Starre Vartan
Starre Vartan is founder and editor-in-chief of Eco-Chick.com and the author of the Eco-Chick Guide to Life. She's also a freelance science and environment writer who has published in National Geographic, CNN, Scientific American, Mental Floss, Pacific Standard, the NRDC, and many more. She lives on an island in Puget Sound with her partner and black cat. She was a geologist in her first career, and still picks up rocks wherever she goes.
Counter: Locavore Deliciousness & Fab Drinks in NYC
Counter was one of Manhattan’s first next-generation locavore, vegetarian restaurants; the owners were harvesting herbs from their rooftop garden years before it became chic. Their success, along with a few other early-starters on the sustainable scene has ushered in the current focus on healthful, good-for-the-Earth dining that’s becoming more and…
Fall Accessories 2009: Muichic Eco Jewelry from Colombia
Chunky statement necklaces, bracelets and rings are an easy way to upgrade your wardrobe without buying tons of new clothes, so when I saw these handmade pieces (at very reasonable prices to boot), I thought they would be perfect for Autumn. Handmade in Colombia, Muichic jewelry is all made from…
Eco Fashion News of the Week: August 28, 2009
Treehugger’s reporting that Hanes is going to start making their inexpensive undies from hemp? Awesome! But Why now? It’s ECOnomics at work: Because Crailar (the hemp-derived fabric) shrinks far less during production than cotton, its final cost is closer to regular cotton than organic cotton, which is 60 percent more…
Raw Food Recipe: Late Summer Peach Cobbler
Guest Post by Nathalie Lussier When a person first discovers raw food, the thing that surprises her the most is how great the desserts taste! Truly guilt-free desserts part of an eating plan that’s not only healthy, but also environmentally conscious? Can’t ask for more than that! Here is a…
Humor in Global Warming? Yes.
From the August 24, 2009 issue of The New Yorker
La Pizza Toscana: Make Your Own!
Unless you’re living in New York City (or Italy), a good slice of pizza is hard to find. And I don’t think I’m alone when I say this: a mediocre piece of pizza can ruin your day. So, in honor of good days (and un-ruinable meals), take back control and…
My New Teich Bag: Love at First Sight
Allison McGowan (nee Teich) is one of the original leaders in the modern eco accessories design movement. I first became familiar with her work over four years ago when she started AgainNYC, an upcycled handbag collection. She got tons of press for her great designs, but as her own style…
Bill McKibben Talks Climate Change and 350.org with Colbert
I LOVE Colbert, and I am a long-time Bill McKibben fan; his new organization, 350.org is fighting climate change by encouraging initiatives that bring carbon down to 350ppm or lower (we are at 390 right now), which is the safe level for continued healthy and prosperous life on Earth.
High Fructose Corn Syrup IS Bad for Your Kidney, Liver and the Planet (but can be Funny Too)!
The original SHAMEFUL ad that was showing during the spring and early summer. Really. Anyone with even a modicum of concern about what they eat (or what their family eats) has cut out high fructose corn syrup. WHY is HFCS so bad for us? Mainly, because it’s processed, and processed…
Romping About in Samantha Pleet's Fall, 2009 Collection
Designing since 2005, Samantha Pleet was quickly recognized as an up-and-coming designer, earning her a collection with Urban Outfitters called Rapscallion. Now, Samantha has gone ecofriendly, and her Fall, 2009 collection is locally made in New York City (Samantha lives in Brooklyn) and her factory is powered by wind! Fall…
