Amala @ Barneys NYC

Amala has launched at Barneys NYC! The German brand that began as a group of practicing Buddhists distilling plant oils has now grown into a luxury skincare brand with a conscience. The premise is simple: you shouldn't have to sacrifice responsibility for results. The products are all natural and the ingredients are as organic as they come, from sustainable fair-trade farms all over the world. I'm clearly a fan, as you can see from the picture above, standing in front of the Amala window display at the Barneys launch party last week.

LOHAS

Last Tuesday I attended my first ever LOHAS event at the opening of Greendepot in the East Village. LOHAS, an acronym for lifestyles of health and sustainability, is an organization of entrepreneurs whose businesses are committed to sustainability, well-being, social justice, and the environment. The event brought about 100 business owners and eco-chic press people together in celebration of the new home depot for the socially conscious and environmentally sound shopper. Several LOHAS company owners made speeches, including one by Ute Leube, founder of Amala Skincare (and incidentally, my new employer!) The products at Greendepot range from bamboo soil alarm clocks to safe organic cleaning products, "found art" home decor (seen above), and it even features the only no-VOC paint bar in Manhattan. So, if and when I can actually afford to move into my own apt. and do it up nice and green, I'll know where to go!
Learn more about Greendepot here.

Big Easy Rain

I went to New Orleans for my spring break to visit my friend Marissa, hoping to relax a little and get some sunshine and warmth after finishing the written part of my thesis (for the most part done in the cave- piled –with- books that my room has become). I landed on the runway and had a missed call from her, informing me that the first serious rainstorm of the season had just hit and was supposed to last for a few days. My first thought was that I wouldn’t be returning to NYC with a nice tan after all… bummer. But the next day, we went walking in the rain, and my chagrin melted away as I had my first look at the Big Easy. First of all, warm rain is an altogether different experience than the cold and stinging rain I’m used to in New York. Apparently, it also makes for great pictures- the bright colors of the city really pop against the grey sky. Seeing a new city for the first time is always an exciting adventure, and though I had different expectations, New Orleans was just as easy as ever in the rain, and I got the escape from my own city that I had been seeking. I think more than anything I needed a change of scenery, or maybe even just the time to take in the scenery. Above are some of the shots I took. See more on my flickr page.

C'monYe

Seems like Kanye West has been reading The Green Room. At kanyeuniversecity.com on 4/20, the man himself (ostensibly) posted about Green Room friend, photographer i.anton, who I blogged about months ago!!! Pardon me while I gloat for a hot minute about THAT. Congrats i.anton!

Recipe: Jules' Sweet Balsamic Chicken for One

Ingredients
1 Pack of Sliced Chicken Breast
Balsamic Vinegar
Organic Vermont Maple Syrup (Or Agave Syrup)
Rosemary
Black Oil Cured Olives
S&P

Steps
1. Pour a shallow puddle of balsamic into a frying pan (large enough to lay your slices of chicken flat)
2. Lay the chicken in the balsamic vinegar
3. Add Olives
4. Sprinkle with rosemary and S&P
5. Finish with about 1 ½ tablespoons of maple syrup (more if you want it a little sweeter)
6. Cook on the stove for about 2.5- 3 minutes per side on medium/high, make sure the chicken stays nice and tender, don’t overcook!
7. Enjoy with salad and a nice light white wine, my current favorite is Domaine Pelaquie Cote du Rhone .

Leftover Lunch!
For lunch, slice that chicken up some more, toast two slices of whole wheat bread in a toaster oven topped with a slice of Swiss cheese. Then add the slices of chicken and drizzle some more balsamic on top. Close sandwich, slice on the diag, demolish with some apple juice. Leftover olives make a great garnish and nice salty snack alternative to chips!

Who knew cooking for one could be so much fun?

That Good Herb

Instead of flowers for Valentine's day, what about something that lasts (like your love!) and promotes overall health for your loved one? Check out these green gifts from TheBumbleBeeStudio's Etsy Shop.

True Beautree

These beautiful images by photographer Eric Baumann will be around for a long time to come, but the trees themselves may not. Not to be a Debbie Downer, but the truth is, deforestation is happening around the world at an alarming rate. Learn about it here, and find out what you can do:
Eden Reforestation
Finca Project