Dear Readers,

Here at canvas, it’s our aim to inform and inspire, engaging readers like you to take a deeper look at how to improve your well being, raise your consciousness, and help make the world around us a better place. We hope to awaken new insights, and spur on conversation about how this can be achieved.

Personally, as I’ve been planning the editorial content for canvas, these factors have become more and more top of mind. I’ve begun to analyze things I formerly took for granted, seeing them in a completely new light. For instance, the other night when making dinner, I became conscious of how much trash was accumulating in the bin. For just one dish—spanakopita—I’d discarded the filo dough box and its plastic wrapping, two plastic containers from ricotta and feta cheese, the foil-and-paper frozen-spinach box, an empty olive-oil bottle, and later the parchment I’d baked the pies on. Considering the story we are running this month on the benefits of Slow Food (see Tasting Notes, page 10), and since I typically cook rather than order take-out, it got me thinking about whether it might actually be more ecologically responsible—and perhaps less expensive—to order in. Think about the cost of, and refuse from, all those ingredients, compared to picking up just a single container from the local Greek joint. Yes, they toss packaging, too, but likely purchase in greater bulk. Where does this all net out? It would probably take a lot of research to discover the truth of which is actually the wiser option—home cooking or take-out—but my point is that it’s worth thinking about these things, even if there is no easy answer.

Our publishers, Tom and Matt, recently told me about a local pizza restaurateur who was inspired by an article in canvas to find out about switching to recycled-cardboard pizza-delivery boxes. He searched—and found—an equitable alternative and is making the change. If we can inspire you to think about, and even consider taking small steps—switching to CFL lightbulbs, taking public transportation, or whatever other ideas are easy for you to adopt—then we’re on our way to meeting our goal.

We’d love for you to join the conversation.                

                Diana Murphy
                Editor in Chief

Conversation Starter
Do you think it’s more eco-friendly to cook your own meals, or order take-out? Read my blog on this subject, and add your thoughts and comments at www.canvasli.com/blog.