People everywhere are going green in one way or another. I think going green is becoming sexy. Made in the U.K. the ‘Greenbottle’ is a biodegradable milk bottle that features a recycled outer cardboard, made from pulp and an inner sleeve of biodegradable plastic made from corn starch. The inner plastic holds the milk, while the cardboard makes the bottle more sturdier for easy transportation, storage and pour. Once the bottle is empty, the inner plastic will decompose in a landfill /trash within six weeks, while the cardboard can be recycled together with other papers. The Greenbottle is patent-pending although it went through a testing period and sold out quick than milk in regular containers. But the cost of the Greenbottle is 30% more the regular container but with increased production it should go down.

frostfirepulse

Lately I’ve been really wanting an espresso maker, just so I’ll no longer have to schlep all the way down to my local coffeehouse every time I want an iced latte (which is basically every second of every day). If I do ever get my hands on my own machine, I’m going to make my lattes with the fabulous new Vanilla Hemp Bliss, the world’s first certified organic hemp milk.

Brought to us by Manitoba Harvest - winner of the 2006 Socially Responsible Business Award, pioneers of sustainable hemp agriculture - Vanilla Hemp Bliss is so creamy and smooth and just destined to make the richest and most spring-perfect iced espresso drink. (The chocolate flavor’s divine as well, but I’m not sure that I’m ready to get so experimental with my lattes.)

Bonus for health nuts: Hemp Bliss gives you 1,200 mg of Omega-3 essential fatty acids and 5 grams of protein per serving. It’s probably also so yummy in smoothies, if you’re the type who doesn’t demand a caffeine jolt from every (non-alcohol) concoction that touches her lips.

When the going gets hot, the hot drink shakes. Maybe that’s not the original phrase, but the sentiment stands. And when searching for inspiration for extra-refreshing shakes, look to hot places. These sweet-tart Thai pineapple shakes sound both cooling and soul-satisfying, with a healthy (well, maybe healthy isn’t the right word…) dose of coconut milk in lieu of plain old cow milk. And if you want to punch them up with a shot or two of rum, we won’t tell.

Remember a few years ago when every kitchen was adorned with cutesy Alessi accessories? Teapots, napkin rings, trivets, you name it, all in shiny chrome and candy colors. Well, Danish design brand Eva Solo is the kitchen accessory line to beat. Check out these culinary must-haves:

• Tabletop grill (pictured, via Mighty Foods)
• Barrel grill (via Urban Zeigeist)
• Bread bin (via In the Kitchen)
• Magnetic kitchen timer (via The Green Head)
• Milk and sugar pourers (via Hometone)
• Kitchen scale (via Slashfood)
• Vacuum jug (via Charles & Marie)
• Coffee flask (via BIGperk)

Remember, what you make is only slightly more important than what you make it with. We’re thrilled that so many bloggers are out there helping make sure our kitchens are functional and cute.

The world is waking up to the potential dangers of Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH) — increased risk of cancer and antibiotic resistance are chief among the believed effects. Canada and Europe have banned it altogether, but here in the US, it’s an incremental process. It’s good to know, then, which US dairies have eliminated the use of rBGH over the past year. (via Really Natural)

ThisNext loves blogs that keep us informed and empower us to shop more wisely when we’re walking down the grocery store — or any store’s — aisles.