Ideal Bite

So, my boyfriend just decided to branch out on his own and work from home. Instead of seeing him for a mere 3 hours a day (he works in finance), I can see him all I want now. No more waiting until 10:30 pm to eat dinner, no more walking the dog solo, no more taking care of all the chores alone. Yah!

But, um, I miss my alone time and space all to myself. Luckily, Green Spaces New York just opened a new downtown location at 394 Broadway. Ecopreneurs (as they call them) can buy desk space to work on their green companies and small businesses. Membership is $50 a month which gives you one work day per month and $25 for any additional days. Need a full-time desk? It’ll cost you $495 a month or $275 for part-time. You’ll get your own desk with access to a conference room, lounge, and kitchen as well as Read the full post... 

Hey NYC turkey lovers. Thanksgiving is right around the corner…yeah, we can’t believe it either. Instead of waiting around until the day before and picking through puny birds, this year I’m going to order in advance (thank you) from Norwich Meadows Farm in Norwich, NY. They are taking orders now for their plump pasture-raised, certified organic turkeys. Each weighs 15-25 pounds and at $6 per pound, it’s not cheap, so have your dinner guests chip in or stretch it as long as you can with turkey sandwiches and turkey noodle soup…mmm.

-City Editor Brianne…off to order her T-day bird… Read the full post... 

Calling all entrepreneurial DIYers in New York! Greenfinds and Samples for (Eco)mpassion are looking for vendors for their Holiday Eco Marketplace. This all-green market will run from Nov. 19 to Dec. 24 and be open Thursday to Sunday at 2 Great Jones St. Tables are $350 per week minus any commitment for the following weeks – they can even staff your table, you know if you’re stuck at your day job. If you wanna sign up or need more info, contact Ike at ike@greenfinds.com or 917-226-9765.

Shoppers – be sure to gather up all that loose change lying in your couch/bottom of your purse and scope out the Holiday Eco Marketplace. They’ve already got a great lineup on board like: Read the full post... 

As most can expect with any holiday season (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc.), a little weight gain is in the cards. So what’s a candy-goobling, turkey-lovin’, cookie-snatchin’ Biter supposed to do? Indulge and worry about the weight later thanks to the Muffin Top Stopper. Yep, you heard me right. This little device - made in Queens, NYC - has a button on one side and buttonhole on the other so you can extend your waistband. It’ll prevent your luvies (love handles) from hanging out and reduces waste (not waist unfortch) since you can skip buying a new pair of jeans just for the holiday season - which makes the planet happy too.

PS: It’s great for preggo ladies too like my sis and friend Michele Read the full post... 

I'm 5'2" with an Italian schnoz, so my dreams of modeling are pretty much non existent. My one shining modeling moment was for Marie Claire in December 2007 in their "100 Real Women in Party Dresses" spread (I knew the editor). It was a blast to get all made up and feel like Kate Moss for a moment (minus the…ahem, bad habit).

However, perhaps I'll put back on my modeling stilettos to enter to be the next Green Girl for Project Green. They're looking for the 2010 "it girl" to be an advocate for the environment (there's still time to vote for the 2009 candidates). You'll win a modeling and talent contract, a photo shoot with fashion photog Courtney Dailey with organic makeup and sustainable duds, a 20-piece Read the full post... 

Last week I traveled back to my hometown Harrisburg from NYC for my older sister’s baby shower. Brooke is having a girl, Julianna Rose, and it’s the first baby of the fam – very exciting. She trekked all the way from Savannah and despite it being her shower, she came baring gifts for me…well, my pooch. 

She brought up human-grade, dog treats from Oliver Bentleys – handmade biscuits with organic and locally-sourced ingreds like honey from the Savannah Bee Company. My pup loves them and it got me thinking about Halloween. I love, love, love sweets and so does my little one – so this Halloween I’m going to have a bucket o’ candy for the kiddies and Oliver Bentleys on hand for the pups. Plus, since I’m Read the full post... 

Last Thursday in NYC, my writer Yachtz (lucky him) rocked out at the Wyclef concert to celebrate the Grammy winner’s partnership with Timberland (the boots not the singer). I was at my sister’s baby shower but Yachtz gave me the low down.

The two teamed up to design a 16 boot Earthkeepers collection for the ladies, gents, and kiddies. They’re made from 100% organic cotton canvas, 42% recycled sole, and 100% recycled PET laces and lining. For each pair sold, $2 will go towards Wyclef’s Yéle Haiti Foundation to support reforestation in Haiti. They sell for $65-$155 a pop and you can look for ‘em in store late November.



-City Editor Read the full post... 

SUNY-Environmental Science and Forestry student Ridhima Nayyar spent the summer training as an energy auditor and Project Manager (thank you very much) in Win-Win's Community Energy Consultant Training Program (CEC). She walked local small businesses through assessments pointing out wasted energy, how to cut costs, and trim CO2 emissions by adding CFLs, power strips (no idling power), LED computer screens, and Energy Star appliances. Check out below as she bares it all.

Tell us about your internship.
Ridhima: It was a very real world experience. I had an opportunity to be the project manager when we audited a large office building (it's 32 floors) at Read the full post... 

Last night I got my grub on - something I love to do - at the Farm to Table event at the Broad Street Ballroom in NYC. I love going down to the Wall Street area…it feels like you’re in a totally different city. Anyway, my friend and I got to taste tons of great dishes that were organic and/or sourced from within 100 miles of the city. Our tops picks were:Basil Strawberry Lemonade with LiV Vodka from Long Island

• Country Duck Sausage from the Hudson Valley
  
• Watermelon

Read the full post... 

Wanna get more from your return before you sign at the X? Strategy: Make the most of home and car efficiency upgrade incentives (some even run through 2016). O yeah.

1. Good Car-ma

Old jalopy gone kaput? Donate it to your fave charity for a sweet tax write-off. Then upgrade to a new hybrid. Get up to a $3,400 tax credit if you're one of the first 60,000 buyers from participating manufacturers (hurry - only Ford's got eligible ones left). Plug-ins: Get up to $7,500 if you opt for one of the first 250,000 from any maker (see who has 'em Read the full post...