There are a million good reasons to think green when camping - just the 2.7 billion juice boxes that end up in the landfills every year are reason enough, but cutting down on waste is always good too.  Looking for a new source for fun eco-friendly alternatives?  Look no further.

• The folks at Pearl River have great selections, and their colorful lunchboxes are a great way to start.
• Hello Kitty!  Who doesn’t love the white 80’s icon from our youth?  And now you can have her on your very own Sigg bottle.  Too cute!
• And, of course, let’s not forget the team at Kids Konserve.  They have a whole host of stainless steel containers - you’re sure to find the perfect one for your needs.

Singer Sheryl Crow is a big fan of the organic cotton tees from Tiny Revolutionary, dressing her son Wyatt in their little shirts.  And with a price point of $25 each, while it’s not cheap, it’s not quite as outlandish as some of the more traditional fare you seem them sporting in the pages of Us magazine.  With the company giving a portion of the proceeds to different charities, it’s a purchase you can feel good about, and an article of clothing that you can happily put on your little one.

Happy shopping!

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 tomatoes. An impressive Focaccia, and fresh mozzarella rounded out the day’s purchases.

Fast, Simple, New Canaan Farmer’s Market Supper

Sugar Snap Peas with Garlic Scapes:

Rinse the Sugar Snap Peas and three Scapes in a colander. Sauté in extra virgin olive oil until tender. Place in a small bowl.

Beet Greens with sautéed with Garlic Scapes:

Rinse the Greens and six Scapes in the same colander. Using a scissor, cut them into one inch strips - save the beet root with purple stems attached. Sauté the Scapes until softened in the original skillet, add the Greens and a bit more extra virgin olive oil, and cook turning occasionally until al dente.

Red and Green Tomatoes with Mozzarella:

Rinse, slice, drizzle, and sea salt to taste.

Plate all three and serve with a wedge of Focaccia.

Serve the sweet Strawberries for dessert.

Vegan Beet Brunch

Cut the beet stems off of the roots. Wash three Garlic Scapes, and cut them with the stems into half inch strips.

Slice the beets paper thin. Sauté beets in extra virgin olive oil while rummaging through vegetable drawers.

Find three small, colorful potatoes, and also slice paper thin. Add to skillet, sauté until soft.

Add Scapes and Stems, and sauté until al dente. Serve vegan or with a risqué poached egg on top.

New Canaan Farmer’s Market
Old Center School Parking Lot
Corner of South Avenue, Maple Street, and Main Street
Every Saturday though Nov. 22
10:00 – 2:00
http://newcanaanfarmersmarket.net

Do you go out of your way to support local farmers and/or buy organic?

Obsessed with what’s in our air?  soil?  water?

Interested in global warming or your carbon footprint?

Care about sustainable items or eco-living?

Then we have a place for you at Growers & Grocers.  Why not join our team?  We currently have openings for writers and would love to talk to you.

Interested in joining us?  Drop Cate a line at info@wellfed.net.

Just when you think you’ve heard of everything, something new comes along that changes all that.  EarthShell has come up with a way for you to have your veggies … and then some.  They have a new line of disposable plates and bowls that are made from renewable crops of potatoes and corn.

They are sturdy, microwave-safe and take up less space in the landfills once you’re done with them. Their “soak proof” claims certainly make them tempting.  Of course the best thing is to not use disposable plates at all, but every once in awhile, there comes a time when convenience outweighs everything else.  And at the bargain price of $1.50, at least this decision won’t break the bank either.

Not these.  I really enjoyed the Fuji apples, which I found refreshing, crunchy and mouthwatering.  While the package contains a single serving of fruit, I wanted more!  I guess that’s why it’s good I bought the individually portioned package.  There is a larger size bag available but the small bags, vacuum sealed bags are quite convenient.

If you try them, see if you can taste the difference.  Crispy Green has a way of freeze-drying the fruit that I find irresistible right out of the bag. Sure, Crispy Green snacks are on the expensive side, but there are some things on which I will send the extra.

Crispy Green, Inc.
West Orange, New Jersey
973-679-4515

Originally from Boston, I was particularly charmed by Sea Stones.  Bringing life into homes everywhere, the New Hampshire based company presents a unique and beautiful look to hooks, knobs, and even wine classes. Always keeping Mother Nature in mind, they gather stones from private rivers and beaches, with permission. When a stone is collected, [they] want to make sure there will always be a replacement for future gatherers. So for each one harvested, a new stone (purchased from a quarry) is planted in the water. Over the years, the water tumbles the rough ‘seed’ into a smooth, rounded stone. In the same spirit, hardwoods are supplied by responsible sawyers committed to conservation and the future of our forests. [Sea Stones] also plants 10 times the number of trees used each year for [their] backplates.

Personally, I loved the knobs and stoppers, but there are several different ways you can show Sea Stones off.  Check out their gallery of items. If interested, click here to find the store locations nearest to you.

Look locally for fun outings. Creativity can be found in the most unassuming places.  When you go on those outings, carpool or rent a hybrid.  

Planning a family, or romantic, picnic?  Pack your noshes in reusable containers, including utensils and cups. Add a lil’ touch of elegance by using cloth napkins. Pack fresh foods like vegetables, sandwiches, fruit or salads.  Not only do these items help eliminate charcoal or lighter usage, but they are biodegradable.  Don’t buy water!  Bring your water (or other drinks) from home, in a resusable bottle to save on plastics, like Sigg bottles.

That’s doable, right?  Ahh…. now you want to go on a picnic!  I found this great 4-person basket made from all natural and renewable resources – on sale! Have fun!

• When choosing fish, look for the seafood choices that live higher in the water, like mahimahi, herring and wild Alaskan salmon.  Those choices are caught by hooks, lines or nets, which use less fuel than some of their counterparts like cod, flounder and shrimp.
• In the meat aisle, when choosing chicken, beef or pork, Justin Kitzes, from the University of California at Berkeley says that there are too many factors to consider when deciding which meat is most environmentally sound. Instead, he suggests to skip red meat once a week, and you’ll drop your carbon footprint by 5%.
• In the produce section, go local, organic and in-season and you’ll do just fine.  Because local food choices mean less gas to truck the items to your store it makes for a wise choice.  Organic items mean less, if any, chemicals during their growing stage.  And as for in-season stuff?  It had to travel less to get to you.

Just one mile from the White House, former reporter Ed Bruske is growing his own as well, long bucking the tradition of fast food and long waits in fancy restaurants.  He and his gardens were recently featured in People magazine, and he answered a few questions on the benefits of growing your own:

What’s an easy crop for beginners?
Leafy greens, like lettuce.  You can literally scatter the seeds and they grow like weeds.

When best to start?
As soon as possible.  Cool-weather vegetables like peas and spinach you can plant before the last frost.

Best way to save a crop from pests?
Fences keep out furry creatures.  There are organic compounds for treating infestations.

What’s the savings over buying organic salad ingredients?
A packet of 50 tomato seeds is $3.  I use maybe six seeds [to grow] 100 lbs of tomatoes.  If it’s $3.50/lb for heirloom tomatoes, that’s $3 compared to $350.

For more about Ed and his garden, please visit his website… and grow your own.

Photo from The Slow Cook.