn't need to be elaborate. In fact it shouldn't be elaborate. Keep it really simple. What's important is that you're together and you're cooking together.
Speaker 1:Ten reflect on your plastic footprint. Think about ways to reduce waste. This holiday season Can you use fabric, gift wrap or repurposed paper. Make sure that you're choosing wrapping paper that's made with post-consumer, recyclable, recycled paper. Offer plastic-free presents as much as you can. When I was choosing some gifts for my sister for her birthday, I had the idea to get her some bath salts and some scrubs. There was two options there. There was an option for a scrub that came in a plastic container and then there was one that came in a metal container. So I chose the metal container because that is fully recyclable. So that's simple. That was a simple act and actually there was no difference in price either. It was just being mindful. That is how simple this is. But it makes a difference the more we do it and the more of us do it.
Speaker 1:Eleven, slow down and savor. Take time to prepare a slow, mindful meal. This doesn't have to be with others. This is just for you. Let it be an exercise in appreciating the process of nourishing yourself. It can include others, but think about what is it that you love to eat, because I know we tend, especially women as adults and when we're caring for others and we're cooking for others, we the tendency is to think about what is it that other people like to eat. But when is the last time that you've really considered what is it that you love to eat? What is your comfort food what feels nourishing to you, and make yourself something with you, front and center, because we need to nourish ourselves when we're doing all of these things, but we need to care for ourselves.
Speaker 1:Twelve plan for the new year. As a season concludes, think about how can you carry the lessons of kitchen activism into the new year to continue on this delicious lifestyle of savoring, slowing down, enjoying, gathering those who you care about around the table, enjoying the whole process, not just part of it, not just the actual sitting down for the meal, but from the very beginning of the planning, all the way to the end. So right now we have the opportunity to think beyond our own kitchens. Consider giving back through food banks, volunteering, donating nourishing meals to those in need. I I'm putting that empty bowl idea out there. Maybe somebody can do something small this year or maybe it seeds an idea for the coming year. In the US, millions face food insecurity during the winter months. At the grocery store yesterday I was asked if I wanted to make a $5 contribution for a food bank. So simple thing there I could just say yes, we can all make an impact. We can volunteer at the local soup kitchen, organize a food drive or support organizations providing meals to families. Small acts of kindness ripple outward to create meaningful change.
Speaker 1:Before I go, I just want to give you some ideas for seasonal inspiration from the kitchen. As we're slowing down and savoring, we can really celebrate the bounty of the season Right now. In season generally because we're all in different regions, but generally for fruits it's oranges, tangerines, apples, pears, pomegranates, persimmon, cranberries. Think about incorporating these ingredients. Sweet potatoes, kale, brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots, beets, leeks, onions, fennel, cauliflower all of those things make wonderful soups. They also make great fillings for tacos. Tonight, the enchiladas that I'm making will include kale, and that's just. That's something we don't think about for enchiladas, but absolutely it makes such a wonderful filling paired with sweet potatoes or with potatoes, and it's good for your gut health. And then herbs Right now what's in season is sage, thyme, rosemary. Those are all things that you can include in your cooking. Or I also like, instead of putting ribbons like the plastic ribbon on gifts, is to take an herb, like a snippet of rosemary, for example, and tying that with some string. So these are the ingredients that can inspire comforting and sustainable holiday meals, whether it's your hearty soup, your roasted vegetables, your citrus dessert.
Speaker 1:To close, as we embark on this 12-day journey, just remember the holidays are not about perfection or excess. They're about love, presence and care for ourselves, for ourselves. I have to say that twice, because we often forget for others and for this planet. This year, let's celebrate with intention and embrace the joy of simplicity. Thank you so much for spending this time with me. Will you leave me a review of this podcast? Share it with a friend and sign up for the newsletter, if you haven't done so already. Together we will grow well-being. There is power in the collective. Until next time.