If this doesn’t make you turn green (literally and figuratively), our guess is that not much probably will.

Due out in March, Steve Ettlinger’s book, “Twinkie Reconstructed,” delves into the alien ingredients found on the labels of most of America’s food. Ettlinger’s narrative uncovers the mysteries behind the most common processed food ingredients and doubles as an educational look into the food industry. Check it out, if only because you want to know what polysorbate 60 is. And then pat yourself on the back during your next Whole Foods trip.

“Twinkie Deconstructed: My Journey to Discover How the Ingredients Found in Processed Foods Are Grown, Mined (Yes, Mined), and Manipulated Into What America Eats” by Steve Ettlinger. On Sale in March, (Simon and Schuster).

There’s a green building revolution going on across America. Buildings, both large and small, are getting the green treatment. In fact, right here in New York City, new construction (albeit on a large scale) is incorporating more energy and environmentally-friendly features. (There may also be a couple of tax breaks involved.)

One green architectural monolith I frequently stroll past is that rather bizarre testament to green skyscraper innovation, the Hearst Tower. The 46-story building looms over mid-town Manhattan like a big, glass, index finger jutting up from its original humble base.

The floor of the atrium is paved with heat-conductive limestone. Polyethylene tubing is embedded under the floor, and filled with circulating water for cooling in the summer and heating in the winter. Rain collected on the roof and stored in a tank in the basement, is used in several ways — a key component in the cooling system, to irrigate plants, and for the impressive water sculpture in main lobby. Overall, the building was designed to use 25% less energy than the minimum requirements for the City of New York, and has earned a gold designation from the U.S. Green Building Council.

The Bank of America Tower, now under construction at Bryant Park, will also be loaded with green, sustainable technology. The twin tower design will incorporate technologies such as wind turbines, translucent floor-to-ceiling insulating glass to contain heat and maximize natural light, and LED lights, which automatically dim during the daytime. The tower also features a grey-water system, which captures rainwater and reuses it. Bank of America reports that the building will be made largely of recycled and recyclable materials. Air entering the building will be purified to an impressive degree, when exhausted, it will be cleaner than when it started. The tower is expected to be up and running sometime in 2008.
Some green building links:

GreenBuilding.com
BuildingGreen.com
GreenHomeNYC

The term “alternative music” (Wikipedia def.) is often mis-used to categorize a segment of rock music that’s not targeted to mainstream or popular tastes, a little rough around the edges, or punk-ish. If Pearl Jam is still considered to be “alternative” I’ll eat my Dave Navarro “Rock Star Supernova” sweatshirt. That being said, I thought I’d list some music that I consider “alternative.” For starters:

rock
Don’t Speak – Eagles of Death Metal,
(have some fun why dontcha)
Kingdom of Doom – The Good, The Bad and the Queen,
(Gorillaz gone retro – Brit and dark)
The Perfect Crime 2 – The Decemberists,
(sophisticated, a little folky, cool)
Punk Rocker – TeddyBears w/Iggy Pop,
(old school, you might have heard the Caddy commercial, still rocks)

electronica or similar
Original Run – LCD Soundsystem,
(45:00 of instrumental commissioned by Nike for joggers with good taste)
Galactic Jack – Briskey,
(low-fi, net 2.0, beatnik music)
Wardance Paris – Trio Electrico,
(for light exercise, house cleaning, or smoking alternative cigarettes)
Fast & Delirious – Lindstrom,
(Norwegian electronica from a top, midnight sun dj)
Desert – Thievery Corp,
(for those lazy, foggy nights)
Rockstar – Atmo. Brtschitsch,
(samples, beats, an ironic low-fi trip)

more later

Dining Out or Ordering In doesn’t need to cost an arm and a leg…here’s how to save a limb.

Diningfever.com offers deals on meals at a wide array of NYC restaurants. The site is free, easy-to-use, and dynamic — the choice of restaurants changes almost as often as a menu’s special of the day. Each restaurant offers a unique discount, and restrictions apply…but if you’re flexible, you can save some cash.

Fret no more when foraging for healthy food in the Big Apple…I stumbled upon Really Cool Foods recently, and would like to share this great find. This enormous space appeared clean, modern and inviting from the outside, so I ventured in for a quick visit. If I hadn’t been on my way to a movie, I would have given it a go, right then and there.
Throughout the store you’ll find free-standing rack-card displays, filled with recipe cards. These are not your typical recipe cards. Each card contains an attractive photo of the meal/dip/soup/etc. and is color-coded to coordinate with the components needed to prepare the meal. Simply select the designated items on the shelves (all of the food is organic and/or natural), and check-out. You should be able to pull-together your meal at home in under 20 minutes.
The recipe cards list not only how to prepare the meal, but also what “equipment” you may need, and suggestions on what “goes with” the dish.

Really Cool Foods indeed. Cool recipes for healthy food when on the run. If you try it before I do, let me know how it goes.
1059 3rd Ave @ 63rd St. s/b Open 7 days, 11a-9p, but call to cfm hours 212 605-0900.

UPDATE:  REALLY COOL FOODS CLOSED IN FEBRUARY OF 2008.

Bamboo flooring may be all the rage but there are several issues to be considered when choosing a manufacturer. There is no official U.S. or international grading system for bamboo flooring, importers can come and go, quality can be inconsistent, high formaldehyde levels negate bamboo’s environmental advantages, finishes can vary and worker conditions on plantations can be appalling.

One company, Teragren, has its environmental and manufacturing act together and has been providing quality bamboo flooring for over tens years. The company was recognized as one of Inc. Magazine’s Green 50, a select list of companies that meets high standards in business, green manufacturing practices and innovation.

Teragren flooring products are readily available through a variety of retail flooring outlets. Their bamboo is harvested only at maturity (5 to 6 years). Teragren bamboo products contribute to certification under the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED® rating system. The company’s flooring products and business practices are both healthy and environmentally conscious. Teragren provides a five year warranty on its flooring and veneers and offers a full range of coordinating flooring products.

Teragren.com

800.929.6333

Friends of mine recently hired an eco-stylish car service to tool them around town during the holiday buzz. OZOcar offers the Lexus rx 400h (an SUV) and the Toyota Prius, which comes equipped with high-speed wireless internet access, an Apple ibook, and more than 150 satellite radio stations.

So, would you like to be chauffeured in a gas-guzzling Town Car or would you like to curb that carbon footprint?

No contest, call 866-696-5966 or click OZOcar.com for reservations. Sometimes, you just need wheels … and a driver.

Created from recycled truck and tire inner tubes, fashionable Passchal bags are hand made in the USA. In order to make each bag more lightweight, the designers decided to trim each one with hand-dyed leather. Another brilliant aspect to this hottie is that it has a light system that illuminates the interior when the bag is opened — making finding those keys, wallet, lipstick or cell phone, a cinch.

Passchals have made the scene quite nicely since the biz was launched in May of 2004 appearing in: the 2004 Billboard Music Awards goody bag, the Call2Recyle event at Olympus Fashion Week NY in 2005, & the 2006 Extra TV Awards Lounge gift bag for The Oscar’s. The collections also appeared on the Today Show and Entrepreneur Magazine in March of 2006.

Visit passchal.com for an overview of the collection.

Bamboo fabric is naturally anti-microbial, hypoallergenic, bacterio-static, thermal regulating and odor free. When shopping for the wee ones, be sure to check out Bamboo Baby’s Gift Sets; you can choose from four collections priced at: $21, 35, 58 or $100.

Baby-soft items come in 3 soothing shades: pale pink, tahiti blue or purely natural with sprout green. Gifts arrive wrapped in recycled tissue paper and tied with twine and a Bamboosa hangtag. You may add a personalized gift card as well.

Parents will appreciate the chemical- and pesticide-free fabric that wicks moisture away from baby’s tender skin. A comfy baby is a happy baby.

For protecting bambino’s new skin, you might be interested in Blue Lizard Baby Formula Suncream. And don’t overlook the bamboo-based casual wear for mom; for more info, visit bamboosa.com.

This innovative company Gives Back by supporting global conservation efforts with onepercentfortheplanet.org.