Local is the New Organic

If you’ve ever been to Europe you know that the food tasted so much better than it does here and you may have wondered why? Why is the baguette so light and airy in Paris? Why is the yogurt so thick and creamy in Ireland? What is the gnocchi so fluffy in Italy (and at Georgio Baldi?) Generally speaking it’s because Europeans still eat local food, made by local artisans from ingredients grown in the region.

On the flip side, America is a place devoted to convenience, so we have demanded that our markets carry every fruit and vegetable year-round but that does not mean that food tastes good or is good for you or the environment.

Whether to eat local, organic or otherwise is a very complicated and multifaceted issue but, of course, we've tried to put together the simple explanation.

Eating organic food has been the popular health trend because organic food is grown/raised/farmed with out the use of potentially toxic pesticides and fertilizers. Even certain Target and Wal Mart stores have started carrying organic produce--if that's not mainstream, we don't know what is. Organic food is better for your body and also for the environment since it does not use chemicals and pesticides that pollute the water, soil and the air.

Or is it?

Usually to get organic food in season, grocery stores have to ship food in from all over the country and the world. Asparagus from Chile might be delicious in the winter as a break from the dreary potatoes, but what impact does that journey the asparagus took to get to your plate have on the environment? How many miles of trains, planes and automobiles have those spears of asparagus traveled to make it to our local markets? As far as the environment is concerned, eating locally is much better than eating organic if the organic food is not locally grown (most is not). Bottom line is try to eat food that is locally grown and in season and if it's also organic, then your are in luck.

If you are still not convinced on the benefits of local produce, check out these 10 reasons to eat locally.

Now, you may not have even realized your food was being shipped from all around the world or have any idea what food is in season at what time or where to buy local food, but that's what we're here for.

The first place to look for local, fresh produce is your local farmer's market. To look up local farmer’s markets in your area go to http://www.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets/map.htm or http://www.localharvest.org/. In L.A., we have at least 2 farmer’s markets a day, so you can always find one when you need it (most other big cities have this, too). If you live in a more rural area then plan ahead for the 1 day a week your town or area does have the farmer’s market.

Just to prepare you....farmer’s market shopping is not express lane, credit card friendly or particularly convenient. You have to get cash and bring a canvas bag and organize yourself to get yourself to the farmer’s market at the designated time. Waaa Waaaa Waaa. The upside is you get delicious produce, cheese, eggs and baked goods at very affordable rates made by actual people (not machines.) Baby lettuce tastes like actual lettuce, not soggy smuchy plastic bag and don’t get us started on how yummy an organic and local apple tastes compared to the waxy and strayed varieties at the grocery store.

Not to mention, farmer's markets are kind of fun. Lydia grew up traipsing around the farmer’ market every week with her mother collecting their families produce for the week. Lydia would admire the bouquets of fresh lavender and the golden jars of local honey and stare longingly at the yeasty mounds of freshly baked bread. So if you’ve never experienced a leisurely walk with a cappuccino around a Sunday morning farmer’s market, you grab your sweetie and get to it. You will feel deliciously European.

Another newer option are the grocery stores that are starting to sell local produce, most notably the eco-conscious grocery mecca known as Whole Foods has started to put signs up over local produce and are investing in local farmers. Of the roughly $1 billion in produce the company sold last year, 16.4% came from local sources, up from 14.9% in 2005.

To find farms, restaurants and grocery stores in you area that feature all local and sustainable ingredients check out The Eat Well Guide.

For more info about the why to eat local, you can read the article My Search for the Perfect Apple: Eating Better than Organic by John Cloud which was featured in Time magazine a few weeks back.

And one last thing....just to be clear...we are not knocking organics. BUT if you can find local produce, that's even better for the environment. And if you can find local AND organic (not hard at many farmer's markets), then even better.

So grab your canvas bag, pick up some fresh produce and bring them home to enjoy. Relax on your apartment's balcony that faces the alleyway behind La Cienega with a sweet, crusty baguette. If you close your eyes, you can almost imagine you're on the Seine.

Almost.

Star of the Class: Energy Star

Energy Star

Some dear friends of ours just got engaged last week and that leads us to thinking about gifts for the home, organizing new kitchens and fun stuff like that . While they may battle over the gunmetal vs. baby pink Kitchen Aid stand mixer, we know one thing that will make their lives easier as they shop for things for their new home...looking for the Energy Star sticker.

Energy Star is a program of the Enviromental Protection Agency which is a branch of the US Department of Energy. More than 50 types of products can earn the Energy Star, including appliances, lighting, home electronics, and home office equipment. Energy Star qualified products meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. EPA. They use less energy, save money, and help protect the environment.

For the kitchen and laundry room, you can now find Energy Star refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, water coolers and washer/dryers. But that's not all...there's Energy Star TV's, DVD players and Home Audio Systems.

And if you have a home office (or just that corner in your apartment that has a desk with a computer and printer on it), almost everything you need is available...from Energy Star scanners to mailing machines (Check out the complete list of Energy Star office equipment.). In just one year, Energy Star qualified new home office equipment significantly reduced the demand for energy — enough to prevent the release of 19 billion pounds of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

All you have to do is look for the energy star label when you are shopping for appliances. The energy star label and energy guide will help you purchase a more energy efficient appliance, saving you money in energy costs. According to the energy star website, If just one in 10 homes used Energy Star qualified appliances, the change would be like planting 1.7 million new acres of trees.

If you want to get a sense of how energy efficient your house is you can get a free assessment online from Energy Star with their home energy audit from a specialy trained contractor who can show you how to improve the energy efficency of your home.

Some of these energy star appliances, cars and green home improvments offer a tax credit which you can research more to see if you qualify. They are even building energy star homes now! Wow! Check out builders or existing energy effiecient homes in your area.

So whether you're getting married, you're getting an even bigger plasma (yes, there are Energy Star Plasmas) or the computer you've had since college finally conked out on you....remember to look out for the big blue star...

Back to Basics: Winter Energy Guide

Now we have never been described as “simple and practical” people, after all, we did grow up in the sequin-and-rhinestone 80’s era. From Hummer cars to Viking Ranges, our generation has been spoon-fed a “big and bold” lifestyle. But, as we learned from Audrey and the little black dress, sometimes minimalist chic is way better than big perms and shoulder pads. Sometimes simple and practical isn’t boring—it’s just plain better.

Below are basic tips to maximize the energy of your home appliances this winter. They are neither groundbreaking nor sexy, but we thought a reminder was due…

Basic Home Energy Efficiency Tips

• Are you one of those people who turn up the heat in your house so that you can comfortably lounge around in your tank top? Well, start layering and stop turning up your heat! In the winter, turn your thermostat down to 68 degrees or below (or as cool as you can stand). Reduce the setting to 55 degrees before going to sleep or when leaving for the day. (For each 1 degree you turn down the thermostat in the winter, you'll save up to 5% on your heating costs.)
• Turn off non-essential lights and appliances. The electricity generated by fossil fuels for a single home puts more carbon dioxide into the air than two average cars!
• Avoid running large appliances such as washers, dryers, and electric ovens during peak energy demand hours from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Use kitchen, bath, and other ventilating fans wisely. In 1 hour, these fans can pull out a houseful of warmed or cooled air.
• Keep the draperies and shades on your south-facing windows open during the day to allow sunlight to enter your home and closed at night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows.
  

Fireplace Energy Saving Tips

• If you never use your fireplace, plug and seal the chimney flue.
• Keep your fireplace damper closed unless a fire is going. Keeping the damper open is like keeping a 48-inch window wide open during the winter; it allows warm air to go right up the chimney.
  

Kitchen Energy Saving Tips

• Be sure to place the faucet lever on the kitchen sink in the cold position when using small amounts of water. Placing the lever in the hot position uses energy to heat the water even though it never reaches the faucet.
• Try using the microwave or toaster ovens for small meals rather than your large stove or oven. A toaster oven uses a third to half as much energy as a full-sized oven, and they both can save energy by significantly reducing cooking time.

Laundry Energy Saving Tips

• As the note read on the communal clothes dryer in Lydia's sorority house: "Future Mothers of America, you have to clean the lint filter in between each cycle of the dryer." If you do, it improves air circulation.
• Wash your clothes in cold water using cold-water detergents whenever possible as it requires less energy.
• If you’re like Jess and you wait until every last item in your closet has been worn before doing laundry then this should be an easy one. Wash and dry full loads only. (But if you really need those jeans for tomorrow night, and have to wash a small load, use the appropriate water-level setting.)
• Don't over-dry your clothes. If your machine has a moisture sensor, use it or use the cool-down cycle to allow the clothes to finish drying with the residual heat in the dryer.
• If you live in an apartment building with a communal washing machine area, why not print out these Laundry Room tips and hang them up in there for everyone to see?
  

Switch to Green Power

In Los Angeles County, the Department of Water and Power offers a “Green Power” option. Green Power is electricity produced in a more environmentally friendly way by using renewable energy sources like the sun, wind, and water. It’s just as powerful and reliable as your “normal” electricity, and it’s only $3.00 extra per month. All you have to do is call (1.800.dial.dwp) and request Green Power. You can also sign up for Green Power Online.

The best part about signing up for Green Power is that you actually help bring MORE renewable power to LA - electricity that is cleaner than fossil fuels and nuclear energy. SoCal Edison (if you have them) offers their version of Green Power to some customers so see if you can get it (1-800-655-4555). Their site also has a link to help their customers energy audit their home energy use. After you fill it out, they’ll give you suggestions of how to be more efficient. If you don’t live in LA call and see if your area offers green energy—if not, ask when it will be provided.

Sometimes it’s the simple things in life that make you feel good. So tonight, go turn down the thermostat and cuddle up with a cozy blanket, a nice book, some warm cocoa and candles.

For more information, also check out: www.earth911.org