Posts filed under ‘Eco Trip’
Day Trip: Stopping by Soul Food Farm
A series of serendipitous events brought me unexpectedly to Soul Food Farm a few weeks back. Situated on a country road in Vacaville, Calif, running parallel to the freeway, this chicken farm is the real deal. Hens stroll about freely and you can pick up the most beautifully colored eggs. Or if you’re in the mood for meat, they have fresh pastured poultry available.
Image Courtesy of SoulFoodFarm.com
The olive trees on the property enable owners Alexis and Eric Koefoed to produce a full-bodied, earthy organic olive oil. I’ve been sprinkling it generously on my pasta and heirloom tomato dishes, and its flavor is so unique and strong that I really don’t need to add much else. I was also able to buy a jar of deep golden honey, which is so sweet that I only drizzle a little bit into my tea – though with cold season coming up, I have been sneaking a spoonful every now and then as part of my natural flu prevention routine.
If you aren’t able to take a trip out to Soul Food Farm, they offer a CSA box for pickup throughout the Bay Area. The farm takes a winter CSA break starting in December though, so sign up now if you’re interested in stocking up. After all, I heard that Alice Waters sources items from Soul Food Farm, so if it’s good enough for Chez Panisse it’s definitely good enough for your kitchen!
Soul Food Farm is located at 6046 Pleasants Valley Road, Vacaville, CA 95688. Prices may vary, but my eggs were $6, the olive oil was $20 and the honey was $12. Cash or check only. If you want to make a day of it, the farm also holds various events and there is a herb and flower farm down the way, which was unfortunately closed when I visited on Labor Day.
Take This, TSA: Store Your Organic Liquid Products in GoToob
We eagerly await our summer vacations. But packing for them? Not so much. Personal care and beauty routines especially take a hit while we’re on the road – it’s a hassle to find TSA-approved sizes of our favorite products and most hotels still carry unhealthy brands.
So what’s a jetsetter to do? Turn to San Francisco-based humangear, inc. The company’s GoToob, referred to as “the civilized, squeezable travel tube,” has a large opening that makes cleaning and filling the flexible silicone tube easy. And the product is food-grade and BPA-free, so you aren’t offsetting the benefits of putting your natural, organic lotions into a regular, chemical-leaching container.
I recently traveled to Scotland with my GoToobs and was very happy with the results. I breezed through airport security, nothing leaked and the tubes’ different “product type” cap settings – Soap, Lotion, Sun, etc – were a fun, helpful feature. Even my coconut oil survived the journey without making a mess. I guess packing a carry-on doesn’t have to be so bad after all.
I purchased my GoToobs at Whole Foods Market in Noe Valley. You can also go to www.humangear.com/GoToob for more information and retailer locations. Prices start at $6.99 for the 1.25 oz tube.
Eco Date: Save $$ and the Planet
In the hopes that April showers have truly turned to May flowers, it’s time to take your dating life outdoors. Trying the latest vegetarian joint or bonding over a biodynamic glass of wine is fine and dandy, but why not get creative and get to know each other in a more natural setting?
In my opinion, one of the best green dates in the City is renting a paddle boat at Stow Lake and powering your way around the island. Besides the appeal of enjoying a true oasis away from the hustle and bustle of city life, there’s a Huckleberry Finn adventure spirit about the place. Make your way past the exotic dragon-red Pagoda, listen to the watery echoes under the old stone bridge, or spy on turtles sunning themselves on floating logs.
Each boat is available for one hour, so a quick lunch onboard is always a nice touch. You can pick something up from the Lake House – which serves organic beverages, vegan cookies and veggie hotdogs along with its offering of candy corn and regular burgers – or pack your own picnic. For a homemade luncheon, I find it’s easy to pack fruit and pasta salads into my Tiffin To Go Ware container and take it on the boat.
After paddling around Stow Lake, walk off your sea legs by taking a stroll around the inner island, accessible by the two bridges on either side of the lake. Jump across the stones bordering the waterfall or hike up to the top for panoramic views of Golden Gate Park. With all the island birds singing and the flowers blooming, there just might be love in the air.
Stow Lake is located at 50 Stow Lake Drive in the Inner Sunset district of San Francisco. Parking is free. Paddle boat rentals are $19 an hour and can seat four. While booking your boat, be sure to sign the Stow Lake Boathouse petition to preserve the historic site and refuse the building of a commercial restaurant!
Philly Green Guide Part III: Gourmet Fare at White Dog Cafe
Image courtesy of White Dog Cafe
Question: What do you get when you mix award-winning American contemporary cuisine with principles of the Slow Food movement and add in a dash of environmental activism?
Answer: A delicious meal at White Dog Café in the University City district of Philadelphia.
Housed in a quaint row of Victorian brownstones, White Dog Café serves up a mouth-watering array of gourmet organic and local seasonal fare. The restaurant, hidden from the busy streets of Philly, evokes an ambience reminiscent of a summer or, more appropriately, winter stay in a New England cabin. From the rich wood paneling to the exposed brick, White Dog Cafe imparts a comforting, homey vibe that makes you want to sit and stay a while.
Image courtesy of White Dog Cafe
Low lighting and tasteful furnishings encourage quiet and lengthy chats of all sorts. During my meal, the surrounding tables were filled with couples, families, professors, students and businessmen…and it was only a Tuesday night!
The food is impeccably made and sourced. I started off with a glass of Parducci Winery’s (the first carbon-neutral winery in the States) Syrah and a bowl of the Wild Mushroom Soup, which was poured from a carafe over cubes of seasoned chicken and drizzled with a truffle chive crème fraiche. For my main course, I chose the Spicy Lamb Bolognese, which was made with meat sourced from local Meadow Run Farms. Topped with ricotta that was whipped and seasoned to a fluffy perfection, the spiciness of the lamb was balanced by fresh organic spinach and sizeable shavings of parmesan. For a sweet finish to my meal, I had a steaming glass of organic apple cider rimmed with cinnamon-spiced sugar.
The 25-year old establishment has stayed true to its humble and eco-conscious beginnings. Founded by Judy Wicks, an award-winning leader in the local, living economics movement whose list of accomplishments includes a James Beard Foundation’s Humanitarian of the Year award and the Philadelphia Sustainability Awards Life Time Achievement, the restaurant continues to prove that quality and local farm fare can create inspired dishes that will impress – and more importantly, delight – even the most distinguished palate.
Philly Green Guide Part II: Philly Throws (and Stores) Green
The “City of Brotherly Love” has plenty of affection for the green movement. Besides earning 5th place in Walk Score’s “Most Walkable Places to Live” listing and promoting a lifestyle a piedi, the city is filled with bicyclists. According to the 2008 American Community Survey, Philadelphia has the most bike commuters per capita among the nations ten largest cities (cited from BicycleCoalition.org). Bike racks are crowded and any available parking meter post is coupled with a cruiser. So if you’re visiting and looking for an active way to explore the city, check out the bike and moped tours available through Philadelphia Bike Tours.
While you’re taking in the sights, keep an eye out for the latest in eco-friendly trash collecting – Philadelphia’s solar-powered trash compactors, which are part of the city’s Philly Throws Green program. Designed and created by Big Belly, these high-tech trash and recycling bins hold up to five times the amount that fits in a typical trash can. The solar-powered receptacles use 1,200 pounds of force to compound the trash, thereby requiring 1/5 the number of usual trash pickups and saving the city about 80 percent in greenhouse gas emissions and pollutants in managing public waste. The bins enable on-the-go recycling in busy areas and send out a signal when they need to be emptied. To get a closer look at these efficient bins, watch the video below from GOOD.
And as Yes! Magazine recently reported, Philadelphia’s Water Department has proposed a green stormwater engineering plan that will incorporate landscaping efforts such as green roofs, rain gardens and porous pavements to absorb excess rainwater, thereby putting the excess water to good use and preventing the flooding of city sewage systems that create toxic runoff and spillover. The $1.6 billion plan still needs to be built and approved by the EPA, but this earth-friendly way of thinking is certainly putting Philly on the fast track to becoming one of the greenest cities in America.
**For more info on Philadelphia’s bike culture, read Mother Nature Network’s recent “U.S. cities spur bike use for climate, health.”
Philly Green Guide Part I: Tierra Mia Organic Nail Spa
Image Courtesy of Tierra Mia Organic Nail Spa
All the buffing and shining of the nail polish industry over the past few years couldn’t disguise its tarnished image. That is, until a couple in Philadelphia began playing with water-based polish formulations and set out to prove that a toxic profession can [literally] be rebuilt from the ground up.
Justin Mitchell and his fiancée Karina Restrepo are the duo behind the creation of the first water-based nail salon in the country. The Tierra Mia Organic Nail Spa is nestled between classic brick buildings on 17th between Pine and Spruce streets in Rittenhouse Square, offering a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. The space, which was rundown for six years, was gutted and renovated by Justin, an architect who left his Manhattan career to devote his time and energy to the organic nail biz.
“I wanted to explore the opportunity for untapped design in the nail industry,” said Justin. After researching the health and environmental damages inflicted upon workers and patrons of typical nail spas, he and Karina envisioned a beauty experience that delivered the same luxurious and lasting treatment without the fumes and hormone-disrupting chemicals. “We looked at ourselves as pioneers in the space,” he said. And their risk has paid off. Upon stepping inside Tierra Mia, you really do feel like you’ve crossed over into a new frontier.
The spa’s décor is simple and tasteful, evoking a Zen ambience with a twist. There are a total of two nail stations, a pedicure-only room with one chair, and a small area for wax or pressure point massage appointments. The walls are made of VOC-absorbing American Clay and the counters are crafted from an interesting wheat and barley mix. Fresh flowers artfully scattered throughout the spa are a testament to the effects of a non-toxic environment.
“I’ve worked in conventional nail salons for more than eight years, and the environment was so unhealthy that we couldn’t have live flowers. They would die within the day,” remarked Rosie, a nail specialist at Tierra Mia. After working at Tierra Mia for only a few months, she was able to notice the drastic difference in her health. “I would get bad headaches at my old salon and my lungs would hurt from breathing in the fumes. Plus there was also this pressure to get customers in and out as quickly as possible, which was extremely stressful. Our health was compromised in that environment – both mentally and physically.”
The danger of chemical-solvent (read: almost every polish out on the market) nail lacquers has been well documented by organizations such as the Environmental Working Group. From cancer to a series of neuro-degenerative diseases, who would’ve ever thought that cheeky Strawberry Margarita polish was actually a lethal cocktail of chemicals in disguise? The findings are scary enough to drive your chipped digits underground, or at least seek asylum in a pair of gloves. But with a growing number of natural products on the market (SpaRitual, Suncoat) and the opening of eco establishments such as Tierra Mia, your nails won’t have to suffer in [unplolished] silence.
Image Courtesy of www.klamathicesports.com
At Tierra Mia, I indulged in the Bagazo del Coconut pedicure. First, I settled into a Soundhearts Acoustic Therapy chair (the comfy seat vibrates to the tempo of the music you choose to listen to). Then the treatment began with an organic cinnamon-infused water bath, followed by an organic coconut flake scrub and a coconut oil massage. The essential oils from the coconut smelled incredible, and I learned that coconut actually draws dirt out of pores and turns dark in the process – a beauty trick that I can incorporate into my own homemade masks and scrubs.
The treatments at Tierra Mia are leisurely, so don’t expect to be in and out. My pedicure took about an hour and, since I had to rush to the airport, I wasn’t able to fit the coconut manicure into my schedule.
Image Courtesy of Philadelphia Examiner
To date, my polish has lasted over two weeks and shows no signs of chipping. Results vary though, according to Justin. He pointed out that women with drier nail beds tend to get longer-lasting results as the water-based polish has a thirstier surface to adhere to, while customers with oilier skin may have a slightly shorter polish life. But his patented polish is still a work in progress and is continually improving. In fact, one month before the spa was due to open, the couple almost wasn’t able to open their doors. “We were receiving water-based products from our suppliers and began to see that the polish only lasted a day or two –not something that would go over well with customers or create a demand for healthy, organic polishes,” said Justin. So he and Karina sat down in the space and became their own chemists, playing with mixes and ingredients until they developed a larger selection of colors and a lasting product.
Their Mia Organics line is not available yet, but everything from the top coat to the polish used in their manicures and pedicures is certified organic and comes directly from their home “lab.” For example, their nail polish remover contains only the following ingredients: alcohol, lemon oil and camphor – all organic. Try finding any remover on the market as natural as that. You won’t be able to.
Image Courtesy of MerchantCircle.com
Tierra Mia exemplifies what a homegrown business should be. From guerilla marketing tactics (Justin posted spa signs in high-traffic empty storefronts and even hung cards from trees throughout the city – “Women really responded to that. They thought it was adorable,” he laughs) to pouring dedication, passion and knowledge into each bottle of polish they create, Tierra Mia is a vehicle for change in the nail industry. The two partners have proven that beauty and health can go hand in hand – sporting pretty nails painted with water-based shades, naturally.
Tierra Mia Organic Nail Spa is located at 328 S. 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103. Go to www.tierramiaorganicnailspa.com or call (215) 735-7980 for more information and to book appointments.
Fresh Off the Vine – Go Organic This Halloween
Instead of picking out your Jack O’ Lantern at an overpriced generic patch this Halloween, take a trip north to Ryan O’ Shannan Farm, a certified-organic, Clover-Stornetta farm that lets you cut your own pumpkin straight from the vine.
The little-advertised pumpkin patch is definitely worth the trip (I discovered it on the side of my Clover Organic Milk carton one morning). Located three miles outside of Petaluma, the farm exudes a mom-and-pop charm. A group of small tents are set up in the parking lot area next to a path that leads to a large field full of bright orange and (if you’re lucky enough to find one intact) ghostly white pumpkins. From heirloom to sugar pumpkins, you’re sure to find a great candidate for a Halloween stew or tabletop decoration.
In the middle of the field is a vibrant sunflower garden. Meander through the elegant stalks and any stress from city life is sure to fade away.
After wielding your shears and piling your red wagon high with choice pumpkins, pass by the cheery, organic strawberry patch and pay a visit to the friendly Clover calves. Each calf has its own pen and bowl full of organic feed. And off in the distance catch a glimpse of what can only be described as happy California cows – animals roaming the grassy mountainside leisurely (no concentrated feed farm conditions here!).
If you’re in the mood, take a wagon hayride back down to the main lot with the Clover mascot onboard. Stay for lunch and enjoy delicious, thin-crust pizza for only $10 a pie served from an outdoor wood-brick pizza oven. If you happen to be there on the weekend, check out the cow milking demonstration and butter-making tutorial. Select Saturdays also feature live music and entertainment.
The price for the organic pumpkins can’t be beat. We purchased five acorn, three candy, two white and one large heirloom pumpkin (along with a big jar of honey made on the property) for $37! Even farmers’ market prices can’t compete.
I’ve always been a fan of Clover-Stornetta Farms. Besides their sustainable initiatives (solar-powered fleet maintenance operation) and humane treatment of animals, their milk is pure, creamy deliciousness. Seriously, I only buy my groceries at markets where I am guaranteed to get a carton of their organic milk.
It’s important to be connected to our food source and understand the process involved in growing quality products. It takes dedication and passion for life. And something as simple as trekking through a field to pick out and cut a Halloween pumpkin off the natural vine can really help drive the point home.
Clover’s Organic Pumpkin Patch is located at 5360 Bodega Ave, Petaluma, CA and is open Tuesday-Sunday until November 1. Call 695-7805 for information. Some tips for city folk: get there early (we arrived at 10am and avoided the noon rush) and wear hardy shoes (it gets muddy and since organic = no pesticides, you’ll find plenty of creepy crawlies around).
On the Road Again: Guide For A Green Move
Image courtesy of Thumbs.Dreamstime.com
As perceptive readers no doubt noticed a while back, Greenista has been on hiatus. The reason for the months (eek!) of silence was that I was planning and executing my move to the City by the Bay (aka San Francisco) from La La Land. But now that I’ve completed the transplant successfully and am settled in my hometown, I’ll be bringing you loads of green articles from what I consider to be the capital of the green movement in America (don’t get in a tizzy, Portland or Seattle, we know you’re up there, too).
What I’ve learned during this transitional time? Being conscious of the impact of our lifestyle (both personally and collectively) on the environment is paramount to addressing the health, waste and global warming issues we face today. And, no, I’m not pointing the finger at SUV lovers or fast food gluttons – I’m looking directly into our bedrooms, or, more appropriately, our garages.
While packing my boxes, I painfully realized how much stuff I’ve accumulated and how little of it I actually use. And it isn’t just the chochkis or the ratty high school sweatshirts – it’s pure excess in every lifestyle category. From kitchen gadgets to workout gimmicks (hello, Bender Ball), I’m a pack rat, albeit a very clean and organized one. This was magnified by the fact that I’ve temporarily moved into my childhood bedroom. In a city house built in the 1930s, this translates to NO STORAGE SPACE. Before my mother even let me back in the house, a “stuff quota” of sorts was imposed upon me.
I’ve seen how critical a green move can be in terms of clearing out the clutter pollution in our lives and making an honest assessment of what we really need to live comfortably in an eco-conscious fashion, as well as committing ourselves to tweaking (or in some cases, overhauling) our consumer habits and beliefs. My purging was the result of my impending move and, though I can’t tell you what to keep, donate or rework, I can offer some helpful eco tips for packing up your life and moving in a green way.
Image courtesy of Discovery's PlanetGreen.com
Weed Through the Excess – Don’t even think of throwing everything haphazardly in a box and “going through it” after you move. Bad idea. As my mother always said, chances are if you haven’t used it or worn it in the past year, you never will. Instead of making a beeline to the dumpster, divide your castoffs into categories. Have some old novels that have been collecting dust? Sell them to a used bookstore or donate to your local library. Determined never to wear that trendy top from last season again? Out-of-style clothing can be reworked into new items (check out Threadbanger for cool ideas, like making a stylish skirt out of your old jeans) or donated to Goodwill. And give our furry friends some love by donating gently used pillows and linens to your local animal shelter. The options are endless if you take a little time to research where your old wares are wanted.
To make a buck, try to sell bigger items on Craigslist or eBay. I put my cruiser bike up and it sold within a few days. Or, if you are desperate and don’t care about the money, I gave away my IKEA desk and bookshelf on Freecycle.org. As of this writing the site is still in Beta mode, but it allows individuals in specific regions to “Offer” items up for grabs or make a “Wanted” request for items that they need. From fish tanks to queen beds to jewelry boxes, the random items available on the site are certainly worth a look.
Image courtesy of UsedCardboardBoxes.com
Packin’ It Up – Now that you’ve determined what items are coming with you, it’s time to find the right eco packing materials. Big chain stores like Home Depot or Target sometimes give away boxes for free if you ask. Or people who recently moved offer up their empty boxes on Craigslist if you are willing to go and pick them up. You can also reuse the packaging from the items you own, if you still kept them. I tend to keep boxes (like the one for my Wii) or plastic zip-ups (like the one for my bamboo throw blanket) that I can use for packing or storage. Keep this is mind when you purchase an item next time.
For those of us unable to scrounge around for boxes, there are still great alternatives. For my move, I purchased the “1 Bedroom/Office” set from UsedCardboardBoxes.com. The boxes, which are “rescued” from companies looking to offload them, were clean and in good condition – definitely worth the cost. The only qualms I had about the company was their lack of a recycling or “give back” program for when you no longer have a need for the boxes.. However, I commend their philosophy of moving with recycled, rather than made-from-virgin-wood, boxes.
If you want to completely steer clear of cardboard boxes, a wonderful option is RentAGreenBox.com, which lets you store your things in plastic bins that you receive one week before moving and must return a week after your move.
Image Courtesy of Go Green Moving.com
Hitting the Road – It doesn’t come as a big surprise that hybrid vans or biofuel trucks are not the norm when it comes to moving vehicles. But there are some companies such as Northstar Moving Company and Green Movers USA that provide a listing of green fleets throughout the country. While doing research, I also came across state-and-city-specific operations, such as MoveGreen (Santa Barbara-based) and Go Green Moving (mainly Los Angeles but also offers California-wide packages). In the end, unfortunately, my restrictive budget just couldn’t afford a green moving van, but I was able to offset my journey by adding in the extra miles while renewing my annual TerraPass.
So set off on your green adventure confidently, knowing that you won’t be leaving behind a trail of unwanted [carbon] footprints!
For additional green moving articles and tips, check out Treehugger’s “Is It Better to Hire a Moving Truck Or Use Your Car?“
A Poem, A Stink, A Tone, A Dream – Steinbeck’s Monterey Goes Eco
In the town made famous by Steinbeck’s vivid stories, there are plenty of gems to be found. From Cannery Row to quaint downtown, Monterey’s free trolleys give visitors a comprehensive tour of this tucked-away locale.
Monterey is best experienced through walking, so I recommend bringing a good pair of shoes and an adventurous attitude. The two places I highly recommend visiting? The Monterey Bay Aquarium and the Quock Mui Tea Room, so you can enjoy both high-and-low profile sights.
The world-renown aquarium is swimming with award-winning exhibits. From shark tanks to spectacular jellyfish displays to the latest exhibit dedicated to seahorses, the aquarium is a visual delight. Words cannot describe what I saw, but I hope the following images will.
And in an effort to educate visitors on the dangers of overfishing and illegal catching, the museum has installed an interactive “sushi dining counter” that teaches consumers about conscious seafood choices, as well as offers Seafood Watch guides that fit easily in a wallet and offer fish selection guidelines for the eco-minded on the go.
You can even send an e-card to Governor Schwarzenegger about the need to protect our coastal waters and sea life habitats. Instead of being preachy, the aquarium offers easy, doable actions for all visitors – making being eco-friendly a cinch!
To relax after a stimulating day at the aquarium, head over to the Quock Mui Tea Room, accessible through a hidden bike path above the main road. From a selection of organic and non-organic teas (I had the tasty Coconut Crème) to vegan chocolates, the off-the-beaten-path café offers refreshing drinks and a tranquil place to recline. (Insider tip: Sit on the heated stone bench outside – awesome!)
And to throw in a bit of history on your journey through Monterey, make a left out of the café and take your first right (Bruce Ariss Way) back down to Cannery Row through a small garden. On this particular path you’ll get a glimpse of life during the heyday of the sardine business in Monterey – three small homes paint a picture of what life was really like among the different cultural groups working in the canneries. And be sure to sneak a peek inside the windows!
