Anyway, I just received the November issue of Hardware Hotline, and was excited to find a piece on S’well water bottles. While I’m a Klean Kanteen devotee of late, I’m always looking for other fun new pretty green products, for myself and for gifts (hello, upcoming holidays!). I was particularly excited at the mention that the 25-ounce S’well bottle (they also come in a 17-ounce size) is perfect for bringing along a bottle of wine to events like picnics, outdoor concerts or the beach, where glass is not allowed. The bottles are very pretty – I’m a big fan of their sleek design and fun color selection (they come in 17!). They’re also non-toxic and BPA-free and insulated to keep your cold drinks cold and your hot drinks hot. Better still, 10% of all sales go to a partnership with WaterAid to build safe water sources in Africa and India. That’s S’well, for sure.

I’ll definitely be looking for a S’well bottle next time I pop into Cole. If you can’t find them at a store near you, you can buy the bottles on S’well’s website!

Loving Eco

I just learned about this cool green flash-sales site through one of my favorite blogs, A Cup of Jo. Featuring up to 70% off on eco-friendly fashion, cosmetics and accessories, Loving Eco is a fabulous way to try out green brands at great prices. How pretty are these lip stains and bamboo sunglasses?

Josie Maran Lip Stain w/ Argan Balm – Set of 2, $15 at LovingEco.com

Rawa Bamboo Sunglasses, $72 at LovingEco.com

Rent the Runway

I’ve been meaning to try out this super cool fashion site since a friend scored a gorgeous designer dress for New Years Eve a few years ago. The concept is simple: “rent” a designer dress at a fraction of the cost, wear it and send it back to be cleaned by their eco-friendly dry cleaner. They’ll even send you more than one size the first time you try a particular designer, let you rent a backup dress for only $25, and give you everything you need to send the dress back, pre-paid. They also offer awesome accessories and bridemaids dresses (hint, hint, green bridezillas!). Sure, you’ll be shipping stuff back and forth, but instead of always buying a new dress for every event, taking up space in your closet (and eventually the landfill), you’ll be able to share the wealth with other deal-loving, tree-hugging fashionistas.  I’m definitely eyeing these beauties for some upcoming events.

Milly Sunny Summer Dress, $50 rental at Rent the Runway.

SACHIN + BABI Petal to the Metal Dress, $150 rental at Rent the Runway

Mark & James by Badgley Mischka Fierce Flame Dress, $50 rental at Rent the Runway

See, not a piece of hemp clothing in site. Pretty green, right?

Nothing But Bonfires: Brought To You By The Letter Q

This post literally made me laugh so hard I cried. Thank Q, Holly.

Peas and Thank You: Bah Bah Pickle

You don’t need to be vegan or a mom (I’m neither) to appreciate the hilariousness that is Mama Pea. This video of her daughter cracks me up to no end. I’m not ashamed to admit I’ve watched it several times this week. This one, too.

Homefries: Joy the Baker Podcast

Ok, so it’s not a blog post, but it is courtesy of two of my favorite bloggers, Joy the Baker and my friend “Tracy from Shutterbean.com.” I had to stop listening to their podcasts on the bus, because once I laughed so hard I think I scared a Marina Girl. I’m telling you: Episode 8. Mos Def. Trust me.

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However, as I suddenly find myself with a little more time on my hands and no more long flights on the horizon (until I figure out how I want to cash in all those frequent flier miles, that is!), I’m rededicating myself to my pretty green efforts, with a little help from some of my favorite things.

1. Klean Kanteen Water Bottle with Sports Cap

I used to be a devoted Sigg girl, and I still think they’re great. But when I found this bottle at my local Whole Foods, I knew it was the one for me. The sports cap is great for the gym (though fair warning: it does squeak a bit. I choose to think of this as a way to educate the plastic-bottle-carrying girls in my kickboxing class. Squeak squeak, look at me, I’ve got an awesome reusable bottle!). Mine’s orange (go Giants!) but they come in tons of great colors. Plus, they’re BPA-free and responsibly made. Find one near you here.

2. My Kindle

Like many others, I resisted the Kindle for a long time. How could it replace the feel of a real book in your hand, or the smell of a great bookstore (am I the only one who loves the way bookstores smell?)? But after losing a book I was excited about on my flight to Thailand, I finally caved, and I’m so glad I did. I’ve been reading more than ever, love that I can instantly buy a new book as soon as I finish the last, and honestly find it much more comfortable and easier to hold than a paperback. I know there’s been some debate about how green Kindles really are, but after reading a report that says “printed books have the highest per-unit carbon footprint,” and “on average, the carbon emitted over the life of the device is offset after the first year of use,” I feel comfortable with the decision. Of course, I still continue to visit and support my favorite local bookstore, and think books make wonderful gifts. Some of my favorite reads since I bought the Kindle: The Help, Sarah’s Key, Bossypants, The Glass Castle and Spoiled. What are you reading? Any recommendations?

3. The Train

You know what’s awesome? Taking the train. Over Memorial Day Weekend, I hopped on Amtrak and went down to visit my friend Janet of This Confetti Life (if you’re not already reading her blog, you must!). My friends in London teased me about the six hour each-way journey – “you know you could get from London to Paris and back to London and back to Paris in that amount of time” – but the hours flew by while I read my Kindle, chatted with my friendly fellow passengers, napped and visited the snack car. Before the trip, I didn’t know what to expect, but I was beyond impressed. The seats were huge and comfortable, the staff was friendly, funny and helpful, and the scenery was great. It’s so much easier than traveling by plane: you can bring liquids on board, you don’t have to get there hours in advance, and it’s generally pretty darn affordable.  Plus, there’s that little matter of your carbon footprint. According to this Newsweek article, “Hands down, traveling by rail is the most fuel-efficient and least-carbon-intensive way you can go.” All aboard!

So there you have it: a few of my favorite pretty green things. What are your favorite eco-friendly discoveries or rediscoveries of late?

Yup, Christmas is tomorrow. Never fear, procrastinators and last minute shoppers! A Foodzie Tasting Box is the perfect gift for any foodie on your list. If you don’t know Foodzie, check them out! They’re a great online marketplace for small, artisan food producers. I’ve had the privilege to get to know some of the lovely people who work for Foodzie, and to taste many of the fabulous treats they sell, and I can promise your gift recipient won’t be disappointed, as long as they like food! Plus, each month Foodzie shares the stories of each food producer, so you know where your food comes from, and who made it.

The tasting box is available for 3 ($55), 6 ($100) and 9 ($200) month subscriptions. Inside, your lucky giftee will get 5-7 hand-picked samples from Foodzie producers. Past boxes have included Maitelates Alfajores Cookies, Amella Passion Fruit Caramels , The Spice Lab’s Salts of the World and The Redhead’s Bacon Peanut Brittles. You can either send the gift instantly to the recipient’s email address, or have it sent to you and send and schedule the box when you’d like.

PS: You can totally order Tasting Boxes for yourself, by the way. I think I just might.

Amella Passion Fruit Caramels on Foodzie

Persian Blue Sea Salt from The Spice Lab on Foodzie

Maitelates Alfajores Cookies on Foodzie

Who doesn’t love Etsy, right? If you’re not familiar with the site, get yourself over there immediately! It’s an adorable little place filled with handmade and vintage items, including art, clothing, jewelry, paper goods, home decor and more.

Recently, I discovered a very handy little link on the site. After doing a search for an item, click on Local Items on the left sidebar. For example, I searched for birds, and found 652 results in San Francisco. You can also go straight to Local Shops in your area, and browse that way. Choose an item you like, like these adorable little bird earrings (a gift for your favorite Twitter addict, perhaps?), and contact the seller. Many will be willing to work out an in-person pick up. You’ll avoid the lines, support a local business and give a totally unique and charming gift.

I checked out the local options for several different search terms in various cities, so hopefully you can find some great stuff in your area!

Some other favorites in my area. What did you find in your local Etsy shops?

Adorable tote bag

10 Speed pillowcases (I know someone who might like these!)

Leaves dipping dish

Owl magnifying glass necklace

If you find something, I’d love to hear about it! Let me know in the comments.

I’d love it if you checked it out, or helped spread the word.

Happy Holidays!

I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to write this post. I’ve had a Soda Stream for over a year and I love it. LOVE it. I’m addicted to fizzy water, but always felt guilty about buying those green glass bottles, both for the packaging – even if it is glass – and because most of them are imported. For full disclosure (hi FTC! Merry Christmas!), Soda Stream sent me one of their soda makers to try out, but I truly love it, and would have bought one myself if they hadn’t.

So, for any sparkling water lovers in your life, here’s the perfect gift! It couldn’t be easier – attach the carbonator, fill the BPA-free bottle with water (I always keep an extra bottle cold in the fridge), screw it into the maker, press the button on the top a few times, wait for the somewhat loud (and, um, a little awkward) noise and voila! Bubbly water, deep from the crystal streams of your own tap. You can even mix the water with soda flavoring, though I must say I wasn’t a fan of the ingredient list on the flavorings that came with the Soda Stream (I gave them away on Craigslist), and would prefer to make my own soda syrup, though I nearly always drink the water plain or with a squeeze of citrus. Or, ok, occasionally in an egg cream. When your carbonator runs out, bring it into one of their authorized retailers to exchange for a new one at a discount, or arrange a pick-up and exchange online.

Available in a variety of colors and models, you should definitely be able to find something that works with anyone’s style. You can find the Soda Stream at Macy’s, Bed Bath and Beyond (bring your 20% off coupon!), Crate and Barrel, Sur La Table, Sears, Williams Sonoma and more. SF Locals: The always awesome Cole Hardware sells them as well. Note: There are a bunch of different varieties, so I’d suggest calling ahead to see what your local store has in stock.

Perfect paired with: Stainless steel straws

For more information on how the Soda Stream is green, click here.

I just returned from a trip to London (again). I rented an apartment in Notting Hill, three blocks from that book shop in the movie. You know the one. Sadly, there were no Hugh sightings, but the neighborhood was charming and a lot of fun. I had a lovely trip, filled with cupcakes, friends and even a Thanksgiving abroad. But still, I can’t help but have a nagging feeling about how far I flew to get there. To help ease a bit of the guilt over all this traveling I’ve been doing, here’s how I keep my trips as eco-friendly as possible. No, it doesn’t make up for all that fossil fuel, but it’s a start.

7 Simple Eco-Friendly Tips To Ease the Travel Guilt

1. Bring a reusable water bottle
Sure, it can be a bit bulky, but I never leave home without my Sigg. I make sure to drink up what’s left in it before I go through airport security, then find a water fountain once I’m in the clear to have liquids on me again. This keeps me hydrated at the airport, on the flight and throughout my trip, no plastic water bottles or plastic cups required. Besides, have you heard what’s in the ice on airplanes? Ick.

2. Bring your own food
A good meal or snack is always on my Day Of packing list. It’s rare that airports have healthy and tasty food options, and it’s pretty much a guarantee that anything you pick up is going to come in wasteful packaging. Save the waste (and the calories) and bring your own. I like packing a good, well-balanced meal and a fun treat, like a healthy sandwich, a vegetable side dish and a baguette with a chunk of dark chocolate. I tote my food in my own Tupperware, which I can then reuse throughout my trip for leftovers or keeping my suitcase organized.

3. Visit a Farmers Market
One of the first things I like to do when I book a trip is figure out where the nearest Farmers Market is. On an earlier trip to London, I was pleasantly surprised to find a wonderful market a short walk from my friend’s house in Bermondsey. We stocked up on fabulous produce and meat, and ate for days. Sure, I love eating out on vacation – and you might not have a kitchen where you’re staying – but seeing what’s local and in season in a particular area, and at the very least picking up a few snacks, is a great eco-travel experience. For travels in the US, check out Local Harvest; everywhere else, turn to my good friend Google.

4. Pack your own silverware
Did you know those forks and spoons made of corn and potato starch aren’t actually compostable if you don’t, you know, compost them? However, one thing they definitely are: totally reusable. If you have to grab one, and it doesn’t melt in your soup, save it! I also like to wrap up a fork, knife and spoon in a dish towel, secure it with a rubber band (maybe even one of those fat purple ones that came wrapped around your broccoli stems), and toss it in my purse. Instant lunch set!

Thankful I had this fork in my purse for a delicious but sticky Almond Orange Cake with Chocolate Fondant at Ottolenghi

5. Unplug everything before you leave
This is a good thing to do anyway (my Dad says he always knows when I’ve been to his house, because he finds his toaster unplugged), but it’s especially important to remember to unplug appliances before you go out of town. When you’re leaving on a trip, it’s time to pull the plug and flip the switch. Your TV, alarm clock, microwave and floor lamps don’t need any power while you’re out of the house. The environment (and your electricity bill) will thank you.

6. Exercise outside
Speaking of unplugging, travel is the perfect excuse to get away from the treadmill or elliptical hamster wheel. There’s no better way to explore a city than by foot. A run through town is a great way to see a different side to your travel destination. And remember to pack comfortable shoes for all that walking you’re sure to be doing!

7. Buy locally made
Since you’ve already flown the miles, why not do a little importing yourself? Keep an eye out for fabulous, locally made products. Be sure to look for things actually made in the country or area you’re in, and not tourist items made in China! Besides, it’s a lot of fun when someone asks where you got a certain something, and you can oh-so-casually respond, “Oh, in London (or Spain or Hawaii or Kansas).”

What do you do to make your travels as eco-friendly as possible?”

But the tide has finally turned. A few weeks ago, the butternut squash gnocchi my friends and I made last year came up in conversation, and I was sold. I even suggested making a pumpkin bread with fresh whipped cream on the side for dessert. Double squash. Fall Fiesta was born.

Last week, we showed up early at my friend Sophie’s house. My friend Jen had roasted a b’nut squash from her aptly-titled CSA, Eating with the Seasons, the one I used to belong to and sometimes wish I still did. I mashed the squash with my hands and a fork, while Jen prepared the pumpkin batter. Sophie ran down to the store to get bread, which we ate with some of our favorite cheeses as an appetizer. We rounded things out with a bottle of Viognier from my wine club, and some kale chips. I can’t have a plate without greens! It was fantastic. Winter squash, I’m sorry I doubted you. Eating with the seasons never tasted so good.

Not biscotti! The gnocchi dough, before rolling into ropes

Butternut Squash Gnocchi with Brown Butter, adapted from Sunset

Gnocchi:
1  butternut squash
About 1/2 tsp. salt
1/4  teaspoon  ground pepper
1/4  teaspoon  freshly ground nutmeg
3  to 3 1/2 cups flour, plus more for shaping (likely much less than this, but have this on hand)

Toppings:
3 tablespoons butter (or more!)
Freshly grated Parmesan

Roast butternut squash (can be done a day in advance). Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut squash in half, and place halves flesh-side up on a baking sheet. Remove seeds and pulp. Make sure you have a good knife, and be careful! Roast for 25-30 minutes or until soft. You can also roast the squash whole if you prefer not to cut it in half first – it will just take longer, up to an hour.

Note: the original recipe calls for microwaving the squash. I prefer the roasted flavor, but if you are pressed for time, you can stab the squash with a fork or knife, as you would a baking potato, and microwave for 10 minutes or until tender. Let cool, then cut in half.

Once cooled, scoop out 2 cups of the cooked squash into a bowl. Save the rest for later, or make a double batch if you’ve got lots of squash. We had a medium-sized b’nut, and easily got 4 cups out of it. Mash it with a combination of a fork and your hands (it’s fun!). Once the squash is completely mashed, add salt, pepper and nutmeg. Stir in flour until a dough forms. Note: we used quite a bit less flour than the recipe called for. We simply added until the texture seemed right to roll out – not too sticky, not too dry. You’ll know it when you’re there.

Knead the dough about 10 times on a floured surface. On the same floured surface, divide the dough into pieces and roll into thick ropes, about 3/4 an inch or so. Cut ropes into 1/2 inch long pieces. Place pieces on a floured baking sheet.

Boil a big pot of salted water. Add gnocchi in batches, until they float to the surface, about 4 minutes. Lift out of water with a slotted spoon and drain.

Meanwhile, make your brown butter. Heat a skillet on medium, and add your butter. Stir as it melts. It will become foamy, and then the foam will subside. Heat until it becomes light brown and smells nutty. Be careful to catch it before burning.

Toss your gnocchi with the brown butter, and top with lots of grated Parmesan. Enjoy!