Growers and Grocers

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 […]

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 […]

“You do that one egg thang,” said Carol Ann, in reference to a vendor at the Fredericksburg farmer’s Market (FFM) who came in the first market day with less than a dozen eggs. Carol Ann of Boggy Creek Farm in Austin, Texas, was referring to the idea that the best way to start selling in a […]

In a moment both shimmering and tantalizing, ramps have arrived.  Signifying the return of the fairy tale bounty of the summer Union Square Greenmarket, in flavor, ramps are a delightfully delicate cross between garlic and leek.
Trim off the bulb, and wash, pying attention to where the leaves separate.
Zucchini Ramp Omelet

Sauté one small diced zucchini in […]

For the past year, I’ve been working on greenifying our lives. Safer cleansers, natural (non-antibacterial) soaps, and less waste. It’s been a tough undertaking — reusable dryer sheets just didn’t do it for us. And the ones we tried - Method - still had waste when all was said and done: the sheets themselves, the […]

Some people without a Safeway grocery store may be getting access to its wonderful line of organic products called O Organics. Market Watch informs us that Safeway is “striking partnerships to sell its “O Organics” line in Asia and South America” due to a deal with distributing giant Sysco Corp. The line was introduced in […]

Originally posted at Well Fed On the Town by Curt McAdams.
This is my last installment on the local market (at least for now). The major departments are done, with the exception of groceries. The market I’ve been picking on, Dorothy Lane Market (DLM), in Dayton and Springboro, Ohio, has the typical shelves full of cereal, […]

While most of us would love to go organic with our entire grocery basket, the cost is often very prohibitive. In my local grocery store a package of fresh strawberries might run $2.99, but its organic equivalent would set me back $4.99. Likewise, potatoes, apples, and other organic produce can easily cost double […]

Buying “organic” definitely comes with a heftier pricetag, so it’s a good idea to know when it pays to make that choice. Generally speaking, if you are eating the skin or leaves of a fruit or vegetable, it’s usually better to buy organic, says Richard Wiles, Executive Director of the Environmental Working Group in […]