Seattle: local pride, eco (and volcanic) hot spot

I have a mouthful of wonderful things to say about Seattle, one of them being that it is home to two exceptional people, Lizzy and Dave.  During the 4 days I spent exploring the city, my top-notch tour guides took my friends Sarah, Jane, and I to some excellent spots.  As a self-proclaimed wannabe foodie, I took the most pleasure in discovering some of the city’s delicious little restaurants, many of which were organic, sustainable, and/or local.  I could tell just by looking around Freemont, Wallingford, Queen Anne, and even downtown that Seattle takes some serious pride in their local and organic industries.  There were farmers markets, eco-chic boutiques, art galleries, the most delicious coffee I’ve ever had (not surprising), and many a local brewery or winery.  Not to mention it was surrounded by glorious mountains, more bodies of water than I could keep track of, and a ginormous man-eating volcano.  Here are just a few of my favorite Seattle findings (most of which involve food… do I have a problem?):

Molly Moon Ice Cream – local ingredients (some organic; hormone free dairy), vegan choices, fantabulous flavors, compostable utensils, stores built from reclaimed wood and sustainable materials.  Stomach ache was definitely worth the 2 heaping scoops – 1 salted caramel and 1 chocolate.  All around uh-mazing.

http://www.mollymoonicecream.com/

Homegrown – sustainable sandwich shop, compostable utensils, recycled paper menus, fresh ingredients (many of which are organic and/or local), unique menu items, totally delicious.

http://www.eathomegrown.com/

Pike Place Market – local fruits, veggies, treats, knick-knacks, art, more honey and fish in one concentrated area than I’ve ever seen in my life.

www.pikeplacemarket.org

Snoqualmie Falls – get in touch with nature and visit this visual natural masterpiece (taller than Niagra Falls).  Then go get a cup or two of coffee in the lodge’s lounge upstairs and stare at the falls from a warmer, drier lookout point (home of Lizzy and Dave’s new favorite mochas!).

http://www.snoqualmiefalls.com/

PCC Market – my new grocery mecca, like Whole Foods gone somewhat local.

http://www.pccnaturalmarkets.com/

Freemont Farmers Market – almost anything you could imagine: local everything, fun people, delicious smelling food, candles, and teas.

http://www.fremontmarket.com/

Islandwood on Bainbridge Island – something I have yet to do, however it sounds like eco-heaven.  Teaching environmental awareness, working with the community, all about sustainable living.  My kind of place.

http://islandwood.org/

It is definitely worth taking a short trip up north to check out this lovely little city.  If you want to blend in with the other Seattleites, don’t use an umbrella, drink a ton of coffee that is NOT Starbucks or Peet’s, buy some local beers or wines, and support the local shops/restaurants/farmer’s markets.  And of course go say what’s up to Lizzy and Dave, they’re the best.

delicious urthy food

This past summer, I visited Urth Caffe in West Hollywood, and I am now officially addicted.  The menu is vast, delicious, and obviously organic.  Many of the items are vegan but don’t sacrifice the appeal of a seriously awesome meal, snack, or beverage.  All of their cups and utensils are biodegradable, and they work directly with sustainable coffee growers that are Fair Trade.  My personal faves out of the few times I’ve been there are the Arnold Palmers, Tuna Sandwich, smoothies, and pumpkin cheesecake (thank you, Kelley, for letting me mooch off of your sweet-tooth cravings).  

 

It is so important to support places like these, because if one place uses biodegradable utensils and cooks with organic produce, there is no excuse for others not to.  Spread the eco-friendly love!

http://www.urthcaffe.com/

deck the halls with eco-friendly, falalalala lalalala

I l o v e the holiday season.  Despite the insanity of it all (psycho shoppers, freezing cold, dark at 5 PM, etc), there is so much to look forward to: family, friends, gift-giving, decorations, and FOOD.  

This holiday season, try substituting some of your regular decorations, cooking, wrapping, and cleaning products with eco-friendly ones.  For example, if you MUST buy new Christmas lights, at least make sure they’re LED, like these ones I found on ecofabulous.com: http://www.holidayleds.com/ .  Here are some other nifty ideas to help eliminate the insane amounts of food and product waste:

-use recycled foil (found at Whole Foods or other specialty markets), and try rinsing it out after using it (if it’s not disgusting) to recycle it again.

-make good use of your leftovers (in other words, eat ALL of them).  There are some awesome recipes for leftovers on the Food Network and Cooking Light website.  Wow I’m a nerd.

-store leftovers in your tupperware instead of plastic bags or foil, they’ll stay fresher and will save a ton of unnecessary waste.

-clean up the catastrophe that is your kitchen with products like Method or the magnificent-smelling Mrs. Meyers (my personal fave is the gardenia scent).  This will help keep gnarly chemicals from seeping into our sewers and brains.  Method even has holiday scented cleaners.  Mmm. www.methodhome.com

-please tell me you only run the dishwasher when it is TOTALLY FULL, otherwise I will have to hunt you down.

-as far as wrapping goes, the least you can do is buy recycled paper such as Greenfield Paper products, which have fun holiday designs: www.greenfieldpaper.com (found on GorgeouslyGreen.com).  OR, you can save money AND paper by re-using all the crap you didn’t use last year.  Take all of those annoying scraps that didn’t make the cut in ’08 (anyone get the pun?!) and make your own personal, unique, magical wrapping creation.  Or go to town with your newspapers, magazines, etc.  Maybe even grab a sharpie and test your drawing skills to make your wrapping even more unique.  Go crazy and use a gift as the wrapping, such as a reusable canvas bag or an old tin box.  Be eco-conscious and reuse all your boxes from last year that are shoved somewhere in your laundry room.  The possibilities are endless!

-same goes for decorations – REUSE is your new favorite word.  It is pointless to spend money on new ones when I guarantee you already have some lodged in your attic/basement/storage closet etc.  Especially all those weird objects you made your parents or friends during elementary school.  Like I said, get creative. 

-if you are throwing a party, avoid paper plates and paper napkins.  They are the epitome of wasteful, and wasteful is the epitome of evil.  It will once again help you save your money and your morals.  If you MUST get disposable dinner wear, at least buy biodegradable or recycled ones.  Yes, they are slightly more expensive than the regular stuff, but throw Mother Earth a bone and deal with it.  You can probably find it at your local supermarket, but if not here’s a great website for biodegradables and other fantabulous eco products (maybe even some gifts..?):

www.branchhome.com

-keep tuning into your inner artist and try making your cards instead of buying cheesy ones at Walgreens.  It will be fun and meaningful.  If you do buy cards, make sure they’re recycled.  Check out the plethora of options on greenpromise.com. http://www.greenpromise.com/resources/environmentally-friendly-christmas-cards.php

Also browse through the wide selection of stationary and holiday cards on www.greenfieldpaper.com

-make your traditional meals even more delicious by using organic ingredients.  Humor your market’s produce dude by asking him what’s in season – you know they could use some company, they always look bored.  Try baking some tasty treats with seasonal fruits or making some side dishes with seasonal veggies.  Test your cooking abilities and try making stuff from scratch!  Pair that with organic wine and friends or family and you’ve got yourself a party.

Here’s a link to 5 healthy holiday foods (may help prevent one from chunking up on sugar cookies):

http://www.cookinglight.com/eating-smart/smart-choices/5-healthful-holiday-foods-00400000001519/

-R E C Y C L E - E V E R Y T H I N G you possibly can.  Buy every recycled product you possibly can.  Reuse everything you can.  You know you want to.

-about 8 months ago I decided to stop eating meat, so my mom is a little confused about the whole Christmas dinner situation.  People don’t realize that it’s easy and just as delicious (plus now I just get to pile on all the scrumptious side dishes, which I am more than OK with).  Check out some mouth-watering recipes for vegetarian holiday dinners on the Food Network website: www.foodnetwork.com.  Cooking Light is also one of my favorite foodie sites and magazines: www.cookinglight.com.  Save a turkey, pig, duck, chicken, or cow, and have a very happy, very green holiday.

IndoSole - the earth's new fave sandals.

The masterminds behind IndoSole are taking eco-friendly shoes to a whole new level.  Their sandals, manufactured in Bali, are made out of tires from Indonesian landfills and other natural materials like banana leaf, burlap, vegan leather, and Indonesian grass.  As it states on their website, 2 pair of IndoSole sandals can be created from 1 landfill-polluting tire.  Even the packaging is sustainable – the shoes come in reusable shopping bags made from rice sacks, and the boxes are made from 100% recycled cardboard.  Indos are handmade –which means zero pollution- by happy, fairly paid Balinese workers in clean factories.  I know what you’re thinking – it is possible that these sandals could get any cooler?!  ‘Tis. 

Not only are the sandals eco-friendly, they actually look and feel awesome.  I would know, since I had the opportunity to meet with the founders of IndoSole a few weeks ago.  Faye and Kyle are the definition of down to earth; they are friendly, interesting, have meaningful values, and created a unique, quality product.  The sandals are super sturdy, so you know they’ll really last.  The various braided or woven upper soles are surprisingly soft, especially with the foam inserts underneath.

             

IndoSoles will be sold in stores by Spring 2010, but if you can’t wait till then, men's sandals are currently available online (awesome holiday gift idea!).  Check out their website for more information on these spectacular sandals.  I will definitely be getting a pair for myself, and for my brothers (if they play their cards right).  You should probably do the same.  Also friend them on Facebook!

            

In the meantime, here’s some IndoSole fun facts:
Number of Tires saved To Date: 253 (First ever production order of 506 pair) - 2 pair of Indo Sandals saves 1 tire from the landfill
Number of Rice Sacks Saved To Date:  253 (First ever production order for packaging) - 2 shopping bags with handles are made from 1 large rice sack
Number of people employed in the workshop: 20

www.indosole.com

Green Friday

‘Tis the Season to Go Green.  I unofficially changed Black Friday to Green Friday, and I unofficially changed the date from the day after Thanksgiving to today, the first Friday in December (when the holiday season drops like a ton of bricks).  Since this is the season of giving (among other things, i.e. eating our faces off), I’d like to share some environmentally friendly gift ideas.  Tip: try bulk shopping online to avoid polluting the air by driving all over town, this will also help save your gas tank AND your sanity.  

west(eco)ast Holiday Gift Guide*  

-I know my family sends out at least 100 Christmas cards every year.  Let’s all save some trees by buying cards made from recycled paper, there are PLENTY o’ eco-friendly ones.  Also remember to recycle the mass amounts of cards you receive.  Explore your options on greenpromise.com.

http://www.greenpromise.com/resources/environmentally-friendly-christmas-cards.php

-Gaiam has so many products I don’t even know where to start.  Everything from aluminum water bottles to yoga mats to bath towels, it is a one-stop-shop for gifts.  Plus they offer FREE shipping till December 8^th! 

www.gaiam.com

-Sephora now has an entire section on its website (and in stores) dedicated to natural & organic products.  One of my personal fave makeup brands is Korres. 

www.sephora.com

-Show your girlfriend or significant other you care just as much about fashion (and animals) as she does by splurging on a pair of shoes from Olsen Haus.  They are vegan and faaaabulous.  www.olsenhaus.com

-Check out Preserve products for perfect stocking stuffers. 

www.preserveproducts.com

-Priti NYC non-toxic nail polish has an ungodly amount of colors to choose from.  They also have a non-toxic nail polish remover.  No more nasty smells or chemicals seeping into your nails.

www.pritinyc.com

-Dogeared is one of my favorite brands for jewelry, among other things.  They also have an eco-friendly section on their website with fun trinkets like candles, totes, bracelets, earrings, jewelry bags, the list goes on.  See for yourself, just type “eco-friendly” in the search box. 

www.dogeared.com

-PACT underwear are undergarments with a cause.  With designs for both men and women, they will make the perfect ethical present.

www.wearpact.com

-Green Toys for the wee ones. 

www.greentoys.com

-Organic Play Dough (found on ecofabulous.com)!  Yes, it’s true.  Is it weird if I get some for myself?...

http://organicfundough.com/

-Pacifica has delicious soy candles, fragrances, sopas, and body butters.  Yum. 

www.pacificaperfume.com

-For your creative, stationary-loving friends, check out Yellow Owl Workshop and Hard Cards for cards, stamps, and more. 

www.yellowowlworkshop.com

www.hardcardsrule.com

-Molly M jewelry is unique and eco-chic.  That rhymes!

www.mollymdesigns.com

-Branch has some super cool home items from ornaments to pillows to salad bowls.  See for yourself. 

www.branchhome.com

-Indosoles are my favorite eco sandals for beach-loving friends and family members.  www.indosole.com

-My roommate enlightened me the other night with this website, which is chalk full of glorious gift ideas.  Find the “Eco-Friendly Gifts” option under the Category tab, or type “eco-friendly” in the search box.  You can even edit your findings by price.  Warning: this could wind up occupying several hours of your day.  I’m not kidding.

http://www.gifts.com/

-Here’s some other awesome gifty websites I found on ecofabulous.com:

            www.organicadeluxe.com

            www.organicstyle.com

            www.ecoexpress.com

            www.earthtechproducts.com (for all the techies in your life)

            www.vivaterra.com

            http://www.holidayleds.com/ (for LED Christmas lights!)

While you're perusing the web, take a break from online shopping and watch this funny video of my friend and I busting a move and battling ourselves.

http://www.youtube.com/ihoptowhatship#p/u/0/Fhq2_usJlK0

paper towels: a Thanksgiving challenge.

In honor of Thanksgiving and all the insanity that will potentially take place in the kitchen, I felt compelled to find at least one way to minimize the amount of waste involved in cooking, cleaning, and general turkey-day preparations.  As a person who is thankful for nature (it's the hippie in me), I will no longer be using paper towels on a daily basis.  It’s a total waste of paper; we could easily use regular towels, old rags, or destroyed T-shirts to do the dirty work.  I probably use way too many paper towels myself, so I am giving all of us a fun little test.  I challenge you, on whatever day you read this (if you are feeling particularly adventurous, try it on Thanksgiving!), to use ONLY 1 PAPER TOWEL today.  Think of how much paper you will save if you only use 1 as opposed to multiple.  It's mind boggling.

 If you just can't part from your beloved paper towels, try replacing the regular ones with recycled products.  According to the National Resources Defense Council, “If every household in the United States replaced just one roll of virgin fiber paper towels (70 sheets) with 100% recycled ones, we could save 544,000 trees.”  That’s a ton of trees.  Some products even have chlorine in them to make them brighter – who wants to wipe their mouth on a chemical infused napkin?  Not I.  

 

So remember - when you buy paper towels, TP, or napkins, go for the eco-friendly brands like Seventh Generation or Green Forest.  They are slightly more expensive, but get over it, because I’m sure we could all spare an extra dollar to help the environment.  Have a heart.  And have a very Happy Thanksgiving.

 

Here’s a link to the NRDC website with some great info on recycled paper products - http://www.nrdc.org/land/forests/gtissue.asp

one exception where plastic makes it possible: Plastiki

You have got to check out this website and read about the amazing San Francisco-based project called Plastiki.  I discovered Plastiki on ecofabulous.com and was so inspired I had to spread the word to my fellow (though very few!) readers.  There are so many wonderfully innovative people out there that are making a positive impact on environmental awareness, and this guy is definitely one of them.

The brains behind Plastiki, David de Rothschild, is building a catamaran out of about 12,000 reclaimed plastic soda bottles (one of the ocean’s biggest pollutant), which will eventually be sailed across the Pacific.  They will be using energy bikes to produce electricity for the ship, as well as solar panels to help power the ship and its communications system.  They’ll also have a little fruit and veggie garden and a solar/pump powered water purifier on board, no big deal.  Their mission is “to beat waste by inspiring sustainable solutions and to highlight the ecological damage being done to the world’s oceans.”  That’s my kind of mission.  One of the coolest parts about this project is that their 100 day journey from SF to Sydney, Australia will be filmed; I will absolutely be watching this adventure, and so should you.  Or at least take a look at the website, it has fun graphics.

http://www.theplastiki.com/

Read more about Mr. de Rothschild here, he’s ridiculously accomplished:

http://www.theplastiki.com/content/david/