Ma Vie en Vert

Sweet on Earth

2011-02-10T05:26:00.000-08:00

Lovely and delicious Valentine's Day idea! The set comes with tasting instructions and notes sheets, plus five bars from Fair Trade company Theo Chocolate in flavors like cherry and almond, 84% dark, and fig, fennel, and almond.

Industrial Artist Patrick Marold Aetheticizes Wind Power

2009-08-13T05:48:00.000-07:00

Patrick Marold developed his innovative "Windmill Project" while on a Fulbright scholarship in Iceland (where he lived in darkness most of the year!).

He's brought the project to Vermont: He and a team of volunteers set up 1,000 polycarbonate poles in Technology Park (in South Burlington). Each pole is "topped by three aluminum cups that, when moved by the wind, power a small built-in generator attached to an LED that sends light down into the shaft." (via Burlington Free Press story).

Marold's project is part of a greater art exhibit presented by Burlington City Arts titled "Human=Landscape: Aesthetics of a Carbon-Constrained World." BCA has partnered with ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center and the University of Vermont to present the show as part of "Energy Project Vermont."

Watch for my Artscope review about the show and project this September! In the meantime, enjoy this neat video shot by the Burlington Free Press.

The House That Tweets Its Energy Usage (And More)

2009-07-24T06:30:00.001-07:00

Here is a novel way to monitor your energy usage - tweet all about it. Residential energy use accounts for a little over 20% of US energy consumption and therefore represents a great opportunity for savings and efficiency.

To start monitoring your own home, there are some helpful first steps from the team over at Worldchanging.com. You can also investigate tools offered by Google, iPhone applications and a Kill-a-Watt monitor.

Here in Vermont, residents can loan one of Efficiency Vermont's "Watts Up Electric Meters," which can be used to measure how much electricity your appliances use. With this information, you'll be better able to identify the connection between your appliance use and your electric bills.

Efficiency Vermont offers the meters free of charge for a period of three weeks to Vermont electric utility ratepayers. Learn more here.

Take Me to the (Art) Fair!

2009-07-11T16:54:00.000-07:00

Burlington's celebration of the quadricentennial marking Samuel de Champlain's discovery of Lake Champlain has been in full gear for the past two weeks. Native American-themed feasts at local restos like Magnolia, traditional song and dance from Native American and French ensembles, even a parade today (in the rain).

Personally, I'm looking forward to the plein-air paint out hosted by the Vermont Watercolor Society (that's set for August 14-16).

The celebration of local art was one reason I was so excited to go to the first-ever Art Fair, hosted by Burlington City Arts. Down on the Burlington waterfront, inside a cavernous white tent was a series of gallery-like spaces - simple white walls adorned with some amazing, provocative and must-have local Vermont art. When I ran into Amanda Sanfilippo, assistant curator at the Firehouse Gallery, she called it Burlington's own Art Basel.

Here is a taste of what I'd love to have in my personal collection.

Dorothy Martinez's "Winter Blue" for above my bed...

Kat Clear's "Works in Metal" for a decidedly modern outdoor garden...

Lisa Lillibridge's paintings on carved wood, perfect for a child's room or play space...

A meditative painting by Helen Shulman for the office (calm-inducing art necessary for hectic days on the job!)...

I think Charlie Hunter's monochromatic oils on canvas would look gorgeous on a bare white wall above a white sofa...

A trio from Casey Blanchard's "Prayer" series for the place at home you go to get away from it all...

To Cook List: Raspberry Souffles

2009-07-09T14:49:00.000-07:00

These look too delicious to not make...I know from the movie Sabrina (and Top Chef) that a souffle is one of the cooking world's tests of culinary mettle, but I'm willing to take a try.

Raspberry Souffle

inspired by The Art and Soul of Baking

(via Eating Outloud)

1 teaspoon butter (for greasing ramekins)
6 oz fresh raspberries
1/4 cup, plus 2 teaspoons sugar
4 egg whites

Preheat oven to 400F (200C)
Butter the insides of six 1/2 cup ramekins
Puree raspberries in a blender or food processor, then strain through a fine mesh sieve to remove the seeds. I considered leaving the seeds in until I realized just how prolific they are — you really need to strain the puree. You should yield about 1/2 cup after straining.
Add 2 teaspoons sugar to the strained puree and set aside
In a mixer, beat four egg whites until they begin to thicken. Continue to beat the whites while you slowly add 1/4 cup sugar. Mix until egg whites form stiff peaks and are glossy.
Add 1/3 of the egg whites to the puree and slowly fold in. Continue by adding the remaining egg whites, folding in until no white streaks remain.
Spoon the souffle batter into the ramekins, filling to the top and leveling off with the back of a spatula.
Place filled ramekins on a baking sheet and bake on a rack positioned in the bottom 1/3 of the oven.
Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the souffle rises 1/2″ above the rim.
Serve immediately with a sprinkle of powdered sugar!

Strawberry Jammin'

2009-07-05T17:13:00.001-07:00

This past weekend, I made my very first batch of strawberry jam...and surprise: it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. As a matter of fact, it was fun (and delicious) and I can't wait to do it again!

Here is my finished product. Scroll down for a step-by-step look at how the berries went from field to jar in one short weekend.

Picking berries with my little sis at the Charlotte Berry Farm. Doesn't she look thrilled? Actually, she was a force to be reckoned with in the strawberry patch. She out-picked me by three small bushels!

Hulling berries at home in the kitchen. It's actually a Zen-like experience. Don't forget to eat a few berries along the way!

Sugaring the pot. Three cups of sugar per six cups of freshly picked berries. Makes one large Mason jar of jam.

After the sugar has melted, toss in the berries and stir. Ensure that all the sugar is melted and absorbed by the berries and berry liquid.

Let the berries simmer for an hour (enjoy the aroma that will waft throughout your house!). Then, take a coffee break. I like iced mochaccinos with whipped cream, topped off with a sprinkle of Madagascar Vanilla Sugar. You can order it through the King Arthur Flour Bake Shop.

Ahh the berries are simmering nicely. You can see that a foam is starting the form and the berries are getting darker. We're almost done!

It's been an hour and the berries are very dark. Carefully ladle the hot jam into a jar. Once you've filled it up, flip the jar over to that it is sitting on its top. This creates a vacuum seal - no tricky paraffin wax necessary. Let it sit for the night. Go to bed very satisfied with yourself and enjoy dreams of next morning's breakfast!

The next morning, open the jar of jam and enjoy. I like to have it on an English Muffin! The ideal way to start the day!

How to Build a Eco-Smart Green Home

2009-06-30T14:16:00.000-07:00

Check out this neat Sprig video that showcases an interview and tour with London-based architect Luke Tozer, director of Pitman Tozer Architects. As Sprig reports, the house has a tiny carbon footprint and an even tinier actual footprint: it's only eight feet across on the street side!

Take a look:

Making Your Beauty Regime Earth-Friendly in Four Easy Steps

2009-04-20T11:21:00.000-07:00

Dear Ma Vie en Vert,

I'm ready to pitch out my old beauty products, and I'm wondering which new, more environmentally-friendly products I should add to my makeup bag. Where to start?

Best,
Lipgloss Princess

Dear Lipgloss Princess,

Navigating the natural and organic beauty products world is definitely tricky. There are no standard regulations yet, but, if you're a savvy shopper who does a little extra reading and digging, you can find nee plus ultra beauty tools that are less harmful for the planet. Here are some quick tips to get you started:

Know Your Definitions. "Natural" means the product is made from plant, mineral or animal by-product whereas "organic" refers to how an ingredient was cultivated -- for example, without pesticides, chemical fertilizers, growth hormones or antibiotics. Beware the term natural. Just because a product is labeled natural does not mean those ingredients were cultivated sustainably.

Read Those Labels. There are no over-arching certifications for natural or organic products at this point; however, there are some helpful labels out there, including USDA National Organic Program, Eco Cert, CosmeBio and Natural Products Association Certification.

Do More Research. It can be cumbersome, but before hitting the "click to buy" button at Sephora, look up your products of choice at the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics page or the Cosmetics Safety Database. Here, you will learn the contents of the products, particularly chemicals of concern like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), both potentially harmful ingredients found in shampoos and known to cause skin irritation.

Recycle! Origins (an amazing brand with wonderful products. Love their White Tea moisturizer) has a "Return to Origins" recycling program -- they will recycle any beauty brand's containers. Stop by the nearest Origins retail counter near you (in Vermont, there is one in the Macy's in Burlington).

OK, now enough with the lesson, how about some product recommendations? Here are my suggestions for you:

L'Oreal EverPure Moisture Shampoo

EverPure Color Care products are 100% vegan and contain naturally-derived cleansing ingredients with no harsh, color-stripping sulfates or salts. An exclusive Anti-Fade System protects and conditions for long-lasting color purity. More here.

Physician's Formula Organic Wear 100% Natural Origin Mascara

Revolutionary 100% Natural Origin formula contains the purest ingredients. The 100 percent recyclable eco-brush defines each lash with ultra-soft plastic bristles. 100 percent free of harsh chemicals, synthetic preservatives, parabens, clumping, smudging, flaking, fibers and dyes. More here. PF's foundations are nice too and not too expensive either!

Aveda Petal Essence Eye Definer

FSC logo on pencil indicates the wood came from well-managed forests certified in accordance with the rules of the Forest Stewardship Council. More here.

Burt's Bees Super Shiny Lip Gloss
100% natural. Doesn't get any better than that. Oh, and their CEO is president of the Natural Products Association. More here. Maybelline's new Mineral Power line has also been celebrated for its natural and organic lip colors, made from shea butter and jojoba oil with no heavy waxes or preservatives. More here. Lip glosses are a territory where a lot of brands are jumping in. I know that Lancome has a special organic line of its Juicy Tubes, too (which are fabulous!).

Tarte "A Perfect Whirled" Limited-Edition Natural Swirl Cheek Stain

Well, Tarte is very committed to being eco-friendly, so you should check out all of their offerings. I love cheek stain so this I think is perfect. It's loaded with naturally occurring, antioxidant rich nutrients and vitamins that have been known to deliver refining, anti-aging and skin-restorative benefits with each application. Plus, it comes in recyclable packaging. More here.

Origins "A Perfect World" Liquid Moisture with White Tea

A great look starts with great skin. History tells us that Chinese emperors of the Song Dynasty enjoyed white tea for its exquisite taste and fragrant, flowery aroma. The magic drink was prized for relieving fatigue, delighting the soul, strengthening the will and enhancing vision. Origins' moisturizer protects skin against the damaging effects of oxidative stress, creating a protective bubble around skin. More here.

I encourage you to check all of these brands out (including one of my favorites, Kiss My Face). You may also want to check into some newcomers too -- I know I'm excited to learn more about Josie Maran Cosmetics and Nature's Gate.

Readers, please chime in with more recommendations, tips and advice!

Earth Day Tip: Host a "Nostalgia Night"

2009-04-08T10:52:00.000-07:00

Don't you just love that scene in "Sex & the City: The Movie" in which our favorite gang of fashionistas get together at Carrie's apartment for an informal fashion show of Carrie's best-known ensembles throughout the years?

Well, if you want to create the fun for yourself, host your own "Nostalgia Night": Invite your friends over and ask them to bring at least 5 outfits they are looking to phase out of their closets, but this time, instead of boxing your things up to move them to a swanky apartment as Carrie does, give them to charity instead.

Here in Vermont, we have a very cool organization called the Clothing Exchange which was born in 2001, when a group of 15 fashion-conscious, community-minded women got together in Burlington, Vermont to swap the clothes they once loved, but rarely ever wore.

That first swap they recognized an opportunity to turn the gathering into a force for social change.

Now, they host an annual event in a large space in Burlington. In 2008, more than 450 women shopped The Burlington Clothes Exchange and helped raise a record $32,000. Now that's a reason to pop open a bottle of champagne!

22 Ways to Earth Day

2009-04-03T13:04:00.001-07:00

In the spirit of Earth Hour and in anticipation of Earth Day, I'm posting and "tweeting" each day about a sustainable habit or tip, or green activity in which I'm partaking.

The point is to show that living a sustainable life or building a sustainable community isn't about committing to one hour a year or one day, it's about changing and developing a sustainable lifestyle.

I hope you'll join me on Twitter and share your stories, tips, and activities with me and others. Simply post and use the hashtag #22ways!

The Institute for Sustainable Communities has already gotten in on the action. They are posting 22 actions communities around the world have taken to protect the planet. Here's what they have posted so far:

April 1 - Forging Partnerships: By assembling a task force of 20 community leaders, the city of Burlington, Vt. overcame years of rocky relations with the University of Vermont to pioneer affordable and green housing, including LEED-certified dormitories.

April 2 - Youth Power: In Pushchino, a windy city south of Moscow, teenagers weatherized 180 doorways in 45 buildings and 150 apartments of elderly residents and people with disabilities. Electricity use dropped by 130,000 kilowatt-hours, saving residents the equivalent of half their income each month.

April 3 - Saving Water: In Radom, Poland, a rapidly depleting aquifer propelled a community task force to install water conservation fixtures in 1,800 homes, reducing water use by 40% per household. This success—plus brochures, radio broadcasts, competitions, picnics, and bumper stickers—helped them gain support for a community-wide water conservation program.

And here are my tweet tips:

Earth Month Tip #3: Date Night. Visit Farmer’s Market. Let romance steam ovr local vegs. More tips here http://cli.gs/u6vL4E #22ways #green

Earth Month Tip #2: Have energy-efficient home? Host open house. This guy had 150 ppl visit http://cli.gs/3Ny12Y #22ways #green #earthtweet

Earth Month Tip #1: Get Eco-fashionable and support Healthy Child, Healthy World http://cli.gs/NH07GA #22ways #green #style #earthtweet

Ma Vie En Vert Video Podcast #1: Magnolia Bistro is Burlington's First Green-Certified Restaurant

2009-03-23T06:25:00.000-07:00

This is my first foray into integrating video into this blog (and my life). This video comes as a result of a videoblogging class I participated in at Vermont Community Access Media (VCAM) (an incredible resource for the inner Spielberg in all of us!).

This video is about one of my favorite Burlington restaurants -- Magnolia Bistro (I love the pumpkin bread French toast and le boyfriend loves the tofu scram). Hope you enjoy!

"Ma Vie en Vert" Video Podcast #1: Magnolia Bistro is Burlington's First Green-Certified Restaurant from Alexandra Tursi on Vimeo.

White House Gardening Present and Future

2009-03-22T08:36:00.000-07:00

Love this video from EatTheView.org.

The Garden of Eatin': A Short History of America's Garden from roger doiron on Vimeo.

Sex & the City Meets Sustainability

2009-03-15T08:10:00.001-07:00

Who said style and sustainability couldn't be synonymous?

For the gal looking to be chic and conscientious, but with no roadmap to get her there, Summer Rayne Oakes' new (and first) book Style, Naturally, looks to be an ideal set of directions. Oakes is a model/activist/Planet Green contributor/environmental expert (She got her masters in Environmental Science from Cornell!). Her book is geared to those new to the green scene and on the lookout for fabulous, eco-friendly fashion.

According to Treehugger (where Ms. Oakes is a regular contributor) "the approach is one of openly stylish seduction with 350 pages and 500+ images full of rich colours and beautiful images, showing how much fun we can all have with contemporary ethical fashion and beauty products."

What seems to take this book beyond being a glorifed, green InStyle is that its comprised not only of images of eco-chic picks, but an index of websites and places to check out to learn more about sustainable fashion, information about eco-friendly textiles and materials, governing fashion councils, eco-fashion business models and leaders, and a list of eco-chic retail stores all around the country.

Check out the video below for an interview with Summer, sneak peak at the book and some of her style tips and ideas.

Carbon Neutral on a Shoestring

2009-03-05T06:10:00.000-08:00

Did you catch the article "Carbon Neutral on a Shoestring" in the New York Times today? If not, you must read it and visit the blog of Ms. Petz Scholtus, a 28-year-old product designer from Luxembourg. Petz is the creative genius behind the ongoing restoration and decoration of a one-bedroom apartment in the 18th-century building in Barcelona, where she lives and works. As she writes on her blog, she's "adapting urban housing to a green lifestyle."

And check out the neat ways in which she's doing it! Photos follow with web links to the Times article and Petz's blog.

Petz' kitchen: furniture and appliances by Ikea, which audits its wood suppliers and sells energy-efficient appliances. Floor made from locally made ceramic tiles.

Decor: Magazine holders made from antique drawers found on the street. Very cool! My boyfriend would love this idea!

Lighting: Bidon lamp (bidón means container in Spanish) fitted with a compact fluorescent bulb (instructions on how to make it here).

Furniture: Armchair rescued from the trash and decoupaged with newspapers. Cork tiles on the floor click into place without glue.

More decor: Stenciled shelf was made from fiberboard certified by the Forest Stewardship Council and painted with low-VOC paint.

Check out the entire article and slideshow at New York Times, or visit Petz's blog to learn how you can recreate her urban green lifestyle in your own home or apartment. You know I will be heading over to the salvage depot this weekend to see what treasures I can find (and look into re-creating that Bidon lamp!).

Spring in the Air, Let the Sun Shine In

2009-02-26T15:25:00.000-08:00

With the air getting warmer and the snowy sidewalks turning into puddle playgrounds, what better time to pull away the blinds and let the sun shine in? The perfect way to avoid using lights (and energy) and segue into spring.

*Image from Alkemie.

Tuesday Trends: Eco-Fashionista

2009-02-17T08:52:00.000-08:00

I'm making attempts to bring regularly featured content to this blog. Tuesday are all about being an eco-fashionista. Here are some finds I wouldn't mind adding to my closet. Browns, reds, and magentas inspired by the Hermes advertisment below.

Still on the lookout for the coat. Is the Hermes version eco-friendly?

Cri de Coeur Phillipa Boots by Nimli; Alpaca Clutch with Flower by Alejandra Dunphy; Asymmetrical necklace by Smartglass; Cassia Weekender by Canopy Verde; Beau Tribal dress by Beau Soleil; Vintage Owl Earrings by Kris Nations; Mothette Dress by Praire Underground; Fingerless Arm Warmers by Stewart + Brown.

Sweet Temptations: Two Weeks of Tasty Treats

2009-02-15T11:45:00.000-08:00

From the King Arthur Baker's Store in Norwich to Finale down in Boston back to Mirabelles in Burlington, it was two weeks of delicious delights for le boyfriend et moi.

We headed over to sleepy Hanover and bustling Boston for our anniversary weekend, meeting friends along the way (and rocking out to Rihanna during the hours spent circling Boston for a place to rest our heads. Yes, we're the spontaneous types who don't always book a hotel in advance!). Then, kept it local for Valentine's Day with treats from Mirabelle's and our own homemade confections.

Cupcake from Finale in Boston: vanilla cake with chocolate ganache frosting (lots of it!) and milk, white and dark chocolate shavings.

The kitchen at the King Arthur Flour Bake Shop. Don't you want to move in? I love the honeybee cake.

The array of tempting confections at Mirabelle's in Vermont. Can you choose just one dessert?

Cupcakes at Mirabelle's in Vermont: vanilla and chocolate cake with chocolate and strawberry buttercream frosting and marzipan hearts.

The chocolate-pecan-raspberry "Tiffany" cakes we chose for our Valentine's Day dessert; from Mirabelle's.

Oh Boyfriend...

2009-02-05T10:22:00.000-08:00

...hope you take a look at this little list from Henri Bendel.

Making Movies

2009-02-04T16:58:00.000-08:00

Check out the video my colleague and I put together for Efficiency Vermont's Northfield Home Energy Makeover Contest. It's my first foray into YouTube. Stay tuned for more!

Home Sweet LEED-Certified Home

2009-01-26T16:18:00.000-08:00

Check out this neat LEED-certified home in Charlotte, Vermont, the first of its kind in the Green Mountains. Gorgeous, isn't it.

It's also "designed to have a net zero energy use and emit zero carbon emissions. It uses electricity generated on site with its 10KW net-metered wind turbine for all heating, hot water, lighting and appliances...In addition to being 5+ star Energy Star rated and Vermont Builds Greener-certified, the house has also received the US Green Building Council’s highest LEED rating of platinum, the first one in Vermont."

Find out more from the architects who dreamed it up here.

Some Pretty Assistance for the Addled Lettergirl

2009-01-24T11:20:00.000-08:00

It's the time of year when I start gathering inspiration for Valentine's Day missives.

Though penning sweet nothings (and somethings) to the loveys in my life is pleasantly relaxing, addressing envelopes is oftentimes not.

Here's an easy and pretty solution I like - Lettergirl Handlettered Address Stamps.

*Love Note by Night Owl Paper Goods.

And the Day Came

2009-01-20T12:38:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow Can't Come Too Soon

2009-01-19T13:10:00.000-08:00

*Jewelry by Corine Grant

Subzero Daze

2009-01-16T12:11:00.000-08:00

It was something like -18 below this morning. This Hermes advert has become my reality (although I travel with a Kia, not an ox).

When I Grow Up

2009-01-15T11:42:00.000-08:00

As unemployment climbs and layoffs become more rampant, it's difficult not to be swept up in a wave of nervous anxiety (especially, when you're a 26-year-old gal and read something like this Wall Street Journal piece).

I suppose when Al Gore invented the Internet way back when, no one knew of the amazing plethora of jobs that would blossom in the wake of his fine creation. In 1992, did anyone in fourth grade say "hey, when I grow up I want to be a web designer!" Now, fourth graders are web designers.

Fast Company just released a nice piece on the "Ten Best Green Jobs for the Next Decade," a list of sustainability-focused career paths that will "help retrofit and solar-charge your work life." It proves that we can create radically new jobs that not only unveil new worlds and possibilities (as the Internet has), but effect positive change for the planet too.

I for one would be proud to one day have my own little fourth grader trotting home to tell me that she wants to be sustainability systems developer. She would probably have already bookmarked this website.