Spicy Hot Book

Steamy. Sizzling. Scintillating. It's all that and more.

I'm talking about the Muji Spice Taste-leaf Book.

If you're always on the go, don't have space for an expensive spice rack, or are just too lazy to bother with intricate recipes, this mess-free alternative is just the thing for you. It's brought to you by Yanko Design, the masterminds behind unconventional umbrellas and fan blades made of chicken wings. The company's M.O. is "Form Beyond Function," and Yanko works hard to deliver.




Made with edible quality paper, the taste-book comes with an assortment of spice choices, from white pepper to red chili. Simply tear the perforated edges and plop into your dish! Perfecto.

I scanned the rest of the site, and, I have to admit, my inner green bookworm yearns for one of these.

Design It. Price It. Make It.

Photo by Ponoko.

Ponoko believes you can create what you envision. The company functions as a public marketplace for designers to buy and sell their goods. As such, Ponoko helps people produce their own intricate furniture, toys, electronics and "everything else."

No fees. No minimum orders. No gimmicks. Just follow a few simple steps to get started. Using design software, your own camera or a designer's expertise, you can have that very own customized monster lamp delivered to your door. Or how about a fortune cookie Christmas ornament? Luckily, Ponoko's products are as functional as they are fashionable. This swallow necklace caught my eye.

If I were a kid again, I'd totally want this psychedelic choo-choo train for my birthday. Just be careful with the Nintendo zapper...

Plus, Ponoko recycles and reuses materials, so it's good for the environment too! For customized swim caps, pillows and other design musings, check out their blog. Ponoko was recently featured in Treehugger's Green Gift Guide.

Everything Is Illuminated

Photo by EcoMeme.

For once, I don't think I'd mind wearing glasses. Even if they're a bit goofy-looking. But these high-quality iWood frames are made of wood! How crazy is that?

iWood glasses are developed from the unusable excess of an exotic veneer supplier in the USA. Each wood panel is certified by Forest Stewards Council. Made in Italy. 100% UVA/UVB protection. The lenses are combined with wood to create a chic sustainable design. At last, old world craftsmanship meets techy sophistication.

Even better, the glasses are designed by none other than high school students who earn college credits and receive a competitive salary while gaining experience.

Random Aside: I'm not sure what happens if you sweat - does the wood give off a weird odor? I'm guessing no, since the varnish should cover the wood.

Photo by mezzoblue.

Here's an iWood iPhone. These came out in June 2007. Read more on it at Treehugger.

Volunteer or Die!

From the New York Times:

"Heeding President Obama’s call for boosting Americans’ engagement in civic service, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg announced on Monday a sweeping plan to encourage volunteerism among city residents.

The announcement came on the eve of Mr. Obama’s signing of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act,which over five years will more than triple the size of AmeriCorps, the nation’s civilian service force. The legislation would mobilize volunteers to undertake some of the country’s most urgent social challenges, like shoring up communities hard-hit by the recession."

Seriously? Does it take Mayor Bloomberg to get everyone hyped to volunteer? I can't help but recall a similar call-to-arms by the Brooklyn-based Vote or Die initiative that emerged in 2004. During the Bush v. Kerry election, celebrities such as P. Diddy and Leonardo DiCaprio stressed the 4000+ deaths of U.S. soldiers in Iraq as a way to get young people to vote against the war.

Increasing voter participation among the 18-24 demographic is a good idea, but no one could give me a clear reason why I should listen to celebrities endorsing bipartisan votership. I mean, why the heck would I get my political information from P. Diddy? Seems like more gimmick than anything else. I'll stick with CNN and the BBC, thank you very much.

Then came the 2008 presidential campaign. With Will.I.Am and other prominent musicians creating a viral trend of "Yes We Can" Youtube videos. There's no doubt that social networking and user-generated video content sites like Facebook, Myspace, Twitter and Youtube, are affecting opinions. Anyone has the ability to create a quick video or jump-start trends. And while Vote or Die may have been a means to target the "hip-hop generation," it seems Obama doesn't actually favor the low-slung look himself.

But enough on that. What I meant to say in the beginning is that volunteering doesn't have to be- shouldn't be- a hassle. The public's current fascination with eco-friendly design, sustainable living, bicycling and organic, locally produced food lends itself well to giving back to the community that first nurtured them.




How about some guerrilla gardening? Guerilla gardening, or "making vacant, neglected public lands green and flower-filled," is becoming more mainstream these days. While I'm not exactly endorsing mass takeovers of public soil, some people have managed to beautify the cities they live in by sprinkling seeds over abandoned fields and watching their flowers come to fruition. So go spread some sunshine in your 'hood today!


Some resources:
Volunteermatch.org
Volunteernyc.org
Idealist.org
Networkforgood.com
Volunteerinternational.org
Habitat.org
Worldwildlife.org

Tree Hugger Pt II

Reflection.

Geraniums.

Chrysanthemums?

My Golden Bleeding Heart.

Litterbug.

Tree Hugger Pt I

A leisurely Sunday afternoon.

Location:
Clark Botanical Garden
193 I.U. Willets Road
Albertson, NY 11507
516.484.8600
www.clarkbotanic.org

And There Was Darkness for One Hour

Are you participating in Earth Hour? It's tonight from 8:30-9:30 p.m. All you have to do is shut off your lights. Yup, it's that simple.

This event started in Sydney two years ago and branched out as a worldwide effort to save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to five percent. That's equivalent to removing 75,000 medium-sized cars from the road. Residences and corporate offices are expected to join in. Even the Empire State building and major New York landmarks (read: tourist traps) will be celebrating Earth Hour.

It requires almost no effort on your part, so why not get in on the game? Lights out, baby!

Don't Drink the Water

I was sitting at my dining room table for lunch when I noticed this plastic bottle of Deer Park spring water. Normally, it wouldn't catch my attention. After all, it's just a bottle of water. What's so special about that?

But then I read this article from the Christian Science Monitor about the debate over whether access to clean water should be a human right. While Americans may not readily obsess over drinking water with so many choices at our disposal (it's a matter of tap, filtered, spring, infused, etc.) developing nations around the world don't have this privilege. Sure, we may gripe about the $4 bottle of water we paid for in the airport, but we generally don't have a dearth of drinking water.




I thought it was highly ironic that Deer Park claims to have reduced the size of their labels to "save almost 10 million lbs. of paper per year in the U.S." But while the trees may or may not be saved (arguable), the fact is that Deer Park and all the other spring water companies are still using plastic. Plastic generates harmful gases from disintegration. Plus, don't forget about the high energy cost associated with plastic bottle production and shipment. While plastic bottles can be recycled, some public and restaurant facilities still don't have separate plastic/glass trash receptacles. I've found myself more than once taking home a plastic bottle just to toss it in my own recyclables bin.

Why not switch to stainless steel aluminum bottles instead? Klean Kanteen's are BPA- and toxin-free, recyclable, sanitary and easy to clean. They also come in a variety of colors and sizes, from 12-oz. (kid-friendly) to 40-oz. (great for long day trips or camping treks).

Scrabble Rabble

Photo by Datamancer.

It's a wooden keyboard made of Scrabble! Now my favorite childhood word game has taken on a recycled function.

Photo by amsyweb.

Wooden computers aren't new to the market. According to Mac-a-doodle, the Apple I was created in 1976 by Steve Wozniak of Palo Alto, Calif. The limited edition computer only released 200 copies but wasn't the most streamlined design. The clunky contraption required a display, power supply, keyboard and case. It is estimated that only 30 to 50 editions still exist, cashing up to $50,000 at auctions. Ka-CHING!

Treehugger.com has a slideshow of 15 awesome wooden computers, ranging from the aesthetically pleasing (Suissa arthouse wood-and-glass models) to the architecturally sound (Fujitsu FMV-BIBLO NX95y/D notebook -- uhhh, whoever named this should be fired). One from the Ukraine is even encrusted with jewels! Museum-worthy.

Wooden computers come in both Mac and PC versions and are made using a range of materials, including cedar, redwood and even bamboo.

I highly advise against eating the computer, but in case you're hungry for Scrabble morsels, cut yourself a slice of Pink Cake Box Scrabble cake. Is there any better way to spell L-O-V-E?

Speaking of Scrabble, the San Francisco-based band Scrabbel sings some whimsical indie-pop tunes. "Save the Green Planet" has become my anthem song.


Location:
Pink Cake Box
18 E Main St Suite 101
Denville, NJ 07834
973.998.4445
www.pinkcakebox.com

24/7 Green Fiend

'My White T is Green'

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Thanks for the shirt, Chloe.

Printed inside the shirt

Are you wearing organic? Awake Couture sells clothing made from 100% organic cotton. No chemicals or pesticides were involved in the creation of these shirts, so you can buy them with confidence and a safe conscience. Not to mention they're also super plush and comfy. You'll forget you're even wearing a shirt! (But please do.) You can get crafty and design your own Ts at customink.com.

For outdoorsy folks, Patagonia's got a line called "W's", short for "Women's 1% for the Planet." For each shirt sold, five dollars goes to 1% for the Planet, a company motivating businesses to give back to the environment.

Ban T-shirts rallies against the exploitation of workers and is committed to ensuring sweatshop-free practices. The company uses independently certified organic cotton for all their T-shirts. Their designs get political and are awash with attitude -- like this pro-vegetarian "Live Fat Die Young" shirt.


Location:
AWAKE NEW YORK
1407 Broadway, Suite 2206
New York, NY 10018
212.382.3744

This is a Bust

Ever wonder what happens to a foodie after her refrigerator and boiler system decide to shut down within the same week?

Refrigerator down = black coffee, by default. Not bad.

On the other hand, heater down = cold showers, no laundry, no washing dishes (not sure whether to be grateful for that).




Some thoughts on lo-tech living:

Concerned readers should be somewhat relieved to hear that I haven't been subsisting on ramen and nutella alone, though I really do love nutella. Back in the old days (think wayyy back, before refrigerators were invented), people stored their food in caves, cellars, snow and even ice. Goods were packed up in canned jars to preserve the freshness.

When ice boxes came onto the scene in the early 19th century, explosive methyl ether, ammonia and zinc were all used as refrigerants before more energy efficient alternatives were invented in the 1970s. Then, in the late 1800s to 1929, toxic chemicals (methyl chloride and sulfur dioxide) took a turn for the worse. After a methyl chloride leak that led to several fatalities, three American companies combined their resources to discover Freon, which is used in most standard compressor refrigerators today. General Electric and Gibson were influential in the refrigerator market.

Electrolux introduced the first electric refrigerator in 1923.

Refrigerators have now become a necessity. It is the No. 1 most used appliance in America and more than 99.5% households use one.

The evaporative cooling box caught my eye. You can create this with just 5 dollars or so, using everyday items lying around the house. It's especially handy for camping trips. Take out your hammer, scissors and staples and get ready to drill!

Pics from when the refrigerator was still working:

Koryodang Cream Pan, $1.25 (H Mart)

Old Fashioned Plain Cheesecake, $34 for whole (Pocono Cheesecake Factory)

Locations:
H Mart
400 Hillside Av
Williston Park, NY 11596
516.699.0270
www.hmart.com

Pocono Cheesecake Factory
Rte 611
Swiftwater, PA 18370
570.839.6844
http://poconocheesecake.com/

Like Water For Vases

It's cardboard-chic. Liquid cardboard, to be specific. This line of eco-friendly, recycled furniture is perfect for environmentalists. If you're hip on sustainable living, you'll be thrilled with cardboardesign. The 'liquid cardboard' name is derived from the pliable, free-flowing movement of the double and triple wall fluted recyclable cardboard, which is then transformed into different shapes, ranging from a vase to candle holders. All products are made in the U.S.A. The company even has an amusing cartoon column.

If you're a parent, why not indulge your kids' imaginations with a portable rocket or teepee? Personally, I'm a fan of the playhouse, though something tells me I could never fit inside it.

Skin Food: Tom's of Maine Natural Deodorant

Tom's Aluminum-Free Deodorant; Vita Coco hanging out in the back.

Sure, you may slather on loads of SPF 45 daily to protect your skin from melanoma, but did you know that a skincare product you use every day could be contributing to Alzheimer's?

That's right. Deodorant. Most deodorants are made with aluminum, which clogs pores and doesn't allow your skin to 'breathe.' In essence, the toxins that are usually emitted from your sweat are restrained and held in check by antiperspirant deodorants. New research indicates that there may be a link between breast cancer and antiperspirants.

But it's not just our bodies that suffer from aluminum. After you shower, the toxins are released into the water system, contaminating our water and our environment.

You might be thinking to yourself -- Well, the FDA regulates antiperspirant deodorant, so shoudn't it be safe? This is a foolish and dangerous line of reasoning. In actuality, it's considered safe only because it's intended for "external use only." But aluminum absorbs into the skin. Would you entrust the care of your newborn infant to a robot? Of course not! So don't depend on the FDA.

After all, they were also the ones who said that high fructose corn syrup wasn't harmful. Today, we know that high fructose corn syrup is a genetically modified processed sugar that contributes to obesity and causes diabetes, cancer and heart disease, among other illnesses. Please, do your own research! Don't trust the industry at face value.

Perfumes and scented creams aren't immune either. There are components in fragrances that can cause infertility. Makes you think twice before you sniff yourself out, huh?

No trace of aluminum to be found.

On to my experiment: Alzheimer's and infertility aren't on my high list of 'things to experience,' so I went to Whole Foods and picked up some aluminum-free deodorant by Tom's of Maine. I trust this company because their natural products are not tested on animals and their environmentally-friendly packaging is recyclable. Plus, I'm already familiar with Tom's toothpaste, floss and soap, having used them in the past.

The long-lasting care deodorant line professes to keep you odor-free for 12 hours. It's also Kosher and Halal-friendly. I showered at 9:30 p.m. Monday night and hopped into bed. Unfortunately, I forgot to do a sniff-check at 9:30 a.m. so I had to re-do the experiment the next day.

3/09_1 p.m.: Showered after a one-hour dance workout.

3/10_10:30 a.m.: Woke up and conducted a sniff-check. Although I wasn't smelly, my previous Dove deodorant's fragrance is definitely stronger in the scent department. Not that I'd go back to that toxin-infested mess again, which contained 14.8% of Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex Gly. If you can't pronounce it, it's usually not a good thing.

_1 p.m.: So far so good. Although aluminum-free deodorant doesn't work quite the same as antiperspirants, I still detected a faint whiff of apricot. No odor, no skin irritation. I'd use this again. Plus, the long-lasting care line also comes in other delectable scents. Try Lavender, Lemongrass or Unscented/Fragrance-free!


Rating:
Tom's of Maine long-lasting care aluminum-free deodorant - apricot - 4.5/5 stars

Skin Food: Alabu Natural Goat Milk Soap

Do you suffer from skin allergies? Are you looking for a natural soap free of harmful chemicals? Do you wish you could have baby-soft skin again? Well, look no further! Alabu Natural Goat Milk Soap is the antidote to your rough heels and acne-infested back.

Okay, so the term 'goat milk' has a tendency to inspire puzzled looks and trepidation. Unfortunately, for those of us who have grown up in a cow milk world, the very thought of drinking goat milk is absurd and perhaps a bit unnerving. Then again, some of us readily eat goat products in the form of feta cheese (well, what else did you think it was made from?). But I'm not asking you to drink it. I'm challenging you to use it on your skin.

Here's why you should give goat milk soap a chance: The makers of Alabu know how harsh and drying conventional soaps are. Handmade natural soaps, on the other hand, are made in the traditional "cold soap" process that retains glycerin, which makes skin smoother and healthier. It's also ideal for those with skin allergies, like dermatitis or eczema, which I happened to suffer from as a child.

Concerned animal-lovers and non-meat eaters will be glad to hear that Alabu soaps are not tested on animals. In fact, Alabu is so sure that you'll love their products that they have a money-back guarantee on the product you paid for, as well as any additional sales tax. With a policy like that, you can't lose.

Alabu's 100% natural goat milk soaps come in three different forms:
-Unscented, for the most sensitive skin
-Essential oil, made with "medicinal plant-based essential oils"
-Fragranced soaps, for those who enjoy a variety of scents from around the world, including Lavender Delight, Green Tea, Oat-n-Honey and Tea Tree Oil (for those prone to breakouts)




Product on trial: Sara's Soap.

Maybe it's because of the name (which oddly, makes it seem like it was made for me), but I had an inkling that this soap was going to be a good one.

The website reads: "Sara's Soap is an extra moisturizing unscented recipe made for a special young lady who has numerous allergies." -- Sounds like the story of my life.

Sara's Soap is created with a generous dose of moisturizing olive oil and vegan squalane oil, making it safe for those with sensitive and extremely dry skin. While the soap does not contain any fragrance, it has a generous lather effect that I can testify to. The result? My skin felt super smooth and buttery soft. I didn't even need my daily post-shower moisturizer! That's both time- and money-saving.

After showering, keep the soap dry by getting rid of any residual water in your soap dish and hanging the bar of soap on a soap drying rack.

Ingredients: Saponified Olive Oil, Buttermilk, Coconut Oil, Soy Bean Oil, Squalane Oil, Castor Oil and Cocoa Butter

Oh, and for those of you interested in the baby-soft skin mentioned earlier, try BabyMe.

You can purchase Alabu goat milk soaps at a local retailer near you or online. Alabu also sells clothing, lip balm and shaving supplies, along with other personal care items.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars