Try something new on World Pulses Day
Fava, black, kidney, mung, cowpeas, lentils, and peas, oh my!
What do all these things have in common? They are all members of the pulse family.
But what is a pulse? Pulses are a sub-group of legumes, more commonly referred to as peas, beans and lentils.
Sure, but why is EWEB telling me about beans, aren’t you just my utility provider? While EWEB’s primary mission is to deliver quality drinking water and safe, reliable electricity to our customer owners, we also have a responsibility to be stewards of your financial and natural resources. This includes our impact and role in reducing the greenhouse gases contributing to climate change. We are already fortunate to have one of the cleanest energy portfolios in the nation and are committed to our Climate Change Policy which states that our energy portfolio will be 95% carbon-free by 2030.
That is only one thing EWEB is doing, you can learn more about what EWEB’s commitment to the environment here. And there is still more to be done, so what can you do?
By making small changes in your daily routine, such as eating more plant-based foods, especially ones that have multiple benefits to the environment, you can help reduce your household’s carbon footprint.
Adding pulses to your diet offers a world of benefits, not just for your personal health, but also for the health of the environment. Pulses have so much potential to further global sustainability that the United Nations designated February 10 as World Pulses Day.
Here are just a few of the benefits of pulses:
- Pulses are a water efficient source of protein, using only ½ to 1/10 the amount of water other sources of protein require. This makes them ideal for planning in dry environments that are prone to drought.
- Pulses are a low carbon footprint food. Pulses require little to no nitrogen fertilizer, due to their ability to utilize soil bacteria to draw nitrogen from the air. When nitrogen fertilizer is used in crop production soil micro-organisms convert this nitrogen into nitrous oxide, a powerful greenhouse gas.
- If you are interested in learning more about your carbon footprint, check out the EPA’s calculator tool. Once you learn your footprint, think of different ways you can reduce it. Once you’ve done as much as you can, learn how you can neutralize your carbon footprint with EWEB.
- Pulses contribute to food security by being adaptable to marginal environments where other crops are not sustainable.
- Due to their ability to be stored for long periods without losing nutritional value or spoiling, pulses have a lower food waste footprint than other food products.
- Fun fact: emissions due to food loss and waste in the United States is equivalent to the annual CO2 emissions of 42 coal-fired plants.
- Pulses help improve soil biodiversity, which provides ecosystems with greater resistance and resilience against disturbances and stress.
- Planting pulses along with other crops increases soil carbon sequestration.
- Did you know that EWEB is partnering with the University of Oregon to study the impacts of different plants and trees on carbon sequestration and reforestation? You can help support this innovative project and learn more here.
- Pulses are nutrient dense, with high levels of phytochemicals, antioxidants, calcium, iron, and vitamins.
With all these benefits, how could you not give them a try? Here are a few recipes from around the world to use as inspiration on how you can incorporate them into your diet.
- Empedrat, originally from Catalonia, is a special type of tapa and one of the most popular summer dishes in Spain. It includes pulses, veggies, and fish.
- This Curry recipe can be made using canned and frozen vegetables, making it one of the fastest ways to make the popular dish.
- Fasolada, the national dish of Greece, consisting of white beans, celery, carrots and onions.
- Gallo Pinto, a traditional dish from Costa Rica, can be eaten at any meal, but is especially popular for breakfast.
- Fudgey Bean Brownies, a combination of beans and chocolate, need we say more?
- Find more recipes here.
You can learn more about the many benefits of pulses at the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations.
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