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Traditional Tanzanian stews

Tanzania has over 100 tribes residing peacefully across the country’s splendid highlands, coastlines, and vast plains. Two of those tribes, the Chagga and the Iraqw, are known for hearty, filling stews that highlight two of Tanzania’s most abundant crops — bananas and maize.

The Chagga hail from the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro and are often associated with growing, selling, and cooking bananas. Tanzania has an array of banana varieties; from red and green bananas to the finger-sized “sukari” (sugar) bananas, which grow in small bunches. There are even enormous bananas nicknamed “the Tusk of the Elephant.” Bananas are a staple ingredient all over Tanzania, but especially for the Chagga tribe. Not only do they eat them plain, but bananas are also brewed into beer and used as the base for hearty stews. One of the most beloved of these stews is ndizi nyama. In Swahili, the name of the dish means bananas (or plantains) with meat.

Meanwhile, the Iraqw tribe live in the northern Ngorongoro Highlands where they farm maize (corn), beans, and sunflowers; herd cattle; and live in close relationship to the natural environment. A common Iraqw dish is the single-pot makande, a simple, but satisfying stew of beans and corn.

These two stews reveal that traditional Tanzanian cooking is hands on and communal. In these dishes, simple but nutritious ingredients take precedence. If you love food that provides warmth and comfort, you’re going to love these Tanzanian stews. Here’s everything you need to know about ndizi nyama and makande.

Ndizi nyama

Photo: Nick Fox/Shutterstock

The ingredients

The main ingredients in traditional ndizi nyama are beef, green bananas, and coconut milk. Tanzania grows a host of sweet bananas best eaten fresh and ripe, but cooked green bananas offer an unexpected eating experience. Unripe bananas are green, firm, and smaller in size than their ripe relatives. Despite the name, meat is optional for this stew. While it commonly features chunks of beef with the bananas, another version (pictured) from northwest Tanzania uses fish. Omitting meat altogether makes this meal completely vegan.

Onions, pureed tomatoes, and minced garlic are the base of ndizi nyama. The savory flavors of potatoes and hearty meat are balanced out by sweet shredded carrots and creamy coconut milk. After an initial boil, the stew simmers in fresh coconut milk for at least 30 minutes, until the bananas and potatoes are easily pierced with a fork.

Ndizi nyama is best eaten with slices of fresh avocado, the bright green fruit adding a nice touch with the light brown stew. The flavor combination of stewed beef with coconut milk is a surprisingly complementary mix of savory and sweet, meaty and creamy. The starchy cooked bananas stand out against the smooth, boiled potatoes and make for a uniquely African stew.

How to make it

When roasted, fried or boiled green bananas have a starchiness that surpasses a potato and are similar to cassava and other root vegetables. When boiled in a stew, green bananas don’t resemble a sweet fruit at all. They are cooked until tender, but not mushy, and soak up the flavors around them.

Ndizi nyama is a meal of contribution: Many hands assist in stripping the stiff peel from green bananas, while others peel potatoes and help crack and shred the flesh of a whole coconut to make the fresh milk.

Peeling the green bananas for ndizi nyama usually takes a group effort, performed outdoors and around several pots or buckets. The thick and firm banana peel is not difficult to cut away in long strips, but removing it exposes a glue-like substance that quickly builds on the hands of anyone touching the bananas. Knives and fingers alike become gummy from this sticky substance. It is frustrating to wash off and makes any other kitchen tasks — such as preparing the coconut or peeling potatoes — a mess. The trick to avoiding this banana peel glue is to coat one’s hands lightly in cooking oil before peeling.

Makande

Photo: Walid Kilonzi/Shutterstock

The ingredients

The Iraqw tribe resides in northern Tanzania, not far from the famous Ngorongoro Crater and historic Olduvai Gorge. Most Iraqw families grow their own food in fields around their homes and in backyard gardens. Two of the major crops grown and sold for business by the Iraqw are maize and soybeans. The rural landscape features green fields with tall corn stalks. Short bean plants peek out between each stalk to save space in the fields.

Maize grown in Tanzania differs from its sweet, bright yellow American relative. This East African variety is mostly white, less flavorful and with a harder consistency. While the United States’ corn may be called “juicy,” Tanzanian corn is heartier and drier. Most of the corn grown in Tanzania is milled for flour, and the harder kernels are well suited for grinding.

However, makande is one dish that features boiled corn kernels, rather than the milled flour. This basic stew has simple ingredients — maize and beans — and is slow-cooked in a clay pot over an open fire to create a deep flavor. Makande is a comfort food. It might not be exciting in terms of flavor and ingredients, but it is filling. A steaming bowl of fresh makande provides a friendly warmth on a rainy Tanzanian day.

How to make it

Photo: Ellen Pashley

The very best makande is made with freshly harvested maize, kernels removed from the cob and washed with ashes, which helps the casing around the kernel fall away. A second wash ensures no ashes end up in the stew. Once that process is finished, the kernels are ready to be cooked.

The maize is slow-cooked with soybeans for at least four hours until tender. Diced onions, green pepper, and shredded carrots add a bit of color to the dish. The ingredients are combined, sprinkled with salt, and left to simmer.

While this dish can be made in a regular large pot over a gas or electric stove, the traditional method of cooking makande in a clay pot imbues the stew with an earthy flavor. The beauty of this single-pot meal lies in its simplicity. It doesn’t require much time or attention, except an occasional stir to avoid sticking to the bottom of the pot.

If you’re visiting Tanzania, a bowl of this simple stew will work the magic of comfort food. Eating this East African “chili” is sure to make you feel right at home.


More like this: 8 essential dishes that show the diversity of South Africa

The post The two traditional Tanzanian stews you need in your life appeared first on Matador Network.

Instagrammer jailed climbing pyramid

The Giza Pyramids in Egypt are an ancient, reverential site and one of the world’s most well-known tourist attractions. Not everyone shows them the respect they deserve, however. Vitaly Zdorovetskiy, a social media influencer with over three million followers, showed a complete disregard for Egypt’s cultural heritage when he posted a photo of himself on top of one of the complex’s pyramids.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Vitaly (@kingvitaly) on Jan 14, 2020 at 10:59am PST

Along with the photo, he wrote, “No words can explain what I just went through the past 5 days. I was locked up in Egypt because I climbed the Pyramids Of Giza. I’ve been in Jail many times but this one was by far the very worst. I saw horrible things and I don’t wish this upon anybody. Was it worth it? F**K YEAH! I did it for a good cause and soon I’m going to share the whole video so the whole world can see.”

Although the stunt did land him in jail, it also produced the desired effect of garnering extensive media coverage. For social media influencers, especially those who trade in controversy and shock value, negative coverage and condemnation is considered a success. In exchange for a few days in jail, Zdorovetskiy will probably receive thousands of new followers.

Jail time and media condemnation won’t dissuade Zdorovetskiy from pulling more stunts like this. The only thing that will? Stop talking about him.


More like this: The largest pyramid in the world isn’t in Egypt. It’s in Mexico.

The post Instagrammer thrown in jail for climbing one of Giza’s pyramids appeared first on Matador Network.

Best glampsites in Texas

They say the stars at night are big and bright deep in the heart of Texas. But if you’re visiting Dallas, Austin, Houston, or any of the other big cities in the state, their bright lights can make those stars kinda hard to see. That’s why any trip to Texas should involve getting out into its vast countryside, where you can appreciate the big skies, endless rolling hills, and red-rock deserts without the crowds and lights of the cities. There’s no need to rough it too much though. The folks at Glamping Hub showcase some of the best glamping spots in Texas.

1. Dome with a hot tub in Austin hill country

Photo: Glamping Hub

Live the quirky Austin dream in this three-bedroom dome house, where the interior is done up in wood triangles and comes with a perfect view of the Austin skyline. The two-story home is full of bright, open space with plenty of windows and magically high ceilings. You’ll find two separate bedrooms plus an upstairs fold-out, as well as a tiled bathroom with a rain shower. Cool as the inside is — with a flat-screen TV and sleek Mac desktop — the outside may well be the highlight of the property. There, you can grill up your own Texas barbecue and enjoy it on the sunny wraparound patio before ending the night under the big Texas sky in your private hot tub.

Cost: $535/night

2. Treetop yurt in Dripping Springs

Photo: Glamping Hub

After a long day exploring the Texas hill country, nothing will feel more welcoming than the plush queen beds and light wood at this yurt in the trees. Ascend a single flight of stairs and find yourself eye-to-beak with the birds that wake you in the morning, which may well then join you for breakfast on the Adirondack chairs atop the spacious wood patio. You’ll also get a bathroom with a stand-alone tub, a coffee maker, TV, and WiFi — amenities not always found in canvas yurts. But this is glamping, after all, so if you’re worn out from hiking or just had a few too many samples at the nearby Last Stand Brewery, you’ll have an exceptionally comfortable place to pass out.

Cost: $167/night

3. Railcar rental near Glen Rose

Photo: Glamping Hub

Travel back to the golden age of rail travel with this decked-out boxcar from the Santa Fe Southern Railway. The inside feels more like a log cabin in the forest than a luxe rail car, though, offering a cozy, wood-lined interior done up in red plaids with rustic bunk beds. Though it may look remote, the boxcar comes with electricity, hot water, and WiFi, and the 40 acres it sits on are also home to a farm where you can pet and brush the animals. The car is a short walk to downtown Glen Rose, Texas, if you’d rather dine out than use the limited kitchen. And if you need a real change of scenery, Ft. Worth is about an hour’s drive and Dallas is just over 90 minutes.

Cost: $159/night

4. Vintage Spartan airstream in Spicewood<

Photo: Glamping Hub

Set just steps from the Colorado River in Spicewood, this bright silver Spartan Airstream has been fully updated with an interior that looks a little like a Hamptons beach house. But the surroundings are much the opposite, set deep in the Texas Hill Country outside of Austin. The trailer looks almost like a 1950s diner where inside you’ll find two bedrooms, one with a queen bed and another with bunks. You’ll also have access to the property’s swimming pool and gym, so if the confines get a little too cozy you’ll have plenty of options to blow off steam.

Cost: $261/night

5. Fully modern teepees in New Braunfels

Photo: Glamping Hub

Cap off a long day of drinking beers and tubing down the Guadalupe River with . . . more beers around a campfire. The eight teepees on this property are perfect for large floating groups looking for a base, where the massive modern teepees all surround a fire pit ideal for late-night revelry. Each structure comes with two or three queen beds, a TV, and a small kitchen, plus a private separated bathroom. So while you might have to walk outside to do your late-night business, your walk won’t be far. The teepees have easy access to the river, where even if you’re not down for tubing you can still enjoy a waterfront breakfast or late-evening cocktail.

Cost: $159/night

6. Majestic ranch near San Antonio

Photo: Glamping Hub

This old-style ranch house almost looks like it was created on a Hollywood backlot, with rickety wood steps and railings leading up to a log-pile lodge with a grand stone chimney. The inside is filled with more jagged-log furniture, from the massive main dining room to the spacious caterer’s kitchen. If you’re freaked out by animal heads, skulls, and mounted fish, this outdoorsman’s paradise isn’t for you, as nearly every room is adorned with some kind of hunting trophy. There’s even a chair made out of cow horns, no joke. That’s why for a true group Texas getaway, this ranch immerses you in Lone Star culture better than any resort.

Cost: $170/night per cabin

7. Historic and artsy cabin near Marfa

Photo: Glamping Hub

Perhaps you read our list of coolest towns in America (if you haven’t, do it now — it’ll change your 2020 travel plans) and were inspired to visit this little artists’ enclave deep in West Texas. And then looked into lodging options and found them a little… limiting. This cabin puts you squarely in the Marfa state of mind, an Art Deco-adobe hybrid with concrete floors and a spacious back patio complete with a mural of the surrounding desertscape. Marfa is about 20 minutes away by car, but heading south from the cabin you can also be in the Big Bend state and national parks in about an hour.

Cost: $195/night

8. House among the trees between Austin and San Antonio

Photo: Glamping Hub

This big, white house feels a little like living inside a tree as the oaks that surround it pop out of the spacious deck wrapping around the property. The Texas sky will never look bigger than it will from your private fire pit, where you can relax after a long day of exploring the hill country, about half an hour from Austin and an hour from San Antonio. The house may be small, but it includes WiFi and a private bathroom, as well as heat and A/C just like the main house. You’ll also be right near a tranquil little pond where you can enjoy the sunset from a well-placed waterside table.

Cost: $133/night

9. Luxury barn with private movie theater near Longview

Photo: Glamping Hub

The next time you leave a door open in the office and the resident smart-ass says, “What, were you raised in a BARN?” now you can coyly respond, “No, but I spent the night in one once.” This classic red barn has been completely renovated inside, with a downstairs common area covered in old license plates, a tin-roof ceiling, and full brick walls. Though it has an indoor outhouse — which serves as the downstairs toilet — it also features a private movie screening room, complete with over 200 Blu-Ray DVDs and a home theater system, which will make for a nice place to collapse after a long day at the nearby Air U indoor trampoline park.

Cost: $227/night

10. Waterfront treehouse on Caddo Lake

Photo: Glamping Hub

It’s not often you get to stay in a tree yet still be right on the water. But such is the magic of vacationing on the bayou, where you can literally stay in a house set among water-rooted trees. Caddo Lake — the odd natural lake in the Lone Star State — lies on the Texas-Louisiana border, and this cabin gives you a front-row seat to all the fish, birds, and alligators that call it home. You’ll enjoy sunsets over this swampy stretch of East Texas where your private over-water deck allows you to enjoy a drink while the evening fish jump. Five guests fit comfortably here, with a queen-sized bed in one bedroom, and a double-single bunk bed in the other. You’re also a short drive from the town of Jefferson, where horse-drawn carriages take you on historic tours of the city. You’re also not far from the casinos of Bossier City, Louisiana, if you’d rather spend your vacation with slot machines.

Cost: $149/night


More like this: The most spectacular places to go glamping in Florida

The post The best glamping sites in Texas appeared first on Matador Network.

Best LGBTQ events in Europe in 2020

Europe, famous for its liberal and welcoming attitude towards the LGBTQ community, attracts a vast number of queer travelers from all over the world each year. The continent is one of the safest and most rewarding locations worth traveling to for members of the LGBTQ community, with anti-discrimination laws present in all of the 28 member states. It does not come as a huge surprise then that there are hundreds upon thousands of LGBTQ-centred celebrations and festivals occurring across Europe each year. From beach parties and high-energy carnivals to busy street fairs and sporty rendezvous, here are the best European LGBTQ events worth traveling for in 2020.

1. Sitges Carnival — Sitges, Spain

Photo: Daria Pudenko/Shutterstock

Regarded as one of the most gay-friendly cities in Europe, Sitges and its impressive gay-party circuit is a magnet for queer travelers. Each February, the town draws in over 300,000 attendees to celebrate the notorious Sitges Carnival. The event is held directly before Lent each year, giving guests a chance to let their hair down and give in to all their temptations before the religious festivities begin.

During the week of the carnival, there are several parties catered specifically to the LGBTQ community, such as Noches de Las Mantillas at Comodin, where it is encouraged to dress in traditional Spanish wedding and funeral attire. The most well-anticipated events are the extravagant parades, where colorful floats, high-energy music, and people adorned in over-the-top carnival costumes take over the streets. In 2020, the two main parades will be hosted on February 23 (Sunday) and February 25 (Tuesday), and the only rule attendees need to follow is “dress to impress.”

When: February 20-26, 2020

2. Gay Snowhappening — Sölden, Austria

Photo: Alexey Oblov/Shutterstock

Up atop the snowy alps, Gay Snowhappening brings together gay men for a week-long skiing extravaganza. Meli and Matainia, the drag queen hosts for the event, welcome attendees to the hills of Austria and prepare guests for a week full of snow-sports and — of course — a lot of partying. While the highlight of the event is, of course, the snow, each day back-to-back activities and parties keep the energy alive into the night, including lively karaoke, hot tub parties, and barbeques.

Different passes are available depending on how long guests plan to attend, with the additional option of an exclusive ‘gold’ pass for attendees who want to enjoy everything Gay Snowhappening has to offer, providing benefits such as exclusive dinners and nighttime skiing. It is worth noting that atop the purchase of the event ticket, those attending will also have to pay for their own accommodation and a Ski Pass to gain access to the slopes. For those interested, the entire program for this year’s event has already been posted.

When: March 21-28, 2020

3. Disney Pride — Paris, France

Photo: Magical Pride/Facebook

For the first time, Disney Pride is being hosted in 2020 within the Disneyland Park, providing the unique opportunity to celebrate the LGBTQ community at one of the most magical places on Earth. After stocking up on exclusive Disney Pride merchandise, including a rainbow variation of the iconic Mickey Mouse ears, guests will be welcomed into the park by rainbow balloons and glistening lights. The festivities kick off at 8:00 PM and carry on into the early hours of the morning, with live performances and high-energy dance parties taking over the main square. Guests are also invited to an exclusive meet and greet with some of Disney’s most famous faces, and they have the rare opportunity to ride selected attractions until 2:00 AM — two hours past the park’s usual closing time.

Special pride packages are available to guests, providing attendees with onsite accommodation and easy access into the park for the pride celebrations.

When: June 6, 2020

4. EuroPride — Thessaloniki, Greece

Photo: Giannis Papanikos/Shutterstock

First held in 1992 in London, EuroPride is the largest and busiest annual pride event in Europe. Each year a new European city competes to host the event, where thousands upon thousands of guests pour into the location to enjoy the week-long festivities. In 2019, Vienna hosted Europride, where approximately 500,000 people lined the streets to witness the iconic parade.

2020 marks the first year EuroPride will be held in a southeastern European city as sunny Thessaloniki, Greece, is currently preparing to host the notorious event. The city aims to highlight the LGBTQ community’s ability to thrive despite harsh conditions and promises to provide a “safe, political EuroPride that is still full of vibe and excitement.” The pride parade will occur on June 27 when temperatures are estimated to be around 77°F and attendees are encouraged to wear their most flamboyant — though “cool” and weather-appropriate — clothing.

When: June 20-28, 2020

5. L Fest — Llandudno, Wales, UK

Photo: S-F/Shutterstock

Britain’s award-winning L-Fest is returning in 2020 to the coastal Welsh town of Llandudno where attendees can enjoy Britains’s only lesbian music, arts, and comedy festival by the seaside. L Fest is a proudly inclusive event, welcoming trans women, allies of all sexualities and genders (yes, you may see the odd man wandering around L Fest), families, children, solo travelers, and even dogs with open arms and hearts. Numerous stages, tents, and stalls are scattered around the festival site, where attendees can enjoy a wide range of activities, including live musical performances and DJs, immersive workshops, lesbian cinema showings, family activities, meet and greets specifically catered towards solo-travelers, beach sports, and club nights.

Due to L Fest 2020 being highly anticipated, tickets are currently sold out, though if you are interested you can be placed on a waitlist to be notified when more tickets become available.

When: July 24-27, 2020

6. Ella France Festival — Bordeaux, France

Photo: RossHelen/Shutterstock

Kicking off at the end of July, the Ella France Festival welcomes LGBTQ women from all walks of life to celebrate queer female empowerment and visibility. As long as you identify as a woman, the festival will welcome you as it is proud to be a trans-friendly event. The Ella France Festival promotes the message that all women should be able to assert their identity without fear, upholding this sentiment through multiple conferences and communication workshops that actively involve participants.

Aside from the intellectual and thought-provoking elements of the festival, guests are also invited along to meditation sessions, late-night parties, guided tours of Bordeaux, concerts, and readings of queer literature. For those who are interested in the event, the full program for the week has already been scheduled and posted.

When: July 31-August 6, 2020

7. Pink Lake Festival — Pörtschach am Wörthersee, Austria

Photo: Pink Lake Wörthersee/Facebook

Taking place in Pörtschach am Wörthersee, Austria, the annual Pink Lake Festival invites members of the LGBTQ to a long weekend of fun by the waters of Wörthersee Lake. Pink Lake is most famous for its lavish party cruises, where attendees are encouraged to put on their most fashionable boat-wear before hopping aboard. While onboard, guests live lavishly while sipping on fruity cocktails and hitting the dance floor, all to the backing track of modern dance music from live DJs. When not frolicking on the water, exuberant parties — hosted by popular local drag queens — are held in a variety of extravagant locations, including the royals gardens of Leonstain Castle and on the nearby Flower Island. Attendees should prepare to get their hair wet and be sure to bring a towel, as even the on-land parties have an abundance of watersport options, swimming spots, and beach games to keep guests busy.

When: August 27-30, 2020

8. Folsom Europe — Berlin, Germany

Photo: mato/Shutterstock

Taking inspiration from San Francisco’s notorious street party of the same name, Folsom Europe proudly celebrates all things fetish, leather, and BDSM within the bustling streets of Berlin, Germany. As the largest fetish street fair in Europe, Folsom brings together like-minded individuals for a long weekend full of fun, using the event to volley against prejudice and raise money for various charitable causes.

The main street party is held on Saturday, September 12, when attendees can expect cascades of scantily clad and leather-dressed men to take over the district of Berlin-Schöneberg. Throughout the night, various parties take place across the city, including several events that cater to specific fetishes and boat parties that take Folsom out onto the water.

When: September 9-13, 2020


More like this: The top 10 LGBTQ destinations for 2020

The post The best LGBTQ events in 2020 worth traveling to Europe for appeared first on Matador Network.

Soccer stadium built sustainably

Architecture is getting more innovative every year, and 2020 will be no exception. In 2016, Zaha Hadid Architects revealed plans for a new soccer stadium in England built entirely out of timber, and now that stadium will finally begin development. The stadium, the first in the world to be built completely out of sustainably sourced timber, will be the home of the Forest Green Rovers soccer team, based in Stroud, Gloucestershire.

Photo: Zaha Hadid Architects

Dale Vince, the chairman for the Forest Green Rovers, said, “The importance of wood is not only that it’s naturally occurring, [but] it has very low embodied carbon — about as low as it gets for building material. When you bear in mind that around three-quarters of the lifetime carbon impact of any stadium comes from its building materials, you can see why it’s important.”

In addition to simply being architecturally stunning, the stadium will be carbon neutral or even carbon negative, thanks to on-site renewable energy generation. The seating terraces, floor slabs, and nearly every other element of the stadium will be made from sustainable timber. The project goes far beyond just the stadium, too. A surrounding Eco Park will include training facilities, a sport science building, tech business park, and even a nature reserve.

Photo: Zaha Hadid Architects

A completion date hasn’t been announced yet, but you can bet the Forest Green Rovers are eagerly anticipating their debut in the new stadium.


More like this: The craziest architectural projects completed in 2019

The post This English soccer stadium will be made entirely of sustainable timber appeared first on Matador Network.

Best environmental charities

If you ever want to feel popular, donate to an environmental charity.

Make one donation to a well-meaning organization, and your mailbox will immediately become full — every day — with similar charities that would also like to help you make the world a better place.

Overwhelmed by the love, perhaps you’d like to donate more, but aren’t sure where your money goes furthest. Even some massive, well-known organizations use upward of 30 percent of their donations for “administrative” costs and fundraising, while others might try and put their money to good use without many results.

We scoured the data for dozens of environmental charities at Charity Navigator, which publishes balance sheets and revenue statements from all 501(c)(3) organizations. And we took a look at what the best-scoring organizations were achieving, ultimately finding five of organizations where your money will do the most.

350.org

Photo: 350.org

This brainchild of author Bill McKibben was founded in 2008 and focuses on affecting climate change by shifting to renewable energy and reducing fossil fuels. One of its largest campaign successes has been its Let’s Divest program, where the charity worked to encourage banks and pension funds to stop investing in coal, fossil fuels, and nuclear energy. It ultimately led to two of Japan’s largest banks ending funding for coal plants, and New York City’s $189 billion pension fund divesting in fossil fuels.

In addition, last year its grassroots organizations helped pass over 350 municipal fracking bans in Brazil and launched anti-fracking campaigns in 11 Brazilian states. Efforts at home included helping fund three legal victories in the fight against the Keystone XL pipeline, and sending 77,000 faxes to the Canadian National Energy Board opposing the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain Pipeline in British Columbia. That may well be more faxes than the rest of the world sent in 2018 combined.

The charity scores highly for transparency, as you can read its annual report and financials on its website. Though it only received a little over $16 million in 2017 (the last year’s data was available), $10.4 million of the $12.8 million 350.org spent after paying debt went directly to its programs. And the CEO makes just over $100,000, a sliver of the seven-figure salaries you’ll find at some charities.

Environmental Defense Fund

Photo: Environmental Defense Fund

One of the largest environmental charities on the planet, the EDF raised nearly $207 million in 2018, almost half of that going toward programs to support clean energy and combat climate change. The organization, which was founded by scientists, works with researchers, economists, and corporations to help find solutions for environmental protection. Among EDF’s most notable achievements is creating the cap-and-trade system for sulphur emissions to combat acid rain. It has also been working with Google Earth Outreach to identify natural gas leaks in public utilities so cities can keep greenhouse gases from escaping.

In addition to climate change, the EDF’s other two main focuses are public health and ocean protection. It has worked to implement fishing rights in the US, Belize, and other countries to combat overfishing, ultimately bringing the red snapper population in the Gulf of Mexico to seven times its 2007 level. It even worked with Walmart to help reduce its environmental impact, reducing its supply-chain emissions by 30 percent and phasing eight harmful chemicals out of 10,000 products on Walmart shelves.

In addition to having great influence and respect across industries, EDF spends about $140 million of its revenue on programs. That’s about 76 percent, which is not staggeringly high, but its next biggest expense is fundraising, effectively an investment in putting more money into its programs. Administrative costs were a mere $12 million in 2018, and though 2018 saw a spike in non-program expenditures, traditionally the charity has hovered around 90 percent of revenues going into programs.

Friends of the Earth

Photo: Friends of the Earth

Fifty-year-old Friends of the Earth has been fighting for environmental protections and regulations long before it was a headline-grabbing endeavor. Dating back as far as 1971 — when its efforts helped stop funding for the high-polluting supersonic transport commercial jet — this organization has used its membership to influence both state and federal governments in the face of stiff corporate opposition.

In the ’90s, it helped pass the Oil Spill Pollution Act, which required double hulls on oil tankers in the wake of the Exxon Valdez spill. It also removed two dams in Washington that blocked salmon runs, and helped achieve a ban on the dumping of cruise ship waste in Seattle in 2012.

Most recently, Friends of the Earth lobbied state representatives in North Carolina to eliminate Duke Energy’s proposed 50 percent rate hike, and worked to have the pesticide rider — which would have prevented local governments from banning pesticides the federal government didn’t — taken out of the US Farm Bill. Friends of the Earth works with corporate America too, partnering with Costco, Home Depot, Walmart, and over 100 other retailers to phase out the bee-killing neonicotinoid pesticide.

The charity gets high marks for both transparency and how it uses its finances, with $9.3 million of $10 million it raised in 2018 going toward program expenses. That’s impressive, considering the program ran a $1.5 million deficit that year — meaning it did not sacrifice funding programs just for a good-looking balance sheet.

Natural Resources Defense Council

Photo: Natural Resources Defense Council

Taking a more-international approach to environmental protection, the NRDC has been working to preserve our wilderness and battle pollution in all forms since 1970. With an understanding that damage done in one corner of the globe can severely affect another, the NRDC most recently worked with Chinese think tanks and policy organizations on the China Coal Cap Project, which looks to cap China’s coal output this year. It also worked with the Indian city of Ahmedabad to develop South Asia’s first Heat Action Plan, a map for public health developed after a heat wave killed 1,000 residents in 2010.

The NRDC also works in other ways to help save the planet, and you can literally spend hours delving into all of them on its comprehensive website. Its experts testified on Capitol Hill to help combat food waste, and implement regulations on “best by” and expiration dating. It pressured the FDA to limit antibiotics in livestock. It also works to protect water supplies and oceans, and has launched multiple initiatives to stop drilling and exploitation on public lands.

In addition to having a detailed website where potential donors can delve into all the work it does, the NRDC spent $121 million of the $182.2 million it raised in 2018 on programs. That may seem a little low, but that was over ten times the $11.8 million it spent on fundraising, and the $15.5 million it spent on administrative costs. The NRDC actually made over $33 million in 2018, most of which was invested back into programs the following year. The combination of smart financial management and global impact makes it an excellent place to make meaningful donations.

Sierra Club

Photo: Sierra Club

You don’t stay around for 128 years by squandering donations and working on ineffective campaigns. And while the Sierra Club might not be the newest or sexiest name in environmental charities, it is, without a doubt, the most solid. The Sierra Club, founded by famed naturalist John Muir in 1892, was the driving force behind landmarks laws like the Endangered Species Act and the Clean Air Act, and has been directly responsible for the establishment of 439 parks and monuments.

Today the Sierra Club links social justice with environmental protection, doing everything from advocating for Appalachian communities choked with pollution from big coal to protecting Navajo sites in Arizona to ensuring the rebuilt Ninth Ward in New Orleans goes back to its rightful residents. It’s also highly focused on developing clean energy, contributing to the closure of over 300 “dirty” power plants, and launching its Ready for 100 campaign, urging 100 cities to adopt 100 percent clean energy.

As you’d expect, the Sierra Club received exceptionally high marks from Charity Navigator, rating the highest overall score of any charity we researched. It spends $63 million of its $71 million on programs, with only $1.4 million going toward administrative expenses. Over 99 percent of its money comes from contributions, gifts, and grants — meaning that, despite its enduring legacy, the Sierra Club is still largely dependent on the kindness of strangers. And with a longer track record than any environmental organization on the planet, it’s always a safe bet.


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Northern Ireland same-sex marriage

Back in July 2019, British MPs voted to extend same-sex marriage and abortion rights to Northern Ireland — the only part of the UK where abortion remained illegal. Although the Northern Irish government has been in political deadlock for years, delaying the process, the law is finally going into effect, with same-sex couples now able to register to marry.

Couples already married will now be legally recognized in Northern Ireland, and the Northern Ireland Office will begin a consultation later this month on the subject of converting existing civil partnerships into marriages. Starting today, heterosexual couples will also be allowed to enter into civil partnerships.

The marriage amendment was initially put forth by Conor McGinn, who comes from Northern Ireland himself. After the amendment’s passage, he told the BBC, “Everyone who values equality, love, and respect can celebrate today. It’s a good day for Northern Ireland, an important day for citizens’ rights across these islands and an exciting day for same-sex couples who can now register to marry.”

Couples must announce their intention to marry 28 days in advance, so the first same-sex wedding ceremonies in Northern Ireland are expected to take place the week of Valentine’s Day.

“There remain a number of issues to be addressed before couples in Northern Ireland have the same rights as those in other jurisdictions,” said John O’Doherty from the Love Equality campaign. “However, we celebrate this remarkable achievement with the thousands of people who made their voices heard and demanded change in spite of the many barriers placed in their way.”

A version of this article was previously published on July 9, 2019, and was updated on January 14, 2020 with more information.

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Foundation helps food insecurity

Mark Brand, chef and founder of A Better Life Foundation, calls his childhood in Halifax “troubled.” He spent many nights on the street, while other nights he resorted to couch surfing. His experience living on the streets was formative, and he’s dedicated his entire adult life to combating the stigma, and the barriers to a stable life, that homeless people face.

“I know what it’s like to not have a place,” Brand tells me on the phone from New York. “I know what it’s like to not have somebody to turn to, or be in fear of what to do next. That is the slippery slope that gets people feeling frantic. A Better Life was founded because the most critical part of your decision making process is nourishment. If you haven’t eaten you can’t be expected to make positive decisions.”

Brand eventually became a successful entrepreneur with nine successful businesses, including a restaurant, art gallery, and a music venue. Yet the trauma that he experienced as a teenager as he bounced from one living situation to the next haunted him as he grew professionally. While working in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside neighborhood, where he found himself confronted by “visible homelessness and mental illness” every day, Brand’s priorities began to shift.

“I realized my journey was not to open a cool guy restaurant,” he says.

Brand started making drastic changes to his life: He sold or closed his businesses that were not focused exclusively on social impact, including his restaurants Boneta and Sea Monstr Sushi. In 2012, he opened A Better Life Foundation, an organization that Brand says works to “secure upward mobility for individuals living in the margins.” Brand felt that he could connect with marginalized communities through food and sharing meals, so he decided to focus his energy on reconnecting with his culinary roots.

 

How to support A Better Life Foundation:

 

Purchase tokens from Save On Meats at 43 West Hastings for $3.50 each. Tokens can be distributed to vulnerable or marginalized individuals, and redeemed for a free sandwich at the diner.

Join a Greasy Spoon Diner’s monthly fundraising event, proceeds from which directly support A Better Life Foundation’s meal programs.

Gather your friends or co-workers at Plenty of Plates. Conducted in the commissary kitchen of Save On Meats, large groups can prepare a three-course restaurant-style meal for 75 food insecure people (women and their children living at a shelter, for instance).

Cooking has always been at the center of Brand’s life. His grandparents on his father’s side were farmers. As a young child, he recalls picking raspberries at their small farm, making jam and pickling cucumbers.

“They made literally everything themselves, and I remember thinking, ‘this is magic,’” Brand recalls.

One of his aunts, a chef who would arrive at his parents house and cook up a meal from the few ingredients in their cabinets, mentored Brand throughout his life. From her, Brand says he learned confidence and to “fall in love with the alchemy of food.” He became so enamored with cooking that at 14, he lied about his age to get a job at the pizza shop in the mall learning how to make dough.

These experiences — making his own food with his grandparents and being mentored by his aunt — turned out to be an essential recipe for Brand. They taught him that people in marginalized communities need to connect with their food and the people making it, but also that it needs to be convenient to eat or cook — especially for people who are holding down multiple jobs or are responsible for caring for their families.

As of November 2019, A Better Life Foundation has served 1,000 meals every day, mostly to people living in shelters and transitional housing, and, predominantly, to women and children who have experienced violence, in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside neighborhood. He works with organizations like Youth Unlimited to deliver meals to parks and under bridges — places that young people without a home might hang out. Delivering meals this way allows social workers to connect with kids in need by asking what kind of help they might need over a meal.

Brand’s team prepares the meals from scratch in the commissary kitchen of Save On Meats, a diner Brand converted from a former neighborhood butcher shop that opened in 1975. “There’s a radio station attached, too, which is fun,” he says.

The shop’s former owner was known for his generous spirit: He’d slice up meat for anyone who came into the shop, even if they only had a few cents. Brand is carrying on that tradition of giving by operating his meal program in the Save On Meats kitchen.

“Our meals are served family style, by our insistence,” Brand says. “We want to convene, we want them to do dishes together. We want them to see each other every day and know that they’re part of a community. We provide that food as a way to say we’re here for you, we love you.”

Photo: Jason Hall/JD Hall Photography

Brand also runs his token program out of Save On Meats. Donors, like local health clinics and community resource organizations like Mission Possible, can purchase batches of tokens to distribute. The tokens can be redeemed at the diner for a free sandwich. The program provides an easy way for a homeless person to grab a free meal, but Brand hopes it will also build trust and rapport between marginalized people living on the fringes of society and the organizations that serve them — whether that’s by providing shelter, food, or social services like counseling and job training.

“We believe very, very heavily in trying to save lives,” Brand says. “So whoever is doing that work, we want to supplement them with food.”

One of the most standout aspects of Brand’s work at A Better Life Foundation, however, happens within the organization. Around 50 percent of his employees faced some kind of barrier to employment at some point in their lives, whether that’s having no fixed address, a criminal record, or living with a disability.

“I couldn’t do what I do without people with barriers to employment,” Brand says. “It’s a false narrative that people with barriers are hard to employ. This is absolutely false. We just went ahead and believed it was the norm because it was easy to believe, but it further marginalized people and disrespected them.”

Brand is now looking to expand beyond Vancouver. He has big ambitions for A Better Life Foundation. Not only does he want to bring his meal program to the US, but he hopes to expand it to include breakfast and after school meal programs for kids, with help from his partners at Knorr. He’s already tested the waters in the Brownsville neighborhood in Brooklyn; Bozeman, Montana; and Sun Valley, Idaho. In each of these cities, he’s held community-led cooking classes primarily for women with children who want to learn how to apply a $20 food budget to a home cooked meal, or only have the ability to cook on a single induction burner at the shelter where they’re temporarily living. In 2020, he plans to tour at least 35 cities, including Oakland and San Francisco, where he plans to replicate these classes.

“I want to try and help people establish their lives, not feel that loneliness and isolation that I encountered,” Brand says. “It’s my duty if I have this skill set, to help people.”


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The best sober bars in Denver

Denver is a city that knows what it likes. Craft beer, for instance, of which there are more than 148 producers in a city whose population could fit into Brooklyn four times over. Rapidly fading Peyton Manning and John Elway jerseys still line man-cave walls and thrift store shelves, relics of bygone eras that locals can’t quite seem to move on from. There’s also the whole legal cannabis thing, and potentially even other illicit substances in the pockets of party-goers.

But amid the trendy coffee shops of South Broadway and the food halls of RiNo, the city has figured out that a damn good time can be had sans-substance. Denver is home to an increasingly cohesive scene of sober bars and events, proving that you don’t have to imbibe to indulge in Mile High nightlife. The old stomping ground of Kerouac has developed quite an affection for the mocktail.

For the social non-drinker in Denver, these are the places to go and groups to check out.

Where to have a sober night out in Denver

Photo: Honey Elixir Bar/Facebook

Honey Elixir Bar in River North Arts District

Honey Elixir Bar is all about wellness. Located next to iconic Denver dive bar The Matchbox, Honey Elixir serves a menu of Jun beverages (similar to to kombucha, but made with base of honey and green tea), as well as cacao drinks and a selection of mocktails built from different teas. The menu includes a section with alcoholic drinks (though even these recipes are built with rejuvenation in mind), but the establishment’s goal is to remove the pressure to drink alcohol in social settings and to celebrate the fact that alcohol isn’t a necessary component for a good time.

Where: 2636 Walnut St #104, Denver, CO 80205

Next Door American Eatery in Downtown and Stapleton

Union Station is Denver’s food hall/transit center/hotel complex that, since its 2014 remodel, has served as a social hub of Denver. Many flying into Denver International Airport first arrive in the city via train to Union Station, and many public transit lines begin and end here. The area tends to be a bustling party center on weekends, and Next Door American Eatery is a prime part of the action. But, at Next Door, the bar offers the city’s best full mocktail menu complete with booze-free remakes of typical classics as well as inventive new drinks. The Stapleton location offers the same.

Where: one location near Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop St #100, Denver, CO 80202, and one in Stapleton, 10155 E 29th Dr #160, Denver, CO 80238

Happy Leaf Kombucha in Edgewater

Photo: Happy Leaf Kombucha/Facebook

This spot just off Sloan’s Lake is perfect for when you crave the brewery taproom experience. Sample a full menu of flavored kombuchas inside at Happy Leaf’s bar or outside on the patio, or grab a growler to go and head down to Sloan’s Lake and enjoy it by the waterfront overlooking the city skyline. The food menu is just as healthy as what’s on tap.

Where: 5700 W 25th Ave, Edgewater, CO 80214

American Cultures Kombucha Taproom — Highlands

Similar to Happy Leaf’s setup but in Denver’s trendiest neighborhood, American Cultures is a respite from the high-end cocktail bars and rooftop patios of Highlands and LoHi. There’s no patio, but the taproom is spacious with plenty of tables perfect for posting up over a board game, book, or for some people watching. As a bonus, the taproom delivers growlers throughout the central Denver area for a $5 fee.

Where: 3233 Tejon St #107, Denver, CO 80211

Community leaders in the sober-curious and social recovery sector

Photo: Sober AF Entertainment, SAFE/Facebook

Sober AF Entertainment (SAFE)

Rather than drawing sober curious teens and young adults to one space, Sober AF Entertainment hosts pop-up parties at concerts, sports games, and other large events in and around Denver. Executive director Duke Rumley is 30 years sober after cleaning up at age 21. “A year and a half ago, my daughter was texting me, a 20-year-old kid at Red Rocks, saying that her friends had taken ecstasy and she didn’t feel safe there, didn’t want to go home with them,” Rumley says. “We came up with the idea of starting this nonprofit. What made sobriety cool for me was this group called the Wharf Rats, which was a sober support group inside Grateful Dead shows. So we kind of took that idea and parlayed it into our nonprofit.”

The organization has found steam in Denver by offering people, particularly those under 21, support at events where partying while intoxicated is an accepted norm. “Our first show was Bassnectar at the 1stBank Center,” Rumley says. “We set up a sober tailgate outside the event and invited people. Then we did a Rockies game, and we sold 190 tickets in six days. Clearly, there was a want and a need.”

Bar Zero — coming to River North Arts District (RiNo)

Bar Zero is a pub and restaurant that aims to give people a place to go out that’s free from the pressure to drink. It’s a full-on social house for non-drinkers and those in recovery, complete with food, weekly events, and a job training program. Founder and executive director Emily Schrader is a certified addictions counselor and restaurant industry veteran. “We are hoping to provide an upscale, safe, drug- and alcohol-free space for people to connect and build community in recovery,” she says. “This is for folks in recovery from substance use disorders as well as those who are sober curious, or simply abstaining (for whatever reason) for an evening.”

Schrader hopes to launch a permanent Bar Zero space sometime in 2020. Until then, the nonprofit caters and hosts pop-up events in the community.


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2019 was warmest year ever for ocean

As the data starts to roll in it’s becoming obvious that 2019 was a record-breaking year, but not in a good way. According to a study published in Advances in Atmospheric Sciences this week, 2019 was the warmest year on record for ocean temperatures. The oceans have been absorbing the excess heat caused by greenhouse gases. This protects landmasses from the ill-effects of emissions in the short-term, but could ultimately spell disaster for the planet.

Kenven E. Trenberth, a senior scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research and one of the study’s authors, said, “The heavy rains in Jakarta just recently resulted, in part, from very warm sea temperatures in that region. These sea temperatures influence regional weather patterns and sometimes even global weather patterns.”

As the oceans continue to absorb greenhouse gas emissions, this will lead to more extreme weather systems and rising oceans, putting many coastal cities in peril. The rising ocean temperatures are also putting marine life at risk, contributing to coral reef bleaching, and threatening vital ecosystems.

Although the past 10 years have been the warmest on record for global ocean temperatures, the increase between 2019 and 2020 was the biggest single-year leap since the early 2000s.

According to Zeke Hausfather, director of climate and energy at the Breakthrough Institute in California, ocean heat is absolutely critical to understanding climate change. “Ocean heat content,” he said, “is, in many ways, our best measure of the effect of climate change on the earth.”


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