I could move to France tomorrow. Leaving New York City behind does not seem such an impossible idea anymore. Especially after my recent visit, when my so-so grasp of the French language somehow came naturally, almost fluently after just a day. The joie de vivre seeped into my bones, the vibrant colors, the impressionist landscapes, the smell of fresh baked croissants, all the street-facing rows of scarf-wrapped coffee drinkers…on my fifth visit, France felt like home. And all those bikers! It really did move me. So I wrote about it for HuffPo.

Vive le Vélo! America Needs A Bike Ambassador, and a French Lesson

Bikes have replaced berets as the “it” accessory in France. The two-wheeled vehicles may be chic and eco, but this is not why locals ride them. It’s because bikes are cheap and they are everywhere. In May, while on assignment for a story about this summer’s Normandy Impressionist Festival–an event mostly accessible by the Train à Grand Vitesse (TGV), for those interested–I saw firsthand how France is trumping the United States on the alternative transportation front.

To read the full story, click here.

Rail Europe, the France Guide, and Air France are hosting journalists May 16-21 on a cultural trip through five cities in France. I am so looking forward to being back!

This image of the blond bespectacled actor on his bike is something of a childhood memory for me. I grew up within a mile of Ed Begley Jr. in Los Angeles, and I still get warm fuzzies thinking about how he and I once shared a Studio City zip code. (The fact that Jack Nickelson and Tiffani Amber Thiessen also lived nearby didn’t seem to interest this National Geographic reading, mountain-hiking kid who loved to compost.) When I had the opportunity to catch up with the Hollywood hero last month at the Go Green Expo in New York, I didn’t hesitate to say hello.

It doesn’t matter how many times you hear or read his panoply of pleas about going green, even to republicans, Ed’s got a mouthful worth listening to. Quite simply, and without needing a script, he knows just how to get the serious message across–often by making light out of how to lighten our carbon footprint.

I followed up with the eco-friendly father, husband, and hybrid-trotter over email about his upcoming big project, some easy next steps for greenies, and what Ed Begley Jr.’s climate bill would look like if he knew Congress would pass it.

How can folks who already incorporate “green” acts into their daily lives take the next step to being even more eco-conscious? (Consider both those who live in a small NYC apartment and those who live in a house in the suburbs.)

ED: The way I did it, beginning in 1970, is by picking the low hanging fruit first–the stuff that is cheapest and easiest and gives you the biggest bang for your buck. Walking, riding a bike, taking public transportation, recycling, composting, home gardening or supporting your local farmers market are good ways to start that help you save money right away. Others in this category include energy efficient lighting, low flow showerheads and faucets, power strips to shut down phantom power-draw devices, weather stripping around doors and windows, window coverings. As you do these things and save money, then you can do more. The next level includes things like a rain barrel, a compost tumbler, LED light bulbs etc. Then you can climb the ladder higher with things like an energy efficient water heater or solar hot water. Then towards the top come things like solar electric and hybrid cars. You don’t RUN up Mt. Everest–you climb slowly, get to base camp, get acclimated, then climb higher. Do only what you can afford to do. Be fiscally responsible and do what you can today, save money and then do more.

Read the full interview here: Seeing the World Through Green-Colored Glasses: My Interview with Ed Begley Jr.

This day is supposed to be the most beautiful day of your life. It also happens to be one of the most egregiously un-green traditions we have. I didn’t even realize this–and I run a green travel website–until my boyfriend proposed to me in the middle of a rain forest five months ago and I began planning my wedding. Now that I am a bride-to-be, I figured I’d share some easy things we can do for the good of the planet (and our wallets) in anticipation of the big day.

To read the full story, visit huffingtonpost.com

My second story on the Huffington Post!

Since the spring of 1912, people have stopped in Washington D.C. to smell the cherry blossoms. Last year, over one million tourists came to the nation’s capital to enjoy the gift from the Japanese government 97 seasons after the first trees were planted in West Potomac Park. At a time when climate bills are struggling instead of flourishing on the Hill, why not explore the National Cherry Blossom Festival (March 27- April 11) in an environmentally conscious way? (Especially when this town is making it so easy to lighten the carbon footprint.)

My first post as a blogger for the Huffington Post!
Make sure to read the rest of the story for three delicious spring recipes by Laura Pensiero.

After months of slushy streets, heavy stews, and stubborn colds, I was feeling more than ready to talk about a fresh new season when I called up Laura Pensiero, nutritionist and author of the recently published Hudson Valley Mediterranean. She also happens to own the popular restaurants Gigi Trattoria and Gigi Market in New York’s Hudson Valley, and is the chef behind Just Salad. If anyone could offer advice on what to cook this spring, it would be Pensiero. In her book, she dishes on flavorful farm-sourced food and gives tips on how each recipe can be healthful and economical–while keeping our carbon footprint light.

HP: What comes to mind when you think of Spring?

Garden, peas, asparagus, new season, renewal.

HP: What should people look forward to cooking now that winter is over?

I’m so ready to give winter the boot and welcome in lighter fare: fava beans with a sharp cheese, shitake mushrooms, arugula and spinach from Sky Farm in Millerton, asparagus pesto with linguini. It will be nice to move away from root veggies and towards fresh green produce. I’m looking forward to open house entertaining season. One appetizer that’s delicious and super easy to make is sweet pea guacamole with crostini or pita chips. Or for a salad, I like to use a low fat pea-tarragon dressing.

Read the full story here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lauren-elyse-matison/what-to-eat-this-spring-a_b_495693.html

I interviewed Samantha Brown last week for offManhattan.com. With time to reflect, I’m not sure she has the best gig in the world. If she could fulfill what she says in her last answer, maybe.

—————————————-

She bikes, she lives in Brooklyn, and her roller derby name is Green Eggs and Slam. In 2010, Samantha Brown will celebrate 10 years as a host on the Travel Channel. And no, she’s not leaving the best gig in the world anytime soon. (Trust us, we asked—twice.)

From home base in Park Slope, the star of Great Weekends spoke candidly with us on the phone about her time off camera, what’s planned for the big anniversary, and where we should head for our next weekend getaway near New York City.

oM: We recently started following you on Twitter. What is the most remote place you’ve ever Tweeted?

SB: I Tweeted in Vietnam, in Ha Long Bay. Beautiful place on the ocean populated by 3,000 people. There are these striking limestone cliffs, like something out of a movie, maybe Lord of the Rings. I was just waiting for the dragons to appear.

Read the rest of the story here.

My Alma Mater did a story on my work with offManhattan!

——————————————————————————-

Whether your ideal weekend getaway includes spending a few days shopping in Portland, Maine, or feasting on crab cakes in Baltimore, Md., trips like these typically require Manhattanites to fill up their car’s gas tank.

But what if they want to leave the car at home – or don’t even have a car?

That’s the basis behind the Web site, offManhattan.com (oM for short), started in 2007 by Lauren Matison ’06 and Vince Crossley.

“Since 75 percent of Manhattan doesn’t have a car, it seemed like the perfect city to start a green-themed travel mission,” said Matison, who uses the site to promote sustainable dining and public transportation.

Check out the rest: “Co-founder of offManhattan.com, Lauren Matison ‘06, finds success with green travel blog”

Vince and I were stopped on the cobblestone streets to be interviewed for a website called Seductionmeals.com.

Here is our moment in the spotlight!

Check out offManhattan.com for its sleek new green look and let us know what you think. Thanks to all the oM supporters.