Archive for the ‘Green Living’ Category

When A Stranger Comes Knocking, Open the Door, It Could Be CSA

Tuesday, November 22nd, 2011

Lately I’ve been watching a work colleague show up with all sorts of unusual fruits and veggies for lunch,  discussing things like how to cook fennel what to do with turnips .  So I inquired, “Sara, why do you keep buying things you don’t even know how to make?”  She told me,” it’s from CSA. ”  For those of you who haven’t heard, CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture.  Basically, it’s a bunch of local farms keeping it old school by delivering in-season, non-toxic produce to your doorstep. 

Now, as much as I’m an advocate for having an edible garden, yields are sometimes lacking and the weekly produce run to Trader Joes or the farmer’s market is still a reality.  It was fortituous when a stranger with a daisy in her hair showed up, knocking at my door last night.  She was from CSA.  Although there have been a few robberies in my upscale neighborhood lately and my very good, but very paranoid friend was over for dinner and was vehemently opposed to talking to the unannounced stranger, I opened the door, invited her in, signed up immediately and sent her on her way with a jar of my now famous, homemade fig jam.

I am all for the CSA warriors in their crusade against corporate greed and the systematic poisoning of our population via chemical laden, unseasonable, non-nutritious ”fruits and vegetables” shipped from thousands of miles away and picked at the height of not ripeness. 

Anyone who knows me, knows I grew up without much.  When we did buy fresh produce, it was always what was in season, only because it was abundant and therefore, cheap.  But there’s something to eating what is in season and nature has a funny way of giving us exactly what we need, when we need it.  The CSA works the same way.  You get a weekly or bi-weekly package with seasonal, local and fresh surprises.  Because they send what is abundant in their field, it’s affordable.  I thrown down $60 plus a week for organic fruits and veggies at Trader Joes or farmer’s markets. CSA is half that.   

My first shippment comes next week.  I can’t wait to see what I’ll get. Bring on the turnips and kale (good thing they come with suggested receipes). I’ve got a sense of adventure and one hot husband who can cook in the kitchen too!

 

 

 

 

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Posted in Green Living, Kitchens, Uncategorized | No Comments »

The Beauty of Composting Toilets

Thursday, June 23rd, 2011

I just got back from the wettest spot on Earth, Kauai’s Mount Waialeale.  Having been told that it’s the prettiest and greenest of Hawaiian Islands, I expected the flora and fauna to be out of this world.  It was. However, something utterly mundane impressed me so much more, a composting toilet at Limahuli Garden . 

 

Having written an entire chapter on plumbing fixtures for my book Green Interior Design, I know quite a bit about composting toilets.  But reading about them and seeing them in pristine showrooms was altogether different than actually using one.  Walking into the small, public bathroom at Limahuli, I immediately noticed the toilet and a friendly sign posted above it (instructions for use). I confess, visions , and worse, smells, of outhouses danced in my head.  Getting ready to lift the lid, I braced myself for “the stank”.  The stank never happened. On an 87 degree, humid, sunny day in a public bathroom that had no  air conditioning,  IT DIDN’T SMELL…  AT ALL. 

 

I live in Southern California, literally a desert , where we  import billions of gallons of expensive, fresh water from thousands of miles away.  Composting toilets do the job without a drop of water. I’m thinking if the wettest spot on Earth finds the composting method useful, shouldn’t we start installing these in every public space in our arid state?

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Posted in Architecture and Design, Green Building, Green Living, Outdoor Living | 2 Comments »

An Artful Weekend in Beverly Hills

Tuesday, May 24th, 2011

This spring’s Beverly Hills Affaire in the Gardens was the busiest I’ve seen in five years.  The park,  full of fine art, live music and gourmet vending trucks seemed to lure out every resident in the village.  Kids were dancing,  parents were shopping and the artists all had smiles on their faces, saying, “ the Affaire in the Gardens is back!” That means people were buying art and lots of it. 

My “best in show” ribbon went to the geometric cocktail table made of reclaimed wood pieces by Terry Hansen. I’m hoping to use this in our funky, meditation room at Maison Luxe Greystone Mansion Showcase Event. 

Came Sculpture playful metal pieces put a smile on every one’s face, captivating young and old.

A sucker for anything high glossed and nautical, I loved the combo by Neil Zeye.

Malen Pierson delighted with his life sized animals made of recycled iron.

The glazed pears by Ojima Ceramics were sublime.

Other worth mentioning were: Gabe Leonard’s spin on movie art, Iris Work’s large landscape photographs, Steve Keating’s photography and Veronica Schmitt  paintings. 

 Later that night we headed over to Robert Reynold’s studio for a birthday bash.  The beginnings of his latest body of work were on display - a Zen inspired boat.  Perhaps he’s feeling a bit free these days due to the move he and studio director Gemma are making to LA’s Old Building District.  They’ve scored an amazing studio on the roof with a birds eye view of the city from the mountains to the Pacific Ocean.   The bonus here for all you  art buyers is that the entire 5,000 square foot studio (in the LA  Arts District) is on SALE.  The studio at 821 Traction Ave. is open 9-8 throughout Memorial Day Weekend.

This one’s favorite and I’m trying to score it for a client, so hands off!

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Posted in Architecture and Design, Artists and Galleries, Events, Green Living, Outdoor Living, Parties | No Comments »

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