Last week, I was lucky enough to attend a premier screening party at MOTO for a new show called Future Food. When I walked in, I was almost immediately passed what looked like a cigar butt in an old gold ashtray…and then was asked if I’d like to try it. Yep, they meant to eat, and not only was it edible, it was delicious!

Starting with an edible invitation, the passed hors d’ouevres included test tubes filled with the layered makings of Shabu Shabu and Maki on a spoon whose underside landed on your tongue to deliver the last ingredient. I had a cocktail served with what looked like a packing peanut skewered across the top and was instructed to, “eat the ice cream, then drink the drink.” So, assuming (rightly) that the packing peanut was in fact ice cream instead of styrofoam, I gave it a whirl. A big puff of smoke whirled out of my mouth as the yummy ice cream dissolved in my mouth and as I exhaled with laughter more little puffs and wisps escaped! (And the drink was good too!) Creative, fun, and interesting to say the least. But the fact that these surprises, concoctions and inventions tasted amazing as well was the best part!

After the crowd mingled for a bit, it was time to start the Future Food screening. MOTO’s head chefs/gastronomists Ben Roche and Homaro Cantu were introduced as misfits who had found the perfect outlet for their craft, which was spot on. I headed downstairs to watch the premier in the kitchen’s lab with a few others and as Chef Ben Roche introduced the show, we all got to see what they were all about: super high-energy, playful goofballs meet crazy-intelligent, mad scientists meet unbelievably creative and inventive chefs! In the premier episode, the topic is sustainable seafood, and the MOTO staff sets about making an entire pescetarian menu without using any fish! If there’s a way to make something just like fish without the mercury issues, shipping miles, or overfishing/endangered species baggage, they’ll figure out how! They propose a challenge to their up-for-anything kitchen staffers. The stipulations are that the dishes have to look like fish, and taste like fish, but contain no fish. Crazy, right? Well, these guys are used to thinking outside of the box, so they embrace the challenge and they’re off and running! The show had us laughing out loud and was so entertaining at the same time as intriguing and informative. This first episode, set to air tonight at 9pm CST, premiers on Planet Green and you don’t want to miss it!

After the show ended, we had a little Q & A with Roche while we finished our “popcorn”, which was masquerading as more packing peanuts. I couldn’t believe that he used to be a picky eater and now tries just about everything under the sun. He told us that one of his fav episodes to tape was the one where they take on the age old issue of getting kids to eat their veggies. Since I have a 3 year old, the anecdotes he related hit home and I can’t wait to see the MOTO staff try to make something edible look like socks filled with rocks (one child’s request!?).

As we worked our way through the downstairs kitchen, I had one of the most unbelievable desserts ever concocted. It was a perfect chocolate sphere with a little marshmallow “wick” that they lit with a torch. After watching it burn out, I popped the little project in my trap and it exploded in one bite to release something the guys called liquid graham cracker. It was a S’more bomb! How do they come up with these things? You’ll have to watch the show to find out.

Future Food – A new original series on Planet Green
Featuring MOTO’s Homaro Cantu and Ben Roche
Airs Tonight, Tues, March 30th at 9pm CST
(Click here to find your local channel listing)

Future Food Website: http://planetgreen.discovery.com/tv/future-food/

As the weather finally starts to warm, I’m starting to think about the coming days with my kids at the parks, zoos, and pools. But to many farmers and urban gardeners in and around Chicago the change in seasons is their green light to get things growing! We are so fortunate to live in a city like Chicago where there are myriad farms and gardens whose growers take the idea of sustainable, local and (many times) organic food production to heart. We live in a city where we can get such a wide variety of edibles that are locally sourced, you might be more of a localvore than you know! This coming weekend, there are two great opportunities to learn about these food movements in two very different ways.

The local and sustainable food movement may seem new to many of us, but in fact many of the principle concepts were born from the WWII era’s Victory Gardens, right here in Chicago. Rations and decreased resources were spun into a positive food movement that built morale and instilled pride, as communities drew together to feed their families. You can learn more this weekend at “Chicago Victory Gardens, Today and Tomorrow”, the fascinating upcoming lecture/performance by blogger and avid gardener LaManda Joy. LaManda and her cast present a multi-media performance that will educate and inspire, drawing parallels between “the Victory Gardeners of the 40’s and the booming garden movement of today”.

Another not-to-miss event this month is the 5th annual FamilyFarmed EXPO Food Festival. This is the place to be to find info and resources on how you can eat local, support sustainable farms, and find the CSAs and stores that are the right fit for you. There is surely something for everyone at FamilyFarmed this year with a Kid’s Corner, a packed workshop and lecture schedule and a cooking demo lineup featuring celeb chefs such as Rick Bayless, Gale Gand and Paul Kahan. There are also over 140 exhibitors offering a wide selection of local eats, great gifts and important information on year-long healthy and local eating!

If after attending these events, you’re inspired to get your own hands dirty or make your life a bit more sustainable, sign up for a workshop this March and April, run by the Angelic Organics Learning Center. Angelic Organics is a CSA farm located in Caledonia (just East of Rockford, IL) and their Learning Center is serious about educating we “city folk”. The Learning Center has a Chicago location and there you will learn basic concepts on how to start or improve upon your own urban garden, or even how to raise happy, organic egg-producing chickens in your own backyard. You just can’t get much more local than that!

WHEN & WHERE:
“Chicago Victory Gardens, Tomorrow and Today” with LaManda Joy
Sunday, March 28th – 2 p.m.
Chicago Dank-Haus
4740 N. Western Ave., Chicago
Tickets are $7 and for sale at  www.theyarden.com.
Proceeds will be donated to Hyperlocavore–a yardsharing community.

FamilyFarmed EXPO Food Festival
Saturday March 13th – 10pm-6pm
UIC Forum
725 W. Roosevelt Rd., Chicago
Tickets are $15 online or $20 at the door. Kids under 12 are FREE.

Angelic Organics Learning Center workshops
(space is limited, so sign up fast for these events!)
Basic Backyard Chicken Care
March 20th – 10am–1pm
Logan Square – St. Augustine College West Town Satellite
3255 West Armitage (one block west of kedzie), Chicago
Workshop Fee is $45

City Growing: Healthy Soil, Compost, and Early Planting
April 17th – 10am-2pm
Angelic Organics Learning Center – Chicago Office
First Presbyterian Church – 6400 S Kimbark Ave., Chicago
Workshop Fee is $10

If you live in Chicago, then you know there are always tons of things going on in this city. When we have visitors, there are always the “easy” options when showing them around Chicago: go to a museum, see “The Bean”, explore Navy Pier. But I like to try to find things that are not quite as obvious, especially if our visitors have already seen the above. And there’s nothing wrong with my seeing something new and different each time as well, right?

The perfect solution is to attend one of the City of Chicago’s Under the Picasso programs! If you never knew such a program existed, take note, and add the link to your favorites so you can always be “in the know”. Under the Picasso are events that take place at Washington and Dearborn on Daley Plaza, alongside or “under” the famous sculpture by Pablo Picasso. Ranging from live musical and dance performances to farmer’s markets, these events always highlight Chicago’s culture and diversity in a fresh and colorful way. Once you check out their monthly calendar of events, you might decide there are some you’d like to attend even when you are not playing the role of “city ambassador”!

This month, the farmer’s markets on Thursdays are a fun place to shop for the freshest local produce in the heart of the Loop. Stop by to pick up some delicious ingredients for dinner, talk to the people who grew the food, and support the local economy at the same time! If you are free today, don’t miss the Universoul Circus, an exciting group of performances featuring dancers, jugglers and tumblers. There are also several musical performances still to come in September, so be sure to see which one is up your alley.

Under the Picasso is a year-round program and you can check the calendar each month to see which events appeal to you, your kids or your out-of-town guests. There is certainly always something for everyone, and these events are a great way to experience the many facets that make Chicago so interesting!

Recently, you may feel like “being green” messages are everywhere. Well, that’s because they are! Here at Chicagonista, we feel that leading a lifestyle that’s as eco-friendly as possible is important, but that no one needs to revamp their entire way of life overnight. Writing from an eco-conscious mom  point of view, each month I’ll share my tips, tricks, info, and insight with you so that you can move forward with greening your world one step at a time.

You may not realize it, but living in Chicago already puts you in the leader category when it comes to going green. Chicago has been consistently ranked in the top 10 greenest cities in the country and Mayor Daley is on a quest to make Chicago #1! Popular Science rated us #9, and Sustain Lane rates Chicago #4! The city has numerous projects in the works from greening roofs of buildings like City Hall, to the green alleyways project, to the Climate Change Action Plan, which aims to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions to 80% below 1990 levels by 2050, so we are already well on our way. (For more information on Chicago’s green initiatives, check out the Department of Environment’s web page.)

Living in a city that is so invested in eco-consciousness makes it easy to get started in your local neighborhood or even just your home. A good first step to take at home is to start recycling. Many of you probably already do this, but there are also lots of us that care about the environment, but just aren’t sure where to start. The confusing part is that not all homes are treated equally…if you live in a single-family dwelling or a 2-4 unit building in Chicago, you might already have a blue bin. These bins are set out just like your garbage bins and the city’s recycling trucks pick them up and bring the recyclables to recycling centers. Here is a link to see exactly what can and cannot be put into the blue bins. If the Blue Cart program has not come to your neighborhood yet, contact your alderman to tell him/her that you want them and ask when you can expect yours. In the meantime, you can collect your recyclables yourself and drop them off at any of the city’s collection centers. The city also has a great web page with lists and maps for these centers so you can easily find one near you!

If you live in a multi-unit building with 5 or more units, you will need to contract recycling pick-up with your waste hauler. Here is a very helpful and comprehensive site to look over if you own or live in a multi-unit building.
Your hauler will be able to give you a list of what types of paper, plastics, metals and glass items can be recycled with them.

Some general guidelines for recycling are to rinse out cans and containers of any remaining food or contents, and shred any paper waste with important information regarding your identity. I also found that when we started seriously recycling in our household, we generated much less “trash” as a result and could have gotten a smaller garbage can (especially after we started vermi-composting, but that’s for a future article), so that’s something to consider. My 2 year old now knows the difference between putting something in the “garbage” vs. the recycling bin, and we put a fun sticker on the latter so people visiting our home can tell the difference.

Here’s to starting (or continuing!) your home recycling program, and I look forward to bringing you another “Serving of Green” soon!

Photo Credit: City of Chicago

This Spring, my husband and I decided to make our large balcony into a container veggie garden instead of buying $100 worth of annuals as we’ve always done before. I asked him first what he thought about growing some vegetables out ther and his response was, “Why not do all vegetables?”. Yes! Why not? I couldn’t think of a reason, so I headed out to buy seeds, soil and other odds and ends we would need. For Mother’s Day, my mom took me to a gardening center and bought me $20 worth of organic vegetable plants at $1.99 each. We thought that was a steal, so I got orange and yellow peppers, three types of tomatoes, and some strawberry plants. My dad dug up some of his mint, one of my friends donated a hearty chive plant, and I planted lettuces, beets, peas and green beans from seed. Off to a good start!

But what did all of this have to do with my inquisitive toddler? I wanted to get him involved to give him a sense of pride and ownership in the produce, as well as help him make the connection to where our food comes from. I also wanted it to be a fun summer project for he and I, so I hunted around for some ideas and kid-friendly gardening products.

The first thing I bought for him was an eco-friendly gardening kit by Green Toys, which is cute as well as functional. It came with a cute peapod-shaped tray, 3 pots, 3 organic seed packets and soil disks, and a sturdy garden trowel. This set can be purchased at Grasshopper 510, Psycho Baby, and the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. You can also click here to find another locally-owned store near you. Since my 2 year old tends to flood the pots when we waters, we never saw the sunflower or basil make it to the leaf stage, but the zinnias are looking great!

Our next project was to sign up to attend a friend’s “planting playdate”. Our friend set each child up with a clay pot and some chalk and foam stickers to decorate it. (We sprayed hairspray on the pots to keep the chalk from rubbing off) Then we headed outside and stuffed some newspaper into the pots, added organic potting soil and placed our sweet pea seeds on top. The last steps were to add a little more dirt to cover the seeds and give it all a good drink (and I think I’ve already mentioned that under-watering is never a problem for my child!). The Sweet Peas came up this past week and they are looking great, so apparently this pretty flower is a good flood-hearty choice for those of us with toddlers that love a watering can.

The last seed related project we started this spring is an oldie but goodie. I got a zip-top sandwich bag and folded some toilet paper to fit inside. I gave my little guy some seeds to choose from, and he added them to the bag. We ended up with a few peas and green beans, and one beet seed in the baggie. Then I let him use a spray bottle to squirt some water into the bag. We sealed it and taped it to our window and checked on it every few days. After a couple days my son noted that the beans looked bigger, and he was right! Shortly after, they sprouted little roots, and then it was fun to check their progress daily. One of the green bean sprouts grew all the way to the top of the bag, so this weekend we decided to plant the sprouted seedlings in the pots where the basil and sunflower seeds had been washed away.

As the summer goes on, my hope is that my son will like to check on and water his plants, as well as helping me water mine. We can also pick the produce as it ripens and then see it later on our plates! So whether you buy cute trendy products or are more of the home-made science-project type, try growing something with your kids this summer! Chances are they will have fun while learning about plants and nature, and it’s a fun way to spend some time together.

Photo Credit: by Sint Smeding via Flickr

Like many parents who live in Chicago, you know that most of us somehow fit more into less space. For my husband and I, that is a conscious choice. We live in a loft where most of our living space (and our stuff!) is exposed, but we bought it for its 16′ ceilings, knowing we would have room to grow if and when we started a family. We proceeded to add a second floor, and my husband, an architect-turned-construction project manager, did almost all the work himself. He did a wonderful job, adding many square feet to our living space, but during this project, from framing to painting, we only made a few choices that could be considered “green”. My eco-friendly leanings were just beginning back then, right around the time I became pregnant with my first child.

Fast forward to 2009 – our son is now 2 years old and we have another on the way, so we needed to do a bit more construction to make more room out of what we have. His small bedroom has been just fine, but there’s no way we can fit a crib and a bed in there.  We decided to open up some enclosed space upstairs to make a little room for him up there, and the new baby will inherit his “old room”.

But this time around, we wanted to do it all as green as possible…where would we start? Did the default building store sell green options other than CFL’s? (They do, btw.) I guess we could have just continued to shop there like homing pigeons, but another thing we are trying to do now is buy local and support small businesses instead of the big box retailers. That’s where Greenmaker Supply comes in! I heard about Greenmaker from a like-minded friend of mine, and am so glad she shared their name with us.

Greenmaker, located on Pulaski a little bit north of Fullerton, is a fantastic mecca for eco-friendly home improvement options. They sell everything from drywall to countertops, including the kitchen sink. When you visit their store, you can shop for a new dual-flush toilet (which happen to be on sale right now), pick up some no-VOC paint chips to check out at home, and talk to someone about composting options. It really is a full-serve home-improvement store, but the employees are knowledgeable, helpful and thorough, and looking for the green alternative is a no-brainer.

Nearing the end of our project, I went in on a weekday morning with my son, and the staff were really good with him and tolerant of his inquisitive nature. I was able to talk to the manager about my paint choices and options, and never felt rushed or pressured. My husband and I went back a few days later when we had made or color decisions, and they were able to match a Behr color for us, as well as mix our other choices while we checked out countertop and tile options for future projects. We also picked up some recycled cotton roller covers and they worked great. I was happy to be able to paint too, since all their paints are no-VOC, and I didn’t have to leave the house with our son. There was no smell at all, and I have no worries about the room’s drywall, cork flooring or paint off-gassing into his little system as he sleeps there every night.

The best part is that the prices for everything we’ve purchased from Greenmaker have been either comparable or less expensive than if we had bought them from the major competitor. Don’t get me wrong, they also have some very high end options, but if you are working with a budget  (and who isn’t these days?) they can help you to find the most affordable yet still sustainable or eco-friendly option. Whether you are in the midst of building a whole new home, or just thinking about getting a new bathroom faucet, head over to Greenmaker and make a choice that will improve your space and conserve our environment.

Greenmaker Supply
2500 N Pulaski
M-F – 8 to 5
Sat – 9 to 4

Photo Credit: on flickr by salvadorgaller

By Kristen Holub

There is a new indoor playground in Chicago, and it is setting itself apart! Hobbitland is a clean, open playplace which opened this March (2009) On Western Ave just South of North Ave.  The area has been needing something like Hobbitland for a while now and I’m especially excited that I’ll be able to walk there as the weather warms up!

When we first walked into Hobbitland on a rainy April morning, my son was off and running toward the toys before I could even grab him and take off his rainboots! The staff gave me an understanding smile and led him back to me so I could get him out of his wet jacket and boots, since like at most other indoor play areas, socks are the required footwear.

What is unlike most other places, is the natural light that seems to flood the space…and then you start to notice the lack of primary-colored plastic toys.  Co-owners Anna and Sophie have made a concerted effort to fill the space with wooden and eco-friendly toys that are made in the USA.  Since Anna is a photographer and artist and Sophie was an art teacher, there are fun murals expanding on the walls and fun open art times for the kids. They also wanted to create areas that encourage imagination and creative play, and the different play zones reflect that.

The space has a train table (which my son gravitated to immediately), a really great little kitchen setup, a reading area, a cool, wide slide, an arts & crafts area complete with a big blackboard and 2 longs tables that doubles as a snack or lunch spot, a couch for parents to chill, and a nice confined play area for the younger set who are not yet walking. when I walked past the kitchen, one little girl was serving something from the stove to another little girl waiting at the table, and I was impressed she was using a kitchen mitt to carry the “hot” pot! Sophie informed me as we walked by that they had just added a set of cups, bowls and plates to the kitchen made by the company Green Toys. It’s one of the only plastic sets in the place, but is made from recycled milk bottles and is made in the USA. As many of we mothers know, eco-friendly toys, especially those not made in places like China can be on the pricey side. So Anna and Sophie have decided to slowly add and introduce them to the playspace, as this keeps the initial costs down and helps them keep the toy collections fresh and in good condition.

The toy condition is another thing that impressed me. Granted, they have only been open for about 6 weeks, but I have seen other places shortly after opening, and Hobbitland stands out for its clean and well-maintained toys and spaces. The place feels homey, not sterile, but maybe more like the home of someone who has time to clean more than the average stay at home mom! The bathroom as also neat and clean, and was complete with a stocked changing table and a cute geometric motif hand-painted on the walls. The owners clean all of the toys daily, and take home all blankets, pillows and plush home each night for laundering. Nice to know since we all know that germs are the only thing that toddlers and pre-schoolers are more than happy to share!

One more thing that I liked about Hobbitland in particular was the way the owners offer open involvement in a few activities each day. It is up to you or your child if they want to participate, but Hobbitland has daily storytime and craft time which the owners lead themselves. They also offer a structured music class with Susan Salidor, an award-winning children’s music composer/performer. Susan’s classes run with a minimum of 8 children are signed up, and run about $15/class over an 8 week period. Later this year Sophie and Anna are planing to add structured Art Classes for kids 6 and up, in addition to the music classes, so keep your eyes open!

Prices for play at Hobbitland are comparable to other indoor play places in the city. The first child is $12 and the next are $8 each, and this price covers their admission for the whole day (and babies under 1 are always free). Spring and Summer Camps run in morning and afternoon time slots of 4 hours/session and cost $30/session, and parties start at $350. But Hobbitland also offers a membership program starting at $72 for unlimited monthly visits or a Stamp Card starting at $100 for 11 visits. The Stamp Card does not expire, and I’m considering taking advantage of one of these offers after my baby is born this summer so there’s always a clean, fun place nearby for grandma to bring my little guy!  The Hobbitland owners are also experienced caregivers, so they also offer a Friday/Saturday Night Out from 6pm – 9pm for only $30! That sounds pretty good to me these days too, and since my son cried when we had to leave last time, I think he’d have no problem waving goodbye to his dad and I while we head out to have a date!

Hobbitland is offering an exclusive discount to Chicagonista’s subscribers! Get 10% off when you buy a monthly membership or stamp card by mentioning this Chicagonista article.

Hobbitland
1504 N Western Ave. Chicago
773.698.8634

This is an Original Chicagonista article.

Kristen Holub Artist and business owner turned stay-at-home-mom. Kristen is expecting her 2nd child but will always be found running around town with her son, and doing her best to keep the household eco-friendly and under control while still jotting down and sharing great finds to share in Chicagonista.

By Kristen Holub

As I searched for a good place to resume my prenatal yoga practice, I happened to hear of a studio called Spanda Yoga Center at 906 N. Damen that would not be too far for me. An acquaintance said that she had attended their Baby and Me yoga class and liked it, so  I looked them up. I was pleased to find out that they offered prenatal yoga on Saturdays, so I penciled it in. Most of the classes are drop-in, which is nice because sometimes it’s hard to make it to a class every week.

Spanda is a low-key yoga center, but is still easy to find with their clear signage. I had no problem finding street parking, and I’m sure taking the Damen bus would also be a snap. Upon walking into the warmly decorated studio, I immediately felt welcome. In the front area, you can hang up your coat, pay for your class, take off your shoes, and otherwise decompress. Then you pass through pretty hanging curtains to unroll a mat in the calm studio and begin your practice. Are you feeling more Zen already?

Spanda was originally opened in Aug of ’07, but was then taken over in Oct, ’08 by two yoga instructors who happened to have been trained by the previous owner. The new business partners, Sharon and Naomi have been focused on green practices in their studio such as using cork blocks and recycled cotton straps (yoga accessories), using eco-friendly cleaners for the space and equipment, and paying attention to recycling their office products. Spanda not only strives to be an eco-friendly business, but also a community-friendly one. They offer a special discount to Senior Citizens, Teachers, Social Workers and Students with a valid ID, and also hold a free Community Yoga Class on Sunday nights. This way people can have the chance to practice yoga without worrying about their budgets. And these days, those people worrying about their budgets probably need the healing and rejuvenating benefits of yoga the most!

Naomi was the instructor for the class that I took. She did a great job by incorporating poses to help the problem areas each student shared before we began, and then worked on hip-opening exercises, strength, endurance, and balance. It all felt great, and these areas are all beneficial to everyone, but especially pregnant mamas like myself. The classes are generally small, which was nice because it allowed for some personalized attention and adjustments from Naomi. After the class, I felt balanced and invigorated…not bad for someone heading into their third trimester!

I have to admit that part of my new state of relaxation might have had to do with the fact that this class ran on a Saturday, so my husband was home to watch our toddler and I was “off duty” for the afternoon. And if you are like me, you might also like Spanda’s proximity to a great bakery with coffee and treats to be enjoyed outside under the trees in the coming Spring weather.  Just ask your instructor and they will point you in the right direction!

If you are interested in settling down and looking for some inner peace, or maybe just an outlet for mommy stress, check out Spanda and see if there’s a class that will work for you!

For more information about the Spanda Yoga Center instructors, class schedules, and upcoming events, please check out their website: http://www.spandayogacenter.com

Exclusive Chicagonista Discount: 20% discount on a class by mentioning this Chicagonista article.

Spanda Yoga Center
906 N. Damen
773.971.6271

This is an Original Chicagonista article.

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Kristen Holub Artist and business owner turned stay-at-home-mom. Kristen is expecting her 2nd child but will always be found running around town with her son, and doing her best to keep the household eco-friendly and under control while still jotting down and sharing great finds to share in Chicagonista.

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