Is Your Hamburger Destroying the Amazon?

Beef is not the most environmentally friendly food, as meats go- but things potentially just got a whole lot worse in August of 2016. This is when the US opened up beef imports from Brazil following an earlier import ban after concerns over Mad Cow Disease in 2012. The Amazon Rainforest in Brazil has been taking a big hit- since …

Trader Joes Red Palm Oil – Is it Good or Bad

Trader Joe’s recently came out with an Organic Red Palm Oil (also known as African Palm Oil), which seems to have replaced their popular Organic Coconut oil, but it poses the question: is this a good thing? Palm oil has been under fire (and rightly so) for some time now because of the association with rainforest destruction, and by association …

Cork, Cats and a Panda

As many of you know, I am a big fan of the multiple uses of sustainable cork. Beautiful, versitile, and sustainably grown and harvested, cork really is a super material. I recently was contacted by some great folks at the World Wildlife Fund charity regarding a crowdfunding project on Earth Hour. Put on by WWF Portugal the project aims to …

Best 8 Bay Area CSA and Produce Delivery Services

Compare California Bay Area CSA and local produce delivery services hand selected from The Chic Ecologist editors. Having actually used these services ourselves, we have had great experiences with the following. Feel free to add your favorites in our comments so we can expand this list! Greenhearts Sourced from their own family farm, or partner farms within the Bay Area, …

Your Personal Farmer – Farmscape Gardens

Ever wanted a personal or private garden? If you have the space, they will come… personal farmers that is. Farmscape Gardens is already in Los Angeles, and coming to San Francisco. Creating a personal food garden has never been so easy, even if you don’t have a green thumb, or think you don’t have the space. Farmscape Gardens will come …

A Study in Sustainable Systems – Voices of Transition Documentary Film

Voices of Transition is an inspirational look at problems and solutions to the food security challenges we face as a society. A perspective into a movement from three different angles: agroforestry models in France combining orchards with diverse agricultural fields; permaculture and transition town community initiatives in England; and the abrupt, but necessary, organic farming revolution in Cuba. How can …

Local Organic Produce Delivery CSA Box

In an ever expanding world of home delivery, produce is making a comeback. It is a common occurrence here in the San Francisco Bay Area to see Amazon Fresh and Safeway delivery trucks. On top of that, there are many organic and local produce delivery services popping up in urban areas (see a previous review of SPUD delivery service), but …

Greek Yogurt and its Wasteful Whey Secret

Greek yogurt is revolutionizing the dairy industry with it’s thick creamy texture and high protein, but it also comes at a price. Whey waste. Due to the unexpected popularity and increase in production, a glut of whey is being produced with no process of disposal or recycling. True traditional style Greek yogurt is made by straining the liquid out until …

Farm To Table – Taking Food Local

You may be hearing a lot about an emerging trend in food sourcing at local restaurants called Farm to Table or Farm to Fork. This takes local and usually organic food to a whole new level with a menu prepared from the restaurants own local garden or a nearby partner farm. Rooted in the local food movement, farm to table …

Veggie and Fruit Wash Soap Labels

Now those stickers on your fruit can serve a purpose other than at the register. Scott Amron has come up with a clever dual purpose UPC label sticker which not only tells the checkout clerk how much to charge, but also will clean the fruit once you are home. For those who are unaware, fruit can be covered in all …