Tag Archives: bug

Crickets Make Your Trail Mix a Hopping Experience

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Pack some protein in your trail mix by adding in some insects

What do you put in your trail mix? Nuts? Dried Fruit? Crickets?

Yup. That’s right, I said ‘crickets’.

Nick Hiebert, Founder of Ecotone Foods out of Manitoba, has created a delicious twist on an old trail tradition. He has popped roasted crickets, mealworms and super worms into a trailmix along with dried fruit like cranberries and blueberries, and an assortment of nuts and seeds.

Those who are curious and adventurous tasted the crunchy mix and quickly discovered that the bug laden power food is as delicious as it is nutritious. Cheryl Holmes, the reporter for CTV News in Winnipeg, happily crunched a big spoonful of the super snack.

So, what does Ecotone Foods have to do with Next Millennium Farms? Good question.

Next Millennium Farms supplies Ecotone Foods with their scrumptious insects for their trail mix. Click on the video in the article and check out 1:26-1:50 to hear Ryan Goldin, co-founder of Next Millennium Farms, talk about part of the process that is used to provide us with our crunchy critters.

I love trail mix. It is actually one of my daily standards, especially now that I’m making a concerted effort to eliminate unhealthy snacks from my diet (those that are the culprits know who they are!).

I blend in some raw sliced almonds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, unsweetened coconut, and cranberries. So, after this article came out, I asked some other Next Millennium Farms team members how long they think it will be until food made with insects is the norm- not ‘specialty’ or ‘niche’ or ‘novelty’.

I say 1-2 years.

Hopeful? Maybe… Anyone care to make a wager?

#InsectProtein #CricketFlour #Entomophagy

Eating Insects with ASAP Science

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Eating Insects from Bug Bistro

Last week I was taking a little break at work, chatting to one of my friends at her desk, when suddenly, another one of my friends came running out of his cubicle when he heard my voice, phone in hand, saying something like, “They’re eating crickets, they’re eating crickets!” (My co-workers at my 9-5 job are all VERY intrigued by my new-found interest in eating insects) I looked at him and asked, “Who’s eating crickets?” He responded with, “The ASAP Science guys! They’re eating crickets, and posted a pic on Instagram!”

We had just heard of ASAP Science through one of our instructors during a course we were all taking together at OCAD (Ontario College of Art and Design), and many of us started following them through different social media channels.

So, of course I take the phone from his outstretched hand and look at the picture, and sure enough, not only are they eating insects, they are eating insects from THE BUG BISTRO! I totally freaked out, shrieked, and said, “OH MY GOD, they’re eating our bugs! They’re eating crickets from Next Millennium Farms!”

Well, that was just the beginning.

A few days later, there were two videos posted by ASAP Science, AKA Mitchell Moffit and Gregory Brown.

There are two videos: “Should We All Be Eating Insects” discusses the nutritious value and environmental component related to eating insects, and “How to Eat Bugs” offers the new insect eater some great ideas for including insects in their daily diet.

ASAP Science cred Youtube

 

ASAP Science cred to Youtube showing you how to eat insects

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All A-Buzz at the Peterborough Farmers’ Market

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Eating Insects at the Peterborough Farmers’ Market

Who are those handsome young men sporting the Next Millennium Farms shirts #Entomophagy? Why, they’re the Dereks of course! Derek Sedgwick and Derek Delahaye, members of the Next Millennium Farms family, represent at the Peterborough Farmers’ Market.

They made their debut last weekend, and were over-whelmed by the wonderful response from the many people who came by the Next Millennium Farms booth at the market.

Next Millennium Farms Booth at the Peterborough Farmers’ Market

Every Saturday, from 7am to 1pm, hundreds of people browse through the stands of the Farmers’ Market at the Memorial Centre parking lot at Lansdowne and George street.

According to Derek S. (shown on the left), there were many passersby who were curious, and who started talking to the ‘Dereks’ and asking them questions about the products, eating insects, and other pressing questions, such as- ‘Ya, but how do they taste?’

Many people were really open to the concept and trying the product. Mothers, without any hesitation, were allowing their very curious children to sample a seasoned cricket or a mealworm from the newly launched Bug Bistro line of edible seasoned insects.

Lots of insect sampling!

Everyone who tasted a cricket or mealworm was pleasantly surprised to find that they are really quite delicious! By the end of the first day, it was clear that the most popular insects to crunch on were the crickets, and the best seller of the day was the 113 gram bag of cricket flour.

If you live in the Peterborough area, or love spending your summer in Ontario trawling from one farmers’ market to another, stop by the Next Millennium Farms booth for a sample of bugs bursting with flavour!

Insects for Humans on the Inside Scoop- Emerald Planet

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Co-Founder Jarrod Goldin on Emerald Planet

Jarrod Goldin, Co-Founder of Next Millennium Farms, spoke to Dr. Sam Hancock about eating insects for health, taste, and the sustainability of the planet as we skyrocket towards a population of over 9 billion by the year 2050, on Sunday’s edition of Inside Scoop- Emerald Planet.

This show, based out of Washington D.C. typically draws an audience of 5 million people.

This episode of Inside Scoop- Emerald Planet, is almost an hour long, and focuses on the vision and mission of Next Millennium Farms.

There are some wonderful slides with graphics just before the 5 minute mark that highlight the amount of resources it takes to grow different kinds of protein.

If you are interested in how insect consumption can greatly reduce your carbon footprint, tune in just before the 10 minute mark.

For many of you, you might not be necessarily interested in the environmental impact of your food choices, rather your driving force for the foods that you choose to eat, might simply just be straight up nutrition. Check out the video just before the 11 minute mark to hear Jarrod talk about the nutritional information that correlates to one serving of insect protein; carbohydrates, protein, fat and calories.

The conversation continues, and at 17:20 you can get a glimpse of the Norwood, Ontario farm, the benefits of farming, and how Next Millennium Farms processes their insects.

Nicole Kilburn, professor of anthropology at Camosun College in British Columbia joins Dr. Hancock at 23:00, and discusses entomophagy as it relates to nutritional anthropology in different societies.

The last segment that runs from 45:30 to the end, features Jarrod discussing the possibility of setting up global insect farms, and the benefits this will have not only from a nutritional point of view, but also from an economic point of view as well considering it could conceivably create many jobs. There is also conversation around who are the early adopters to eating insects, and insect flour as RUTF (Ready to Use Therapeutic Food) for populations that are involved in disasters, and are unable to provide their own nutrition.

Now that you’ve watched to show, I’m sure you’re going to want to sample some of the insects yourself.

Check out our newly launched Bug Bistro, where you can taste some crunchy and flavorful mealworms and crickets, or try some insect flour in your cooking!

“The Next Bug Thing”, on The Lang and O’Leary Exchange

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Darren Goldin talks to Dianne Buckner of The CBC’s Lang and O’Leary Exchange

Have you ever been in a studio’s Green Room? If you haven’t, the Green Room is where you wait before you go on the air, and if you are a guest on a show, there will typically be some kind of refreshments for you.

Well, today on The Lang and O’Leary Exchange on the CBC, Next Millennium Farms’ own Co-Founder, Darren Goldin, brought the refreshments to them instead of the other way around. What snacks were those, you might ask? Well, chocolate covered mealworms, of course!

The 5-minute interview with Dianne Buckner was wonderfully executed. The responses flowed from one into the other seamlessly, allowing Darren to showcase the exciting growth that has been taking place at Next Millennium Farms at a rapid pace; they have already outgrown their newly acquired 9000 square foot facility!

The mission and vision statements of Next Millennium Farms were organically brought to the forefront through the interview; producing great tasting and highly nutritional insects for human consumption, which are beneficial for people, but also for the globe, as the carbon footprint produced by raising and producing insect protein is much lower compared with other protein sources like beef or chicken.

Before you know it, eating insects WILL BE mainstream in our society. It will be common to see someone snacking on crispy crickets on the subway, or pulling out a pack of sea salt and pepper mealworms from their lunch bags. Just yesterday, City News aired a spot shot in Norwood, Ontario at Next Millennium Farms’ headquarters, where news reporter, Audra Brown was given some wax worms from one of Goldin’s daughters, and she remarked, quite surprised I’d like to add, “These are GOOD!”

Check out our new Bug Bistro to get your own!

 

 

Eat Insects at the Bug Bistro

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Eat Insects at the Bug Bistro

Bug Bistro. Yup, that’s what I said. Get your edible bugs right here at Next Millennium Farms’ own Bug Bistro. Eating insects has never been more delicious or easier for you to start or continue doing!

We have a bunch of different flavors for you to choose from: honey mustard, barbeque, sea salt and pepper, fire and brimstone and Moroccan spice. You can also choose between crickets or mealworms. If you’re not sure if you prefer crickets to mealworms, or the other way around, you can try our assorted snack pack which gives you both crickets AND mealworms, and a sample of all the flavors. With the assorted pack of 6 2 gram bags, you get barbeque, fire and brimstone and sea salt and pepper mealworms, and Moroccan, honey and mustard and barbeque crickets.

All the insects are cooked to perfection so they are crispy and crunchy, which makes them the snack that you want to reach for at any time of day- pre or post workout, the mid-morning nibble or the 3:00 pm snack attack.

Chock-full of protein, essential amino acids and iron, these cricket and mealworm snack packs from Bug Bistro can be enjoyed right out of the pack and down the hatch, or sprinkle them on your favorite salad, burrito, or sandwich.

The other cool thing about this snack, is that for those of you who have fussy kids, who barely eat foods with protein and iron (mine were like that for many years, and it used to drive me absolutely crazy), your kids will absolutely love these- they’ll be their new favorite snack, and you’ll always say, “yes”, because they are nutritious, delicious, and low in calories and fat.

If you’ve never tried eating insects before, this is a great way for you to get started. Don’t be scared. You’re doing yourself (and the planet) a favor.

Let us know which ones are your favorites!

Basil, Baguette and Bocconcini Cricket Appetizers

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Basil, Baguette and Bocconcini Cricket Appetizer

This appetizer is a summer staple when basil is fresh in our garden. The aroma of the balsamic and basil combined with the crunchy roasted crickets and fresh baguette is irresistible. Although the insects are front and center, this is a great whole-bug dish for first-timers who are ready to move on from insect flours and try something a little more visual.

Note: Ingredient amounts have not been specified because no matter how many you make there’s always a request for more and these can be thrown together in a pinch!

Ingredients

  • Fresh Baguette
  • Fresh Basil
  • Olive Oil infused with garlic
  • Balsamic vinegar
  • Bocconcini cheese (small, mild, mozzarella cheeses the size of an egg)
  • Roasted crickets – approximately 1/4 to 1/3 cup
  • Sea salt
  • Chimichurri spice available at The Epicentre

Directions

  1. Slice bocconcini into 1/4 inch circles and set aside, 1 per appetizer
  2. Slice baguette into small circles 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick and then arrange on a platter or tray.
  3. Take fresh basil and place a leaf on each piece of baguette, if leaf is large then cut in half covering most of the baguette. Top each appetizer with a slice of bocconcini.
  4. Mix together olive oil and some balsamic vinegar and whisk until combined. Generously drizzle over all the appetizers you have prepared.
  5. Place roasted crickets in a separate small bowl and drizzle very lightly with olive oil. Add a pinch of sea salt and a dusting of chimichurri spice or any other spice that may strike your fancy. Give a gentle and quick toss- I usually use my fingers given the lightness of the crickets.
  6. Place a small amount of crickets on top of each appetizer and serve up something truly tasty.
  7. Note: always make a couple on the side due to the impossible task of making this recipe without having at least two before you serve it to the guests!

 

Lisa Simpson- Vegetarian Entomophagist A.K.A. Bug Eater

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Lisa Simpson eats crickets

In Season 24, episode 5 of The Simpsons (Penny Wiseguys), Lisa Simpson joined the Protein Revolution, and turned to entomophagy because she was experiencing iron deficiency due to her vegetarian diet.

First of all, I love the fact that this episode aired back in 2012. That’s pretty cool.

Second of all, it touched on an interesting topic; vegetarianism and eating bugs.

I was a vegetarian for 18 years- from the time I watched a riveting episode of Donahue from a bazillion years ago, that featured River Phoenix and Lisa Bonet. I chose to be a vegetarian for many reasons; primarily because of cruelty to animals that was occurring in the industry.

I started eating meat during the pregnancy of my second child when I became so deficient in iron and specific vitamins, that I developed Pica, and had very strange olfactory cravings (like wanting to sniff white out and permanent markers- I was also craving BBQ chicken skin at 10:00 am. My doctor advised to either start taking injections, or eat meat. I chose the latter, and have been still consuming meat protein to this day. And now, I also eat bugs.

So, my question is to you vegetarians out there.

As a vegetarian, how do you feel about eating bugs?

#eat crickets #eat bugs #entomophagy #protein revolution #next millennium farms

 

Eating insects on “The Doctors”

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Insects offer a sustainable source of nutrients

Believe it or not, one of the segments on today’s episode of The Doctors, featured Peter, a scientist in England. Peter eats a bug-based diet, including recipes that contain locusts and waxworms in order to try to maintain a healthy weight and prevent heart disease.

While a couple of the hosts/panelists seemed squeamish by the thought of ingesting insects, (which I totally understand, believe me, as I, too, had to do a little bit of mental aerobics before having my first chocolate covered cricket, and crackers with brie and waxworms), a couple of them sent them right down the hatch to a chorus of “ews” and “ughs”.

Now, mark my words my friends. Today is April 23rd, 2014. Ever since Next Millennium Farms began their journey just a few short months ago, I have been living and breathing everything insect protein related, and I can tell you that the information, hype and excitement around eating insects not only for the sake of your own personal health, but for the health of the globe is tumbling out of every pore of the media.

Last night one of my friends sent me a quick BBM telling me to turn the channel to Top Chef Canada because crickets were one of the ingredients being used. Half an hour ago I got an email from one of my oldest friends (years known, not chronological age) with this as the subject line, “Buggy Bites: Your guide to the NYC restaurants serving insect-spiked dishes”.

The writing is on the wall, people.

Join The Protein Revolution. Get over it, and get yourself some crunchy bugs.

 

 

Cred to Stage 29 and CBS Television Distribution for The Doctors

Are Insects Kosher?

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We are asked this question quite a bit and the answer is both yes and no. Certain insects are edible according to God as it is written in Leviticus, however this does not by virtue make them what we refer to today as “kosher.”

After extensive research the answer is best supported by a passage from the book: “The Diet of John the Baptist,” by Mohr Siebeck. In the chapter titled: “From Leviticus to Moses Maimonides: Locust Eating in Jewish Literature and the Ancient Near East,” pg 41, the author writes:

With regard to the eating of locusts/grasshoppers, Leviticus 11 allows the Israelites to consume four different kinds of ‘leaping’ insects: [20] All winged insects that walk upon all fours are detestable to you. [21] But among the winged insects that walk on all fours you may eat those that have jointed legs above their feet, with which to leap on the ground. [22] Of them you may eat: the locust according to its kind, the bald locust according to its kind, the cricket according to its kind, and the grasshopper according to its kind. But all other winged insects that have four feet are detestable to you. (Lev 11:20-23)

There are Jewish communities as well as Muslims who eat crickets and grasshoppers because they recognize the passage from Leviticus as a claim for being kosher and halal.