Fun Friday: Go Outside!

image courtesy of Crunchy Hippie

Hey you! Its the Friday before the first long weekend of summer...go outside! 

Pencil it in: Charles River Rummage

BeCause Water invites you to compete in the first official Charles River Rummage: a kayak clean-up competition for river protection and a cash prize! And get this, Boston Green Blog readers can get tickets for  50% off by using the code: canoefortwo

When: June 1, 2013; 1 pm - 3 pm

Where : 500 Broad Canal Way, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142 (Kendall Location)

Why: To protect the river! BeCause Water believes that the local community should celebrate one of the most well-known and coveted bodies of water in Greater Boston. The objective of the River Rummage is to educate participants on ways in which we can protect the river while enjoying it!

Details:
1:00 Kick-off introduction
1:30 – 2:30 Boats out!
Teams of 4 (2 double kayaks per team) will compete to collect as much MAN-MADE debris as possible in 1 hour of “rummaging” through the Charles River.
The team at the end who has the most weight of debris will win a  CASH PRIZE! There will also be prizes for 2nd and 3rd place.
BeCause Water will provide all equipment, including nets and kayaks.

Don't have a full team? Don't worry! E-mail  info@becausewater.com and you'll be matched up with fellow Rummagers!

Part of a bigger group (>4 people)? Bring everyone! We'll be giving shout-outs and prizes to bigger groups as well!

Directions: http://www.PaddleBoston.com/kendall/directions.php

RSVP Here.

Review Wednesday: Own Firming Silk Concentrate

Pros                                                         Cons  

-Great moisturizer                                     -Moderate price, $25 

-0 on Skin Deep database                         -Takes a while to absorb

-6.7 on Goodguide                                    -Easy to spill/waste

-Fragrance free                                         -Not easily available (try Whole Foods)

-Paraben free

-No animal testing

Conclusion: I am impressed with Own Firming Silk Concentrate. To be honest, I didn't see major anti-aging results, but I haven't with any product from any brand (suggestions welcome!). But the Own serum provided great moisturizer and scores very well on all of the third party rating tools I checked. In fact, this is the first cosmetic product that has scored a 0 hazard on EWG Skin Deep database! I loved using this product at night and waking up with perfectly glowing skin. I highly recommend this product for those with dry or sensitive skin. 

Green Tip Tuesday: Join NuRide

I just joined NuRide (associated with MassDOT and MassRIDES) - and I am pretty excited about it! After signing up and activating a NuRide account, members start receiving coupons, discounts, and rewards for every green trip logged. A green trip can include taking public transit, biking, walking, or carpooling. Users can also connect with other NuRide users on the website, which is great for finding commute buddies or putting together a carpool group.

And the rewards are awesome! Logging green trips, users get discounts at awesome retailers like Uncommon Goods, Green Mountain Coffee, ZipCar, National Geographic, Brookstone, and tons more!

New Perspectives: Sustainable Snacking for Spring

With its warmer temperatures, regular rainy days and increased sunshine, spring is one of the best times of year for fresh fruits and vegetables. To take full advantage of all your fresh options this spring, and to keep your body feeling great, try to incorporate seasonal produce into your daily diet and cooking.

The following fruits and veggies come into season in spring, particularly in April and May, and can be utilized in  dozens of delicious ways beyond your basic salad. Here are some yummy ideas for sustainable, natural ways to eat your favorite fresh foods this spring:

Avocados
Slice it on sandwiches, dice it up and mix it with chickpeas and tomatoes for a light salad, or mash it with lime juice, red onion and jalapeno for a spicy guacamole; there are a million ways to enjoy avocado. It’s
full of healthy fats and adds substance and flavor to any dish.

Asparagus
Asparagus makes an absolutely delicious side dish or healthy snack; simply drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper and roast. Alternatively, you can enjoy asparagus mixed up with pasta or added to salads.

Maple Syrup
Maple syrup is most commonly known for topping off pancakes and waffles, but you can do so much  more with this sweet seasonal treat. It’s great for baking, whether you’re making candies, cookies, cakes or donuts, and it can also be used in marinades, dips and sauces.

Peas
Tiny and bright green, peas are the perfect veggie to represent spring freshness. Eat them warm with some butter and salt, add them to orzo and pasta for a pop of color or try making your own wasabi peas for a completely addicting but healthy spring snack.

Spring Onions
Related to green onions, spring onions can be used in a wide variety of ways, from frittatas, tarts and couscous to crepes and even homemade onion rings. They add slightly more flavor to dishes than your
average scallions; try experimenting with them grilled as a side dish or chopped up in a casserole.

Strawberries
Strawberries are delicious eaten on their own; their natural sweetness makes them crave-worthy spring snacks. They also provide a nice contrast to leafy greens when you toss them in a salad, and are great mixed into yogurt, baked into muffins or sliced on top of pound cake for a light dessert.


Maple Yogurt Dip
This recipe for maple yogurt dip is the perfect way to indulge in maple syrup at any time of day. Serve it with fresh fruit, pita chips or baked sweet potato fries for an easy snack or appetizer.

• 1 qt plain yogurt
• 2 tsp maple flavor/extract
• T Tbsp honey or maple syrup

Mix well and serve with fruit or sweet potato fries.
Optional: Drain the yogurt in a cheese cloth for a thicker, richer dip.


Author Bio: This is a guest post by Meredith K. on behalf of Alexia Foods. For sweet potato fries and other
frozen appetizers to snack on this spring, visit www.alexiafoods.com.

Fun Friday: Recap of Eva & Paul Trunk Show

On Wednesday night I went over to the iLab at Harvard Business school to check out the Eva & Paul Kickstarter. Founder, Julia Kastner, describes her line of jeans as "sustainable and stylish denim with a thoughtful approach to fit." The jeans are made with organic cotton and processed at a mill in India that uses fewer harsh chemicals and less water than typical denim mills. The denim is then sewn into the three styles (skinny, boot cut, and trouser) in New York City's garment district.

After the tragic garment factory collapse in Bangladesh last month and yesterday's deadly shoe factory collapse in Cambodia, it is more important than ever before to be aware of where your clothing comes from and to pay fairly for it. Eva & Paul is not only committed to selling jeans with a minimal environmental impact, but also to pay workers fairly. A friend of Kastner's from business school has direct ties to the Indian mill where the denim is produced. And since the jeans are sewn in the U.S., it is easy for Kastner to ensure the whole supply chain of Eva & Paul is fair. 

So how'd they fit? I tried on the skinnies and the trousers and they both fit really well around my waist. Girls are itching for jeans with a higher waist because, lets be honest,  super-low-rise is only flattering on a tiny percentage of women. The waist of the Eva & Paul jeans were just perfect: high without being "mom jeans." The fabric is super soft and the pockets have the cutest fabric on the interior (which is also made by Indian artisans). I didn't buy a pair, but .... when I need new jeans, Eva & Paul will definitely be at the top of my list!

Learn more about Eva & Paul.

Pencil It In: May Boston Green Drinks

Due to the Memorial Day holiday, Boston Green Drinks will take place on May 21, 2013 rather than the usual last Tuesday of the month.

When: May 21, 2013, 6pm - 8pm

Where: Kingston Station, 25 Kingston St., Boston, MA

Why: Join the conversation with sustainability professionals and hobbyists.  Enjoy a drink and build your connection with the green community!

Please register here.