Growers and Grocers

After arriving in the country by train, the New Canaan Farmer’s Market beckoned. While it does not offer the diversity in its offerings as Union Square, New Canaan delivers a lovely bounty. Garlic Scapes were most delightful, as were beet greens, 1960’s style strawberries, sugar snap peas, and red and green hothouse […]

There is nothing so glamorous as cracked bloody hands clasping a martini. Winter has been snowy, windy, and brittle – a surprise to New Yorkers accustomed to the consequences of global warming, such as Cherry Blossoms Blooming in January. We dodge over ice barriers, and down into Subway tunnels, all the while removing our gloves […]

Optimism, the mood of choice, suggests preparations for hosting various upcoming parties, from an auspicious 20th of January, to homemade salons, film screenings, and readings. While keeping creativity alive through the winter, tempt your guests with wine that is both eco chic, and resourcefully gentle on your finances.
Biodynamic, a term denoting farming without the use […]

Once again, The Angelica Kitchen will provide vegetarian and vegan New Yorkers with a much anticipated feast on this most carnivorous American holiday. Five exquisite organic locovore courses, at an economical ten dollars a course, make for an elegant event within their East Village restaurant – or a lifesaving five hour car ride to a […]

If your little Wicked Witch of West Chelsea insists upon a green Halloween, the Union Square Greenmarket defies gravity.
This season, unconventional colors and patterns are the new orange. Pumpkins come in skin tone matching green, white with green stripes, and a garishly cheerful white with orange stripes. If you want to be pop-u-lar, though your […]

Halloween approaches, signaling the start of the holiday season.  Reduce your holiday carbon footprint through organization.  Set Editions, founded by Alison Riley in 2004, offers several recycled and post-consumer lines of greeting cards. 
Elegantly designed, often with a sense of humor, or refreshingly minimalist, examples of her letterpress cards on 100% recycled paper with 100% recycled […]

For the Punk Rock eco fashionista in us all, Eileen Fisher has introduced fingerless gauntlet length gloves in undyed cashmere. 
The most luxurious knit fabric in the world, cashmere, made from the belly hair of the somewhat adorable goat, is natural. Supremely warm, soft, and strong, undyed cashmere, unlike synthetic fabric, gives off no environmental pollutants during […]

Created by Vessel, the innovative product design firm that invented the overwhelmingly successful, award winning Candela lights,  the Guardian’s name matches its function.
With a portable lantern, which automatically illuminates during power failures, and a constantly lit plug-in base and charger, the Guardian utilizes warm white L.E.D.’s.
A longer lasting bulb that uses vastly less energy, light emitting […]

Steel Wire and tempered glass, the Platner Coffee Table was designed in 1966 as part of the Warren Platner Collection, a series of sculptural furniture which became modern, continually relevant classics.  Produced since its inception by Knoll, the Platner Coffee Table is Greenguard Indoor Air Quality Certified. 
Particularly useful for those who inhale, the Greenguard Environmental […]

In a whirl of muddling and shaking in a Boston Shaker, a barman at The Institute of Contemporary Arts in London taught me to make an iced tea using only fresh mint. 
The arrival of organic black mint at the Union Square Greenmarket provides an experimental update on the recipe. 
With a sublimely refreshing taste, and soothing […]