While I would prefer to lunch at a more unique and entirely organic fast-food option, such as Bio Burger , Miss Green does offer an alternative to the run-of-the-mill lunch spots that serve the bustling and business-oriented Ternes neighborhood in the 17th arrondissement. Instead of paying a similar price at a chain bakery like Paul, here one can grab an organic alternative. The spot also offers a wide selection of salads and hot dishes, such as pasta and gratins.

Vegetariens won't have to settle for a cheese sandwich at Miss Green, making it a worthwhile address for herbavores to keep in mind. Every offering on the menu, from sandwiches (3.90-5.40 euro) to salads (5.90 euro), tartes (6.40 euro), and plats chauds (6.90 euro) includes a filling vegetarian option. When I visited, one of the plats du jour was a vegetarian lasagna.

Miss Green, which has been open for just under a year, may not benefit from it's location on a side street off the busy avenue des Ternes- it was very quiet the day I visited early on a Monday afternoon. However, the location is well chosen in the sense that it is right across from the Marché des Ternes. On market days (Tuesdays-Sundays) I imagine the airy and welcoming dining area of Miss Green fills up with shoppers and the quartier gets livelier.

The restaurant is also working on a system where locals can order their lunch on-line and have it delivered. The online ordering system will make it hard to find an excuse not to opt for organic even on the busiest of work days.

While the menu is basic and doesn't stray from traditional lunch options in content, Miss Green offers an upgrade in quality to anyone looking to integrate more organic into their life.

11 rue Lebon

75017 m ° Ternes

Open: 11h30- 16h

8 bis rue Lebon

75017 m ° Ternes

Open:

Tues.-Sat. 8h-13h & 16h-19h30

Sunday: 8h-13h30

Despite the fact that I was unable to take anything home from the market, I was still able to get a lay of the land and take in the sights and sounds of the market.

Like the Marché Raspail (see Day 55), Batignolles is 100% organic and largely local. While the two organic markets are similar (you can get the same veggie galettes at both and the seasonal veggies obviously aren't going to change) Batignolles seemed to have more selection

in the dairy department, with several fromageris lining the aisles and the cosy smell of French cheeses lingering in the air. There were also quite a few bakers selling beautiful artisinal breads and cakes present at the market. I must admit I was a bit gutted to not be able to buy a lovely Gateau au Noix to bring home to my chéri.

While wandering down the aisles I rememberd the fact that I used to frequent the outskirts of this market when it was on my running route a few summers back. I remember that the warm weather brought out an organic blueberry farmers and that I always lusted for fresh berries as I ran by on my way to Park Monceau. I may not run by the market anymore, but I decided that I will run to it as soon as blueberry season rolls around, and maybe even bust out my jam recipe in order to preserve their goodness.

Marché des Batignolles

Boulevard des Batignolles

Paris 17eme

M° Pl. de Clichy or Rome

Open Saturdays from 9h-14h

Biocoop seems to have a wider selection than its chain store competitor, Naturalia, and carries many of the same products- often sold at a lower price. A (totally random) sampling of a few products sold at both locations showed that while some prices were essentially identical (Simpsons Organic Pasta: 2,10€ at both, Lima Blue Tortilla chips 2,21€ at Naturalia and 2,20€ at biocoop) there were some significant price discrepencies on certain products (Danival Organic Tomato Sauce with Tofu: 2,90€ at Naturalia and 2,79€ at biocoop).

Biocoop also offers an extensive selection of bulk dry goods- so instead of paying upwards of 4€ on granola at Naturalia, you can choose your amount and take home enough for a few organic yogurt (of which there is quite a selection at the coop) pilafs for around one euro.

The store also has a large selection of organic wines and beer,

which is much more priced than at Naturalia. You can pick and choose microbrews that hover around 1,80€ a bottle- just be sure not to pick up a non-alcoholic brew by mistake, they are deceptively mixed in with the adult beverages. Our personal favorite is the "Vin des Faucheurs" which is sold for 5,50€ a bottle. This absolutely delightful red is sold to support the faucheurs- activists that cut scythe genitically modified crops (OGM in French)- with the proceeds going to paying these scofflaw farmers fines and legal fees. The bottle explains that, "No insurance can cover the environmental and public health risks linked to OGMs, simply because these risks are incalcuable and irresversible". It is a pleasure to support the civil disobedience of those engaged in the fight against food facism- and the wine is really, really good!

My first visit to biocoop was memorable, I was like a kid in a candy shop and completely mesmerized by my surroundings. As I approached the check-out line I overheard a man, most likely the owner, passionately describing his negotiations with a farmer in Brittany- surely the next member of the coop family- and I hoped to see more radis noir and other products from the fertile Northern territory to be on the shelves soon. I was then checked out with a smile by what I assume to be the other owner of the coop. I then ran home with my goodies and have been enjoying the spoils ever since!

There are biocoops all over France (and Monaco, too!) So go to thier site to find one near you. Here's the info on my Local biocoop:

153, rue Legendre

75017 Paris

01 42 26 10 30

m° Guy Moquet

Bus: 54 & 74 Legendre

Hours of Operation: Monday: 15h30-20h

Tuesday-Saturday: 10h-20h