Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Yucky, earth-unfriendly foods to avoid

I am so taken with this list of the "10 Most Dangerous Foods" on Sprig.com, because when I clicked on the title I was expecting to something like the EWG's "dirty dozen," which, while a useful list, has been written/referenced/blogged about everywhere (by me too, more than once) for ages. But this feature actually takes a stand on some stuff in a way that "green lite" websites and magazines rarely seem to, and offers some new-to-me info too. For instance, growers of conventional strawberries are rumored to spray their crops with Nutrasweet-laced water to increase the fruit's sweetness. That is just gnarly with a capital G! I nearly always buy organic strawberries as it is, but now I will be even more vigilant with my berry picking.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Eco fantasy furniture


I can't really afford it, don't truly need it and know that the most eco thing is to buy vintage, but just found myself waiting time browsing the Cisco Brothers site. How gorgeous is this sofa? And how much fun would your kids have rolling around on these pouf ottomans? And all of Cisco's things are made with FSC-certified wood (or reclaimed hardwoods) and water-based glues in (local to me) south Los Angeles. If I ever get to do some sort of extravagant fantasy redecorating I can't imagine why I'd need to shop anyplace else (except maybe Q Collection). Of course, after two weeks in my house right now those ottomans would be covered in art supply stains and juice spills. And the sofa isn't the type of thing you slipcover. So I guess it's fine that for now it's just a fantasy.

Friday, January 9, 2009

Recycled glassware in West Elm


I just noticed some pretty nice looking, affordable recycled glass dishes, glasses and carafes in the West Elm catalog (note to self to ask via Catalog Choice to unsubscribe). They look vaguely like these Fire and Light recycled glass salad plates that I own, though those are really pricey so I only own four. Maybe I'll try to round out the set with some of the West Elm ones since they're both a greenish hue. Of course, these are made in Spain and the Fire and Ice ones are made in NorCal, so there's that.