A round-up of stories VT editors dug this week: A few dedicated "fruit hunters" travel the world saving rare avocado breeds threatened by deforestation and climate change. (We're especially curious about the tasty-sounding Pura Vida variety, which can grow up to 3 feet long.) [Slate]
Learning how to make a batch of nutrient-dense kale chips is the perfect way to get your greens on. What could be more satisfying than digging in to a big bowl of crunchy chips that you can enjoy guilt free, knowing each bite delivers a powerful dose of nutrients?
The rain really isn’t so bad—for a day. Especially if that day falls on a weekend, when it gives me an excuse to bake chocolate-chip cookies, sip endless mugs of steaming tea, and cuddle up with my dog and a good book. After 24 hours of the stuff, I begin checking the online weather channel compulsively and dreaming of a dry bicycle commute. When venturing outdoors becomes an inevitable necessity, I reach for my trusty trench coat, wind-proof umbrella, and Wellies--the ultimate wet-weather trifecta. When you’re ready for a stylish upgrade that’s rain-ready and eco-friendly, too, look to these pretty pieces to keep you dry and looking divine.
My summer herb garden is winding down and it’s time to clean out the planters so the soil will be ready for next year. I had a good crop of sage, but I’ve never been able to winter over the plants, so it was time to pull it out and put it to use.
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At the first nippy stirrings of autumn, my body seems to sense that even colder winter days loom ahead, so I take that as my cue to unpack last season’s toasty garments from their warm-weather hibernation. The tags on most of my frost-ready outerwear read Polyester, Viscose, or Polyurethane, which are warm-and-snuggly synthetic alternatives to down (bad for birds), wool (ba-aa-aa-d for sheep!), and leather (bad for cows). This doesn’t mean hitting the streets looking like an Arctic explorer; today’s high-tech fibers are stitched into fashion-forward designs that look as good in the forest at they do on Fifth Avenue.
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My kitchen style icon has long been Lucy of the I Love Lucy show. Whether setting Sunday dinner on fire or cooking up mischief with her best friend, Ethel, Lucy always looked head-to-toe glamorous in her waist-hugging apron, chic hair scarf, and Copacabana-ready heels. Modern eco-minded Lucys (and 21st-century Rickys) can look fabulous while whipping up seitan piccata and truffled potatoes too, with the help of these earth-friendly kitchen accoutrements that are as functional as they are fashionable.
From the farmers' market to the office to an evening out on the town, VT editors are on the go. That's why footwear that's as practical as it is fashionable (and leather-free to boot!) is a must-have. Here's what we'll be sporting this fall.
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Check out Vegetarian Times Editors's author page.
Whenever friends or family pick me up at the airport, meet me at the train station, or welcome me home after an overseas adventure, the first thing out of their mouths isn’t “Yay! You’re home!” or “How was Kathmandu?” but “Where’s the rest of your stuff?” Whether packing for a weekend in the mountains or a month-long jungle trek, I always tote the same little black carry-on bag that’s about the size of the average woman’s handbag. Inside, there’s just enough room for undies, a swimsuit, two pairs of sunglasses (I always lose one pair, and they can be tricky to replace on the road), reading material, a little black dress, leggings and a t-shirt, and that most indispensible item of all: the scarf.
There’s a lot to love about urban living: Easy access to arts and culture, a diverse bar-and-restaurant scene, and very few opportunities for boredom to take root. There’s no denying the downsides, though; pollution, noise, and crowds can drain the life-force out of you after a while. To combat the daily grind and rejuvenate this summer, I’ll be searching for rural respite in the great outdoors, where the antidote to stressful city life includes long hikes, swimming, yoga, and cozy nights camping beneath the stars.
Sure, I swoon over summer basil just like everyone else, but the herb that has my heart and soul is lemon verbena. Each year, I buy more lemon verbena plants than the last, squeezing them into window boxes between the geraniums and tucking them next to tomato plants in my small container garden. And each year, I pick, pluck, and trim the stems several times throughout the summer to dry for herbal tea through the winter because I simply can’t get enough of the soothing, floral, lemony flavor.
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With summer in the air, it’s the perfect time to try adding a warm shimmer to your complexion. Whether you’re primping for a romantic night out on the town or just another workday in an air-conditioned office, Alicia Silverstone’s Irresistible Glow Facial Highlighter (part of a new collection created by Silverstone for Juice Beauty) is hands down summer’s secret beauty weapon. It’s organic, 100 percent vegan, and eco-fabulous to boot!
Check out Vegetarian Times Editors's author page.
Check out Vegetarian Times Editors's author page.