the goods - the Ergo Chopper from Black and Decker, and other useful products - Brief Article

Vegetarian Times, August, 2000 by Mark Eller

Chopping List

If you're not as quick with a knife as the Ginsu Chef, pick up Black & Decker's latest addition to its Ergo line of small appliances. The two-speed Ergo Chopper ($25) is designed to handle everything from coarse chopping to fine mincing. The unit is small but powerful, yielding up to two cups at a time. A top-mounted fingertip switch allows for one-handed control, and a safety switch automatically kills the power if the bowl is removed. (800) 231-9786; www.householdproductsinc.com

Shifting Gears

A heap of rusting bicycle parts may not be the place where you find artistic inspiration, but the innovative minds at Resource Revival had the vision to create a unique line of products from discarded metal (Auto Chain Picture Frame/$29). All of these ultra-funky pieces, ranging from bottle openers to coffee tables, are made from abandoned materials and entirely recrafted by hand. (800) 866-8823; www.resourcerevival.com

Better Than Bubbly

Been looking for a festive, nonalcoholic alternative to champagne? Ame sparkling juices are the perfect solution. Choose from one of the four light and fruity flavors. White is made with grape juice, apricot and jasmine; Red from elderberry juice and flowers; Rose from raspberry, passionfruit and blackberry juices; and the Dry version is made with kiwi and lemongrass extract ($4.99/750 ml.). To top it off, the sleek bottles are an elegant addition to any table. (209) 522-6860 to find a retailer; www.naturalgroup.net

Get Steamy

When the assault of sultry weather, greasy sunblocks and outdoor living starts to take its toll on your complexion, give your pores a chance to breath with Better Botanical's refreshing herbal Facial Steam ($14.99/2.6 oz.) and Refining Facial Mask ($17.50/2 oz.). Antibacterial herbs in the steam help fight blemishes; and the mask, with cooling arnica and lavender, tones and revitalizes stressed-out skin. (888) bbherbs; www.betterbotanicals.com

Quattro Pasti

Bring a bit of the old world into your kitchen with Mastriani's 100 percent Organic Spaghetti, Linguini, Linguini Fini or Angel Hair pastas ($2.29/12 oz.). The artisan pastas have a pleasingly rough texture that comes from old-fashioned air-drying--a method that's too slow for major pasta manufacturers to bother with. And because no processed white flour is used, your cooking water pours off clear and the taste is never starchy. One bite and you can almost hear the waves of the Mediterranean. (203) 368-9556; www.mastrianifood.com

Light My Fire

Fruit Lumiere's lusciously fragrant candles are all made with real fruit essences (including cassis, melon, mango, pear, strawberry and peach) and smell good enough to eat (minimum of 6/$5 to $6.25 each). And, indeed, you can. The wax is made from food-grade soy and all the scents are completely natural. Don't go spoiling your appetite, though--you'll want to savor the candle's glow long after your meal. (800) 46-AROMA; www.aromanaturals.com

Pot Luck

The new high-quality cookware from Chantal ($199/stainless steel 7-piece set) is truly well thought out, from bottom to top. Encapsulated aluminum disks in the base of each pot ensure even heating, while double-edged rims hold the glass tops on securely. The burnished finish is ultrasleek, and the attractive see-through tops are safe for baking in temperatures up to 375 [degrees] F. A lifetime warranty is included. (800) 365-4354; www.chantalcookware.com