As I walked, still half asleep, to my subway stop this morning, I noticed a bright green smart fortwo covered in advertisements for Green Apple Cleaners (the non-toxic, CO2 based dry cleaners) parked just by the entrance to the station. Oh, look at that, they're advertising in Brooklyn, I thought.
This shot's is as blurry as my vision was.
I had heard from David Kistner, CEO of Green Apple Cleaners, last year that there would be a Brooklyn store opening this year. For some reason, I imagined it in Brooklyn Heights or Carroll Gardens. But much to my delight, it's right next door in North Park Slope. Hurray!
It's the little things that get me excited. Now I can take all of those delicates, sweaters, and dress shirts out of the "handwash" pile that's been accumulating for months -- I'd been handwashing with The Laundress
The new Brooklyn location of Green Apple Cleaners is located at:
78 7th Ave (nr Berkeley)
Park Slope BKLYN
View Larger Map
10 April 2009
green apple cleaners, in my 'hood!
09 April 2009
lovefast and bikram
Now I understand why some people who do Bikram yoga are into raw food. I hadn't been to Bikram in over a week and was curious as to how I would feel being on this detoxifying diet. Before I even got all hot and sweaty, I could see the glow on my face (in Bikram yoga, everyone faces a mirror -- it takes getting used to). I was able to participate in the class at the same level I usually do, but something felt different. Some asanas just seemed a little easier -- mainly camel (Ustrasana, pictured above), seated forward bend (Paschimottanasana), and seated spinal twist (Ardha Matsyendrasana). I guess everything was a little freer to move inside of me, there was little obstruction, so to speak.
I didn't feel weak, I didn't feel hungry. Those were my original fears. Guess there was nothing to worry about.
Related posts
climate prodigy coming to amnh
This coming Tuesday, Alec Loorz, 14, founder of Kids vs Global Warming, will be speaking at the Museum of Natural History. He was trained by Al Gore, and is his youngest US-trained climate presenter. (Not sure why the caveat of "US," Al must be busy training other kids around the globe).
Details on the event below.
And here's a little bit about the non-profit he started, from Alec himself. Spoken like a true 14 year old, and I mean that in a good way.
Tuesday, April 14, 1 pm
American Museum of Natural History
Kaufmann Theater, first floor
Alec Loorz, a 14-year-old from Ventura, California, founded Kids vs. Global Warming, a youth-inspired and youth-led non-profit organization, two years ago, after watching Al Gore’s movie, “An Inconvenient Truth.” Feeling the weight of the global situation and a sense that he could make a difference, Alec became an impassioned environmentalist with a desire to educate kids about global warming and empower them to take action. In this talk at AMNH, Alec will share his message of hope with an audience of students and Museum visitors. He will suggest ways for kids to get involved in protecting the environment. A question-and-answer session will follow the presentation.
Last October, Alec was invited by Al Gore to be formally trained with The Climate Project and is now their youngest U.S.-trained presenter. Following this presentation at the Museum, Alec will be speaking at the United Nations during the upcoming “Global Partners for Global Solutions” conference on April 15.
lovefast day 4
Sorry this picture is all a-blur.
I'm high on raw, vegan spicy burrito. This stuff is amazing! (and I feel incredible).
Spicy Burrito: Lentils, parsnip, cilantro, oregano, coriander, jalapenos, cumin, chipotle, olive oil, lime juice, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, onions, garlic, coconut, walnuts, sage, miso, bell peppers, flax seed, lemon juice, chili powder, black pepper, mesquite, sea salt
If you live in NYC and want to try it out, head on down to Organic Avenue, now at two locations:
LES
101 Stanton St (btw Orchard and Ludlow)
WV
43 Eighth Ave (btw Jane and Horatio)
The lovefast continues...
i think my cable's out by i don't care, except...
Last night I got home and there was a big fat goose egg on the display of the cable box. Didn't bother me any 'cause I haven't turned the TV on since my boyfriend's been in LA all week. Until now. I just read that there's a PBS special on Appalachia tonight. What's so special about that?
Well, for one: The Appalachians are the nation's oldest and the world's most biologically diverse mountains. Really? Go on!
The Appalachians are at risk for more mountaintop removal coal mining if the hungry coal machines aren't stopped. Find out more about this topic at iLoveMountains.org
Too bad I won't be able to watch the series, but I can read about it on the website.
Appalachia: A History of Mountains and People
Airs tonight @10pm on PBS
Check your local listings!
Thanks to Rob Perks on the NRDC Switchboard for the tip off.
buzzin' and a-bumblin'
I feel all abuzz and I'm going to thank the lovefast for it.
I'm also feeling buzzed 'cause the bees in NYC are getting some new attention. I've mentioned before that beekeeping is illegal in this crazy city... even pointed readers in the direction of a petition to make raising the little pollinators legal.
Well Brooklyn Based blog (3 bees!) has done me one better. Read all about the secret beekeeping societies popping up in NYC -- started, of course, in the bee-lovin' borough of Brooklyn! And find out how you can learn to be a beekeeper and reap the benefits of a honey harvest from your very own hush-hush hive.
Thanks, Brooklyn Based!
john masters awesome lotion
John Masters Organics Blood Orange & Vanilla Body Milk
Get on it, and get it on you!
Rich and silky with a scrumptious scent of blood orange and vanilla. What else is there to say other than, this lotion is awesome!
I guess I could also tell you that it's made with nothin' but the good stuff. See fo' yo'self:
Ingredients: Aloe barbadensis (aloe vera leaf juice) gel,* aqua (water), helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil,* coco nucifera (coconut) oil,* glyceryl stearate, glycerin, lecithin, allantoin (comfrey-derived), panthenol (vitamin B5), tocopherol, cyamopsis tetragonolobus (guar) gum,* retinyl palmitate (vitamin A), xanthan gum, kelp extract, silybum marianum (milk thistle) extract, symphytum officinale(comfrey) leaf extract,* chamomilla recutica (chamomile) flower extract,* camellia sinensis (white tea) extract,* arnica montana (arnica) extract,* lavandula angustifolia (lavender) flower/leaf/ stem extract,* vanilla planifolia (vanilla) extract,* lonicera caprifolium (honeysuckle) flower extract, citrus sinensis (blood orange) oil,* citrus grandis (grapefruit) peel oil,* bourbon vanilla planifolia (bourbon vanilla) oil*
*Certified Organic by QAI/CCOF
Wild-crafted
Ingredients and products are never tested on animals.
It may be a luxury for some at $18 for 8 oz, but ya gotta pamper yourself once in a while.
artisanal and just food make a great pairing
I'll be at the Brooklyn Food Conference May 2nd, but if that's not your thang, check out this great event:
Saturday May 2nd, 3:00 - 5:00 pm
The Artisanal Premium Cheese Center
500 W 37th Street, New York, NY 10018
Celebrate the rich bounty of out local Northeast region as Artisanal partners with Just Food, to bring you the delicious flavors of local cheeses and wines. We will enjoy hand-crafted regional cheeses, and explore the rich tastes our region produces. Part of your payment for this class will benefit Just Food.
$85.00
Tickets available at Artisanal.
Just Food is a non-profit organization that works to develop a just and sustainable food system in the New York City region.
08 April 2009
spawn of punky
Remember little Punky Brewster, cute and sassy chica -- snazzy dresser of 80s sitcom fame?
Alright, her name is Soleil Moon Frye and I think she's long been past the Punky phase. Anyway, a couple of years ago she launched an online kids' shop stocked with adorable eco frocks and essentials for the little ones. It's called The Little Seed. Frye and her partner (Paige Goldberg Tolmach) have created a marketplace where environmentally savvy parents can stock up for baby and learn about ways to create a safe, non-toxic space for their child.
They carry high-quality brands like Under the Nile and Kate Quinn Organics. Products include clothing, furniture, baby carriers, and toys. They also have a blog to keep you up-to-date on the shop and related eco stories.
(Psssst... Thanks for the tip, Ali!)
does anyone know php?
Okay, this is completely off topic. I'm working on the new website (http://raganella.com) and have hit a wall programming the blog portion. I've migrated it and all, but I need to create a custom theme to make it look all nicey-nice like the rest of the site. So my question to y'all is this: does anyone know PHP? or know anyone who knows PHP? I really just need someone to talk me through it. I've seen the online tutorials, but I need some live support.
Anyone?
Bueller?
let me clear things up...
I've received a couple of concerned calls about the last post. I just want to tell you all -- I am feeling fine! I guess I hit "publish post" without realizing that what I wrote sounded wan and desperate. Really, it's far from it. Right now, I am feeling fully satiated by the chocolate coconut macaroons I just ate. Feeling very full in fact.
(See, happy as a clam >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>)
It's like I said in the last post, during the day I feel a little whiny. There may be more than one reason for that: a) the fast seems the most obvious, b) lack of sleep (my honey's away in LA), c) PMS (hate to get that personal, but hey, dems da breaks), d) I haven't gone to Bikram in over a week.
At night, I feel great. Relaxed, at peace, what have you. Everything's hunky dory.
Okay, just wanted to clear that up.
Enjoy the evening!
PS, this is all about the fast, read more if you don't know what the hay I'm talkin' 'bout (or just scroll down and you'll get the picture).
fried chicken, get away!
Some of my colleagues are eating fried chicken. It looks and smells awesome. If I sit near them drool might start dribbling down my chin. I might push it off the table onto the carpet in protest. So I'm just going to enjoy my Ginger Almond Nori Roll -- alone. It's awesome, just in a different way.
I deliberately eat more slowly than I normally would (and if you ask my friends, they'll tell you I'm already a very slow eater). The finite nature of the day's meals make me carefully consider how I eat. I pay attention to each bite and think about how it will sustain me until the next course.
It takes me over 40 minutes to eat 6 pieces of nori roll. Normally, it might take me 10.
A bit later... It has only been about 35 minutes since I ate lunch and I am hungry and light-headed. What's that about? I just want to make some lemon ginger tea, but don't know if that's off limits right now. Anything to make these feelings subside. I guess I'll go and get a cup of tasteless hot water.
Can't concentrate. I think it's from the lack of sleep for the past 3 nights. I could use a nap.
I've noticed that during the day, when I'm working, I feel like a whiny baby. Bouts of hunger, bouts of wooziness, lack of concentration. But as soon as I leave I am calm, almost catatonic in my composure. When I get home, there is nothing to complain about, I feel good. And I look back and wonder why I was a whiny baby all day. It's more than the fast that's making me feel this way. There is a lesson in here somewhere... Don't work! ;)
What's this post all about?
Read my l.o.v.e. (live organic vegan experience)
day 3 of the lovefast - some pondering
"Die fünf Sinne" (The five senses), Hans Makart (1840 - 1884)
It's day 3 of the live organic vegan experience and I'm feeling fine, despite sleeping like crap last night. From now on, I'm going to skip the formalities and try not to bore you with the minute-by-minute report.
On my way to pick up today's 7 goodies, I was thinking about the art of raw food. It really is a creative venture in food preparation. The ingredients are wholesome and beneficial, each raw, whole food is selected for both its nutritional benefits and its flavor. The food is vibrant and colorful, indicating that it is rich with nutrients. The combination of elements almost seems like alchemy. The napa chipotle wrap I had on Monday was spicy, savory, and delicious -- you'd never know that it contained apricot, orange, and date. The falafels I ate yesterday really tasted like deep-fried falafel (without the grease) even though there was no cooking involved.
Eating is one of the only (if not the only) activities where you can experience all 5 senses. Sight: The color and patterns and topography are evident. They're part of what make food appealing. Would a strawberry be as enticing if it were pale pink or white instead of juicy dark red? Scent: The aromas coming out of the kitchen are sometimes enough to get me salivating. Sound: The crunch of celery on the cutting board is one of my favorite sounds. Chewing makes its own music. Touch: The feeling of ice cream as it cools the mouth, coats the tongue, and slides down the throat. The creaminess of an avocado. Taste: Savory, sweet, pungent, spicy, sour. If it weren't for flavor, would we enjoy eating? I know that if the food in this fast didn't taste good, I probably wouldn't be able to endure it.
It's noontime and I'm feeling kinda tingly all over. I try to hold onto this feeling. It kind of feels like being in yoga nidra, the yogic sleep.
Just as I was marveling at the lack of heartburn I've been experiencing, I think the little devil showed itself. I'm hoping it passes as soon as I sip down some veggie juice.
The "veggie vibrance" tastes a little different today. It's a little more muddled in color. I can't pinpoint which vegetable tipped the balance. I think it's carrot.
Still feeling the burn. I think last night's chocolate mousse might be to blame. It probably doesn't help that I ate it so late. I'm counting on some food to soothe the beast.
More lovefast musings in a bit...
