Maine Attraction 12/02/2010
 Soda gets a bad rap, but sometimes a sweet bubbly drink just hits the spot---like when I'm biting into a slice of my favorite pizza or chowing down on a not-so-mini burrito. There's nothing like a little effervescence to cleanse the palate. I'm all for moderation, so while I don't worry about a swig (or two) of pop every now and then, I do want "the good stuff" when I reach for a drink. My recent crush hails from Portland, Maine, and is aptly named Maine Root, an organically sweetened soda that is goodness bottled. Maine Root is like micro-brewery meets soda pop. They're a small, specialty producer of fizzies sweetened with organic evaporated cane juice. And if you're into the technical details, this special sweetener is made by passing the whole sugar cane through a set of rollers and drying the extract into crystals without extra processing or additives. Sweet, huh? I think so. Bonus: The company delivers its local Portland orders in a VW vegetable-powered diesel. Maine Root T 512.517.3158 www.maineroot.com ~$6.79 for a 4-pack available at stores like Whole Foods, Wild Oats, and World Market In addition to root beer, Maine Root also produces these flavors: Ginger Brew, Sarsaparilla, Blueberry, Mandarin Orange, and Lemon Lime Thumbprint: B, C, G Add Comment What's your Credo? 10/28/2010
Some things just aren't any fun---like going to the dentist, cleaning up the dishes after a lasagna dinner, or changing your wireless service provider. But things must get done whether we like to do them or not and to ease the pain of switching cellular services, thankfully there's Credo Mobile. So why switch? With election day just around the corner, I feel even more strongly about spending my money with companies whose values resonate with my own. I realize that it takes a lot of time to do this research, but that's part of why I created A Worthy Splurge in the first place. And in researching my current provider, I learned that the company supported the very ideas and politicians I will not be voting for come November 2nd. Thanks to good old capitalism, we have competition in the marketplace. We have choices. And when it comes to mobile phone service, I'm making a change to Credo. Why? Because Credo is "not driven by the bottom line, but by a belief." They support progressive social change and donate funds every year (members decide where the donations go) to organizations that support civil rights, the environment, social justice, and peace---organizations that I would donate to anyway, like the ACLU, Greenpeace, and Doctors Without Borders. Bonus: You can keep your current phone number, plans cost the same as other major providers, and they'll buy out your contract. Credo Mobile T 800.411.0848 Thumbprint: C, G Sweet On You 10/14/2010
 Turns out, you can have your chocolate and eat it, too. Just when I thought chocolate couldn't get any better, Sweet Riot entered my life. Their chocolate covered cocoa nibs make me weak in the knees. And that first bite? It was intense. The purity and richness of the cacao is balanced by the slightly sweet and silky texture of the chocolate shell. They're like M&Ms for grown-ups (only so much better!). And in case you haven't heard, chocolate does the body good. Seriously! It's chock full of antioxidants, but also has the hard-to-come-by mineral, magnesium, as well as copper, iron, calcium, and phosphorus. Check out Sweet Riot's health facts to get the skinny on all of chocolate's benefits. But the thing I love most about these delectable confections is that they're made by a company that's beautiful on the inside and out. Their mission is noble, "To create a more just and celebrated multicultural world for our next generation." So they believe in fair trade, celebrate culture and diversity, and care about the environment, their partners, employees, and customers. Even their packaging supports their mission by featuring the work of emerging artists. Chocolate that's good, good for you, and good for the world? It doesn't get any better than this. Sweet Riot 670 Broadway, Suite 302 New York, NY 10012 212.431.RIOT (7468) Shop online or find products near you Thumbprint: C, F, G Power to the PeopleTowel 09/02/2010
Our little family can go through a lot of paper towels. A lot. But comparing ourselves to the Jones's, I'd say we use considerably less than the average American household. Yet every time I tear off a square, I feel a bit guilty. Kind of like when I go for that second bowl of ice cream. Catch me in the act and you'd certainly think I was up to no good. I guess it's cause I know that I'm opting for convenience over personal values, and since that's an equation for internal conflict, I'm letting go of my paper towel addiction. Of course, good design makes it so much easier to go green. PeopleTowels offers reusable, organic, fair trade cotton towels in playful prints and graphic designs. They're small enough to go wherever you go (even if that's just around the kitchen) and dry quickly. They're an earth friendlier choice than paper towels made of recycled materials which have a staggering 100% greater impact on our environment than PeopleTowels. Switch to PeopleTowels and in one year, you will save 1/4 tree, reduce landfill waste by 23 pounds, and conserve 250 gallons of water. * On my wish list? The 3-pack Peace, Love, and PeopleTowels. The colorful, retro designs are going to make this habit easy to kick. PeopleTowels 455 Canyon Del Rey Blvd. Monterey, CA 93940 Tel 1-888-237-2498 comments@peopletowels.com 3-pack Peace, Love, and PeopleTowels, $21 * Fact from PeopleTowels.com Thumbprints: C, F, G, O Good Will 08/21/2010
Sometimes it's hard to be good. Like when you've sworn off sweets and suddenly find yourself in front of Sprinkles or Dylan's Candy Bar. Other times, not so much. Take searching the web. Heard of GoodSearch? If not, let me introduce you. GoodSearch is exactly what it sounds like---a search engine that allows you and me to help raise money for our favorite charities, schools, or non-profits with just the click of a mouse. It works like any other search engine---simply head to their site and search the Internet like you always do. That's it! It's powered by Yahoo, so you get great results every time. There's even a GoodSearch toolbar that you can download to make sure that you never miss a donation. Fifty percent of the revenue generated from the sponsored search advertisers is shared with the organization you've chosen. Overall, GoodSearch estimates that a penny is generated by each Web search. That may sound like chump change, but it adds up fast. Find out more about GoodSearch here and the nitty gritty on how they make it work. GoodSearch.com Thumbprint: C Don't Worry, Be Happy 08/12/2010
 Sometimes I wake up on the wrong side of the bed. Sometimes I scowl instead of smile. I tend to be a glass is half empty kind of gal, but I'm optimistic that I can change. But it's a process and since I'm not there yet, sometimes I need a reminder that things will be A-okay. So a new item on my wish list is the Don't Worry Mug from Rock, Scissor, Paper, a sister/sister stationary company out of Los Angeles (I mention this because their So Cal upbringing influences their mod, colorful designs). Like Brynne Cogorno's notecards that grow, Rock, Scissor, Paper's lineup of mugs, coasters, and stationery are all you need to brighten your day. Rock, Scissor, Paper 11851 Glencrest Drive San Fernando, CA 91340 Tel 818-361-1142 info@rockscissorpaper.com Don't Worry Mug, $14.00, 3 3/4" tall x 3" diameter, dishwasher and microwave safe Thumbprints: B, C P.S. - Have a school, team or non-profit fundraiser coming up? How about nixing the sugar habit that typically goes along with it. Contact Rock, Scissor, Paper for details on how you can fundraise with them instead. Image via www.rockscissorpaper.com Write Me 08/05/2010
 Aside from bills and advertisements, I hardly ever get "real" mail anymore. If it weren't for my subscriptions to Sunset and Runner's World, I might forgo checking the mail altogether. But I'm hoping that the hit letter writing has taken is just cyclical---that one day we'll all wake up with great penmanship and remember how much fun it is to hold a handwritten note in our hands. To help us on our journey is Brynne Cogorno, owner of Backward Prints, an eco-friendly stationary line that I came across at the Sawdust Art Festival in Laguna Beach, CA. I *love* Brynne's notecards. They have an organic, homemade quality to them (not only in the look and feel of the paper, but in the artwork as well). And the designs are happy. Whether they're robots in love or those Matryoshka dolls you'll remember from your childhood, they simply make you smile and want to send a note to someone (anyone, really). Brynne's cards are 100% biodegradable and recyclable. And given some sun, water, and time, they grow. Isn't that something to write home about? I think so. Backward Prints www.backwardprints.com beezi@me.com 949.275.1926 Individual cards are $3.50 and up or $20 for a 6-pack of 3.5"x4.25" cards (yes, youu can mix and match!) Available at her online store and etsy.com Thumbprints: B,C,G Image via backwardprints.com Give Joy 06/18/2010
 Hello, procrastinators! I know what it's like to be in your shoes, so right about now you're probably biting your nails wondering how Father's Day sneaked up on you again this year. Maybe you should just head to Macy's and pick-up a nice, non-offensive polo. Sure, it's not the most thoughtful gift, but something's better than nothing, right? Or is it... Practically every dad I know has everything he needs and an overflowing garage to prove it. Why buy another thing to add to the mess? This year we're buying honeybees for our daddy-o via Heifer International. For $30, you can help a family in need earn income through the sale of honey, beeswax, and pollen. How sweet! Got deeper pockets? Make dad feel like a hero by spreading Joy to the World. But there's something for every budget---just ten buckaroos will let you gift a share of a pig, a sheep, or a trio of rabbits. Bonus: Dad's gift is tax deductible, and since you probably didn't pick-up a card yet, you can print one directly from Heifer's website. Heifer International 1 World Avenue Little Rock, AR 72202 (800) 422-0474 info@heifer.org Thumbprint: C Cooks Illustrated 05/25/2010
 Last week I was in the Bay Area thanks to a $9 flight I snagged on JetBlue. I saw a lot of friends and ate a lot of really good food, but the one thing I can't stop thinking about is a fresh strawberry-filled donut I devoured during lunch at Napa Valley College's Cooking School (NVCCS). And it wasn't even my donut to devour! It was on my friend's plate, but that's another story. Lunch at NVCCS is like reality TV meets The French Laundry. If you're lucky enough to land a reservation, ask for a seat in the kitchen---really. Bubbling pots, tantalizing aromas, and the energy of a real working kitchen make this experience like none other. There's even a large mirror perfectly angled for watching students plate your next course. Needless to say, lunch was amazing---I had a shot of a cool cucumber soup, perfectly cooked asparagus with a fresh poached egg, a sardine crostini---the list goes on. After the fourth course (or thereabout) I stopped counting and entered a state of pure food bliss. What made this meal a real standout (aside from that blessed donut) is the school's sustainable practices. From day one students are taught about the environmental impact of their chosen industry. And the school? It endeavors to reduce its carbon footprint by establishing its own biodynamic system. So composting, recycling, caring for a flock of rare and heritage breed hens, and nurturing a rare-seed organic garden? That's all part of the program. Bonus: I hear that the day's leftovers are sent to a local food bank (although I have a hard time believing there are any leftovers). Napa Valley College Cooking School 1088 College Avenue St. Helena, CA 94574 Phone: (707) 967-2900 www.napavalley.edu/cookingschool Thumbprint: C, G, O And That's the Way the Cookie Crumbles 05/13/2010
 If smell-o-vision existed, you'd probably be drooling right about now. I know I would. I'm practically salivating just thinking about Levain's too-good-to-be-true chocolate chip walnut cookies. And I don't even like walnuts! On a recent trip to New York, a bunch of friends and I schlepped all the way to the Upper West Side just for a cookie---as in a single one. You can't tell from the picture, but that baby is almost a good half-pound (6 oz. to be exact), so sharing is a fine, if not necessary, idea. My friend, Amy, had been raving about these cookies, but when I entered the shoebox-sized bakery, all I saw were scones. Nope, I was informed. Those were the cookies. I became skeptical. Not because they were big---lots of cookies are big nowadays, but these were THICK, and like nothing I'd ever seen before (or since). But one bite is all it took. I don't know how else to describe them except to say that they embody pure deliciousness. Chocolatey, buttery and kind of gooey on the inside, one bite made the sounds of the city go quiet for a few blissful seconds. The two women who started the bakery, Connie McDonald and Pam Weekes, are surprisingly svelte for owning such an establishment. And they recently won a chocolate chip cookie throwdown against Bobby Flay, so you can just toss that old adage about not being able to trust a skinny cook. Their secret is running and swimming and biking, and lots of it. They're triathletes, so they earn every delectable, calorie-dense bite. Their secret to a good cookie? They bake everything fresh and on-site every day, and donate the day’s leftovers to charity each night. They make good cookies, but they're good cookies, too! Levain Bakery 167 West 74th St New York, NY 10023 T: 212-874-6080 • F: 212-874-6413 Hours: Mon-Sat 8am-7pm, Sun 9am-7pm OR Wainscott Village Shopping Center 354 Montauk Hwy • Wainscott, NY 11975 T: 631-537-8570 • F: 631-537-8572 Open seasonally, call for hours www.levainbakery.com Thumbprint: C | AuthorAnju is a thirty-something ex-New Yorker who will forever miss the city. Likes running enough to keep doing it. Considers herself a pizza aficionado. Sections
All ArchivesAugust 2010 Thumbprint Categories
A = no animal testing *free of the thirty most toxic and common chemicals found in cosmetics and personal care products we use everyday
Source: Teens Turning Green |
RSS Feed
