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Everyone knows the pain gas guzzling causes the planet, but did you realize that the US food industry burns about a fifth of the petroleum the country consumes? Our habit of transporting food over huge distances has a lot to do with it (those Chilean cherries don’t magically appear on supermarket shelves in mid-February, you know). Fortunately, there are plenty of folks working to change the way we chow down. Inspired by the motto “eat local,” Elizabeth Dayton formed her business From Scratch (www.fromscratchboston.com) with the goal of promoting organic, local, and sustainable cuisine. This eco-chic personal chef will come to your crib and prepare a fabulous meal for your next dinner party, wowing your guests with a summer menu that includes yummy offerings like Swiss chard tart with goat cheese and currant-pine nut relish, herb-roasted pork loin with mustard bread crumbs, garlicky sautéed beet greens, and fresh strawberry pie with whipped cream. (Is your mouth watering yet?) She only uses ethically and sustainably raised meat — Stillman’s at the Turkey Farm, Lionette’s Market, and Pete & Jen’s Backyard Birds are some of her favorite sources. Dayton works with each client to prepare a delish meal, so vegans and vegetarians, don’t worry: menus are available for you as well. So why not enjoy your company and let someone else do the cooking for a change? (Of course, if you’re really on a self-improvement kick, Dayton’s private cooking classes can teach you how to go localvore like a pro too.) Eating, drinking, and being merry the green way just got a whole lot easier.