On-the-Go Green Carts

Posted on by Sacha Cohen
Sweetflow taking a nap
Sweetflow taking a nap

We’ve been fans of On the Fly’s Smartkarts for some time, and now, they have company. The other evening we spotted SweetGreen’s adorable Sweetflow mobile parked outside of E Street Cinema (after the Food, Inc. premiere) serving up their addictive tangy frozen yogurt.

The environmentally friendly, custom-built vehicle doesn’t have a generator, so it runs on 8o% less gas than a traditional ice-cream truck.

Sweetflow yogurt is made with Stoneyfield Farms Plain fat-free organic yogurt and many of the toppings are organic or local. And just like at the standing Sweetgreen locations, all the spoons, cups and lids doled out at the mobile are 100% biodegradable.

Owner Nicolas Jammet was manning the cart with a pal, and suggested we follow them on Twitter to find out where they can be found around town. Starting in July, the truck will have a fixed schedule during weekdays

If you’re willing to venture further afield, the Local Sixfortyseven cart, which was recently featured in The Washington Post, offers a seasonal menu featuring locally sourced ingredients. Husband-and-wife team Derek and Amanda Luhowiak serve everything from buckwheat pancakes with blackberry-rosemary syrup to burgers made with organic, grass-fed beef and locally made cheese.

You can find Local Sixfortyseven parked at the Centreville farmers market on Fridays from 3:30 to 6:30 and at the Winchester farmers market on Sundays from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm. For more info, email them at luhowiak@hotmail.com.

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.