Giving the Olive Branch
Date: February 20, 2008 | Category: Food & Drink, Lifestyle
Oh olive oil, is there anything you’re not delicious drizzled over or dipped in? Some of us at ecofabulous go through bottles of olive oil faster than wine, so we were quickly convinced we had found the perfect present when we heard about Nudo. For about $130, you can adopt an organic olive tree from Nudo, a grove in Le Marche, Italy. In the spring, you’ll receive at least 1.5 liters of olive oil from your very own tree. The autumn package brings even more extra virgin olive oil to your doorstep, along with lemon oil and chili oil. While you wait for your first shipment, take pride in your adoption certificate and read Nudo’s information booklet. Oh, and when we said we had found the perfect present, we obviously meant for ourselves. But we’d be willing to share, of course!
Certified Soda
Date: February 18, 2008 | Category: Food & Drink, Lifestyle
Every girl’s got a vice. Sipping soda might not be as bad as smoking, but think of all those empty calories in your body and all those empty cans sitting in the landfill. Switch your soft drinks to Santa Cruz Organic Soda - you’ll be doing your body and the environment a favor. Available in delicious flavors like cherry, concord grape, orange mango, raspberry lemonade and tangerine, the soda is USDA-certified organic. Santa Cruz Organic is currently working to reduce packaging, as well as increase their recycling initiatives and energy conservation. For the past five years, SCO has received the Waste Reduction Awards Program from the California Integrated Waste Management Board. The company, which has been operating for more than 30 years, recently transitioned to using 100 percent renewable energy for processing and bottling plants. With Santa Cruz Organic, your soda has suddenly become a less-guilty pleasure.
Salt of the Earth
Date: February 15, 2008 | Category: Food & Drink, Lifestyle
While it may be tempting to book a one-way ticket to an island paradise when winter seems to stretch out a little too long, you can sprinkle a little exotic flavor into your days for a lot less dinero with Cayman Sea Salt. This local, family-run business produces gourmet sea salts as well as luxury bath salts, by hand. Hurricane Ivan left Cayman Sea Salt’s creators inspired to use the area’s abundant local resources whenever possible, and they have continued to cultivate an environmentally-aware business practice that includes using recycled glass from discarded sliding glass doors for their crystallization tables. With Mother Nature eliminating the need for fuel and electricity in the company’s evaporation, concentration, and harvesting processes, Cayman Sea Salt is solar produced simplicity you can sprinkle all over (your food…your bath, wherever)! You will have to hop on a flight down to the islands if you want to find a retail location for Cayman Sea Salt, but to decrease your environmental footprint, you can email them a request, and get it shipped directly to you!
Gracious Service
Date: February 10, 2008 | Category: Food & Drink, Holiday & Gift, Home Furnishings, Kitchen, Lifestyle, The Home
We’ve got Valentine’s Day fever – can you blame us? While our Lust List is filled with ecofabulous ideas from flowers to jewels, very few finds give back to the community as consistently as the Riverside Design Group has in the past decade. Plates with Purpose™ is a series of designer glassware that is hand-colored, finished and bent from post-industrial recycled glass. That alone makes it ecofabulous but in addition, Riverside donates 15% of the proceeds to the local chapters of six carefully culled organizations. With the 14” square heart plate, we’ll be giving some love to the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity. This is a gift that shows very good taste.
A Luscious Mix Up
Date: February 8, 2008 | Category: Food & Drink, Lifestyle
With Valentine’s Day around the corner, there’s been some talk of love potions over here at ecofabulous. For a greener, pink cocktail, fuse your favorite eco-friendly vodka (we like Square One!) with some of Modmix’s ruby red Pomegranate mixer for the most seductively, organic Cosmopolitan on the block. Modmix brings us the only USDA certified organic line of mixers (with raw, unrefined sugar) - providing the simplest way to spruce up any top-shelf spirit. For all you virgins out there, Modmix makes a killer non-alcoholic elixir (sparkling water never tasted so tantalizing). For other hot Valentine’s Day suggestions, check out the Ecofabulous Lust List.
Hey BabyCakes
Date: February 7, 2008 | Category: Food & Drink, Lifestyle
The pure delight of eating cupcakes no longer has to be underscored with guilt about their highly processed and heavily refined ingredients. Started by an inventive baker, whose sweet tooth was stymied by her own allergies, BabyCakes NYC serves up cupcakes, scones, muffins and pies made with organic and healthy ingredients (including raw & organic agave nectar, extra virgin cold pressed coconut oil and organic fruit purees). The BabyCakes line is free from common allergens like wheat, dairy, refined sugar and eggs - making it ideal for sensitive tummies, concerned parents and curious epicures. They’ve wooed thousands of fans (like Martha Stewart & Hilary Swank) from their kitschy, retro home in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. And the eagerly awaited opening of the West Hollywood outpost will surely draw flocks of health conscious West Coasters, looking for a tempting treat they can actually justify to their trainers. For the rest of us, thankfully, we can get some of their delectables sent our way. To see about placing an order, click here.
SerendipiTea
Date: February 6, 2008 | Category: Food & Drink, Lifestyle
The recent deluge of rain in the Bay Area has me cozying up inside, after steaming cup of SerendipiTea’s Fair Trade Cha Cha Chai! (Mornings, I indulge in one of their green teas, but it is all so good!). SerendipiTea offers over 50 tealicious organic and Fair Trade teas that tantalize taste buds, while encouraging environmentally friendly cultivation (and discouraging nasty agrochemicals) which protects land, wildlife, and communities, worldwide. Take comfort in knowing SerendipiTea also utilizes earth-friendly packaging, including post-consumer recycled and biodegradable materials, and water-based inks. So sit back, steep a cup of Smart Tart or Tea to Tango, and settle in under your eco-friendly blanket. Maybe the rainy season isn’t so bad afterall.
Alter Eco
Date: February 1, 2008 | Category: Food & Drink, Kitchen, Lifestyle, The Home
The AlterEco label pops on the shelf for reasons beyond it’s bold and eco-friendly packaging. It is the first company to offer a complete range of Fair Trade products (coffees, rices, quinoas, teas and sugars) through mass retailers (like Whole Foods) in the US. They stress how the livelihood of small farmers is inextricably tied to sustainable farming methods and development, and the importance of both. The 100% organic unrefined cane sugar, from a cooperative in the Phillipines, pairs satisfyingly well with the Darjeeling Green Tea, grown using Biodynamic principles on the foothills of the Himalayas. At tea time (3 O’clock) we’ll be brewing up a guiltless pot at the ecofab headquarters, here in rainy San Francisco. Cheers!
Rococo Cocoa
Date: January 28, 2008 | Category: Food & Drink, Holiday & Gift, Lifestyle
Since Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, chocolate has been on our minds - even more than usual. Procuring the finest organic confections for an ecofabulous taste test is a tough job… but one we’re willing to undertake, in the name of bringing our readers only the tried and true. The Organic Artisan Bars from Rococo are retro-chic and sublimely delicious. In crafting their chocolates, Rococo encourages the planting of rare cocoa bean varieties and follows the principles of biodiversity as part of their Campaign for Real Chocolate. But if you have a commitment to buying local, this may not be your cup of tea… or chocolate.
ecofabulous Lust List: A Romantic Gift Guide
Date: January 26, 2008 | Category: Beauty, Fashion, Food & Drink, Holiday & Gift, Intimates, Jewelry, Lifestyle
We’ve scoured the greatest sustainable and seductive gifts that are floating around in cyberspace, to bring you the most ecofabulous options available (across all budgets), and hope sparks will fly as you celebrate your passion. But amid all the shopping, don’t forget your mother…earth, that is.
Chocolates For Melting an Eco-Heart:
Cocoa Vino: Everyone should indulge in these lovely chocolates at some point, so why not now! These regional, sustainable and organic chocolates, made by artisanal perfection, are a simple but powerful way to show that someone special how much you care (about them and the earth). The ecofab favorite is the olive oil bonbon with hazelnut and sea salt - yum!
cocoavino.com
Theo Chocolate: Theo pioneered the organic chocolate movement, in 1994, and has been blossoming ever since. The award winning bars capture the flavors of the regions in which the beans are grown - like Madagascar and Venezuela - and are available at Whole Foods.
theochocolate.com
Eco-Flower Power:
That bouquet may be a fragrant way to show your love, but it’s also, most likely, the result of unacceptable labor practices in foreign countries, where people (mostly women) are poorly paid and exposed to huge amounts of dangerous pesticides and fungicides. Make sure your next floral token carries its ethical weight.
Organic Style: Our favorite flower buys come from Organic Style. Go for the tried and true - what says “I love you, deeply” better than a velvety rich bouquet of a dozen red roses? Maybe two dozen? Organic stems are always appreciated (especially when the Rosa Parks Foundation gets a little boost from your purchase). Since beauty is in the eye of the beholder, your beholder may prefer cosmopolitan lavender buds or the fresh-from-the-garden look of Aphrodite pink Roses. There are lots of colors and styles to choose from and all of their stems are Veriflora certified.
Or get really gifty and opt for a charity bouquet - in which 5% (10% in the case of the Rosa Rose) of the purchase price goes towards the organization paired with each made-to-order bouquet.
Or check out Local Harvest: find sources of local organics near you. localharvest.org
Conflict-Free Diamonds are a Green Girl’s Best Friend:
Jewelry is glamorous, however - from earth to finger - its making is not. The production of one gold ring is said to create 20 tons of mine waste! Additionally, the dirty business of where we get our rocks is getting difficult to ignore (hello Blood Diamond). Ensure the bauble on your lover’s finger (or anywhere else) will not support violence, human rights violations and environmental destruction by supporting ethical jewelers like the ones below.
Brilliant Earth: A shining example of earth-loving jewelry; they go beyond just pedaling beautiful jewels…they teach about diamond-related issues, offer gorgeous solutions and give back by supporting the Diamonds for Africa Fund. Their diamonds are exclusively mined in Canada, according to strict environmental laws, and - taking it a step further - they also use reclaimed precious metals (refined to be identical in quality to newly mined metals). And if you decide to choose Valentine’s Day to ask your significant other to share your life, or to just further celebrate your commitment to one another, Brilliant Earth is the chicest solution. If you’re just after a fancy find, a pair of diamond studs will do the trick. Brilliantearth.com
Linda Loudermilk: this faucet necklace, constructed from reclaimed silver, will drop a fashion hint about water (one worth making) - part of L.L.’s “Water is a Human Right” Collection.
lindaloudermilk.com
Verderocks: what designer Gwendolyn Davis has termed “nouveau vintage” employs only organic, vintage, recycled and “certifiably” sustainable materials. From condom cases to crowns, and all the jewelry in between, her stuff is contemporary with an antique twist that we just love, and we’re pretty sure so will YOUR queen… or king. verderocks.com
Verdier: handmade from components old and new, incorporating filigree, Lucite, glass and metals from the 1920s to the 1970s, these pieces are sure attract some eclectic tastes. Though the Brass Beetle pendant may not appear to be the most romantic of gestures, the right girl would be stoked to don it. If my son could afford it, he would love to make it my V-day gift (but I have a feeling I’m getting the collage card again). www.verdierjewlery.com
Toby Pomeroy: When genius jeweler Toby asked the largest gold manufacturer to source pure gold, derived entirely from reclaimed sources, they agreed! So he and his skilled team of artisans use their Midas touch to churn out timeless, refined treasures with their brilliant Eco-Gold.
tobypomeroy.com
For Your Knight in Shining Amour:
CotoLuxe: any man would be lucky to don these duos - the Antler Corozo and the Indian Head Nickel Links, made from fallen rack antler horns and antique Native American nickels (respectively), and backed with corozo wafer buttons, made from South American tagua nut. And they come in the perfect gift package - a wooden box made from sustainably-managed, Canadian forests.
20ltd.com
Citizen Eco Drive Watch: granted these watches are not made of recycled materials (which makes us unhappy) but they say goodbye to traditional batteries in favor of solar power. They come in a wide range of styles and colors, perfect for the man (or woman) in your life. citizenwatch.com
Apple iTunes Gift Certificate: we don’t have to tell you why downloading your tunes is more eco-friendly than accumulating a pile of disks. Feed a music addiction with amounts ranging from $10-$200. Maybe the recipient will use it to download some of your favorite love songs. That’s what we call a win-win.
store.apple.com
For Love That’s on the Rocks
If V-day drives you to drink, seek out a Veev “Valentini” or “Love on the Rocks”, which will be served at hotspots throughout LA, SF, San Diego and Miami. If you don’t live in one of these Veev-friendly cities, you can still order a bottle and make these organic, luscious libations at home.
melandrose.com
For Your Queen of Green
Vegan Queen: this red clutch comes from V.Q.’s collection of bags which are recyclable, non-toxic, organic, cruelty free, made in the USA and ooze “eco-luxury” from the core. Crafted with materials such as monogram-embossed 100% natural rubber, nickel-free zippers, PVC-free eco-polymers, organic cotton fleece lining and recycled crest medallions, it’s a hearty dose of goodness.
veganqueen.com
EO: You can never go wrong with an eco-relaxing bath collection from EO. Made from 100% Essential Oils, let your valentine soak in the luxury…this is also one I wouldn’t hesitate to pick up for myself!
For the Frisky Environmentalist:
Enamore: it’s a fun and flirtatious lingerie collection produced in the UK from the finest organic hemp, soy, cotton and hand-selected vintage fabrics. Hard to say who is going to enjoy this sexy, sustainable stuff more! enamore.co.uk
Urban Fox undies: recently launched, Urban Fox’s handmade, eco-friendly undie sets are soft, silky and oh-so-sexy. We got to feel them over at the Eco Gift Expo, in Santa Monica, and can attest to their luxuriousness!
urbanfoxeco.com
Eco-Boudoir: exquisitely sexy, this UK-based online boutique will take care of all of a sophisticated woman’s intimate apparel needs, while engaging in environmentally responsible business practices. Eco-luxury with a conscience - now that’s a gift.
eco-boudoir.com
Just Tell Me You Love Me:
Night Owl Paper Goods: these cute cards are made from sustainably-harvested yellow birch, and come in five holiday designs. We’re partial to the “owl love you forever” of course, but to make the message loud and clear, send out the four letter word.
nightowlpapergoods.com
Care2 e-cards: go the most environmentally-friendly route, and send out one of these e-cards, from Care2. You’ll be able to find one for anybody and everybody who deserves your acknowledgment this year. The ThumbHug2 card will warm any parent’s heart, believe us.
care2.com
World of Good Journal: a 100% wood-free journal made from recycled cotton waste, using a chemical free, handmade process in Rajasthan (thus supporting local economy). For the person who wants to capture their poetry, or the kid who needs a journal to pine over their childhood romances, these scribbles are where the heart is.
worldofgood.com
Beeswax Candle: Made from pure cinnamon essential oil and 100% natural beeswax, bring some light to your life. A little ambiance goes a long way, this little candle burns for 5 hours, and is non-toxic and non-allergenic. pristineplanet.com
Sweet Thoughts Journal: this cute, little handmade journal utilizes a box of chocolate sweathearts as its cover and contains approx. 40% acid-free, recycled pages (not the most impressive of percentages, but…). Who can resist the little adages of this quintessential V-Day candy? “Be mine.” “Kiss me.” Carry them around in your pocket with this mini note pad. dhlovelife.com
