The Buzz About Bread & Brew

Posted on by Sacha Cohen

Tired of the same old BonBellyCosi routine? Take heart. Bread & Brew, which opened at 1247 20th Street in mid January, elevates lunchtime options to a new level by being one of only four DC-area restaurants certified by the Green Restaurant Association.

Owner Teri VanGoethem has incorporated earth friendly practices throughout her new casual dining spot including biodegradable to-go containers and catering packaging. There’s also a chandelier made from recycled beer bottles and reusable water bottles that can be purchased and refilled every time you come in.

The menu features artisan pizzas, organic espresso and coffee, sandwiches, quiche, and soups made with fresh, natural ingredients from local purveyors like Hawthorne Bakery (Severna Park) and Counter Culture.

Buzz heard on DonRockwell and other foodie blogs suggests the food is tasty, if a bit more expensive than some other nearby lunch spots that don’t source locally or emphasize green practices.

Event: EcoTuesday

Posted on by Sacha Cohen

On Tuesday January 27th at 6 pm, join other sustainable business leaders and entrepreneurs for EcoTuesday at Bar Tabaq. These monthly events, which take place all over the country, provide a great venue to network and learn about current environmental and green issues from an innovative speaker.

This month, the speaker is Julia Hamm, executive director of the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA), a national membership organization that facilitates solutions for utility use and integration of solar electric power.

To RSVP, click here.

Local Fresh Food Delivered

Posted on by Maria Feit Barry

Tired of takeout? Too busy to cook? Now, there’s a local food delivery service that will help you be more sustainable and eat well, too. Your Urban Kitchen does all the prep work and cooking and delivers on an as-needed basis with a three-meal minimum.

The brainchild of Nashwa Beach, a Brightwood resident, Your Urban Kitchen just launched last week and is currently available throughout northwest DC. Beach’s inspiration? Helping others to get their busy lives in order without having to compromise on flavor and nutrition.

Sample menu items for January include Indonesian Ginger Chicken, Creamy Chicken Basil Pesto or Pan Seared Tilapia with Chile Lime Butter. The food comes prepared and vacuumed sealed so you determine if you put in the freezer or fridge. All you do is heat it up.

Each meal is enough for six servings (4-6 adults) and split portions are available to serve 2-3 adults. Meals are delivered Saturday afternoon and Monday afternoon/evening to customers throughout northwest; the company is planning to expand its delivery area later this year

Now that’s the kind of fast-food dining we can get behind!

Cheap and Cultural DC

Posted on by Sacha Cohen
courtesy Destination DC
courtesy Destination DC

Your budget’s tight but your leisure-time aspirations are noble. If your weekend plans include time spent downtown, here’s a Metro-accessible itinerary of environmentally friendly, culturally oriented activities that locals and visitors alike are sure to enjoy.

Begin your Saturday or Sunday with a hearty breakfast at Eastern Market. Locally grown fruits and veggies, handmade soaps and jewelry, and flea market finds are just some of the items you’ll find at this beloved destination.

Take the Blue or Orange Metro line from Eastern Market to Federal Center and get your fill of flora and fauna at the U.S. Botanic Gardens. Stay toasty warm inside the newly renovated Conservatory, which is home nearly 4,000 plants including rare and endangered species.

Hungry again? Stroll over to the SmartKart stationed outside of the Smithsonian Castle for eco-friendly, healthy fare including natural beverages, tacos, and BBQ.

Then, spend the afternoon at the Hirshhorn where you can view some of the world’s most important modern and contemporary works of art. Don’t miss Strange Bodies: Figurative Works from the Collection now on display.

For a slightly more active pursuit, get your skate on at the Sculpture Garden. Admission is $7 for adults, skate rental is $3, and the rink is open through March.

Contributors Wanted

Posted on by Sacha Cohen

It’s the beginning of a new year and time for Going Green to change along with the administration. As such, I’m looking for local contributors who are tapped into the DC green community and would like to be involved with this blog. Interested? Send me your contact information, writing sample and a little about yourself. Send the email to sachacohen [at] comcast[dot] net if you’d like to be considered as a regular contributor.

Thanks!