Eco-Vlog

Prime Roots is upending the food landscape with mushrooms as another protein source. On February 14, the startup will unveil its meatless , non-GMO “bacon” to entice all food-lovers. The one-day-only, limited release will allow customers to order “bacongrams” for loved ones, while supplies last. According to the company website, fungi are considered superproteins. With the use of mushrooms as a protein source, Prime Roots’ products are naturally antibiotic- and hormone-free. Additionally, the startup promises that its products are “delicious tasting, high in digestibility, sustainable, allergen-free, animal-free and non-GMO .” Related: 24-year-old entrepreneur to launch plant-based “superprotein” products by vote Last summer, The Spoon reported that Prime Roots utilizes mushroom mycelium, which has certain qualities that are, by contrast, absent in plant proteins. For instance, “mycelium require minimal resources to grow and are a more efficient source of protein than plants, [the...

British architectural firm  Hopkins Architects has completed the Buhais Geology Park Interpretative Centre, a new research and education facility highlighting the “prehistoric and geological significance” of the former seabed known as al-Madam Plain. Located southeast of the UAE city of Sharjah, the Geology Park was created as part of a series of learning and conservation centers operated by Sharjah’s Environmental Protected Areas Authority. The design of the site-sensitive complex comprises five interconnected pods inspired by prehistoric sea urchin fossils. The Buhais Geology Park Interpretative Center is located within the Jebel Buhais, an archaeological site that’s most notable for its extensive necropolis spanning the Stone, Bronze, Iron, and Hellenistic ages, as well as for its abundance of marine  fossils  from over 65 million years ago. To highlight the archeological importance of Jebel Buhais, the Park was conceived as an important educational resource and de...

One of the most challenging aspects of weight loss is cutting back on calories. Many low-calorie foods can leave you feeling hungry and unfulfilled between meals, making it much more tempting to overeat and indulge. Fortunately, plenty of healthy foods exist that are both filling and low in calories. Here are 10 low-calorie foods that are surprisingly filling and you want to stock your house and office fridge with. 1. Greek Yoghurt Greek yoghurt is a great source of protein that can help curb cravings and promote weight loss. Though the exact numbers vary between brands and flavors, a 2/3-cup (150-gram) serving of Greek yoghurt typically provides about 130 calories and 11 grams of protein.((Self-Nutrition Data: Greek Style Yoghurt )) One study in 20 women examined how a high-protein yoghurt snack affected appetite compared to unhealthy high-fat snacks like chocolate or crackers.((Nutr. J.:  Effects of high-protein vs. high- fat snacks on appetite control, satiety, and eating initi...

Building in extreme landscapes and climates comes with all sorts of complications, but one savvy architect managed to construct a beautiful modern home using the local environment to the home’s advantage. Mexico City-based architectural firm, Paola Calzada Arquitectos  built the contemporary Tabasco Home in the middle of Mexico’s rare rainforest using several passive features to reduce energy. What’s more, the home design was built using several eco-friendly and repurposed materials such as 3,000 recycled  plastic bottles  used for the kitchen. Unlike most of Mexico, Tabasco is mainly covered in thick rainforest. In addition to its humid climate, the area is often plagued by flooding , which causes complications for most construction projects. Related: Solar-powered home takes advantage of cooling ocean breezes in Los Angeles However, the area is pristine and idyllic for those looking to live among nature. Accordingly, the Tabasco house was built strategically u...

UNSense, an arch-tech startup launched by UNStudio , has announced plans to develop an adaptive neighborhood of 100 homes to explore how sustainable, smart technology can revolutionize the future of residential development. Commissioned by the Brainport Smart District Foundation, the project will be located in Brainport Smart District in the Dutch city of Helmond. The project is also part of the UNStudio masterplan for the expansion of the Brandevoort neighborhood that aims to become the “smartest neighborhood in the world.” Having recently completed a feasibility study for the “100 Homes Project” with positive results, UNSense has officially begun building three consortia to realize the project: a building consortium for constructing the homes and infrastructure; a tech consortium for constructing the innovative urban data platform that will host services related to housing, energy, mobility and health; and a consortium for service development. The 100 Homes Project will be a “Li...

Originally designed in 1956, this mid-century property in Indianapolis has been remodeled to reflect the new owner’s modern style. The design plan included methods to turn the 60-year-old house with outdated fixtures and overgrown landscaping into an organized, harmonious, private living space. By prioritizing the preservation of the original architecture as much as possible while maintaining privacy for the occupants, the designers were able to create a “Midcentury Modern” home with sustainability features. The sustainability features that characterize the MCM 220 Modern Home include reclaimed structural elements in the wooden structure and fireplace, double-glazed low-E floor-to-ceiling windows and an unvented insulated roof system. Outside, a membrane roof combined with a deep roof channels stormwater to the screened porch for a “sensory experience” during rainfall. Additionally, a moss garden around the bedrooms creates a zen-like ambiance. New skylights and floor-to-ceiling hi...

Have you been feeling stressed out lately? Well, take some comfort in knowing that you’re not alone. Stress, in particular, workplace stress has become such a widespread problem that the World Health Organization calls it the “health epidemic of the 21st century.” These days, many people are overwhelmed by their busy lives. They are feeling the pressure from work, family life, and other activities. All this activity is leaving them stressed and anxious. They know they need to relax, but they don’t know how. They are beginning to realize some of the health consequences of chronic stress, such as poor physical health, emotional disorders, and strained relationships. The good news is that dealing with stress is a lot simpler than you might think. One of the simplest and most effective methods for stress relief is relaxation meditation. In this article, I will discuss some of the health consequences of stress, what exactly relaxation meditation is, and how to practice it. I will finish wit...

“I do not fix problems. I fix my thinking. Then problems fix themselves.” ~ Louise Hay Looking back on my life, I came to understand that perfection was my worst enemy. I was raised in an environment of high expectation , and every day in school felt like I was competing with others and fighting to be the best in class. At the age of ten I believed I was stupid just because my brain couldn’t work out physics and math. I was good with literature, arts, and foreign languages, but that wasn’t a sign of brilliance in the Eastern-European culture that shaped me. Much later, as a grown-up woman, I didn’t see myself as good enough , beautiful enough, smart enough, or successful enough. I felt unworthy of being loved by a wonderful man, unworthy of getting a good paycheck to reflect my skills and talents, too unworthy to apply for a tempting position at work. My life looks completely different today, and I embrace the new me with much gratitude and joy. I love myself as I am. I am happi...

Los Angeles-based design practice KFA Architecture has recently completed Pico Eleven, a new multi-unit residential housing project designed to achieve LEED Platinum certification. In addition to the building’s inclusion of solar panels, energy-efficient appliances and passive solar strategies, Pico Eleven has also dedicated approximately one-third of its units to affordable housing, with four units set aside for very low-income households. Located near Downtown Santa Monica, the housing project reflects its waterfront environment with reclaimed timber siding that recalls the rustic California beach house aesthetic. Nestled into a sloping hillside just blocks from Downtown Santa Monica , Pico Eleven comprises 32 units spread out across four floors and is organized into three distinct masses that step down the slope. The 33,000-square-foot building also includes two levels of subterranean parking with space for 64 vehicles. Eleven of the 32 units — which mainly comprise one- and two-...

Native of Porto, Portugal, designer João Leão was becoming more and more concerned about the abundance of plastic waste he saw clogging up his city’s beautiful coastline. Inspired to act on the issue, the ambitious designer decided to find a way to clean the ocean by using that waste to create an innovative product. As a result, Leão created the PET MINI — an electric skateboard made completely out of plastic waste. Founder of the design studio Maker Island , Leão has made a career out of  creating innovative and collaborative designs that are geared toward addressing local problems on a global scale. But with his latest invention, Leão is trying to address an issue close to his heart — Porto’s plastic waste. Related: New line of men’s swimwear is made from recycled ocean plastic “It all started with two problems, the plastic waste I was seeing being gathered on the beaches of my hometown, Porto, and the increasing commute times due to the high increase of people on the cit...

In the past 10 to 20 years, careers in sustainability have grown exponentially. This is partly due to increased awareness of climate change. It’s also a result of innovation in the field; for example, the use of wind turbines and solar panels create jobs that didn’t exist before. Looking into the future, more and more jobs will fall into the category of sustainability. Many industries will face stricter resource management, opening the door to an endless number of earth-focused jobs — including some that don’t even exist yet! If you’ve considered a career in sustainability, here are some green jobs you might want to look into. Engineer There are hundreds of types of engineering degrees and titles, with myriad job opportunities in sustainability. Wind, water and solar engineers study and develop those technologies while product, systems and mechanical engineers can also find ways for business and manufacturing to be more eco-friendly. Engineers focused on urban design can influence ...