Introducing Recycle Woman to the World!

After a year of promoting my platform as Miss Alameda and the launch of my M.A.S.C (Miss Alameda Says Compost!) program, I came to realize how many people were really confused about basic recycling and composting programs here in the Bay Area. People would tell me that they don’t recycle because they are confused, or that they recycle the bare minimum, soda cans and/or plastic bottles for the CRV. Once I would mention composting, as in separating food waste from the landfill, I would notice people’s eyes glaze over as if shutting down further information. Most people I talked to assumed when I spoke of composting at home meant having a worm farm in their back yard. Don’t get me wrong, worm farms are great, but most people are not at that level and simple recycling is a challenge. I realized that getting food waste out of the landfill and increasing resource recovery was more of a challenge than I initially thought. As a result I decided to incorporate my talents and passion as an actress into promoting and bringing awareness to the basics of recycling and composting curb side programs, a mini spin-off of the M.A.S.C program. With support from StopWaste.org, the Altamont Education Advisory Board in Livermore, Northern California Recycling Association, Alameda County Industries, the City of Alameda and Mayor Marie Gilmore, my former acting mentor Donald Lacy and my amazing cast and crew, I was able to star and produce my first movie, “Recycle Woman.” With a $10,000 budget from grants and only three days to film, “Recycle Woman,” to me is a miracle in itself. For the first time since its “green carpet” release in November 25th, 2011 and open screenings in 2012, I am excited to release my short film, “Recycle Woman.” For more information about the “green carpet” events, press coverage on “Recycle Woman” and more go to: http://www.recyclewomanthemovie.com/

Recycle Woman from Jessica Jane Robinson on Vimeo.

Burma Superstar - 1345 Park Street, Alameda, CA 94501 - (510) 522-6200

January 5, 2013 – You already know if you have been to Burma Superstar or have seen the line that forms down Park Street, that their food is amazing. But did you also know that they are superstar recyclers and composters? Yay!

We visited at 11 a.m. on a Saturday in order to get a long table for our party of…nine. This week, we brought along guest bloggers Edday and Pepe (the grandparents). Pepe was born during the great depression and is not big on going out to eat. He will only go to Juanita’s (where he knows everyone by name) and India Palace (for takeout only). But he is really into recycling and composting, so we knew he would like Burma Superstar.

Pepe and Edday

We had:

• Tea leaf salad and mango salad – Both were wonderful, but the tea leaf salad is a show-stopper. The server mixed it at the table and everyone loved it. Pepe said, “The salads are really interesting, so delicious!”  Greta says, “It was incredible, so, so good! Probably one of the best salads I have ever had.” Kevin said, “You could have a nice, light vegetarian meal with just the salads.” But we didn’t b/c we ordered more! 




Platha and Dip





Tea leaf salad

 

• Platha and Dip (described as a multi layered bread served with a coconut chicken curry sauce) – We got three orders for the nine of us and ate every bit. Linnea says, “This is the best thing ever.” Fred loved the curry. We order this every time we come.
• Sesame beef – This is Linnea’s favorite dish. Linnea says, “It was very crispy with a good, tangy sauce.” Vera particularly liked the orange garnishes.

 

Sesame beef



Peashoots



• Sesame tofu – For the vegetarians in our party. Greta says, “The tofu was incredible. I had 12 pieces of it, because it tasted so good.”
• Eggplant with shrimp – Edday ordered the eggplant (which she typically does when she joins us for the restaurant blog). She also had eggplant when she came with us to Angelfish and Asena. Edday says, “They were all good in their own way. This one was very tender, well-cooked with a yummy sauce.” Fred says, “It is the best eggplant I ever had!”
• Peashoots - Fresh greens stir fried with wine and garlic. Very good texture. Greta says, “I liked the sauce. It was very delicious.”
• Rice – We tried each of the rice dishes - coconut rice, brown rice, jasmine rice and Tan Poi  which is basmati rice cooked with cardamom, cinnamon, raisins, and topped with fried onions. Vera says, “It was very good and I only tried the jasmine rice.” Greta says, “I loved the coconut rice, it was tropical and sweet, and I loved it very much.”

Compost Report – Kevin invited our server, Louie to come over and tell us all about the recycling and compost program. He said that the owner was really supportive of sustainability initiatives and they take recycling and composting very seriously. Their goal is to reduce landfilling to the minimum, so they have recycling and compost collection twice per week! We thanked them for all of their efforts and gave them a MASC brochure in case they needed any additional training or containers.



Greta, Louie and Vera



We didn't have many left-overs, but we did remember to bring out Tupperware



So, please go to Burma Superstar! You will love the food! You will love all that they are doing to support the environment! But plan to go early to avoid the lines, as they are super-popular.