Entertain the Green Way - Locally
It can be a little intimidating to "go green" all at once - it requires not only a financial investment (though there are often big long-term savings), but a personal one. We all know change is hard, but usually leads to bigger and better things. With that said, why not take small steps, and you'll be guaranteed not to be too overwhelmed.
For your next party, try buying locally produced vegetables, fruits, dairy and meat - it's a great way to support your community and ensure quality and freshness at the same time. Because the food isn't transported across country - or overseas - it arrives at your table at the peak of taste. In addition, buying locally eliminates a large carbon footprint. Allow what is in season to inspire your menu - for late summer, a soup with butternut squash and apples (with a little blue cheese crumbled on top, yum) is a perfect starter (the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is a great source for apples).
Craving a little beef? Thousand Hills Cattle Company south of Cannon Falls, MN is a favorite with local chefs and foodies. Their grass fed beef is naturally free of hormonesa and antibiotics, and high in Omega-3's. Try slow cooking for a roast that literally falls apart on your fork. Now you can have your steak, eat it, and feel good about it too.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
the Glass
"Go Green" seems to be the battle cry du jour in the grocery industry as of late. It's all about "pesticide/antibiotic free", or more simply, "organic". Defined as "...pertaining to, involving, or grown with fertilizers or pesticides of animal or vegetable origin, as distinguished from manufactured chemicals." In other words, for all the non-chemists out there (like me), not made/grown with words we can't pronounce. Grocery stores like Kowalski's are increasingly promoting their organic food sections, but also gaining organic steam is the wine industry.
Now, the term "organic", when attached to vino, is not cut and dried. Apparently true organic wine must meet rigid government standards endemic to the country in which the vineyard is located, but there are also grey areas having to do with sulfites (some organic vintners believe it should be allowed when used in very small amounts to stabilize their wines, others frown upon them 100%). If sulfites are used, some winemakers will not claim their wines are 100% organic, rather, they will say "wine made from organic grapes". Well that clears things up, doesn't it (she asked, dripping with sarcasm). My advice to you is to ask your favorite wine expert, like Rick Anderson of France 44 Wine & Spirits. They carry many organic wines and can give you the right info.
Go forth (to the liquor store) and Go Green! Cheers!
Now, the term "organic", when attached to vino, is not cut and dried. Apparently true organic wine must meet rigid government standards endemic to the country in which the vineyard is located, but there are also grey areas having to do with sulfites (some organic vintners believe it should be allowed when used in very small amounts to stabilize their wines, others frown upon them 100%). If sulfites are used, some winemakers will not claim their wines are 100% organic, rather, they will say "wine made from organic grapes". Well that clears things up, doesn't it (she asked, dripping with sarcasm). My advice to you is to ask your favorite wine expert, like Rick Anderson of France 44 Wine & Spirits. They carry many organic wines and can give you the right info.
Go forth (to the liquor store) and Go Green! Cheers!
Monday, August 24, 2009
the Green Clean
I throw a party every month because it gets me to take my house cleaning routine to the next level. Fortunately we now have so many great earth friendly cleaning products to choose from that don't have those overpowering "i just cleaned" smell.
Caldrea and Mrs. Meyers products make your home smell like a European garden. Plus, now they offer beautifully crafted cleaning tools on their website that make tasks like dusting your books a pleasure. To go ultra green, get your hands on the Norwex line of cleaning products! The microfiber cloths have silver fibers embedded in them to kill bacteria as you wipe it up. Dry, it is a dust cloth, wet, you can clean surfaces without needing any sprays or powders. For the times you have a stubborn stain that doesn't want to budge, a multipurpose paste is available. Now that you are stocked up on green cleaning solutions, make that house shine!
Caldrea and Mrs. Meyers products make your home smell like a European garden. Plus, now they offer beautifully crafted cleaning tools on their website that make tasks like dusting your books a pleasure. To go ultra green, get your hands on the Norwex line of cleaning products! The microfiber cloths have silver fibers embedded in them to kill bacteria as you wipe it up. Dry, it is a dust cloth, wet, you can clean surfaces without needing any sprays or powders. For the times you have a stubborn stain that doesn't want to budge, a multipurpose paste is available. Now that you are stocked up on green cleaning solutions, make that house shine!
the Flare
Green Décor for Your Home
Greening a party can be done through many small choices. Start by decorating with plants, which have a longer lifecycle than cut flowers. Succulents come in many interesting textures and colors, and they can be grouped in a large shallow planter to make a unique and interesting centerpiece or in a series of small pots scattered around the party area. These can be enjoyed throughout the rest of the year, and even be reused at the next party. If the event requires disposable plates, consider purchasing Bambu All Occasion Veneerware from Sur La Table. These plates and silverware are made from 100% organically grown bamboo peeled directly from the bamboo stalk. They are FDA approved, and biodegrade in 4 to 6 months after disposal.
It is easy to get a fresh look for your home utilizing quick change solutions. Slipcovers are a great way to change the color palette and style of furnishings whenever you choose without replacing entire pieces. Retailers such as Pottery Barn have slipcovers available in standard sizes that can work for certain sofa styles. For a wider variety of fabric, trim, and style options, an interior designer can work with you to design custom slipcovers that fit your furnishings and taste exactly. They can even suggest many new green fabrics that are available in a variety of styles.
Integrating vintage and new-to-you furniture and accessories into your décor adds variety and whismy, without generating new environmental damage as the result of manufacturing and shipping the product. Plus, when you shop vintage you have access to a wide variety of pieces that no one else will have in their home and isn't available from a catalog. For a European aesthetic, visit Euronest in Minneapolis, or for a mid-century vibe, check out Swank Retro in St. Paul and Spinario in Minneapolis.
When you are refreshing your style, don't forget your walls! Paint is a quick and easy transformation for any space, and with the wide variety of green paint options on the market, this is the perfect time to update your palette. Hirshfields offers multiple low VOC paints in every color of the rainbow, that perform even better than the original formulas do. VOCs are Volatile Organic Compounds - gases that vaporize, which you typically experience as the odor when you paint. I personally love Benjamin Moore's Aura line of paints and use them in my own home because they are low-VOC and low odor, typically require only one coat of paint, fully washable in any sheen, and the ColorLock technology gives superior resistance to color ruboff. Try in for your next project and experience the difference.
Greening a party can be done through many small choices. Start by decorating with plants, which have a longer lifecycle than cut flowers. Succulents come in many interesting textures and colors, and they can be grouped in a large shallow planter to make a unique and interesting centerpiece or in a series of small pots scattered around the party area. These can be enjoyed throughout the rest of the year, and even be reused at the next party. If the event requires disposable plates, consider purchasing Bambu All Occasion Veneerware from Sur La Table. These plates and silverware are made from 100% organically grown bamboo peeled directly from the bamboo stalk. They are FDA approved, and biodegrade in 4 to 6 months after disposal.
It is easy to get a fresh look for your home utilizing quick change solutions. Slipcovers are a great way to change the color palette and style of furnishings whenever you choose without replacing entire pieces. Retailers such as Pottery Barn have slipcovers available in standard sizes that can work for certain sofa styles. For a wider variety of fabric, trim, and style options, an interior designer can work with you to design custom slipcovers that fit your furnishings and taste exactly. They can even suggest many new green fabrics that are available in a variety of styles.
Integrating vintage and new-to-you furniture and accessories into your décor adds variety and whismy, without generating new environmental damage as the result of manufacturing and shipping the product. Plus, when you shop vintage you have access to a wide variety of pieces that no one else will have in their home and isn't available from a catalog. For a European aesthetic, visit Euronest in Minneapolis, or for a mid-century vibe, check out Swank Retro in St. Paul and Spinario in Minneapolis.
When you are refreshing your style, don't forget your walls! Paint is a quick and easy transformation for any space, and with the wide variety of green paint options on the market, this is the perfect time to update your palette. Hirshfields offers multiple low VOC paints in every color of the rainbow, that perform even better than the original formulas do. VOCs are Volatile Organic Compounds - gases that vaporize, which you typically experience as the odor when you paint. I personally love Benjamin Moore's Aura line of paints and use them in my own home because they are low-VOC and low odor, typically require only one coat of paint, fully washable in any sheen, and the ColorLock technology gives superior resistance to color ruboff. Try in for your next project and experience the difference.
the Inspiration
Sorry Kermit, it IS easy being green. Every aspect of every event can be 'green'. All it takes is a little thought. Here are definitions and example to inspire!
Composting: a mixture of various decaying organic substances, as dead leaves or manure, used for fertilizing soil. Example: Chowgirls Killer Catering started their business, day one, with common sense responsibility; their kitchen composts all 'scraps'…everything from vegetable peels to chicken bones, leaving only 10% waste in their entire kitchen operations.
Recycling: to treat or process (used or waste materials) so as to make suitable for reuse. Examples: Eureka Recycling is one of the largest nonprofit recyclers in the United States. The event recycling program from Eureka Recycling assists organizers in making events nearly waste-free. Eureka Recycling will staff recycling and composting stations at events, for a fee, and ensure that the attendees 'think' before they 'throw'. In addition, RedStamp.com prints all their personalized stationery and other cards on 30% recycled content cardstock made with 100% renewable Green energy.
Reuse: Rentals! While there are also many awesome disposables that are biodegradable and compostable, rentals means reuseable! Aarcee Classic Events has everything you need for your event; from forks to coffee cups, to China and serving utensils, to safety equipment and linen napkins.
Sustainability: Capable of being continued with minimal long-term effect on the environment.
Example: Xcel Energy is the number one wind energy provider in the nation and is working towards reduced emission levels by 2020 by converting coal fire generating plants to compost or natural gas.
Organic: pertaining to, involving, or grown with fertilizers or pesticides of animal or vegetable origin, as distinguished from manufactured chemicals.
Example: Cupcake Café & Catering in Minneapolis serves up organic soups like their Ginger Chicken Noodle and Italian Tomato Bean, as well as Fair Trade coffees, and organic flour breads.
Composting: a mixture of various decaying organic substances, as dead leaves or manure, used for fertilizing soil. Example: Chowgirls Killer Catering started their business, day one, with common sense responsibility; their kitchen composts all 'scraps'…everything from vegetable peels to chicken bones, leaving only 10% waste in their entire kitchen operations.
Recycling: to treat or process (used or waste materials) so as to make suitable for reuse. Examples: Eureka Recycling is one of the largest nonprofit recyclers in the United States. The event recycling program from Eureka Recycling assists organizers in making events nearly waste-free. Eureka Recycling will staff recycling and composting stations at events, for a fee, and ensure that the attendees 'think' before they 'throw'. In addition, RedStamp.com prints all their personalized stationery and other cards on 30% recycled content cardstock made with 100% renewable Green energy.
Reuse: Rentals! While there are also many awesome disposables that are biodegradable and compostable, rentals means reuseable! Aarcee Classic Events has everything you need for your event; from forks to coffee cups, to China and serving utensils, to safety equipment and linen napkins.
Sustainability: Capable of being continued with minimal long-term effect on the environment.
Example: Xcel Energy is the number one wind energy provider in the nation and is working towards reduced emission levels by 2020 by converting coal fire generating plants to compost or natural gas.
Organic: pertaining to, involving, or grown with fertilizers or pesticides of animal or vegetable origin, as distinguished from manufactured chemicals.
Example: Cupcake Café & Catering in Minneapolis serves up organic soups like their Ginger Chicken Noodle and Italian Tomato Bean, as well as Fair Trade coffees, and organic flour breads.
the Bling
I'm sure you've heard it before - green is the new black. But what does green mean? Of course it refers to a clean and healthy environment, but it also invokes a respect for nature.
When thinking about what to wear to a "Green Party," consider visiting the brand new website of Serenity Jewels. Designer Melissa Luoma designs spectacular solid sterling silver jewelry, which blings with AAA grade Cubic Zirconium gemstones. The inspiration for her designs comes from a love of the ocean and the sea, which has always brought her a feeling of serenity. She uses ship coins and sand dollars and presses them into the sterling silver, creating an imprint. Most of her pieces have her signature script, "May all your travels in life be filled with serenity." They are then topped of with a broad range of sparkle—perfect for casual days with jeans, or as a statement jewelry piece with your little black dress for upcoming soirées. The collection is now available online at www.serenityjewels.com.
When thinking about what to wear to a "Green Party," consider visiting the brand new website of Serenity Jewels. Designer Melissa Luoma designs spectacular solid sterling silver jewelry, which blings with AAA grade Cubic Zirconium gemstones. The inspiration for her designs comes from a love of the ocean and the sea, which has always brought her a feeling of serenity. She uses ship coins and sand dollars and presses them into the sterling silver, creating an imprint. Most of her pieces have her signature script, "May all your travels in life be filled with serenity." They are then topped of with a broad range of sparkle—perfect for casual days with jeans, or as a statement jewelry piece with your little black dress for upcoming soirées. The collection is now available online at www.serenityjewels.com.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)