Not Your Cookie Cutter Dessert
Date: April 7, 2008 | Category: Food & Drink, Lifestyle
What better way to pay homage to our little planet than by eating it? Woo us with your Earth Day plans for a shot at winning a Love the Planet Cookie Tin (running April 8-15 here on ecofabulous). The reusable tin, available exclusively through Organic Style, comes chock-full of delectable sugar cookies created by a small bakery with a big message. The all natural, USDA Certified Organic cookies come in a variety of impeccably executed iconic animal and eco-images that are beautiful reminders of how connected everything is. We love these little treats so much, we’re giving them away to one lucky ecofabulous reader (not our box, we aren’t that generous!). Or get a box for someone that loves the earth or just loves really delicious cookies!
Sweeten up Your Life with EcoFlab
Date: April 1, 2008 | Category: Food & Drink, Lifestyle
Here at ecofabulous we do our best to eat in a healthy and sustainable way. We know the importance of eating organic, locally grown vegan foods. But no meal is complete without something sweet. That’s why today we’re proud to introduce a revolutionary new product: EcoFlab!
EcoFlab is our own formulation of High Fructose Corn Syrup made with 100% organic corn, hand picked by fair trade workers in Santa Cruz county. We even make sure that all workers are given cashmere pashminas during the fall planting season to avoid a chill.
Just think of the convenience of our wide-mouth plastic bottle for pouring EcoFlab in all the foods you prepare for your children. No more messy jars of honey or bottles of maple syrup!
Not convinced? You can read all about the benefits of High Fructose Corn Syrup at this wonderful web site. It’s created by the “Corn Refiners Association” so you can be sure the information is accurate and up to date.
Happy April from team ecofabulous!
Biodegradable BBQ
Date: March 31, 2008 | Category: Events, Food & Drink, Lifestyle, Travel & Leisure
Barbecue season is upon us, though the weather is still somewhat unpredictable - we made our first attempt on Saturday and ended up shivering between bites of wild salmon. Of course, it is important to think about what’s going on the grill and the grilling process itself, click here to find out more, but the disposables you’re toting to the park, beach or wherever you may be firing up are just as important. We always serve on china when we grill at home but I understand that it’s not practical to bring your own gear to a tailgate party or a picnic, but that doesn’t mean you should forgo your commitment to the environment. With biodegradable plates, cups and utensils (and even BioBags), you can collect partygoers’ trash (no need to separate leftovers from foodware) and take them home as fodder for your compost bin. Don’t compost or have a Green Bin Program available in your city? This line of clean compostables from Branch can alternatively be recycled. Using bagasse (a plentiful byproduct from the sugar refining process), potato starch and vegetable oil, your BBQ can be just as flavorful as ever and virtually waste free.
Kopali Proffers Super Food
Date: March 28, 2008 | Category: Food & Drink, Lifestyle
Kopali Organics was borne out of a solar permaculture farm and educational sustainability center in Costa Rica - and of the founders’ desires to connect the struggling organic farmers in their region with the US marketplace. What started with banana vinegar in Whole Foods has grown to encompass a deliciously healthy collection of foods and body care that carry a stamp of ethical approval. Though the packaging could use an overhaul, guilt-free snacking is worth celebrating. Kopali’s Supergood Superfood line includes organic fair trade chocolate and organic dried fruits. The cacao nibs are not just delicious, they are packed full of antioxidants that fight free radicals. To find these munchies near you, click here.
Make Your Coffee a Little Hotter
Date: March 24, 2008 | Category: Food & Drink, Kitchen, Lifestyle, The Home
If you’re getting your java in a to-go cup, we implore you to at least forego the sleeve! Mildly superfluous, don’t you think? But if it’s too hot to handle, why not cozy up with one of these chic, reusable coffee sleeves conceived by artist, Michelle Czulada. Hand sewn from repurposed fabrics, they are eco-friendly themselves and serve an eco-friendly purpose. Washable and one-size-fits-all. We’ll drink to that!
Bunny is Bringing You Some Organic Holiday Spirit
Date: March 21, 2008 | Category: Food & Drink, Lifestyle
Call your local health food or specialty store and ask them if they carry Sjaak’s (pronounced jocks, sort of) Organic Chocolate. Easter is just around the corner and this Bay Area-based chocolatier offers up Eggs and Sitting Bunnies in both vegan and milk varieties. From branch to bar, the cocoa is fair trade and organic. In the spirit of keeping it eco and ethical this Easter, Sjaak’s has transformed these conventional confections. I bet they are going to have some pretty sweet Halloween treats too. Finally, the holidays don’t mean giving up all that is environmentally sound. Delicious!
Eggs Every Bunny Will Love
Date: March 20, 2008 | Category: Food & Drink, Holiday & Gift, Lifestyle, Media
Instead of squeezing processed dyes from little plastic tubes onto your eggs this year, why not discover how you can achieve rich hues using the stuff you’ve got lying around the kitchen - naturally? We were inspired by this article from Body & Soul magazine to turn this year’s holiday egg fete into a celebration of the vibrant colors that nature provides. Think beets, turmeric, onion skins and spinach. Kids love creating potions, so let them know that you will be raiding the kitchen for colorful Easter creations…and you can snack on the leftovers while you soak the bunny eggs (who came up with a rabbit to disperse delicate eggs?). For a step-by-step DIY guide, check out the article here.
Keep on Truckin’
Date: March 10, 2008 | Category: Food & Drink, Lifestyle, Stores & Resources
Green Truck brings organic food on the go with its fleet of, you guessed it, green trucks. Using only certified organic ingredients, the catering menu boasts yummy dishes like the Southwest Salad, a mix of chicken breast, golden corn, red leaf lettuce, tomatoes, black bean salsa, sour cream, and guacamole. The company is adamant about leading an environmentally friendly practice by purchasing locally grown ingredients when possible, using a solar-powered commissary, and cleaning with eco-friendly products. The catering trucks are powered by waste vegetable oil from the Los Angeles area, and food is served with utensils and napkins made of biodegradable materials. A GPS function on the company’s site allows you to track down the truck to find out where you can get your gourmet goodies. Currently, the trucks are usually in the Beverly Hills and Santa Monica areas, so if that’s your ‘hood, eat your greens.
Be a Smart Cookie
Date: February 27, 2008 | Category: Food & Drink, Holiday & Gift, Lifestyle
For all you cookie cravers out there, taking the proverbial cookies and milk duo into the organic arena is something we always applaud. It’s the Traditional Cookie Box from Organic Style that’s rising to the top of our eco edibles to-die-for list. They’re spicing up our longtime favorites with a heavy helping of organic ingredients. If you’re partial to one flavor, choose from Cinnamon Chocolate Chunk, Chocolate Truffle, Lemon Ginger, Oatmeal Tart Cherry Chunk or Snickerdoodle. But if you’re like us, and can’t make up your mind, the sampling box is the way to go. Each box is labeled as “Made with Organic Ingredients” which means that - according to the USDA - at least 70 percent of the ingredients are organic. While we’ll still try to munch in moderation, these freshly baked (daily) confections make us feel better about indulging. To get your fix, visit Organic Style - and take a perusal around the site; they’ve got tons of tempting offerings.
Yia Mas! To Our Health!
Date: February 21, 2008 | Category: Food & Drink, Lifestyle, Travel & Leisure
From this most idyllic of little Greek islands, comes a winning organic white wine that’s making our Greek ecofab girl coo - and not just with Hellenic pride. Mr. Haridimos Hatzidakis uses local Santorini grapes on his vineyard (certified by DIO, the foremost Greek organic certification company) to produce a gourmet, aromatic bouquet even the most fastidious of oenophiles will approve of. Check the winelist at your local organic bar (if you’re lucky enough to have one) or upscale Greek dining establishment for Hatzidakis’ Aidani Assyrtiko ORGANIC, and if they don’t carry it, they may heed your gung ho suggestion. To purchase bottles online (from the UK), click here.
