Eucalyptus Magazine, December 2009

bay area Life Vibrant Health Eco-Livingâ€

december 2009 FREE

eucalyptusmagazine.com

poetry in motion the ancient and spiritual dance of india

December 2009

On the Cover

eucalyptus by paul blieden, paulblieden.com

26 Poetry in Motion The ancient and spiritual dance of India Photo by Kyle Chesser

Features 30 Simple Gifts: Our Holiday Gift Guide 33 Schooling Inspired by Nature

Departments 7 9 10 13 14 17 18 21 24

Living Smart: Christmas Trees Rooted on the Farm: Root Vegetables Small Steps: Improve Your Health Healing Foods: Pomegranates Pets Corner: Doggie Hotels Path to Wellness: Body Wraps Sandbox Talk: Holiday Craft Project Grown Local: Happy Quail Farms Staycation: Woodside

In Every Issue

3 4 6 37 40

Publisher’s Note Calendar of Events Stuff We Like Resource Guide Tidbits

EUCALYPTUSMAGAZINE.COM | 1

MISSION Our mission is to educate, share knowledge, and inspire our readers to take charge of their health and wellness and to help protect the environment we all live in.

In each edition we profile a successful company or individual provider within the health, wellness, and eco-industries, and provide information on local products and services that support healthy and eco-friendly lifestyles.

It is our dream that Eucalyptus Magazine becomes your first resource and companion to living naturally in the Bay Area. All of us here at Eucalyptus Magazine will do our best to help you live in harmony and to connect you with local products and services that will help you accomplish your goals.

ADVERTISE AND GROW YOUR BUSINESS Reach our affluent, well-educated, environmental- and health- conscious readers who are eagerly seeking resources that will improve their health, well-being, and sustainability. For more information, please contact us at 866.797.6570 or advertising@eucalyptusmagazine.com.

EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS We welcome your news briefs and event listings; please send to editor@eucalyptusmagazine.com.

EUCALYPTUS Michaela Marek Publisher and Founder publisher@eucalyptusmagazine.com EDITORIAL Editor Ann Marie Brown Contributing Writers Lisa Francesca Desiree Hedberg Becky Herbert Jessica Iclisoy Shannon Johnson Elizabeth Kang Jennifer Moscatello Allison Shea Malone Steve Scheifer Copyeditors Renee Macalino Rutledge Erin Soto DESIGN AND PRODUCTION Creative Director Kyle Chesser, theHandsOnStudio.com Designer Greg Silva Lead Photographer Kyle Chesser, HandsOnPhoto.com Contributing Photographers Victoria Alexander Allison Shea Malone

DISTRIBUTION Eucalyptus Magazine is a free publication supported solely by our advertisers with wide distribution throughout the Bay Area.

To find Eucalyptus Magazine at a location near you, contact us at 866.797.6570 or distribution@eucalyptusmagazine.com. Let us know if you would like copies placed at your place of business.

ADVERTISING SALES Director of Sales Jan Rowe

Please support our advertisers by letting them know you saw them in this publication.

CONTACT 15559 Union Avenue, Suite 215 Los Gatos, CA 95032 Phone 866.797.6570, Fax 408.877.7303 info@eucalyptusmagazine.com EucalyptusMagazine.com

In keeping with our concern for the environment, Eucalyptus Magazine is printed on recycled paper using 10% post-consumer waste with soy-based inks.

Account Executives Cari Ralstin Larry Tringali Laurel Tringali Cynthia Wehr

Subscription rate $24.00 per year Advertising rates on request

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Volume 1, Issue 6

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2 | December 2009

Our company supports local Certified Green Businesses whenever possible.

Š2009 by Eucalyptus Magazine. Eucalyptus is a registered trademark in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. All rights reserved. Some parts of this magazine may be reproduced with written permission only. We welcome your ideas, articles, and feedback. Although every precaution is taken to ensure accuracy of published materials, Eucalyptus Magazine cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed or facts supplied by its authors. We do not necessarily endorse products and services advertised. Always consult a professional provider for clarification.

publisher’s note

In my travels

around the world, I’ve been shocked and disappointed to see that many countries are becoming “victims” of globalization. They lose their identity and adopt Western traditions and lifestyles as their own. As the Internet and Western technologies gain a stronger international footing, people in even the most remote villages adopt American movies, American slang, and even American food. Many choose to shun their traditions and replace them with what is “new” and Western. In some parts of the world, unique customs, arts, and even languages are slowly disappearing.

I believe it is critical for future generations that we work to preserve our complex melting pot of multicultural traditions.

I give kudos to people whose life mission is to preserve culture, whether through art, cooking, literature, or sports. One of them is Vishal Ramani of Shri Krupa Dance Company. Our cover story on page 26 offers some insights into the art and history of Indian dance. She and her dancers are keeping ancient Indian traditions alive in the Bay Area and beyond. Her dancers’ movements, hand gestures, facial expressions, and colorful costumes are truly inspiring.

I am so impressed by Vishal Ramani’s dedication as a teacher and preserver of native culture. Perhaps this article will inspire you to think about your family origins and encourage you to embrace and preserve your own traditions.

From my family to yours, I would like to wish you health, happiness, and prosperity in the coming year. I hope that Eucalyptus Magazine will be your partner and companion on your journey into 2010.

Cheers!

kyle chesser

Michaela Marek Publisher and Founder

EUCALYPTUSMAGAZINE.COM | 3

upcoming events

calendar

Wednesday, December 2 / 5:30 p.m.

Silicon Valley Green Drinks: Green Business Networking

Sunday, December 6 / 12 noon to 5:30 p.m.

Green Gift Fair: Making Homemade Gifts Whole Foods Market, Los Altos wholefoodsmarket.com / 650.559.0300

Bella Mia Restaurant & Bar, San Jose greendrinks.org / 408.761.9442

Saturday, December 5 / 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Creekside Planting Work Day San Francisquito Creek, Palo Alto acterra.org / 650.962.9876

Saturday, December 5 / 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The Soil “Foodweb� and Composting Common Ground Garden Center, Palo Alto commongroundinpaloalto.org / 650.493.6072

Saturday, December 5 / 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Holiday Open House Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society McClellan Ranch Park, Cupertino
 scvas.org / 408.252.3747

Saturday, December 12 / 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Rainwater Harvesting Methods Common Ground Garden Center, Palo Alto commongroundinpaloalto.org / 650.493.6072

Wednesday, December 16 / 9 a.m. to 12 noon Winter Solstice Planting Days Palo Alto Baylands Regional Park savesfbay.org / 510.452.9261

Saturday, December 19 / 11 a.m. to 12 noon Restoring SF Bay Salt Ponds to Wetlands Environmental Education Center, Alviso fws.gov/desfbay / 408.262.5513

Sunday, December 20 / all day San Jose Christmas Bird Count

Sat.-Sun., December 5-6 / 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Yoga Workshop with Ramanand Patel

Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society scvas.org / 408.747.0988

Yoga Fitness, Campbell iyoga.com / 408.777.9642

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ŠCopyright 2009 B Lab. A 501(c)3 Non-proďŹ t All rights reserved

4 | December 2009

          



EUCALYPTUSMAGAZINE.COM | 5

stuff we like

The Zen of Knitting

Lighten the Load

Take a class at Green Planet Yarn and knit someone you love a scarf. The shop carries organic, plant-dyed, U.S.grown, fair-trade, and recycled fibers, including a big selection of organic wool and cotton (368 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell, greenplanetyarn.com).

So you did the right thing and bought eco-friendly LED lights for your holiday decorating. What do you do with your old incandescent lights from last year? Send them to holidayleds.com. They will recycle your lights and the box you shipped them in, then send you a coupon for 15 percent off any of the energy- efficient LED lights they sell. To reduce the environmental impact of shipping, the company requests that you collect lights from friends, neighbors, and coworkers, then mail them in one bulk shipment.

Sip from the Spigot If you think all boxed wine is on par with Two Buck Chuck, think again. The Black Box Chardonnay Monterey '08 scored a bronze medal in the 2009 San Francisco International Wine Competition. Adding to its drinkability are its eco-friendly credentials: Each box produces 85 percent less landfill waste than the equivalent wine in glass bottles. Because a box is much lighter than glass, transportation costs are lower, too. If you can’t finish a box in one night—that’s like drinking four conventional bottles—no matter. Vacuum packaging keeps it fresh for up to six weeks in the fridge. Available at Beverages & More ($22 for a 3-liter box, bevmo.com).

6 | December 2009

Rethink the Yule Log Store-bought firewood usually doesn’t come from sustainably managed forests, and most conventional fire logs contain petroleum byproducts. Warm your hearth with eco-friendly Java Logs, made from coffee waste and vegetable oil and packaged in recycled materials. Or buy Duraflame petroleum-free logs, which use 80% fewer resources than regular firewood. Available at most supermarkets ($23-$26 for six logs).

What stuff do you like? Nominate your favorite stuff by e-mailing us at editor@eucalyptusmagazine.com.

living smart

About 500 years

before the plastic, pre-lit, pops-out-of-the-box special became popular, the custom of decorating Christmas trees was inaugurated in the Baltic country of Latvia. Today, our sentimental longing for the Christmas-y scent of fir in our living rooms might seem to clash with our eco-friendly values.

But we can have our principles and our tinsel-clad tannenbaums, too.

1. Don’t fake it Buy a real, locally grown Christmas

tree instead of an artificial one. More than 98% of real Christmas trees are grown on tree farms. Their stock is replenished yearly and our forests aren’t depleted.

While growing, the trees produce oxygen and suck up carbon dioxide, helping to mitigate global warming.

Artificial trees are manufactured from petroleum-based plastics and are usually shipped thousands of miles to reach your local store (most are made in China). Consumers use their artificial trees for an average of only six years. Then they are sent to the dump.

2. Go live If you have a large yard, buy a live evergreen with its root ball attached and plant it after the holidays.

Choose the right species—Douglas fir and coast redwood do well in the Bay Area—and pick a small tree (no larger than five feet). Don’t keep it inside for more than a week. If your yard is not much bigger than a postage stamp, choose a live tree that doesn’t grow huge. Hang tinsel on a primrose, Brisbane box tree, rosemary tree, or fruitless olive, then transplant outside.

3. Choose organic If you’re concerned about the use of pesticides in Christmas tree farms, buy an organic tree (live or cut). They are available at farmers’ markets, Whole Foods Markets, and cut-your-own tree farms. Our favorite: Black Road Christmas Tree Farms in Los Gatos (408.354.8472).

o, tannenbaum!

5 Ways to Green Up Your Christmas Tree by ann marie brown

Guillermo Perales/istockphoto

4. Recycle cut trees Sure, it’s sad to see them lined

up on the curb on January 2. But your tree’s branches will be used for landscaping and erosion prevention in your community. In the South Bay, simply remove all tinsel and decorations, cut your tree into five-foot or shorter lengths, and place it on the curb. Your local recycling company will whisk it away. Better yet, host your own mulching party: Get your neighbors together and rent a wood chipper. Mulch up everyone’s tree and divvy up the great-smelling woodchips for weed reduction and erosion control in your gardens.

5. Embellish with eco-style Two-thirds of American households buy new tree decorations every year. A better choice: Make your own out of glittery household objects or last year’s Christmas cards, or hold an ornament swap party with your friends: Everyone brings a few baubles that seem ho-hum after years of use (like that Mr. T ornament from 1983). What’s old and dull to you is a fun new treasure to me. Take the leftovers that nobody wants to your local thrift store.

Ann Marie Brown is the editor of Eucalyptus Magazine. Every December she decorates the 8-foot-tall saguaro cactus in her living room.

EUCALYPTUSMAGAZINE.COM | 7

8 | December 2009

rooted on the farm

winter comfort By becky herbert

Root Vegetable Cobbler

When asked what

vegetables people enjoy the most, a majority will list summer crops such as cucumbers, tomatoes, corn, and summer squash. Only a rare few among us will praise the rutabaga, despite its wonderful, hearty flavor when boiled and mashed with some carrots, butter, brown sugar, salt, and pepper. I would also put Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and parsnips high on my list of favorites.

Given my vegetable choices, you might assume that I am not picky, which is true now, but hasn’t always been the case. As a young girl, I used to cringe at the smell of boiling Brussels sprouts.

The odor lingered in our kitchen for so long that I often lost my appetite altogether. It was not until my dad grew beets, rutabagas, and turnips for our farm customers that I fell in love with the earthy aroma these vegetables give off when just pulled from the soil.

There is something comforting about being able to pluck your dinner from the ground, brush off the dirt, and carry it straight to the kitchen for preparation. Over time, my passion for this simple act grew. I feel fortunate to have access to food so fresh, and so close to the earth.

My taste for root vegetables along with my love of building a complete meal in one pot led me to try a vegetable cobbler recipe I found online some years ago. Now, every December when a chill is in the air and I have to wear a couple layers to keep warm, I step into my kitchen to create this cobbler. It’s the epitome of a perfect comfort meal.

Becky Herbert is the owner of Eating with the Seasons, an agriculture program that delivers local organic food to residents all over the Bay Area. Visit her website at eatwiththeseasons.com.

1 teaspoon olive oil 1 medium onion, chopped 1 cup mushrooms, sliced 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 tablespoons flour 2 cups vegetable stock 1 ⁄2 teaspoon thyme 1 ⁄4 teaspoon salt 1 ⁄4 teaspoon pepper 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced 2 carrots, diced 1 parsnip, diced 2 stalks celery, diced 1 cup rutabaga, peeled and diced 2 tablespoons fresh parsley 1 ⁄3 cup whole wheat flour 1 ⁄3 cup all-purpose flour 1 ⁄4 cup cheddar cheese, shredded 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 ⁄4 teaspoon baking soda 1 ⁄4 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon butter, melted 1 ⁄2 cup plain yogurt 1. In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Cook onion, mushrooms, and garlic, stirring occasionally, for 3 minutes or until softened. Sprinkle with flour. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute.

2. Gradually stir in stock, thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until boiling and thickened.

3. Add potatoes, carrots, celery, and rutabaga. Cover and simmer, stirring often, for 15 minutes or until tender-crisp. Stir in parsley.

Spoon mixture into an 8-cup casserole dish.

4. In a bowl, combine whole wheat and all-purpose flours, cheddar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

5. Mix together the butter and yogurt, then stir into the flour mixture until just combined. Drop by large spoonfuls over vegetables.

Bake in a 375-degree oven for 25-30 minutes or until the biscuit crust is golden. Let stand for 2 minutes before serving.

EUCALYPTUSMAGAZINE.COM | 9

small steps

10 easy ways to better health The New Year's holiday is a perfect time to develop a new outlook, especially regarding your health.

Taking proactive measures now can ensure a healthier you—physically and mentally—in 2010.

Here are some simple steps to better health in the coming year.

by Shannon Johnson

1

Eat organic

Not only are organic foods chemical- and pesticide-free, but they contain more cancerfighting antioxidants than conventional foods.

2

Develop a

yoga practice Yoga is a fantastic way to build physical strength and stamina, and it has a profound effect on your emotional and mental state. Yoga’s breathing techniques work to calm your mind, relieve stress, fight illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease, and infuse your body and mind with a sense of well-being.

10 | December 2009

3

Unplug We spend a majority of our day being bombarded with news or radio broadcasts, emails, phone calls, and text messages. Taking at least 15-30 minutes each day for yourself, with no interruptions, is a surprisingly efficient way to decrease your stress levels and recharge your inner battery. Drink tea in a quiet space, go for a walk in the park, or just take time out to think.

4

Connect with

friends and family

A 2008 Gallup poll found that spending at least six hours every week of pure social time with people we love increases our happiness levels and decreases stress levels.

5

Garden Digging in the soil is a great way to enjoy some physical exercise, and also to tune in to the relaxing rhythms of the earth.

6

Drink more

water Eight glasses a

day can keep a host of unwelcome symptoms and illnesses away. Water detoxifies the body, contributes to optimum brain functioning, prevents fatigue, and reduces the risk for certain types of cancer.

7

Increase your

home air quality

Most of us spend about 90% of our time inside.

According to the U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency, toxins from household cleaning products could render the air inside our homes 2-5 times more polluted than the air outside. Buy green cleaning products like those made by seventhgeneration.com or mrsmeyers.com, or stock up on a few safe, simple ingredients that can be used in most cleaning situations. Soap, water, baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, borax, and a coarse cleaning brush will conquer most household dirt.

8

Read Experts say reading is a great way to fight off dementia related to aging and helps to preserve your cognitive abilities.

9

Clean up your

cosmetics Everyday

use of daily grooming products may be exposing your body to chemicals that have been linked with cancer, neurological damage, and more. Check out cosmeticsdatabase.com, which lists thousands of products, their ingredients, and the toxicity levels present in each.

10

Laugh

It may sound like a cliché, but laughter can boost your immune system, lower your blood sugar levels, and help you get a good night’s sleep. Aim for a good belly laugh every day.

BE VEG. GO GREEN. SAVE THE PLANET

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EUCALYPTUSMAGAZINE.COM | 11

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Dinner Tuesday - Sunday  Full Bar  Extensive Wine List Private Room Available  Ideal for Group Events  Catering

12 | December 2009

374 South First Street (408) 280-6161 www.eulipia.com

by jennifer moscatello

Originating in the

Usage Add festive flair to holiday salads by sprinkling

generously with the pomegranate’s jewel-toned arils, the sacs that encase the fruit’s seed, which range in color from pale pink to deep crimson. The average fruit contains over 600 arils. They are delicious and beautiful when mixed into yogurt, oatmeal, or rice pilaf. You can also place the whole fruit in a pretty bowl to use as a vibrant centerpiece.

Selection Most pomegranates are grown in California and can be found at farmers’ markets from September through January. When shopping for pomegranates, choose fruit that is heavy and has smooth, flawless skin.

Whole pomegranates can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two months, or in a cool, dark place for about four weeks. The arils will last for up to a week when refrigerated. The rest of the year, you can buy 100% pomegranate juice in your grocery store.

How to open While the prospect of opening a pomegranate may seem intimidating, most people find that with a little know-how, the juicy arils become easily accessible. To make quick work of the fruit, first slice off the top, trimming away just enough to expose the arils.

Next, lightly score the leathery skin in quarters with a sharp knife. Immerse in a bowl of cold water and soak for a minute or two. Gently pull apart and work in sections to dislodge the arils from the inedible membrane in which they’re housed. The arils will sink to the bottom of the bowl; the rind and membrane will float to the top. Skim off the residue, drain the water from the arils, and enjoy.

Alexei Zaycev/istockphoto

ancient Middle East, the pomegranate is a deep magenta-colored fruit that has long been associated with health, religion, art, literature, and mythology. The Greeks believed that Persephone, the daughter of Zeus, was tempted by a pomegranate offered by Hades, Lord of the Underworld, leading to her loss of innocence.

One of the oldest known fruits, pomegranates have been around since at least 100 b.c., but until recently, they were perceived by most Westerners as strange and exotic. Since medical research has confirmed that pomegranates are packed with potent antioxidants and vitamins, they have grown in popularity and been embraced for their health-boosting benefits.

Studies show that the pomegranate’s powerful antioxidants can abate a variety of health concerns, including heart disease, prostate cancer, arthritis, and poor dental health. Studies also suggest that they can help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and blood pressure, and when consumed during pregnancy, offer protection to newborn babies’ brains during difficult births. In addition to their abundance of antioxidants, which fight free radicals that can cause cellular damage, pomegranates contain ample amounts of vitamins C, B, and K, plus fiber and potassium.

In an interesting study conducted by the Center for Human Nutrition at the University of California-Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine, researchers tested eight beverages for naturally occurring antioxidant strength, including red wine, blueberry juice, açai berry juice, white tea, and green tea. The levels of polyphenols—chemical substances naturally found in plants that seem to help reduce the effects of aging and disease—found in pomegranate juice far exceeded the other beverages tested. Polyphenols are also found in berries, tea, grapes, wine, chocolate, coffee, and walnuts.

EUCALYPTUSMAGAZINE.COM | 13

healing foods

power of the pomegranate

pets corner

the ritz for retrievers Where high-living hounds spend the holidays. by elizabeth kang

Imagine aromatherapy massages, swimming, and limousine service—for your dog. The newly opened Pooch Hotel in Sunnyvale offers luxurious accommodations that will make your doggie diva think she’s the one on vacation. Expansive grounds, 24-hour pickup, webcams, and a strong commitment to green living make the hotel a feel-good and convenient option.

All-day play is included in each overnight suite’s rate.

Fifty dollars buys your pup a 7-by-7-foot private junior suite or a bigger shared suite. A 9-by-9-foot presidential suite or even larger “palace suite” are also available ($100).

Pooch Hotel, 180 North Wolfe Rd., Sunnyvale,

Many of us

consider our dogs to be members of our families. The problem is, our furry companion isn’t always invited to holiday gatherings.

That’s why pet-boarding services are at their busiest during the holidays.

It can be difficult for pet owners to fully enjoy the festivities when they imagine their dog confined in a cold, metal cage. But a few local pet-boarding options are more four-star hotel than lonely, sterile kennel.

San Jose Mercury News readers have voted San Jose’s Downtown Dogs “best dog daycare” for the past two years in a row. The overnight care facilities include 35 individual rooms, with two room sizes to choose from.

A 25-square-foot “standard room” at $49 per night includes a comfy raised bed, supervised playtime during the day, meals, treats, and soothing bedtime music. A 50-square-foot “deluxe suite” at $59 per night includes an in-room TV, toys, a larger-sized toddler bed, and a private web camera that allows you to peek at your pup while you’re gone. Optional spa treatments and training exercises are available. A $25 holiday surcharge applies on Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

800.364.8199, poochhotel.com

The Humane Society of Silicon Valley (HSSV) in Milpitas is more than just a good place to adopt a new pet—it’s a great place to board your pet, too. The newly constructed facility, including a spacious dog park with artificial turf to reduce water consumption, is just one of the amenities the HSSV offers. The standard or deluxe room rate, $50-$55, includes closely supervised group playtime during the day and private sleeping quarters at night. A $25 holiday surcharge applies.

You must provide your own food for each of your dog’s meals. Webcams are set up in three play areas for your spying pleasure, which can be easily accessed on the HSSV’s website.

Humane Society Silicon Valley, 901 Ames Ave., Milpitas, 408.262.2133, hssv.org.

Downtown Dogs, 734 South 1st St., San Jose, 408.287.2267, downtowndogs.com

Stocking Stuffers Naughty or nice, there’s no doubt Max and Sox would love a little something in their stockings this year.

Here are a few ideas for environmentally friendly, healthy treats and toys for your dog or cat.

Dogswell offers cage-free chicken and duck jerky treats, and naturally raised beef jerky treats, made with no added hormones, antibiotics, fillers, or byproducts. Catswell offers easily digested, natural, and protein-rich treats for cats. Available at Target and Whole Foods ($8).

West Paw Design’s eco-friendly Hurley dog toy, made with “Zogoflex”, a tough, durable material, is a floatable chew toy that will last through many happy hours of gnawing. Find it at Gussied Up Dog Boutique in Willow Glen, 408.279.2229 ($10).

Worldwise is dedicated to making sustainable, recycled, and natural cat toys that cats really love. Find their catnip-stuffed, electronically chirping bird at Target, Petsmart, and Petco ($4).

14 | December 2009

EUCALYPTUSMAGAZINE.COM | 15

THE SMILE SPECIALIST

Actual Patient Mercury Free • Digital X-rays Tissue Reconturing • Bleaching

Dr. Douglas Larson

Campbell, CA • 408.374.6160 www. D r L a r s o n . n e t 16 | December 2009

wrapped in comfort by allison shea malone

tyler olson/istockphoto

A popular trend in Bay Area spas, herbal body wraps are seducing men and women alike with their cocoon-like bliss. The thought of spending an afternoon cozily swathed in organic cotton sheets soaked in fragrant herbs sounds so soothing, who wouldn’t want to try it? But it is the wrap’s detoxifying properties that make it a natural addition to a health regimen.

“In our holistic approach, it is healing from within through your skin,” says Dr. Desiree Dominguez, ND, a naturopathic physician practicing at La Concha Spa Salon in Willow Glen. “It is a gentle way to help detoxify the body.”

The body wrap process is simple and non-invasive. Various herbs are boiled together with natural cotton sheets, and the sheets are wrapped around the client’s body. The client is then cocooned in a thermal lining—imagine those silver emergency blankets found in camping supply stores—to keep warm.

“With the warmth, it helps open the pores and pull out all the toxins,” Dominguez says.

“So it is like going into a sauna, but it is not as invasive as a sauna. It will help you slowly steam [the toxins] out… When you do the wraps, it pulls out the impurities, and then the minerals go into the body.”

Dominguez recommends body wraps to patients with a wide variety of diseases and disorders. However, wraps are not recommended for pregnant women or people with high blood pressure due to the use of heat. “[The wrap keeps] our bodies on target because our environment is toxic,” says Dominguez. “Medication, antibiotics, everything pharmaceutical, preservatives, food coloring,

wraps and weight loss The hope of losing weight is another reason why people sign up for body wraps, but do wraps actually trim inches? Temporarily, yes, but they don’t replace the need for a healthy diet and exercise.

“It does help with weight loss, with the excess [weight] from stress. It helps with that extra water retention,” says Dominguez.

“Now, with weight loss, you’ve got to maintain a healthy lifestyle, good diet, good balance, and good exercise, of course.”

She adds that for many, the release of retained water “helps people to be able to get off the table and breathe easier with just having that done.”

Because of the expected fluid loss, clients should drink a lot of water before and after having a wrap.

No matter what else a body wrap gives you, the relaxation effect of 30-60 minutes of lying on a table swathed in warm, aromatic herbs can only make you feel good. As Dominguez says, “Our body runs 24-7 and doesn’t stop.

We have to go with it. You are what you eat and you are what you do. Put yourself first.”

Where to Get Wrapped Bay Area Health Spa 2055 Grant Road, Los Altos 650.390.9727, bayareahealthspa.com SlenderTone wrap: 60 minutes for $139 Burke Williams 355 Santana Row, San Jose 866.239.6635, burkewilliamsspa.com calming/detox wrap: 25 minutes for $55 La Concha Spa Salon 1042 Lincoln Ave., San Jose 408.286.8612, laconchaspa.com herbal wrap: 45 minutes plus a sauna for $100 Tranquility Day Spa 424 Toyon Ave., San Jose 408.926.3000, tranqdayspa.com Sudatonic wrap: 60 minutes for $95 White Lotus Wellness Center 545 Ocean View Ave., Santa Cruz 831.247.6215, whitelotuswellness.com detox herbal body wrap: 60 minutes for $70 EUCALYPTUSMAGAZINE.COM | 17

path to wellness

different types of shampoos with sulfites, all that stuff is so toxic. It is [processed] through the liver and the liver gets congested. The only way to help—the most non-invasive way— is through a wrap.”

sandbox talk

turn your trash into holiday treasures by jessica iclisoy

Looking for a

holiday activity that will be a guaranteed good time for your family? Get eco-crafty with your kids and help them create simple yet whimsical ornaments from recycled materials.

Making decorations from stuff you might toss in the trash teaches your kids valuable lessons about recycling. Your family will enjoy the time spent together, and everyone will feel good about giving back to the earth by keeping common household items out of the landfill.

Encourage your children to make these keepsake decorations as gifts for neighbors and relatives. With the joy they will spread, your kids will quickly see that the best presents are made, not bought.

make A holiday CD picture Ornament You’ve downloaded all of your CDs to your iPod, so what do you do with the old plastic discs? Does your son or daughter have a favorite piece of clothing that is past its prime, but too precious

to give to the thrift shop? Turn the CDs and the fabric into lightcatching, photo-adorned ornaments. Gather some discs, fabric, family photos, craft glue or double-sided tape, raffia or ribbon, a pen, and scissors, and you’re ready to create.

1. Trace around the CD onto a piece of fabric (sturdy fabrics like corduroy work best). Cut out.

2. Cut another piece of fabric into the shape of a 5-point star. Make the star the same size, or slightly smaller, than the size of a CD. 1

3. Cut a 16-inch piece of raffia or ribbon. Loop it through the hole in the center of the CD and tie a bow or knot at the ends. This is the hanger for your ornament.

4

4. Paste or tape the circle-shaped fabric on the

2

front, printed side of the CD, covering it completely, and the star-shaped fabric on the back, shiny side. You’ll paste right over the ribbon or raffia. Make sure your star fabric covers up any writing in the center of the CD, but leaves some shiny plastic showing. The star side will be the “front” of the ornament.

5

5. Pick out some favorite family photos that are printed in sizes smaller than the CDs. Cut the photos into fun shapes, like circles, squares, or triangles. Perfection is not necessary.

3

18 | December 2009

6. Paste a photo on top of the star-shaped fabric. If you like, you can write a message on the back (covered) side of the CD.

6

EUCALYPTUSMAGAZINE.COM | 19

20 | December 2009

grown local

happy quail farms by allison shea malone

allison shea malone

In East Palo Alto,

Farmer David Winsberg stands tall among a peck of prized peppers.

the sweet, earthy scent of fresh peppers has filled the air since 1980. Cultivating dozens of varieties of both sweet and hot peppers every year, Happy Quail Farms is the go-to spot for the Bay Area’s pepper needs.

The farm produces about 85 percent sweet peppers and only 15 percent other varieties, including the hottest of hot peppers. Owner David Winsberg says, “We do grow Sevinas occasionally, which were the Guinness Book record holder. They were tested originally at 300,000 Scoville units. The very hot ones I have a very limited use for. We like them in ceviches, we like them in a cortillo—which is sort of a salsa type preparation—but other than that, it is more of a macho thing to most of our clients.”

The farm’s specialty is one of their sweeter peppers. “We were the first to start growing the Pimiento de Padrón,” says Winsberg. “It’s not typically hot, but it is a bit of a roulette. There is usually one out of a dozen that is hot. We started growing it about 10 years ago, and now we supply 50 restaurants around the country. We are very small, but for that particular pepper, we are one of the largest producers in the country.”

The Padrón peppers travel from the Bay Area to southern California, New Mexico, Arizona, and Portland, and sometimes even as far as the East Coast. But another of Winsberg’s crops, a specialty Peruvian pepper, made the big time in October 2009 when

EUCALYPTUSMAGAZINE.COM | 21

20 pounds of them were sent to Washington D.C. for a White House special event.

“The only way we survive as a small farm is to find unique varieties that we can develop a market for,” Winsberg says. “To locate new varieties, we are always looking around the world.”

Winsberg started Happy Quail Farms almost 30 years ago, in keeping with his own childhood memories of growing up on a south Florida pepper farm.

“As a child I wasn’t particularly enamored with getting up early and life on the farm,” says Winsberg. “I certainly didn’t think it was a lifestyle I would want... When I first came out here I worked for other people. I finally decided that I would rather work for myself, so I found some old flower farms here to take over farming.”

The farm produces about 85 percent sweet peppers and only 15 percent other varieties, including the hottest of hot peppers.

Since then, Happy Quail Farms has been a family affair. Winsberg’s eldest son works on the farm when he is home from college, and his younger son helps out when he isn’t playing soccer. In addition to a few full-time employees, Winsberg says that his wife, brother-in-law, and mother-in-law end up working alongside him at various markets throughout the season. Happy Quail’s peppers are available at the Palo Alto and Menlo Park farmers’ markets, plus San Francisco Ferry Plaza’s Farmers’ Market.

The farm’s name comes from an earlier Winsberg business enterprise. “When I first came to California, I started raising quail as a hobby. I was selling eggs. I had a little motorcycle, actually it was a Vespa, and I would take them up to Chinatown and sell them up there. It was just a side business. I was managing a small store at the time and this was something I did for fun.”

David no longer raises quail, but he says the diminutive game birds accurately represent the stature of his farm. “We have five small locations in a two block area, with only two acres total to cultivate, so I see us as sort of a quail-sized farm.”

22 | December 2009

staycation

wonderful

woodside

Relive history Stop in at the 1854 Tripp Woodside Store, now

Pack a picnic Jaws drop and mouths water when confronted with

a museum filled with fascinating artifacts—lumber saws, oxen harnesses, blacksmith tools, an apple press—that bring to life the town’s pioneering past. 650.851.7615, co.sanmateo.ca.us

the deli case at Roberts Market. Smoked turkey and brie panini?

Marinated tri-tip? Vidalia onion fig sauce? It could take hours to make up your mind. 650.851.1511, robertsmarket.com

Sip and sightsee At Thomas Fogarty Winery, you can taste

Get earthy Yerba Buena Nursery is a study in contrasts—it’s a park, a botanic garden, a retail shop, and a history lesson rolled into one. Stroll the rows of native California plants and ferns, or reserve a seat for the Christmas tea service held in the 1905 Victorian farmhouse. 650.851.1668, yerbabuenanursery.com

winemaker Michael Martella’s single-vineyard pinot noirs, chardonnays, merlots, and cabernets while soaking up eye-popping views of San Francisco Bay. Tastings are free every Wed., $8-$12 Thurs.-Sun. 650.851.6777, fogartywinery.com 24 | December 2009

victoria alexander

Thomas Fogarty Winery

The well-to-do community of Woodside manages to walk a fine line between fancy and folksy. Although it’s home to the Peninsula’s privileged, there are more bike shorts than business suits thronging the sidewalks of its tiny downtown. Escape the holiday hustle this weekend at this surprisingly down-to-earth getaway. by Ann Marie Brown

The Village Pub

Yerba Buena Nursery

San Francisco Sa

n

Fr a n

c is

c

o

B

ay

ce pa c i f i c o

an

Redwood City Palo Alto

WoodsideA

Mountain View

San Jose

Tripp Woodside Store

Roberts Market

Be a foodie Sunday brunch at The Village Pub is something of an institution around these parts, as is dinner any night of the week.

The veggies on your plate will likely come from chef Mark Sullivan’s five-acre garden. 650.851.9888, thevillagepub.net Stay in style So luxurious you’ll never want to leave, the brand-

new Rosewood Sand Hill boasts chic interiors, bathrooms as large as most studio apartments, a fabulous swimming pool, and a terrace overlooking the Santa Cruz Mountains. 650.561.1500, rosewoodsandhill.com EUCALYPTUSMAGAZINE.COM | 25

Vishal Ramani shares her decades of experience with Bharatanatyam, an ancient Indian dance.

poetry in motion Little feet pound against the hardwood floor, filling the room with the sound of hundreds of butterflies taking flight. They beat in tight rhythm with the click-clack of Vishal Ramani’s stick—a piece of wood worn thin from hours of practice. Ramani keeps perfect time as the dancers, barefoot, follow in unison. Their young bodies are taut with attention—23 pairs of hands reaching toward the ceiling, backs arched, heads poised, eyes riveted on the teacher. The youngest is a mere five years old, and she is one of the most astute, graceful movers.

This is not simply dance; this is Bharatanatyam, an ancient and spiritual art form requiring intense concentration and mindful practice. Like yoga or meditation, Bharatanatyam is about centering yourself. Ramani’s students know that this requires discipline.

“The dance form has very, very structured rules. It is in a treatise called Natya Shastra, which is a set of precepts on dance, music, drama, and theater, written between 200 b.c. and 200 a.d.,” Ramani says.

Ramani, founder and artistic director of Shri Krupa Dance Company, calls out the movements and strikes the beat. She is clear with her students: this hour is for learning. A student who gets distracted is sent away to sit and think about why, and may return only when she can focus again. Ramani teaches her students not just how to dance, but how to listen, practice, and persevere.

“They really need to go into the core value of this art form. It encompasses bodywork—structure of the body, line of the body, complete control, balance. It gives you a centering of the body like you’d never believe.

Like yoga, it gives you a centered state,” says Ramani.

A teacher for more than 33 years, Ramani holds classes at a small Cupertino studio. Her Indian dance lessons are one of the South Bay’s last strong ties to a culture that has been largely left behind. In India, Bharatanatyam dates back at least 2,500 years. For many Bay Area residents with Indian roots, the dance is an intimate connection to their history. Although Ramani’s classes are open to girls of any age, most of her students are younger. This is mostly because the dance requires extreme leg and foot strength, and studied concentration.

by desiree hedberg photography by kyle chesser EUCALYPTUSMAGAZINE.COM | 27

poetry in motion Two recently graduated students come to the front of the class. Ceremonial bells wrapped around their ankles mark every step with a melodic chime. The students’ parents beam wide smiles. To limit distractions, typically only a few parents are allowed in the studio during class, but today is a special day.

Ramya Ramesh is one of the graduates. At 13 years old, she exudes confidence in front of the group. As she dances, strength and grace emanate from her slight frame. Ramya has been studying Bharatanatyam for seven years.

“It keeps her connected… The dance enlightens them, they learn more about [India],” says Ramya’s mother, Shobha Ramesh. “The Indian mythology, the Indian history, the art…

It puts them in a very balanced state of mind.”

Graduation is known as ascending the stage, or Arangetram. The would-be graduates must perform a solo dance.

Their performance may last as long as two-and-a-half hours, with only short breaks. In preparation for their debut, the dancers receive blessings from friends and family before their performance.

“It is a very important moment when the whole family is there with friends and the community to see how a new budding star comes out,” said Ramesh. “Emotionally, [the students] develop great self-confidence. It gives them a great sense of pride to perform. It’s a good balance in the sense that it has physical activity, it gives them good energy, and it makes them think.”

It’s ironic that in California, where statewide budget cuts wipe out arts and music in local schools, an ancient dance form flourishes in a Cupertino studio. The dance has survived issues much larger than mere monetary struggles. In the late 19th century during India’s colonization, Bharatanatyam was interpreted as too overtly sexual and was banned by the British government.

But the dance did not die under political oppression; it went underground. Bharatanatyam survived through small groups of people practicing it in their homes. When Ramani was four years old, her teachers came to Bombay (now Mumbai) and established a school near her family home.

Her teachers came to her home to give private lessons to Ramani and her sister. Hailed as a child prodigy by The Times of India, Ramani graduated when she was only seven.

28 | December 2009

“That means I had something inside of me that was igniting, telling me to follow this path. One thing I know for sure, it was not something that was pushed into me; I pushed it into myself,” Ramani says.

From her early childhood, Ramani’s life was filled with loss. At the age of seven, she chose to remain in Mumbai to continue dance classes while her parents moved to northeastern India for work. She was mostly alone in Mumbai and exposed to harsh reality at a young age--torn between the need to be with her family and her love of dance. At 22, she was given away in an arranged marriage, and her dream of becoming a professional dancer was destroyed.

But Bharatanatyam never left her, and she could never leave it behind, even after moving to the United States. After the loss of her two-year-old daughter in a tragic accident, Ramani’s devastation brought her back to dance. Ramani believes that her life experiences, while shattering, have ultimately enriched her ability to dance and teach.

“Life experiences are known as Anubhava. Dance uses Bhava, or expression, which is greatly enriched by Anubhava,” she says.

Ramani brings Bharatanatyam to her South Bay students with a clarity and passion. Through practicing the dance form, her students are introduced to the concept of selfcontrol at an early age. As a result, Ramani believes they are better prepared to navigate through everyday struggles, master their emotions, and live happier lives.

“Our human soul, or Jeevatma, is always aspiring to reach the supreme soul, known as Paramatma. That is the core understanding of this art form,” she says. “Our human soul is always pining to reach the divine.”

Every December and January in Chennai, India, a huge festival takes place called the Madras Music Season. It is one of the largest cultural events in the world. This year, four of Ramani’s students have been chosen to dance at Chennai.

“I must say I’m very proud of them... They are very dedicated. They give their hearts out to the school,” says Ramani.

“I believe in children. I believe they are already close to God, full of softness, beauty, and smiles. I am inspired by their innocence. I believe in working with them to help their little bodies become strong through the practice of this ancient legacy of India.”

Ramani’s students demonstrate poses from this ancient Indian art form.

EUCALYPTUSMAGAZINE.COM | 29

˙

simple For some everyday aromatherapy, give handmade soaps in sensuous sandalwood, luscious lavender, or spicy rosemary from Bonny Doon Farm (bonnydoonfarm.com, $6.50). Find them at Draeger’s in Los Altos or Menlo Park (draegers.com), most Whole Foods Markets (wholefoodsmarket.com), or Common Ground in Palo Alto (commongroundinpaloalto.org). Common Ground also sells unfiltered wildflower honey from Double J Apiaries in Los Altos Hills ($14), and beeswax candles in the shape of a beehive ($13).

˙

˙

Is someone’s lawn sucking all the water from your neighborhood? Give them a smile and a flat of California native plants, which are both attractive and drought-resistant. Native Revival Nursery is based in Aptos, although you can also find their booth at the Willow Glen Farmers’ Market (nativerevival.com). Yerba Buena Nursery in Woodside is another great resource, offering more than 600 species of native plants (yerbabuenanursery.com).

Feeding wild birds provides instant gratification to birds and humans alike. It’s good for wildlife and good for our blood pressure. The Wild Bird Center of Los Gatos (Blossom Hill Rd. and Los Gatos Blvd.) offers a variety of feeders in the $20-$40 range. Find EcoTough birdfeeders, made from recycled plastic milk jugs, at Wild Birds Unlimited in San Jose ($35, 5263 Prospect Rd.). Or visit the experts at the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society in McClellan Ranch Park in Cupertino. Their Nature Shop carries the beautiful squirrel-proof Sonata feeder ($35), among many others.

30 | December 2009

gifts

local, handmade, green, and from the heart

kyle chesser

Suppose your loved one has no plot of land, but loves to eat well. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a popular alternative for getting high-quality, fresh food from a local farm. Consider giving a one-time or season-long subscription for veggies and fruits from family-owned Farm Fresh to You, founded by Kathleen Barsotti and Martin Barnes in 1976. Deliveries start at just $23 at farmfreshtoyou.com.

Other local CSAs: Live Earth Farm in Watsonville, Hidden Villa Farm in Los Altos Hills, and Full Circle Farm in Sunnyvale.

˙

Is your toddler learning how to sort paper and plastic, cans and bottles? Give him or her a green recycling truck, complete with a rear door that opens and shuts. San Francisco-based Green Toys Inc. makes this charmer from recycled milk jugs, following strict eco-standards ($25). They also offer a red and yellow dump truck, gardening kit, tool set, tea set, and more, all safe for small hands. Find them at Babycoo at 140 West Main St. in Los Gatos or greentoys.com.

Original art by local artists can be a profoundly appreciated gift, especially when you pick it out with that someone special. Peruse the charming animal paintings of Santa Cruz artist Pat Geddes, along with prints, handcrafted dolls, and jewelry at the Los Gatos Company (17 North Santa Cruz Ave.). In Campbell, stop by the Sonia Paz Gallery for exuberant, colorful pop art (195 East Campbell Ave.). A piece of her wristwear was included in the 2008 Academy Awards gift bags. Also in Campbell: Lorraine Lawson Fine Arts, San Jose Mercury News 2009 Readers’ Choice of Silicon Valley art galleries (onefineartist.com).

˙

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by lisa francesca

nature

schooling inspired by

R

esearch shows that during the first five years of life, a child’s brain develops more dramatically than at any other time. Habits that children adopt in the early years tend to last a lifetime. Although some traditional preschools tout their offerings with advertisements of four-year-olds carrying briefcases, critics warn that young children learn most effectively through play.

Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods, proposes a remedy for the detrimental effects caused by well-meaning parents who keep their children busy with enrichment activities from dawn till dusk: unstructured playtime outdoors. He states in his book, “New studies suggest that exposure to nature may reduce the symptoms of ADHD, and that it can improve all children’s cognitive abilities and resistance to negative stress and depression.”

kyle chesser

by Jennifer Moscatello

Jennifer Jeffcoat and her young students take a nature walk in Saratoga Springs.

EUCALYPTUSMAGAZINE.COM | 33

Sunanda Rangarajan oversees as her daughter makes Indian flatbread during a school lesson.

34 | December 2009

Preschool students at The Spirit of Play paint the pottery bowls they made the week before.

walls. Handmade pottery bowls and cups, crafted by the children, rest on a wooden table. The morning begins with circle time, in which Jeffcoat leads the children through seasonal songs. They recap their adventure on a nearby farm the previous day. Threeyear-old Kyan says, “I enjoyed picking the grapes. I love grapes!”

Stretching and counting exercises follow, as the children reach upward to pluck imaginary lemons off an imaginary tree. Mondays are spent outdoors, often at nearby Saratoga Springs. Once a month, the children visit Live Earth Farm in the Santa Cruz Mountains, which provides hands-on opportunities to learn about organic gardening.

Jeffcoat says, “My vision is to build a community school where children can be fully present and awake with life, a place that enables them to truly play and keep their imagination awake, while being present in the beauty that nature has to offer.”

Her vision for the school is a serene, restful space created in part by the families who attend. She’s planning a painting party for parents, where they’ll spend time decorating the walls with warm hues. In the yard, a solitary lemon tree resides, but Jeffcoat pulls out the plans for an L-shaped container garden to be planted with kale, chard, and carrots. Her long-term goal is for the school to become self-sustainable, generating income at farmers’ markets through the sale of handmade herbal salves, children’s artwork, and garden vegetables.

Parents choose to send their children to a school like The Spirit of Play for a variety of reasons. For many, the focus on the natural world is a huge draw. Nicole Rossi of Los Gatos says, “It’s really important for me to give [my son] Nicholas that same connection with nature that I grew up with... I think it’s unfortunate that many children have lost that.”

Others, like Sunanda Rangarajan of San Jose, appreciate the curriculum variety and the chance to play a part in their child’s schooling. “I wanted a place where I could be with my daughter, and I just love the Waldorf way of teaching,” she says. “I want her to take things slowly and learn to appreciate nature and cooking. I know she’s going to learn the other things in years to come. I really want her to be well rounded, rather than just focusing on academics.

The parents help out here and are involved in the school. My child doesn’t have a fear of going to school. She’s learning to appreciate twigs and rocks and touching things in nature and painting leaves.

I really like that for her.”

The Spirit of Play, 14103 Saratoga Ave., Saratoga; 408.891.3751.

kyle chesser

Many preschools incorporate unstructured outdoor play into their curriculum. Waldorf schools, originated by Austrian philosopher and scientist Rudolf Steiner in the early 1900s, have traditionally embraced nature. At its essence, Waldorf teaching strives to educate the child in a holistic sense: through the head, hands, and heart. The goal of Waldorf teachers is to inspire curiosity and a profound love of learning in their students.

Interest in this type of alternative education has increased, and schools have cropped up to fill the void. A new school in Saratoga, The Spirit of Play, opened in September 2009. Inspired in part by Waldorf philosophy, the program is influenced by founder Jennifer Jeffcoat’s background as a physical education teacher at Los Gatos High School. What she saw during her tenure there concerned her.

“So many children seem lost…they don’t have a sense of self,” she says. Such observations led her first to study healing through movement, and later to enroll at the Rudolf Steiner College in Los Altos, where she is beginning her second year of study.

Soft music plays in Jeffcoat’s light-filled classroom. Pinecones and dried sunflowers brighten the room; children’s art adorns the

nature

more schools where

Country Day Little School student Meiting Triulzi checks the sweetpea crop.

leaping lizards, courtesy evan winslow smith; country day, courtesy Thomas Davidson

is the teacher

In nearby Palo Alto, Country Day Little School has been nurturing children for more than 20 years in a warm, homelike environment. This school is heavily influenced by Waldorf pedagogy and has a pronounced focus on nature. One of the first things visitors notice is how the children relate to one another. There is no chaos, no roughhousing, no bullying. Ranging in age from two to five, the students learn early about kindness and cooperative, imaginative play.

Founder and school director Peggy Jane Triulzi says, “What I see in today’s world is that children experience an accelerated pace of life, where they have too many choices, overstimulation everywhere they turn, and too little time to be children lost in their play. We try to provide a haven where children are free to play and are surrounded by love and models of purposeful work, in a simple and beautiful school environment.”

Natalie Botto, whose daughter attended the school for three years and recently

Outdoor story time at Leaping Lizards Nature Awareness Preschool

started kindergarten, agrees. “We sought out a school where what we do at home was mirrored at school. That’s what we value. It seemed most elemental for a child growing up in this fast-paced world we live in.”

Each day at Country Day Little School begins in the organic garden, walking row by row to water the plants and discover what new growth has sprouted. The children skip to the neighboring hay bales, listen to a story, climb a tree. Later, they migrate to the back garden to feed the chickens and engage in “meaningful play”—digging in the sandbox, perhaps, or “painting” a wall with water. Before gathering at communal tables for an organic lunch, they disperse around the school. In one area, several children work together to build a truck out of large wooden blocks. In the kitchen, others stand atop a bench and knead dough, helping to make whole-grain bread.

Another of Palo Alto’s alternative preschools is Leaping Lizards Nature Awareness Preschool. Started in 1988, the school

fosters curiosity, warmth, imagination, and physical endurance in its students. A typical day includes a field trip to Foothills Park. The children don warm layers and wide-brimmed sun hats and race down a wide, tree-lined pathway. The school’s founder, Magdalena Cabrera, turns over a rotting log to reveal a blue-bellied lizard. Each of the six children stroke it gently with outstretched fingers.

A four-year-old boy carefully holds it in one small hand, gazing at it intently, as Cabrera shows the children how to hold it up and look through one ear and out the other, straight through its head. “That’s cool!” says one. Another says, “Let’s put him back.”

But how do these preschool programs prepare children for kindergarten? Cabrera says, “We’re walking and we see a sign, and we sound out the words. We read stories, ABCs, we classify size and shape within the context of where we are—leaves, for instance.

We count how many turkey vultures are in the field. We’re doing fine motor skills as well, we just don’t do it with a pencil, we do it by holding a lizard or a tiny frog. We’re learning to hold it with just the right amount of tension so as not to hurt it.”

Becky Crowe Hill, whose son attends the program, appreciates the life lessons the children learn. “On the first day, Magdalena showed the children a beautiful owl that had died. This left such an impression on my son. He talked about the importance of things living and dying and the cycle of life in such a profound way for a three-year-old.

I deeply appreciated the ease with which they talked about it, helping the children to appreciate both life and death.”

Country Day Little School, 650.494.8044, countrydaylittleschool.com; Leaping Lizards Nature Awareness Preschool, 650.858.0355, leapinglizardspreschool.com EUCALYPTUSMAGAZINE.COM | 35

Holiday Deliciousness begins Here!

Since 1985, Sugar & Spice and everything buttery have mingled nicely when it comes to traditional Holiday desserts.

Handmade Pies, Cheesecakes, Loaves and our ever-popular Cakes, Cookies & Bars are sure to please.

Come see why this little gem of a bakery gets invited for all of the Holidays!

50 W. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 408.354.2464 www.icingonthecakebakery.com

36 | December 2009

resource guide products | services | advice

Alternative | Eco | Environmental | Green | Healthy | Integrative | Local Natural | Nutritious | Organic | Renewable | Reusable | Sensitive | Sustainable

Goodman Chiropractic

Dr. Charles D. Goodman, D.C., M.S. 751 Blossom Hill Rd., Suite A1, Los Gatos, CA 95032 408.358.8180 | goodmanchiro.com

Dr. Goodman offers a relaxed and focused environment meeting his patients’ needs with chiropractic services, extremities management (for shoulder, knee, ankle, feet, and hand injuries), nutritional counseling and support, physiotherapy, and massage services available seven days a week.

Peter G. Shutts A.I.A., Architect

4133 Mohr Avenue, Suite H, Pleasanton, CA 94566 925.484.0903

Small, award-winning, multi-disciplined architectural firm emphasizing green technology in custom home design, remodels, and additions. Covering northern California, we incorporate green products into every residential and commercial project. Free consultation.

Rayna Lumbard, LMFT InnerSuccess Transformations

20688 Fourth Street, Suite 8, Saratoga, CA 95070 408.358.3756 | InnerSuccess.com Rayna is a Holistic Marriage and Family Therapist, Hypnotherapist, Psychospiritual Energy Healer, and Workshop Facilitator. She empowers individuals, couples, and families to live joyful, authentic, and abundant lives by healing core issues on all levels mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

Healing With Prema Prema Sastry

408.406.8197 | remarpan@gmail.com Prema is a gifted practitioner with 15 years of experience in the arts of Chakra Clearing, Personalized Yoga, Pranayama or Powerful Yogic Breathing, Chanting Meditation, Kinesiology Muscle Testing, and Stress Transformation for Vibrant Health.

Yogic Beauty

Ultrapure~Beyond Organic~Body and Skin Care Beauty Secrets from the Himalayas for Radiance & Clarity 408.355.5562 | yogicbeauty.com

All our rare and exquisite products are lovingly handcrafted in small batches from the highest quality ingredients.

Ayurvedic Diet and Lifestyle Consultations, Pancha Karma Detox Therapies, and Yoga Therapy for internal and external vibrant health and beauty.

Wild Bird Center of Los Gatos Freddy Howell

792 Blossom Hill Road, Los Gatos, CA 95032 408.358.WILD (9453) | wildbird.com/stores/los/home We are a mini department store for nature lovers, specializing in everything to do with bird feeding and bird watching. We offer a complete line of products including feeders, birdbaths, nest boxes, binoculars, nature themed clothing and jewelry; books and field guides, kids stuff and many great gift items. $5 off your purchase of $20 or more.

*Certified Bay Area Green Business

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Classical Homeopathy

Deborah Hayes CCH RSHom(NA) MBRCP(H) CCHH 2672 Bayshore Parkway, Suite 810 650.557.2160 | realhomeopathy.com

Homeopathy is a versatile, safe, and effective system of natural medicine, with in-depth health consultations and individually selected remedies to improve your energy, mood, and well being and address your unique health concerns.

*Oak Meadow Dental

Dr. Robert Dyer and Dr. Christina Fantino 210 Oak Meadow Dr, Los Gatos, CA 90532 408.395.1121 | oakmeadowdental.com

Yoga Fitness

Linda Bonney Bostrom & Jito Yumibe 1 West Campbell Ave, B29, Campbell, CA 95008 408.777.YOGA (9642) | iyoga.com

We offer Yoga classes taught in the Iyengar tradition. We have classes 7 days a week, and we have classes for every level of student from brand new beginners to more experienced and advanced. Our studio is newly remodeled and fully equipped. We welcome you.

e11even salon & boutique Kandi Armstrong

2360 S. Bascom Ave., Suite H, Campbell, CA 95008 408.371.4155 | e11evensalon.com

At Oak Meadow Dental, we are a team. Each part of the team participates: doctor, staff, and patient. This way, we ensure that everybody is happy with the outcome. Only with teamwork can excellence be achieved. We are proud to be a Certified Bay Area Green Business.

A hip, vibrant and comfortable space—that’s what our guests experience at e11even. We boast skilled staff that continually seeks education and inspiration. Our boutique offers unique and whimsical items to complement your new look. Experience it for yourself!

*Healthy Smiles Dental Care

Qiworks—Return to Balance

Arta Vakhshoori, D.D.S.

5595 Winfield Blvd. #108, San Jose, CA 95123 408.226.6683 | iHealthySmiles.com Arta Vakshoori, D.D.S. and her team provide state-of-theart technology in biological dentistry, including drill-less laser for your comfort, early detection, safety in removal of mercury fillings, and preservation of your natural teeth in a healthy, healing environment.

Healing the Zebra Arts Center Nancy A. Ries

3648 Hoover Street, Redwood City, CA 94063 650.299.1194 | HealingTheZebra.com A new healing arts center in a geodesic dome offers creative arts classes focusing on the body-mind-spirit for personal development. More than fifteen instructors teach workshops including tantric yoga, health movement, painting, creative writing, enactment, and more.

Peter Lyon General Contractor, Inc. Peter Lyon

1610 Dell Avenue, Suite D, Campbell, CA 95008 408.871.8665 | peterlyon.com Award winning residential remodeling firm, serving discerning Santa Clara County homeowners for over 32 years. Personalized customer service, combined with sustainable and healthy design, yield unique remodeling experiences.

*Certified Bay Area Green Business

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7291 Coronado Drive #1, San Jose, CA 95129 408.761.2679 | qiworks.net

At Qiworks we are dedicated to instilling wellness into your being while enhancing your vital energy through Qigong and bodywork. Qigong is an ancient, potent, Chinese Medicine. Call and mention this ad and receive a free Qi evaluation.

The Alexander Technique Barbara Maloney

408.356.0234 | barbaramaloney.com Recover the natural postural support that allows you to release tension, improve breathing, relieve pain and do what you do with more skill and ease. Lessons are enjoyable, relaxing, and interesting. Barbara has 20 years experience helping people of all abilities.

Improve Your Language Skills Debbie Wachsberg

408.393.3726 | debbiewachsberg@gmail.com I can help you tackle American English language skills and dramatically improve your pronunciation and help remove obstacles that stand in the way of smooth, fluid, and articulate speech. Over 20 years experience. Private lessons, small group classes and tutoring.

ecoweddings

PLEASE JOIN EUCALYPTUS FOR THE JANUARY 2010 ISSUE

Showcase your green wedding services in the only Bay Area magazine dedicated to eco-living.

To advertise with us, call 408.335.4778

Reserve your advertising space in the January 2010 Eucalyptus today!

Brides-to-be and wedding planners are looking for you.

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130 billion

disposable North Americans use coffee cups per year. Making those cups destroys 50 million trees and uses 33 billion gallons of water. Adding to the problem, one person insulating his or her cup with one disposable coffee sleeve per day creates 5.5 pounds of garbage per year, not including the cup. Shun the paper cup and the sleeve.

Bring your own reusable mug to your favorite coffee house.

Coffee is a tropical export that is produced almost exclusively in the developing world, but consumed mostly in wealthier nations. One out of every five cups of coffee worldwide is sipped in the United States. On average, U.S. coffee drinkers consume 3.5 cups a day per person. To get your fix and still be earth-friendly, insist that your cup o’ joe is shade-grown (good for wildlife), organic (no pesticides), and fair trade (assures a fair price to the farmer). BY steve scheifer

10%

Advertisers’ Index

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cup o' crack

Coffee grows on approximately 10% of the earth’s surface. The amount of coffee traded internationally is second only to the amount of crude oil. Brazil exports the most.

“Barista speak” for a regular coffee topped with a shot of espresso. Also known as Dead Man Walking or Depth Charge.

Cowboy coffee

Kopi Luwak:

No filters needed. is made by steeping ground coffee directly in hot water, then straining the grounds through eggshells or a clean sock.

The tree canopy under which shade coffee is grown provides a refuge for birds that have lost habitat due to rainforest destruction. As many as 150 species of birds are found on shade coffee farms. In full-sun coffee plantations, the species count is reduced by half.

American Heart Association Aqui Cal-Mex Grill Arta Vakhshoori, D.D.S. B Corporation Babycoo Barbara Maloney Bikram Yoga San Jose Calafia Café California Baby Claire Adalyn Wright, MFT Confidence Landscaping, Inc. CoolEatz Restaurants and Catering Debbie Wachsberg Deborah Hayes Classical Homeopathy Decor Outdoor Living & More Dr. Charles Goodman, Chiropractor Dr. Douglas Larson, D.D.S. Dr. Inna Davydova, D.D.S.

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The largest retailer of coffee by the cup is Dunkin’ Donuts—over one billion cups per year in its 6,000 locations in 30 countries.

e11even salon & boutique Eating with the Seasons Eulipia Restaurant & Bar Frank Schiavo Solar Home Design Healing the Zebra Healing With Prema HLD Group Landscape Architecture Icing on the Cake Los Gatos Health and Fitness Oak Meadow Dental Center Peter G. Shutts Architect Peter Lyon General Contractor, Inc. Planet Orange Qiworks—Return to Balance Rayna Lumbard, LMFT REC Solar San Francisco Herb & Natural Food Co. Santana Row

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Sources: worldwatch.org, coffeefacts.com, cocoajava.com, pbs.org, coffeeresearch.org

culture

shade grown

tidbits

coffee

˙

Coffee beans that are gathered from the droppings of a small tree-dwelling cat called the palm civet. The cat eats the ripest coffee berries, which pass through its digestive tract, undergoing chemical changes. Kopi Luwak sells for about $200 per pound.

Schurra’s Fine Confections Silicon Valley Preventative Medicine Spring Training Stewart & Soss Stirling Properties SunWize Technologies Tarragon The Spa—Los Gatos Tomato Thyme Vedyia Wellness Center Vegetarian House Village California Bistro Wente Vineyards Wild Bird Center of Los Gatos William H. Fry Construction Company Yoga Fitness Iyengar Tradition Yogic Beauty Yogic Medicine Institute

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