Eucalyptus Magazine, January 2010

bay area Life Vibrant Health Eco-Livingâ€

january 2010 FREE

eucalyptusmagazine.com

green weddings plus reiki healing financial fitness fermented foods capitola getaway sustainable jewelry

January 2010

On the Cover

26 All of the eco-details you need for a green wedding

8 11 12 15 16 19 21 22

Health: Paved Bike Paths Small Steps: Financial Fitness Healing Foods: Fermentation Fever Path to Wellness: Reiki Sandbox Talk: Eczema and Dry Skin Grown Local: Thomas Farm Living Smart: Take-out Containers Staycation: Capitola

29 Sustainable jewelry

In Every Issue

32 Gorgeous gowns for the big day

3 4 7 37 40

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

25 Green Weddings Plan your earth-friendly wedding with our guide Photo by Kyle Chesser eucalyptus nebulosa fruits, james wood

Departments

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.

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.

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

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

EUCALYPTUS Michaela Marek Publisher and Founder publisher@eucalyptusmagazine.com EDITORIAL Editor Ann Marie Brown Contributing Writers Lisa Francesca Jessica Iclisoy Shannon Johnson Elizabeth Kang Jennifer Moscatello Allison Shea Malone Steve Scheifer Laura Wasserman Marlene Zobayan 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 ADVERTISING SALES Director of Sales Jan Rowe Account Executives Cari Ralstin Larry Tringali Laurel Tringali Cynthia Wehr CONTACT 15559 Union Avenue, Suite 215 Los Gatos, CA 95032 Phone 866.797.6570, Fax 408.877.7303 info@eucalyptusmagazine.com EucalyptusMagazine.com Subscription rate $24.00 per year Advertising rates on request Volume 1, Issue 7

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ALYPTU UC LOCALLY & OWNED D PRODUCE MA G INE AZ

2 | January 2010

Š2010 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 December 2000

my husband and I took a trip to Las Vegas. As we are walking on the Strip, he turned to me and said: “Do you want to get married today?” After quite an interesting conversation, I agreed, but under one condition: We would have a “real” wedding sometime in the future and I would get to wear a wedding dress. So on that day, we got married at a drive-through wedding chapel—the same one as Elvis Presley.

Nine years have passed, and we haven’t held our “real” wedding yet. Now we are waiting until all of our children are born, so we can do it together as a family. But when the time comes, I will definitely plan a green wedding, so we can have fun and be gentle on the environment, too.

What is a green wedding? In planning this issue, I learned that a green wedding is often measured by the amount of waste it generates. You can have eco-party favors, a sustainable wedding ring, a vintage dress, and reused vases filled with organic flowers, but one of the most important impacts of a wedding is the amount of trash created. This reminds me that I need to think about waste more often. Can something be reused? Donated?

Composted? Recycled? It is so simple to implement small changes to reduce trash, such as designating a recycling bin at your office or setting up a small container for compostable items.

As always, I hope this issue brings you more awareness about topics that might otherwise miss your radar. Please let us know how we are doing, as our goal is to produce a magazine that you will love to read and that will inspire you to take action. May 2010 bring health, happiness and prosperity to you. We hope to see you at our networking event on January 12; see page 39 for details.

kyle chesser

Cheers!

Michaela Marek Publisher and Founder EUCALYPTUSMAGAZINE.COM | 3

upcoming events

calendar

Friday, January 8 / 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Become a Nature Volunteer in Local Schools Environmental Volunteers South Bay Office, San Jose evols.org / 408.244.2449

Saturday, January 9 / 9 a.m. to 12 noon Salt Pond Restoration at Ravenswood Pond Dumbarton Bridge west end, Menlo Park savesfbay.org / 510.452.9261

Tuesday, January 12 / 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Eucalyptus Magazine Networking Event Harrell Remodeling Design Center, Mountain View eucalyptusmagazine.com / 408.335.4778

Tuesday, January 12 / 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Sustainable Vegetable Gardening: six-week course Palo Alto High School, Palo Alto mastergardeners.org / 650.329.3752

Wednesday, January 14 / 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Public Workshop on San Jose’s Master Bike Plan Alum Rock Youth Center, San Jose sanjoseca.gov/transportation / 408.975.3206

4 | January 2010

Saturday, January 16 / 12 noon to 4 p.m.

Convert Your Lawn to Native Landscape Workshop Foothills Park, Palo Alto acterra.org / 650.962.9876

Wednesday, January 20 / 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Silicon Valley Green Drinks: Green Business Networking MacArthur Park Restaurant, Palo Alto greendrinks.org / 650.321.9990

Wednesday, January 20 / 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Public Workshop on San Jose’s Master Bike Plan Southside Community Center, San Jose sanjoseca.gov/transportation / 408.975.3206

Monday, January 25 / 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Sustainable Landscape Gardening: five-week course Fremont High School, Sunnyvale mastergardeners.org / 408.522.2700

Saturday, January 30 / 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Free E-Waste Recycling Event 1023 Corporation Way, Palo Alto conexions.org/events / 650.938.9300

Supported by:

Los Angeles goes

January 22-24 • LA Convention Center Fri. (B2B only) 10am - 5pm • Sat. 10am - 6pm • Sunday: 10am - 5pm $10 General admission • Free admission for business buyers & trade professionals

Media Sponsor:

LA’s LARGEST Eco-Friendly Tradeshow for both Business Buyers & Consumers!

Over 250 booths & exhibits Eco Food & Wine Tastings Panel Discussions & Green Marketplace Networking Opportunities & more Grow your green business!

Contact Bradford Rand 212.655.4505 ext. 223 or BRand@GoGreenExpo.com

Presentations by Eco-Celebrities: Ed. Begley, Jr., Mariel Hemingway, Eric Corey Freed & Jen Boulden (founder of Ideal Bite)

50% off online ticket price! Use promo code: EUCALYPTUS

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Partial list of sponsors:

6 | January 2010

stuff we like

Vim and Vinegar

Nab a neti pot Neti pot cleansing is an ancient yogic tradition used for clearing the nasal passages.

The pots are great for cold and flu season and any time you want clear breathing for yoga. The Baraka neti pot is available at Whole Foods ($17, sinussupport.com).

Distilled vinegar is one of the most versatile products you can have in your home. Plus, it’s friendly to the environment and downright cheap to buy. Vinegar is great for cleaning the fridge, killing weeds, eliminating hard water stains, preserving cut flowers, discouraging ants, and all kinds of other stuff you might not think of until you visit vinegartips.com.

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

Put the lime in the…

The New York Times is calling coconut water the new trend among young hipsters. The drink, which is made from the juice of young coconuts, is touted as a healthful alternative to sports drinks because of its natural electrolytes and lower sugar content. Vita Coco and O.N.E. make flavored varieties like açai and pomegranate. Available at Whole Foods ($1-$2 for 11.2 ounces).

Local raw goodness

Olfactory delight

Freeland Foods, located in Mountain View, makes snack bars that are raw, organic, and sprouted. Eucalyptus staff are addicted to their Go Raw Bars, like the Banana Bread Flax Bar and the Spirulina Energy Bar. Available at Whole Foods ($2-$3, goraw.com).

Across the bay in Alameda, Juniper Ridge makes aromatic soaps, sachets, incense, and teas from wild native foliage like Douglas fir, huckleberries, Western juniper, and white sage. The company responsibly harvests the aromatic ingredients, packages them simply in eco-friendly fashion, and then donates 10 percent of their profits to defending Western wilderness. Try their white sage and wild mint tea ($7 for 20 tea bags), or their California bay laurel or coastal sage soap ($6), available at Whole Foods, Berkeley Bowl, and Alameda Marketplace or at juniperridge.com.

Sobering If you haven’t seen it, take 20 minutes to watch Annie Leonard’s documentary “The Story of Stuff.” It might make you rethink your purchasing habits. Check it out at storyofstuff.com.

EUCALYPTUSMAGAZINE.COM | 7

health

easy rider Aerobic pleasures on local bike paths /// by Ann Marie Brown

The Los Gatos Creek Trail in Vasona Lake County Park

Los Gatos Creek Trail For a family outing that includes plenty of options for your kids besides just fresh air and a bike ride, head to Vasona Lake County Park. The park features a section of the nine-mile-long Los Gatos Creek Trail, plus a miniature train, carousel, and children's play area. Ride north from the park for 4.6 miles to Blackford Elementary School near the Campbell/San Jose border or, for a more scenic trip, ride south to downtown Los 8 | January 2010

Gatos and beyond to Lexington Reservoir.

Heading south, skinny-tire riders will have to turn around at Los Gatos’ Forbes Flour Mill, making a six-mile round-trip, but mountain bikers can continue for another couple miles on dirt to the top of the dam at Lexington Reservoir—a healthy climb.

Info: 408.355.2200, parkhere.org

Coyote Creek Trail If you’re looking for a high-mileage ride, head south of San Jose to the Coyote Creek Trail, where you can pedal nearly 30 miles round-trip on a smooth, paved path. The trail travels 14.7 level miles from Coyote Hellyer County Park, home of the only velodrome in Northern California, south to Anderson Lake County Park. This rolling stretch of trail makes it easy to crank out some fast miles without concern over car traffic or trail junctions. Just stick to the main path and ignore the numerous side bridges over Coyote Creek, which access San Jose neighborhoods. You'll have to put up with the steady hum of road noise from

nearby U.S. 101 and Monterey Highway, but you'll also enjoy the fine companionship of shady sycamores, cottonwoods, and live oaks along Coyote Creek, plus occasional scrub jays and ground squirrels.

Info: 408.355.2200, parkhere.org

Sawyer Camp Recreation Trail It’s hard to find a parking place near the Sawyer Camp Recreation Trail on sunny days, but it’s not without good reason. The paved six-mile trail travels the length of Lower Crystal Springs Reservoir, then leads through marshlands to San Andreas Lake and slightly beyond to Hillcrest Boulevard in Millbrae. Deer and other wildlife are commonly seen along this scenic, view-filled path. A highlight is the Jepson laurel tree, the oldest and largest living California laurel at more than 600 years old. Near San Andreas Lake’s dam, a plaque on a boulder notes that this spot was Captain Gaspar de Portola’s first camp after his discovery of San Francisco Bay on November 4, 1769.

Info: 650.363.4020, eparks.net.

victoria alexander

The region

surrounding San Jose may go down in history as the focal point of the dot-com boom and bust, but those who see it from the seat of a bicycle know it for its rolling inland hills, acres of farming lands, and soothing wealth of open spaces.

These three South Bay and Peninsula rides are relatively flat, blissfully free of car traffic, and suitable for any kind of rider on any kind of bike, from a $100 beach cruiser to the latest carbon fiber frame. Pump up your tires, saddle up, and prepare to feel the wind in your hair.

EUCALYPTUSMAGAZINE.COM | 9

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 10 | January 2010

small steps

financial fitness Becoming more fiscally responsible /// by Shannon Johnson

michael bladeras/istockphoto

It is true

that a penny saved is a penny earned, and pennies earning interest can quickly morph into dollars. Start your year off right by taking these small steps to tighten your financial belt, and plug up the leaks that are siphoning away your hard-earned green.

1. Come up with a budget. Take last month’s statements and add up how much you spent on certain line items—food, entertainment, rent/mortgage, transportation, etc. Now analyze where you could feasibly cut back on your expenses. The goal is to allocate more money to savings, which experts say should represent at least 10 percent of your net pay.

2. Adopt a “less is more” lifestyle. We live in a society where we are constantly bombarded by advertising. On television, on the radio, even on the Internet, someone is constantly telling us to “buy more.” Think about everything you buy and determine if it is a want or a need. Limit yourself to no more than one “want” purchase per week. This might mean brewing coffee at home, checking out movies at your local library instead of purchasing them, and mending clothes and fixing broken items in your home instead of buying new ones.

3. Reduce your food costs. Meal planning helps you stay on track when you are shopping and prevents unnecessary purchases. Also, try buying the majority

of your vegetables and fruits from farmers’ markets, which often have lower prices and higher quality than grocery stores. Another way to significantly reduce food costs is to eat out no more than once a week.

4. Reduce your energy consumption. Have your power company perform a free energy audit of your home; it’s a great way to find problem areas that could be resulting in higher electricity usage. Other ways to reduce your energy bills are washing clothes in cold water, switching out your regular light bulbs for CFLs, using a clothesline to dry your clothes, utilizing a power strip for your electronics and turning it off when you leave for the day or go to bed at night, and lowering your thermostat by a few degrees.

5. Curtail the retail. For almost any purchase you can make in the store, you can probably find a better deal online, especially since many businesses offer online-only specials. Also, online browsing is a good way to find the best bargain without driving all over town and wasting gas.

6. Ditch the credit and dash for cash. Studies have shown that when we pay with cash, we tend to spend less. It’s nearly impossible to be in denial about our spending habits when we watch a wad of cash disappear from our wallets.

EUCALYPTUSMAGAZINE.COM | 11

fermentation fever

Sauerkraut and kimchee are the new health foods /// by Elizabeth Kang

Spicy kimchee

, stinky cheese, pickled sauerkraut, protein-rich kefir, sour pickles, and earthy miso: These century-old foods, eaten all around the globe, have more in common than their pronounced flavor and preserved quality. They’re alive with good-for-you bacteria, created through the process of fermentation.

Fermentation occurs when friendly bacteria break down carbohydrates in anaerobic (airtight) conditions. These bacteria change the chemistry of the 12 | January 2010

food—many say for the better. While at least one type of fermented or cultured food has been consumed for centuries by just about every culture in the world, many Americans are just now catching on to the benefits of fermentation.

In his book Wild Fermentation, author Sandor Ellix Katz discusses the history of fermented foods, which were once a much larger part of human diets. Because the fermentation process preserves food for long periods of time, people ate them on a regular basis without realizing the beneficial chemistry behind them.

“Fermentation organisms produce alcohol, lactic acid, and acetic acid—all ‘bio-preservatives’ that retain nutrients and prevent spoilage,” Katz writes.

Live bacteria, such as Lactobacilli, which are present in cultured dairy products like kefir and yogurt, aid in the fermentation process to break down these foods so they are more easily digested. They are also nutrientrich. According to Katz, “As they go through their life cycles, microbial cultures create B vitamins, including folic acid, riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, and biotin.”

Besides the vast nutritional advantages, fermented foods taste good. The robust and complex flavors found in these foods make them addictive. Fans of Korean food would never forgo a side of kimchee with their dinner. Those who can’t eat a hot dog without sauerkraut heaped on top are dedicated converts to fermented food.

Santa Cruz-based Farmhouse Culture makes fresh, raw, organic sauerkraut the old-fashioned way— fermented—without the aid of vinegar brine, sugar, or sulfites. Unlike most commercially produced sauerkraut, theirs is unpasteurized, keeping gut-friendly bacteria alive, and retaining nutrients. Owner and kraut maker Kathryn Lukas says she became interested in making sauerkraut after she first tried it in Germany, where she owned a restaurant.

“I learned how to ferment at a natural chef program several years ago here in Santa Cruz. I am interested in traditional methods of preserving a region’s seasonal abundance, and fermentation is the oldest and most nutrient-dense method of preservation,” Lukas says.

Lukas sells her uniquely flavored sauerkrauts, such as apple-fennel and smoked jalapeño, at the Campbell, Sunnyvale, and Palo Alto Farmers’ Markets, among others (see her website at farmhouseculture.com).

You don’t have to be a creative trained chef to make fermented food at home. In fact, it’s quite easy and inexpensive. All you need are some airtight glass containers, a starter culture, some raw ingredients, and a little patience. A number of online resources can get you started: lucyskitchenshop.com Lucy’s Kitchen Shop sells yogurt starters and yogurt makers. leeners.com This site is chock full of homemade starter kits for sourdough bread, root beer and ginger beer, pickles, hard cider, cheese, and more. biosupply.com A great source for Harsch brand fermentation crocks and other useful accessories.

victoria alexander

healing foods

Kathryn Lukas of Farmhouse Culture dishes up the kraut.

EUCALYPTUSMAGAZINE.COM | 13

14 | January 2010

path to wellness

reiki

A holistic way to heal /// by Laura Wasserman

In today’s hectic

world, it’s easy to succumb to stress and ailments, which is why many people have turned to a Japanese technique of holistic stress relief and healing called Reiki. The word Reiki is derived from two Japanese words: “Rei” which means “higher power,” and “Ki” which translates to “life force energy.” In a typical treatment session, a Reiki Master places his or her hands on the client’s body in a series of positions, often near the head, shoulders, back, abdomen, and feet. This hands-on treatment promotes spiritual and physical wellness and the release of ailments through the channeling of positive energy.

According to the International Center for Reiki Training, Reiki offers a practice of natural healing and is an organic way to combat the effects of many illnesses— from problems such as insomnia and minor pains like headaches or stomachaches, to more serious condi-

tions such as arthritis, cancer, and the side effects of chemotherapy. Reiki is an alternative to conventional medical treatments and reawakens your body’s inherent healing strength. Reiki Master Michael Santos, of San Jose’s Innerqiworks Healing Arts Center, says, “Reiki is applied through the practitioner’s hands, which are placed over major organs and glands to aid the body in restoring its natural energy flow, and stimulate the healing process.” The Reiki practitioner’s touch balances the “life force energy” within troubled areas, encouraging them to heal.

A common response clients express after a Reiki treatment is a deep feeling of comfort and relaxation. Santos compares the feeling of Reiki therapy to the sensation of heat, or “pins and needles”—not unlike the feeling of moving a limb after it has gone numb or “fallen asleep.”

How often should you receive treatments? Santos says, “There is no set number of recommended treatments. Successive treatments are helpful if there is a specific ailment a person is trying to overcome.” He notes that regular treatments help the body maintain balance and health, but once the body has been introduced to Reiki, or when a specific ailment is overcome, treatments can be shorter and spaced farther apart over time.

The Usui system of Reiki was founded by Dr. Mikao Usui sometime after 1914, and was introduced in the West in 1938. Reiki is now practiced in many parts of the world including Europe, New Zealand, Australia, India, and South America.

Over time, the practice of Reiki has split into various factions and techniques, some of which don’t remain true to historical practices. To find a registered practitioner who uses authentic Reiki therapy techniques, consult the International Association of Reiki Professionals, iarp.org. You can search for professional practitioners in your area and Reiki Masters who offer classes and workshops designed to teach Reiki therapy to others.

EUCALYPTUSMAGAZINE.COM | 15

sandbox talk

natural habits that heal dry skin

Six easy ways to relieve eczema /// by Jessica Iclisoy

Daily cleansing

and moisturizing is an essential part of caring for your skin. But for those who suffer from extremely dry skin or eczema, a relaxing bath or a soothing, warm shower can turn into a dry and itchy affair.

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a common skin condition marked by itching, redness, and scaly patches. It is very common in babies, usually appearing on the face, chest, back, arms, or legs during the first six months of life, and can last throughout childhood. Unfortunately, many children outgrow eczema only to have it reappear in adulthood. The condition can be difficult to deal with, but there are many treatment options. Just by making a few simple lifestyle changes, you can get back on the path to baby-soft skin.

16 | January 2010

Check your water Bathing in chlorinated tap water strips the skin of its natural oils and can

cause itching and scaling—not what you want when you’re already battling dry skin. Using a shower filter to remove chlorine can be helpful in preventing further irritation.

Beat the heat Keep your thermostat on the cool side, which will save energy as well as your skin. High indoor heat saps moisture from the air. Also, lower the temperature of your bath water. Eczema has a tendency to flare up as the temperature rises.

Choose gentle cleansers Harsh cleansers strip skin of its natural oils, leaving it unprotected from the elements and more susceptible to irritants and dryness. Instead, soap up with a non-sulfate cleanser, preferably one made without allergy-triggering synthetic fragrances.

Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize When your child steps out of the shower or tub, don’t towel off those magical, moisturizing water droplets. Trap them next to the skin with lotion, a super-rich cream, or high-oleic vegetable oil.

Watch what you eat Since eczema is caused by a reaction in the immune system, certain foods—especially tropical fruits such as mangos and pineapples—can cause flare-ups. Check with your doctor or dermatologist first and then try an elimination diet to pinpoint the culprit.

Know the secret ingredient Calendula! This wonder flower is helpful in treating a whole host of skin issues, including eczema, rosacea, sunburn, and just plain old dry skin. Try growing this easy annual plant in your garden and using the flowers to make a homemade tea for the bath. Put five or six flower tops in a muslin tea bag and drop into a teacup. Fill the cup with hot water and let steep for 20 minutes. Then simply pour the tea into a temperate bath. Score: Mother Nature: 1, Hydrocortisone: 0!

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EUCALYPTUSMAGAZINE.COM | 17

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grown local

a family affair A visit to the Thomas Farm in Aptos /// by Allison Shea Malone

victoria alexander

Hidden in the

fertile hills of Aptos is a handmade sign that reads “Thomas Farm.” It leads passersby to the family farm of Jerry and Jean Thomas, who live in a small home filled with photos of their two young grandchildren.

Together with their son and daughter-in-law, they earn their living by raising organic flowers, apples, and other crops on their 11 acres.

Thomas Farm’s flowers and produce are sold at eight local farmers’ markets from Monterey to San Francisco, including the Campbell Farmers’ Market. In order to achieve their certified organic rating, the family uses organic fertilizers and natural composts; sprays only minimally and with accepted organic, sulfur-based sprays; and plants cover crops of mixed grasses and grains during the off-season to bring carbon and nitrogen to the nitrogen-deficient soil.

Jerry and Jean Thomas at home on the farm.

EUCALYPTUSMAGAZINE.COM | 19

“We were an organic production when we first began,” Jerry explains. “That was when organics really took off after the 1970 Firthday, the first Earth Day, and there was significant interest in it.”

The Thomas family moved to rural Santa Cruz County in 1970 from the bustling Los Angeles area. “We were tired of commuting and all the traffic,” says Jean. “So we lived in Seacliff Beach for nine months.… Jerry loved farming, and so on the little plot at Seacliff Beach he had squash growing in the front, and we had rabbits and ducks in the backyard. And we had this glassed-in front porch where we had tomatoes growing in coffee cans. Jerry also planted the vacant lot next door, which wasn’t our landlord’s and wasn’t his. So it was time to move. It was obvious he wanted a farm.”

“When we got here in ’71, I think it would be best to describe us as ‘back-to-landers’ because we wanted to raise our children in a rural setting. We wanted to have animals and not be confined by the space they would be occupying,” says Jerry.

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A Thomas Farm apple basks in the Aptos sunshine.

Some animals came with the property. A family of peacocks, whose descendents still live on the farm, were included in the deed to their home. So was the apple orchard.

“We became apple farmers sort of by default,” Jerry explains.

“Now we grow a huge variety of things.... The main things that we are doing now are what are called ‘specialty cut flowers.’ [In the winter] we grow a tremendous number of tulips, iris, ranunculus, anemones, and frost-hearty, short-lived perennials. We will start harvesting our spring flowers usually the first week of January.”

Jerry and Jean have been active in the Santa Cruz community since they first moved to the area. Jerry began the Live Oak Farmers’ Market in the 1970s and was also the founding member of the California Certified Organic Farmers, which he says is “the most prestigious of the organic certified organizations, certainly in California.”

The couple is now enjoying retirement while their son Josh is in charge of the farm and his wife Kari runs the business side. Josh says he doesn’t mind having his dad looking over his shoulder. “It’s a pretty nice setup, actually,” he says. “In an operation like ours where it is so diverse, a lot of questions do arise, so it’s really nice to have a resource walking around.”

victoria alexander

Northern California’s Largest & Most Spectacular Wedding Event!

January 9 & 10 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Santa Clara Convention Center

Cutting out polystyrene /// by Marlene Zobayan

Take a walk

anywhere near a populated area of the South Bay and you’re likely to come across one of our most problematic polluters: polystyrene take-out containers. Like plastic bags, uncountable numbers of these long-lasting containers are literally blowing in the wind around San Francisco Bay. Although attempts are being made to ban these pervasive plastics on a statewide level, for now, it’s up to city governments to put an end to the clutter.

In July of 2009, a California bill that would have placed a statewide ban on polystyrene and other non-recyclable, disposable food containers was shelved for a year due to concerns about the impact it would have on California’s economy. If passed, it would have made California the first state to ban the use of polystyrene for restaurant disposables.

Even though the statewide ban has been shelved, over 30 California cities and counties, including San Francisco and Oakland, have banned the use of polystyrene take-out food containers. They have followed the lead of Berkeley, which in 1990 was the first city in the nation to enact such a ban.

Polystyrene, more commonly known as styrofoam, is a petroleum-based plastic made from the styrene monomer. Polystyrene is the second most common type of beach debris in California and it comprises 15 percent of street litter. No one is sure how long it takes to decompose, but polystyrene foam is known to break up into pieces, which can choke animals and clog their digestive systems. While proponents state that it is possible to recycle polystyrene, it is not a "closed loop" process. This means that polystyrene cups are not remanufactured into cups, but into other products, such as packing filler. New resources are then used to produce more polystyrene cups.

Concerns about polystyrene are more than just environmental. Styrene, a chemical in polystyrene, is a known animal carcinogen, and a human neurotoxin (a toxin that acts on nerve cells). It migrates easily into food and beverages when foam containers are heated or come into contact with acids like lemon juice and fats or oils.

The bottom line: If you take out food from a restaurant, make sure that it comes in a recycled or compostable green-certified container, not one made of polystyrene.

Marlene Zobayan is the founder of ConsumerChange.com, a website that enables consumers to advocate green-business practices to retailers. They have just released an iPhone app to allow consumers to report the use of disposable polystyrene food containers.

what you can do

christine glade/istockphoto

n Support restaurants certified by

Some Bay Area cities and counties have banned polystyrene take-out food containers.

the Green Restaurant Association.

They are required to use nonpolystyrene containers, which are usually made from 100% recycled paper or compostable materials.

Find green-certified restaurants at dinegreen.com. n Encourage other restaurants to stop using polystyrene take-out food containers. If they want to go green but don’t know how, direct them to dinegreen.com or consumerchange.com. n Get into the habit of carrying your own travel mug and water bottle to eliminate the need for disposable cups in coffee shops and restaurants. n Ask your city leaders to pass laws banning polystyrene take-out food containers. If San Francisco, Oakland, and Berkeley can do it, so can the cities of the South Bay. EUCALYPTUSMAGAZINE.COM | 21

living smart

the new plastic surgery

staycation

capitola cool

Shadowbrook Restaurant

New Brighton State Beach

Gayle's Bakery and Rosticceria

Inn at Depot Hill

Historic wharf and Venetian Court Hotel

San Jose

Capitola Santa Cruz

mo

n t e r e y b ay

A

Aptos

Monterey San Jose

Four miles southeast of Santa Cruz, but psychologically a world apart, lies the charming seaside town of Capitola. A throwback to a more genteel era when late 19th century travelers came by train to spend their holidays, Capitola is notoriously crowded in summer but nearly deserted in winter. January is perfect for wandering the town’s rows of terra-cotta-colored storefronts, strolling the white sands of Capitola Beach, and meandering along the Soquel Creek footpath. /// by Ann Marie Brown

STAY Housed in the 1901 railroad station, the Inn at Depot Hill offers 12 guest rooms, each with its own motif inspired by romantic international locales (Delft, Stratford-on-Avon, Paris, Portofino).

Bathrooms have double showers or tubs, so two isn’t necessarily a crowd. 831.462.3376 or 800.572.2632, innatdepothill.com MUNCH Beckoning the throng at Gayle’s Bakery and Rosticceria

victoria alexander

are the aromas drifting in from the ovens—the siren call of a schnecken ring smothered in walnuts and the fruity lure of olallieberry pie. For some hearty nutrition, try the spit-roasted meats, soups, and salads. 831.462.1200, gaylesbakery.com

gardens, then choose from a formal meal in one of the main rooms or a lighter entree in the 1940s-era lounge. 831.475.1222, shadowbrook-capitola.com CAMP At New Brighton State Beach, 111 campsites are perched on

the coastal bluffs, amply shaded by Monterey pines, cypress, and eucalyptus. For a taste of luxury, flush toilets and coin-operated showers are available. This stretch of coast was once called China Cove, after the Chinese fishermen who built a village here in the 1870s. 831.464.6330 or 800.444.7275, santacruzstateparks.org TOUR Pick up a Historical Walking Tour Map at the Capitola Histori-

DINE When dining at Shadowbrook Restaurant, getting there

is half the fun. A cable car ferries patrons downhill from the parking lot to the creekside dining room. Arrive while it’s still daylight to admire the ferns, waterfalls, and stone walkways in the

cal Museum, a tiny cottage filled with historic photographs, 1920s swimsuits, and antique fishing gear. Then follow the map: explore the galleries and shops that line the beachfront Esplanade and take in the view from the historic wharf. 831.464.0322, capitolamuseum.org EUCALYPTUSMAGAZINE.COM | 23

ROMANTIC VINEYARD SETTING GOURMET MENUS

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ARROYO ROAD , LIVERMORE VALLEY , CA ,

24 | January 2010

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PERSONAL COORDINATOR

ESTATE GROWN WINES

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WENTEVINEYARDS . COM

Green

Our Guide to

Weddings all the eco-details sustainable jewelry gorgeous gowns

26 29 32

EUCALYPTUSMAGAZINE.COM | 25

Green Wedding Say “I Do” to a

by Lisa F rancesca 26 | January 2010

Organic flowers are one way to express your ecofriendly values.

this page: luciexyz photography; opposite page, clockwise from top left: heart studios; joey cobbs; corey hendrickson; heart studios; luciexyz photography

It’s official: You’re engaged! Now it's time to plan in earnest. Weddings and receptions are some of the most rewarding events to create because you can showcase your personality and values while manifesting the dreams you may have had since childhood. The Bay Area is home to so many ecologically and socially responsible vendors that it is easy to make choices that are gentler on our environment.

What a thoughtful way to step forward into your new married life.

Gowns made from hemp and silk blends are readily available.

Whether you rent or buy, the goal is to have each dress be worn more than once.

Invitations printed on seed-embedded stationery send a sustainable message.

love that kind of flower, but if it is not in season or local, I’ll choose something else.’”

She also observes more caterers volunteering for green certification. Live Green, Live Smart is one organization that creates and freely shares standards for the emerging green wedding industry.

Emeryville-based caterer Paula LeDuc became certified through the Bay Area Green Business program. Her website details the guidelines she has vigorously adopted in order to execute “events with lasting memories that do not have a lasting impact on our planet.” For example, she recently created wedding favors that were small pots of fig preserves made with figs from her own garden.

Outdoor weddings ZahZoom Weddings offers a useful blog have a fun, casual Creative boutonnieres can by executive coordinator Nelle Donaldson, flair and save energy. be made out of paper. who keeps an eye on the latest green ideas.

Donaldson says her green weddings Event planner Stacy McCain has noticed eco-consciousness “incorporate the practices of reducing waste, reusing products, and pervading all elements of wedding planning. These days her clients using recycled products. We consciously contribute to a more are asking how to manage carbon offsets based on the number of sustainable economy by buying fair trade/local goods and services, guests flying in from out of town. Visiting guests are likely to find a and we are mindful toward human rights and the environment.” welcome basket from the bride and groom, packaged in a reusable Planning on your own? The Knot, a favorite wedding site for tote and filled with local fruits, savories, and a water bottle monomany, has more than 50 tips for green weddings, including choosgrammed with the couple’s initials and wedding date. ing soy candles and Prius limos (theknot.com). Holding your “There’s a growing respect for resources,” says McCain. “As we wedding outside, if it makes seasonal sense, could save on air plan the reception, brides are likely to say, ‘I’d like wines from the conditioning. Having the wedding and reception in one place Santa Cruz region; what do you have with organic grapes?’ or, ‘I eliminates the bulk of fuel emissions.

EUCALYPTUSMAGAZINE.COM | 27

Small jars of jam or preserves make memorable wedding favors.

Wedding cakes can be made with organic ingredients from local vendors.

Soy candles are a green choice for table decorations.

Opinions are divided on the eco-friendly practice of sending organically grown blooms, check out California Organic Flowers. electronic invitations and maps to the wedding or reception site.

This company grows most of their certified organic goods on their Going the electronic route means you can update information as Terra Bella Farm in Chico. Other creative options for the bouquet needed, and your guests can carry the driving directions on their include using silk flowers, which will last forever, or tiny potted cell phones. However, some members of your family may not be as plants, such as moss and blossoms carried in an eggshell lined with plugged in as others, and traditionalists often feel strongly that an just enough earth to survive the event. The bride who chooses to e-vite is just too informal for a wedding. go completely flowerless could carry a delicate bouquet of paper Most everyone agrees that thank-you cards are always better cranes or vintage lace handkerchiefs. handwritten on paper. Stationery is readily available made from After the ceremony, the party begins. Your eco-consciousness recycled paper or bamboo or hemp fibers. Paper Source in Palo can be reflected in your reception’s table cards and centerpieces.

Alto and San Jose’s Santana Row offers a swatch book of several One couple used recycled glass tiles for table escorts, while another proprietary papers, most of which are recycled and chlorine-free bride formed rivers of blue and green recycled glass pebbles, which (paper-source.com). Birch Fine Paper in Los Altos offers a couple “flowed” down each table as a graceful, informal centerpiece. of eco-friendly wedding lines created by Petaluma press, Dauphine.

Guests were able to play with the pretty stones over dinner and These papers are from 100 percent recovered cotton, a byproduct take a handful home with them. of the textile process (birchfinepaper.com).

Wedding favors are another area where your green values can be For some brides, the wedding dress is a great symbol for displaying expressed. Local chocolates and packets of wildflower seeds make a eco-friendly values (see our wedding gown guide on page 32). One sweet, hopeful packet. A socially responsible option is to select bride wore a hemp silk dress; another happened on a beautiful cream three or four nonprofit organizations, then represent each charity evening gown given away through her local chapter of Freecycle with a basket and a written description. Each guest receives a token (freecycle.org). She made sure there were plenty of wedding photos with their name on it, and tosses their token into the basket of their showing her gown, then she donated the choice. The wedding couple makes free dress to another worthy cause. donations to each charity based on Bay Area Green Wedding Coordinators Grooms and groomsmen can easily rent how many names are in each basket. paulaleduc.com tuxes, and bridesmaids will be eternally When it comes time to cut the stacymccain.com grateful if they are allowed black or navy wedding cake, Campbell’s Satura zahzoom.com cocktail dresses in the style of their Cakes specializes in yummy concocclementineecoevents.com choice, which they can always wear again. tions made with high-quality, organic gorgeousandgreenevents.com If your local florist doesn’t already ingredients from local vendors have vendors that provide sustainable or (saturacakes.com).

28 | January 2010

clockwise from top left: luciexyz photography; joey cobbs; luciexyz photography; heart studios

A bridal bouquet made of silk flowers or lace handkerchiefs will last forever.

Jewelry collection from C5 Company

responsible luxury

kyle chesser

Unless you’re a movie star or a celebrity athlete, you’ll probably make only a few big jewelry purchases in your lifetime. An engagement, a commemorative anniversary, or the birthday of someone very special—these are the occasions that send us to the jewelry store to ponder the merits of clarity, color, and cut.

But what if that dazzling diamond has helped to fund civil wars in Africa, destroying the lives of thousands of people? What if mining the gold to make that wedding band produced multiple tons of waste, laced with arsenic and lead?

For the consumer who cares about sustainability, buying jewelry means navigating a minefield of environmental and social problems, including toxic pollution, hazardous working conditions, child labor, and the displacement of indigenous peoples.

“In the United States, metal mining is the single largest toxic polluter. Metal mining is responsible for 96 percent of arsenic emissions in our country,” says jewelry designer Meghan Connolly Haupt. “A single gold ring results in 20 to 30 tons of mine waste, on average. A single diamond results in 100 tons of mine waste.”

Haupt’s East Bay jewelry business, C5 Company, specializes in creating sustainable jewelry made from recycled metals and gems that are mined with minimal social and environmental impact. Haupt is part of a growing industry that has gained momentum as consumers become more aware of the impacts of their purchases.

by ann marie brown EUCALYPTUSMAGAZINE.COM | 29

30 | January 2010

Loose gems from C5 Company

WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING JEWELRY n Buy recycled or vintage gold and gems. n Ask your local jewelry store to tell you

the source of the gold and gems they sell. This will encourage them to offer more environmentally sound and socially just alternatives. n Consider alternatives to diamonds and

sapphires, which are often affiliated with political struggles. Less rare gemstones like rose quartz, chalcedony, peridot, and fire opal are more likely to be conflictfree. Haupt’s C5 Company also sells an ethically sourced gem called zultanite, which is mined solely in Turkey by a socially responsible corporation. n Buy lab-created gemstones, especially

diamonds and sapphires.

Silver bangles from Sulusso Sustainable Jewelry

the stone in his backyard usually gets pennies for it,” says Haupt.

The environmental toll from gemstone and metals mining is readily apparent. In the United States, the world’s largest open pit mine is found in Bingham Canyon, Utah. Producing copper, gold, silver, and molybdenum, the mine measures one mile deep and two-and-a-half miles across. This massive scar on the landscape—a vast hole in the ground—is easily visible from outer space. In Papua, New Guinea, a single gold mine generates 200,000 tons of waste per day, more than all of the cities in Japan, Canada, and Australia combined.

Fortunately, jewelry buyers can make responsible choices. Purchasing “ethically sourced” gemstones and responsibly mined or recycled metals makes it possible to wear jewelry you can feel good about.

Ethically sourced gems are those that are mined from the earth in a minimally invasive manner, and which can be traced through all stages of their lifetime—from their origins in the ground to cutting, polishing, and the market where they are finally sold.

Unfortunately, there is no universally accepted standard for trace- ability of gemstones. In 2003, an international diamond certification scheme known as the Kimberley Process was initiated in South Africa, with the intent of allowing only “conflict-free” diamonds to be internationally traded. Without any enforcement besides self-regulation, the process has been only marginally effective. According to the ConflictFree Diamond Council, to be truly “conflict-free,” a diamond must be mined, cut, and polished in the same region without crossing any national borders; it must be laser-engraved with a serial number, then scanned and recorded in a confidential, centralized database; and it must pass through a stringent monitoring system in its travels from the mine to the diamond factory. Additionally, all facilities where the diamond is mined, cut, and polished must adhere to global labor laws, ensuring that a fair wage is paid to all workers.

Because stones change hands so many times in their travels from the

kyle chesser

“Most of us will go out of our way to buy organic food, a hybrid vehicle, or solar energy, but few people know about the importance of sustainable jewelry. The social and environmental impacts of metal and gem mining are enormous,” says Haupt.

The 2006 film Blood Diamond starring Leonardo DiCaprio has been largely responsible for educating the public about the social implications of gemstone mining, particularly in Africa. The film depicted the large role that mining companies and jewelry traders were playing in sustaining the bloodshed and conflicts in Sierra Leone, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The film has spawned a marketing gimmick: Since its debut, almost every major jeweler now sells diamonds labeled as “conflict-free.”

But Haupt says, “It’s not verified in most cases. There is no proof.”

“The movie Blood Diamond helped to raise awareness of a single aspect of the problems of the jewelry business—diamonds that are sold to fund armed conflict and illegitimate regimes. But the movie doesn’t talk about a multitude of other problems— destruction of habitat, pollution of air and water systems, and the way women and children are treated in the mine business,” says Haupt.

Haupt points to the social costs of gem mining in countries like Cambodia and Brazil, where mining communities survive at or below the poverty threshold. Because the miners export the rough, uncut gemstones they mine to other countries for cutting and polishing, their communities receive little compensation for their role in the high-dollar gem business.

Despite possessing high-value commodities, many mining communities rarely develop beyond the subsistence level.

“From the time it leaves the ground to the time it reaches the market, a diamond increases in value every step of the way. The processes of cutting and polishing are very important, because they greatly increase the value of a rough gem from the mine. By the time it gets to market, a diamond may be worth $5,000. But the person who mined

top row courtesy green karat; bottom row courtesy brilliant earth

mine to the market, their life story can be very difficult to trace. Some diamond retailers attempt to skirt this problem by purchasing diamonds only from Canada, stating that Canadian diamonds are free of the ethical concerns related to African diamonds. Canada is now the third-largest diamond-producing nation in the world. Still, there are serious threats posed by Canadian diamond exploration and mining.

“Consumers have gravitated toward Canadian diamonds because they think they are automatically conflict-free,” says Haupt. “That might be true, but if you are sending [the diamonds] to Africa and India for cutting and polishing, you don’t know what is going on there. Plus, in Canada there is a lot of concern about the indigenous people who have been marginalized in the process of bringing in diamond mining on their native lands.”

Another source of ethically sourced gems are those that are grown in a laboratory. Lab-grown gems include sapphires, rubies, emeralds, alexandrites, and diamonds that are manufactured through a scientific process that replicates nature. These are not “imitation” baubles, like cubic zirconia, but actual gemstones that are identical to, and sometimes more perfect than, their mined counterparts.

“There are only about a half-dozen diamond labs in the world. You won’t save money by buying labgrown, but you can be certain that these diamonds are conflict-free and environmentally responsible,” says Haupt.

Grassroots organizations are taking a stand for raising the standards of the jewelry industry.

Groups such as No Dirty Gold, Earthwatch, the Conflict Free Diamond Council, and Global Witness have done much to publicize the problems related to metals and gemstone mining and processing. To read more about the complicated issues surrounding gold and gemstone mining, visit nodirtygold.org, conflictfreediamonds.org, earthworksaction.org, or globalwitness.org.

Top row: wedding designs from Green Karat. Bottom row: ethically sourced diamonds from Brilliant Earth.

While mainstream jewelers are better known to most consumers— mostly due to a constant assault of television and radio ads—a few sustainable jewelry companies have found a niche with customers who are concerned about the impacts of their purchases. Meghan Haupt’s C5 Company (C5company.com) is one of a relatively small group that also includes: Green Karat in Houston, Texas sells jewelry made of recycled gold, silver, platinum, and titanium along with unaltered and/or synthetic diamonds. The primary metal in every Green Karat design is recycled, and its gems are either created or recycled. Their recycled gold comes from a variety of sources, but most often it is the reincarnation of old jewelry that has sat idle for years in someone’s dresser drawer—a broken necklace, the one remaining earring from a pair, or an old high school class ring. To help shoppers offset the price of purchasing recycled jewelry, Green Karat credits buyers who turn over their own “old gold” with 80 to 100 percent of its market value (greenkarat.com).

Based in San Francisco, Brilliant Earth is one of the largest of the sustainable jewelry retailers. Its reclaimed metals

come from numerous post-consumer sources, including existing jewelry, industrial-use metals, and electronics components. Every piece the company casts is made with 100 percent recycled and re-refined precious metals. They, too, will gladly accept trade-ins of old gold and platinum from shoppers who buy from their store or website. The company sells primarily diamonds from Canada and colored gemstones, which they believe have been ethically sourced. Brilliant Earth donates five percent of its profits to directly benefit African communities that have been harmed by the diamond industry (brilliantearth.com).

Precious Earth Fine Jewelry in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, creates jewelry using only 100 percent recycled metals and conflict-free diamonds from Namibia. The company’s signature is a small green stone that is embedded in every piece of its jewelry. The green gemstone is an imperial chrome diopside, responsibly mined in the frozen lands of northeastern Siberia (preciousearthjewelry.com).

Sulusso Sustainable Jewelry is an online marketplace that features independent eco-jewelry designers. If you are looking for a one-of-a-kind piece, this is a good place to find it (sulusso.com).

EUCALYPTUSMAGAZINE.COM | 31

32 | January 2010

Artist Credit

1940s wedding dress with tulle netting and a satin bow

1930s form-fitting wedding dress made with layers of silk chiffon

Here Comes the Bride Many brides dream about walking down the aisle in a gown that elicits adoration and awe.

But is that gown as ecologically responsible as you are? Being true to your ideals while wearing a fabulous “green� wedding dress is easier than ever. Eco-oriented gowns are available to suit all kinds of brides, whether their style is elegant, modern, casual, or romantic. Whatever your taste, budget, or body type, you can find an eco-friendly wedding dress that will marry your fantasies and your values.

by J ennifer M oscatello x photography by kyle chesser EUCALYPTUSMAGAZINE.COM | 33

Green Designers

More eco-friendly designers

As consumers embrace environmentally conscious lifestyles, wedding dress designers are stepping up to accommodate them.

Brides now have an array of sustainable fabrics to choose from.

Designer Adele Wechsler creates romantic gowns for her “ecocouture collection” from vegetable-dyed silks, and incorporates fabric remnants into their designs to cut down on material waste.

Design firm Olivia Luca offers affordable, custom-designed gowns with fabric options including fair-trade, hand-woven, silk organza; organic cotton sateen; and a lustrous hemp and silk charmeuse blend—proving that you don’t have to sacrifice luxury to be ecofriendly. You pick the design elements—fabric, bodice style, neckline, and skirt shape and length—and Olivia Luca creates the dress of your dreams. Even if you don’t buy the dress, it’s fun just to get on the website and play designer for an hour or so.

Adele Wechsler’s Eco-Couture Collection $1,500 to $4,000 at Marina Morrison Bridal Salon, San Francisco; 415.984.9360; adelewechsler.com or marinamorrison.com Olivia Luca $500 to $1,000 for custom-designed dresses; 503.753.2787; olivialuca.com

nicolelenzen.com Based in New York, Nicole Lenzen (aka “The Lady in Green”) offers modern, unique eco-gowns ready to wear or can create a custom gown just for you. jessicaiverson.com This designer offers traditional gowns constructed in accordance with fair trade and labor practices, primarily made from organic hempsilk satin, a blend of silk and hemp. naturalbridals.com This Atlanta designer showcases chic gowns infused with Southern charm and crafted with sustainable fabrics; 5 percent of their profits are donated to environmental causes. leanimal.com Leanne Marshall, winner of the fifth season of the TV reality series Project Runway, designs modern, romantic eco-gowns with an emphasis on architectural interest. puridee.com Puridee boasts floaty, ethereal gowns made from “peace silks,” which are spun from the cocoons of silkworms that are allowed to live out their full life cycle.

34 | January 2010

Used and Vintage Dresses If you can do without the elegant dressing rooms and the fuss, you may be able to find your perfect gown and save a bit of cash by

gowns courtesy park place vintage, san jose, parkplacevintage.com; location courtesy willow glen home and garden, San Jose, willowglenhomeandgarden.com

1950s off-theshoulder summer wedding dress made of cotton batiste with appliquéd details

buying used or vintage. The first place to look is in your photo albums. Do any relatives or friends have gowns you covet? They may be thrilled to lend you their dress for your special day. If their gowns don’t quite rival your vision, visit local thrift stores, or browse through eBay, Craigslist, and Freecycle.

Robin Densten, owner of Recapture, a Berkeley boutique that specializes in reconstituting vintage gowns to suit modern brides, says, “There’s a growing number of people who are interested in the re-using aspect of vintage gowns. With vintage, you have 10 decades of different styles to choose from, so you can find something that fits your unique style.”

If your taste runs to designer gowns like Monique Lhuillier, Vera Wang, and Carolina Herrera, check out encorebridal.com, oncewed.com, and PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com. These are online boutiques that offer gently worn couture at discount prices, which will satisfy your need to be green and keep your wallet fat at the same time. Be sure to have your measurements handy, as sizing can differ dramatically from one designer to another. Or check out these Bay Area shops that sell vintage gowns: San Jose’s Park Place Vintage has handmade and custom dresses from the 1920s to the 1960s priced from $100 to $700.

Make a special request to see the wedding gowns; many are boxed and tucked away for safekeeping. 1318 Lincoln Ave., San Jose; 408.294.9893; parkplacevintage.com Berkeley’s Recapture offers a selection of vintage gowns that the shop restyles to complement the bride’s figure and personal preference—modifying necklines, sleeves, etc.—to create a vintage gown with modern design elements. Dresses are priced from $450 to $1,500. Alterations and redesigning prices range from $200 to $500.

1807 University Ave., Berkeley; 510.530.5828; recapturedesigns.com Berkeley’s Lacis Museum of Lace and Textiles offers vintage wedding dresses from the 1890s to the 1970s. Most are from 1900 to 1910. Specialties include Chantilly, Venice, and re-embroidered Alençon laces. Dresses range from $75 to $2,000. 2982 Adeline St., Berkeley; 510.843.7290; lacis.com

Beaded purses and hand-crocheted gloves from the 1930s to 1950s complete the vintage look.

Web sources for vintage dresses

Rental Gowns

vintagevixen.com A good selection of vintage gowns that have never been worn, many priced under $500. poshgirlvintage.com A stylish array of quality vintage gowns dating mostly to the 1950s and 1960s. cherishedbride.com Vintage restored gowns from the 1930s to 1960s, plus accessories to complete the look. thefrock.com Impeccably maintained, expensive couture and designer vintage gowns. vintagewedding.com Moderately priced vintage and Victorian gowns, veils, jewelry, and shoes.

Since you are only going to wear your dress for one day, renting is also an option. You can outfit your whole bridal party—bride, groom, bridesmaids, groomsmen—at Phuong Trinh Bridal and Tuxedo Rental. A typical gown, veil, and accessories rent for about $250, and that includes alterations and cleaning. 1207 E. Santa Clara St., San Jose; 408.292.1008

Vintage Accessories Once you’ve found the dress, you’ll need to accessorize. For gorgeous vintage shoes, handbags, and jewelry, head to It’s a Girl Thing. 860 Willow St., San Jose; 408.287.7288; itsagirlthinginc.com

Handmade Gowns Are you vying for a spot on Project Runway? If you’re skilled with your sewing machine or know a dressmaker whose creations delight you, consider purchasing your own sustainable fabrics—hemp, silk, organic cotton, or vintage lace—and have your dress made. You can find gown patterns online or work with your tailor to create your own unique look. Erin Algeo, shop manager of Lacis in Berkeley, says, “I love when someone comes in and buys old fabric and brings it to a seamstress to have their dress made.” As vintage fabrics can be very delicate, be sure to choose a tailor who has experience working with fragile materials.

Happily Ever After Whatever dress you choose, it’s bound to be wrapped up with wonderful memories of your wedding day. While some brides elect to box up their freshly laundered gowns indefinitely, consider giving it new life by reselling your dress or donating it to a local nonprofit.

You’ll make some room in your closet and help out others at the same time. Some nonprofits, such as Brides Against Breast Cancer, use the proceeds from the sale of wedding gowns to assist families in need. With a life-affirming decision like this, no bride will lament the fact that her beautiful gown was only enjoyed for a single day.

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 | January 2010

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

Bikram Yoga San Jose Michele Vennard

5289-A Prospect Road, San Jose, CA 95129 408.255.9910 | bikramyogasanjose.com

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

With 40 classes each week and certified Bikram Yoga instructors, our friendly, comfortable, and casual studio is a welcoming place for you to learn yoga, get started on a new health regime, or continue to improve your Bikram Yoga practice.

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

Healing With Prema

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

Prema Sastry

408.406.8197 | premarpan@gmail.com

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.

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.

New Breath of Life

Emanate Design of Interiors

America Santa Anna

6122 Camino Verde Dr., Ste. 14, San Jose, CA 95119 408.226.6400 | newbreathoflife.com Are you experiencing gas, bloating, indigestion, constipation, and are you tired all the time? I can help you restore your optimal health by removing toxins from your body via a variety of methods including herbs, diet, colon hydrotherapy, and others. Call today for a complimentary consultation.

162 Los Gatos-Saratoga Rd., Los Gatos, CA 95030 408.354.0995 | emanatedesign.com

We are a unique design studio specializing in sustainable and toxin-free materials. We design and sell locally made, sustainable custom cabinetry. We also supply ecologically responsible flooring, wall, and countertop materials, and we provide complete interior plans for remodels and new construction.

*Certified Bay Area Green Business

EUCALYPTUSMAGAZINE.COM | 37

Classical Homeopathy

Deborah Hayes CCH RSHom(NA) MBRCP(H) CCHH 2672 Bayshore Parkway, Suite 810, Mountain View, CA 94043 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 15 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, 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.

Garage 1 Auto SUBARU SPECIALISTS

1630 Almaden Road San Jose, CA 95125 (408) 298-9994 www.garage1auto.com

Family owned and operated since 2001 Independent Subaru workshop Complete preventative maintenance We accept extended warranties People love us on Yelp!

Expert diagnostics and repair services

It’s Hip to Clip With great resources for living well and several hundred coupons from the greatest local businesses, EcoMetro Metro Guide is like a smart, devoted friend, cheering out that, Yes, you can live a healthy lifestyle on your budget.

New 2010 EcoMetro Metro Guide available at Silicon Valley/Santa Cruz area retailers and at ecometro.com

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While we are sleeping, when we are away from home, and even if we just turn our backs, our appliances are greedily sucking energy from the electric grid and money from our wallets—even when they are turned off. Our electric bills are increased by 20 percent on average due to “phantom energy” used by our electronic devices’ standby mode, which powers their remote controls, rechargeable batteries, and glowing clock displays. BY steve scheifer

©

Cut the cordless

Cordless phones with rechargeable batteries keep using energy even after the battery is charged, requiring 2-3 watts in both active and standby modes.

Simple fix: Replace one or more of your cordless phones with the old-fashioned, corded variety.

The average home has two TVs, three cordless telephones, and a DVD player. If these energystealing items were replaced with “Energy Star” qualified models, we could prevent over 25 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to that of more than two million cars.

Advertisers’ Index

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275 million

There are about TVs currently in use in the U.S., consuming over 50 billion kilowatt-hours of energy each year. This is enough electricity to power all the homes in the state of New York for an entire year. When in standby mode, a large plasma TV can cost a household as much as $75 per year in energy costs.

5

%

Standby mode consumes 5 percent of all residential energy use in the United States. To stop this needless waste, plug related devices, like your TV, DVD player, and DVR—or your computer, monitor, and printer—into a single power strip. Turn off the strip when not in use. (But keep cable boxes and Internet modems turned on 24/7 to avoid connection loss.)

American Heart Association Aqui Cal-Mex Grill Arta Vakhshoori, D.D.S. Babycoo Barbara Maloney Bikram Yoga San Jose California Baby Claire Adalyn Wright, MFT Conexions 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. e11even salon & boutique

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kill-a-watt Measure the energy consumption of your household appliances—while turned on or off—with this nifty device.

Any Santa Clara County resident with a public library card can borrow (for free) a Kill-A-Watt Meter from Evergreen, West Valley, and Dr. Roberto Cruz/Alum Rock libraries for up to three weeks.

Sources: svenergywatch.org, sierraclub.org, energystar.gov, standby.lbl.gov

tidbits

energyPsuck

energy vampires

The term refers to external power adaptors, which have two teeth (plugs) that suck electricity around the clock. These “little black cubes” are crucial to the operation of almost all small electronic devices—iPod chargers, inkjet printers, digital cameras, laptop computers, and cordless phones. They convert high-voltage AC electricity from the wall outlet to low-voltage DC power. Approximately 1.5 billion adapters are in use in the U.S.—about five per person.

Eating with the Seasons EcoMetro Guide Elegant Events Catering Frank Schiavo Solar Home Design Garage 1 Auto Go Green Expo Hands On Photography Harrell Remodeling, Inc. Healing the Zebra Arts Center Healing With Prema HLD Group Landscape Architecture Icing on the Cake Los Gatos Health and Fitness New Breath of Life Oak Meadow Dental Center Peter G. Shutts Architect

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Peter Lyon General Contractor, Inc. Qiworks—Return to Balance REC Solar San Francisco Herb & Natural Food Co. Schurra's Fine Confections Silicon Valley Preventative Medicine Supreme Court 1 Athletic Club SunWize Technologies Tarragon Tomato Thyme Vedyia Wellness Center Vegetarian House Watercourse Way Wedding Faire Wente Vineyards Yoga Fitness Iyengar Tradition

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