Green in the City

May your garden grow green, and local, New York!

  
So we missed the NYC Wildflower Week (May1-9). Did you?  

But we felt it was still worth mentioning so we can properly prepare for next year's events.

In any case, the NYC Wildflower Week organization works to protect indigenous plant species  in NYC. According to their website, "Indigenous plants--including wildflowers--play a critical role in promoting local biodiversity, supplying food and habitat for native wildlife, and creating a sense of place. NYC has already lost more than 40% of our native flora." A humbling statistic.

Run by New Yorker, Marielle Anzelone, NYCWW is a cool example of implementing the obvious - even though for decades we ignored this wisdom. As she says in a video interview on the website, she wants "New York to look like New York".

And a very inspiring, if not fascinating, organization. Check it out!

http://www.nycwildflowerweek.org

Trash, worms and dirt, oh my!

The Lower East Side Ecology Center has long been promoting such wise measures as community gardening and recycling.

But their most public face remains as the people at the Union Square Green Market who collect your stinky organic trash (veggie and fruit peels, egg shells, coffee grounds, etc.). They then compost it, turning it into robust, fertile dirt that nourishes old, tired out dirt ultimately helping you grow your garden beautiful.

Even better? 

You can compost at home with your very own worm bin! Yes you too can be the proud owner a whole colony of eisenia fetida (red wiggler worms) to compost your food scraps. According to their website, "you can add up to 3 pounds of food scraps per week to the bin and in 3 months you will have your own homemade compost".

For more info on the Lower East Side Ecology Center and worm composting, visit them here: http://www.lesecologycenter.org/

The Green Table

What beautiful food - and a delightful atmosphere to enjoy it in! The Green Table by the Cleaver Company is a really fine example of exquisite, satisfying food based on local, organic resources.

While it is well known among the elite (think Alice Waters and the Dali Lama), it might be less well known among us regular folk. So here's the story: 30 years ago, Mary Cleaver started the Cleaver Company out of a belief that the best food is grown, tended and harvested within a day's drive. As a result, she started the catering business that produces amazing food using sustainable, locally grown and organic foods.

And for those of us without a need for catering, you can enjoy the same thoughtfulness by eating at The Green Table located in Chelsea Market. The prices are reasonable - far more reasonable than what you might expect.

It's worth checking out - and because it's located in the Chelsea Market, you can make a fun afternoon of it enjoying a fresh Italian coffee and cupcake afterward from neighboring shops.

The Spotted Pig

While enjoying a glass of wine this weekend at the Spotted Pig in Greenwich Village (314 W. 11th Street
@ Greenwich St.) I spotted a row of trashcans looking suspiciously like recycling bins for ALL recyclable materials (not just the customary glass that most restaurant/bars recycle).

As I eyed them, a server comes by and scrapes the food into one bin, throws the napkins into another and throws the trash into a third! In a flash of revelation, I realized that they were not only recycling but composting.

After pouncing on the said server and riddling them with questions, I learn that they indeed recycle everything they can - including food scraps, which are given to a program that has enlisted at least a dozen other city restaurants to do the same thing. How great is that?

So while I research what organization this is and what the other restaurants are that are progressively green, give your extra support to the Spotted Pig. It's a cool place with even cooler green practices.

What's in your lotion?

We all shower, wash, shave and apply products to further beautify ourselves in some way (well, most of us anyways). And if you think about it, doesn't it seem strange that all of that stuff is made of chemicals and unpronounceable ingredients that - in any other circumstance - we wouldn't touch with a 10-foot pole?

The truth is, all of those products that we use do not require FDA approval.

Do you hear this? The FDA does not require companies to test their products before releasing them to a Duane Reade near you. That means that they have no idea what the toxic effects are - short term or long term. And, by the way, our skin acts like a sponge more than a solid barrier essentially absorbing everything it touches. Meaning we regularly absorb nearly 130 chemicals.

Here's a fun fact: the "FDA cannot require companies to do safety testing of their cosmetic products before manufacturing...a cosmetic manufacturer may use almost any raw material as a cosmetic ingredient and market the product without an approval from FDA." (FDA 1995)

Ok, so we haven't heard of anybody going into toxic shock over a hot, new lotion - but aren't you a wee bit worried now that you have this information?

Here's what you can do about it: visit Skin Deep and check out what's in the products you use.
Their easy-to-use website stores more than 25,000 products and matches them against 50 definitive toxicity and regulatory databases, making it the largest integrated data resource of its kind.

So what are you waiting for? Check it out.

Got stuff?

We've all got stuff, lots of it.

And most of us have alot of stuff that we don't need or want anymore that we just can't bring our selves to throw away. It only goes to the landfill anyways - and now that the Freshkills landfill is being  renewed as a wetland, where does our stuff go?

Here's some sobering information: New York City residents create about 12,000 tons of garbage every day. About 2,230 collection trucks pick up all that stuff every day. Everything is then carted off to landfills in surrounding states—which, by the way, are nearly all at capacity.

So what can you do about it?

 Well, there's some easy stuff you can do like:

• stop using the ridiculously awful plastic bags and bring your own reusable bags every time you shop. Even at the shoe store.
• Contact the Lower East Side Ecology Center about recycling your food waste to create wholesome dirt for our local gardens - using worms!
• donate your used, unwanted clothing to thrift stores or local charities

But what about all the stuff you don't want but don't know what to do with?
Well, I've found a few options:

• Freecycle - offers free postings to give away your stuff
• Craiglist - same idea
• Waste Match - same idea but you can charge for your goods, government run
• Recycle the City - NEW idea folks! Looks like they are not up and running yet, but keep an eye out. They'll come pick up your stuff for a modest fee and guarantee reuse or recycling of all of your beloved items - focusing on redistributing within the local area.

Sick of junk mail?

Are you tired of collecting junk every time you open your mailbox? How about that feeling you get when it just goes straight to your recycling bin?

Yeah, I'm tired of it too.

That's why Green Dimes' free service is neat: they guarantee up to 90% reduced junk mail in 90 days.
If you are really dedicated, you also have the option of paying a small fee to have them more actively stop your junk mail  - and they'll plant 5 trees for being a premium customer.

Here's how it works:

1. Sign up and provide your name and home mailing address.
2. Log in to the GreenDimes site and choose which mailers you want to stop.
3. Tell them which catalogs you no longer wish to receive.
4. Monitor the progress of your removal requests through the GreenDimes website. They'll even tell you if any additional actions are required.

It's too easy to not try...if you're green, that is.

Bette Midler and her helluva Hulaween Party

Yep, another year another party - and from the sounds of the last couple of years, this one promises to be just as fun.

Here's the details:
Friday, October 31st 2008
Cocktails 6:30 p.m. and Dinner at 7:30 p.m.
The Waldorf Astoria
301 Park Avenue at 49th Street

Honoree: Alice Waters
Entertainment: Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine
Master of Ceremonies: Kathy Griffin
Costume Judge: Michael Kors

After Party hosted by The Buds, complete with dancing and casino tables!

Click here to buy tickets.

Recycling your paper

Here's something green you can do that is unbelievably easy:
Recycle all of your paper.

That's right - I'm saying ALL of your paper. Not just the printer paper, or your old Time Out magazine. This means recycling your cereal boxes, receipts, envelopes and paper packaging. ALL OF IT.

The Council on the Environment of New York City put out a brief advertisement to educate us on how much paper we throw away every year...humbling statistics they offer. Check it out: http://www.cenyc.org/recycling/remix

If you're not much into the ad thing, take at look at some of these stats about our city:

• Did you know that New York City residents currently recycle only about 17% of their total waste--half of what we could be recycling under the current program?

• Paper and paperboard constitute 36% of the total amount of solid waste produced.

• Paper can be recycled about four times before it loses its tensile strength.

• If each copier in the U.S. made five fewer copies every day, we could save up to 1.4 million trees per year.

• Making new paper from old paper uses up to 55% less energy than making paper from trees, and creates much less air and water pollution.

• Every year, Americans throw away enough office paper to build a wall 12 feet high, stretching from LA to NYC.

• If only 100,000 people stopped their junk mail, we could save about 150,000 trees every year.

• If we all recycled our Sunday papers, we could save over 500,000 trees each week.

• Of the 62.5 million newspapers printed each day seventy percent will be thrown away.

Still not convinced it's worth your time?
Well did you know that diesel trucks carry Manhattans garbage 7.8 million miles every year - the equivalent of driving more than 312 times around the earth.  Or that landfills are responsible for 36% of all methane emissions in the US, one of the most potent contributors to global warming.

So by recycling paper, we are at least cleaning up our personal breathing air!

If none of this convinces you that it's worthwhile to put aside your paper products to be recycled once-a-week in our city's easy curbside service...well, then, I don't know what will.

(All stats are from CENYC's website: www.cenyc.org)

Gustorganics - 100% certified organic restaurant

You haven't caught wind of Gustorganics (or Gusto Organics), the first 100% organic restaurant in our nation, only if you haven't lived in NYC in the last 6 months, or never read the New York Times/New Yorker/Time Out food sections, or just never get out as a New Yorker (shame!).

So, in case you haven't heard of it - for whatever reason - here some info for you:

• They are the nation's first (and New York's only) certified organic restaurant. They are also a green certified restaurant by Green Restaurant Association.
• They use NYC water, and then run it through a UV lamp that kills bacteria, then run itthrough a top-notch purification system that takes out metals and toxins, but retains the good minerals, THEN preserve the water in reusable glass bottles and serve it upon request, for FREE.
• They support small and local farmers by buying tons of local produce, meats and dairy from nearby.

Now, if you look at a review site like Yelp, you'll see mixed reviews. But for all you foodie-esque type people out there: it's organic and at times the owner seems to encourage us to enjoy the fundamental deliciousness of food as it is - no frills. So sometimes you order something and it isn't quite as frilly as you expected - well, return it and order something more complex.

I'm here to tell you the food is solidly good - but pricey, yes.

Here's more info for you:

Address:
519 Avenue of the America
For reservations, please call 212.242.5800

Hours:

BREAKFAST:
          MONDAY - SUNDAY: 8AM TO 11AM

       

BRUNCH:
          SATURDAY, SUNDAY & HOLIDAYS: 11AM TO 4PM

       

LUNCH:
          MONDAY - SUNDAY: 11AM TO 5PM

       

DINNER:
          MONDAY - THURSDAY: 5PM TO 11PM
          FRIDAY & SATURDAY: 5PM TO 12AM

Menu:
http://www.gustorganics.com/menu.php

Urban Organic

Urban Organic offers a great service for us New Yorkers who care about what we eat (ahem, remember the adage: you are what you eat?). I just learned about it and so very happy that I did.

The rundown
What they do: deliver boxes of fresh, organic produce to your door on a weekly basis.

What you get: varies week-to-week because they mostly follow seasonal cycles. In fact, according to their website "they bulk-buy our produce, groceries and dairy goods from organic farmers' cooperatives, distributors and individual farmers. Eighty percent of our products are from the local farmers market". So you're not only eating well - you're also supporting our local economy and reducing your carbon footprint all at the same time!

More on the boxes: a 'standard box' contains a variety of 15-18 different fruits and vegetables each week depending on seasonal availability. But they offer different sized boxes to meet your needs.

For more information, visit their website: www.urbanorganic.com

Green Map - mapping our city one eco-wonder at a time

I can't rave enough about this organization - Green Map is doing what the rest of us eco-aware folks wish somebody did: they are mapping the expansion of international environmental resources. Their website offers locations far and wide, from Cameroon to Colorado. And in our backyard, NYC, Green Map offers various maps for our enjoyment: from composting resources to mapping the effect of our city's energy consumption there's something for everyone.

Check out the Green Apple Map where they've mapped environmental resources available to New Yorkers onto a Google map of Manhattan. You can learn about environmental buildings in the city, local eco-hazards, outdoor activities and even public works and landmarks.

And just when I thought it didn't get better, I stumbled across a new project: Open Green Map. This offshoot allows regular people, like you and me, to input our latest environmental finds onto a public, intereactive, online map. Still in development, you can get a preview of what it will be. Check back often to be a part of a great resource!

Great clothes to get in to get your green on

We had previously posted on a resale shop in the Upper East Side but for those of you with a smaller pocketbook, a frugal attitude or a dislike for the Prada and Chanel genre of labels there are great shops out there for you, too.

For instance, take Buffalo Exchange. Located in trendy Williamsburg on 504 Driggs Avenue (just off the L train, Bedford stop), this shop offers a variety of hip, stylish clothing at very reasonable prices. From t-shirts to jeans to dresses and accessories, the store offers clothing for both men and women. On a recent trip we ended up with an armful of clothing and our pocketbook only $100 lighter.

Yes, they have used clothing AND great new clothing finds. But do watch out for loose stitching, stains and such. We were disappointed to find clothing with these ailments and were forced to put them back on the rack.

Then there's Beacon's Closet who is up with the times. You can visit the stores - in Brooklyn and Park Slope - or shop online. How great is that?

Like Buffalo Exchange, they offer a great selection of stylish clothing from some great labels at very reasonable prices. and it's a breeze to shop at both of the locations - everything is organized by size in a neat, clean and pretty cool environment. This ain't your mama's thrift store...

Check them out - I bet you won't be disappointed.

Union Square Greenmarket

I know this is an obvious one - I mean, hasn't every good green New Yorker visited the Union square Greenmarket at least once?

Well, apparently not. Hence why I mention it here. On a recent poll amongst friends and neighbors, over half had never actually venture through the Union Square Greenmarket...ever.

Shocked and surprised, is all I can say.

Held Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday between 8 AM and 6 PM year round  -that means you can get your fresh, good-for-you local stuff even in the middle of winter. The market has, on average, 250,000 customers a week that purchase 1,000 varieties of fruits and vegetables. And according to this article, "there are 1,000 varieties of fruits and vegetables, more by a factor of ten than you’ll find in the average supermarket".

Even if you don't want to buy anything local, organic or even remotely good for you it's still fun to cruise the stalls sampling the cheeses, tasting our state's wines, and indulging in an artery-clogging pastry or two.

In addition to fruits and veggies, you can buy flowers, plants, breads, honey, milk and yogurt, eggs, a wide variety of meats, and more - not to mention the artists who offer their unique and beautiful work, as well!

Basically,

• it's good for first dates: if you don't feel like talking you can claim to be enthralled with peopel watching OR you can feed each other spoonfuls of blackberry yogurt and hold hands by the live beehive.
• it's good for kids: you can teach them where food comes!
• it's good for dogs: there are lots of fidos at the market PLUS you have the dog run right next door. Bonus!
• it's good for fashion: after indulging in pastries and cheese, you can stroll over to the multitude of fashion outlets to empty your wallet (not that we encourage this...see our call for second generation fashions).
• it's good for you: gets you out into the fresh air and reconnect with what real tomatoes (lumpy little things) and carrots (gasp!) with the tops still on top.
• the list goes on...

Walk with the animals, not just like one.

This Sunday, September 28th join the throngs of other folks who love their animals and walk for them, too.

The day begins at Columbus Circle (by Merchants Gates at 59th Street) at 10 a.m. Don't forget to bring the $20 registration fee, which buys not only animal rights but for a cool Walk for Farm Animals               t-shirt. Or, save time and a cool 5 bucks by registering online.

But don't worry - it's not all work. Farm Sanctuary will provide live music and delicious vegan food provided by The Groovy Baker. While your munching enjoy the guest speakers including world-renowned animal ethicist, author and professor Peter Singer, New York State Senator Liz Krueger, Farm Sanctuary Executive Director Jeff Lydon, Mercy for Animals Director of Campaigns Freeman Wicklund, rapper Princess Superstar, and vegan Ironman champion Brendan Brazier.

There will also be a raffle for fabulous prizes including a stay at the Farm Sanctuary B&B, gift certificates to NYC’s favorite vegan restaurants, and a subscription to VegNews Magazine.

Elm Health - a meeting of the worlds

While scoping out the UES the other day I run across Elm Health on 88th and 1st. What a find!

It's a health food store, yes. And it's a juice bar. And a pharmacy and apothecary offering traditional and holistic health treatments. How cool is that? A one-stop-shop for the whole neighborhood.

We found herbal teas geared towards specific conditions (not just your average range of green teas and chamomile!), Advil and natural pain relievers, Crest, Tom's and Ayurvedic toothpaste sharing shelf space, crystal deodorant and Secret antiperspirant, Loreal hair products and Aubry Organics.

What's the big deal? Ricky's offers the same stuff - so what, you ask?
Well, the so what is that it's not just about beauty - it's a real pharmacy, juice bar, beauty and health food store all rolled into one.

They also offer an entire aisle of organic baby stuff (um, toxic Chinese baby milk anybody?). Pretty neat.

Also, don't pass up the website. It offers loads of information on traditional and natural approaches wellness and health, including a Wellness Center where you can look up a condition, find treatment options, learn more about herbs, supplements and the prescription drugs you take.

Green in your wallet

You love clothes. What's more, you love to buy clothes.

But with the shift to all-things-eco means that your shopping habits are up for questioning.
Why you ask?
Because the environmental impact of the clothing industry is more significant than you may think, not to mention the questionable ethics used to produce that great pair of jeans on the rack.

Truthfully, one of the easiest and most impactful ways to green your life is to curb your spending habits on new clothes.

So what's a girl (or guy) to do?
Well, we've got some ideas for you!

Designer Resale for one. Located on East 81st, between 1st and 2nd Aves, it offers a large variety of gently worn high-end clothing from Prada to Marc Jacobs, from jewelry to jackets to jeans.

Really, if you haven't checked it out yet you're really missing out. On a recent reconasense mission, we found a gorgeous Chanel sweater normally $1800 selling for a mere $299. A pair of 7 jeans for $50. Prada sunglasses for $75. There are alot of options for under $100: sweaters, tanks, tshirts to mention a few. And you won't be buying crap clothing - this stuff is classic, stylish and made to last.

And watch the blog for more options...
To come will be a review of other city-wide shops to green your clothing habits.
Have some ideas or want to write about your favorite shop? Give us a shout!

Don't be a tease

Tease is one of the latest eco-inspired spots in the Gramercy Park/Murray Hill area.

It offers an array of teas (mainly bubble tea) and coffees at pretty decent prices (um, organic, fair trade, strong coffee for $2?! Sign me up.)
plus yummy fresh baked goods made in-house.

I'd never tried bubble tea - the "bubble" part is either tapioca or jello balls. I was pretty suspicious of anything floating around in my tea - not to mention something with the name tapioca - but gave it a go. Actually, it was really darn delicious and I loved the tapioca (surprise of all surprises).

Then, a label on the disposable drink cup caught my eye. It said that the cup and straw were made of biodegradable materials. After asking Jenny, one of the owners about it, I learned that they created the entire business around eco-sensitive ethics!

This means that the cups, straws and other materials they use to serve their stuff is all made from biodegradable goods (corn and sugar mostly). They monitor their energy usage (the door was open and A/C was off when I visited) and water usage as well.

I walked in a skeptic, walked out a believer.

Check it out!
379 3rd Avenue (at 27th St, next to the infamous Rodeo Bar)

Terra Plana - cool green shoes

So there I was, waiting for a friend to enjoy some Saturday afternoon brunch when I spot a store called United Nude. Well, with a name like that I just had to check it out.

Lo and behold, it was a store fit for New Yorkers: hip, stylish and comfortable shoes PLUS eco-options for the environmentally aware. This latter option was under the label Terra Plana.

So maybe I'm the last one on the block to figure this out, but Terra Plana is an eco-aware company that  makes great shoes.

Taken directly from their website, Terra Plana:

• uses a variety of eco-friendly materials including:                      Chrome free leathers, vegetable tanned leathers, recycled                      materials, pure latex soling materials, recycled rubber                      soles and recycled foam foot beds.
• Terra Plana also introduces                      E-leather. An eco revolutionary leather by-product. E-leather                      is a unique blend of leather and textile fibers Intimately                      're-woven' and finished so it is practically indistinguishable                      from good quality leather. E-Leather is produced with closed                      loop water usage and best practice pollution prevention                      methods.

They also offer such things as Worn Again  Virgin, recycled bags made from old Virgin Atlantic seat  covers. Other recycled materials in the collection include bike inner tubes and  factory scrap metal.

It's worth checking out if you love your shoes and love the earth: www.terraplana.com

                     

3,600 square feet of raw earth

Meet NYC's own Earth Room. It's 3,600 square feet of prime Soho real estate space filled with raw, good smelling earth.

Built in 1977, the New York Earth Room is a "sculpture" made by Walter de Maria. His first two such sculptures were in Munich, Germany (1968) and Hessisches Landesmuseum in Darmstadt, Germany (1974). The first two works no longer exist. Poor Germany.

Lucky for us, we still have our Earth Room and we can see it for free. Yep, FREE. Go, see, and breathe in the long lost smell of real dirt. You won't regret it.

More info: http://www.earthroom.org/

Counter

Located in East Village, Counter is an organic wine and martini bar/vegetarian bistro (http://www.counternyc.com/home.html). It really is as crunchy green as it sounds:
Organic and locally grown ingredients - check.
100% organic bar - check.
Rooftop garden - check.
Responsible recycling practices (including cooking oil!) - check.
Great food, hip atmosphere, good prices - check.

And the food and drinks are better than you might expect. In fact, it borders on really, really excellent. The bar boasts an all-organic range of wines, beers and alcohol - some even infused with herbs grown on their green rooftop.

It's the kind of place you could bring your parents visiting NYC or your college roommate looking for a distinctly cool night out. Brunch has a casually sleek feeling and a menu to match.

For the truly green eating experience, check it out.