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DECISIVE

速

The Best Source for Cultural and Consumer News

Winter 2010

Great Ideas For Living

Green!

Our Experts Help You Save Money By: > Watching Television Over The Internet > Choosing Energy Efficient Appliances > Living Larger In Small Homes

Get Your Subscription to Decisive Digital at www.decisivemagazine.com

Star Safety

™

for All

The Star Safety System is standard on every new Toyota vehicle. The Star Safety System is a combination of five safety features designed for one purpose: to help keep the driver in control at all times. The longest lasting vehicles on the road* keep getting better. Learn more at toyota.com

Options shown. *Based on R.L. Polk & Co. U.S. Vehicles in Operation registration statistics for full-line manufactures MY 1990-2010, as of January 1, 2010. Š 2010 Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

publisher’s page

more than a color

green is a new way of life The Green Economy, initiated by President Obama, is one of the fastest growing sectors of the overall

American economy.

It has stimulated job growth and promises to protect the environment, elevate new energy sources, and improve fuel efficiency. Because of the President’s initiative, Congress has appropriated billions of dollars of funding to stimulate research and development in clean and renewable energy projects, weatherization, drinking water, and advanced vehicle technology.

As a result, there is a shortage of trained workers for the jobs the initiative has created.

The next step toward driving success in these areas is making more workers aware of the opportunities.

Keeping you abreast of the vast potential the Green economy represents becomes more vital every day.

While this issue of Decisive ostensibly guides you through the myriad of choices you need to make to take advantage of Green technologies to improve your lives, behind each article is an industry in need of fresh, new minds.

As you know, ours is a multimedia, multiplatform approach. So in addition to this publication and our Website, DecisiveMagazine.com, we’re taking

this show on the road to enlighten people about the broad array of new environmentally oriented career opportunities, in addition to Green vehicles and lifestyles. Our Green Car & Technology Exhibit will be touring soon with our Green Career workshop for people of color around the country.

Caring for the environment—something we can all believe in—has always been an innate part of our culture. The mainstream perception that African Americans are not motivated by environmental concerns is contrary to our history. Even the most cursory anthropological studies show ours is a culture grounded in respect for the environment.

Indeed, the African-American liberation flag, as well as the flags of most African, and Black Caribbean nations incorporate the color green to symbolize our love for and respect of the Earth. Further, many prominent African Americans have long embraced environmental advocacy—even while addressing other pressing social issues.

Here at Decisive, we know living environmentally aware is important to the continuance of our way of life. With our coverage of the subject, we aim to ensure our pioneers, technological breakthroughs, and business opportunities in this emerging field are promoted and publicized. The United States are once again reinventing themselves. A huge piece of the success of the President’s initiative depends upon educating multicultural America. After all, people of color are nicely positioned to drive the new Green economy. Count on us to do our part to make sure you have the best information available to help you do so.

Randi Payton Publisher & President Decisive Media, LLC

winter 2010 | www.DecisiveMagazine.com

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DECISIVE

®

The Best Source for Cultural and Consumer News Volume 2 | Issue 4 | winter 2010

Publisher: Randi Payton Editor-in-Chief: Lyndon Conrad Bell.

green feature stories

Editorial Director: Joyce Gates Art Director: Fran Sherman

04 06

Editors-at-Large: Mary M. Chapman, Christopher Jackson, Valerie Menard Senior Editors: Warren Brown, Brian Armstead contributing writers: Sheryll Alexander, Tasha Reiko Brown, Lori Downes, Gayle Fleming, Wendy Ida, Chris Mendoza, Joanne Tucker Multimedia Manager: Thuan Ngo decisive Media Headquarters: 8201 Corporate Drive ,Suite 500 Landover, MD 20785 T. 301,850.2858 • F. 301.390.9144

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President & CEO: Randi Payton Vice President: Karen Payton Production/Distribution: Joyce Gates Business Manager: Damon Redmond Sales Director: Karen Payton

Smaller Homes Can Be Bigger The days of the Super-size-me Mc Mansion Hummer Houses are gone. New space efficient floor plans permit comfortable living while consuming fewer natural resources and saving money.

Find Cold Cash In Your Refrigerator Less is indeed more. These new appliances use less energy while working more effectively. These tips will help you find the best combination of size and capacity for your particular needs.

Close The Door On High Utility Bills An oft-overlooked aspect of insulating a home is choosing the proper doors and windows for where you live. These guidelines will help you find the best solution for your region of the country.

National Account Manager: Leonard Corbin Multimedia Marketing: Richard Baron

departments:

Event Director: Rosiland Triché Content Specialist: David Payton DECISIVE magazine © 2010 is published four times annually as a newspaper-delivered publication and digital e-magazine by Decisive Multi-Media, Inc. Your complete resource for research and opinion on consumer products and services.

Visit us at www.DecisiveMag.com, email us at: Comments@DecisiveMag.com.

For licensing and reprints of Decisive/Decisive Auto content, contact Nick Iademarco at Wright’s Media, Niademarco@wrightsmedia.com, Toll Free 877-652-5295

Membership applied for October 2010

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Index to Advertisers Cover II: Toyota — Toyota.com Page 3: Lincoln — Lincoln.com Page 20: Decisive Digital — Decisive.com

10 Money 12 Entertainment 14 Beauty/ Personal Care 16 Health/Fitness 18 Travel

Subscribe to Decisive Digital at www.DecisiveMagazine.com

The new 2011 Lincoln MKX with exclusive MyLincoln Touch™ technology.

With MyLincoln Touch™ technology,* push-button start, leather heated and cooled seating, ambient lighting, Vista Roof™ and voice-activated technology. All a touch away.

Some features may be locked out while the vehicle is in gear.

*Driving while distracted can result in loss of vehicle control. Only use mobile phones/MyLincoln Touch™/other devices when it is safe to do so.

Standard Intelligent Access with push-button start. Lincoln MKX has 10-way power heated and cooled front seats and available heated rear seats.

Available ambient interior lighting and illuminated front-door scuff plates. Available panoramic all-glass Vista Roof™ with dual power sunshades.

TOUCH ME ALL OVER

homelife

large living

Peppermint Chocolate Candy

in less space

Smaller And More Spacious Can Go Together Written by Gayle Fleming, EcoBroker

Thankfully, the days of Super-Size Me McMansion Hummer Homes are coming to a close. The housing trend that began in the 1990’s toward larger and larger houses for smaller and smaller families is at last showing signs of reversing itself.

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What people really want is a feeling of spaciousness, not necessarily humongous square footage.

The average American home swelled from 983 square feet in 1950 to 2,349 square feet in 2004. According to census data, the average household size in 1950 was 3.37 people giving each household member 292 square feet person. By 2006, the average household was 2.61 people and the average square feet of a home had jumped to 2,349, giving each family member a whopping 900 square feet.

Before the housing bust, people were buying the biggest houses a lender would finance, regardless of whether they needed or could afford it. While keeping up with the Joneses has long been a time-honored tradition in the US, a positive twist of this economic climate is that people are now thinking twice before trying to buy ostentatious mini-mansions. In addition to the new economic realities, this downsizing also reflects a greater consciousness about how large our ecological footprint is, or should be.

Smaller home consume fewer natural resources.

What people really want is a feeling of spaciousness, not necessarily humongous square footage. And that can be readily accomplished with open and flowing floor plans. A plan that has the kitchen opening into a family room or great room achieves this handily. The formal living room, for today’s lifestyles, has gone the way of the pocket calculator. These days, that space is better used for a library, office, or spare bedroom. Yes, that kitchen has lots of counter space and maybe even an island, but

even that isn’t so much a reflection of size as it is functionality.

Now, I’m not saying there’s no justification for bigger homes. More people work at home now, so they need an office. Relatives often live hundreds or thousands of miles away, so space is needed to accommodate family visits. But this doesn’t have to translate into thousands of seldom-used square feet. For example, that former living room that’s now an office can house a pull out sofa or futon to become a guest room as needed. Since most of us use laptops and tablet computers now, a temporary office can be relocated to the kitchen desk area or on an extended countertop.

The key is to look at a prospective home from the standpoint of higher performance in terms of space usage and efficiency rather than more square feet. After all, a spaceefficient home is good for both the wallet and this fragile planet we share with seven billion other people.d D

winter 2010 | www.DecisiveMagazine.com

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technology

personal technology

Cold Cash In Your Refrigerator?

Energy Efficient Appliances Shopping Tips Written by Lori Downes

After your home and your car, typically the next largest purchases you will make are the appliances that populate our home. These devices are typically the most voracious energy consumers in your home as well. Buying newer, more energy efficient large appliances such as dishwashers, refrigerators and clothes washers will save you a bundle in the long run.

Typically though, they cost a bit more than standard appliances, however they will pay for themselves in energy savings. To make sure you get the right appliances for you and your family, start by following these four easy steps when shopping.

1. Look for the Energy Star Logo This is pretty easy. Either a product has been awarded this rating or it hasn’t.

The Energy Star rating is for products that have met strict energy efficient guidelines and will save energy and money. For more detail on the program, go to EnergyStar.gov. You’ll find the Energy Star symbol on the product itself or on the product description.

When in doubt, ask a sales person.

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2. Buy the Correct Size Bigger isn’t always better. There’s no need to get an industrial sized refrigerator if you never have any food to put in it. On the other hand, overstuffed washers and refrigerators don’t work as well or as efficiently so you don’t want ones that are too small either. Most appliances, large and small, come in a variety of sizes so you should be able to find what you want. Check online as well as in stores especially if you’re looking for a specialty size. Stores tend to carry only the most popular sizes and styles so if you don’t see what you want, ask or check online.

3. Consider Energy Saving Features It’s easy to get carried away with features.

Some are just for fun and others can help you save energy. Of course, the more features, the higher the price tag. Here are just a few energy saving features that might be right for you and your family.

• Clothes washer settings that allow you to do smaller loads without wasting hot water.

• Energy saving drying cycles on dishwashers and clothes dryers.

• Refrigerator door alarms that tell you when the door has been left open.

4. Compare Products Once you’ve narrowed down your top choices, it helps to compare them. In addition to the initial price, consider warranties, features and most important, overall energy usage. Most larger appliances displayed in stores have a handy Energy Guide card that gives basic energy usage for each product, whether it’s considered energy efficient or not. If you don’t see one, ask a salesperson to get you one. Often people take the cards or they fall off, etc.

Every household has its own distinct needs when it comes to appliances. It’s very important to consider your own particular situation. What’s best for your neighbors may not be good for you. Follow these steps when shopping and you’ll be on your way to choosing the most energy saving products for your situation.

Lori Downes writes for www.MakeYourHomeEnergyEfficient. com, a free website providing information for homeowners and renters on all sorts of Energy Efficient products and home improvements.

You can also find more energy saving tips at DecisiveMagazine.com.d D

winter 2010 | www.DecisiveMagazine.com

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greenlife

close the doors on

heatingbills These Doors And Windows

Save Money

Improving the energy efficiency of your home can save you money, keep you warmer in winter, cooler in summer, and reduce the amount of natural resources your home consumes. One of the easiest and most effective ways to improve the energy efficiency of your home is to update your doors, windows and skylights.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy have teamed to form the Energy Star Program to help you make better purchase decisions for energy related home products.

Every Energy Star qualified window, door, and skylight has been

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tested to ensure it performs at levels meeting or exceeding energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. EPA. Of course, a country as vast as ours has many different climate zones, so what works in one part of the country, might not be so effective in other parts of the country.

At our Website (www.decisivemagazine.com), you’ll find a link to help you determine your Energy Star climate zone. You’ll also find a link to retailers of Energy Star qualified windows, doors and skylights in your area.

When shopping, check the Energy Star label for your climate zone to make sure the product you are considering qualifies

in your area.

When you’re ordering in a showroom, Ask for Energy Star products that qualify in your climate zone. You can also choose Energy Star qualified windows in a variety of framing materials to suit your needs.

In addition to the long-term energy savings you’ll enjoy, there are financial incentives that lower your initial investment. Many utilities provide financial incentives for purchasing Energy Star qualified windows, doors, and skylights.

You can find a list of participating utilities at the DecisiveMagazine.com Website, as well as local rebates and other promotions in your area.

Keep in mind that the cost of complete window replacement for the average home is $7,500-$10,000. When you’re interviewing contractors, ask them to break down the price quote by labor and materials. Energy Star qualified windows may cost more than non-qualified products, but the labor involved should be comparable for both. While it may seem somewhat of an expensive undertaking, you will save money in the long run, in addition to being more comfortable in your home, year around.d D

winter 2010 | www.DecisiveMagazine.com

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money

9tipsgreen

for renters

Even if you rent your home or apartment, there are a number of things you can do to make your place more efficient without involving your landlord.

These tips from the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency will show you how to save energy, money, and reduce global warming.

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Make sure all air registers are clear of furniture so that air can circulate freely. If your home has radiators, place heat-resistant reflectors between radiators and walls. In the winter, this will help heat the room instead of the wall.

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During cold weather, take advantage of the sun’s warmth by keeping drapes open during daylight hours. To keep out the heat of the summer sun, close window shades and drapes in warm weather.

1 2 3 4

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Install compact fluorescent light bulbs and remember to always turn off your lights when leaving a room. Turning off just one 60-watt incandescent bulb that would otherwise burn eight hours a day can save about $15 per year.

Save water by scraping dishes instead of rinsing them before loading in the dishwasher. Run your dishwasher with a full load and use the air-dry option if available.

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Get a programmable thermostat and set it to automatically adjust your home’s temperature settings when you’re away or sleeping. When used properly, a programmable thermostat can save up to $150 a year in energy costs.

Wash your laundry with cold water whenever possible. To save water, try to wash full loads or, if you must wash a partial load, reduce the level of water appropriately.

Depending on the clothes and local water quality (hardness), you can effectively do laundry exclusively with cold water, using cold water laundry detergents. Switching to cold water can save more than $40 annually with an electric water heater, and more than $30 annually with a gas water heater. Meanwhile, washing only full loads can save more than 3,400 gallons of water each year.

Consumer electronics account for 15 percent of household electricity use and many consumer electronics products use energy even when switched off. Unplug battery chargers or power adapters when not in use (like your cell phone charger!). Use a remote controlled power strip as a central “turn off” point when you are done using equipment.

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Don’t over dry your clothes. If your dryer has a moisture sensor that will automatically turn the machine off when clothes are done, use it to avoid over drying. Remember to clean the lint trap before every load. Dry full loads, or reduce drying time for partial loads.

Ten-minute showers use less water than a full bath. With a 2.5 gallon-per-minute (low-flow) showerhead, you’ll use about 25 gallons of water, saving you five gallons of water over a typical bath. A new showerhead also will save energy — up to $145 each year on electricity — beating out both the bath and an old-fashioned showerhead.

Find more tips at Decisivemagazine.com.d

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winter 2010 | www.DecisiveMagazine.com

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entertainment

internet

tv

finally comes of age

Written by Lyndon Conrad Bell.

Of all the changes over the past year in the entertainment space, probably the one with the most significant impact for consumers is the coming of age of Internet television. At last the promise of You Tube is being fulfilled with devices from companies like Apple, BoxeeBox, Logitech and Roku that allow you to stream television content from the ‘Net directly into your television set.

Another remarkable development of the past year is the rise of Netflix as an online video content delivery service. With more movies than you’ll ever be able to watch in your lifetime, along with a broad selection of television shows both old and new, Netflix is poised to make cable all but obsolete for people who don’t care about television news and/or sports.

Netflix of course, relies on one of these new generation of Internet TV boxes that enable you to download viewing content from the web.

However, keep your eye on this space, as another recent development has more and more new television sets coming to market with this capability built in. (We’ll cover those in the spring issue of Decisive). However for those of you who just sprung for a HD set or even one of those new 3D sets and it isn’t Internet capable, one of these boxes will suit you just fine.

Apple TV ($99; Apple.com) lets you watch Netflix, plus it works hand in hand with Apple AirPlay to let you stream pictures and video to any Apple device you have in your home, including iPad, iPhone, iPod touch and your computers. This box is in its second generation now and represents a substantial improvement over its predecessor.

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BoxeeBox ($199; Boxee.tv) comes with a two-sided remote that has the BoxeeBox controls on one side and a keyboard on the other to permit Web surfing. Capable of decoding any video format, BoxeeBox is probably the most versatile device here. In addition to Netflix, it is also capable of accessing Hulu.com, which Apple TV cannot do.

Logitech Revue ($300; Logitech.com) will let you access any content you find on the web, turning your big screen into an Internet ready device. Based on the Google TV platform, the Revue has a full keyboard and touch pad. It also features picturein-picture so you can keep an eye on two media sources simultaneously.

Roku ($99; Roku.com) gives you access to You Tube, Vimeo, Netflix, Amazon Video on Demand, and Hulu Plus, all in HD. With Hulu Plus, you get current shows from every network (except CBS). It also interfaces nicely with the Netflix service, permitting you to queue up you favorite movies without using a computer. Probably the best value here, Roku is the box Decisive recommends, for shoppers currently considering one of the se devices.d D

winter 2010 | www.DecisiveMagazine.com

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beauty

be

the

ecochic!

Written by Tasha Reiko Brown

Ladies, you can now be as beautiful as you want to be and do your part to preserve Earth’s natural resources—at the same time. Just as we’re paying more attention to what we put into our bodies, we need to be aware of what we put on our bodies as well. There are tons of new ‘green’ beauty products on the market that let you be eco-chic while still achieving that high-end look you’re used to getting from your favorite products.

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Sensitive skin, in particular, benefits from switching to a green moisturizer. My favorite green moisturizer and beauty do-it-all is Argan oil. Widely available—but sorely underused—from face to body and hair, Argan oil lives up to its ‘liquid gold’ moniker. It absorbs weightlessly on the face, provides a nice sheen on the body, smoothes flyaways, and tames dry split ends. A magic fixer upper for all over, Argan oil is available in everything from Josie Maran Cosmetics to Kiehl’s new Argan-infused lip balm products.

Did you know most foundation is rich in toxins and parabens?

This is why you should consider a mineral makeup instead. The mineral color range has expanded considerably and also been perfected to match every skin tone and type. I like Bare Minerals for its range and customizing options. You can add shimmer or keep it matte as needed. Plus, being a mineral powder, it doesn’t sink into—or irritate skin the way conventional formulas do.

Wallet’s a bit light but you have the urge to purge all those phthalates? Drugstore brands like L’Oreal are also offering mineral substitutes. They’re a great way to shake up your beauty routine, while trying exciting new formulas and products.

The misconception about environmentally friendly cosmetics is that by using them, you’re trading your conscience for pigments.

These days, most major brands are trying to embrace your global green goddess with products to meet your ecological concerns. Major brands like Tarte and Urban Decay for example, are both known for their pack-a-punch pigments. Yet Urban Decay now offers vegan products too. Eye shadows with names like Oil Slick, Mildew and Acid Rain let you know you’re in store for some not-so-neutral shades.

The new Vapour line of organic cosmetics also feature a flair for nondramatic easy to wear day-to-day shades.

Finally, be sure to support companies whose packaging matches your eco-chic ideals. After all, where’s the benefit in a sustainable product if it’s in non-biodegradable packaging? Look for lipstick tubes made from corn that break down, creams and potions in recycled glass, and paper palettes to enhance your sustainable beauty routine.

They’ll all give back, long after you’ve had your way with them.

See more of Tasha’s brilliant advice at DecisiveMagazine.com and TashaReikoBrown.com. d D

winter 2010 | www.DecisiveMagazine.com

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health/fitness

earthfriendly Written by Wendy Ida

green your fitness routine Earth-conscious people may be eager to replace their traditional workout with a green fitness routine. Making the switch is easier than you might think and the spiral effects of the benefits will have you wondering why you didn’t make the switch sooner. A green routine simply encompasses earthfriendly ways to get fit and the outlets you choose to accomplish that are limited only by your imagination.

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The easiest way to incorporate a green fitness routine is simply to take your workout outside.

The easiest way to incorporate a green fitness routine is simply to take your workout outside.

Instead of spending an hour on the treadmill, seek out scenic outdoor routes for walking or jogging. There may be hiking trails within your own community that offer a variety of terrain and scenery to keep your workout fun.

You can enjoy resistance training outdoors too with body weight exercises. Find a park with stairs and climb two steps at a time till your heart’s content. Become one with nature by doing pushups in the grass or lunges in the sun.

You’ll get a dose of Vitamin D while increasing your strength and balance. If you have a common green in your town, consider biking to the green and then walking or jogging. The benefits blossom with this kind of routine because you are getting a good cross-training workout and helping the earth at the same time by not starting up the car to get to your destination.

Mothers with young children can form a green routine group and head to the local track. Children can participate in the workout by taking their bikes and riding along while you power walk or jog, or they can play supervised in the green area in the middle of the track while you run laps. Take the kids to the play area where the slides are. While they play you can do some core work on the swings as well as pull-ups and stretches on the monkey bars. End the routine with a game of kickball followed by a picnic with the kids and everyone will look forward to these routines. Plus, you’ll be teaching your kids a lifetime of healthy habits.

Gardening is a great way to make low-impact exercise a part of your daily exercise regime. Growing your own fruits and vegetables is great for the environment and your body as well.

In colder climates you can incorporate green into your fitness routine at the gym. Pack your gym bag with natural soaps, take your own re-usable water bottle and use a music and media gadget with rechargeable batteries to listen to while you exercise.

All it takes is a bit of thought to get creative, into nature and healthy.

For more of Wendy’s fitness tips visit, WendyIda.com.d

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winter 2010 | www.DecisiveMagazine.com

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travel

top five

greenamerican U.S. LEED Certified Resorts to Spend Your Spring Vacation Dollars

resorts Written by Sheryll Alexander and Joanne Tucker

Ready to spend some vacation money on a top green resort? From Oregon to Vegas to Colorado to Michigan to North Carolina, these five have been awarded the U.S. Green Building Council ‘s Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) certification. In addition to de-stressing your mind and body they can also relieve your carbon output guilt.

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The Allison Inn & Spa, Newberg (Willamette Valley), Oregon

City Center Las Vegas (ARIA, Vdara, Crystal and Veer towers) Perhaps the most chic green resort in the world is the new City Center Las Vegas. Built as green resort lifestyle living from the bottom up, City Center holds six LEED Gold certifications for the Mandarin Oriental Hotel (no gaming, smoke free and residences), Vdara Hotel & Spa (no gaming, smoke free and sustainable), Veer Tower condos, Crystals shopping and entertainment center, and ARIA resort, convention center and theater.

ARIA, which has 4,004 rooms, nearly 200 of which are technologicallyadvanced mountain view Sky Suites, is currently the largest hotel in the world with Gold LEED certification.

City Center Las Vegas, Las Vegas Strip, www.citycenter.com.

The Ritz-Carlton Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina The 146-room The Ritz-Carlton Charlotte brings so much green into its hotel and activities (like an innovative bi-level penthouse wellness center) you feel like you are living at green resort.

A Gold LEED certified hotel, The RitzCarlton Charlotte is all about recycling and technologically-advanced green practices such as a soon-to-be-installed electric car charging station, a saline

alert! get ready to rotate this magazine:decisive auto begins after next page

One of two dozen or so hotels in the world to qualify for the rare Gold LEED certification, The Allison Inn & Spa is built on 35 acres with hillside, meadow, vineyard, and chef’s garden views of the fertile Willamette Valley. All 85 rooms are considered deluxe accommodations, plus The Allison has 20 romantic suites outfitted with fireplaces, terraces, balconies, window seats and spa-like bathrooms. The Allison’s 15,000 sq. ft. spa is the largest in Oregon with 12 treatment rooms, swimming pool, Jacuzzi and fitness studio. The resort’s JORY restaurant serves up some of the region’s finest Oregon Wine Country cuisine.

The Allison Inn & Spa, 2525 Allison Lane, Newberg, Oregon, 877 294-2525, www.theallison.com.

swimming pool, beehives and a rooftop chef’s garden. The Ritz-Carlton Charlotte is also all about fine dining (BLT Steak has a street-side bistro here), exceptional wines and even complimentary bike rentals for heart-pumping, zero-pollution city tours.

The Ritz-Carlton Charlotte, 201 E. Trade St., Charlotte, North Carolina, 800-241-3333, www.ritzcarlton.com/charlotte.

The Springs Resort & Spa, Pagosa Springs, Colorado The Springs Resort & Spa (comfortably ensconced on Oprah’s favorites list) is nestled on the banks of the San Juan River in southwest Colorado. Each of the resort’s 23 spring-fed hot mineral water pools has its own character such as the Crick Pool, in which you can stand under a stream-fed waterfall for a relaxing shoulder massage. This sustainable Gold LEED-certified resort boasts 79 guest rooms and eco-luxe suites. The resort’s Healing Water Spa & Salon features a complete menu of massage and spa treatments—as well as an organic health food café.

The Springs Resort and Spa, Pagosa Springs, Colorado, 800-2250934, www.pagosahotsprings.com.

Crystal Mountain Resort, Thompsonville, Michigan The Midwest has few LEED-certified resorts, but Crystal Mountain Resort in Michigan blends energy efficiency and environmentally sound practices with classic American elegance and loads of outdoor and indoor activities. Further, the resort’s Silver LEED certified Crystal Spa features holistic treatments and organic therapies. Want golf? Crystal Mountain Resort is taking the lead with a University of Michigan study on how to use fewer resources to maintain its two scenic 18-hole golf courses and 10-acre golf practice center. Along with “indoor sports” such as gourmet food and drink, Crystal Mountain offers skiing and more than 260 modern lodges for overnight accommodations.

Crystal Mountain Resort, 12500 Crystal Mountain Dr. Thompsonville, Michigan, 800-968-7686, www.crystalmountain.com.

Joanne Tucker and Sheryll Alexander are a mother-daughter team of lifestyle and travel experts based in Costa Mesa, California. dD

winter 2010 | www.DecisiveMagazine.com

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Written by Lyndon Conrad Bell

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We pick the top five Latino friendly destinations including Frida Kahlo’s Mexico City.

our experts show you: > A skincare regimen for a healthy glow on the road. (p.3) > How to prepare your finances before you travel. (p.4) > Tips to keep fit while on vacation. (p.5) A Newspaper-Delivered Consumer Publication

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