Sherwood Forlee: Easy PB&J Jar

Some interesting industrial design from Sherwood Forlee.  His Easy PB&J Jar features a clean and simple glass jar with two lids. 

The Easy PB&J Jar is a jar with two lids that allows you to access all of your peanut butter easily without having to resort to breaking open the jar. As you near the end on one side, simply flip the jar over to get the rest. The straight and smooth internal walls also ensure that no peanut butter is ever left behind a nook or cranny like existing jars.

The design has many applications for food packaging and virtually eliminates wasted product. 

Fagor Futuro Pressure Cooker

Spanish cookware and kitchen company Fagor recently introduced a line of highly efficient pressure cookers called Futuro.  The pressure cookers are available in 4, 6, and 10 qt sizes.

I had the chance to use the 6 qt Futuro pressure cooker and let me say I was impressed.  It is a beautiful unit featuring sleek European design and high quality construction.   Unlike many of the pressure cookers sold in the U.S. the Futuro does not have its own built in electrical heating element.  The unit works with any existing stove including induction - so its design is more like another pot than a totally separate appliance. 

If you live in an apartment like I do or have limited kitchen space you'll heavily value Fagor's design choices on this pressure cooker. 

Fagor's Futuro is made from 18/10 stainless steel and its lockable lid features several steam settings.  Inside the Futuro comes with a removable stainless steel steamer insert.  The unit is made in Spain and has a 10 year manufacturers warranty.

Using the Futuro is remarkably simple.  The pressure cooker comes with detailed instructions and a substantial cookbook/guide with many different recipes and tips.  The main task in using the Futuro is to initially heat up the unit on a stove burner.   After it is sufficiently heated you simply reduce the temperature and let the unit do its work.  Honestly the process of using the Futuro reminded me of cooking rice on the stove top - where you bring the  water to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer and cover.

The construction quality of the Futuro is high.  I could easily see this product being one I'd have for many years.  Its design is excellent and is reminiscent of classic modern European cookware.

Fagor says their pressure cookers reduce cooking time by up to 70% and are therefore a highly efficient cooking method.  I'd agree the pressure cooker is a time saver and is certainly efficient but I also think the product is very well built which is a key component in determining a products sustainability.

Overall I am impressed.  I'll follow up with a recipe after using the Futuro more.

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Blum Naturals

I was looking for new interesting products with excellent design at Expo East and one product line I really liked was Blum Naturals.

Blum (pronounced bloom) is a new skin care line from Jean Pierre Cosmetics.

Blum Naturals launched with three different types of cleaning towelettes, an exfoliating face wash, oil absorbing tissues, and daily eye cleansing pads.

I spoke with the line's founder Albert Savdie who emphasized his products all are dual use products.

“The towelettes are not only for removing makeup, they are also to be use as cleansing towelettes, one product with twice the effect,” said Savdie.

I was immediately drawn to the graphic design of the product's packaging. The bright well used colors and a clear packaging design layout make Blum Naturals standout on the shelf.

We've seen the bag style packaging become much more popular here in the US.  As many may know it uses significantly less plastic than the hard plastic tubs these types of products were almost always packaged in.

Savdie said the packaging was designed by a student at the Pratt Institute as part of a design competition the company held with the school. The competition included naming the line, creation of a tag line, packaging and ads.

Isabel Carrizales came up with the winning design which was debuted last week at Expo East in Boston.

“It was very hard to choose between the top two designers – but we did at the end and everyone was happy,” said Savdie.

Blum Naturals should be available next week on drugstore.com as well as drugstores, supermarkets and mass retailers in the near future.

Ste. Michelle Wine Estates uses Technology to Improve Packaging Sustainability

Ste. Michelle Wine Estates was recently recognized for its use of advanced packaging technology to improve its overall packaging sustainability.

Washington State based Ste, Michelle Estates uses new technology to insert a partition after the case is filled with wine bottles resulting in a smaller carbon footprint, significant cost savings and increased efficiency.

The vineyard  worked with a number of different companies to devise their current packaging system.   

Representatives from Ste. Michelle Estates will accept the Packaging Line of the Year Award in Chicago next month.

This is a great example of how there are many ways to improve the sustainability of products and packaging.  In this case the the company focused on their overall packaging operation.

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Drink: Barbara Lynch's new Bar in Boston's Fort Point

I had the opportunity to check out some adaptive reuse at Barbara Lynch's new bar Drink on Congress St in Boston's Fort Point neighborhood. The bar just opened last month.

Architect and designer Jeffery Katz of C & J Katz was kind enough to let me join a group of Intar grad students from RISD he was leading on a tour of Drink as well as the new restaurant he and his wife are designing above the bar.

Katz and his firm did a wonderful job with Drink. They preserved much of the existing structure and their design showcases the building's character. Their work shows you can be both sensitive to sustainability as well as unique and cutting edge.

Drink's interior is one of clean lines meet industrial charm. The bar design creates plenty of unique space and includes a center section where fresh herbs are grown. Foot rests are made of pipe, stools from galvanized metal.

The mixology at Drink is of a very high level of sophistication.  What makes the bar's concept work is the approachable nature of the bartenders - they create an atmosphere of willingness to share their knowledge and skills with guests.  Combine these aspects with the creative license allowed to their expert bartenders and you have a winning concept. 

I also had the chance to see Barbara's latest restaurant, which is very much under construction. It has yet to be named but seems likely to follow her other gem No. 9 Park in name,

The restaurant will be incredible when its completed and is designed to provide the ultimate in service to customers.

Thanks to Jeffrey, who in addition to his design work has been a professor at RISD for many years and to the bartenders at Drink – what a wonderful, elegant bar!

If your in Boston and are looking for a classy drink and some beautiful design check it out.

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Larry's Beans Fair Trade Organic Coffee

Enjoying coffee like I do I am always on the look out for new blends.  Recently I had the opportunity to try some great coffees from North Carolina-based Larry's Beans.

The company caught my eye earlier this year when they started using an innovative biodegradable plastic for their retail coffee packaging. 

I tried a couple of their Fair Trade organic coffee blends and loved them.  Complex flavors and wonderful aromas were the characteristics present in the blends I tried. 

I particularly enjoyed their Frank Sumatra blend which is a shade grown, Fair Trade organic blend. Deep earthy flavors with the subtle sweetness of caramel are the memorable notes from this gem.

Larry's Beans has recently opened an online store where consumers can buy there full line of coffees. Its worth checking out.

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Natural Products Expo East in Boston

Update 10/17/08 7:00am:  Yesterday was a great day at Expo East.  I had the opportunity to meet a number of people whose products I've covered over the last couple years.  Today I am focusing on new products and design.  I discovered some great things yesterday and met a number of interesting and exciting entrepreneurs.

The show itself is large and covers a number of different types of products.  The largest groups were food and personal care products - which isn't surprising.

The show seems to be well run.  The only criticism I have so far is I think the information services staff on hand can be much more helpful and accommodating - but thats a minor issue. 

Looking forward to lots of interesting discoveries and discussions today.

Original Post:

I'll be at Expo East in Boston today and tomorrow.  I am excited because its one of the best forums to see all the latest natural products.  This year's expo is going feature over 1,200 manufacturers!

Essentia Natural Memory Foam Pillows: Comfortable and Green

Essentia is a Canadian company that specializes in producing bedding and pillows made from natural latex based foam.

Essentia's foam is a combination of natural Dunlop latex along with essential oils and plant extracts.  The result is a material which out preforms conventional foam-based bedding and isn't toxic.  Now that is a good combination right?

The result is a memory foam with no chemical odor or toxic adhesives that is 80% more breathable than similar products, while being 100% biodegradable.

I had the chance to test Essentia's Ergonomic pillow.   The pillow is amazing.  The first thing I noticed when I laid down is the pillow's seemingly perfect balance of support and comfort.  Not too much.  Not too little.  Perfect.

I have tried a number of eco-friendly pillows over the last couple years and the Essentia pillow is the closest to ideal I've used.

What makes it so great?  Well the feel and consistency of the latex foam.

Its not stiff or lumpy and its not too thin.  No unpleasant odor.  The size and weight of the pillow is another plus in my book.  This pillow is more substantial than most I've tried meaning it doesn't move all over the bed at night as some of the lighter pillows have a tendency to do.

Essentia is located in Montreal where all of their beds and pillows are made.  The company ships both pillows and beds to the US.   US consumers in the NY/CT area can visit Essentia stores.   

The company's natural foam is backed by a 20 year warranty.  If you're looking for a green pillow I'd  suggest considering one from Essentia

Pillows are available to customers in the US directly from the company.   They ship pillows anywhere in the US for free. 

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Arm & Hammer Essentials Cleaners

Arm & Hammer recently launched Arm & Hammer Essentials Cleaners a new line of household cleaning products available in three formulations and smart packaging.

The new products are sold with an empty sprayer bottle made of #1 PET plastic with a bottle of concentrated cleaner attached in a smaller #2 HDPE plastic bottle.

The consumer fills the spray bottle and then affixes the smaller bottle to the top and their special cap system releases the cleaning solution into the spray bottle.  The system Arm & Hammer has devised for this product is ingenious it works flawlessly - well done.

By selling the cleaners as concentrates Arm & Hammer makes a significant reduction in packaging waste and carbon footprint related to transportation of the products.  The company says their packaging uses 93% less plastic and 83% less packaging than a standard pre-filled 32 oz. cleaner.

I had a chance to try the Cleaner & Degreaser from the line on a glass top stove.  The product was easy to prepare just fill up the spray bottle and attach the cleaning solution and it mixes together.

In use the cleaner worked well on what is always a tough task cleaning the top of a stove.  The Cleaner & Degreaser did its job leaving no offensive odors or residues.

All products in the line are made from plant-based cleaners derived from coconuts and palm-kernel oil and all ingredients are biodegradable according to the company.

Arm & Hammer Essentials Cleaners are available in three different formulations, multi-surface cleaner, glass cleaner and cleaner & degreaser.  All three formulas are sold with refills available in packs of two. 

The different cleaners are all color coded so a consumer who purchased several different ones from the line can easily tell them apart - very smart product design.

The line launched late last month and is available across the country at all major retailers.

Finding Great Vintage Cookware

One of the primary items I search for at second hand shops and garage sales is vintage cookware.

My favorite items to look for are vintage cast iron, stainless steel and copper pans and pots.

For a variety of reasons there is an abundance of used cookware available often times at real bargain prices.  I find many items are donated to goodwill or sold at garage sales by people who have changed the style of their kitchens or who don't like the look of a weathered pan.

Being someone who places a premium on quality and who appreciates the look of a seasoned pan I am in heaven when I find used cookware.

Sadly most people who discard classic pots and pans often will replace them with an inferior product which is frustrating and completely unsustainable.

Some of my favorite things to find are vintage Griswold cast iron.  Their design is so simple and elegant and their industrial look is very appealing to me.

I recently found a great pair of stainless steel pots on eBay made by Polaris of Norway (pictured). The design is magnificent, clean lines, highly functional beautiful stainless steel.

Polaris worked with a number of top Scandinavian designers over the years and their products are known for being of superior quality. I use my two Polaris pots all the time I love them.

Five tips for finding vintage cookware:

Determine what you like – cast iron, enameled cast iron, vintage enamel, stainless, copper etc and spend some time learning about the different manufacturers and designs they have produced.

Buy pieces you like and don't be afraid to mix and match

Tag sales and church sales are where you'll get the best bargains on vintage cookware.

Look for vintage products made in the USA or Europe the quality on these items are usually very high.

If copper is your interest learn the difference between a decorative piece and piece designed for use. Keep in mind that often the best decorative pieces are ones that have been used for many years as they develop a beautiful patina and show wonderful signs of use. 

When I buy vintage cookware I am always buying pieces that are usable.  For me the enjoyment comes from using the pieces as well as having them in my kitchen.

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