Post image for Cutting the Mustard (Greens)

This week in my CSA box there was, once again, a lot of greens: Swiss chard, spinach, lettuce, parsley, broccoli leaves and… Wait! Something new: Mustard greens! Although they are available throughout the year, mustard greens (like most leafy greens) are in season from December through April when they are at their best and most readily available. In fact, by this time of year, there is a such a bounty of leafy vegetables like mustard, that using them all up before they wilt and turn to mush can be a real challenge. Read More >>

Post image for Small Footprint Update

You may have noticed that I have been posting more intermittently lately. There are some exciting reasons why…  Read More >>

Shiso Fabulous

February 9, 2010 Factory-Free Food
Thumbnail image for Shiso Fabulous

This week the CSA box had a big bunch of shiso. I haven’t eaten shiso—also called perilla, beefsteak plant, or sesame leaf—since I lived in South Korea over 15 years ago, so the bunch in my box inspired me to research traditional Korean dishes this week.

Read More >>

Eco-Tip Tuesday: Message in a Bottle

February 1, 2010 Eco-Friendly Living
Thumbnail image for Eco-Tip Tuesday: Message in a Bottle

I guess I thought that using a reusable bottle was as common as recycling at this point, but as I watched dozens of people roll out of Target with discounted cases of bottled water this past weekend, I discovered that perhaps the message has clearly not reached everyone.
Did you know that approximately 1.5 million barrels [...]

Read More >>

Perfect Pamplemousse

January 27, 2010 Factory-Free Food
Thumbnail image for Perfect Pamplemousse

If the word “pamplemousse” grabbed your attention, I’m glad. I think it’s such a funny, fun word.
Pamplemousse is French for grapefruit, which is now coming into season here in Southern California—and shipping to grocery stores nationwide. With a bumper crop of fresh citrus everywhere (it’s common for people to have some type of [...]

Read More >>

Eco-Tip Tuesday: Get Caught Holding the Bag

January 25, 2010 Eco-Friendly Living
Thumbnail image for Eco-Tip Tuesday: Get Caught Holding the Bag

I just got back from visiting my hometown of Washington, D.C., which recently passed a bag tax wherein retailers citywide charge $.05 for each plastic or paper shopping bag you require. More and more cities are passing similar legislation against disposable shopping bags, particularly because it is increasingly common for U.S. seashores and riverbanks to [...]

Read More >>