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However, as Selena soon learns, cornstarch softens in hot liquids. But while plant-starch kitchenware might be a trendy, well-intentioned invention, melting under pressure may be the least of its problems -- according to some experts, so-called "compostable" utensils can take years to actually break down, which can make them as harmful to the environment as plastic. So what's a tree-hugging hostess-with-the-mostess to do? Luckily, there are other sustainable options on the market that will keep your party guests, AND Mother Earth, in a very good mood.

Whole Leaf Co.makes bowls, plates, and platters out of leaves from acrea palm trees in India. The process involves gathering leaves that have already fallen to the ground, cleaning them with spring water, and using heat to mold them into shape. Whole Leaf employs local workers to create their dishes, which helps the poverty-stricken local economy as well as the environment.

Wasara's disposable tableware is so minimalist and beautiful in its design, that it's almost sad that the pieces can only be used once. On the brighter side -- they are genuinely compostable, made of "tree-free renewable materials" like bamboo, reed pulp, and sugar cane. Thin and elegant, but deceptively sturdy, they'll add a modernist touch to any dinner party.

For those looking to be even more waste-free, why not eat your utensils? Bakey's offers a selection of spoons that act as a side dish to the main course. Molded from a secret recipe of flour and water, they come in three different flavors -- Sweet, Savory, and Plain -- and are 100% vegan. If the taste isn't for you, you can just toss them outside -- they'll break down in less than three days (that is, if stray animals and insects don't get to them first).

During a cross-country bicycle trek from Montreal to British Columbia (a 3,400 mile journey that took 4 months to complete), Potvin realized there just weren't a lot of options for people who wanted to eat healthy but needed convenience. While studying Asian cooking in Vancouver, he began experimenting with soy and tofu , working on a formula for meat-free hot dogs. It took several months of trial-and-error, but he eventually perfected what could be considered the very first veggie dog. With this product, he launched his first brand, Yves Fine Food, in 1985.

Potvin eventually sold YFF, but he didn't leave the industry. Instead, he began creating vegan products that went beyond sausages and lunch meat. And in 2003, came Gardein (garden + protein) , a range of bar food staples that are made with vegetables instead of meat. Think chicken fingers, sliders, crab cakes, and burgers that are extremely convincing in their texture as well as their taste. At home, our current favorite is the Chick'n Sliders which are so good (and look like they came from a restaurant). They're really easy to prepare -- about 15 minutes in the oven -- and make a hearty, healthy meal topped with lettuce, tomato, and creamy, dairy-free aioli sauce.

They come from the Salvia hispanica, a plant that is native to the deserts of Mexico. Rich in carbohydrates and protein, warriors of the Mayan and Aztec civilations would eat them as an energy source while in the midst of battle. The itty bitty black and white seeds are also loaded with 11g fiber, 28g of calcium (that's more than milk!), and 5g mega-3 fatty acids per 1 ounce serving. Chia's anti-oxidant content is on par with blueberries.

SOULFUL LITTLE SEEDS

With all of that power packed into such a small portion, it makes sense to add chia seeds to your diet. Their taste is fairly light, sort of a cross between poppy and sesame seeds. When dry, they add a pleasant crunch to salads, sandwiches, and coconut yogurt. When they get wet, the seeds swell up similarly to tapioca, which is why they are often used in vegan/ gluten-free puddings. In fact, they're one of the key ingredients in one of very favorite recipes, Soulful Strawberry Chia Custard, which not only makes a well-rounded breakfast, but is so rich and delicious that it can also be served as dessert.

Starting with a minimal range of tunics and scarves in shades of indigo, white, and pink, Kopal's selection has grown considerably over past three years, but her mission remains the same -- to create luxury wares that mesh old world craftsmanship with modern day style. Garments are sustainably-produced in India using locally-grown cotton and naturally occurring dyes. And for the second year in a row, Kopal has teamed up with SEWA, a non-profit group that acts as a matchmaker between India's women artisans and gratifying, fair wage work.

A TOUCH OF COTTON

Kopal's spring-summer 2016 collection is the designer's best to date. Rendered in hand-spun khadi cotton, it features prints and fabrics inspired by antique Japanese ceramics, kimonos, and textiles. Details are delicate and lovingly executed, from the embroidery on a smock dress to the tiny tassels that hang at the end of a drawstring. The Gudi Romper (pictured) is a favorite -- just throw on a pair of sandals and go. Silhouettes are easy to wear and gossamer-light (you'll stay cool on even the hottest of summer days) and pieces transition effortlessly from an afternoon at the beach to margaritas at sunset. And with the weather around here already showing signs of spring (and summer!), Kopal feels so right, right now.

Last-minute trips to the convenience store -- its refrigerators teaming with high carb, high sugar, processed frozen treats -- just left her cold. A yoga and meditation devotee, Milrom craved fresh-pressed juices but their short-shelf life and high price made them inconvenient. After figuring that there were probably others out there just like her, she decided to make the juices herself and freeze them, creating a shelf-stable product that was also cost effective. After mixing up different flavor combinations and testing them out on her friends, in 2014 she launched EatPops, a line of fruity, frozen desserts that are so yummy you won't believe they're good for you.

VEGGIE TALES

EatPops have energetic names like "Activate", "Nourish" and "Cleanse". Each variety is formulated with complementary flavors that are flush with nutrients. For instance, "Restore" combines potassium-rich banana with pineapple (vitamin C) and kale, a bonafide superfood with cancer-fighting enzymes and vitamins like calcium and iron. "Green Detox", with its fruit and veggie blend that includes spinach, apple, ginger, and cayenne -- is a literal juice cleanse on a stick. There are no artificial flavors or colors in any EatPop bars and a box of three runs about $7. You can't get a fresh smoothie for that price!

But all too often, attaching the "vegan" label to product has less to do with protecting animals and is more about adding appeal to otherwise cheaply-made, sweatshop goods. But that is not the case for Freedom of Animals. Based out of New York, Freedom is a tightly-edited collection of luxury handbags that are both cruelty-free and eco-friendly. The stylish brand manufactures all of their handbags in sustainably run, American factories which not only reduces their carbon footprint but makes it easier to keep a tight rein on production.

MATERIAL GIRLS

A lot of research went into the materials used in Freedom of Animals bags. Instead of PVC, which can damage the environment, they use high grade, partially-recycled ultra soft polyurethane and vegetable dyes, which create their luxurious colors. Linings are of organic cotton and other textiles created from used plastic bottles. Design-wise, the bags have a modern, minimalist look -- no overtly trendy bells and whistles -- which means they will never look dated (with bags running about $360 a piece, you're going to want them to be a part of your wardrobe forever). Styles include a chic, two-tone flap bag with chain strap and a lavender, faux suede circle bag that is as soft and plush the real thing.

So whether you're escaping the chill for a tropical getaway or planning your summer vacation, shopping for a beach-friendly wardrobe can take the edge off of those cold-weather blues. One place to get you into a summertime mood is Greenlines. Run by Cohasset, Massachusetts natives Sam and Jerry Delaney, Greenlines is a unisex apparel brand that specializes in colorful activewear for surfers and beach bums.

EASY BEING GREEN

I discovered Greenlines last summer at a little surf shop in Montauk and was immediately won over by their classic surfer style -- jogger-style board shorts, awning-striped trunks, and soft tees that feel like vintage treasures. The clothes are designed not only to look cool but also for durability and comfort for all-day wear (no chaffing or ill-fits). Committed to environmental friendliness, the Delaney brothers only use organic cotton, water-based dyes, and recycled polyester for Greenlines garments. Additionally, the company (which now resides in Atlantic Highlands, NJ) donates a portion of their profits to clean beach initiatives like the Surfrider Foundation and the Oceans Plastic Challenge. They're also advocates of safe-water practices, providing swim shorts to lifeguards and lifeguard training camps along both American coastlines.

Frustration can take over and it might be tempting to give in and buy pre-packaged, gluten-free treats. But let's be honest -- nothing beats the taste and smell of warm baked goods fresh from the oven. That is why I love Wholesome Chow. The six-year-old Los Osos, Cali-based brand has an entire line of mixes that take the guesswork out of gluten-free baking.

SO SIMPLE

Wholesome Chow products are organic, allergen-free, vegan -- instead of wheat, they use rice flour and potato and tapiaco starches. All of their goodies are so easy to make, too. For instance, take the Lemon Poppy Muffin Mix. Just pour the contents of the bag into a bowl and blend in oil (like coconut, vegetable, or canola), lemon juice, and your favorite soy milk. Pour the mixture into a muffin pan, pop in the oven, and you're done! You can even tweak the flavor to your liking by shaving in some extra lemon zest or a bit of vanilla bean. The muffins bake up moist and fluffy -- enjoy with a cup of hot Dandy Blend tea for the perfect pairing on a cold, winter morning. Wholesome Chow's baking line spans 19 varieties, including mixes for brownies, scones, and cakes (there's one for a lavender flavored cake which I can't wait to try out) . The price is right too! Mixes run about $6 a piece, which is a small price to pay for oven-fresh gluten-free treats.