Andrea Kane is not your typical “Earth Mother,” though she does possess a great reverence for Mother Earth. In addition to being a military veteran, a doula, and a massage therapist, Andrea has experience as a PR expert and teacher. While she currently resides on the West Coast, her stint in the Big Apple has taught her all about the good, the bad, and the tricky of navigating the organic product world. Now she’s here to share all the natural knowledge she’s amassed along the way.

Tell us about your blog: what is the premise, what are your main coverage
areas, how did you get started? This blog was started September of 2006 after I closed my online natural body care store. During the move from Hawaii to San Diego, I considered many career options. While trying to figure it all out, The Organic Beauty Expert was born.

I never intended for this blog to continue, but am so glad it has. I named it The Organic Beauty Expert because I thought it was a catchy name that people could remember. The blog has grown as I have grown, and have learned more about the beauty industry. I have taught classes on making natural products and aromatherapy at The Learning Annex and The University of Hawaii, and for many corporate groups. I worked as a beauty consultant for start up beauty companies and still create signature scents.

This blog doesn’t push rhetoric and you won’t find the same ol’ “we must protect the earth” mantra. I try to use as many natural based products as possible, but when it comes down to it, efficiency is the word of the day. And if you can’t respect or understand that honesty, this ain’t the blog for ya!

You are from New York, and now live in San Diego. Do you think that New Yorkers are embracing the organic beauty wave as heartily as West Coasters have been?

Most definitely! In fact, New York is where I received my green education. In the early 90s living in Park Slope, I knew nothing about recycling or co-ops or eating well. New York has always been the spot for making the trends, whatever they may be, and in this case, they’ve added being green with style.

What do you miss most about living in New York?

I miss the ability to eat any type of ethnic food whenever the mood hits. I miss the energy most of all. My poetry and free style writing was so raw when I lived in the city. Lastly, I miss the museums and the art of living in NYC.

Where do you find daily inspiration?

Daily inspiration now comes from within. There’s not a lot of outside stimulus living next to the beach, but one makes do.

If you were stranded on an island (like Manhattan), which natural beauty products would you absolutely have to have?

Only one… most definitely the Blueberry Fusion face scrub from The Body Deli. It’s simply divine and a girl can’t be rescued and have splotchy skin!

When navigating the sea of “organic”, “natural”, or “Earth-friendly” products available today, how do you determine what is a legit product and what is simply clever marketing?

At the end of the day, it takes reading the ingredient lists. Many companies who sell online have taken to promoting the “active ingredients”, which many times focus on the two or three only natural ingredients within a sea of crap.

Best natural home remedies?

Tea tree essential oils and rosemary. Perhaps some lavender. That covers germs, cleaning, room sprays, diaper rash, bites, minor burns and even fresh breath.

Living a “green” life can be pricey. What are the most worthwhile splurges?

For me, organic beauty products and fruits. Skin care products have been shown to soak into the skin so I’d rather that stuff be as pure as possible. Fruits with edible skin also have to be organic in this house. Again, I’m not really fond of eating pesticides.

Favorite NYC organic/natural restaurants or shops?

I love Angelica Kitchen for veggie food on the cheaper side. Pure Food and Wine is wonderful too, though a bit pricier. Also, for organic groceries, Westerly Natural Foods and Elm Health Foods are great.

Strangest “natural” product you’ve come across while writing for OBE?

The strangest was a face cream made with amniotic fluid. I don’t think I need to explain further.

Last cultural thing that you did (movie, museum, theatre, etc…)

Went to a reading of The Vagina Monologues. With a business, husband and two kids, culture takes a back seat!

Tips for balancing being Earth friendly while not becoming completely anti-society?

Just doing what fits into your lifestyle and budget. I’m not pro-environment so much as I am objective sensible choices. Many green folks work from guilt to sell their products. I take a knowledge stance. Do the green thing when it fits your budget and because you want to.

Best green vacation spot?

Hawaii, of course!

Anything you’d like to add?

Organic doesn’t always mean better. Sometimes I see people pushing organic as a way to boost the price times five. Clothing, jewelry… I’m into it if it doesn’t mean I have to take out a loan.

www.theorganicbeautyexpert.typepad.com

Where Do You Go To Get Your Natural New York Fix?

Post A Comment Below And Tell Us About The Green Scene.

Even the internet’s becoming eco friendly. Environmentalist do-gooders take to the blogs in a grass roots initiative known as greenbrooklyn.com. But before you get on them for the large amounts of energy they’re using to sustain their daily posts of reduce, reuse, recycle – hold your cynical tongues: they use 100% wind powered website and email servers. You may know which bin to put your plastic bottles in, and hopefully wait until the next garbage can to toss out your gum. But with congestion rates on the rise, and city waste at an all time high, Ethan Oringel, Co Creater and Founder of the environmentally conscious url says there’s much more to learn.

Tell us about your blog… what is the premise, what are your main coverage areas, how did you get started?
Green Brooklyn (www.greenbrooklyn.com) is a website with news and opinion, grassroots initiatives, and resources on how we can all pitch in — individuals, community groups, as well as city government — and make Brooklyn and NYC a more sustainable place. The topics covered include all the main issues in sustainability — energy, building, food, green space, and more — but also ones not traditionally associated with being ‘green;’ such as education, community action, and culture.

The concept for Green Brooklyn actually hatched in 2004-2005. I had been doing a lot of research on the web about sustainability purely out of interest and curiosity, and I found that while there were some really good resources on renewable energy and green building — and a few select green blogs — there was one aspect that was missing. And that was a really strong connection between sustainability issues and local communities around the country. In my mind there was a niche to fill for a local green blog, the green community in Brooklyn was just beginning to boom, and so finally in the Fall of 2006 I stepped up and gave it a shot. I had intended from the beginning to develop the site to include local on-the-ground greening initiatives and local resources, and that is what I have done with the relaunch of the site for Earth Day 2008.

What brought you to the New York area?
Chinese food. No really, I am a 4th generation New Yorker, who was raised in Northern Westchester — close enough to nature to really develop an appreciation for the natural world at a young age, but still just a short train ride away from Midtown. My first foray into actually living in the city was in Fall of 1998 as the dot com boom was starting to take off. I figured it was my one chance to make a million dollars before I turned 30, and it was… And I didn’t. But I did get to work for David Bowie, so that was cool.

What do you love about living here?
I Love NY. I don’t think I can pick one thing or even make a short list. Actually, I think one of the most fulfilling things about living in NYC for me is to see, hear, and feel the ghosts of my family’s past. For example, in 2000 I coincidentally moved to within one building of my great grandfather’s first apartment in New York (on Orchard Street) after getting off the boat in 1900. Total accident. You can’t make that stuff up. My grandfather was born and raised on Attorney Street on the Lower East Side. My dad was born and raised in Brooklyn. Actually, another funny story, my great grandfather on my father’s side and my great grandfather on my mother’s side each had a general store within a block or two of the other on the LES, but my family didn’t find that out until my parents were married for 30 years. There is something about those NY stories that I just love. That, and it is the most amazing and cosmopolitan city in the world.

What do you think makes a New Yorker?
I think New York itself makes you a New Yorker. But even though the city itself can change the most unlikely person into a “real” New Yorker, I think people are predisposed to be receptive to it or not. You either have it or you don’t. I think cabbies are much more real New Yorkers than some of the hipsters or yuppies who come from far and wide to New York try to live ‘the life’ or to ‘be cool’.

What surprises you about New York or New Yorkers?
Absolutely nothing surprises me. Nothing at all. Anything can happen, at any time, anywhere in the city. Same goes for the people of the city. I guess the most surprising thing is just how incredibly diverse the city really is. It is diverse in the cultures and languages, but also in its history and neighborhood life. Who would have known (without poking around) that there are entire neighborhoods of family homes in South Brooklyn, or that there are sleepy waterfront communities in Queens that look like they were picked up from the North Eastern Atlantic coast and dropped just inside the borders of the five boroughs. But in getting back to the surprise factor, it is really impossible to really comprehend just how diverse NYC is. So even though I know that we live on the most diverse speck of land on Earth, I find myself constantly amazed.

When you leave New York, what do you miss the most?
That really is too easy. The things you cannot get anywhere else with any sort of satisfaction. Namely: bagels, pizza, old school Jewish diners, the Yankees.

Do you know any tricks or insider info?
Yes. There is only one trick. It is all up to YOU. And when in doubt, walk. You’ll find what you are looking for even if you didn’t know you were looking for it.

Best corny tourist attraction that you secretly love?
I guess I would have to say that everyone should go to the top of the Empire State Building at least once. Seeing the city from high up is incredible. Windows on the World was even better (I went once about 20 years ago).

Best neighborhood bar?
I used to live in Park Slope/Gowanus and I really liked a little spot called Barbes (www.barbesbrooklyn.com). I liken it to a dive bar in Paris, in Brooklyn. Except they have a small stage where they put on a wide variety of live music and movies, mostly the likes of which could only come from Brooklyn (like the Slavic Soul Party every Tuesday night).

Best late night joint?
Grand Central at 5am.

Last cultural thing that you did (movie, museum, theatre, etc…)
Rubin Museum of Art (www.rmanyc.org), “explore the artistic legacy of the Himalayan region and to appreciate its place in the context of world cultures.” Truly brilliant. Just go.

Best fancy schmancy restaurant?
I don’t really do fancy schmancy… I am looking forward to going to the restaurant Luz in Brooklyn (www.luzrestaurant.com) for their Earth Day (April 22 and 23) celebration. On those two nights, dinner consists of organic and locally-produced foods that are prepared and served without electricity. “No electricity, no telephones, no gas, no credit card machines, no computers, and no heat lamps.” And I just think that is awesome.

Best place to meet members of the opposite sex?
Cafe Habana Outpost

Best Green (organic) restaurant in town?
Cafe Habana Outpost

What are you doing to “go green”? Where do you go for green cuisine? Post a comment below and tell us what’s up.

Organic food has staked its claim across shelves in New York City, and for good reason. “It doesn’t have chemicals, processing, food coloring, fertilizer or pesticides,” says Carlos Aguila, founder of the unique Karrot Health Food Stores. Karrot is one-stop organic shopping, and carries everything from beauty products to produce. But, the real stand out gem is the Mambo Juice Bar. “If the blender is out of order, there are riots!” jokes Aguila. CiNYC sucked down a Blueberry Omega smoothie, and now our taste buds are spoiled for life.

304 West 117^th Street, 10026

854 West 181^st Street, 10033

431 Myrtle Avenue, 11205

Going organic and embracing the vegan lifestyle is a cinch with Organic Avenue. This lifestyle boutique has everything you need for sustainable living in the big city. “I wanted to make it easier for people to live the raw lifestyle, and to not feel deprivation,” says founder Denise Mari. From raw food prepared fresh daily, to natural fiber fashion plus herbal health and beauty products, you’ll discover things you didn’t even know could be organic. Customers are fans of the five-day raw food L.O.V.E. Fast, which delivers fresh meals to your door, five mornings in a row.

101 Stanton Street, between Orchard Street and Ludlow Street, Manhattan
www.organicavenue.com

Extra! Extended Interview with Organic Avenue founder Denise Mari.

CiNYC got the dirt on Denise Mari’s thoughts on sustainable living, her history as a vegan and why she opened Organic Avenue.

Why is sustainable living important in this day and age?
What we do makes a difference in the environment. Everything is coming to light now. According to environmental experts, we should “be the change.” Most people have been scared into awakening, but I do think we have the opportunity to make the changes and live the sustainable life.

Can you tell me about your background as a vegan?
I started as a vegetarian. I loved animals, and it was just kind of a progression. I developed a spiritual belief that you didn’t have to hurt another animal to live a happy and healthy life. I just kept researching, and vegans were the healthiest, happiest, most positive people I’d ever met.

How did changing your diet affect your health?
I used to have digestive problems, acne, I was moody, I had low energy after I slept, and if I ate anything I’d feel tired. I’ve spent five years on a 100% raw vegan diet, and it’s the best I’ve ever felt. I’m inspired, I’m allowing of nature to take hold of me, and there’s true vibration.

What inspired you to open Organic Avenue?
I had a desire to make it easier for people to live the raw lifestyle, so they wouldn’t have to feel deprivation. If I find that there’s anything that’s not available on the market, it motivates me to make it available for people.