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GREEN LIVING | 42 NATURAL CHICAGO
SUSTAINABLE HOLIDAYS
EASY TIPS FOR AN ECO-FRIENDLY SEASON
by Kirby Baldwin
The holidays are upon us, and that means decking the halls, gathering with loved ones, exchanging gifts and treats—and creating a lot of waste in the process. From Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day, Americans throw away 25 percent more trash than at any other time of year. That’s 1 million extra tons each week, primarily due to waste from holiday gifts and décor. Fortunately, there are ways to cut down on consumption to lessen the environmental impact of the holiday season without sacrificing any joy.
SAVOR LOCAL FARE
Ditch grocery store lines and instead shop for the holiday meal at a nearby family farm. By participating in the local food movement, we will not only enjoy fresh, seasonal ingredients while supporting the local economy, but also sustain farms that build soil health, promote animal well-being and offer a more delicious and nutritionally superior final product. Purchasing food directly from farmers also eliminates the extra packaging and the carbon footprint of transportation that comes with store-bought goods.
In addition to offering fruits and vegetables for holiday pies and soufflés, regional farms can also be good sources for locally sourced grains, holiday meats, baked goods and cheeses. Festive cocktails can be purchased from a neighborhood distillery, brewery or winery, many of which source their ingredients from local farmers.
Ronald Mirante, founder of Bone-In Food, runs a weekly food delivery service that provides only sustainable, nutrient-dense
foods sourced from local farm partners. According to Mirante, “Shopping for food locally with your farmers for the holiday helps them move offerings they have raised all season long. This empowers the local food community and makes their operations sustainable by preventing food waste and allowing for economic preparation for next year’s harvest.”
For a state-by-state directory of local farmers of meat, eggs and dairy products from 100 percent pastured animals, visit EatWild.com. A directory of family farms and farmers markets, along with restaurants and grocery stores that feature locally produced food, can be found at LocalHarvest.org.
GIFT GREENER
Instead of using unrecyclable gift wrapping paper, switch to a recycled alternative or wrap gifts in pieces of fabric, newsprint or kraft paper that can be repurposed or recycled. To eliminate shopping and wrapping altogether, give the gift of an experience, which allows loved ones to create lasting memories. Cater experiential gifts to the needs and wants of the recipient. An exhausted new parent will appreciate a restaurant gift certificate or a coupon to pay for a babysitter. Give the budding golfer lessons with a local pro, the theater lover tickets to an upcoming show and the selfless caregiver a spa treatment to help them feel pampered and refreshed. For the person that seems to have everything, make a donation in their name to a worthy cause that matters deeply to them.
According to publishing executive and mother Tacy Quinn, who runs the Instagram account @friluftslivingfamily, “As our kids get older, we love to find outdoor adventure ideas that are fun to do as a family and get us off our screens. One of our holiday gift-giving traditions each year is to purchase or renew a membership to a local nature organization. Many organizations have great family programs that are included with yearly memberships, so this annual gift means we get a whole year of outdoor experiences to enjoy together. We’ve gone on full-moon hikes, tapped and harvested our own maple syrup, enjoyed solstice bonfire parties and more. Giving a membership gift helps everyone enjoy the outdoors and sustain the natural places we love.”
When it’s not possible to gift an experience, shop locally for gifts made of natural materials, such as a beautiful, wooden, cutting board, a cozy pair of wool socks or a piece of pottery handmade by local artisans. Christmas stockings can create unnecessary waste for the sake of filling them to the brim. Try replacing plastic odds and ends with fruits, nuts or handmade treats like cookies or granola for more sustainable—and tastier—stocking stuffers.
DECK THE HALLS
For the most sustainable holiday tree, opt for a potted or locally cut, native choice. Live trees protect the soil, serve as wildlife habitats and filter the air during the six to eight years they’re growing. They also create local jobs. After the holidays are over, the potted trees can be planted. Cut live trees should either be mulched or recycled, rather than thrown in a landfill.
MERRY AND BRIGHT
Making just a few simple swaps in gifting, feasting and decorating will ease holiday consumption and lessen its environmental impacts without subtracting any of the joy.
Kirby Baldwin writes for KnoWEwell, the regenerative whole health hub and a collaborative partner of Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp.
Holiday Reads for Nature and Environment Lovers
by Sheryl DeVore
When David Lambe recently signed his new book, Now is the Time for Trees, at The Book Stall (TheBookStall.com), in Winnetka, the store was crowded. “We sold lots of books,” says sales associate Amy Anderson. “Some of the autographed copies of his books are still available for purchase. They would make great holiday gifts.”
Anderson and other local book purveyors know the kinds of books nature lovers and environmentalists read. Here are some suggestions from Chicago area experts to purchase for friends and family during the holiday season.
Lambe is the chief executive of the National Arbor Day Association, which published Now is the Time for Trees earlier this year. He and co-author Lorene Edwards Faulkner write about why planting trees is important in the 21st century. They also offer advice on ways to choose and plant trees (ArborDay.org/timefortreesbook).
Anderson also recommends The Tree Book, The Stories, Science, and History of Trees, published by DK in May 2022 (dk.com). The book features drawings, photos, identification tips and stories of trees around the world, including coast redwood and quaking aspen. As of January 2021, the publisher has pledged to use paper and paperboard that is Forest Stewardship Council-certified in making its products.
The Book Stall also recommends on its online holiday list for gift-giving Extinction: Our Fragile Relationship with Life on Earth, by Marc Schlossman. Published by Ammonite Press in September, Extinction explores endangered and extinct species by going behind the scenes through the natural history collection of The Field Museum, in Chicago. “We think these are important, interesting books, based on what we’ve sold in the past,” Anderson says. “If you’ve got someone on your gift list who cares about the environment, these are good options.”
Chris Mahin, manager of Barbara’s Bookstore (BarbarasBookstores.com) on State Street, in Chicago, recommends Extreme: An Anthology for Social and Environmental Justice. Published by Vagabond Books in late 2018, the anthology celebrates the 50th anniversary of Earth Day in 2020. Edited by Mark Lipman, it is a collection of poems written by 82 authors worldwide, along with color photographs and drawings. Mahin attended the book’s launch in Los Angeles and listened to some of the poets recite their works. “It’s an impressive collection which deserves the praise it received from noted scholar Cornel West,” Mahin says. West says, “This book keeps our flame lit and our fire burning.” Barbara’s Bookstore sales associate Sophia Devarenne suggests Upstream: Selected Essays, by Mary Oliver, published in 2016 by Penguin Books. “In this book of essays, Oliver meditates on how her identity as a reader and artist and her connection to the natural world are intrinsically intertwined,” Devarenne says. “This collection is the perfect gift for anyone with a passion for both literature and nature.” Another of her recommendations is Sacred Nature: Restoring Our Ancient Bond with the Natural World, published by Knopf in September. Author Karen Armstrong reveals ways ancient religions and cultural practices inspired a connection to the environment, while “modern-day humans are alienated from nature,” Devarenne says. “She argues that in order for humanity to meaningfully confront climate change, we must restore our spiritual relationship with the natural world. This thought-provoking book is a great gift for your scholarly environmentalist friends.”
Devarenne also suggests Merlin Sheldrake’s, Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change our Minds and Shape Our Futures, published by Random House in May 2020. “This is a fascinating deep dive into fungi and what a remarkably influential role it has played in human behavior and society,” Devaranne says. “Entangled Life is so packed with information and has such a wide scope, it is sure to blow any reader’s mind, even a mushroom expert.” She also recommends a novel that environmentalists may enjoy reading, A Children’s Bible: A Novel, written by Lydia Millet and published by W.W. Norton & Company in 2020. It tells the story of children in an isolated vacation home when climate disaster strikes. “Mil-
let uses a thrilling tale of survival to communicate the urgency of the climate change problem and critique the complacency of our current social and political culture,” Devarenne explains. “Lyrically written and overflowing with powerful symbolism, this book is a thought-provoking page-turner.” For young readers, she suggests Wishtree, by Katherine Applegate, published in 2017 by Macmillan. “This is a heartfelt story for young readers where the main character is Red, an oak tree,” Devarenne says. “Red is the neighborhood’s ‘wishtree’, meaning people write out their wishes and tie them to her branches. When an immigrant family moves in to the neighborhood, they face Islamophobia and cruelty at the hands of their neighbors. Red works with her animal friends to show the residents the value of empathy, friendship and tolerance. This is a perfect gift for kids or families who would love a book with these classic themes centered on humans’ relationship with nature,” Devarenne suggests.
Devarenne also recommends Braiding Sweetgrass, published in 2015 by Milkweed Editions. This book by Potawatomi author and professor Robin Wall Kimmerer details the traditions of Indigenous North American peoples relating to plants and discusses how these practices and philosophies could be integrated into the Western science world. “Both personal and scientific, this book of essays is a wonderful gift for anyone interested in botany,” she says.
Pam Johnson, manager of bookstores The Green Read, in Crystal Lake, and The Green Spot (mcdef.org/bookstores), in Woodstock, also recommends Braiding Sweetgrass. Johnson says, “The author advocates turning to the traditional practices of indigenous people in our search for sustainability.” Both stores offer a wide range of gently used books in various genres, including nature and sustainability.
“Choosing a gently used book as a gift is a wonderful way to help the environment,” Johnson adds. “The bookstores sold over 21,000 books in 2021, preventing those books from potentially ending up in landfills,” she relates. “Any books that are unsellable, we recycle responsibly.” Proceeds benefit the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County.
Johnson also suggests Grandma Gatewood’s Walk: The Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail, by Ben Montgomery, published by Chicago Review Press in 2016. “It follows Emma Gatewood, a grandmother in her late 50s, in her journey on the Appalachian Trail in the 1950s,” Johnson says. “She became the first female solo through-hiker, as well as the first person to hike the trail three times, and because of all the media coverage, is credited with increased interest in maintaining the Appalachian Trail. I was fascinated by all the interesting information and history about the trail throughout the book. And you can’t help but be inspired by Grandma Gatewood.” Don Parker and Justin Pepper, co-editors of A Healthy Nature Handbook: Illustrated Insights for Ecological Restoration from Volunteer Stewards of Chicago Wilderness, published by Island Press in 2021, also offered some suggestions on green books to purchase for the holidays. Their book reveals successful restorations done by Chicago region volunteer stewards (ANaturesEscape.com). Parker agrees that Braiding Sweetgrass makes an excellent holiday gift. Pepper also suggests Ever Green: Saving Big Forests, by Jon Reid and Tom Jovey, published this year by W.W. Norton & Company. “It’s a must-read for any of Earth’s citizens concerned with climate change and the role intact forests can play in avoiding some of the worst outcomes,” Pepper says, adding the book is highly readable. He also recommends Owls of the Eastern Ice, published in 2021 by Macmillan. Pepper calls the book “a fun and informative behind-the-scenes look at field biology in the Russian Far East.” The book by Jonathan C. Slaght focuses on efforts to study and Sadlers’ Top 10 Environmental Books of 2022 conserve Blakiston’s fish owl, the largest owl in the world. “It is Sadlers’, a family-owned business that promotes reusing card- a well-written and a compelling board, recently released a list of must-read environment books field journal full of unlikely charfor 2022. (Sadlers.co.uk/blogs/blog/10-must-read-climate- acters working under challengchange-and-environment-books-for-2022) ing conditions. Think isolation, The list includes Silent Earth: Averting the Insect Apocalypse, by frigid temperatures, unstable ice Dave Goulson, published by HarperCollins earlier this year. in changing seasons and tigers,” “Insects are essential for life as we know it. Without them, our Pepper says. world would look vastly different,” writes Laura Sadler in an online blog about the book. Sheryl DeVore has written The online list also includes How to Give Up Plastic: A Conscious Guide to Changing the World, One Plastic Bottle at a Time, by Will six books on science, health and nature, as well as nature, McCallum, published by Penguin in 2018. The book features health and environment stories ideas such as throwing a plastic-free birthday party and ways for national and regional to convince others to give up plastic. publications. Read more at SherylDeVore.wordpress.com.
Feeding Our Humanity
by Susan Curry
Humanity is inherently kind. Derived from the Latin humanitas, meaning human nature or kindness, this word and its energetic basis is filled with goodness, professing the innately fundamental element of kindness that is fused into human nature.
When you know that a boat can inherently float, you don’t need to add floatation devices to the bottom of the boat. The attention is best placed on maintaining the integrity of the shell of the boat. Likewise, in order to adequately be active in sustaining humanity, the first step is to believe and emulate that humanity is kind in nature, focusing purely on as many examples of humans being kind to themselves and others. Allowing this spiritual energy to unfold via thoughts and images, visualizing a continuous display of humans being kind, thoughtful and considerate, healthy and happy.
The next step is the Latin word sustento. The action step of maintaining, supporting and sustaining; in this case, humanity. We collaborate in the most fundamentally authentic ways, thereby honoring humanity, and be an active part of the support system that uplifts consciousness. The following will lay out straightforward tools for this noble intent of sustaining humanity.
CREATIVE MANTRAS
Paving the way for this quantum-spiritually charged energy of thought to produce spontaneous results in the experience of our lives. Examples include, “Happy healthy humans constantly achieving good works in my neighborhood. I look with delight at the multitudes of kindness collaborations. Kindness collaborations abound,” and more casually, “Dudes are good to their gals. People rock. I hang with the nicest peeps.”
MEDITATION
Quieting the self-talk in the mind, making peaceful space for the true authentic nature of our own humanity to shine through, providing a clear path for intuitive insights to come to the forefront of the analytical mind.
FASTING
When we put food into our bodies, it all carries energy. From the chef that cooks the food to the butcher or juicer, small emotional energy clusters can be absorbed into the cellular system. The practice of praying and blessing a meal will assist in neutralizing these, yet choosing not to eat for a period of time gives the body time to energetically, spiritually and physically reset to the natural homeostasis of divine balance, health and happiness.
MEDIA ABSTINENCE
Cytoplasm, the gelatinous liquid that forms the living material which fills our cells, is susceptible to the influences of emotional energy. When removing the viewing of stories that fuel fear, concern or outrage, the human being will maintain its true humanity or human nature and kindness.
NATURE WALKING ROUTINE
Breathing in the air laced with naturally uplifting essences of dirt, grass, shrubs and trees is instrumental in supporting humanity. Nature is an essential part of human thriving, raising the mental, physical and spiritual levels to realign divinely. Increasing levels of endorphins, our body’s way of producing a natural high, can also happily be achieved by laughing, lovemaking, chocolate, spicy foods and drinking a spirit or two.
Being inspired to use one or all of these tools to support the naturally human nature and kindness elements within us sets the foundation to do good works in the family, neighborhood, community and house of worship. The boat will inherently float when placed in water. When we are grounded in our humanity, we will inherently do good works. In this time of feast celebrations and generous gift giving, feed your own humanity first; setting up the ripple effect of kindness.
Susan Curry is the owner of InteriorWerx.net.
