This month, we've rounded up some terrific eco- and earth-friendly kitchenware products, as well as natural and organic gourmet goodies, for healthy (and tasty) green living. After all, a proper green kitchen should be stocked full of organic, sustainable, energy-efficient, non-toxic items that are not only healthier for you, but sustain resources and the environment, too. Going green has never been easier.


Lotus Foods Stainless Steel Rice Cooker & Steamer
Besides pioneering the introduction of exotic rice varieties from remote areas of the world such as Bhutan, Bangladesh and China into the U.S. market, Lotus Foods is a small company with a big mission. It was founded with the unique vision and commitment to seek out small family rice farmers in developing countries and provide them a means of economic support through access to a global and sustainable marketplace economy. Suffice to say, we've admired this company for some time now for its exotic rice offerings with a purpose. Now add a Stainless Steel Rice Cooker and Steamer to the list of things we love about it. What makes this appliance stand out is that it has a rice cooking pot and steaming tray that are constructed completely out of stainless steel (not just a stainless steel coating). In addition to being the only non-reactive metal used in cookware, stainless steel preserves flavor and nutritional value, doesn't absorb unusual odors or flavors, and will not react with acidic foods or sauces. Another bonus - the cooking pot and steaming tray are both 100 percent recyclable, making it a healthy choice for you and the environment. It's also beyond simple to use. We cooked up brown rice, barley and other grains with perfect results. When all the water is absorbed, the cooker stops cooking, but conveniently keeps the rice warm until you shut it off. The handy steamer tray can also be used at the same time the rice is cooking to steam veggies, dumplings, tortillas and more. MSRP is $79.95. For more information, visit www.lotusfoods.com.


Kookie Karma Kookies
One might imagine that Juli Novotny's organic, vegan, wheat-free, gluten-free and peanut-free Kookie Karma Kookies are taste-free, too. Surprisingly, that's far from the case. Rich, moist, dense and packed with flavor, these guilt-free "Kookies" are creating quite a buzz as the premier vegan and raw cookie. With flavors like Raw Banana Bread (the richness and sweetness of homemade banana bread), Raw Cherry Cashew (full of tart cherries and a kick of fresh ginger), Raw Carob Truffle (a unique fusion of sun-dried olives, sweet carob, almond butter and agave nectar), Raw Lemon Fig (a bit like a Fig Newton, only healthier) and Raw Granola Bar (teeming with coconut and a bevy of nuts and seeds), it's no wonder. Novotny created Kookie Karma as a way of indulging the public in the stuff we crave - like chocolate chip cookies - without all the refined ingredients. Made by "the hands of happy healthy people," her nutritional treats feature 100 percent raw ingredients like dehydrated cashews and dried fruit, along with other foods fresh from the farmer's markets; the holistic cookies are made of almond meal and chocolate or carob chips. Sweetened only with agave nectar, they are safe for diabetics, children and those with food allergies. Finally, there's a terrific tasting "Kookie" that is actually good for you. MSRP is $2.79. For more information, call 866-706-5511 or visit www.kookiekarma.com.


TWIST Cleaning Products
Who knew cleaning could be so chic? TWIST makes a line of eco-friendly sponges and cloths that not only look super cool, but are 100 percent biodegradable. The company prides itself on using cellulose from sustainable Norwegian tree farms to make their products and state that 99.97 percent of their production waste is reused. Another nice "twist" on typical throw-away product packaging - each TWIST sponge carton can be folded into little bird feeders. The TWIST family includes: the European Sponge #10 (MSRP $1.99/1-pk), which replaces the traditional sponge and lasts two times longer; the Loofah Sponge #50 (MSRP $4.99/2-pk), an anti-bacterial product that is one side absorbent sponge and one side natural loofah; the Naked Sponge #55 (MSRP $2.49/1-pk) which offers a clean, dye-free, durable option for day-to-day cleaning; and the colorful European Sponge Cloth #20 (MSRP $3.99/3-pk), which easily wipes kitchen and bath surfaces like a paper towel and absorbs like a sponge. All four products are durable, anti-bacterial and completely dishwasher-safe. For more information, visit www.twistclean.com.


The Dodo Bag Co.
As conscientious consumers who value commitment to the environment, we were all over these new reusable eco-friendly canvas bags by The Dodo Bag Co. This family-owned business, a division of Van Wyk Confections, LLC., developed these bags after learning the impact plastic bags are having on the environment. Plastic bags kill over 100,000 birds, whales, seals and turtles every year. Plastic bags are not biodegradable and can take up to 500 years to break down into tiny toxic bits - polluting our soil, rivers, lakes and oceans. The company plans on donating $0.25 for every bag sold to a number of nonprofit organizations that support environmental and conservation projects. They hope to donate $250,000 by the year 2012 and help in the fight to one day make plastic bags "extinct." Dodo Bags come in nine eco-chic designs and are made in America from unbleached cotton - a renewable resource. They take minimal energy to produce, are light, extremely durable (each holds up to 40 lbs.) and last for years. They are also machine-washable in cold water. Minimum order is 20 with a MSRP of $12.50-$15.00. For more information, call 888-465-5141 or visit www.dodobags.com.


Willamette Valley Vineyards 2006 Pinot Noir
In addition to producing some of the finest Pinot Noir from grapes grown in the Willamette Valley Appellation, just south of Salem, Ore., Willamette focuses on stewardship of the land using sustainable practices in growing and vinifying their wine grapes. The vineyards are certified sustainable through LIVE (Low Input Viticulture and Enology) and have been Salmon Safe since 1997. Starting with their 2006 vintage Pinot Noir, Willamette is the first winery in the world to use cork certified through the Rainforest Alliance to Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) standards. This wine is the first to be bottled using cork stoppers harvested from sustainably managed forests. Cork is renewable and biodegradable, and not a single tree is cut down to harvest it. Cork stoppers are also completely recyclable into other products, including memo boards, bowls, floor coverings and insulating materials. Cork stoppers also offer superb elasticity for smooth extraction, and can be easily reinserted to seal an unfinished bottle. As for the wine itself, this vintage Pinot Noir is a classic Oregon beauty with juicy, sweet and tart red fruit flavors, earth, spice and a warm, lingering finish. Makes a great complement to wild salmon. MSRP is $25 a bottle. For more information, visit www.willamettevalleyvineyards.com.


BioFonsal Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
In 2005, Olisoy - a fourth-generation, 100 percent family-owned and operated olive oil producer from Valencia - obtained the USDA green seal of approval that allowed them to export their prized organic oil to the U.S. Under its BioFonsal label, Olisoy produces Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil obtained from organic farms in the Andalucía region of Spain. Using advanced farming techniques with low environmental impact, the olives are grown without the use of any pesticides or chemical fertilizers, and are extracted without using high heat, harsh solvents, or bleaching agents that strip the oil of healthful nutrients. Made from 100 percent Hojiblanca varietal olives, BioFonsal oil has a slightly sweet taste in the beginning, a small bitter taste of unripe fruits, and an almond aftertaste. It's beautiful on salads, vegetables and fish, as well as in soups. For more information, e-mail info@olisoy.com or visit www.olisoy.com.


Mulini Reali Organic Italian Crackers
Mulini Reali, a leading manufacturer of organic Italian baked goods, has made its American debut with an elegant new line of "Foglie," or organic Italian hand-rolled crackers. Made by hand in Southern Italy and baked with extra virgin olive oil and locally available herbs and spices, these 100 percent organic, vegan crackers are crisp, flavorful and absolutely delicious. In fact, our office polished off an entire box in just minutes and was clamoring for more. Available in four authentic Mediterranean flavors: Rosemary, Tomato & Oregano, Garden Chive and Spicy Garlic. They're great by themselves, but they make a particularly elegant treat with sour cream, herb spread, fresh mozzarella, salsa, pesto, or an olive tapenade. MSRP is $3.49-$3.99. For more information, call 815-642-0494.


G'Day Gourmet Tuna
We discovered G'Day Gourmet Tuna, an Australian-style savory tuna, a few years ago at the Summer Fancy Food Show in NYC and have been singing about these wonders from Down Under ever since. G'Day Gourmet flavored tuna is made using only light Skipjack tuna wild-caught using sustainable fishing practices from the waters surrounding southern Australia. Because Skipjack is one of the smallest species of tuna, they accumulate much less mercury than the larger species. Not only are G'Day Gourmet canned fish products all-natural and low in mercury, they are low in carbohydrates and are a good source of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. And instead of mixing this absolutely delicious tuna with mayo, you can enjoy them already seasoned - straight from the can. Available in six gourmet varieties featuring non-GMO canola oil, real vegetables and herbs: Chili, Lemon Pepper, Mild Indian Curry, Tomato Basil, Tomato Onion and Tomato Salsa. Besides offering a decidedly more discerning taste treat, G'Day Gourmet's convenient flip-top can makes a ready-to-eat, protein-rich lunch or healthy snack that's also ritzy enough to serve for evening hors d'oeuvres. MSRP is $1.99 a can. For more information, call 904-543-1945 or visit www.g-daygourmet.com.


Chic Chefs Avant Garde Green Salad Set
This practical and stylish 5-piece Avant Garde Green Salad Set from Chic Chefs is not only a nice introduction to the joys of using ceramic cutlery, but it helps give back a little green as well. As a member of 1% For The Planet (www.onepercentfortheplanet.org), the company pledges 1 percent of their sales from this product to the preservation and restoration of the natural environment. The set itself includes a bright green 3" Paring Knife, 4" Utility Knife, Horizontal Peeler and a Mandoline with Slicer - each featuring Chic Chefs Advanced Ceramic Zirconium blades. Because Ceramic Zirconia is second in hardness only to diamonds, they will retain their edge for thousands of cuts and won't need sharpening, the company states. And unlike steel blades, ceramic blades will never rust or change from their natural state. They are totally impervious to acids, juices, oils, salts or other elements. We enjoyed testing the set and found the knives to be ultra lightweight, with comfortable ergonomic handles that offered precise control when cutting. MSRP is $98. For more information, call 866-690-3910, or visit www.chicchefsinc.com.


Climate Change Chocolate
Climate Change Chocolate bars, Bloomsberry & Co.'s fast-growing line of all-natural chocolate bars, are the first of their kind to support the fight against global warming. Available in a 3.5-ounce all-natural dark and milk chocolate, each bar comes wrapped with 15 tips for reducing your carbon footprint. These helpful tips teach you how to save energy by making small changes to your daily habits. Climate Change Chocolate comes with a verified TerraPass offset of 133 pounds of carbon dioxide reductions - the average American's daily carbon impact. The TerraPass offsets fund clean energy and efficiency projects such as wind farms and methane digesters that result in verified reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. While it's hardly going to stop the ice-caps from melting, if you're a big chocolate fan, this one claims to ‘do good as well as taste good'- which it certainly does. MSRP is $4.95. For more information, call 978-745-9100 or visit www.bloomsberry.com.