Teany...At Last

Vegetarian cafe Teany has been on my "must visit" list for some time. It was worth the wait. Prices are reasonable...no $12 desserts like you'll find at more upscale (translation: more expensive) Candle 79.

There are 98 varieties of tea on the menu! But with temperatures around 90 degrees, I went with the refreshing and unique lavender lemonade, $3.50. I'm getting into the habit of saying "No straw, please" when ordering a beverage, which garners confused looks from waiters everywhere. He put one in anyway. If I see an opportunity to cut out waste, even the most minimal, why not try?

Quiche is one of the items I miss most since making the switch to veganism from lacto-ovo vegetarianism. Their version, $9, had mushrooms, zucchini and olives, served with tomato cream sausage sauce and side salad with creamy herb dressing. Delicious. This would make a terrific addition to any summer picnic.

The triple chocolate cake, $5, for dessert. So decadent!


There are some benches outside where many were enjoying sangria or mimosas, both $8.

I would definitely come back. Service was a bit slow (there was only one waiter), but it was encouraging to see a completely full vegetarian restaurant when the economy is still suffering. A bit disappointing it's not strictly vegan (dairy is on the menu).

Images of rescued farm animals from Catskill Animal Sanctuary adorned the restroom walls.

I did notice Scott toilet paper in the restroom. Didn't they get the Greenpeace Guide on Recycled Paper Products, or hear about their campaign against Kimberly Clark? What, you don't notice the toilet paper when you dine out?

Visit teany cafe, 90 Rivington Street, NYC. Their web site warns it's cash-only.

Check out teany's cookbook at your library or a second hand version.

Supporting the Cycle of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle With Your Paper Goods

I'm always looking for ways to reduce my paper consumption. I cancelled my New York Times subscription and read it online; utilize my local library for books and magazines; call to remove myself from mailing lists when getting unwanted mail. I even bring my own towel to work when washing my ceramic dishes.

But some paper consumption is unavoidable. And for that, our friends at Greenpeace have issued a Recycled Tissue and Toilet Paper Guide to help us make an informed decision based on three criteria: 100% recycled content; at least 50% post-consumer recycled content; and bleached without toxic chlorine compounds.

Get the guide here.

Luckily, the toilet tissue I buy made the recommended list: Trader Joe's, $3.99 for a 12-pack. Its facial tissues (99 cents a box) did not, since it only had 10% post consumer content, but they've recently repackaged, and the box I have at home does say 80% post consumer content.

Read more about Greenpeace's campaign against Kimberly-Clark.
Tell Kimberly-Clark that you will avoid Kleenex, Cottonelle, Viva and other brands until they start producing product with recycled content using this Greenpeace form.
Want to reduce your junk mail? Learn how.

Want to cut down on charitable solicitations? When I send a donation, I make sure to tell the charity to put me on their 'once a year-only' solicitation list, that way they don't spend unnecessary resources sending me repeated follow-up requests.