Posts filed under ‘Miscellaneous’
Local Buzz: Beekind Opens Shop at the Ferry Building
The latest buzz at the Ferry Building is the opening of Beekind, an outpost of the Sebastopol-based honey operation that sells natural, raw and pesticide-free products. Officially open today, the stand offers a selection of honey sourced locally from eco-conscious beekeepers throughout California – from locales such as Point Reyes, San Francisco and Greenbrae– as well as a few exotic regions including New Zealand.
Beekind Stand at the San Francisco Ferry Building
Throughout the year, 52 different seasonal varieties of honey line the shelves of Beekind, so you can sample the nuances of sage, eucalyptus or sunflower nectar to see which fits your cup of tea. Prices are average (I paid $11 for 16 oz of California Sage honey), but it’s the knowledge of the Beekind staff that definitely gives additional value to your purchase. Whether you need to know the ideal honey for drizzling on oatmeal or the best immunity booster, their recommendations on the “nectar of the gods” are spot on.
Golden California Sunflower Honey at Beekind
The California Sage honey I purchased is delicious. Full-bodied but slightly drier than sweeter varieties, it pairs well with both my afternoon green tea and blueberry-topped yogurt (and tastes great by the spoonful, too!). So the next time you find yourself in need of the sweet stuff, head to the Ferry Building for this local treat and be kind to your health, the environment and the busy bees working hard to bring you quality California honey.
For more information and to make online purchases, visit www.beekind.com. The stand at the Ferry Building is located at One Ferry Building, Suite 21B (415.307.8682) and sells honey and beeswax candles. If you’re interested in beekeeping or want to go on a bee farm tour, head out of town and visit the Sebastopol location for additional bee-related activities and fun.
How To Homestead
For a slice of the homemade life, check out the short documentary films on How to Homestead – a rural-cum-urban project run by Melinda Stone, co-founder of StoneLake Farm and associate professor in the media studies department at the University of San Francisco. Offering a series of how-to-videos ranging from the intriguing, such as concocting the Elixir of Life (honey and yeast added to apple cider for fermentation), to the squeamish (composting your own excrement), the activities help wanna-be homesteaders cultivate self-sufficiency whether home is a tiny studio apartment or 50-acre ranch.
You can start off small by making calendula tea or jump right in and slaughter your own chicken for dinner. The simple videos are meant to inspire both beginners and those more experienced in the art of homesteading to dabble in whatever piques their interest.
For city folk looking to meet like-minded individuals, How to Homestead holds various get-togethers throughout San Francisco, complete with food from homegrown businesses, a raffle and local entertainment from groups such as the Sk8 Sisters.
I was able to attend the Hayes Valley Farm fundraising event a few months back sponsored by How to Homestead. For $13, I scored an entry ticket, popcorn (covered in homemade maple bacon or chocolate-spiked butter), cup of authentic lemonade (you could detect hints of the rind, if you know what I mean) and chair seating for the night’s movie showing of “Dirt!” Those who opted out of chair seating spread picnic blankets on the paved parking lot ground.
The evening had a folksy, free-spirit vibe reminiscent of an impromptu community get-together – no pretentiousness and no rigid schedule. How to Homestead is currently on hiatus for the summer, but I’m regularly checking their schedule of events to get a glimpse of the fall lineup. Until then, I plan to ease into my novice homesteading skills with a simple herb garden and homemade strawberry jam.
**Check out this quirky video on making your own Elixir of Life and start brewing!
Eco Book Review: “Hot, Rich & Green” – A Greenista’s Guide to Business
Don’t let the title fool you –Hot, Rich & Green is a serious business guide for the green-minded gal. Written by Rebecca Harrell Tickell, producer of the award-winning biodiesel film “FUEL” and chair of her husband Josh Tickell’s The Veggie Van Organization, the book celebrates the power of and need for femininity in the business world.
In Hot, Rich & Green you’ll find 10 basic steps to discovering your passion and creating a viable business model to compete in the new green economy – i.e. “Get A Mentor” and “Create a Powerful Relationship with Money.” Filled with case studies and advice from successful businesswomen that represent a wide array of career paths – from chefs, bloggers and scientists to actors, non-profit workers and vice presidents of alternative fuel companies – the book pairs inspiration with insight in a way that speaks directly to women looking to cultivate fulfilling, earth-friendly work while turning a profit.
I found the layout of Hot, Rich & Green particularly effective. The chapters have opening and closing summaries that neatly tie together the relevant lessons and wisdom shared from the featured women and companies in each step. Though the guide has a self-published look and doesn’t include a section on helpful Web sites or references for further reading, I still recommend it as a great quick read and introduction to successful women in the green biz.
Check out the following exclusive video to hear from the ladies featured in the book, including Rory Freedman (author of Skinny Bitch), Anna Getty (author and founder of PureStyle Living), Mariel Hemingway (actress and founder of Mariel’s Kitchen) and Rachelle Carson Begley (actress, activist and wife of Ed Begley) on what makes them hot, rich and green. For additional reviews, see the recent article on The Huffington Post.
**Hot, Rich & Green is published by Living Well Publishing and is available for purchase online.
Youth On A Mission: Teens Turning Green
Logo Courtesy of Teens Turning Green
Forget the typical stereotypes that come to mind when discussing teenagers – hormonal, rebellious, moody – and instead be blown away by the youth organization Teens Turning Green. From pressuring cosmetic companies to remove hormone-disrupting chemicals in their formulations to rebelling against legislation that allows loopholes for environmental sins, the Marin County non-profit run by motivated teens (with help from their parents and community leaders) is an impressive vehicle for sustainable change.
The mission of Teens Turning Green is to eliminate toxic exposures that threaten human health and the environment. By focusing on what is in their control – daily life choices, school campuses and communities – the teens have created successful advocacy and community outreach campaigns that have demonstrated the powerful changes non-voting citizens can generate. To date, the organization has hosted Green Spa Days in local shopping centers to demonstrate that natural, not-toxic products are just as beautiful as the questionable cosmetics found on drugstore shelves; launched the Project Green Dorm and Project Prom educational campaigns to equip their peers with the tools to green their living spaces and social events; and recently spearheaded the Marin BYOB initiative, which educates and encourages locals to bring their own shopping bags and is part of an effort to pass a new city ordinance that bans single-use bags.
Image Courtesy of Teens Turning Green
As if the teen members aren’t busy enough, Teens Turning Green has also launched a natural personal care line (I may be in my mid-twenties, but I use their amazing Pomega5 Cleansing Bar and Astara Sunstar Purifying Mask religiously) and has hosted annual Teens Turning Green National Summits for the past five years. I was fortunate enough to attend their recent Fifth Annual National Summit, held from February 5-6 at Marin Academy in San Rafael, CA, and came away with inspiring insights from top leaders in the sustainability movement and ideas for my own green career path.
Image Courtesy of Teens Turning Green
Friday night was kicked off with a dinner and keynote speech from Adam Werbach, CEO of Saatchi + Saatchi. I was unable to attend, but heard glowing reviews about the opening keynote address, which challenged attendees to DOT – Do One Thing every day, no matter how small, that brings about positive environmental change. Saturday was filled with six panels that addressed everything from green schools to the local food movement. Each attendee was able to pick two panels, so I chose “The Science Behind It,” which examined government oversight and lack of safety testing on the 87,000+ chemicals released into our environment and our bodies, and “Food: Locally Grown,” which focused on the business and effects of sustainable eating.
Now, I have been to a number of wonderful green conferences and events, but the caliber of panelists at the summit was truly impressive. My first panel included conversations with Stacy Malkan (author of “Not Just A Pretty Face” and co-founder of the National Campaign for Safe Cosmetics), Renee Sharp (director of the Environmental Working Group’s California Office), Dr. Ted Schettler (MPH Science Director of the Science and Environmental Health Network) and Tracey Woodruff (director of UCSF Women’s Reproductive Health and the Environment Department). The second panel I attended included the likes of Anna Getty (green living educator and author), Helge Hellberg (executive director of Marin Organic) and Lynn Hirshfield (SVP of Participant Media and the producer of “Food, Inc.”). Speakers on other panels included Zem Joaquin (founder of Ecofabulous.com), Karen Stewart Brown (co-founder of Stewart + Brown clothing) and Summer Rayne Oakes (eco model, activist and author).
Image Courtesy of Teens Turning Green
Panels were followed by workshops that gave participants actionable tips and tools to take with them, as well as an Eco Lifestyle Expo highlighting eco-friendly and local products. Breakfast, lunch and other in-kind donations (including the items for an incredible take-home Gift Bag) were provided by companies such as Whole Foods Market, Woodlands Market, Jane Iredale Cosmetics, John Masters Organics and Ecojot. Oh, and did I mention the entire conference was free for anyone who registered?!
Teens Turning Green is an organization that I whole-heartedly support. So send them a donation, participate in their initiatives or buy their products. Because, after all, there is nothing more important than investing in our youth – especially the ones working to create a new and better Earth for us all.
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.”
Kicking Off Unwelcome Stragglers on the Green Bandwagon
Courtesy of AwaitingRain.Typepad.com
Companies from different sectors are jumping haphazardly on the green bandwagon, peddling green promises and claims that, when scrutinized, don’t measure up to the hype. This sudden free-for-all of green marketing is both misleading and destructive, as it fosters skepticism among consumers of what is and isn’t green and redlights smaller competitors who really are struggling to make a difference. So how do we make educated decisions on where to spend our precious dollars? By turning to reputable sources, of course.
Everyone has a favorite green blogger/reviewer they turn to. I personally favor Sophie Uliano, author of the New York Times best-selling “Gorgeously Green” books and founder of GorgeouslyGreen.com. Her product and company recommendations are all personally-tested and reported in a fair and non-biased way – with a fun, British-type of flair.
I’ve also occasionally turned to my Los Angeles Greenopia guide, which offers a listing of green businesses – from restaurants to fabric stores to hair salons – in a select number of U.S. cities. In my opinion, the earlier version I own includes recommendations that don’t quite stack up to green criteria today. However, between the currently-available, updated editions and the informative newsletter that Greenopia sends out once a month, you’ll be all set for your sustainability needs.
But what has really caught my attention recently is Certified B Corporation. This new type of corporation seeks to solve social and environmental problems through the power and influence of business. Serving as a type of third-party certifier, companies come to B Corp for evaluation of their sustainability standing, which includes looking at all aspects of their business (from sourcing to production to sales). This aids in true transparency for both customers and investors / shareholders. Green leaders such as Method and Numi Organic Tea have already jumped on board, helping to position B Corp as the source for evaluating and recommending environmentally-responsible leaders. Check out their video below and see if your favorite company has signed up. Make sure that how you spend with your green dollars counts!
Eating Homegrown – Urban Farms Crop Up Around the Big City
Due to rising food costs and a general attitude shift towards wanting to “make things with your own two hands,” more and more individuals are discovering the simple joy of putting some seeds in the ground and watching them grow. From window-box arrangements to community plots, urban gardens (see The New York Times “Urban Farming, a Bit Closer to the Sun” article) are rapidly filling empty lots and previously-neglected backyards. Whether to put food on the table or sell produce for profit, the trend towards harvesting your own fruits and veggies is catching on. Even in my tiny Los Angeles apartment I’ve found a place to grow a nice mesclun mix and kale patch.
The University of San Francisco’s urban garden is one of my favorite places to visit. From artichokes to plums to an assortment of herbs, the sizable plot yields your garden-variety produce and much more. Here’s a quick visual tour of the garden’s nooks and crannies that I adore.
The university also hosts a farmers’ market on Sundays from 10am-2pm. Local farmers and vendors sell everything from fresh seafood to honey made right in the city. (Tip: Be sure to visit the cheese stand – their organic pesto cheddar is to-die-for!)
Quick Farmers' Market Tip: Buy (or grow) edible Borage flowers...
...and use them as decoration in a salad or fancy champagne drink!
And if you love to dig around and get your hands dirty, but only have enough room/sunlight in your home to grow a few staple herbs in mini-pots, there are always neighborhood gardens you can volunteer at. For example, this summer I’ll be putting my [hopefully] green thumb to use at The Learning Garden in Venice Beach. If you live in Northern California, Alice Water’s Edible Schoolyard is definitely the place to start. Do some research – you’re sure to find something exciting growing near you!
![Think you have a discerning farmer's eye? What is this a picture of? [Answer: The inside of a green onion.]](http://aprojectcalledlife.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/img_1646.jpg?w=300&h=225 "IMG_1646")
Think you have a discerning farmer's eye? What is this a picture of? ANSWER: The inside of a green onion.
Cheat Sheet from Sustainable Brands ’09
Sustainable Brands ’09 was a whirlwind of inspiring talks and mellow wine tastings in historic Monterey, Calif. From May 31 until June 4, presentations from Fortune 500 companies, best-selling authors, top university professors and consulting firms offered an eclectic mix of tips and sustainable strategies. The green forecast? Peek into my notebook scribbles below and get the insider’s lowdown on the new buzzwords and trends you’ve got to know about.
How to Reach the General Public
-It’s all about the love, people. According to Dacher Keltner, PhD, Executive Director at the UC Berkeley Greater Good Science Center, “We are wired for good. Sympathy is our strongest instinct.” To up the love among attendees, the SB ’09 gift bag included Boom Boom! Cards – a social revolution game that encourages acts of kindness. Complete an act and pass it along, changing the world one step at a time.
-The Brits have one-upped us. Simple messages are most effective. Written on the wash tags of select clothing in the U.K. is this straightforward tip: “Think Climate: Wash at 30 degrees C.” Oh, what quiet geniusness.
-To be successfully sustainable, first channel empathy. Second, seek creativity. Only then are you ready to execute.
-Talk about what people are passionate about. For example, carbon emissions are too hard for people to understand in connection with their daily lives. In the words of Diane MacEachern, Founder & CEO of Big Green Purse, “Serve up the dessert and sneak some broccoli on the plate.”
Use Your Culture As a Brand
-It is critical to inspire your employees. Pick a cause closely aligned to your goals – authenticity matters and is critical.
-Some great examples include:
- Sun Chips – chips made in their California factories are powered by solar energy; by 2010, the chip bags will be fully compostable (see their consumer-friendly videos below – I enjoyed them, but fully realize that a few production facilities in California are just a drop in the solar bucket…)
- Patagonia – Footprint Chronicles let you track the path of your favorite outdoor consumer goods.
- Seventh Generation – take a look at their Corporate Consciousness Report.
- Toms – I’m sure everyone has seen their “buy a pair of shoes and a pair will be donated to a child in need.” But the video is so awesome that I’m including the link again.
Random Takeaways
-Take pride in the sunny state of California! This gem was brought up quite a bit – “As goes California, so goes the nation.”
-If you live in California, embrace your civic duty and visit the California Green Chemistry Initiative, where Wikis and discussions on environmental policies and regulation are updated frequently and allow you to have a voice.
-Biomimicry – there’s a lot we can learn from nature. We just need to sit up, pay attention and realize that humans don’t have the answer to everything.
-Though I’m not necessarily in the market for insanely expensive eco-couture, Linda Loudermilk showcased pieces dyed with mud and made from seaweed. Definitely innovative!
-I WANT a home from Living Homes in Santa Monica, Calif. Seriously, I can’t imagine a more eco-friendly or chic abode. I’m going to sign up for a house tour stat!
So want to propel your business and brand forward in the tough economy while maintaining your sustainability and earth-preservation principles? Sustainability solutions are people-oriented, relevant, cost-effective and credible. And, at least for the time being, lay low on the science jargon.
Gearing Up For Sustainable Brands ’09
Starting tomorrow I will be in Monterey, Cali. enjoying four days of inspiring talks, meetings and announcements from sustainability leaders across America! Check back for updates here and on my Twitter account. Go Green!!
Point of No Return: Where the Garbage Goes
(Photo: RyersonClark/iStockphoto. Courtesy of Mother Nature Network)
After hearing about The Compact group in San Francisco – a cooperative that pledged not to buy anything new for an entire year (except for some crucial necessities like toilet paper, medicine or brake fluid) – I decided to become more conscious about what I buy and throw away.
Immediately, I was shocked by how quickly my roommate and I filled our kitchen trash per week. Luckily our recycling collection was quite large but, then again, that may just have been a reflection of how much paper and packaging waste we were accumulating. Since then, I’ve been careful to eat everything I buy (no food waste), stack my produce in my reusable bag without using the plastic wrapping, and recycle everything I can (even toilet paper rolls get a ceremonial walk to the recycling bin). But after reading the latest article on Mother Nature Network – Political Habitat: A heap of trouble – about society’s collective trash can and disconnection from where our waste really ends up, it had me wondering how we’ll be able to break the just-toss-it-in-the-trash mentality we’ve brainwashed ourselves with.
(Photo Courtesy of StoryofStuff.com)
From nail-biting stats (we’ve tripled our garbage output since 1960) to sad truths about where a large portion of our recycling really goes for dismantling (economic sacrifice zones” overseas filled with child laborers), the article is a sobering look at our over-capacity landfills.
And if you’d like a more visual/cartoonish explanation of what happens to our products once they’re thrown away and how companies actually engineer goods to end up in the trash after XX amount of time, watch Anne Leonard’s “The Story of Stuff.” It’s insightful, funny and certainly enlightening.
