Ideal Bite

Before the antiplastic bag craze, I used to reuse them to wrap my lunch sandwiches (def got a strange look from at least one coworker). I never really buy Saran Wrap, foil, or Ziplocs, tho' I've snagged a couple from roommates preflight.

Last week, I tried my 'mates' glass "Tupperware" from IKEA (reminds me of my mom's Tupperware parties in the '80s without the plastic or bad outfits). I cooked up my best dish of grilled chicken, spinach, and parm cheese and tossed it in there before work - only to have it spill the savory juices inside my handbag on the way. Sure, I shoulda had the smarts to keep it upright (kinda like the time I put a pizza box in the oven to warm it up and it started smoking...will my family ever let me live that down?). This week: lentils, feta, and the best Read the full post... 

No matter who you are, you talk about the weather. Even if you're the kind of person who talks about hating to talk about the weather, you still do it. And, clearly, by talking about hating to talk about the weather, you're talking about the weather.

Here at the SF IB office, we've been talking about the weather in New York, as we're all headed there next week to sashay down the green carpet at our Best in Green (BIG) Awards party. Lucky for me, I've got Juleselin's signature Elin Coat: It's long, black, superstyly, and made of organic sweatshirt material, so while I'll inevitably be in New York in December talking about how cold it is in New York in December, at least I'll be looking good doing it.

-SF Editor Read the full post... 

"Studies show people fear public speaking more than death," Mike tells me. I can totally relate - for some reason what's in my head (uh, hello, pure genius) comes out, er, not so much. So I was shocked when I remained cool as a goose when presenting my final project during my last sustainable design class. Maybe 'cuz 20 or so hopeful designers were staring back at me, eager to realize McDonough's vision of redesigning everything so that trash cans are what old ladies (me by then) used to use. Possible or pipe dream? Discuss...

-Senior Editor Theresa...off to speak publicly to anyone who'll listen...

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...to get their names off the phonebook mailing list. In my apartment building, 'books (massive ones, with 2-inch thick spines) are delivered in one big heap that consumes approximately an eighth of our mail-room area. And there they sit, day after day...after day...after day... Maybe one or two will disappear (I suppose they could come in handy if you need a boost to reach your top shelf...), but ultimately, the building manager just does a mass recycling.

If you have a similar situation where you live, try posting today's link or a screenshot of the opt-out page on your community board (unless there's a heap of phonebooks in the way) for all to see.

-Jenifer...off to find a thumbtack...

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While I'm all over the ecards this year (this one in particular), I've always felt that the most thoughtful gifts are presented, well, thoughtfully. A couple tips for making gifts a little more special that don't require buying anything:

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While I'm all over the ecards this year (this one in particular), I've always felt that the most thoughtful gifts are presented, well, thoughtfully. A couple tips for making gifts a little more special that don't require buying anything:

Read the full post... 

-Heather...off to finish filming an upcoming holiday video...

PS: Thanks in no small part to the flood of letters generated by you Biters when our take back the filter tip ran in Aug., today Brita announced a recycling program set to begin Jan. 2009. Next step: getting Pur to take back their filters

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Chicago Biters might know Alison as the scribe formerly behind the Chicago Bite. In the last couple months, she became a mom, switched beats, and is taking the reins of Ideal Bite's new Mama Bite. The first one comes out Thursday.

What do you think are the hottest green topics for moms right now?

Anything related to health and safety is paramount, whether that's organic foods, nontoxic toys, or natural, alternative medicines.

How did you go about naming your new baby?

Roxane [that's her and mom in the pic] is named after the character in Cyrano de Bergerac. Plus, we wanted

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You'll be able to use it in a sentence after watching Recycle Bank's The Cycle, an animated film that answers the question, "What happens to my recyclables after I put them out and they are collected?" (Don't pretend you totally know the answer to that...) It's choose-your-own-adventure style, so if you're more metal, less plastic, skip the reclaimer and mosey down the metal smelter path - you just might like it.

-SF Editor Hanah...off to wish that next year, America Recycles Day won't land on a Saturday, because it just might be a perfect candidate for an IB work holiday...

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I've been taking a sustainable design class this fall with green architect Eric Corey Freed, learning all about eco-countertop materials - like recycled paper resin, terrazzo, and concrete. We're in finals week and last night a classmate (and Biter too) presented her project on greening the White House (kudos to her for the awesome idea - mine still TBD). She brought up the White House Organic Farm Project. Have you heard about this? Thought it sounded kooky at first (couple guys driving around in a school bus with a roof garden asking people to sign a petition) but I kinda love the idea: They wanna turn the 18 acres of lawn at the White House (which we all pay to maintain yet no one ever uses) into an organic farm. Will

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