Even people who used to make fun of tree huggers are getting into the recycling spirit. All this movement ever needed was good, corporate marketing.

Consumers just need to know they can buy “feel-good” products that help the environment, or other cultures. Here’s word on a few:

I’ve always been a fan of cloth rice bags from other countries, used as little purses. Visit bazurabags.com to see a wide variety of stuff holders. I’m toting a summer-ready bag fashioned from a sturdy rice bag and Fun Chum juice bags. One side has an image of golden grains and the other has writing from the Philippines company. Wipe it down after beach use and haul it to the grocer to avoid disposable bags.

Crazy, colorful Its-las-tik totes from whatsurbag-usa.com bounces with you. Hurricane Katrina survivors are making these bags that benefit Hope House in New Orleans. The stretchy cloth resembles work-out gear and is designed to look good and move with you as you go green.

The fresh, green design of a bamboo stalk is the only sign that EcoTowl bamboo is made of that plant and corn. Fibers from these renewable sources make for an attractive, absorbent and washable towel you can use around the house over and over again. I rinsed mine out and it was nearly dry and ready for more when I returned to the kitchen.

The Makes Sense Showerhead owner says its the only self-closing pull chain showerhead in the world designed for residential use. Designed for “responsible” showers, the silver pull chain reminds me of a European flat in wartime, an image I got from the movies, of course. The chain lets you adjust flow for when you need it most and conserve water waste. It really makes a difference to feel green and clean. Visit support@itjustmakessence.net.



A room divided

Half the newsroom people I asked thought a pinto bean dip with cocoa powder, blackbean brownies and a spinach salad with goji or cranberries and cocoa nibs sounded like things they’d love to try. The other half scrunched up their faces.

If you are reading this column, I’d guess you are on the Culinary Thrill Seeking side, with me. Learn how to make “225 irresistible recipes featuring the healthiest and most delicious foods” in Dana Jacobi’s “The Essential Best Foods Cookbook.” Read about what foods are really, really good for you and how to play with them.

I think I’ll make a big batch of bean dip with cocoa and make it my whole supper.



The Calorie King

Craving an 830-calorie Wendy’s Baconator? The Calorie King’s “Calorie Fat & Carbohydrate Counter” handbook clocks that lunch in at 51 grams of fat. Now it’s up to you to decide if you’re willing to enjoy that flavor, skip it or decide to cut back elsewhere. Allan Borushek’s guide includes the counts for basic foods, name-brand packaged foods and 200 fast food and chain restaurants. Knowing what you are eating will help you make better decisions. Eating just 350 extra calories a day will add one pound every 10 days, book promoters say.

Watch for sneaky labeling. The "actual weight" of packaged foods is often significantly greater than the "net weight" on the front of the package. Some baked products can be up to 40 percent heavier than the net weight, yet the calories are only provided for the lighter net weight, according to the author.

Find out more at http://www.calorieking.com/.



Black gold

I love to begin my day with hot peppers for breakfast and I keep ‘em coming whenever I can. While I love a good peppercorn-crusted anything, I usually don’t bother with ordinary “table” pepper. McCormick has cans of two new gourmet blends that pass my test. Worchestershire and Smokehouse Black carry nuances as distinctive as wine.

Applewood is the buzz this grilling season and Smokehouse has an infusion of the smoky flavor. I don’t know how they got the Worcestershire flavor in this blend, but kudos to them. I’ve coated all manor of broiled vegetables with nothing but these pepper blends and sea salt Mrs. Kleinpeter of Groves sent me. I am still working up to trying them on meat.

Contact this reporter at ddoiron@panews.com.