Make some room on the subway, New Yorkers: A 15,000 square foot mobile urban farm is now roaming the streets of Manhattan, sort of.

The Essentia Mattress Company is transforming their brand new New York City showcase location into an "eco nightclub" on Tuesday March 15^th to benefit the non profit organization, Global Green USA.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s proposal to ban the use of food stamps for soda purchases is still under U.S. Department of Agriculture review.

Some critics, however, believe regulations are no substitute for education.

“In search for yet another ‘quick fix’ to obesity, legislators and politicians nationwide have been trying to regulate what we eat and drink, and this latest proposal is no different,” says Pat Baird, author of The Pyramid Cookbook: Pleasures of the Food Guide Pyramid (right). “As a registered dietitian who advises clients on a daily basis, I know that telling people they can’t have something does not teach them how to make healthier choices. Education is key to cracking obesity. People need information to help them make healthy lifestyle changes.”

As I reported Friday, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg (right) wants to prevent food-stamp recipients in the Big Apple from using them to buy soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages.

New York Times reporter Anemona Hartocollis has since put Bloomberg in an awkward position by revealing that his company, Bloomberg, L.P., offers free Coke, Pepsi, Fanta orange soda, ginger ale and Mountain Dew to its employees.

Critics are debating whether Bloomberg’s food-stamp proposal makes him a hypocrite or hero. In the meantime, New York City obesity stats remain alarming:

As the New York Times reported on Wednesday, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has asked the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to bar residents who receive food stamps from using them to purchase soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages.

His goal: to help combat the obesity epidemic—a move supported by the state and city health commissioners.

Like lemonade, hot dogs are a summer tradition. But reading the ingredient label on a mainstream frankfurter is enough to dissuade anyone from taking that first bite.

Vegetarian and organic hot dogs are the way to go, and high-caliber chefs like Todd English have upped the ante with gourmet versions.

Since 2008, New York City-based Asiadog has sold organic beef hot dogs with internationally inspired toppings, including:

Move over, Good Humor man! The old-fashioned ice cream truck has experienced a dramatic makeover.

Lucky New Yorkers can hook up with Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream, whose  trucks have a huge Twitter and Facebook following. Think of it as ice cream by appointment: Loyal patrons use the social networking sites to find out where the company’s three trucks will be parked each day.

Van Leeuwen’s ice creams are made with carefully sourced ingredients: fresh, local and organic, with no stabilizers or preservatives. The most popular flavors include vanilla and pistachio, but why not opt for ginger, red currant or peppermint & chip?

Coffees, lattes, teas and hot chocolate are also available, made with locally produced organic milk. Cups, spoons, napkins and straws are made from renewable corn or sugarcane husks. 

New Yorkers can also find Van Leeuwen pints at Whole Foods Market and independent local retailers.

Deliciously Organic Frozen Treats

1. Organic Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
2. Hot Chocolate Affogato
3. Organic Strawberry Rose Geranium Ice Cream Drizzled with Balsamic Vinegar
4. Organic Chocolate Mint Ice Cream
5. Lemon Verbena and Lavender Ice Cream
6. Coffee Bananas Foster
7. Creamy Margaritas

Photo: Stevendamron

When the Times Square Ball descended last New Year’s Eve, it was 20% more energy-efficient, courtesy of new LED lights that replaced incandescent and halogen bulbs. 

Philips Lighting North America has completed the makeover for tonight’s celebration, adding LED technology to the ball’s numbers (2-0-1-0). 

The custom-designed scalloped flood bulbs now use only 9 watts each—a dramatic decrease from the 40 watts consumed by the old bulbs. 

About 1 million people are expected to show up in Times Square, freezing their asses off under a canopy of rain and snow. If they want to warm up and break a sweat, they can head over to the Duracell Power Lab (1540 Broadway), where volunteers will pedal six power rovers that help light the ball’s numbers. 

Enjoy the show, and have a safe New Year’s Eve!

Photo courtesy of Philips

Boxed wine is usually reserved for NASCAR rallies and hanging out behind Wal-Mart, but since Manhattan restaurant Sojourn switched to wine stored in a bag, packaged in a box, and served out of a barrel, they've saved a bundle on shipping costs and cut down the amount of bottles and packaging they go through.

The bag-box-barrel wine has saved Sojourn $30 to $40 per case of wine and the savings are passed on to their customers. At Sojourn a glass of Pinot costs $9 to $11, it can go for $16 at other restaurants. Cheap and green, very cool.

And just look, Sojourn is no Arby's, switching to boxed wine has done little to tarnish their chic reputation. I want some wine out of a barrel stat!

Via Green Inc.

Image credit: GreenIncNYT

The plaza at New York City’s famed Flatiron Building will be flanked through Aug. 2 by “Solar Flowers” up to 18 feet high.

The oversized sculptures are partially powered by solar panels on their petals and stems.

Each flower can seat up to 10 people, who can access free Wi-Fi service and charge cell phones and laptops. Charging stations will be available 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

The flowers are part of Toyota’s 2010 Prius advertising campaign, whose theme is “harmony between man, nature and machine.”

After their New York run, the flowers will travel to Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

For Your Organic Bookshelf: Plug-in Hybrids: The Cars That Will Recharge America

Photo courtesy of Toyota