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Gail Simmons on Eco-Friendly Weddings

partysugar — Fri, 29 May 2009 08:00:41 -0700

Last week when I spoke with Gail Simmons about weddings, I was blown away by her inspirational ideas. Although she may not come across as a green goddess when she's judging Top Chef, she's actually very eco-conscious. Having an environmentally friendly wedding was very important to her and her now-husband, Jeremy. To find out her suggestions for throwing an eco-chic event, read more.

Send a save the date email. Instead of sending formal save the date cards, Gail chose to save paper. She let her loved ones know when and where her wedding would take place through a short, but sweet email.
Cut back on the invite. Gail examined every aspect of the invite and asked herself where she could use less paper. "I've never understood why wedding invites come with two envelopes. What is that second envelope for? Why is it necessary?" She ditched the extra envelope and sent information on hotels and lodging to only out-of-town guests.
Use recycled paper. This is a no-brainer! Gail printed all of her wedding stationary on regular sized, 100-percent recycled paper.
Don't waste the flowers. "Flowers are such a big thing, but they are wasteful. They cost so much money, are on a table for a couple of hours, and then what?" Gail came up with a clever way to lengthen the life of her wedding flowers. While she and her guests were dancing the night away, her wedding planner gathered the vases and wrapped each bouquet in craft paper. When her friends and family left the wedding, they were given a bouquet of fresh flowers to take home!
Give an eco favor. Gail's wedding favor was a reusable farmers market tote bag. "My friends still use them to this day."

Did you go green at your wedding? Share your stylish eco-tips with us below!

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Yummy Links: From Carnations to Thomas Keller

partysugar — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 06:50:36 -0700

Once shunned, the affordable carnation is making a centerpiece comeback. - Hostess With the Mostess
Love cilantro? Check out this new website devoted to the fragrant herb. - Serious Eats
Tips for building the ultimate green kitchen. - Chow
One writer argues that food cannot travel and cuisine is limited to the place where it's made. - Gourmet
Trader Joe's is now selling hard boiled peeled eggs. - The Kitchn
Get excited for Thomas Keller's next big deal, Ad Hoc at Home, a family-friendly cookbook. - Eat Me Daily

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Do You Have a Compost Bin?

partysugar — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 10:15:52 -0700

Last weekend when I was cooking at FabSugar's house, I was surprised to see a stylish, yet eco-friendly compost bin in her kitchen. Although she's not much of a big cook, she is a fan of helping the environment. Fab's commitment to green living has inspired me to start composting. How about you?

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Yummy Links: From Free Denny's to Disliking Top Chef

partysugar — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 07:45:32 -0800

From 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. today you can get a free Grand Slam breakfast at Denny's . - Fast Food News
Take a trip to the original McDonald's in San Bernardino, CA. - A Hamburger Today
Fifty easy ways to eat and cook green. - Bon Appétit
Empty tea tins make adorable flower vases. - The Kitchn
Use fresh lemon juice to remove tough food stains. - Chow
Why one journalist can't get into this season's Top Chef. - The Epi-Log

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The Greeniest Salad: Asparagus, Cucumbers, Scallions

YumSugar — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 16:15:18 -0800

After a weekend of overindulgence, I had a hankering for something fresh from the ground! This simple, yet complex salad of asparagus, cucumber, and scallions with a zippy Dijon dressing quickly satiated my craving. The dressing, asparagus, and green onions can actually be prepared a day in advance provided they are stored separately. The finished salad is not only refreshing but also, a hearty side dish that could easily be a meal for two. To get started on your own lettuce-free, green salad, read more.

Asparagus, Scallions, Cucumber Salad
Adapted from Bon Appétit

Ingredients

Dressing
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
3/4 tablespoon red wine vinegar
3/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
3/4 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salad
2 pounds medium asparagus, trimmed
2 cups thinly sliced green onions
2 cups 1/4-inch cubes peeled seeded Kirby or English hothouse cucumbers
1 tablespoon chopped fresh Italian parsley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
2 teaspoons chopped fresh tarragon

Directions

For dressing: Whisk first 5 ingredients in small bowl. Gradually whisk in oil.
For salad: Fill large bowl with lightly salted ice water; stir until salt dissolves. Cook asparagus in large pot of boiling salted water until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Drain, reserving 3 cups cooking liquid.
Transfer asparagus to bowl of salted ice water to cool.*
Place green onions in another large bowl; pour hot reserved asparagus cooking liquid over onions and let stand until cool, about 30 minutes. Drain asparagus and green onions well. Transfer onions to clean kitchen towel and squeeze dry.*
Combine green onions, cucumbers, and herbs in mixing bowl. Add dressing; toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper.
Arrange asparagus on platter. Spoon cucumber mixture over and serve.

Serves 6-8.

*Can be a made a day in advance. To store the asparagus and green onions wrap in several layers of dry paper towels and place each in a sealable plastic bag. Refrigerator.

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Simple Tip: Save the Bread Bag

partysugar — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 10:15:02 -0800

Here's a quick and easy tip that reduces waste. When making and transporting crostini - for dips or other appetizers to a potluck - save the bread bag. Make the crostini following your favorite recipe. Once the bread is cool enough to handle, place the toasts in the original bread bag. Fold to close. Voila: the crostini is travel ready.

Do you have any tips for bringing food to and from holiday potlucks? Please share your ideas with us below!

Kate Bosworth Eats Organic and Wants You to Do Your Part

partysugar — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 15:00:14 -0800

On Tuesday night I was invited to the Gorgeous and Green benefit in San Francisco.

The event was hosted by Global Green, an environmental nonprofit that focuses on global climate change through green initiatives. Not only did I taste an amazing eco-friendly wine, but I also got the chance to speak with the hostess of the night, actress Kate Bosworth. Here's what the stunning starlet, who was wearing a dress with recycled zippers, had to say:

On her abilities as a home cook: "I do a little bit, I am getting into it more and more. I'm OK. I'm not advanced at all."

On eating organic: "I try to as much as possible. I guess you can't be so rigid. Do what you can. Clearly you can't eat all organic all the time, but you just have to do as much as you can."

It was a pleasure speaking with Kate. She reminded me that it's important to do what we can to better the earth - I'm going to follow her lead and add a compost pail to my Christmas list! I hope she takes my cooking advice and starts to read YumSugar.

Photo courtesy Drew Altizer.

Ways to Make Your Kitchen Greener

partysugar — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 08:31:39 -0700

Earth Day is a great time to think about going green in the kitchen. Having an environmentally friendly kitchen is easy - and affordable - if you make a few simple changes to your current living style. Here's how you can make your kitchen more green:

Recycle! This may seem like a no brainer, but if you don't recycle your cans, glasses, cardboard and plastic containers, etc. start doing so now. If possible, start composting as well.
Plant a garden. Growing your own fruits, vegetables, and herbs cuts down on the amount of fuel needed to transport the produce. Home gardens also cut back the use of plastic baggies.
If you are remodeling your kitchen, use recycled materials, and look for eco-friendly, energy saving appliances with long shelf lives.
Stop using plastic and paper bags. Instead transport groceries in reusable tote bags.
Buy local products when possible.
Substitute cloth napkins for paper napkins.
Completely fill the dishwasher and only wash full loads.

What are your tips for an eco-friendly cooking space? Share your ideas with us below!

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An Inconveniently Convenient Bag

partysugar — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 09:01:31 -0700

I have always had a thing for fabulous handbags. Last year, when it became uncool to use environmentally unfriendly plastic and paper grocery bags, I suddenly started collecting reusable, canvas grocery bags. Last season I was obsessed with the I'm Not A Plastic Bag statement tote and this year I'm crazy about The Inconvenient Bag ($19.99) carryall.

Neither paper nor plastic, this large canvas tote - available in four different designs - is the size of a normal, brown grocery bag and can hold up to 45 pounds. The bags are made in LA from biodegradable cotton and non-toxic dyes. While it may not be as convenient as carrying groceries home in paper or plastic, toting my food in the inconvenient bag, makes me feel like I'm doing my part to help save the world.

If you don't have a reusable tote, I highly recommend this fun, fashionable, eco-friendly bag!

Off to Market Recap: Green Kitchen

partysugar — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 03:13:31 -0700

To celebrate St. Patrick's Day and the arrival of Spring, I've decided to add some green accents to my kitchen decor. I asked you to help me search for green - in color or state of mind - accessories. You looked for anything and everything and bookmarked your finds in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag, Green Kitchen.

I was very surprised by the overwhelming amount of cool green kitchenware! I love the artistic Dom Perignon Champagne cooler. What I don't love is the $1000 price tag.

Something like this pretty paisley printed dishtowel is more up my alley. Serenityspeaks discovered this item that is affordable, stylish, and fresh in a lovely green color scheme. To go gaga for green, browse all of the collection below.

Read geeksugar's guide to bookmarking on TeamSugar to better understand how to use this fun feature.