If you browse blogs, listen to NPR or read major newspapers, you've probably heard of the blog Stuff White People Like. It's brutally funny, and hits home in a way that both hurts and feels good to acknowledge. Going about my day I've started having thoughts of, "that's totally Stuff White People Like!" Here's the results of a quick scan of the blog's take on my favorite green topics, with excerpts and links to the topic page on the original blog.

#5 Farmer's Markets: "White people like Farmers Markets for a number of reasons. The first is their undying need to support local economies (see future post), and the idea of buying direct from the farmer helps them assuage the fears instilled in them from reading Fast Food Nation (and yes, every white person has read this book)...If they are single, this is a good place to meet other single white people who share their passion for sustainability."

#6 Organic Food: "When faced with eating food that has been processed and loaded with nitrates, sodium and saturated fat, or organic rat poison, 10/10 they will take the rat poison."

#48 Whole Foods & Grocery Co-ops: "White people need organic food to survive, and where they purchase this food is as important as what they purchase. In modern white person culture, Whole Foods has replaces churches and cathedrals as the most important and relevant buildings in the community....

These stores are excellent for bringing children, as there is nothing that they actually want.

“Oh, mommy, look chocolate!”

“No Joshua, that’s carob.”

“I want it.”

“Ok.”

The child will then take a bite and realize that nothing in the store can be trusted."

#60 Toyota Prius: "The Prius might be the most perfect white product ever.  It’s expensive, gives the idea that you are helping the environment, and requires no commitment/changes other than money...There are a few ways you can use this to your advantage.  If you are carpooling to an event or party you can always say “can we take your Prius? my car doesn’t get good mileage and I feel guilty driving it.”  And bam! Free ride!"

#61 Bicycles: "The combination of rare bicycles and expensive parts makes it easy for white people to judge other white people on the quality and originality of their bicycles. This is important in determining if someone is or isn’t cooler than you. And of course, it goes without saying that white people who ride bikes like to talk about how they are saving the earth. If you know a person who rides to work, you should take them aside and say “Hey, thanks. Sincerely, The Earth.” Then give a thumbs up. That white person will ride home on a cloud."

#64 Recycling: "Recycling is a part of a larger theme of stuff white people like: saving the earth without having to do that much. Recycling is fantastic! You can still buy all the stuff you like (bottled water, beer, wine, organic iced tea, and cans of all varieties) and then when you’re done you just put it in a DIFFERENT bin than where you would throw your other garbage. And boom! Environment saved! Everyone feels great, it’s so easy!"

#76 Bottles of Water: "Currently, white people on the cutting edge are really into metal bottles of water with a twist cap. It is recommended that you buy one of these as soon as possible. Having one will give you precious leverage over any white person who is drinking from a plastic bottle. “Oh bottled water? really? I mean it’s cool, but I kind of thought you cared about the earth.” If you see someone drinking a Fiji water, you do have the opportunity to go in for the kill. “Do you know that your bottle of water has a bigger carbon footprint than me?"

Naturally, #44 is Public Radio. Listen to the NPR interview with the writer of Stuff White People Like here.

Now I think I have to start a blog about stuff green people like...suggestions?

Previously, I wrote an article about making one's own baby food without the waste and expense of buying those little plastic tubs (or even the jars). I have decided to make it one step easier for you: here are some recipes!

For apples, firmer pears, prunes, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, eggplant, green beans, greens (kale, collard greens, spinach, etc.), peas, potatoes, rhubarb, squash (summer or winter), or yams/sweet potatoes, remove any peels, cores, and/or tough stems. Wash the item thoroughly. Chop it into small pieces (one-inch cubes should work). Add the item and enough water to the pan/microwaveable dish so that it will not entirely boil away (a few tablespoons should do). On the stove, bring everything to a boil, and cook until tender. Keep a lid on the pan to minimize nutient loss. In the microwave (which saves power), cover the dish and microwave for several minutes. Once the food is very soft for a young baby, or tender-crisp for an older one, remove it from heat and allow to cool slightly.

The Estethica exhibition at London fashion week, which wrapped up its fourth season on February 13th, showcases some of the best in sustainable fashion around, with an emphasis on UK designers. The event has firmly established its reputation for raising awareness and promoting the concept of ethically-minded fashion within the industry and the public, showcasing long-established ‘green’ brands alongside emerging sustainable fashion designers. Estethica celebrates designers who choose to work with recycled materials, organic and other sustainable fibers, and those who adhere to fair trade labor standards.

This year’s exhibition was packed once again, featuring regulars like People Tree, Junky Styling, Terra Plana, Ciel and Katharine Hamnett, as well as international brands of note, like Beyond Skin, Fin, Viridis Luxe (photo at the top), Noir and Izzy Lane (one of the designers featured in the Portland Fall Fashion Week 2007 shows). Not to be forgotten, accessories lines, such as the jewelry collection of Fifi Bijoux and bag-designers Nahui Ollin, Sonya Kashmiri and Pibiones all made an positive impression. Trends spotted, courtesy of Bonnie Alter at Treehugger: “lots of greys, whites and blues (despite the fashion mag’s insistence on colours this spring), clothes are either casual or over the top and most interestingly-many designers are working with socially deprived groups to develop new skills or maintain old ones.”

Talk about cradle to cradle planning in design, I love the fact that Makepiece’s collection is designed to be composted when the outfit has been worn to pieces. Now that’s closing the loop.

Not all brands were from across the pond. San Francisco’s Del Forte Denim exhibited, as did one of our long standing favorites, Stewart+Brown.

According to Orsola de Castro, founder the UK ‘green’ label From Somewhere and co-curator of the event, “Support for the sustainable fashion movement has been incredible worldwide, but in the UK we have exceeded all expectations, with unprecedented moves toward a more ethical fashion industry. Estethica is central to this shift.” Source: Crush Communications Press Release.

Estethica has helped pave the way for similar events in the US, from growing ‘green’ exhibits at mainstream fashion trade shows like the S(eco)nd show at Pool and the Go Green Initiative at Designers & Agents, to the flurry of ‘green’ fashion weeks this past fall, including those in Portland, Seattle, Los Angeles and more, all vying for the title of “Greenest of Them All”. With each new ‘ultimate green fashion’ event, it becomes clear that eco-fashion is not only here to stay, but growing at an exponential rate. Designers are realizing that not only is it the right thing to do, but it is also an investment in our future, with great potential for financial reward along the way. As Matilda Lee, Green Pages Editor for The Ecologist, said, these designers “should be commended for holding fast to their principles of putting sustainability on the agenda and for valuing long term vision over short term gain - in short: for designing with the planet in mind.”

Thank you Estethica for giving us one more example of the fact that style, sustainability and smart business are not mutually exclusive.

This year’s exhibition was packed once again, featuring regulars like , , , and , as well as international brands of note, like , , (photo at the top), and (one of the designers featured in the Portland Fall Fashion Week 2007 shows). Not to be forgotten, accessories lines, such as the jewelry collection of and bag-designers , and all made an positive impression. spotted, courtesy of Bonnie Alter at : “lots of greys, whites and blues (despite the fashion mag’s insistence on colours this spring), clothes are either casual or over the top and most interestingly-many designers are working with socially deprived groups to develop new skills or maintain old ones.”

Estethica celebrates designers who choose to work with recycled materials, organic and other sustainable fibers, and those who adhere to fair trade labor standards.

This year’s exhibition was packed once again, featuring regulars like , , , and , as well as international brands of note, like , , (photo at the top), and (one of the designers featured in the Portland Fall Fashion Week 2007 shows). Not to be forgotten, accessories lines, such as the jewelry collection of and bag-designers , and all made an positive impression. spotted, courtesy of Bonnie Alter at : “lots of greys, whites and blues (despite the fashion mag’s insistence on colours this spring), clothes are either casual or over the top and most interestingly-many designers are working with socially deprived groups to develop new skills or maintain old ones.” Estethica celebrates designers who choose to work with recycled materials, organic and other sustainable fibers, and those who adhere to fair trade labor standards.

This year’s exhibition was packed once again, featuring regulars like , , , and , as well as international brands of note, like , , (photo at the top), and (one of the designers featured in the Portland Fall Fashion Week 2007 shows). Not to be forgotten, accessories lines, such as the jewelry collection of and bag-designers , and all made an positive impression. spotted, courtesy of Bonnie Alter at : “lots of greys, whites and blues (despite the fashion mag’s insistence on colours this spring), clothes are either casual or over the top and most interestingly-many designers are working with socially deprived groups to develop new skills or maintain old ones.” Estethica celebrates designers who choose to work with recycled materials, organic and other sustainable fibers, and those who adhere to fair trade labor standards.

This year’s exhibition was packed once again, featuring regulars like , , , and , as well as international brands of note, like , , (photo at the top), and (one of the designers featured in the Portland Fall Fashion Week 2007 shows). Not to be forgotten, accessories lines, such as the jewelry collection of and bag-designers , and all made an positive impression. spotted, courtesy of Bonnie Alter at : “lots of greys, whites and blues (despite the fashion mag’s insistence on colours this spring), clothes are either casual or over the top and most interestingly-many designers are working with socially deprived groups to develop new skills or maintain old ones.” Estethica celebrates designers who choose to work with recycled materials, organic and other sustainable fibers, and those who adhere to fair trade labor standards. exhibition at London fashion week, which wrapped up its fourth season on February 13th, showcases some of the best in sustainable fashion around, with an emphasis on UK designers. The event has firmly established its reputation for raising awareness and promoting the concept of ethically-minded fashion within the industry and the public, showcasing long-established ‘green’ brands alongside emerging sustainable fashion designers. Estethica celebrates designers who choose to work with recycled materials, organic and other sustainable fibers, and those who adhere to fair trade labor standards.

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Return to Sender With Recycled Cards
Research from Hallmark shows that Valentine's Day is the second most popular holiday for greeting cards, with as many as 180 million cards sent each year, and that's not counting children's valentines. Skip the heart shaped boxes and pink foil and send a love note on these cards from Urban Bird Designs, made in Portland with images from books found at estate sales (vendors include Eagle Harbor Book Company and West Seattle Nursery,  find more online). Created using wind energy and printed on 100% recycled paper, these cards employ cute puns such as "deer to me" (pictured, right) and are blank inside--perfect for a gift certificate from our merchants.

I made it inside with more than 21,000 enthusiastic people in Key Arena this last Friday to hear Barack Obama speak. Three thousand people were left standing out in the cold as the arena was over capacity. Unexpectedly, Barack Obama came out to greet those eager 3,000 with a bullhorn and a 30-minute speech.

I used to bank with Wells Fargo—one of the big corporate banks. After reading an article on credit unions in Co-op America’s Real Money newsletter some years ago and discovering that I already knew people who were long-time members of credit unions, I made the switch. Though it took some time for me to actually decide to commit to making the switch, it was easy to do so, and I’ve never considered going back to one of the big banks that rob you of your money and the earth’s resources.

Meet the "Trollson Twins; Hairy-Kate and Trashley" on Peta's website memorializing the fur wearing fashionistas.




Watch "Full House of Horrors", play troll dress up...it's good clean fun!



I wonder if Lance Armstrong will play dress up with Ashley?

Here is the first entry of my personal web-travel green ephemera collection series. Click on the article title above or "Read Post" below for your invitation inside family homes around the world to see how a week's worth of your food stacks up in comparison. If you're even the slightest Pilobolus fan (the shadow dancers who entertained you at the 2007 Oscars), you'll love seeing garbage shadow art by two European artists. Did you know San Francisco is a step ahead of Seattle in banning plastic bags in large grocery stores? It's so big, but so under our radar: 3 million tons of plastic, covering an area twice the size of Texas floating in our Pacific Ocean. Too busy (or too cheap) to locate, go to the nearest store that accepts your old flourescent light bulbs, and pay their fee to recycle them? Just take them to IKEA where they will recycle them for you for free. Finally, looking for a hybrid taxicab to get downtown from the Sea-Tac Airport? Seattle now has them for you. (But why pay $33 when you can just hop Metro bus 194 for only $1.25?)

G'day & Happy Holidays!  Hopefully we get some snow tomorrow as forecasted by our favorite local weather guys, man alive they have a tough job!  I am a West Coast guy and my is wife from Iowa... We both agree that, the only thing we would change about our climate here in the Pacific Northwest is the Winter... I would love a good snow a few times each season. Are ya with me?

Anyway, as you might have read from my bio, I own a couple small Adventure Travel companies here in Seattle, EverGreen Escapes, local nature/adventure tours of the Pacific Northwest and Explorers 3 Adventure, international eco-adventures.