light posting

Sorry folks…

I went to the Designers and Agents event over the weekend and got connected with so many fantastic vendors that are putting out sustainable, eco-friendly clothing and lifestyle items.

I am writing it all up and will post soon.

Check back this afternoon for all the great new products!

food, glorious food

You may have visited a Farmer’s Market and wondered… “yeah, this is great, but what the heck am I supposed to do with a yardlong bean??”

I know that it can be daunting to be presented with that variety, some of which is unrecognizable, get frustrated and go back to what you know how to cook, even if it is bought at Ralph’s and shipped from New Zealand.

So here are 5 simple tips to getting the most out of your FarMar.

1.) go prepared:

know what’s in season in your area. In many area’s, Greenopia is a great place to start as they have a “seasonal” section. Bring cash… they don’t take anything else and you would be sadly disappointed to go there to no avail. And, go early! You want the best selection and the FarMar’s are getting crowded nowadays.

2.) Ask questions

The farmer’s know the most about their food. They know how to pick the ripest, they know how to take care of it once it is home (refrigerate or counter top), and they know the best ways to prepare it. If they don’t carry “the” item, they know who on the lot does carry the best of “it”. Ask them where their farm is, if they use pesticides, etc., etc. These men and women are there because they love their job, so they want to talk about it. But, like any store, they want you to keep coming back, so they are desperate to please the consumer.

3.) Get it while you can

The point of a FarMar is seasonality… you like blueberries, but it is close tot he end of season. Buy a whole darn bunch and freeze, can, or overdose. To truly eat locally and sustainably… you shouldn’t be eating things off season. So expand your skills and you can have what you like all year round.

4.) Open your mind

be open to what is out there. Yes, we know you don’t know how to prepare yardlong beans, but the farmer does. Did you know in your lifetime, you probably eat the same 25 food items? Did you know that may be why we have such a prevalence of cancer? Variety, literally, is the spice of life. Ask to sample, ask for recipes, ask for help. The farmer’s love being in conversation about it. So make their day great!

5.) know what to skip

If someone is selling those infamous blueberries in January… you may want to reconsider going to them. They may be grown in a hothouse, with acceptable pesticides and growth technologies. And even though it is local, it could still have an environmental impact that you don’t support.

Hope this helps and maybe I will see you at the FarMar!!

A listing of local markets can be found HERE.

D&A

To be honest, I am not sure what this is, but I think I will be going.

From what I read it is a collaboration bringing together sustainable, eco-friendly fashion and lifestyle to a convention type setting for the public to peruse and purchase.

Check out the website HERE. I will tell you more of what I find out about it when I go!

We’re number one… in the future

To all my Los Angelino’s… we should be very grateful. I think we live in a great city. And, if things go the way the mayor wants, it will be even more fantastic.

Mayor Villaraigosa has been wanting for a long time to turn Los Angeles into the most sustainable city in the country. I, for one, am behind him 100%

HERE is an article posted in February about his plans. And HERE are some pictures of our involvement in Park(ing) Day LA. And HERE is his website and some links to Green LA, as well as his just announced plan for environmentally friendly affordable housing for our city!

surprises me

The Vatican installed solar panels yesterday!

According to the workers involved in the project, a total of 2700 panels will be placed to provide 300,000 kilowatt hours which will be used to illuminate, heat or cool the building where the pontiff holds his general audiences in the winter and in bad weather.

The Pope seems to be a man who walks what he talks. Now… if we could just get him to change his mind about abortion and gay marriage……

great blog

I found another fantastic blog that I want to direct your attention to… SUSTAINABLOG. And, more specifically, THIS article.

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