$30 from Moo Shoes

Need new sandals for summer?  These Simple flops would be a great option!  Get them from Moo Shoes

$30 at Nordstrom

I LOVE these Sprout eco-friendly watches!  Sprout is super with the times – their watches boast:

100% biodegradable case and buckle

Natural bamboo dial

100% organic cotton strap

Mineral crystal lens

Mercury-free battery

The style really isn’t mine – I think they’d be fanstastic for kids but adult with a sporty style could easily pull one off!

TWIST Loofah Sponge

I’ve been loving TWIST products for the last couple of years.  We all need sponges for cleaning and of course over time they get tossed and end up in the landfill and over the years your own personal contribution to that big landfill of sponges is probably a lot larger than you think. TWISt products are bio-degradable and made from natural things – like the scrubby made of loofah!  They hold up will and last quite awhile.  I know sponges can get germy but you can always toss your sponge in the microwave for 1 minute after using it to kill the germs and thus get a longer life out of it.

TWIST Naked Sponge

My Delicious Lunch at Lemonade - L.A.

Last weekend I went back to Los Angeles to visit friends, enjoy the warmer weather and eat at all of my old favorite restaurants.  I did however try a new spot and am so glad I did.

Lemonade has three locations – on Beverly in West Hollywood (where I went!), on Flower downtown, on Abbot Kinney in Venice Beach.  There will soon be another at the MOCA!

The restaurant is super eco-friendly from what I could tell.  I suppose they could be more eco-friendly by using real plates and flatware for inside diners but since they use disposable they are good about using utencils that are bio-degradable, recycled paper bowls and plates and recyclable/bio-degradable cups and take out containers.

OK – to the important part – the FOOD and DRINKS!

I have to start with the LEMONADE of course!  I had the Rosemary Watermelon Lemonade and it was the most amazing thing!  They also had Cucumber Mint, Ginger Peach and Blueberry Mint (which my girlfriend got – also amazing!).  The lemonades are all very colorful, full of flavor and very refreshing.

As far as the actual food goes – I don’t even know where to begin.  First off there are PLENTY of VEGGIE options – so many in fact that I had a very difficult time making my selections.  I opted for the Red Top Turnip Soup, Roast Cauliflower with Golden Raisins, Almonds and Curry, and Avocado & Cherry Tomatoes with Pine Nuts in a Lime Vinaigrette.  Turnip Soup may sound bland and boring but I assure you it was full of flavor.  I’m a huge curry fan so the cauliflower was amazing – the adition of raisings added a sweet touch to this savory dish.  I will definitely try to replicated these dishes at home.  My friend Lesli had Israeli Couscous with Wild Mushrooms, Parmesan and Truffle Vinaigrette and something with cubed sweet potatoes but I can’t find it on their menue now – I tried both and they were fantastic.  I think she may have had the seared ahi as well along with a couple of other sides that I can’t recall.  She loved them all but one which was too much like cole-slaw, which she doesn’t like.

I love that the food is set up deli-style so you can try a little of several different items.

For meat eaters they have tons of different pot roasts which look so cute in their colorful LeCrueset roasting dishes.

To complete my meal I had a small red velvet cupcake. The size was perfect – not a full cupcake but not a one bite mini.  It was moist and delicious – much better than the one I had the day prior at Toast (sorry L.A. friends, but I’ve decided theirs are always too done and not moist enough for my liking).

If you live in Los Angeles put this at the top of your list of places to try.  If you don’t live in L.A. nor are you going to be visiting soon, check out their menu for ideas.  They give enough detail for each of the their marketplace sides that you could have a go at replicating them.

As you all know, I love Josie Maran Cosmetics.  I know disposable things aren’t the best for the environment but when traveling these wipes are so convenient and since they’re biodegradable they’re not all that bad

Healthy, pre-moistened, makeup-removing wipes that are gentle enough for the eyes and face.  Wipe off makeup and dirt nature’s way, with a blend of natural and healthy ingredients including aloe vera, cucumber, and vitamin E.  Free of fragrance, parabens, and petrochemicals, these luxuriously soft wipes are kind to tender eyes and skin and are biodegradable.  Leave your skin feeling nourished and refreshed!  $12

I saw this game at the All Things Organic Show and thought it was the coolest thing!  What a fun way to test your green knowledge and learn lots of new facts and tips!  It is made from 100% recycled material, soy inks and wood composite game pieces.  It is 99.8% bio-degradable and is carbon neutral due to the six drink coasters  that will sprout and grow wild flowers when planted!  The Green Game retails for $26.99.

The Roly Poly at 29 S LaSalle in Chicagois making an effort to be more eco-conscious.  Today when I ordered and asked for them not to put it in a bag, the owner quickly showed me the deli paper that they’re switching to.  It is bio-degradable!  I was so excited to see them make this change.  I’m not a fan of the fact that they automatically put the sandwich in a bag without asking if you want one (places like Jimmy John’s always ask me), but hopefully some people reuse or recycle the bag.  However, I am so happy they’re switching from non-recyclable deli wrap paper to bio-degradable paper!  Great effort on their part!!

If you haven’t already been to Roly Poly, GO!  They have fabulous wraps, soup and salads and I love supporting businesses that are making efforts to be GREEN!