The goods - B'Box collection; Ginger People Ginger Beer; 'Vegetarian Times Cooks Mediterranean' - Brief Article

Vegetarian Times, July, 2000 by Mark Eller

Makeup Artistry

You'll never have to pick the lint off an old lipstick from the bottom of your purse again. The B'Box collection features smartly designed mini-applicators ($7.50/6 sticks) that come in a neat and stylish storage box. Each color stick provides 10 to 15 uses--about 80 applications in every set. With 34 lip shades and 34 eye shadow/liner shades, you'll have plenty of great-looking color options. Available at Nordstrom's, Henry Bendel and Sephora stores nationwide.

Sugar `n' Spice

Some ginger beers have a kick that's too strong while others barely pack a punch. Leave it to us to find one that gets the balance just right. Ginger People Ginger Beer ($6.99/6 pack) brews together real ginger juice, natural sweeteners and filtered sparkling water to create a zippy and refreshing drink. Aficionados will be excited about the Pressed Ginger Juice and award-winning Apple Ginger Chew candies. (800) 551-5284; www.gingerpeople.com

Home Cookin'

This collection of recipes from southern Europe, North Africa and the Near East has already inspired us; now let them inspire you. More than 250 of our personal favorites are included in Vegetarian Times Cooks Mediterranean ($26). Beyond great dishes, you'll find gorgeous photography, easy-to-follow instructions, nutritional tips, informative essays on featured cultures and meal-planning tips. From the editors of your favorite vegetarian magazine. (800) 793-9161; www.vegetariantimes.com

Under Cover

The last thing you want to do in the summer is smear on a gooey layer of sunscreen beneath your clothes. But a typical light cotton shirt only offers a sun protection factor (SPF) of 5 to 9, according to the Skin Cancer Journal. The Solumbra line of clothing (shown: Safari Shirt, $79.95; Hooded T-shirt, $59.95) provides 30 SPF, meaning you can stroll outside for hours without worry. Every batch of fabric is tested to ensure the specified SPF, and the FDA even designates the material as a "medical device." The soft feel and great fit of the clothes are a nice bonus. (800) 882-7860; www.sunprecautions.com

Fantastic Phyllo

Next time you play hostess, pop a few trays of Party Masters 12-Piece Assorted Fillo Hors D'oeuvre Ensemble ($4.69) into the oven as the first guest arrives. Twenty minutes later, everyone will be asking where you found such a great vegetarian caterer. The vegetarian assortment has three phyllo-wrapped combinations: spinach and cheese, potato and herbs, portobello mushrooms and onion. There's also three flavors in the vegan collection: spinach and tofu; wild mushroom and onion; and vegetable medley. (800) OK-FILLO; www.fillofactory.com

My Fair Lady

With wax seals and faux-parchment paper labels, the soaps from the Medieval line could have been taken right out of Guinevere's bathroom. Inspired by genuine medieval recipes, the deliciously scented bars ($9.50 apiece) are created from simple, natural ingredients like lavender flowers, oatmeal, rose hips and a rich vegetable oil base. The collection also includes a vanilla body lotion ($19.50/8 oz.) and bath salts ($19.00/14 oz.). (818) 771-5537

Rubber Soul

Zenway's new Cargo Bag ($67.50) provides a hip way to tote your gear around the concrete jungle. The durable and waterproof "leather" flap is created with latex harvested from Amazonian rubber trees, which is extracted by local farmers with out harming the trees. Also available are baseball caps, purses, day planners and laptop bags with the same coating. You'll love the craftsmanship and the heavy cotton-canvas, but the best thing about Zenway's products is that they are truly eco-friendly because they support sustainable farming in the Amazon. (512) 494-8768; www.zenway.net

Man Power

Lawn patrol might not be the most enjoyable part of the summer season, but now you can control grass growth without polluting the atmosphere or making a racket. The Comfort Handy model from Ginge ($89) is solidly built and easy to maneuver. Since your own arms and legs provide the power, the lawn won't be the only thing that gets nice and trim. And the cutting mechanism is so quiet that you can get started on the lawn at the crack of dawn without waking the neighbors. (800) 466-8142; www.garden.com