Pure Green Premier Living Issue!! magazine
eco living
Travel – Sustainable style in New York!
with style
The Fresh Look of Cook with fresh summer herbs in the Organic Kitchen
July / August 2010
Green
Meet Barb from Knack
build, decorate, live‌ green. sustainmuskoka.com
modern. sustainable. smart. build green with Hufft.
Contents July / August Eco Style Outdoor Style… eco style, outdoors Bohemian Chic… get a natural style Pure Style… editorial summer picks Vintages… Tolix, Designer Classics Online Style… with ethan ollie
p. 10
…& Lovely Clusters Workplace… green profile: Knack Studios Eco DIY… make a clothespin holder Eco DIY…happy hanger with Dottie Angel Eco Before & After… with HGTV’s Samantha Pynn Fresh Picked… decorate with wild flowers
Pure Green Homes p. 26
Green is Historic… Jessica Helgerson reveals a historic Portland home renovation Green is Modern… modern clean design with Shelley Penner Green is Re-Invented… think outside the box with Hufft Architects Green is Preserved… a 50’s bungalow is restored with help from Australia’s Janine Melbourne
p. 70
Contents July / August The Organic Kitchen Dill… put a spin on a traditional Greek dip Rosemary… roasted white potatoes Thyme… delectable lemon thyme roast chicken Mint… a relaxing dessert tea Organic Kitchen… kitchen style
Pure Green Traveler
p. 24
The Crosby Street Hotel… visit New York in eco style
The Last Word Live Green… with bloggers Kirsten & Jacqui
p. 62
Pure Green
daily updates…sustainable style www.puregreendesign.blogspot.com
Welcome!
…to the premier issue of Pure Green Living. Pure Green Living was created with a very clear intent: we want to provide a unique publication that dedicates every page to stylish solutions for green living. We are passionate about what we do and want to share that passion with you through the pages of Pure Green Living.
help wanted!
We’re looking for talented individuals to become regular contributors of Pure Green Living. Email us to enquire about available positions. puregreendesign@ gmail.com
Pure Green Living is interactive, and we want your feedback! Send letters to the editor, DIY ideas, photos of your latest before & after, or anything you think is cool to puregreendesign@ gmail.com!
we want to hear from you!
Every issue we’ll bring to you style picks, ideas, news and trends from the green industry. You’ll find DIY projects, interviews, and before & after transformations. We’ll feature new green design that showcase the abundance of materials, the diversity and the enthusiasm behind green architecture. You’ll read of green retreats around the world, and be able to create delicious meals with us in the Organic Kitchen. My husband and I run an eco friendly business together called Sustain – those who walk through our doors always mention that we must really love what we do, as our enthusiasm and desire to share what we love with others speaks to them. Pure Green Living is an extension of that. We are lucky to live in an area that is so ecologically diverse that my desire to preserve is fueled every day when I walk my dog Rusty though the forest or go for a dip in the lake. But whether you live in the country or the city, there’s always a little bit of nature to appreciate. Let Pure Green Living inspire you to explore the many ways to live a little lighter. Thank you for reading Pure Green Living.
Céline www.puregreenliving.com
Editor
Pure Green brings you an edited choice of eco friendly style picks!
organic quilts: Plover Organic
{ideas
trends
projects}
Pure Green style Cisco Brothers, one of our favourite sources for sustainable furnishings, has partnered with HOM to create incredibly good lookin’ outdoor furniture.
2.
1.
3.
4.
5 &
Put a mod spin on patio lanterns with these solar string lights
6.
or….. inside becomes outside with this hanging solar pendant light from Ikea!
this……
or that!
Woolly Pocket makes kits for DIY modular living walls. Floor to ceiling green all year round.
Outdoor
Style
It’s high summer and hopefully you’re finding time to recharge and enjoy the season. If you’re looking to create the perfect outdoor space or need to replace some old run-down patio furniture, we’ve put together a mélange of eco style options, just for you.
7. sources: 1 & 2. cisco brothers 3. kikkerland
8.
4. perch bird feeder 5. hearth & plow 6. ikea 7. woolly pocket 8. gallant & jones
Gallant & Jones will plant a tree for every chair sold!
9. electra bicycles
9. Pure Green Living {July/August 2010} p.8
Pure Green style
1.
2.
5.
Bohemian
Chic
Create this classically bohemian, eco chic look at home this summer. You don’t have to break the bank, or over consume… a few simple touches here and there, such as the wood turned bowl or abaca rug, can add elements of boho to your décor.
3.
6. sources: 1. les indiennes 2. merida meridian 3. article 22 trading co. 4. écologique by kelly Laplante
4.
5. j & l woodturning 6. ruche
Pure Green Living {July/August 2010} p.10
Pure Green style
Celine’s Eco Picks for Summer!
Green wash? In this case it’s a good thing!
Carolina Bleu’s recycled brass pendant
Made with recycled quilts!!
Romantic, Vintage Style
Amy Butler’s gone organic! Bold summer style, sustainably sourced.
Where? See Source Guide, Page…
“If you surrender to the wind, you can ride it.� Toni Morrison Artist Feature Meet Marc, from Rennes, France. Marc is a fine art photographer, with an eye for the exquisite. Find him here: www.etsy.com/shop/MarcoLaGrenouille
Pure Green Living {July/August 2010} p.12
Pure Green style Designed in 1934 by french designer Xavier Pauchard and manufactured by industrial metal-working company Tolix, the A Series chair and stool have gone from industrial necessities found on battleships, to French cafÊ must-haves, to home classics. Why do we love Tolix? They’re versatile! They are equally at home in a rustic Muskokan cottage as they are in an uber-modern NY loft. As for green cred? They are 100% recyclable material and these days pretty much everything made of metal is recycled too. Kick that up a notch by sourcing vintage originals (buy used and new from Antiquaire Online). Most popular: A56 Stool, and the A Chair.
Design Classic!
Create…with Penner Design A leading sustainable interiors firm, Penner & Associates provides a full complement of design services and specialized expertise to the institutional, commercial and residential sectors. 159 Hastings Street West, Vancouver
604.255-2049
info@pennerdesign.ca
Pure Green style
Read…
Never look at unwanted
household objects the same way again! Author of Remake it Home Henrietta Thompson shares a jackpot of DIY ideas, using mostly found and repurposed objects from around the home, such as the genius recycled yellow page photo and note holders (pictured right)!
Just as the projects are jaw drop fabulous, you’ll be just as inspired by the page layout and retro chic design of Remake it Home, brought to you by Neal Whittington of the celebrated UK online stationary and vintage delight store, Present and Correct (presentandcorrect.com). With the ultimate goal to cut back on landfill use and make what is old new again, why not do it with impeccable style? Partnering with design hero’s such as Loyal Loot (Log Bowls) and Tord Boontje (Transglass Vases), Remake it Home will inspire and amaze you! Summer is yard sale season! Remake it Home will instill the urge in you to raid a few and find some found objects of your own to transform. Published by Thames & Hudson. Available in North America from Amazon.
Online…
There are so many lovely style makers out there we can’t possibly ignore! Here’s a little glimpse of some of our favourite haunts on the net. Pay a visit!
Of those check out Lovely Clusters (lovelyclusters.blogspot.com) a great blogger who has just released a beautiful colour themed catalog of beautiful objects, many handmade or vintage!
and… fancy yourself a handy gal? Don’t miss P.S. I Made This (psimadethis.com) an eye popping site of DIY projects inspired by fashion looks and runway trends.
Pure Green Living the Blog! Get daily updates at puregreendesign. blogspot.com
Pure Green Living {July/August 2010} p.16
Pure Green style Pure Green loves vintage…and Kim of ethan ollie does an especially good job. Her impeccable styling makes her wares practically irresistible!
Online… The oil spill in the Gulf is a tragedy beyond all compare… if you’d like to do something, support the Poppytalk Handmade ‘Oil Spill Response Market’, organized by Jan of Poppytalk. If you need a gift for someone special, find one here and make your pennies count.
Feature’s from the Handmade Market:
field trip
isphotography
bliss in a teacup moop
Pure Green Living {July/August 2010} p.18
PuPure Green workplace Pure Green Workplace is a showcase for people doing good green things for a living
She’s Got a Knack… Meet Barb from Knack Studio.
PGL: How did you get started? KS: I started about 9 years ago when I painted my kitchen cabinets...the transformation was so satisfying ....and I was hooked! PGL: Where do you source such fantastic old pieces? KS: I get them all over.....salvation army, garage sales.....but more than anything now people know what I do and they call me up and bring pieces to me! It's really nice. PGL: Describe how your work helps reduce waste. KS: In short...I'm taking pieces that would otherwise be thrown away or sit unwanted somewhere taking up space and make them useful, wanted, and relevant for today.
Pure Green Living {July/August 2010} p.20
Pure Green workplace
PGL: Where do you see knack in 5 years? KS: I hope to be a major design force to be reckoned with! ......no seriously, I hope to have a couple of employees and still be cranking out the furniture that I love...but also delve into the world of designing.....not so much me designing interiors ...but rather supplying the great pieces for interiors that span beyond furniture. PGL: You have a lovely home...featured on design*sponge...and your store is amazing too. What would you describe as your design aesthetic, and what would your quick tips be to someone looking to achieve your style? KS: My design aesthetic is to "live with what you love" ....let your home tell your story....fill it with favorite collections, children's artwork, found pieces, pieces of character {painted furniture!} that ground each room......when you do that ... a look comes together that is truly unique . Don't be afraid to bend the rules.....or not follow them at all!
Artist Feature Meet Amy, of Fieldtrip! Her current collection reflects her love of minimalism, and has a modern, graphic appeal. Find her at www.etsy.com/shop/fieldtrip
Pure Green Living {July/August 2010} p.22
Pure Green diy We like working with our hands and trying things out, even if at first they don’t work out. So every issue we’ll try to inspire you to try something out for yourself. All you need for this project are some fabric scraps and a sewing machine. This DIY was inspired by Celine’s newly installed clothesline! Rather than lose all her clothespins in her hydrangea bush, she created this handy little sac to help her keep them all corralled. Instructions: 1. Dig around for some pretty fabric scraps in two coordinating fabrics. 2. Cut two pieces of each fabric, one measuring 9” x 13”, the other 9” x 11”. 3. Using pins, secure the two fabrics of the same size so that the good sides face inward and sew along the edge, leaving a 2” gap at the top. 4. Repeat with the second set. 5. Reverse and press. 6. To finish your top edge, fold the raw edges of the gap inwards and press. Cut a 2” strip of fabric and form a loop, inserting it into the gap you’ve left at the top – this will become your hook. Sew shut. 7. To finish, pin the two fabrics so you can see the reveal of your liner at the top. Sew ½” from the edge, and voila! 8. Accessorize – pick a pretty button or make your own as we did and sew onto bag. This adds some bling but you can also hook the loop over it to close the bag. 9. To make the wooden button shown above: cut a 2” thick stick into coins, and use a drill for the holes (if you haven’t worked with power tools – please ask someone to show you how to do this safely).
“Let yourself be silently drawn by the stronger pull of what you really love.” Rumi
Cicada Studio If you don’t happen to have any fabric scraps around, check out one of our eco faves, Melissa from Cicada Studio. A word of caution: her gorgeous collection of fabrics will have you dreaming up so many projects you won’t have time for them all!
it will be a little bit of waffle and then i will leave it up to you to decode my waffle and make it up as you go along. so let us begin... the nitty gritty ingredients required *one old wood hanger, mine is narrow in depth only 3/4 of an inch,
organic * a Mr Hook, size F, 4.0mm recycled *i have used double crochet, american terminology handmade
* some leftover happy colored yarn, i have used worsted weight yarn
happy hanger how to by Tif Fussel, aka Dottie Angel
step 1: chain 65, chain 3 (counting as first double crochet) , double crochet into third chain from hook
step 2: double crochet into same chain, repeat two more times.
step 3: single crochet into third chain from your cluster of double crochets. a shell has been made, next shell will be made up of 5 double crochets, this is the basic shell pattern that can be found in any crocheting how to book.
step 4: repeat all along your chain to end. you should have 13 shells. step 5: turn your work but keeping the same side facing you and repeat the same row you just did, but along the bottom side of the chain. a mirror image of what you have just done. (lordy i hope this all makes sense)
step 6: finish off your final shell by slip stitching into the very first shell you made. basically you have gone around in a circle. your first round is complete. 13 full round shells should be in your hand.
step 7: repeat all of the above for your second side of your happy coat hanger
step 8: weave in your ends step 9: place your two pieces right sides together. i chose to do this because i liked the wrong side of my crocheting best, you can chose to use the other side if you wish. with a contrasting yarn color, begin the right end of your happy coat hanger, making sure the stitches are lined up and start single crocheting them together. i went though both loops of the stitch below.
Purl Soho – one of our favourite sources for online supplies… even if it’s just to admire.
continued on page 86…..
Pure Green Living {July/August 2010} p.24
www.chakrapennywhistle.com
Pure Green before & after
Before
After
Interior Design: Samantha Pynn of HGTV’s Pure Design Photography: Virginia MacDonald
Pure Green Living {July/August 2010} p.26
The Back Story: When Samantha Pynn, host of HGTV’s eco design show Pure Design tackled this project, the homeowner’s attic space was unwelcoming and under used. Samantha created a light filled, pleasant space using natural materials such as sisal - a biodegradable flooring option, just be sure it is fair-trade. In this space, Samantha showcased local artisans to add a little personality. The bright sofa livens up the palette – source an eco friendly sofa at Montauk.
Samantha’s tips for second hand shopping: “A good quality piece can last many years so look for quality before you buy. Give the furniture a good shake; there shouldn't be any movement, or noise. Flip it around and look at the back and bottom of the piece. High quality furniture will be smooth and fitted even in places that are not easily seen.”
Pure Green natural living
Fresh Picked!
Fresh flowers come with a heavy footprint, between social injustice, pesticides & travel. We suggest simple wildflower arrangements for a splash of colour & an organic look.
Purple Nine-Bark
Indian Paintbrushes
Hostas & Daisies
Get a natural organic look that is also long-lasting by using interesting foliage. My favourites are Maple and Purple Nine-Bark, which can often have a lovely, two tone bronzed colouring. You can either take a very small cutting and place in a bud vase for a simple touch, or add drama by taking a larger branch and placing in a large vase. It can look great on the floor, a low coffee table or on a large dining room table.
You can often find beauty and colour in the most unlikely of places….like the ditch! The road to my home is a treasure trove of wildflowers, from Lupines in June to tall grasses in August. These lovely, bright orange buds caught my eye, affectionately known as an Indian Paintbrush. Go for simple to get the highest impact…too many colours/species can often look messy. A few stems mixed with some curly willow twigs add interest. Another good choice is Blue Cornflower.
If you need to add presence to a simple arrangements, Hosta leaves work wonders, creating the perfect backdrop. Daisies grow everywhere all summer long – add romantic charm to unexpected corners in your home (think your bathroom sink, your night-table or a bookshelf, just as a few examples). Quick tip: If you want your fresh picked daisies to last longer than a few days, pay attention to the center of the flower. If the center is completely yellow and dusted with pollen, your stems will only last a day or two.
Pure Green Homes
"We must be willing to get rid of the life we have
planned, so as to have the life that is awaiting us." Joseph Campbell
Green is Historic
How this home went from a 100 year old Victorian to a green mod pod for a fresh young family.
Design: Jessica Helgerson Interior Design Words: Celine MacKay Photography: Lincoln Barbour
Pure Green homes
Next time you look around and feel limited by the space around you, think again! In fact, sometimes the challenge of creating a space within the confines of 4 existing walls forces creativity you didn’t know you had in you! If you need inspiration, look to this incredibly mod, 100 year old (if you can believe it) home, created by queen of green design, Jessica Helgerson. “The clients for this project were a young family with a very modern aesthetic. The trick was to take their hundred-year-old Northwest Portland house and make it feel fresh and current. The color palette is a gradation of whites and cool grays with a bright entry fading to a darker living room and a dramatically dark dining room and library. In the entry we had mirrors laser-cut to form organic shapes that dance along the walls reflecting surprising snippets of the house. The house is now fresh, bright, functional and contemporary while remaining true to itself.”
Try it at Home: Jessica had mirrors laser cut to refract light and reflect snippets of images from around the room to add interest.
The careful balance of light, dark, old and new are what make this room really work. The coffee table echoes the curves in the antique armoir, and the colour grade from dark to light brings the eye upwards, visually expanding the room. Even the sofa’s angular lines are mirrored in the hanging light fixture.
Pure Green Living {July/August 2010} p.34
Work with contrast to give your home impact. The light, gleaming palette in the kitchen allows for the near black walls in the dining room, creating a dramatic look that actually makes the space feel larger. Don’t be afraid to really go for it!
Pure Green Living {July/August 2010} p.36
Maximizing space was an important factor, so Jessica made use of the space on the landing to create this efficient little nook…nice to have laundry so close to the closet!
Jessica insulated and finished the attic, adding four large skylights and painting everything white including the wood floors. The result is a cheerful, sunny, modern work-and-play space for the clients who both work from home.
Pure Green Living {July/August 2010} p.38
Pure Green homes
Above Left: Get a natural wool carpet from Merida Meridian. Above Right: Try Terra Green recycled ceramic tiles for the greenest bathroom.
Green is Modern‌
Design & Words : Penner & Associates Photography: Martin Tessler
Pure Green homes
The transformation of a character house into a fresh expression of modernism started with opening up the main floor to serve the changing needs of the homeowner. This flexibility will facilitate all future additions, such as an entry foyer on the front of the house. “Turning old into new can present challenges, but it also offers opportunities to integrate unique features that reflect the personality and lifestyle of the homeowner.” In the case of this Vancouver home, the new design for the main floor is expansive, accommodating a living area, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom/study and potential dining area. The design also enhances the connection to outside while providing the ability to create privacy. This was achieved with integrated teleshades on new doors and windows installed during the upgrade of the structural and building envelope. “It’s rewarding to work with clients who love where they live and want to breathe new life into their homes, to create beautiful and functional interiors that provide lasting comfort.”
Pure Green homes
Check out IceStone’s Snow Flurry for a similar countertop. Eco Tip: For an easy, non-toxic and inexpensive green floor cleaner, mix vinegar (about 1/4 cup) with hot water. Be sure to use a mop that wrings out well, as too much water on a wood floor could cause damage.
Pure Green Living {July/August 2010} p.44
Pure Green homes
Looking for a funky rug to add style to your space? Check out Amy Butler’s fabulously colourful line of eco rugs.
Green is Re-Invented
Put a spin on tradition with Hufft Architects as they transform this average home from boring to bold in one fell swoop.
Design: Hufft Projects Words: Celine MacKay Photography: Mike Sinclair
For eco friendly exterior paint and stain, try Broda by CBR Products in Vancouver.
Before
When Andrew and Courtney Bash first laid eyes on this suburban ranch style home in Kansas City, they knew it needed some major updating, but Andrew, with ties in real estate, and Courtney, an executive, along with their two sons Oscar and Auggie, could see that it had the potential to become the fresh, modern family home of their dreams. The couple brought on green architect and longstanding family friend, Matthew Hufft of Hufft Projects. At this time, Hufft Projects was a small firm, working on projects for family and friends out of a basement office. Since then, the firm has grown to include MAKE Studios and an impressive portfolio of green projects. The vision for the Bash residence was simple: update, refresh, and celebrate the old while bringing in the new. Rather than completely eliminate the character of the original home, no effort was made to disguise the addition, and the home has become a study in contrast and eras,
Pure Green homes If you want the look of a real fire but don’t have the space, try Planika Bio Fire.
becoming completely unique in the process. While preserving what elements could be useful, a cedar clad, modernist structure was added, containing a master bedroom, two children’s rooms and a playroom on the second floor, as well as a small green roof. Unlike the exterior of the home, inside, great care was taken to ensure the experience is cohesive. Partition walls were removed and ceilings raised to expose the vaults, resulting in a light-filled, singular living area, differentiated by an expansive kitchen island. The white walls throughout the home offset the natural wood tones used, also creating tension and adding warmth to the modernist, redux scheme. The result for the Bash family is a hip, design savvy home that still has a down to earth, family friendly feel a gathering place for friends and children in the neighbourhood.
Pure Green Living {July/August 2010} p.50
Pure Green homes Get a similar, seamless cabinetry look using Plyboo’s bamboo plywood. Also, for a totally eco, solid surface countertop try Paperstone.
Get a similar look as this sideboard from MAKE Studios. Urban Harvest makes gorgeous eco chic tables such as this one. Try EcoTimber for an FSC walnut floor.
Pure Green homes
Above Don’t have a walk-in closet? Take a cue from Hufft and plan for some custom built-ins like these. The beauty of the wood creates a feature, balanced by the white walls and pale floor. Right The backlighting in the corner creates depth and adds interest to the otherwise sparse wash closet. Don’t be limited by ‘rules’. Here, the oddly placed window becomes a feature by placing the mirror off to the side.
Love the look of mosaic tile? Oceanside Glass and Sandhill Glass have recycled glass mosaic tile.
Pure Green homes
Large windows, especially south facing, take advantage of the sun’s power and passively heat your home. If you need to repaint, try Safecoat’s Hush White to get a similar look to this modern home.
Green is Preserving
Words & Photos by Janine Moller
Perched high on the northern headland of Whale Beach in Sydney's north, sits this red brick 50's suburban bungalow, feeling a tad out of place amongst the weatherboard fisherman's cottages and the concrete and glass palaces that inhabit the area. The owners had bought it at the top end of their budget, and had great plans for a total renovation which was now set back a few years until they could save enough money to complete it. The original kitchen and bathroom, and general decor inside was too outdated to live with, even temporarily, and unfortunately, their budget too small to make any obvious improvements. Or so they thought. When they came to me they were unsure whether I would be able to suggest anything that would have enough impact to make the house feel a bit more contemporary, light and livable on such a small budget. And of course we didn't want to go spending money on things that were going to be ripped out again in a few years time when the owners were able to commence their major renovation. It's just seemed too wasteful.
“…it has great bones and good soul.”
So my plan was to turn the house back into a blank canvas. Being 50's architecture, it had good bones and great soul, and all that was required was ripping up the dated carpet (luckily to reveal beautiful wooden floorboards), and the wallpaper throughout, then painting the walls and all the woodwork white. The change was immediate, however, the budget didn't allow for a new kitchen and bathrooms, and they would all be relocated in the new plans anyway. So in the kitchen we took off the cupboard doors to create an open shelving look, where the owner’s collection of retro kitchenware could be displayed. The addition of so much colour and vibrancy pulls the eye away from, and masks, the daggy tiles and bench tops which still remain. Much of the furniture in the house was sourced from second hand furniture shops and auction houses. The original Robin Day dining chairs and Noguchi coffee table tie in with the era of the house, as does the replica Ball chair which was sourced from mybid.com. The colourful wire fruit bowl (egg basket) in the kitchen was sourced from the 1950's fair at Rose Seidler House in Sydney. Original New York designed 1960's wallpaper (from Chee Soon & Fitzgerald) was cut (gasp !) and framed. It complements the Marrimekko fabric (also designed in that era) covering the daybed in the living room.
Pure Green Living {July/August 2010} p.60
By sourcing furniture locally, and recycling second-hand pieces, this 'green' interior has created little or no carbon emissions. Also the owners are so pleased with the results, and are finding the house so livable, that they are contemplating keeping the original house like it is, and scaling back on their renovation. Their plan now is to simply render the brick work on the exterior, install a new kitchen and bathrooms in their present locations and remodernize an existing extension into a sunroom/playroom for their kids. The actual (environmental) impact this small decorating project has created is bigger than any of us could have imagined, and that is eliminating the need for a complete rebuild of a beautiful, yet modest, 1950's bungalow that remains now, at least, for the foreseeable future.
janinemoller.com
Pure Green Living {July/August 2010} p.62
Pure Green
the organic kitchen
"Cooking is like love, it should be
entered into with abandon or not at all." Harriet van Horne
“
Welcome to the Organic Kitchen! It's fair to say we at Pure Green Living love food. One of the many ways we try to live green is to eat good food, grown by good people, using good farming practices. Our desire to share this experience with others is what has prompted the Organic Kitchen. Each issue, Jonathan, our ‘chef de green cuisine’, will share with you his favorite recipes and organic approach to gastronomy. Maybe he’ll inspire you to create your own culinary sensations. Since this is the premiere issue, we thought we’d give him a chance to say hello.
I love food. Making it, eating it and especially sharing it. I love to cook for people. It’s rarely well planned and always interesting – most of the time I can’t tell you what goes in a dish until I make it, and unless the good folks at Pure Green Living write it down, I generally can’t tell you after either. I’m working on that so that I can share some of my favorites with you – but just a brief disclaimer: my recipes are more like rough guidelines (as are all recipes in my opinion) so adjust ingredients to suit your taste. “My goal is to share with you my favorite recipes, foodie anecdotes and topics ranging from eco friendly cookware and cooking techniques to great wine discoveries to gastronomic chemistry lessons to the always popular carnivore’s dilemma.”
So what do I know about cooking? You be the judge. Am I a Chef? I am not classically trained, though I have put my time in. I have spent years working shoulder to shoulder with a great many chefs .
I like to think of myself as a ‘culinarian’ – capable and
devoted, but not certified. I have been a restauranteur for the better part of my adult life. I have a genuine passion for food and I have cooked and experimented with food for as long as I can remember.
hands – the only two tools you need.
”
I cook with my heart and my
I know what tastes good, what makes a good meal, how to have fun in the kitchen
and how to love food that loves you back.
We’ve created four tasty recipes using fresh-picked herbs… enjoy. This issue…summer is here, and it doesn’t get much better than
fresh herbs from the garden!
Pure Green Living {July/August 2010} p.66
Dill
Delicate yet bold.
photo: Celine MacKay
Pure Green organic kitchen Greek Tzatziki allow 25 minutes
ingredients: ½ Pint of plain, 3% organic yogurt 2 lg. seedless (or seeded) cucumbers ½ tsp. fine organic mineral sea salt 2-3 tbsp. Organic cider vinegar ¼ cup of Fresh Dill 2-3 cloves of garlic 5 tbsp. Virgin cold-pressed Olive Oil
method: Yogurt: When it comes to tzatziki the thicker the better. In my humble opinion higher fat not only means better flavor, but it’s less processed which means better for you. Yogurt is an organic must – so no cheating on this one! Cucumbers: If it’s a cuc with seeds, you’ll need to peal the heavy skin and remove the seeds before grating. If it’s a seedless cuke (sometimes called English cuke) then just wash it and grate the whole thing. I cheat and use a food processor for this! Once you have grated all the cucumbers you need to grab handfuls and squeeze them as hard as you can over a colander and set aside. The goal is to get the cuke slaw as dry as possible. Garlic: In a mortar and pestle smash the garlic and grind together with the salt until you have a creamy paste. In a mixing bowl add yogurt and stir in the garlic paste. Add the olive oil and mix thoroughly. Slowly add the vinegar and whisk it in fairly quickly so that the yogurt doesn’t break. Cut in the dill and stir it up.
tip: To make your yogurt thicker, pour it into a colander lined with cheese cloth and let the water drain out of it. health tip: Low fat doesn’t necessarily mean healthy.
Low fat often means heavily processed and probably has some nasty
ingredients so make sure you check the difference. Our bodies can metabolize natural fat but struggles with the alternatives. Good fat (mono and poly-unsaturated) will actually help your body rid itself of ‘bad’ fats. Focus on natural and organic… and maybe walk a little.
Serve with … warm pita or na’an bread and a plate of mixed, marinated olives.
Pure Green Living {July/August 2010} p.68
The unmistakable aroma of
Rosemary photo: Jonathan MacKay
Pure Green organic kitchen Rosemary Roasted Potatoes allow 60 minutes
ingredients: Organic potatoes (new white potatoes work well) Fresh Rosemary (dry works in a pinch but you need three times the amount) Seasoning Salt – see below how to make your own or cheat and use a premix (Lawry’s and Hys are good)
method: Wash but do not peel potatoes. Cut into bite size chunks. Immediately toss in a bowl while the potatoes are still wet from slicing and coat in a generous amount of seasoning salt and rosemary – don’t be shy with the spices! Stir or toss the mixture well and add rosemary and seasoning salt until the spuds are evenly coated. Spread out on a cookie sheet or baking tray and roast at 400, turning once, until the potatoes are golden brown. The longer you roast the better they will be, but count on 45 minutes. The potatoes will be crisp on the outside and creamy on the inside, and packed with flavor. If you are in a hurry, or if your potato chunks are too dry, lightly coat with good quality oil such as grapeseed and then add the seasonings. The potatoes will crisp up much faster and while still delicious, will be a little more rich tasting. *adding plenty of salt will have a dehydrating effect on the potatoes making them very creamy. The flavor will be enhanced but will not be overly salty tasting. Without the oil this makes for a pretty healthy dish.
Seasoning Salt ingredients: 2 medium cloves of garlic ½ tsp. paprika ½ tsp of dry chili flakes ½ tsp. of dry oregano or 1/8 of finely chopped fresh 3 tbsp. coarse organic mineral salt Continued page…
Pure Green Living {July/August 2010} p.70
Thyme
Possibly the most versatile herb in your garden.
Pure Green organic kitchen Salt Crusted Lemon Thyme Chicken Serves 4 - 6 Allow 1.5 Hours
ingredients: 3-4 Pound organic, free-roaming, traditionallyraised, antibiotic free, happy Zen Chicken! 4 cloves of fresh local garlic 2 whole lemons Coarse organic mineral sea salt ¼ Spanish Onion Paprika Gads of Fresh Thyme – hopefully from your garden
method Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. Check your chicken’s cavity and remove any giblets. If you forget this step and they are wrapped in plastic this meal will go terribly wrong. Take it from a guy who had an epic failure with a Christmas turkey. OK - Cut your garlic cloves up a little. Cut your onion into a few small chunks. Wash your lemons with soap, then cut 1 lemon into 8 or so pieces. Rinse your thyme – don’t worry about the stems at this point (a cup or more for this part – thyme is on your side!). OK, take all that stuff and alternate cramming it into the chicken. Rub the entire chicken with some olive oil – this will prevent the salt from dehydrating the meat. Squeeze the other lemon over it. Coat it generously top and bottom with thyme leaves (you can cheat and use dried for this), paprika and lots of coarse salt. No, that’s not enough – add more salt! Plunk it in a roasting dish with the breasts on the bottom and cover it loosely with foil – shiny side in.
tip:
Breast meat cooks faster so if you keep it on the bottom the liquid will collect there, keeping the breasts juicy and
delicious. Recipe Continued on page 86…
Pure Green Living {July/August 2010} p.72
Mint
Bold and Refreshing
photos: Jonathan & Celine MacKay
Pure Green organic kitchen
Mint Dessert Tea allow 10 minutes
ingredients: Fresh Mint (spearmint is nice for this) Local Honey, preferably unpasteurized
method To a standard 12oz coffee mug: Add 3-4 large sprigs of mint (grow your own in a garden, pot or window box – it’s a weed, so no green thumb required) 1 Tbsp. of honey (adjust to desired sweetness – or go sugar free)
benefits Mint is well known as a digestive aid and a breath freshener, but it also has a great relaxing quality. The sweetness of honey will stave off desert cravings for a wholesome alternative. Honey has many restorative qualities and is loaded with minerals. I suggest a comfortable chair on the end of a dock – right before sunset for this one.
alternatives Try this with 1-2 Sprigs of Rosemary, and some maple syrup. Rosemary is great for stress
Pure Green organic kitchen Living green is about making better choices. When shopping for food, avoid excessive packaging. Got a local farmer’s market? Check it out. Need a few housewares? Pure Green Living brings a few functional items for the kitchen.
In need of a little refreshment? Try out Death’s Door, crafters of 100% organic vodka and gin. Mix the perfect summer drink: Vodka over chipped ice with a splash of Soda and a giant wedge of Lime, the “Very Sexy Lady” is a signature drink of the quaint Muskokan waterside pub On The Docks.
Plover Organic, Pure Green’s long time favourite purveyor of organic sheets and bed linens, is now venturing into table wares!
Banish non-eco plastic bags at the grocer’s with these reusable bags from Credo Bags.
Function can be stylish too, such as these organic cotton teatowels, hand printed by Toronto artisan and retailer Bookhou.
In the market for a new kitchen? Check out Viola Park, a division of Henry Built. The company uses awesome eco finishes such as Paperstone (recycled paper) countertops – their modular units allow you to customize to suit your space.
“If you don't like how things are, change it!
not a tree.�
You're
Jim Rohn
Artist Feature Meet Irene Suchoki, whose romantic images have the power to capture your imagination like no other. Find here at www.etsy.com/shop/irenesuchocki
Pure Green traveler
To travel is possibly one of the best ways to garner a true appreciation of the planet’s beauty and diversity, but it is also a very carbon intensive past-time. Pure Green Living is helping you out with that - from dining in an organic restaurant to tucking into organic sheets.
Pure Green Traveler
The Crosby, New York
Pure Green Living {July/August 2010} p.80
I’ve
always said that I was going to
wait to do New York until I could afford to do it right…The Crosby brings me one step closer, as now visitors to the Big Apple can stay in unprecedented style that takes every green detail to heart.
Developed and designed by London’s successful hotel group Firmdale Hotels (you may have heard of the Haymarket Hotel?) and designed by partner Kit Kemp, the Crosby was the group’s first foray into North America, as well as their first crack at sustainable development.
Guests of the Crosby enjoy unparalleled amenities – don’t for one second think that green sacrifices comfort, or style. The hotel boasts 86 rooms and suites, several outdoor terraces, a lounge and bar, as well as a screening room where Saturday night film fests are held. Beyond that, the Crosby’s Green Cred includes LEED gold certification, locally sourced and recycled materials, energy efficient lighting, green power, low VOC materials, FSC Certified wood and waste water reduction.
Pure Green traveler
The infusion of light mixed with bold patterns give the hotel personality. The design materials for the hotel all came within 500 miles.
The Crosby has a rooftop kitchen garden, from which they harvest fresh herbs, blueberries and vegetables. The hotel is planning to introduce a chicken coop, in the style of the historic Ansonia Hotel.
Pure Green Living {July/August 2010} p.77
Pure Green Traveler
The Crosby’s Meadow Suite is a unique room to the hotel. It has a terrace that features an American Woodland Meadow, containing over 50 native plants such as Echinacea, False Indigo and Butterfly Weed. The meadow is design to bloom in stages, creating a year-round organic motif‌ a true expression of nature in the heart of the city.
Pure Green Living {July/August 2010} p.84
Source Guide Continued from page‌
Natural Soap from Angel Face Botanicals www.angelfacebotanicals.com Quilted Shoes from Terra Plana www.TerraPlana.com Tote Bag from Beau Soleil www.shopbeausoleil.com Brass Pendant from Carolina Bleu www.etsy.com/shop/carolinableu Wooden Postcard from Night Owl Paper Goods www.nightowlpapergoods.com Etcetera Etc. Book by Sibella Court www.anthropologie.com (US Only) Organic Towels & Rugs by Amy Butler www.amybutlerdesign.com
happy hanger how to continued from page…
lemon thyme chicken, continued from page….
step 10: when you get to the left end of your happy coat, pop your hanger in place, then continue to single crochet around the bottom of your happy hanger coat. this is a bit fiddly and so you may have to take a breather every now and then...
step 11: when you get all the way around your happy hanger, finish off and weave in your last thread.
step 12: hang your happy hanger up for all to see, make sure any passing strangers who come into your dwelling notice your happy hanger, taking time to admire your happy hanger handy work and perhaps cast an envious eye upon your happy hanger and your Mr Hook.
Once you’re there pull it out of the oven, cover it with foil again and cover that with a T-towel. It will continue to cook up to the ideal 180 degrees without overcooking. Let it sit for 15 minutes or until the meat relaxes or when you cut into it all the juice will run out and it will be too dry. Pull it all apart and toss it in the sauce in the bottom of the pan. **Make sure you remove the tenderloins and eat them while no one is looking – you deserve it since you did the cooking. (The tenderloins are the two small, dark pieces of meat on either side of the spine between the shoulder blades).
tip:
When you push on meat - if it bounces right back or resists
(imagine a flexed muscle) the molecules are still very excited from the cooking and it will cause all the juice to run out. Once the molecules relax the juice will stay trapped in the meat and provide a far more tender meal. This applies to all meat – not just chicken. Have you ever seen a Chef poke a steak before serving it?
serve with:
Summer meal? Serve this one up with a tart
green salad with sliced onions, cucumber and lots of dill, with an organic cider vinegar and olive oil (50/50) dressing seasoned with your favorite salad seasoning salt (I like Herbamare). Quarter and Roast some new potatoes with rosemary and coarse salt until they are brown, some whole unpeeled beets rubbed in grapeseed oil all while you’re cooking the bird (about 45 minutes each)and boil up some peaches and cream corn. Break out a zesty Sauvingon and a few good friends. Might need 2 Chickens!!
leftovers:
Toss all the leftovers in a pot with chopped
onion, celery and carrots and boil with water to make soup base which you can freeze for later.
Pure Green the last word
Kirsten, from Simply Grove
“
I live right outside of Boise Idaho. I am a wife, mom of two, interior designer, blogger and I contribute remade and re-purposed decor and furniture to a boutique, Brass Razoo. My idea of being green in design is keeping sustainable products out of dumpsters. I am all for reusing and remaking vintage, retro and modern furniture. There is no reason to buy everything new when we can create beautiful pieces from just about anything. My bedroom is an example of how I decorate. The dresser belonged to my Grandma. My mom was going to donate it to a thrift store so I snagged it. I eventually want to finish it in a bright color. I bought the mirror off of Ebay. It has a crack that the eye can barely see, so I got it for a steal. The lamp was $20 at a thrift shop and the little chair was given to me from a friend.
”
Decorating green is both fun and rewarding!
We’ve asked our friends from all around about their idea of green living and are sharing them with you! So here, have a little taste of inspiration, the Pure Green way.
Jacqui from So Good & Tasty
“
I live in Tacoma, WA, where I run a graphic design and handmade business with my husband Scott, called Slide Sideways. We create all kinds of original screen printed artwork and home accessories, while maintaining our core values by using environmentally safe inks and recycled and organic materials. My green living idea is just to live simply. I recently heard a quote stated by Yvon Chouinard (founder of Patagonia) "the hardest thing in the world is to simplify your life, it's so easy to make it complex." That totally resonates with me. There are so many distractions and technology these days and everything moves so fast. I like to take the time to slow things down and walk or ride my bike when I can, or cooking at home and baking a great loaf of bread. These are simple things that might be harder to maintain, but have a huge pay-off in leading a green lifestyle. Plus they pull me back down to earth and make me realize I am part of this planet and that every choice I make, no matter how big or small, will leave its impact one way or another.
�
Pure Green Living {July/August 2010} p.88
build, decorate, live‌ green sustainmuskoka.com
photo credit: Marc Loret
Pure Green Living magazine