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Cooking Little is a kitchen shopping and tips blog for urban dwellers and anyone who cooks in a small kitchen. Beyond the kitchen, we feature diversions such as culinary travel spots, classes and tasting events. |
Recently in Eco Category Officially, the book is titled "The Gourmet Toaster Oven, Simple and Sophisticated Meals for the Busy Cook" A fine enough title, but if you are relying on a toaster oven for your meals, the title doesn't even hint at how happy this collection will make you. Instead of another open-faced grill cheese sandwich, how about Artisan Whole Wheat Walnut Loaf spread with Savory Cheesecake? Toaster ovens are no longer the exclusive domain of dorms. People are using then to save energy. The new models use 30-50% less energy than stoking up the big oven for small dishes. With recipes such as Eggplant with Tomato and Cream Sauces, Foccia Doppia, Macaroni and Cheese with Tapenade, and Chocolate Lava Cakes, conservation is no sacrifice. $18.95 AT BN.COM Eco
 Built on the utility of neoprene and pared down design, Built NY has been delivering fantastic products for toting food, drink and gadgets for years. Long before our collective minds turned to reusable grocery bags for environmental reasons and bringing lunch from home for recessionary reasons, Built NY was there designing the way. So, I loathe saying anything less than glowing, but as cute as they are I will not be partaking in the fishnet two-bottle wine totes that are such the rage. My loyalty will remain with the original two bottle tote in "Ski Patrol Red" for nostalgic reasons and for this item’s unrelenting usefulness. The first year they were available the two-bottle wine tote saved me at Christmas time. Every wine fan on my Christmas list got one, filled with two of their favorites decorated with a ribbon and a card. The gift and the gift-wrapping in one. Since then I’ve learned that the two-bottle tote is much more than a smart gift for a wine lover or a discrete, clink-free way to carry wine to a dinner party. The two bottle tote can also pull its weight when trying to travel light. It's a no brainer for packing wine discovered on vacation for the ride home. Pack a baguette sandwich on one side and thermos or water bottle in the other. And it also makes quite a resourceful ice bucket for chilling drinks and an ice pack for minor first aid. Still, the fishnet totes are adorable… nope, it is the original for me. Eco
 Picking up a few things for dinner is easy and eco with the Town & Country by Detours. It's part handlebar bag and part shopping basket. Pop it off your bike and it goes down the aisles and straight through the check out. Smart design features abound – ballistic cloth, strong basket handles, open main compartment that holds eight pounds, a drawstring storm collar and a bright yellow removable rain cap. The basket holds it shape due to a rigid bottom and removable seam supports. Take out the supports and the basket can fold flat for storage. Pictured in sky blue, the Town and Country is also available in black, red, green and pink. Available direct from Detours, eBags and many local bike shops. $65.00 AT DETOURS Eco
 If kicking the paper towel habit is harder than you thought, then get hooked on Twist natural and eco-friendly cleaning tools. The conventional wisdom is if you do something for 28 days you will form a new habit. Try the Twist Sponge Cloths for a month and when you think about reaching for a paper towel remember that you like money and trees and you’ll be saving both. At $3.99 for a three pack and thousands of cleaning uses compared to one per paper towel, it beats whatever you are spending on paper towels each month. You can use Twist with a clear conscious too. This company is frugal with their packaging and reuses production waste. At Twist they mix a serious commitment to the environment with a heavy dose of whimsy -- the cardboard packaging can be folded into bird feeders and other products bear names such as the Dish Dumpling, the Ravoli Scrubby and the Naked Sponge. Our overall impressions…Twist natural cleaning tools make big picture and bottom line sense. They last long, are a pleasure to use and biodegrade. Now, it seems silly to use green household cleaners with paper towels and sponges that waste resources and are dumped in landfills. Read on for the down and dirty details of our product testing, other product pictures and some composting tips for these biodegradable beauties. $2.79-$4.99 for multi-packs AT OUR GREEN HOUSE Eco
READ MORE ON Twist Natural Cleaning.
 Delicious, Healthy, and Helpful Foods In my world, I can look around at any social gathering and see a variety of takes on being a vegetarian, some specialized approaches on healthy eating, the unapologetic carnivores, two or three allergy considerations, a couple of "doctor's orders" and a smattering of lovable picky eaters. Typically, I juggle these specs pretty well, barring anyone switching sides without notice, and I am happy to accommodate. Even so, I was thrilled to discover Organicville Foods -- condiments made from agave nectar, my go-to sweetener, and also gluten-free. The Herbes de Provence salad dressing had a well balanced flavor and made a quick warm green bean and potato salad. Next it was used to marinate chicken breast for broiling. The Sesame Teriyaki, with a generous amount of whole sesame seeds, worked well for stir fries, quick saucing and dipping. Though fairly low in sodium, I diluted it with a mix of citrus juice to bring down the sodium content for some folks. And the pineapple salsa went very fast -- first with chips, then it was tossed into a mixed grain salad -- bulgur, quinoa and black rice -- with minced red onion and jicama and cucumber. The pineapple salsa is tangy and mild, but the Organicville line has other salsas if you like more kick. The best part about opening the bottles and jars and tasting the Organicville treats is that is real food. There are plenty of good stories behind brands big and small, but the folks behind Organicville have been living the organic life for three generations and are committed to making it easier and less of a novelty for the rest of us. You can find their products in a variety of health food and organic shops, but look for Organicville Foods in Pathmark and Costco. Score! And as of this month, the salsas will be available at Whole Foods. If there is no store near you, the Organicville online store sells individual products and bulk. Everything Organicville is very summer-ready! $3.99 and up AT ORGANICVILLE FOODS Eco
 In New York State, a 5 cent tax on all plastic bags is likely. This market tote design is a humorous reminder of a serious problem. Besides filling up landfills, plastic bags blow into the waterways threatening wildlife. The size is 18"x14" with 5 inch bottom gusset and 23 inch straps with double stitching. Sturdy enough for the wine, grocery, or book store, each tote is hand printed and made in the USA from 100% recycled fibers. If you would prefer a tote with a more subtle message try "Beet the System." Designs by Jen Harris. $16. AT BLACK SHEEP HEAP Eco
 Affordable Green Market Nutrition Service A comment I often hear from new cooks and people trying to eat healthier is that they buy all the right ingredients just to have them
languish in the fridge because they are stumped about what to do with these ingredients. If you can relate, then
the Earth/Body Kitchen email subscription service might be the guidance and know-how you need.
For $3 a week or less subscribers receive weekly menus, shopping lists and recipes based on the seasonal finds at the Union Square Green Market in New York City. Anyone in the North East can use the Earth/Body Kitchen service and shop their local green market, because founder and health counselor Hannah Springer includes ideas for substitutions. You'll breeze through your green market shopping and your weekly meals knowing you are supporting local farmers and a healthier you. Savvy cooks can save time with this service by using the shopping lists as a short cut then they can improvise their own final creations. Three dollars a week to save $30 or more in wasted food and you are actually eating healthier! Spend a little to save a lot. $3 a week or less AT EARTH/BODY KITCHEN Eco
 You are doing your thing to green your kitchen. More local food, less packaging, reducing water and energy use and you are rethinking everything from housewares and appliances to paper towels. Keep the good thing going when you dine out. The Green Restaurant Association certifies restaurants, coffee shops and even dining halls that are changing their habits step by step. Check out their certified green restaurant directory to find an eco spot to eat this Earth Day or any day you are not cooking in your own getting-greener kitchen. If you are skeptic or just plain curious, the directory lists how many steps each restaurants has completed. To keep the certification, each year additional sustainable practices must be implemented. Nope, there's no green washing here. Learn more AT DINEGREEN.COM Eco
 It is no mistake that when you open a copy Divine Heavenly Chocolate Recipes it feels exactly like lifting the cover off a box of luxe chocolate. Divine is a delicious fair trade chocolate made from cocoa beans produced by the farmer members of the Kuapa Kokoo cooperative in Ghana. Pairing the book with a selection of bars makes for thoughtful gift with a great back story. Linda Collister imparts expertise along with an enticing collection of recipes that she created using Divine cocoa and chocolate bars. Chances are it will be difficult to choose a recipe to try first as you leaf through this beautiful book. There are basic chocolate loaf cake recipes that promise to deliver beyond their simple presentations and new takes on favorites such as the white chocolate brownie with blueberries and macadamia nuts. Other sections cover drinks, dips, mousses, savouries and more. If you know someone fond of chocolate and who interested in where their food originates; this is their thing. Check your local health food store or Whole Foods for the chocolate. Click here for store lists in the US and here for Canada and Europe. In the US, the books are available at Barnes & Noble and Borders. Some Borders store carry the book and the chocolate for the quickest of gifts. The royalties from the book go to the Kuapa Kokoo cooperative, who became co-owners in the Divine Chocolate company in 2006 through a donation of stock from The Body Shop, Inc. Yeah, the Divine story is a good one. $28.00 AT BARNES & NOBLE Eco
 The grade school version of you either got your hearts desire of a lunchbox or learned to handle envy early. The Adesso Luxe line from Aladdin features four double wall insulated vessels for toting homemade lattes, tea and soup. The look satisfies any nostalgic need for lunch time style. Pictured here is the 16 oz vacuum bottle with a screw down topper and lid cup. Also available are a tumbler, a travel mug and the 10 ounce vacuum bottle with a stash lid for tea, sugar and lemon. All BPA free. $30.00 AT ALADDIN Eco
READ MORE ON Road Food.
 You've converted to reusable grocery bags, now convert your bike into an Xtracycle. If you know someone who wants to reduce their impact an Xtracycle will change their lives. It will eliminate tons of car trips and maybe that gym membership too. Take nearly any bike you already own and turn it into an Xtracycle with the Free Radical Conversion Kit. Or you can score a ready-made Xtracycle. With the peapod accessory kids go along for the ride. Ask the friendly folks at Xtracycle anything about embracing the bicycle lifestyle, that's what they are all about. from $489. AT XTRACYCLE Eco
 The Flip & Tumble Reusable Bag You can stuff a stocking with Flip & Tumble reusable bags or stuff a Flip & Tumble with stocking stuffers. Either way when the holidays are over it a handy shopper the rest of the year. Made of nylon, the cover is made of a stretchy nylon that makes it an easy open & close. Loads of two-tone color ways $13.00 AT EXIT 9 EMPORIUM |
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