Green Options » summer

Get out and YOLO - Paddle Boards Take to the Waves

Courtney Carlisle — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 04:20:24 +0000

Because “You Only Live Once,” which is the motto that YOLO founders, Jeff Archer and Tom Losee live by, get out and play on one of their paddle boards before summer is over. Paddle boards are re-emerging as one of the hottest sports and past times from Florida (where the duo is based) to the shores of California and beyond to Hawaii.

This stylish way to stay fit and explore your local eco system, the company offers ‘Yolo Paddle Fit,’ a series of workouts to help you increase stamina and strength.

Just remember, look into Bethesda Skincare SPF or another chemical free sunscreen - 4-6,000 lbs of SPF a year gets dumped into the ocean, which is responsible for bleaching coral reefs.

Kiss My Face also has a paraben-free After-sun Aloe ($6) in case you are having too much fun to go in early.

Hot Finds+Deals: Best Green Dresses of Summer

Stancie Wilson — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 21:25:13 +0000

Literally and figuratively, these are the Best Green Dresses Of Summer that can easily be integrated into an early Fall wardrobe as well. Find out where you can snag one or all for yourself below (at great prices too):

1. Perfectly Imperfect: “Cecielia” dress in Leaf. This dress is so popular that every vendor whose carried it has sold out. If it’s a must-have for you too, contact PI directly to find out if there is one out there that hasn’t been snatched up yet: www.pi-tees.com.

2. deux fm: “Betty Long” dress in Teal. Tencel/lycocell blend. On Sale: Was $150/Now $75 at Kaight.

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Olympic Outfits Going Green for Canada Team

Lucille Chi — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 02:54:21 +0000

Canada’s Olympic athletes are sporting eco-uniforms at the Beijing Games right now and they’re all made with eco-friendly fabrics. The Hudson’s Bay Company created the athletes’ clothing line for the current Beijing 2008 Olympics. All the outfits are materials like organic cotton and cacona, which is derived from coconut.

Designers also adapted the clothing to the high temperatures in Beijing so the clothing for the Beijing Games was made using fabrics that provide UV protection, four-way stretch, odor resistance and wicking and cooling properties so athletes are comfortable.~cbc.ca

The designer Tu Ly said the move to environmentally sustainable materials was made easy by a larger worldwide trend that increased the availability of such products.

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Sparkle On with Sparkledawne’s Eco-Line

Courtney Carlisle — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 13:17:24 +0000

Dawne Cunningham’s little shop on Etsy has some great big, blinged out personality. Her wooden bracelets are not only fabulous but simply inspiring with little sayings, including a John Mayer quote:

“You put the color inside of my world.” - John Mayer

Stamped in acid free, non-toxic ink, they make you want to…I don’t know, ‘create, love and explore’ perhaps?

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Coconut Lagoon - An Eco-Friendly Health Spa

Reenita Malhotra — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 11:59:53 +0000

The monsoon season may not considered to be the ideal time to travel in India but if you are looking for a green spa retreat amidst the chirping of birds around a large lake then try the Coconut Lagoon. Situated on the banks of Lake Vembanad, the largest lake in Kerala, this unique health resort offers ayurveda, yoga, and kalaripayattu (ancient martial arts) in old world Kerala style living. It provides the perfect retreat from fifth gear living and its core values abide by the the name of its owner, the CGHearth group, which stands for Clean, Green, Healthy Earth. In the monsoon season, the air is dense with moisture making the flora of the Kerala backwaters seem greener and even more abundant than the rest of the year.

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Hammocks and High Tea’s Perfect Hostess Gift

Courtney Carlisle — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 18:51:33 +0000

Karen Young’s eclectic southern shop, Hammocks and High Tea, offers fanastic gifts for the sustainably minded shopper. Having spent her childhood in South America, Karen grew up influenced by a blend of British and Caribbean culture.

Her passion for the culture comes through in some of the gorgeous pieces that she carries, such as the beautifully designed tea towels. Inspired by her memories and travels, Hammocks and High Tea line definitely evokes sunny imagery of open air markets and lush tropical, lazy days of summer.

The pieces in the home goods collection are made with organic fabrics, including hemp, soy and organic cotton. Each product is made by hand, and printed using water based, solvent free inks.

I love the Indian Summer tea towel in Nigella (shown left) decorated with bold Hibiscus for $13 online. It’s the perfect hostess gift.

Summer is the Season for Sangria

Megan Prusynski — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 18:43:22 +0000

Summer is my favorite time of year. The days are long and perfect for hiking, traveling, going to the beach, or just sitting on the porch. And summer is the season of my favorite fruits: berries, plums, and melons! I grew up picking huckleberries every summer in Idaho and am always on the lookout for wild berries. Free, fresh-picked fruit is always the tastiest, and wild blackberries and plums happen to be just ripening for the picking where I live on the Mendocino coast of California.

We took a walk to the beach the other day through an orchard overflowing with ripe plums. Further on, the path was lined with tall blackberry bushes. Needless to say, we had an excess of blackberries and plums for a while. Add to that the fact that a local organic wine was on sale this week, and I naturally just had to make sangria!

My sister lived in Spain for a semester last year, and I had some amazing sangria when I went there to visit her. Of course she knew a recipe for sangria, which the one below is based on. (Thanks sis!) So, with a little local foraging, some fresh-picked seasonal berries, and some local wine, I made a yummy summer drink that can be adapted for any kind of fruit that’s in season.

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Environmental Defense Fund: Burning Questions - Are Sunscreens Containing Nanomaterials Safe?

Leslie Valentine — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 14:45:56 +0000

This post is by Cal Baier-Anderson, Ph.D., a Health Scientist at Environmental Defense Fund.

Ah, summer! It’s a great time to be outdoors, enjoying the warm, sunny weather. Before you go outside, be sure to grab your sunscreen, that essential product that protects against skin cancer and sun damage. But which kind of sunscreen is best? There is a mesmerizing array of sunscreen options, but for our purposes let’s limit the question to one: Nano or not nano?

We all recall the white noses of the beach lifeguards. The zinc oxide or titanium dioxide in these nose-protecting potions form a thick, white barrier that blocks damaging ultraviolet (UV) radiation by reflecting and scattering light. These days, nanoscale titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are increasingly popular sunscreen ingredients, as they provide a UV barrier but are nearly transparent.

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Feel Sexy and Hot in that Bikini: Modeling Green Swimsuits, Part II

Lucille Chi — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 18:56:59 +0000

Above left to right~

The first look shown is an affordable, Aaron Chang suit, with class and style. “A classy, full-coverage one-piece with gold accent straps. Adjustable tie straps criss-cross the back. It has a nice stretch, and will stay put during water sports.”
The Mikaela Swimsuits by Jungle Gurl, are great. These are cool one-of-a kind bikinis, created from vintage fabrics from all over the world.
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Cool Summer Styles for a Sweet and Sexy Look

Lucille Chi — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 22:01:16 +0000

Above from left to right~

Fashion Ethic is having a sale! Shown above is a sweet dress from Prairie Underground. the “Pretty Baby” dress can also be worn over leggings for a year-round look.” 100% Organic Cotton.
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Feel Sexy and Hot in that Bikini this Summer: Modeling Green Swimsuits at the Beach

Lucille Chi — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 03:35:18 +0000

Shown above from left to right~

Kelly B has created by far the most sophisticated eco swimsuit seen yet! Front ring gathers the top, under bust stitching provides shaping and lined in front for full coverage. “Halter ties remove so you can wear it strapless if you prefer. 3 fabric strips on each side give this 1-piece back interest. They tie together for a perfect fit around the bodice.”
For less coverage try this triangle bikini by Anna Cohen (a Portland based designer on a mission to marry cutting edge fashion with sustainability) which has flattering low rise, side tie bottoms with a neck and back tie triangle top. The beautiful teal color is fade resistant and will dry fast. “Created using surplus fabric leftover from making Olympic speed skater uniforms”
Named the Blissful bikini by Nikster.
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What to Wear When Bare this Summer!

Lucille Chi — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 05:55:35 +0000

Hats! Try this hip California Rising ‘We Are One’ Hat (shown here) which features breathable hemp, soft brushed organic cotton jersey, canvas with locally grown, milled and knitted organic cotton all dyed with low impact dyes. California Rising is a member of 1% For the Planet. I also like this visor from the Sierra Club, simply white and all organic.
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Sustainable Designer Fabric Innovation

Delia Montgomery — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 03:42:52 +0000

Getting the basics for natural and organic living includes earth-friendly fabrics and yarns. Goods from suppliers are expanding almost as fast as organic foods, yet nay sayers ask, “why bother?”

There are many reasons to overcome fashion’s destructive downside. Dye and mordant toxins, polluted waste water, and cheap sweatshop labor for production are a few examples. Fortunately, positive and innovative changes make 2009 fabric choices exciting.

This time of year the rag biz is normally showing retailers winter collections. For obvious reasons, fabric mills are more time-advanced. So while you feel the summer heat now, vision cool sustainable fabrics for next year. You can simultaneously be ahead of the game, and be an educated fashion critic!

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Out of the Box Rubber Sun Dressing

Delia Montgomery — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 02:48:39 +0000

Well if I was to honor a rubber tube design award, the winner would be the Pieces Goddess, Christa De Leeuw Van Weenen for Zuss Fashion Design in The Netherlands. This freaky, fashionable, wearable art is not only cool, it’s fashionable recycling at it’s best!

Sorry, this Strapless Adventure sun dress is SOLD. But you get the idea. Check out the site. All items could be appropriately displayed in an art gallery or museum, and in the ranks of haute couture, stage costume, and for the young at heart. The materials are used rubber tubes from bicycles and mopeds, sometimes decorated with beads and stuff.

Everything is handcrafted, including every hole, every lace, every knot. There are no machines involved. Just hands, scissors, a pincer, and imagination. To wear a Zuss is not only a fashion statement, it’s a physical delight. You see the wearer is very conscious of it, especially if worn skin-tight. That’s because it feels cool when it first hits your flesh, but becomes warm by your body heat and then becomes soft; — termed the Zuss Sensation, which is wearable in all climates.

Actually, from 1997 until autumn 2007, Zuss was two sisters turning old inner tubes into eye-catching hot couture for those intent on making a BOLD fashion statement. Since elder Virgo Goddess Krijnie, retired, Christa is taking Zuss to the future with established global fans, — solo style.

Yet neither of the two sisters ever went to art or design school. Christa’s inspiration started in 1997 at a symposium about art and rubber. She made a top and skirt. Then Krijnie got creative with hats. That same year the sisters had their first fashion show. Hence, they traveled the road to fame and appreciation. They drew the attention of American TV and domestic press, BIG-time!

“Beautiful artwork from wasteland,” says Christa. “It feels more like sculpturing than sewing. Recycling is our tribute, and the way mother earth teaches us about evolving. Every piece of art is made with love and is original and unique. Even when we tried to make a copy, the tubes wouldn’t allow it because every piece of waste is different. New materials may be consistent, but every tube-life follows different ways. And just as our life, isn’t it?”

Low Impact Living: 10 Ways to Cut Home Energy Consumption

Low Impact Living — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 23:56:28 +0000

Editor’s note: Our friends at Low Impact Living point out 10 ways you can save energy this summer. This post was originally published on June 10th, 2008.

The heat of summer is coming, and that means many of us are about to crank up the AC, make an extra batch of ice, and generally burn energy like it’s our job. But we need all need to continue to try to conserve as much energy as possible to conserve resources and slow the march of global warming. And we get to save money at the same time–woo hoo to that!

Here are the ten things we can all do at home to cut our energy consumption. We start out nice and easy, then ramp up to some extra-credit methods at the end of the list for you Climate Crusaders.

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Out of the Box Sun Dressing

Delia Montgomery — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 19:35:38 +0000

Oh how I get my kicks discovering unique designers with eco style! Just in time for the Summer Solstice, I share admiration for Enamore, founded by designer Jenny Ambrose 20004 in the seaside city of Brighton, UK.

This striking empire-line Jeanie Halter Dress is made from a blend of hemp and Tencel®. It has delicate strawberry shaped organic cotton lace detail and ruby-red satin bow detail.

Know that Tencel® is a cellulosic fiber made from wood pulp and is the brand name for Lyocell by Lenzing Fibers. Designers love the desirable properties, such as drape.

Jenny’s Enamore UK fashion label consists of a variation of garments made from the finest organic and sustainable fabrics. Additional examples are bamboo, soya, and silk sourced from accredited suppliers. The brand is a diverse collection of dresses, separates, and an exciting range of organic lingerie with a new twist on modern Pinups.

The Jeanie Halter Dress is made to order, so step on it for the summer heat! If interested in seeing more Enamore collections, restricted travelers and American homebodies have no fear. Ready-made designs can be found in worldwide cities such as London, Milan, Paris, Munich, Washington DC, and of course on the web.

Jenny moved her biz to the picturesque city of Bath, where the brand continues to grow and flourish. She works with fashion and textile students and graduates from all over the UK, offering unique opportunities for work experience with a creative young business.
Love you Jenny!

Tips for a Green(er) and Healthier Summer-

Katy Farber — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 00:22:12 +0000

Today I swam for the first time this summer. Ah, a crisp cool Vermont river swept away the dirt and grime and I finally felt alive again after feeling wilted most of the day. We don’t get heat like this often in good ole’ Vermont, and I’m not used to it.

All that fresh water, the frogs calling and the warm night air got me thinking about how to have a less of an impact on the planet with my family this summer, and how to keep the kids safe and healthy, while enjoying this fleeting and beautiful season.

1. Use chemical free sunscreen for the whole family. There are many toxic chemicals in conventional sunscreens. Look for sunscreens that have Titanium Oxide (which stays on the surface of skin) and not much else. There are some safe brands and more information here.

2. Garden, and compost your food waste. Or, if you don’t have a green thumb or access to garden space, you can support local growers by visiting farm stands, farmer’s markets, or participating in CSAs.

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Cool off with Cucumber Dill Soup

Sharon Troy — Thu, 15 May 2008 21:41:09 +0000

The calendar says May, but where I live in San Francisco, it’s been feeling like the dead of summer lately. My thermometer says 85, which is unseasonably hot for my otherwise moderate city. Usually, my lunchtime staple is soup, however a warm bowl full of chili may be great in November, but none too appealing today.

I decided instead to concoct a cooling summertime soup. I’m a sucker for Gazpacho, but I wanted something a little lighter today. I also needed to use up all the dill from my herb garden that’s been withering away in the heat.

Here’s my recipe for Cucumber Dill Soup that as refreshing as it is delicious (and not to mention, healthy and quick to prepare!)

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Weekend Grub: A Labor-Free Labor Day Dish — Pesto Pasta Toss

Colleen Patrick-Goudreau — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 14:14:37 +0000

The name pesto derives from tradition of making this sauce in a mortar with a pestle. The following recipe, which I encourage you to use a food processor for, unless you have a few spare hours, proves that you absolutely don’t need cheese to make a fantastic pesto. Purchase fresh basil (or grow it yourself!), and find a nice fruity olive oil.

Advance Preparation: Pesto freezes very well. Defrost pesto at room temperature, about 20 minutes. To reinvigorate frozen or refrigerated pesto, add a drizzle of olive oil and stir.

Ingredients - Pesto
3 cups loosely packed fresh basil leaves
6+ tablespoons pine nuts
2-4 cloves garlic
1-3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
½ teaspoon salt, or to taste

Ingredients - Pasta and Veggies
1 pound penne pasta (or any pasta of your choice)
Bunch of chopped spinach, raw or blanched
Fresh, seasonal tomatoes, chopped
Fresh basil, chopped

Directions
Combine the basil, pine nuts, and garlic in a food processor, and blend until the ingredients are finely chopped, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Add salt, to taste.

Add the oil slowly and a little at a time, and process until smooth and creamy. (You don’t need a lot of oil – just add enough to smooth it out a little, but very little is needed.)

Prepare your favorite pasta according to the package directions (penne works great!). Drain. Toss the pasta with the pesto and remaining ingredients.

Serving suggestions and variations:

Toss the pesto with roasted vegetables.
Use walnuts instead of pine nuts.
Add ¼ cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and rinsed.
Replace half of the basil with parsley.
Add a squeeze of lemon while you’re grinding all the ingredients together.
Make a pesto pizza, spreading a layer of pesto on your dough and adding some fresh tomatoes and minced fresh herbs.
Use as a cracker spread. Add non-dairy cream cheese and use as a spread for bread and crackers.
Prepare it as a dip for chips or raw veggies. Just add it to non-dairy sour cream (Tofutti or Wildwood brands are great.)
Make garlic pesto bread. Spread pesto on bread and bake like you would garlic bread.
Grill it. Coat polenta squares, vegetables, or tofu with pesto and grill.
If you’re not using it immediately, you can store tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days or place in ice cube trays (or a regular container), cover tightly with plastic wrap, and store in the freezer (for no longer than one month for the best flavor).
To make extra, for every cup of loosely packed basil leaves, add the following to the above recipe: 2 tablespoons pine nuts, 1 clove garlic (or to taste), ¼ teaspoon salt (or to taste), and 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
For an oil-free version, eliminate the oil and replace it with 1-2 tablespoons light miso. Add a little water to thin it out a little.

Weekend Grub: Summer Vegetable Risotto

Colleen Patrick-Goudreau — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 13:48:04 +0000

Summer Vegetable Risotto
Use this recipe as a model for many of your favorite seasonal vegetables, so long as those on the sturdy side (bell peppers, artichoke hearts, broccoli, beets) are precooked until not quite tender, either by blanching, steaming, or roasting. As a general rule, for every cup of rice, you will need about 3 cups of simmering broth.

Cooking time: The total cooking time from the first addition of liquid to the rice to the completion of the risotto containing vegetables is typically about twenty-five minutes. But let your taste buds be the guide. Risotto is not as complicated as many think. It just requires some time at the stove. Use that time as an opportunity to engage in "cooking meditation." It really is very therapeutic!
Makes 4 main course servings

INGREDIENTS
6 cups vegetable broth, plus additional (if necessary)
½ cup dry white wine
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 large onion, finely chopped, about 1 cup
3 garlic cloves, crushed or chopped
1 yellow summer squash, diced
1 or 2 zucchini squash, diced
4-5 ears corn enough for 3-1/2 cups kernels (you may used canned or frozen)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh mixed herbs (basil, dill, sage, etc.)
1-1/2 cups arborio rice
Salt and pepper to taste
Toasted pine nuts (optional)
Yellow pear tomatoes, for garnish (optional)
Fresh herbs, finely chopped (optional)

DIRECTIONS

1. Remove husks and silk from corn. Working over a large bowl to catch the corn kernels and juices, cut kernels from corncobs with a sharp knife. (If using canned or frozen, just drain the water.)
2. Heat the broth in a large pot.
3. Heat the oil in a large saucepan over high heat and saute the zucchini and yellow squash until lightly browned. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
4. Sauté the onion and garlic in the remaining oil until tender but not brown, about 5 minutes.
5. Add the rice and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes.
6. Reduce the heat to medium-low and add ½ cup of the simmering broth mixture to the skillet. Cook, stirring constantly, until almost all of the liquid has been absorbed. Continue adding the broth mixture ½ cup at a time, cooking and stirring until it is almost completely absorbed and the rice begins to soften, about 15 minutes.
7. When down to last two cups of liquid, add corn kernels. Continue cooking, adding liquid 1/2 cup at a time.
8. Stir in the squash and another ½ cup of the broth mixture. Continue to stir constantly until the liquid has almost been absorbed, until the mixture is creamy, not runny, the rice is tender yet firm to the bite, and the vegetables are heated through, about 5 minutes.
9. Remove from the heat and stir in the herbs. Serve at once, garnished with the pine nuts, pear tomatoes, and finely chopped fresh herbs, such as basil, parsley, and tarragon, if using.

Optional: Add non-dairy butter in the last 10 minutes of cooking. Earth Balance is the best non-dairy butter out there! No GMOs, no hydrogenated oil, no saturated fat, no animal protein, no cholesterol. Some variations (like the whipped) are organic.

More recipes and resources at Compassionate Cooks.