Welcome to a new series - The Eco Edit, where I will be posting updates on my journey to becoming more sustainable, green and eco-cautious in my Manhattan lifestyle.


Let's begin with a little bit of background on what caused me to begin my journey toward more sustainable practices. When I moved to New York City, I was in total disbelief at the amount of waste and garbage that the city produced on a daily basis. Coming from a town where one trashcan was picked up once a week, I could not believe that thousands of trash bags were picked up off the sidewalk every single day in Manhattan. I realized that even though I am one in 8 million people within a couple square miles...my actions could still have a positive impact.

Being sustainable and green is not always easy. In fact, being green is not necessarily convenient on a day-to-day basis. I'm facing a lot of challenges, but it's important to me that I do the right thing - not the convenient thing (in many aspects of life). So, I am celebrating the great strides that I have made so far, and I am continuing to take small steps everyday to improve in other areas where I could be more eco-friendly.

Over the past few months, these are some of the things I've been trying to practice religiously...

No more toxic and plastic cleaning supplies.
A few months ago, I purchased "The Clean Up Kit" from Blueland, and I've been thrilled with the results. For just $30, you receive three shatter-proof bottles and three dissolvable tablets to put in each corresponding bottle. There is a bottle for multi-surface, glass + mirror and bathroom (every area of the house!). All cleaning materials are non-toxic and the tablet replacements are only $2 each which means that cleaning just got a lot easier and cheaper and greener. They also have fabulous customer service and all shipping supplies are recyclable.

No more k-cups.
As simple as that. Even though my favorite coffee is available via k-cup at work, it's not worth the single-use plastic. Instead, I take an extra minute to take two shots of fresh espresso and add some hot water to make my own americano.

Bulk buys.
While I will always adore Trader Joe's prices, I don't adore the fact that every.single.thing is wrapped in plastic. I've taken my grocery endeavors to Whole Foods and use the self serve bulk bin area to stock up on: quinoa, granola, nuts, chocolate chips and seeds.

No more plastic produce bags.
Similar to what I explained above, I no longer use plastic bags to hold my fresh produce and herbs. I've been using organic cotton bags to gather these items. When they get dirty, I just throw them in the laundry with the rest of my clothing and they come back good as new. The original cotton bags I purchased are from here.




Things I want to improve upon...

Baking supplies via bulk bins.
Flour, sugar, spices, etc!

Spinach.
I CANNOT seem to find spinach that's not wrapped in plastic. So the search continues...

Hair products.
Since my hair is colored, I'm looking for shampoo and conditioner bars that are colored-hair friendly.

Laundry detergent.

Early on a Saturday morning, I dusted off my well-worn hiking boots, filled my water bottles and marched to Grand Central Station to climb aboard the Hudson Line. Breakneck Ridge's trailhead has its very own stop along the Hudson Line - a true gift to an adventure-seeker without a car.

Lathered up with sunscreen and mentally prepared to face the 90-degree weather, my two fellow hikers and I hopped off the train and immediately headed upward. We could no longer control the urge to get on the mountain.

The first 45-minutes of the hike is a rigorous rock scramble that leads to a lookout along the Hudson River. It offers views of Storm King mountain and Bannerman Castle on Pollepel Island. After a moment for hydration and appreciation for the views, we wiped our foreheads and finished the remainder of the rock scramble - about 30-minutes.

As you turn your back to the river and walk toward the shaded ridge, you are flanked by one, interrupted wave of green trees on your right. It's a sight I hadn't seen in months. The views of the Hudson and the sounds of the trains fade away as you walk through the tall forest, but the sounds of birds and distant happy hikers come into earshot.

While many hikers turn around at the top of the rock scramble and return to either their car or the train station, we decided to take the long loop and make our way South, to the charming town of Cold Spring, NY. Cold Spring was beyond precious and the perfect place to do a quick sock change and scarf down a PB+J before catching the train back to the city.

The hike was nothing short of rewarding and is a perfect excuse to get out of the city. I can only imagine the trail views in the Fall, so it's easy for me to say - I'll be back!

I said it. And I stand by it. Confidently. 

Birdbath Bakery is a small chain of delicious bakeries (daughter to reigning City Bakery) that are scattered throughout Manhattan. They sell everything from melt-in-your-mouth pesto pasta salad to puffy pretzel croissants. They are equally as popular for their brown-box lunches as they are for their 5-inch chocolate chip cookies.

My favorite branch is located in Soho along Prince Street. To a passerby, it looks like it is Vesuvio's Bakery, but it is indeed Birdbath (as the small sign in the glass will tell you). 160 Prince Street is one of the oldest preserved storefronts in New York City. Vesuvio Bakery was an Italian shop that ran from 1920 - 20003. For such a small space, it packs a lot of history.

If you ride up on your bike, you will be offered your takeaway at a discounted price. Birdbath also prides themselves in being uber green (i.e. all fresh baked bread is delivered by "bicycle-powered rickshaw"). I mean, honestly...why wouldn't you support them?

But I digress. Birdbath's chocolate chip cookie is my favorite cookie in the city. Crispy edges melt into a chewy center that is flooded with chocolate chunks. The cookie is rolled in sugar before being baked which adds an additional texture and even more magic. Coming in at $4, it's a treat to be enjoyed with a coffee and a book or at least on a bench nearby, phone in pocket and eyes on the bustling sidewalks.