A treat for travelers, men’s skincare line Ursa Major’s newly introduced Essential Face Wipes make lengthy layovers and daily commutes just a tad more manageable. Made in Vermont, the wipes clean your face without wicking…
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While learning how to properly brine and prepare a Thanksgiving turkey during a cooking class at the new Prospect restaurant in Brooklyn we also had the pleasure of discovering Switchel, an “American heritage” beverage from Vermont. The restaurant serves up this variation of the vaguely sweet, vinegar-based refresher as…
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Gluten-free energy bars from Vermont
Born from founder Leslie Kielson’s energy snack recipe experiments, Vermont’s Battenkill Brittle makes bars and crumble full of healthful seeds. A departure from the dense concoctions found in oatmeal bars, Battenkill’s version is light, crunchy and lightly sweetened. The gluten-free energy bars serve as the perfect treat or snack,…
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Maple gets made over into cubes, flakes and wafers
To those who grew up tapping maple trees, the toothsome sap is more than the backbone for a flavorful syrup. Maple is as much an ingredient as a way of life, which goes a long way toward explaining its cultish following. Tonewood, a budding maple company that sources product from a number of family-owned operations in North America, is capitalizing on maple’s applications beyond syrup—forming it into wafers, cubes, flakes, creams and seasoning. As Tonewood founder Dori Ross explains, “I want to promote the versatility of maple.”
“It is the perfect natural sweetener,” says Ross. “It is low on the Glycemic Index, high in minerals and antioxidants. It is also a low calorie sweetener and you only need a bit as it is sweeter than refined sugar.” Tonewood’s variation of form allows sap-crazed eaters to sprinkle maple on capuccinos, fresh fruit, salads and even meat.
Ditching the plastic jug common in maple production, Tonewood goes for a refined aesthetic more aligned with Italian olive oil. “Maple has an under-realized versatility and it’s time that it was showcased in a modern way,” says Ross. “The majority of maple in Vermont is sold in plastic jugs with farm scenes on jug. The beautiful color tones of the maple grades need to be seen.”
Due in a large part to climate change and shorter winters, the maple industry has seen truncated harvest seasons and smaller yields in recent years. As supply drops, appreciation for the once-bountiful product rises. Commenting on the glory of maple, Ross says, “It is the only crop that you don’t cut down, don’t harvest, don’t spray with pesticides or herbicides. Maple trees just keep on producing sap generation after generation.”
Tonewood products are available at the company’s online shop.
Images by James Thorne
Hand carved kitchen utensils from the great state of Vermont
We recently came across Jordan Marvin and his hand-carved kitchen utensils at a farmer’s market in Dorset, VT, where we spoke with the young woodworker about his newly formed and aptly named company, Vermont Wooden Spoon. Personally selecting each block of sustainably harvested local wood—typically a hardwood like cherry, maple, black walnut or apple—Marvin crafts each utensil with impeccable attention to detail. The personal consideration given to each piece is evident in both the artistry and understated design.
In addition to classic spoons, Marvin also makes spoons designed for left-handed individuals, and a collection of spatulas, ladles, salad sets, serving sets and bread and cheese boards. All products are food-safe and sealed with a light layer of mineral oil, allowing each piece’s natural grain to shine. The lilac wood spoon, with its geometric pattern in the spoon’s center (shown on top of the cheese board in the photo below) illustrates how much consideration goes into each piece.
Bread and Cheese boards sell online for around $40, utensils between $16 and $50, depending on size, shape and type of wood.
Three thrill-supplying destinations and the sporting gear to go with them
Even as our hemisphere finally begins to thaw, we at Cool Hunting think that everyone who’s suffered countless blizzards, waist-high slush and bone-chilling cold deserves a break. For sun-worshippers, powder junkies or anyone in between, we put together our latest favorite getaways and the accoutrements—classic products with exceptional design—that complement the locales we’ve found and make these destinations truly next-level.
Puerto Viejo, a village on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast (about three hours from the country’s capital, San Jose), attracts diehard surfers who are looking for a more relaxed vibe than that of the often-crowded spots on the Pacific. Salsa Brava, a break that has been called Costa Rica’s heaviest and best, provides the main draw to the area while still remaining relatively untouched. Surfers can expect swells that are head-high to triple overhead (swell is biggest from December through March) at Salsa Brava, a name that loosely translates to “fierce sauce.”
If you’re going to surf an epic break, then it’s essential to have a board worthy of such a storied wave. Hand-shaped in Oregon, the products crafted by 42 Surfboards more than stand up to the challenge. Shaper Lars Bergström, a fifth-generation wood-worker who has been making surfboards since he was in high school, leads the team, producing classic American surfboards that not only ride waves but ride the test of time, lasting buyers a lifetime. Setting the brand apart is both their use of sustainable wood in making the board, as well as their attention to detail and pride in their bespoke creations that combine traditional wood-working technique with CAD technology. Whenever possible, the board will be hand delivered to its buyer—so be sure to order well before planning a trip to Salsa Brava.
Hotel Terra in Jackson Hole provides shelter for skiers who’ve traveled to Wyoming to shred some of the country’s best and most challenging terrain, as well as for the many visitors who come to take in the spectacular Teton Mountain Range and nearby national park. The lodgings combine all the luxury and amenities of a boutique hotel with a LEED-certified building and sustainable operating practices (including providing guests with reusable aluminum water bottles and access to alternative and energy efficient transportation). Working with the credo that an eco-hotel is healthier for both its guest and the land it inhabits, Terra demonstrates that luxury and eco-friendliness can go hand-in-hand.
Though some visitors to the Hotel Terra will hole up in the resort’s Chill Spa, most will hit the slopes, where the go-to gear for navigating Jackson’s trademark waist-deep powder is a pair of ScottyBob’s handmade skis. When Scotty Bob Carlson was working as a telemark instructor, he noticed that the symmetrical design of skis was inherently flawed. Building on this discovery, he put together a set of asymmetrical skis, a means of construction that ensures the highest level of precision, responsiveness, and ease and fluidity of turns, which will no doubt help you achieve the Telemarker’s coveted sublime moment or “true stoke.” Each and every pair that Scotty Bob produces is handmade in Colorado, ensuring that all the equipment that he manufactures is built with love and attention to quality and detail.
Image via The American Craftsman Project
Ten miles north of Woodstock, VT lies Barnard, home to Twin Farms, a country estate-turned-resort and spa. Guests stay in a variety of accommodations scattered about the property, from rooms in a 1795-era farmhouse to freestanding cottages, and eat locally-sourced meals custom prepared by the in-house culinary team. In addition to tennis, swimming and croquet, Twin Farms’ property includes over five miles of hiking trails on their 300 acres of property; ranging from beginner to intermediate, these hikes lead guests through wildflower meadows, a hardwood forest, and a smattering of ponds. Those who wish to traverse a little more serious terrain can easily access nearby Mount Ascutney, Camel’s Hump, and the Appalachian Trail.
Choosing to venture to these strenuous trails requires a comfortable, supportive hiking boot—that’s where Limmer comes in. Launched in 1925 when the Limmer family emigrated to the U.S. from the Bavarian Alps, the boot company represents a longstanding tradition of handcraftsmanship and the highest in walking shoe quality. Though Limmer’s custom products are built to suit the needs of each individual customer (who often opts to go for a custom model due to a fit challenge or simply looking for the best performing shoe), the boot generally includes a Vibram® sole with a multi-layer system designed to support and stabilize the arch, ankle, toe and heel. It’s worth the cost (around $625) and the wait (usually around six weeks); Limmer’s repair shop often sees boots that are 50 years old (or more) come in to be patched up and sent back to their satisfied owners. Whether you’re summiting the peaks of some of Vermont’s most beautiful mountains in a pair of custom Limmers or just braving unplowed sidewalks, trust us—your feet will thank you.
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While traditionally just a cuddly staple in a child’s life, the teddy bear gets an upgrade with the addition of a built-in tote. Recognizing its comforting effect on kids, the Vermont Teddy Bear Company recently introduced the useful Teddy Tote, giving kids another excuse to bring their beloved bear everywhere.
The Teddy Tote looks like a standard stuffed animal but by unzipping its back, a convenient carryall bag unfolds—perfectly-sized for kids to transport coloring books, snacks and more.
“Made from scratch” in Vermont, each Teddy Tote comes with a lifetime guarantee. Launching July 2010, CH has one in advance to give away to a lucky reader. To enter follow us on Twitter and simply tweet @coolhunting with what you would do with a Teddy Tote and we’ll pick from entries received before 11:59 pm EST on 29 March 2010.
This is site is run by Sascha Endlicher, M.A., during ungodly late night hours. Wanna know more about him? Connect via Social Media by jumping to about.me/sascha.endlicher.
