I just received an email notifying me of our latest energy bill from Southern California Edison. (Hint: if you still receive paper bills, switch to paperless billing for better green karma!) For our February 2007 bill, I was quite stoked that we were able to reduce our usage to under $100 (515KWH) since we hadn’t had anything that low since October 2006. For March 2007, I’m absolutely flabbergasted … $43.53 for for 372KWH. Cripes! Even though the number of days included in this bill (29) is on the low end, comparing it to other similar billing cycles, the lowest we’ve ever gone was $54.11 for 427KWH in August 2004.

I’m absolutely ecstatic about the money savings, but obviously also for using a lot less energy. I hope we can keep this up!

Categories: home
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I saw a bit on Gizmodo this morning about this Hand-Crank Cell Phone Charger and thought … “Great! Maybe I can crank away for a bit instead of using electricity!”

Unfortunately, judging from the comments (some from whom have tried the gadget … wait, is that grammatically correct?), the juice generated isn’t anything to write home about. Bummer.

Categories: random
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Well, sort of.

As I heard on Gristmill’s podcast yesterday, Scholastic will print all 12 million first-edition U.S. copies of J. K. Rowling’s wildly anticipated book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, on paper that contains 30% minimum post-consumer waste fiber. Scholastic is also claiming that:

Moreover, 65% of the 16,700 tons of paper used in the U.S. first printing will be certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), the global standard-setter for responsible forest management. This historic commitment is the largest purchase of FSC certified paper to be used in the printing of a single book title. The vast amount of paper needed to print 12 million copies of the 784-page Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows makes the decision by Scholastic to invest in environmentally preferable paper a significant step in the company’s ongoing commitment to responsible environmental stewardship.

The podcast also mentioned that the Deluxe edition of the book will be printed on 100% post-consumer waste fiber, though I haven’t found a source to confirm this. If it is, I would probably have no problems shelling out the $40 for the Deluxe edition, if it means supporting sustainable practices. Though I realize no-waste is best, I do enjoy sitting down with a good book in my hands.

Categories: books, environment
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Today, as I was leaving work, I briefly chatted with my boss and I happened to mention that I’m looking forward to trying out Native Foods sometime this weekend. She then mentioned a place called Good Mood Food Cafe that’s not too far from our office which she highly recommends. (She’s not a vegetarian, though I believe she generally eat fairly healthy.) I was quite excited to hear about the place since it means there’s another (and better) choice if I decide to eat out for lunch during the work week.

From my boss’ description and what I’ve read on their web site, they’re primarily a raw food joint. I’m very intrigued by their Green Submarines, which are basically different fillings wrapped in a large collard green leaf. They also have regular sandwiches with your choice of breads, including a flour-less whole wheat kind. There’s also some “raw” desserts which they claim is “guilt-free!”

Yup. Looks like I’ll head on over there on Monday for lunch and pick up either a Marinated Portabella Mushroom sandwich or an Italian Sub, followed by a Chocolate Brownie and some organic coffee! (I’ll have to remember to ask Ursula, the chef and owner, where her coffee is from or if it’s also fair trade.)

Good Mood Food Cafe is located at:
5930 Warner Avenue (at Springdale)
Huntington Beach , CA
714-377-2028

Hours:
Monday through Thursday - 9:00am to 8:00pm
Fridays and Saturdays - 9:00am to 9:00pm
Sundays – 10:00am to 8:00pm

Categories: food
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I have another confession: while I consider myself a vegetarian, I do indulge in the occasional consumption of seafood. (Specifically, we’ll have sushi about once a month.) For the most part though, I’m perfectly fine having a meat-less diet. Even when I’m not in the mood to cook, it’s easy enough to find veggie-friendly meals at various restaurants, or the Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods nearby.

At our favorite Mexican restaurant, Los Cabos on Tustin Avenue, I usually go for the cheese enchiladas. Add some beans and rice in there and I’m usually in a food coma for at least 24 hours. For quick to-go meals, a diner up the hill will make me a grilled cheese sandwich on wheat bread with french fries on the side. Zito’s, the pizza place up in the Albertson’s lot on Jamboree, has an excellent pizza with vegetarian sausage.

These choices are fine once in a while, but I do want to start discovering new places to go that has HEALTHIER veggie choices. While leafing through a recent issue of VegNews, I saw an advertisement for the The Native Foods Restaurant Cookbook. I noticed that they have a location in Costa Mesa, so of course, I was all “I have GOT to check this out!” I’m planning on paying a little visit this weekend, and just by looking at their menu, I’m already salivating. There are so many good-looking things to eat on their menu that I think I’m going to have to start visiting them weekly! Hollywood Bowl? Or maybe the Latino Lover pizza? I can’t wait!

As if mouth-watering green food isn’t enough, they also hold classes and other special events (at all their locations). This Saturday March 24, from 1:00pm to 5:00pm at the Costa Mesa location, there will be an event titled Greenology at the CAMP:

Come enjoy a “Green Day” at the CAMP in Costa Mesa - a day dedicated to encouraging green lifestyles, accompanied by a special Native Foods “green” menu - Green Soup, Green Soba Salad and a Green Dessert - go green!

Native Foods in Costa Mesa is located at The CAMP:
2937 Bristol St.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 751-2151
Hours: Monday-Sunday 11AM - 10PM (open 7 days)

Categories: food
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I’ve been dying to make this ever since I saw Sara Snow make this on her show (Get Fresh with Sara Snow on Discovery Health). It looks real simple, but what I’m really looking forward to is just how hearty and healthy it is. It’s not even 5pm right now, but I think I’ll head off to the kitchen and start dinner early tonight.

1 large onion
2 garlic cloves
1 package mushrooms
1 pound spinach
2 medium zucchini
1/2 pound tofu—firm, drained and mashed (or use meatless soy crumbles)
1 jar organic spaghetti sauce
1 can stewed, chopped tomatoes
salt & pepper
bay leaf
oregano
1/2 tsp. sugar or tamari

Saute onion, garlic, mushrooms, spinach, and zucchini. Cover and cook; mushrooms should be about 1/2 their original size. Add tofu (or soy meat substitute). Add spaghetti sauce, tomatoes, and seasonings. Balance with sugar or tamari (to taste).

Serve over whole wheat spaghetti or your choice of pasta. Don’t forget the fresh parmiggiano reggiano!

(Cross-posted on Cupcake Diaries.)

Categories: food
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