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you ask me. Yet, we fall back into our comfort zone and scoops of ice cream because we aren’t willing to commit to a change. Trust me, I’ve heard excuse after excuse, and given some myself, about how “I’m going to go back to the gym…I’m going to eat healthier…” and on and on. It comes down to choice, your choice. This month, my goal is getting back to the farm and eating more from the source, not from a box. This is one way that I can improve my health and be an example for my family. I don’t know what my health path holds, but at least I’m willing to commit to a choice. Are you? This month we discuss “The Connection Between Health and the Environment” by Aimee Welch. We’ll ponder how we have become a product of our environment, and find out how Arizona’s health risks stack up against other parts of the country. Dr. David Simon is going to help us with our mental health in “Healing Your Heart: the Power of Forgiveness.” Cab rides and cupcakes, just some ways you can give back to help fight against Breast Cancer – look for other suggestions in our LIVE section.
W
ith October being our health and wellness issue and the month for breast cancer awareness, I begin by acknowledging the people who have gone before us and suffered the pains of cancer. My Aunt Sandra (breast cancer); Stacey Pawlowski, best friend (breast cancer); and Jeremy Donkersley, brother (brain cancer) – three wonderful people lost to a horrific disease. You might know someone who too has lost a member of their family and wondered, why them, and how does this happen? Despite genetics, we do have some methods of preventing or delaying such diseases. It starts with our choices for a healthy lifestyle and how we fuel our body. If we continue down the path of destruction by ingesting toxin after toxin, whether it be from our environment or the food we eat, how can we logically believe that disease, in one form or another, is avoidable? I find that people really won’t change their behavior unless there is a significant shift in their life or – God forbid – something traumatic. Why does it have to take such harsh reality to change? I don’t get it.
In WORK, we discuss how medical waste continues to be a tough balance in the world of sustainability; however, some hospitals are working towards a solution – find out in “Medical Waste Where does it all go?” by William Janhonen, LEED AP, NAHB-CGP. In “A Force to Reckon With,” you might think Star Wars. Think again – it’s Bike Force, a local bike courier service that is taking your deliveries to the streets, creating jobs and lowering the carbon footprint. Do you know someone who has undergone treatment for cancer and needs some pampering? In PLAY, Barbi Walker has some suggestions in “Recoup, Rejuvenate and Reclaim Your Life After Breast Cancer.” Ever tried washing an elephant? Carrie Simmons of Travel with Kids TV shares her journey in “Growing With Ganesha” as she helps care for neglected elephants in Thailand and finds some respite in between. Our green personality follows on the heels of the Valley Forward Environmental Awards – president of Valley Forward, Diane Brossart shares her excitement for Phoenix’s sustainable future. Finally, happy birthday to our media partners Earth 911! To good health,
It’s safe to say that every health professional, personal trainer or wellness professional will tell us to eat better, stay off this and that, do this in moderation, and move more – simple and easy, if Illustration by Kate Larson
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Feature
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health and the envirOnment BY AIMEE WELCH
A
baby born in the United States today has an average life expectancy of just over 78 years. A baby born on the same day in Nigeria has an average life expectancy of only 47 years. It’s 2011—how is that possible? While genetics, ethnicity, political and socioeconomic factors weigh heavily on the statistics, the environmental impact on global health is becoming increasingly evident. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 13 million deaths could be prevented every year by making our environment healthier. In fact, WHO reports that nearly one quarter of all deaths and of the world’s total disease burden can be directly attributed to the environment. Those are alarming numbers, and a crucial reason why human health and environmental health are two of the most significant issues of our generation and, most likely, for many to come. Regardless of where we live, our health is intricately intertwined—for better or worse—with our own environment. What, exactly, are these “environmental” factors that are making us sick…or even prematurely dead? That depends on where you live. In developing countries, people are getting sick or dying young from infectious diseases caused by contaminated drinking water, the polluted air from the solid fuels they must burn to cook and stay warm, or malaria; whereas in the United States, our biggest problems are non-communicable diseases like heart disease, cancer and diabetes, to name a few. Diseases that are related to our very own behaviors and shaped, in part, by our direct environment. And these “lifestyle” diseases, while preventable in most cases, are harder to figure out.
10 greenliving | October 2011
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“Environmental hazards are responsible for as much as a quarter of the total burden of disease world-wide, and more than one-third of the burden among children.” –World Health Organization
Why, despite a greater understanding of risk factors, are incidences of many of these diseases continuing to climb? What is it about the American lifestyle that makes us the most obese nation on the planet? Why, despite nine months of optimal weather conditions, does Arizona rank 35th for obesity rates? And what factors make lower-income people more susceptible to many of these diseases? So many questions, so few answers. Lifestyle diseases differ from infectious diseases in that they are diagnosed after decades of exposure to potential risk factors ranging from genetics to lifestyle choices, making it hard to pinpoint one cause. What we do know is that diet and exercise have a lot to do with it, and that the solution isn’t as black and white as it seems. Changing individual behaviors is the obvious, but what about the outside influences that impact these behaviors—are our neighborhoods safe, and conducive to walking and biking? Are healthy foods readily available and affordable? Are we seeing (or able to see) a doctor as often as we should? That depends on where we live and, ultimately, the choices we make. And making healthy choices is easier for some than others.
We are PrOducts of Our OWn EnvirOnmEnt In the U.S., heart disease, cancer and stroke kill more people than any other cause, and obesity is at epidemic proportions. Why? Because we are consuming sugary, processed and fatty foods, working too much, sleeping too little, driving our cars instead of walking, sitting in front of computers and TVs instead of playing outside, and smoking and drinking more than we should. These are cultural behaviors intertwined into the core of our being. Everyone’s doing it…sadly, we are becoming products of our environment. When it comes to making a connection between health and the environment, there’s still a lot we don’t know. But here’s what we do know: Eating fruits, veggies and fish can lower our risk of heart disease, stroke and cancer. High cholesterol, raised blood pressure and obesity are linked to a bunch of diseases. Exercise is good for our cardiovascular systems and our mental health. Smoking and drinking too much is bad. A few simple “rules” we could implement into our lives that would make a difference. Easy, right? So why isn’t everyone healthy? Is it because we don’t care, we aren’t following the healthy rules, or is it inconvenient? Part of it could be that the behaviors that could make us “well” aren’t equally accessible to everybody. Unlike our European and Japanese counterparts, our cities are more spread out, and our greenlivingaz.com
definition of “fast food” isn’t an apple and cup of yogurt from the vendor on the corner… Some countries/states/cities are simply better at implementing infrastructures that accommodate healthy lifestyles, and some people have a much easier time accessing them. And that sometimes boils down to different factors like culture, income, race and ethnicity. But it’s a tangled web, and suggesting why one place is “healthier” than another is like comparing apples and oranges. It is safe to say, however, that people who follow the recommended “rules” for good health are generally healthier than those who do not, no matter where they live.
Why are sOmE PlacEs HEaltHiEr than OtHErs? Considering the statistics, it’s not hard to figure out why people in Arizona live longer than those in Zimbabwe. After all, we only have to walk ten feet to a faucet to get clean water, our local media alerts us to stay indoors when the air is too dirty, and fresh fruits and vegetables are readily available. Yet within the U.S., not all diseases are distributed equally. Obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and a plethora of other conditions seem to travel together, and consistently hit states in the South harder than anywhere else in the country.
OBESITY HIGHS AND LOWS Highest % in the world, u.s., 30.6% lowest % in the world, Japan, 3.2% Highest % in the u.s., mississippi, 34% lowest % of obese people, colorado, 21% % of obese people in arizona, 24.3% source: cdc, cdc.gov/obesity/data/trends.html
In 2010, no U.S. state had an obesity rate below 20%, according to the CDC. And more than 12 states had rates above 30 percent (for comparison sake, Japan’s rate is 3.2 percent). Not unlike statistics for many other lifestyle diseases, the South fared the worst, registering nine of the ten states with the highest rates– Mississippi weighing heavily at the top for the seventh year in a row. The “skinnier” states included Colorado, Utah and Nevada to the west, D.C. and Connecticut in the Northeast. There’s a great divide, and obesity is just one example–as a rule, states in the Northeast and Southwest tend to be healthier with regards to most lifestyle diseases. So what is making the difference? Are people in those southern states not following the “rules”? What are the healthier states doing correctly? One answer doesn’t fit all, but the usual suspects—income and education levels, racial and ethnic populations, physical activity levels, and other lifestyle habits– often tell the same story. Research shows that racial and ethnic minority adults, less educated, and lower-income families have poorer health. And October 2011 | greenliving 11
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some states have a higher percentage of families who fall into those categories. It’s not necessarily that the less fortunate don’t want to be healthy; it’s often easier, and more affordable, not to be. Adrienne Udarbe of the ADHS Bureau of Nutrition and Physical Activity says many Arizona families are limited to shopping at corner stores or convenience stores that typically don’t have a large supply of fresh foods, and they don’t have access to parks or playgrounds, resulting in limited opportunities to be physically active. “Many rural communities throughout Arizona have high rates of food insecurity and lack of access to healthy foods, or lack of sidewalks to walk to school and work. ADHS encourages these rural communities to work with their local government and communities leaders on innovative approaches to make the healthy choice the easy choice,” she said. The 2010 Census showed that Arizona’s poverty rate of 18.6 is one of the highest in the country, well above the national poverty rate of 15.1 percent. Arizona also had one of the highest percentages of residents without health insurance, a Hispanic and Latino population nearing 30 percent, as well as a significant Native American population—that’s a lot of risk factors. That doesn’t necessarily mean money buys happiness, but perhaps it buys some of its key ingredients—good health via high-quality healthcare (one billion people in the world, and 46 million in the U.S. are uninsured); clean water; healthy food; enough time and a safe place to exercise; and the lower stress levels and higher immunity to illness that comes with the privilege of having options over where we work and what we feed our families.
Percent of Obese (BMI > 30) in U.S. Adults
Source: cdc.gov/obesity/data/trends.html
HOme, moderately Healthy, HOme As for Arizonans, we have our ups and downs on the nation’s subjective “quality of life” scale, but typically fall somewhere in the middle in terms of life expectancy and many other noncommunicable diseases and risk factors attributable to our behaviors and surroundings. On the “up” side, a recent study conducted by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) determined that Arizona’s cancer incidence rates are the lowest in the nation. Something in our water? In the air? Our
12 greenliving | October 2011
“Research shows that our environment greatly influences how much we move and how active we are - which is key to the prevention of chronic disease and adopting healthy lifestyles.” –Adrienne Udarbe, ADHS Bureau of Nutrition and Physical Activity
behaviors? We can only speculate, according to Wayne Tormala, bureau chief for the Bureau of Chronic Disease. “It is hard to correlate Arizona’s low cancer rate with some environmental factors because the environment can and has changed over the years. Also, a significant portion of Arizona’s population is highly transient which would have been exposed to the environment in other states. The low cancer rate is more likely attributed to Arizona’s low tobacco usage rate (15 percent in 2010) and the number of individuals leading active lifestyles. These active lifestyles could be attributed to the climate where many individuals stay active year-round,” he said. Despite more than 300 days of sunshine every year, even Arizona’s skin cancer rate is 21 percent below the national average. Tormala surmises it may have something to do with our state’s strong prevention and educational campaigns focused on sun safety. In addition, Tormala said Arizona hasn’t seen as large of an increase in lifestyle diseases as the rest of the country. He attributes it to the active lifestyle of Arizonans—more than 49 percent of whom exercise regularly, according to a 2009 survey. “Typically the U.S. Southwest is healthier than other parts of the country, such as the Southeast,” he said. On the “down” side, our air quality regularly puts Metropolitan Phoenix at the bottom, and sometimes dead last, in national clean air rankings. Diane Eckles, office chief for the Office of Environmental Health, says air quality is Arizona’s number one environmental concern over the next 25 years. “Air quality can impact asthma, cardiovascular diseases and pulmonary diseases. It is hard to control in Arizona and is impacted by human activity as well as weather. One of the biggest contributors to poor air quality in Arizona is vehicle emissions. Dust particulates are also very hard to control as evidenced by the extreme dust storms we have had this summer,” she said. Considering air quality is linked to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. and the leading cause of hospitalization in adults…the immediate threat to our health is, in fact, our air. But some things are even scarier than the brown cloud. According to Tormala, chronic diseases will be Arizona’s biggest health challenge over the next two decades. He said incidence rates for cardiovascular disease and diabetes are on an upward trend across the country, including an increasing amount of younger individuals developing a variety of chronic diseases. “While many of these conditions are manageable, oftentimes those with the condition neglect to do so, leading to increased healthcare and greenlivingaz.com
Feature poorer quality of life,” he continued. Among those preventable conditions is obesity, which is reaching epidemic proportions for adults and children nationwide. Udarbe said, “Overweight and obesity contribute to the increases in chronic disease. The only way to combat this epidemic is through a collaborative approach to engineer health back into our everyday lives.”
picture. For the majority of people in developed countries, the availability and quality of these resources isn’t yet considered a matter of life and death (at least not immediate death, anyway); but with a world population projected to grow from 7 billion to 9 billion by 2044, we have a lot of work to do to make sure we conserve our resources.
The Bigger PicTure
So if we’re really products of our environments, some of us are certainly better off than others. But whatever our circumstances and wherever we are, we can make good choices. You don’t have to move to Japan to get skinny, and Mississippians aren’t destined to be obese. When it comes to living a healthy life, our very own behaviors determine which statistics we’ll become. Salud!
The concept of “health and wellness” has become a global behemoth and, in our quest for higher-quality, longer, more prosperous living, we’re learning some difficult lessons about the world, and about ourselves. First and foremost, we’re not doing a very good job at staying healthy. Globally, 36 million people die each year from largely preventable, non-communicable diseases like heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer and chronic lung diseases; obesity is on the rise; childhood poverty and inadequate healthcare still plague even the wealthiest countries; and millions of people (primarily children) in tropical and third-world countries are still dying needlessly from malaria, diarrhea and HIV/AIDS. As for the health of our environment, we’re doing better in some areas than others. Our lifestyles are still contributing to the degradation of our planet, and the natural resources the human race will rely on for generations to come. The quality of our water, air and soil—at home and on every continent—should be, frankly, scaring the pants off of us. We’re all a part of the bigger
SOurceS • America’s Health rankings. americashealthrankings.org/yearcompare/2009/2010/AZ.aspx • Arizona Department of Health Services. aazdhs.gov/diro/pio/news/2011/110329_AZcancerranking2011.pdf • centers for Disease control. ccdc.gov/obesity/data/trends.html • environmental Protection Agency cfpub.epa.gov/eroe/index.cfm?fuseaction=list.listBySubTopic&ch=49&s=381 • gallup. gallup.com/poll/146288/Hawaii-No-Wellbeing-West-Virginia-Last.aspx • u.S. census Bureau. census.gov/population/international/data/idb/informationgateway.php • World Health Organization. who.int/gho/phe/en/index.html • World Health Organization. who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2008/pr29/en
Aimee Welch is a freelance writer, marketing consultant, and former advertising executive. She writes advertising copy, magazine and web articles for her company, 17,000 Feet; and for herself, she runs, snowboards, travels and hangs with her husband, two kids and four dogs. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the Ohio State University.
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October 2011 | greenliving 13
Your conscious life
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is proud to announce its winners of the second annual breast cancer Your consciousTracy life makeover, Vlieger and Wendy Spivey: two women who have been an inspiration to their family and friends as they battled their way through breast cancer. Thank you to our beauty sponsors Pure Salon and a g a z i n e Stella Bella for pampering ourMwinners and giving them a special day thank you to our supporting sponsors for providing gift certificates to Your conscious life restaurants, hotel stays, retail stores, and providing delicious cupcakes and wine.
Thank you to all who support the cause. M a g a z i n e
What they’ve learned Wendy Stay positive Be proactive Listen to your body Accept help Appreciate everyday “There’s nothing like an illness to bring what’s important into focus. Take some time to do things that you really enjoy and tell people how much they mean to you.”
Tracy Move forward with knowledge not fear “I firmly believe that whether some good or bad happens, we need to learn from it.”
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Pueraria mirifica
Nature’s Safe Alternative to Estrogen Therapy BY DR. GARRY F. GORDON, MD, DO, MD(H)
Menopause.
The onset of this phase of life is marked by a decline in the production of estrogen–a hormone that serves as a chemical messenger in the body which regulates the menstrual cycle, controls breast development, and helps maintain healthy bones and a healthy heart. From puberty to menopause, the ovaries produce estrogen. Once menopause sets in, the ovaries no longer make estrogen, and body fat becomes the primary source for estrogen. Estrogen is a vital key to healthy aging. When a woman’s body undergoes menopause, the accompanying symptoms can be severe enough to disrupt her life–and affect the lives of those around her. Hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness and thinness, and frequent bladder infections are common complaints. Women also report chronic fatigue, weight gain, joint pains, bone loss, hair loss, insomnia, mood swings, memory loss, decreased libido, and a decrease in arousal and orgasmic response. Perimenopause (the transition to menopause) also marks the beginning stages of increased risk of heart disease and osteoporosis. Menopause is a natural stage in a woman’s life, and one that should be embraced and celebrated as a freeing and wondrous time–not looked upon with disdain or fear. Over the years, prescription and various herbal remedies have come and gone for this stage, most have proven either too ineffective or too dangerous to be worth the risk. Sadly, many women continue to suffer needlessly due to the mainstream media’s scare-tactic reporting about the serious and sometimes fatal side effects caused by hormone replacement therapy. It is true that most women will not enjoy optimal health after menopause or reach their maximum intended lifespan without hormonal support. Unfortunately, far too many physicians are underinformed about estrogen supplementation and the risks of heart disease and breast cancer. I am here to tell you that healthy aging and all-natural, safe and effective hormone replacement support is possible! For hundreds of years, women in Thailand have used the root of Pueraria mirifica (or Thai Kudzu)—an abundant flowering plant of their region—to relieve menopause symptoms. My good friend Dr. Sandy Schwartz relocated to Thailand about 20 years ago, and shared how natives have been using Pueraria mirifica for centuries as both a food and a part of their traditional medicine. As I explored further, I found that the lowest rate of breast cancer in the world was in Thailand’s northern region–the only place in the world where Pueraria mirifica grows. Since that time, dozens of scientific studies have documented the beneficial and protective effects of this amazing plant.
16 greenliving | October 2011
Pueraria mirifica belongs to the same family of legumes that includes soybeans and peas, and contains a bounty of natural chemical compounds called phytoestrogens that foster good health. These naturally occurring chemical compounds have structures which are similar to estrogen. Pueraria mirifica is unique in that it is the only plant to contain a special phytoestrogen called miroestrol, which is extraordinarily similar in structure and function to a type of estrogen called estriol. Of the three types of estrogen found in humans—estradiol, estrone and estriol—estriol is the weakest. Its weakness, however, is actually its strength. Clinical trials have shown no links between estriol and cancer, and women who have taken it reported few side effects compared with those who took estradiol or estrone as hormone replacement therapies. Once just a promising plant that Asian women whispered about, Pueraria mirifica is now refined and formulated to the highest standards and is called Puresterol. Approved as a food supplement by the FDA, Puresterol is available from Longevity Plus, LLC as H.R.T. Plus (Herbal Remedy from Thailand). H.R.T. Plus has been documented in extensive research to safely eliminate all menopause-related symptoms while actually providing anti-cancer protections for the breast and other tissues. It is a Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator of the Beta receptor or S.E.R.M.-beta, and provides favorable effects throughout the entire body. It protects against bone loss, depression, insomnia, hot flashes, vaginal dryness and loss of memory. In my experience, there is no comparison between the minimal effects of traditional herbals like black cohosh, red clover or soy, and the dramatic benefits I have seen in my patients receiving Puresterol in H.R.T. Plus. With an ever increasing number of women searching for safe, alternative, organic and holistic remedies and approaches to breast and hormonal health and longevity, Puresterol, as found in H.R.T. Plus, is the perfect fit.
SOURCES Chandeying V, MD, Lamlertkittikul S, MD. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla. Challenges in the Conduct of Thai Herbal Scientific Study: Efficacy and Safety of Phytoestrogen, Pueraria mirifica (Kwao Keur Kao), Phase I, in the Alleviation of Climacteric Symptoms in Perimenopausal Women, J Med Assoc Thai 2007; 90, 7: 1274-80. Chansakaow S, Ishikawa T, Sekine K. Isoflavonoids from Pueraria Mirifica and their estrogenic activity. Planta Med 2000; 66:572-5. Manonai J, MD, Chittacharoen A, MD, Theppisai U, MD, and Teppisai H, MD. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. Effect of Pueraria Mirifica on Vaginal Health, Menopause Vol. 14, No. 5, 2007. Potee, Alicia. Health Sciences Institute. An ancient Thai “miracle” herb reveal itself to be a real-life fountain of youth. HSI September 2007, Vol. 12, No. 3. Ritchie M PhD MRSC, Young, R PhD MNIMH. Protocol for Assessment of Mechanism of Action of Pueraria Mirifica on the Alpha and Beta Receptor of a Selected Breast Cancer Cell Line. Napier University August 4, 2007.
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Beauty
Beauty Buys Under Keeping our skin fall-fresh starts with what we put on our face and body. Remember to look for natural and organic ingredients, and paraben-free when choosing your beauty products.
Coola tinted sunblock This natural mineral sunblock for faces contains 70 percent Certified Organic inactives and is 98 percent natural. The sheer SPF 20 keeps your skin even, hydrated and protected. It is light enough to wear under your make up and has an anti-aging formula. Coolasuncare.com
Vincent Longo This lightweight, medium coverage foundation uses colorless organic and mineral sunscreens. These are combined with pure pigment to create a unique, skin tone-matching waterproof sunscreen barrier. Vincentlongo.com
Cristophe Switch up your hair products and choose these paraben- and cruelty-free professional stylers by Cristophe Beverly Hil s. This hair product line is affordable and, no matter what your hair type, designed to make your hair stronger, shinier, and more manageable. Cristophe.com
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LaLicious LaLicious is a highend bath and body product collection created to moisturize and smooth your skin to perfection! Their famous scrubs, butters, oils and soaps are available in eight scrumptious scents. LaLicious products are all-natural, and free of paraben preservatives and sulfate detergents. Lalicious wil donate 30% of sales from Sugar Kiss Sugar Souffle Body Scrub, sold during the month of October, to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. LaLicious.com
Supergoop! Supergoop! is an environment- and bodyfriendly choice for everyday UV protection, and a critical first step in any skincare regime. Their products are formulated without parabens, petrochemicals, fragrances, and phthalates, and they’re affordable. In addition to meeting the new European recommendations for sun protection, Supergoop! uses only skincompatible ingredients and natural preservative systems. Available at Sephora. Supergoop.com
John Masters Organics Needing a new way to get rid of those unwanted wrinkles? Not only does Argan Oil keep your hair frizz-free, it also can be used on your skin. It helps to retain moisture, and soften hair and skin. When applied to skin, it helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines and blemishes. John Masters uses 100 percent Argan Oil that is USDA Certified Organic. Johnmasters.com Kiss My Face Kiss My Face is a natural beauty and personal care company. The company is a pioneer in the natural and organic industry. Their moisture shaving line uses olive and coconut oils, aloe vera and antiseptic golden seal that work to moisturize and heal the skin. Kiss My Face also has soaps and other moisturizers. Kissmyface.com Comment on this article at greenlivingaz.com
October 2011 | greenliving 17
“I have to admIt, like so many women, I always knew
there was a chance. But like so many women, I never thought it would be me. I never thought I’d hear those devastating words: ‘You have breast cancer.’” – Debbie Wasserman Schultz According to the American Cancer Society, it is estimated that among U.S. women, there will be 230,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer and 39,520 breast cancer deaths in 2011. Do you know someone who has been diagnosed? Do you feel compelled to help out, but don’t know where to give? We did the research and found numerous businesses and organizations that are contributing in their own way to help fight breast cancer this month. Whether it be attending an event, purchasing a product, or taking a charity cab, there Are A lot of WAyS yoU CAn help in the fight AgAinSt breASt CAnCer.
Pink Light District
the Marshall Way bridge in downtown Scottsdale will be adorned in pink light bulbs in recognition of breast Cancer Awareness Month. on october 6, the official lighting ceremony for the “pink light District” will take place. you can support the effort by sponsoring a pink light bulb for $25. All of the proceeds generated from this fundraiser will benefit the Arizona institute for breast health. the funds will go directly to support women who are dealing with a breast cancer diagnosis. Aibh.org
RA Sushi
through the month of october, ra Sushi will be offering a $15 wine, from onehope, and pink roll sushi combination special to benefit the national breast Cancer foundation® - 100 percent of the profits from the sale of the combination will go to the foundation. the roll features shrimp, kani kama crab mix and sriracha combined with lettuce, avocado and cucumber wrapped in pink soy paper and served with a pink ribbon of strawberry sauce. Nationalbreastcancer.org
Sprinkles Cupcakes
from october 1 to october 7, Sprinkles is donating 100% of the proceeds from their pink ribbon cupcake to the entertainment industry foundation’s (eif) breast Cancer biomarker Discovery project, dedicated to finding a biomarker (a unique protein) that would reveal the presence of breast cancer in a blood test to provide early detection of the disease. Just look for the strawberry cupcake adorned with a pink sugar ribbon. Since 2005, Sprinkles pink ribbon cupcakes have raised $150,000 for Women’s Cancer research. Sprinkles.com or eifoundation.org
18 greenliving | October 2011
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Save the Ta-Tas
the shirts says it all. ta-tas® brand commits 5 percent of every sale to the Save the tatas® foundation, which uses a large portion of funds to support independent scientific research. Many of its authorized retailers participate in the Donation Matching program, which doubles every donation. ta-tas has also formed a partnership with Concern foundation, which matches all donations. Savethetatas.org
Arizona Stronghold Vineyards
As part of its “Drink pink” campaign to raise awareness and money for the fight against breast cancer, Arizona Stronghold Vineyards is donating a portion of the proceeds from each individual sale of its Dayden rosé wine directly to the Southern Arizona Affiliate of Susan g. Komen for the Cure throughout the month of october. Azstronghold.com
Keep A Breast Foundation
through these youthful bracelets and apparel, Keep A breast foundation, a non-profit organization, help fight breast cancer by exposing young people to methods of early detection, prevention, and support. Keep-a-breast.org or Tillys.com
Clean Air Cab
Arizona’s first completely carbon-neutral taxicab service has a dedicated charity cab benefitting Susan g. Komen for the Cure. Clean Air Cab donates one dollar of every fare collected, every day of the year, back to the Susan g. Komen organization and its research efforts. Since october 2009, they have contributed $5,458. to schedule a pickup, call 480-719-7943. Cleanaircab.com
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Health & Wellness
the Practice oF ForGiveness BY DAVID SIMON, M.D.
W
hen we experience pain from someone else’s actions, it’s natural to engage in an inner conversation of resentment, and replay the story of the offense over and over. This behavior disturbs our peace and makes it impossible to be fully present in our lives. As long as we choose to hold on to grievance, anger or regret, part of our emotional and physical energy will be tied up in the past. Forgiveness is a prerequisite for inner peace, and we each have to consciously decide if we are willing to relinquish blame in the service of harmony, love, and happiness. While it’s important not to force ourselves to forgive prematurely, we ultimately need to let go of our grievances and allow peace to replace hostility. This is a gradual process, but once we set our intention to forgive, we will be able to release the constriction in our heart that inhibits our ability to love. We can navigate the path to emotional freedom through forgiveness. The first step is identifying and loosening the toxic emotions we’ve been carrying. In the second step, emotions are released, and finally we can fill the newly opened space in our hearts with love. During the Chopra Center’s Free to Love/ HeaLing tHe Heart workshops, I have seen participants use this process to heal emotional wounds and forgive recent to longterm painful incidents. On the first evening of the workshop, the energy in the room is usually fairly heavy and somber, but by the final day, there is a noticeable shift to lightness and freedom. Our participants have learned to let go, finding forgiveness for others, and often for themselves.
GettinG to ForGiveness In most situations, it’s useful to remember that everyone is doing the best they can give their current level of awareness. Most people who hurt others are not intentionally trying to cause pain. Instead they are pursuing their own needs and, as a result of limited emotional resources, they trample on the needs of others. Even when someone has intentionally been abusive or cruel, continuing to carry animosity and hostility causes more damage to your heart than theirs. The best payback for a broken heart is to get on with your life and choose to be happy. Understanding how other people came to be who they are can help open the way to forgiveness. Consider a person in your life who has caused you pain. It might be an ex-spouse, a boss, a parent, or someone who betrayed your trust. On a piece of paper,
20 greenliving | October 2011
write down what you know about this individual’s life, with the goal of understanding how his or her behavior hurt you. Write down biographical details, and then fill in the blanks using your imagination. Here are some questions that can help you through this process: • What do you know or imagine about the emotional and physical health of the person’s parents or caregivers? • How was this person treated as a baby and a young child? • Recall or imagine the messages this person received about relationships, communication, and love from the people who raised him/her.
as you craft a story of understanding, you will experience the seeds of compassion sprouting in your heart. The life-damaging actions that create suffering are unacceptable. Yet recognizing that people are doing their best, given the resources available to them at the time, can help you free yourself from emotional turmoil.
take action The next step is to take some time to get centered, perhaps closing your eyes and meditating for a few minutes, and ask yourself, “What can I do to forgive this person for the pain I’ve experienced?” Focus on what YOU can do – not on what you want or expect in return. You have no control over other people’s choices, and therefore your heart’s freedom can’t depend upon what they do or say. Instead, consider what action will help you let go. Possibilities include journaling, burying a memento in the ground, burning a token object that you associate with the person, or starting or participating in an organization that helps others avoid or recover from similar trespasses. The size of the greenlivingaz.com
Health & Wellness
Forgiveness is a prerequisite for inner peace, and we each have to consciously decide if we are willing to relinquish blame in the service of harmony, love, and happiness. action isn’t as important as the ability to transform the negative to the positive, in the form of forgiveness.
Self-forgiveneSS If the person you’re trying to forgive is yourself, the process is the same. Take the time to compose your own autobiography to understand what led you to take actions that caused someone else pain. Ask yourself what you are prepared to do to forgive yourself and then fulfill that commitment. It’s not uncommon for people to be more willing to forgive others than themselves. Once you have done all you can to make amends with the person you have hurt, there is nothing more you can do but learn from the experience and make better choices in the future. The poet Maya Angelou has said, “We do the best we can with what we know, and when we know better, we do better.”
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Forgiving another person and asking for forgiveness from someone you hurt are equally essential acts of healing. It takes tremendous courage to see someone in a new light, with new understanding, but the risk has unbounded potential for expanding your freedom to love. If you are carrying pain from the past, I encourage you to find a way to release the emotional toxicity and experience the healing balm of forgiveness–whether working through the process explained in my book “Free to Love, Free to Heal,” attending the Free to Love/HeaLing tHe Heart workshop at the Chopra Center, or finding some other path that serves you. No matter what has happened in your life, you have an infinite capacity for love. Please use it, for your own sake and the sake of this precious world.
David Simon, M.D. is a world-renowned authority in the field of mind-body medicine and the co-founder of the Chopra Center for Wellbeing in Carlsbad, California. The Chopra Center offers workshops and programs for physical health, emotional wellbeing, and spiritual awakening. The next Free to Love/Healing the Heart workshop is scheduled for November 11–13. Visit www.chopra.com/freetolove.com or call (888) 736-6895 to learn more.
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October 2011 | greenliving 21
Green Kids
Are fast food restaurants actually getting healthierAs fast food restaurants continue to create “healthier” food choices on their menus, have you considered their definition of “healthy?” If they increased the amount of sodium, is it really healthier? A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that reducing salt intake by about 3 grams a day would significantly improve our health, reducing cases of chronic heart disease, stroke, and heart attack by about one-third. It would also save up to $24 billion in annual healthcare costs. McDonald’s recently launched a new campaign, McDonald’s Real Life Choices, which shows consumers how to order from its menu, and keep track of calories, carbohydrates, and fat. According to the Mayo Clinic, the recommendation of sodium per day for a 4- to 8-year-old child is 1,200 milligrams per day and 1,500 milligrams for a 9- to 13-year-old. How does the “healthier” menu stack up?
? h is
These options may provide fewer calories and less sodium than a Big Mac, but “healthy”? That’s pushing it. We still need to consider the overall health factor of fast food. The closer we can get to the farm, and take in fresh produce, the healthier our bodies will be. While fast food chains attempt to “market” parents into believing they are feeding their kids healthy foods, the fact is lower calories doesn’t always equal healthier; and the reality is that fast food places are still home to unhealthy processed foods that are leading to many health concerns in this country. So if you’re looking for healthier choices at a fast food restaurant, be sure to be armed with your own definition of healthy before you order. SOURCES nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa0907355 nutrition.mcdonalds.com/nutritionexchange/ nutritionfacts.pdf mayoclinic.com/health/nutrition-for-kids/ NU00606
thyroid.about.com/b/2004/01/07/ismcdonalds-actually-getting-healthy.htm,
We all scream for…
organic candy!
BY CHRISTINA LUND
W
ith Halloween just around the corner, what better way to celebrate than by giving the young trick-ortreaters at your door organic or all-natural candy! Listed below are alternatives to some common types of trick or treats.
Breakfast Meal
Salt intake
Egg McMuffin®, without butter or margarine
820 mg
Traditional Candy
Organic Alternative
Fruit slices
SunRidge Farm’s organic fruit slices. $8.99/lb. SunRidge Farm’s organic and vegetarian jelly beans. $9.49/lb.
Lunch and Dinner
Jelly beans
Meal
Salt intake
Chocolate bars
6 piece Chicken McNuggets®, white meat
540 mg
Lollipops
Side salad
10 mg
Half package Newman’s Own low-fat balsamic vinaigrette dressing
420 mg
Theo organic fair trade chocolate. $3.39-$3.99. Yummy Earth organic lollipops. $4.99/bag.
Licorice Gum
Panda all-natural licorice. $2.49. Glee’s all-natural gum. $0.89-
Gummy bears
Surf Sweet’s all-natural gummy bears, worms, and swirls. $1.99/
$0.99.
bag.
Total: 1790 mg of Sodium
22 greenliving | October 2011
*All of these items can be found at your local Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s. Comment on this article at greenlivingaz.com
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Create your best life - Celebrate your Life!
A
re you ready to create the life you desire and give it more meaning and purpose? Over 2,000 attendees travel from all over the world to Phoenix to participate in the Celebrate Your Life conference - designed to offer ways to create your best, most fulfilling, meaningful and joyous life from all aspects of your being, including physical, emotional, spiritual and mental. Open to the general public, for four inspiring days, there are thought-provoking and life-changing workshops and keynote lectures available to enhance your spirit. There are so many high-profile presenters that attendees find it a challenge to choose which workshops to attend. As one participant stated:
Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, featured on Oprah, and author of New York Times Bestselling book My Stroke of Insight, will share her story about how she suffered a stroke at the age of 37 and how the recovery brought about deep spiritual insight. Gary Zukav, a frequent guest on Oprah, will bring his spiritual wisdom to the conference from his world-renowned book The Seat of the Soul. Gary will help you tap into your spirit and live your magnificent authentic self every day of your life. Harville Hendrix, Ph.D., relationship expert, also a guest on Oprah, has helped thousands of people develop healthy and happy relationships. He will educate participants about his unique Imago process. Other presenters include New York Times Bestselling authors, Neale Donald Walsch, Doreen Virtue, Dan Millman, Dr. Judith Orloff, Gregg Braden, James Van Praagh, Lisa Wiliams and many more. Celebrate Your Life is an extraordinary event that uplifts and transforms lives. For more information call: 480-970-8543 or visit CelebrateYourLife.org.
“I love this event! The problem? Too many great speakers to select from!” - Linda S. This year marks the 9th annual Celebrate Your Life conference presented by Mishka Productions. From November 4-7, at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort, Celebrate Your Life joins over 20 of the country’s top bestselling authors in the personal growth, self-help and spiritual arenas, many of whom have been featured on Oprah, Larry King, and Good Morning America. Dr. Wayne Dyer, known as “the father of motivation” and a favorite on PBS television, will deliver a keynote lecture on mastering the art of manifesting. Discover how to use the power of attracting your needs and desires into your life through meditation and explore how to overcome obstacles and preventing you from achieving what you want in life. Dr. Andrew Weil, a favorite on the Dr. Oz show, and best known for his groundbreaking work in the field of integrative medicine, will offer advice, information, and support to begin maximizing your health and emotional well-being. Learn how to maintain health at all stages of life and delay the onset of age-related disease and discomfort.
24 greenliving | October 2011
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For over 16 years, Mishka Productions have developed events and workshops with New York Times Bestselling authors whose work uplifts the consciousness of the planet. They produce the largest event of its kind in Arizona with their signature event the Celebrate Your Life conference. Owned by sisters Liz Dawn & Jaime Zeimen, Celebrate Your Life is an extraordinary conference that transforms lives. On November 4-7, the 9th annual Celebrate Your Life conference will take place at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort featuring icons in the personal growth and self-help genre that are rarely seen together in one place at one time. For more information visit their website at: CelebrateYourLife.org
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Coming to Phoenix! ÂŽ
November 4-7, 2011 – Phoenix, AZ
Attend an extraordinary event that will uplift, inspire and bring positive change into your life! Featuring powerful life-changing workshops with NY Times bestselling authors
Dr. Wayne Dyer
Dr. Andrew Weil
Harville Hendrix, Ph.D. Getting the Love You Want
My Stroke of Insight
Doreen Virtue
Neale Donald Walsch
Gregg Braden
James Van Praagh
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Healthy Aging
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Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor
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Learn ways to live a happier, healthier, and more conscious life! Register Now! Call 480-970-8543 www.CelebrateYourLife.ORG
Green Thumb
Start the
planting BY DOREEN POLLACK
It would be nice if the Food and Drug Administration stopped issuing warnings about toxic substances and just gave me the names of one or two things still safe to eat. ~ Robert Fuoss
T
here have been many health studies on the connection between our health and the foods we eat and, and no matter how you slice the research, fruits and veggies make the cut. Eating lots of fresh produce can lower your blood pressure, help you maintain a healthy weight, lower your risk of several types of cancer (including breast cancer), and reduce your risk of heart disease, a stroke and Type 2 diabetes. They provide numerous phytonutrients and antioxidants which help prevent cellular damage throughout the body. Even with all of these great reasons to eat our fruits and veggies, the majority of adults and kids aren’t eating enough. They’re colorful, crunchy, pretty, tasty and healthy — what’s not to love? Stealing a few sneaky tricks from our parents out there is one way to get our kids to eat the “good stuff” — making faces out of our food, providing lots of dipping options (ranch, caramel, honey, cream cheese…whatever it takes!), blending them into oblivion so they are undetectable in pizza sauce. Another tactic many parents use is growing them yourself. Kids are way more likely to eat them if they’ve contributed to growing them…the cool factor. (The same tricks sometimes work on grown-ups too…sssshhhhhh.) So why not plant your own garden? Grow your own healthy food, and get some exercise in the garden while you’re at it!
the hot sun, little or no rain and all the plants that grew in the garden, nutrients have been depleted from the soil. Now is a good time to add your own compost or purchase some at your favorite nursery. Make sure the compost is completely decomposed and resembles soil. Combine the compost with the soil by lightly digging it in to the top six inches of the garden. Turn the soil over a few times, mix it together and rake it smooth. Then it is ready for the seeds or transplants. QUICK TIP: Be sure to keep the soil uniformly moist so the seeds or plants do not dry out.
Here are some delicious, healthy foods you can grow in your own Arizona garden: • Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, brussel sprouts, cauliflower) • Dark leafy greens (collards, kale, spinach) • Carrots and tomatoes Growing a garden may seem like a lot of work, but it doesn’t have to be - maybe start small! The best part is if you live in the low desert like Phoenix or Tucson, you can grow all of these foods throughout the winter and into April or May! The seeds or transplants can go into the garden now and you will be able to harvest in about 45 days. And if you want to grow some delicious fruit – look at citrus, berries and cherries. There are many fruit trees that have been developed especially for our short, warmer winters. You can learn more about them and how to grow them through ValleyPermacultureAlliance.org.
Heal thy soil
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26 greenliving | October 2011
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What
did you do during the recession?
you planted over 5000 trees in Brazil you brought jobs and opportunity to our community you helped thousands of children battle childhood disease you consumed less barrels of fuel than the year before you saved an average of $3.00 per taxi cab ride, when compared to the competition Clean Air Cab would like to thank you; for becoming our largest supporter and contributing to bringing life back to the community.
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“One-Use-Items” Opened My Eyes
H
ave you ever stopped to think about the plastic item you just tossed away? Usually it is a bottle, cup, straw, or bag you’ve used once, that restaurants and stores purchase by the ton for us to use and toss away. Watching this trash cycle started me thinking about what I call “One-Use-Items.” This began in earnest when I found out that Americans use an average of 1267 plastic bags per person per year. Startled I made an agreement with myself to no longer use them. Now if I arrive at the store and don’t have any cloth bags, I pack my purchases back into the cart and load them onto the front seat of my car. While it probably looks a little weird, a commitment is a commitment! After I began looking at all the use-it-once items in my life, I couldn’t believe the sheer volume that I used. Initially I
INTRODUCTION
wasn’t concerned because I’m good about recycling, but then I learned that up to 85 percent of these items still end up in the landfill or by the side of the road. That was it – my journey to lighter living was elevated to passionate. What started with plastic bags has spread through my entire life. Now I use a stainless steel drinking bottle, carry take out containers and an extra cup or two in my car for use at the local restaurant, reducing the one-use-items I used to use. The important thing to remember is this is a ‘no suffering’ process. If you always use a straw and that is something you want, keep doing it. On the other hand if the wait staff is bringing you a new straw every time you get a refill, ask them to stop. These things might seem small on an individual basis, but collectively they make an enormous difference. The most important change we can all make however is to be aware of the impact generated by our choices, guiding the future that we want to leave our children.
Greg Peterson owns the Urban Farm, (urbanfarm.org) a sustainability showcase home on one-third of an acre in Central Phoenix, and is a founder of AzLocalFood.org.
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Feature
Medical Waste Where does it all go? BY WILLIAM JANHONEN, LEED AP, NAHB-CGP
I
n 2005 there existed over 7,000 hospitals and 35,000 longterm care facilities in the United States. These numbers don’t include ambulatory facilities, dentists, home care or physicians’ offices. That adds up to a lot of medical waste. Did you ever wonder what happens to the small amount of unused drugs left in an IV bag, leftover pills, blood waste from tests, or products used during surgical or emergency care? After medical waste washed up on several East Coast beaches, concern over the potential health hazards prompted Congress to enact the Medical Waste Tracking Act (MWTA) of 1988. MWTA defines medical waste as “any solid waste that is generated in the diagnosis, treatment, or immunization of human beings or animals, in research pertaining thereto, or in the production or testing of biologicals.” This definition includes, but is not limited to: blood-soaked bandages, culture dishes and other glassware, discarded surgical gloves, discarded surgical instruments, discarded needles used to give shots or draw blood (e.g., medical sharps), cultures, stocks, swabs used to inoculate cultures, removed body organs (e.g., tonsils, appendices, limbs) and discarded lancets. More specifically, MWTA, which amended the Solid Waste Disposal Act, did the following: Defined medical waste and established which medical waste would be subject to program regulations; established a cradle-to-grave tracking system utilizing a generator initiated tracking form; required management standards for segregation, packaging, labeling and marking, and storage of the medical waste; and established recordkeeping requirements and penalties that could be imposed for mismanagement of waste. On June 24, 1989, regulations for this two-year program went into effect, and they expired on June 21, 1991. Regulations were in place for New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Puerto Rico. Simultaneously, the EPA gathered information and performed several studies related to medical waste management. The MWTA and EPA’s associated program served to focus attention on the medical waste issue and provided a model for states and other federal agencies to aid in the development of their own medical waste programs. To date, scientists have identified numerous pharmaceutical compounds at discernable concentrations in our nation’s rivers, lakes, and streams (EPA-HQ-OW-2006-0771-1694). To address this issue at the source, the EPA is studying how pharmaceutical drugs are entering waterways and factors that contribute to
32 greenliving | October 2011
the current situation. On this front, the EPA initiated a study on pharmaceutical disposal practices at health care facilities including hospitals, hospices, long-term care facilities, health care clinics, doctors’ offices and veterinary facilities. Unused pharmaceuticals include dispensed prescriptions or those that have expired, as well as the residuals remaining in used and partially used dispensers, containers, and devices (e.g., intravenous (IV) bags emptied into sink). For many years, a standard practice at many health care facilities was to dispose of unused pharmaceuticals by flushing them down the toilet or drain. So what are we doing about it? The EPA has proposed the addition of hazardous pharmaceutical wastes to the Universal Waste Rule, which would provide a system for the disposal of hazardous pharmaceutical wastes, resulting in protection of public health and the environment. The rule encourages generators to dispose of non-hazardous pharmaceutical waste as universal waste, thereby removing this unregulated waste from wastewater treatment plants and municipal solid waste landfills. The revised rule would also facilitate the collection of personal medications from the public at various facilities. Currently the federal Universal Waste Rule includes batteries, pesticides, mercury-containing equipment, and lamps. At this point in time, the EPA does not have a projected date for the finalization of the rulemaking to add hazardous pharmaceutical wastes to the federal universal waste program. Individual states have set their own criteria for handling both hazardous and non-hazardous medical waste. Some hospitals have taken it upon themselves to go beyond the standard and adopt stringent methods and guidelines, often partnering with waste disposal companies geared specifically to handle medical waste. Cayuga Medical Center in Ithaca, New York, has partnered with Stericycle, a medical waste disposal company, to lead the way in medical waste control. “What prompted us to undertake this program was the increased attention given to medical waste compliance issues generated a few years ago by then Attorney General Andrew Cuomo,” Mike Judd, director of pharmacy for Cayuga Medical Center, said. “Minnesota, the land of a thousand lakes, takes their water and environment seriously and they were one of the first states to raise the standard. Ninety-eight percent of our drugs are nonhazardous but, with our program in place, compliance has been surprisingly complete with few errors across the board.” The program includes education and training of hospital staff, greenlivingaz.com
Feature identification of drugs by category, notification of methods of disposal and tracking of the waste after removal. A code is attached to each drug on the nurse’s notification schedule, on the drug dispenser and on the disposal bins, making compliance simple. “The staff really understood the program quickly and each new employee gets additional training, either by someone on our team or by Stericycle, who has been a great partner in establishing this program,” Mary Brickey, director of environmental services for Cayuga Medical Center, said. “We are also being a very green hospital by reusing a special container for our ‘medical sharps’. Stericycle has provided us with a reusable sharps container that can be emptied, avoiding any stick hazards, then completely sanitized so it can be used again, eliminating the multiple plastic containers previously used. I should mention our new wing was built to LEED Silver standard as well.” Brickey stated that the medical, housekeeping and maintenance staff all work together to make this program successful and maintain compliance. Medical waste regulations are primarily controlled by individual states. What are the requirements in Arizona? Under Title 18. Environmental Quality, Chapter 13. Dept. Of Environmental Quality Solid Waste Management, the State lists one protocol under R18-13-1418 and allows under sub-section B: A generator of
discarded drugs may flush them down a sanitary sewer if allowed by the wastewater treatment authority. Additional handling requirements for certain wastes are listed under R18-13-1420 and require incineration, autoclaving, protective packaging for certain types of waste, then incineration, grinding of medical sharps, as well as the following of federal or state law as prescribed under specific requirements. The established requirements are strict and fairly comprehensive, but increased demand for medical treatment is on the horizon—the largest segment of the American population, the baby boomers, began turning 60 a few years ago. To facilitate investigation efforts, the EPA developed state-of-theart analytical methods capable of detecting low levels of various pharmaceuticals, steroids and hormones. The agency has visited many facilities and consulted with organizations in the health care industry, as well as federal, state and local government agencies, and commissioned the National Academy of Sciences to provide scientific advice on the potential risk to human health from low levels of pharmaceutical residues in drinking water. The EPA continues to solicit recommendations from a wide range of stakeholders and plans to publish a final version of the proposed requirements document in 2011. William Janhonen teaches green building at several colleges and universities in the Northeast.
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Corporate Social Responsibility
This month Green Living magazine asked our municipalities and corporations, “What does your business do to promote employee health?” Our wellness program is a collaboration between the Town of Oro Valley, United Healthcare, Wellness Council of Arizona and the National Partnership for Wellness. This program is designed to aid Town of Oro Valley employees with developing healthy living strategies along with building an enhanced work environment. The employee wellness initiative aids in developing physical activity, healthy nutrition, stress management, and self-care lifestyles. Programs for gaining optimal health, understanding wise health care consumerism along with appropriate disease prevention and management compliance are offered to all employees. This program is designed by the Town of Oro Valley’s wellness committee, representing every department in the Town. Employees are encouraged to participate in our health awareness campaigns, educational workshops and lifestyle support programs.
Town of Oro Valley
Pima County
Pima County’s Employee Wellness Program emphasizes the importance of education, awareness, self-care and behavioral change to enhance overall well-being.
The County provides programs to encourage smoking cessation and diabetes management. In addition, the County offers a healthy pregnancy program, a walking club with prescribed lunch-hour walks, a Weight Watchers at Work program, a Lose and Win PeerSupport group and massage, reflexology and acupuncture services. Discounts are also offered at fitness centers, martial arts and boxing programs, chiropractor services, yoga classes, and recreational sport programs. The County also provides a monthly wellness calendar noting activities aimed at promoting wellness in the workplace. Pima County was awarded a Well Workplace Gold Award, for its achievements in health promotion, from the Wellness Council of America and the American Heart Association Achievement Award in 2008, 2009 and 2010 for meeting criteria related to employee fitness. Eaton Corporation, a diversified industrial manufacturer, received the American Heart Association’s (AHA) top award for promoting health and physical activity in the workplace. This is the second year Eaton has received the award, receiving Gold Level status in 2010 and Platinum Level in 2011.
Eaton Corporation
Start! Fit-Friendly Companies reach Platinum Level status by implementing various activities and programs that encourage physical activity, nutrition and culture enhancements such as on-site walking routes, healthy food choices in cafeterias and vending machines, annual employee health risk assessments and online tracking tools. Globally, Eaton’s comprehensive wellness initiative expands these criteria by focusing on “five pillars” of wellness: Know your numbers, be tobacco-free, eat healthy, get fit and manage stress. Taking action in these areas will help prevent, and even reverse, chronic illness, so Eaton and our employees can do well together. “Eaton is already known as a global leader in ethics, corporate governance and sustainability; now we want to extend that reach to health and wellness for Eaton employees around the world.” ~ Alexander Cutler, CEO, Eaton Corporation
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Developing Your Sustainable Intelligence BY WILLIAM JANHONEN, LEED AP, NAHB-CGP
One definition of intelligence is: behavior modified by experience.
A
s children, we learn about right and wrong through example and experience, then over the years we become more intelligent in our decisions and our actions. We gather knowledge to overcome and combat obstacles presented to us in the form of problems and hardships. The accumulation of knowledge leads us to a successful path in our lives – that’s the theory, anyway. In today’s world of sustainable living, with emphasis on a more conscious populace concerned with the protection of our planet and its climate, we need to think about educating people in the practices and processes of environmental protection. I define sustainable living as being concerned with increased efficiency to reduce energy use, decreased water consumption and protection of natural water resources, protection of virgin resources by reusing or recycling, protecting open spaces and providing healthy and safe environments for our children and ourselves. Our grandparents understood hardship and made sacrifices in order to achieve many of their goals. They scrimped and saved and hoarded items for that rainy day. The populace up to the post-WWII era understood that the good things in life won’t last forever, so they adapted their expectations to their environment. It’s important to consider returning to that knowledge base and show others that acting locally can affect things globally. We all want what’s best for our children and our future, but ignoring runaway consumption and the threat of energy crisis and global pollution isn’t the answer. The marketplace to educate individuals in sustainable living has exploded in recent years. The increase in green building has nationally spawned over 100 different building rating certifications, from such groups like the US Green Building Council, to the National Association of Home Builders and the Department of Energy, to name a few. Along with the “green” movement has come a demand for trained “green” professionals in almost every field to every corporate office in America. The need for knowledge of sustainable living is necessary in almost every workplace. The job of Sustainability Officer is a new term being used in boardrooms and classrooms. Accreditations can be gained through training and testing for several new positions, including LEED Accredited Professional, Certified Green Professional, HERS rater, BIM specialist, Home Energy Systems Auditor and dozens more. Each of these accreditations provides specialized education that increases an individual’s marketability and relevance in today’s emerging green marketplace.
36 greenliving | October 2011
Many of my students are professionals who have decided to “reinvent” themselves by becoming “green” professionals. I have had hospitality officers, corporate CEOs, disaster and remediation companies, hospital administrators, high school students to master degree candidates all take courses in sustainable education. Homeowners and children are now being added to the educational outreach by schools and local groups. In Greenwich, Connecticut, the Florin Family Environmental Center containing the Bruce Museum Seaside Center is opening its green doors to the public, inviting them to learn about the environment. Almost every town and village is embracing that we cannot continue down the path of over consumption.
...the post-WWII era understood that the good things in life won’t last forever, so they adapted their expectations to their environment. It’s important to consider returning to that knowledge base... here are some facts: • By the year 2040 there will be an additional two billion people on Earth, all vying for the same natural resources. • The supply of fossil fuels is not infinite and will eventually run out. When the last suck of the last straw in the last well is drawn, there will be no more oil or gas or coal. • The production of oxygen is mainly created by green plants, so why would we continue to destroy the one thing that sustains us?
What can you do? Check out the continuing education classes at your local community college and take a class, go to a lecture, attend a green networking event, check out a farmers’ market or green fair or watch industry-specific documentaries. Get involved in your garden club or local chamber of commerce. Most of all – read. The amount of literature and online resources available concerning the environment is infinite. The information is available and it can enhance your career, improve your life and make your home, school and office a healthier more productive environment.
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SOURCES usgbc.org gbci.org nahb.org energystar.org
DOCUMENTARIES Fracking: gaslandthemovie.com Fuel: thefuelfilm.com Who Killed the Electric Car? Addicted to Plastic
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THE LEAST EXPENSIVE KILOWATT IS THE KILOWATT YOU DON’T BUY HOW TO COST EFFECTIVELY MAKE EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS THAT WILL POSITIVELY IMPACT THE BOTTOM LINE
Using daylight to replace electric lighting is a practice that involves using an integrated design process that takes into account many factors. Initial considerations are the orientation of the building in relation to the sun and the proposed or existing use of the building. The designer or energy consultant also needs to consider window to wall and skylight to ceiling ratios, required lighting levels in various spaces, contrast and reduction in glare. What you may not realize is that many electric lights in commercial buildings generate an
inordinate amount of heat, which can result in not only using energy to power the lighting but increased energy usage to cool the building. Implementing a day lighting strategy can often result in decreased cooling costs and can allow the building owner or designer to put more efficient lighting and HVAC equipment in place, all of which may help defray the costs of day lighting improvements. Additionally, virtually any improvement in new efficient lighting systems will reduce heat, provide for improved productivity and reduce operating costs.
Evaluating a building’s lighting system may initially seem like a minor upgrade, but may actually illuminate major energy savings, improved working conditions and significant tax deductions. Read the full report at www.capitalreviewgroup.com/p1
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October 2011 | greenliving 37
Community
A TO RECKON WITH
BY TISHIN DONKERSLEY, M.A.
n the heart of Phoenix lies a company focused on eliminating the carbon footprint and maximizing the health factor. Bike Force, Phoenix’s premier bicycle courier service, is making a name for itself along the Central Corridor and to neighborhoods beyond. Once a high school band teacher, Gary Moss turned entrepreneur when he took his passion for cycling, a desire to create jobs and love for the environment to heart. Moss created Bike Force, a local bicycle courier service that services businesses within the Phoenix metropolitan area. Moss wanted to create more jobs for Arizona and “go out, make commerce and call people to action,” he said. Since its inception, Moss has grown his business to service a wide range of clients from Valley Metro, Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and Hi-Tech Car Care to some of the busiest law, architectural and accounting firms in Central Phoenix. Sustainability is another component Moss loves to discuss. He talks enthusiastically about his efforts to decrease the carbon footprint, support the community, and purchase local or “made in the U.S.A.” products for his business. “Sustainability is about green jobs and [that is] why we started this business,” he said.
38 greenliving | October 2011
With education at heart, Moss continues to distinguish his service by providing ongoing training to his employees on topics such as climate change, health, safety, bike trails, Arizona laws and customer service. He prides himself on hiring people with a customer-oriented skill set. In fact, he said that the majority of his employees are college students or recent graduates who happen to be triathletes or cycling enthusiasts like himself. A job that pays you to exercise! Moss says he wants to challenge businesses to look at bike courier services in a new way. His green delivery service is promoting a cleaner environment, creating jobs, and providing a unique and timely service for their clients.
“I want to challenge businesses and see if they are really serious about sustainability,” he said. When asked how far he has gone to deliver a package Moss said, “Tolleson. But my goal is to have a Tucson connection.” Better be a true cyclist to deliver that package!
Bike Force headquarters are located at 112 N. Central #A8, inside the Heard Building. Routes run Monday through Thursday, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For more information about Bike Force, visit bikeforceus. com or call 602-463-8081 to schedule a delivery.
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Photography courtesy of Bike Force
I
Technology
Let there be light! BY WILLIAM JANHONEN, LEED-AP, NAHB-CGP
T
here is no mystery as to why natural sunlight brightens our mood, makes us more productive or drives away rainyday thoughts. Studies have shown increases in productivity for workers and students, increased sales in retail stores, and improved healing rates in patients with exposure to natural sunlight. Sunlight allows us visibility without flicker and some scientists claim that the amount of sunlight energy that hits the earth every day could provide enough power to run all of the world’s machines - if only we could figure out how to harvest it. Of the numerous nationwide green building certifications, including LEED, most assign point values for daylighting in a building. A very large part of improving indoor environmental quality revolves around lighting, and specifically providing sunlight. SunPort™ Daylighting Systems by SunPort Industries of Norwalk, Connecticut, has created an ingenious way to provide natural sunlight to buildings and reduce energy costs while maintaining the normal R-value of the building. The SunPort system is a deep light well that provides an integrated light source that
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Additionally, SunPort Industries integrated “look-up, lookdown” photo sensors into the skylight to measure the desired lumen (foot-candle) level required of any given area within the building. When lumen levels are achieved through natural sunlight, a “smart box” connected to the building’s lighting system, with predetermined lumen levels, will eliminate the need to use artificial lights. By using the SunPort system, most buildings do not need artificial lights during normal working hours, averaging 7.6 hours per day without lights. Dr. Robert Zincone, chief engineer for SunPort, wanted to take it a step further by integrating a variable level internal lighting source within the deep-well skylights. By using high–efficiency fluorescent lights within the SunPort, users can achieve even greater reductions in energy use without turning on standard lights. Research is being conducted to add LED lighting and provide possible renewable energy sources slaved to the SunPort system, such as a photovoltaic energy source, to remove the lighting system entirely from the grid. SunPort skylights can be custom-made to any facility ridge span, providing great flexibility in the types of buildings that can benefit from this deep-well skylight. I have seen installations in fitness centers, manufacturing plants, medical offices, schools, municipal buildings and retail stores, as well as replacement skylights in residential high-rise buildings. Since lighting typically represents 40 percent of the average commercial building’s electric bills, for building owners and companies who want to “go green” and save money, there is no better way than to initially install or retrofit a building with the SunPort system. State power authorities have embraced this energy savings system by allowing rebates, financing or direct tax incentives.
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Since we spend 90 percent of our lives indoors, wouldn’t it make sense for us to create the most beneficial environment available? Harvesting sunlight while saving money on electricity costs seems like a no-brainer. William Janhonen teaches green building at several colleges and universities in the Northeast.
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October 2011 | greenliving 39
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Feature
Recoup, Rejuvenate & Reclaim Your Life After Breast Cancer
BY BARBI WALKER
W
e all lead busy lives, oftentimes forgetting to care for our health. In our over-connected, overscheduled and ‘burning the candle at both ends’ lives, our physical and spiritual well-being takes a back seat. But to keep up the pace, our health has to be…well, healthy. The lull between summer and the holiday rush is the perfect time to rejuvenate and revive your spirit by taking advantage of our great respite suggestions. In keeping with Breast Cancer Awareness month, I suggest you take time to be aware of your own health and don’t put it on the bottom of the to-do list. In the United States there are more than 2.5 million breast cancer survivors, according to the American Cancer Society, and I know you have all earned a little “me-time,” far from the appointments, doctors, and treatments that consume your daily lives - and even if you’re blessed to be cancer-free, you’ve earned it too. Step away from the emails, texts, stoves, mops and errands and put yourself at the top of your to-do list this month.
re·ad·just
Set or adjust (something) again: 2. Adjust or adapt to a changed environment or situation: “she wondered if she could ever become readjusted to this sort of life,” Webster’s Dictionary Meditation is one of many ways to readjust. The benefits of meditation are well-documented for improving individuals’ health and mental states, as well as reducing stress levels.
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Navigating life after breast cancer is challenging and sometimes frightening without a guide or map. Sarah McLean, breast cancer survivor and owner of the Meditation Training & Retreat Co., based in Sedona, AZ, offers self-discovery retreats and workshops in Sedona, and programs for meditation novices through her Everyday Meditation classes, in Phoenix. This dynamic and passionate teacher served as the education director for the Chopra Center for Wellness and began teaching meditation in the early ‘90s. McLean helps breast cancer survivors answer a common question: “What am I supposed to be doing with my life?” through her mediation classes and retreats. The Yoga of Writing: A Woman’s Meditation & Writing Retreat, is McLean’s recommendation for survivors. This intimate three-day retreat guides women as they write, talk and listen. She teaches them how to quiet the mind and stay in the present moment. “People don’t really pay attention to their lives,” McLean said. “That’s why meditation is so important…is to be present.” For survivors struggling with their post-cancer identity, this is the perfect workshop. In a small, intimate group setting just for women, survivors are empowered to navigate and re-examine their lives, belief systems and roles. “The deep listening that happens during the retreat is very powerful,” McLean said. “Women learn to listen and trust their own voice.” The Yoga of Writing: A Women’s Meditation & Writing Retreat is March 16 18, 2012 in Sedona, AZ.
October 2011 | greenliving 41
Feautre
re·claim re·coup
To regain (something lost) To regain (lost physical or mental resources), Webster’s Dictionary It is possible to regain the power of your inner spirit. If you need to nourish your spirit, there is a place in Sedona, AZ designed to help you tap into your faith and beliefs, and recoup your soul with personalized experiences. Cancer survivor Gregory Drambour owns the spiritual retreat Sedona Sacred Journeys. Drambour is a shaman, someone who treats ailments or illness by mending the soul (much like an old-world psychotherapist) and has been leading workshops and healing retreats for over 22 years. Drambour’s retreats—which include a Cancer Survivors and Patient Retreat—and belief systems are cultivated from Native American modalities. He emphasizes the importance of working with individuals to help them learn how best to access their own inner wisdom. The Sedona Sacred Journeys cancer retreats are personally tailored, ranging from three to five days, and most often include a “vortex” experience, for which Sedona is well-known. Vortexes are areas believed to be rich with highly concentrated spiritual energy which is a powerfully conducive to prayer, meditation and healing. As the environment interacts with a person’s inner self, an experiential moment is created, according to many. Learning to forgive and finding the gift in cancer is not an easy thing to do, but Drambour believes it’s an important step in order to recoup one’s spirit. “Cancer survivors are a tough bunch,” he says. “But we’re in the same club. They can look in my face and see that I understand.”
To rescue from an undesirable state; also to restore to a previous natural state, Webster’s Dictionary “I am woman, hear me roar.” - Helen Reddy. Reddy’s #1 Billboard song was the theme for the women’s liberation movement in the 1970s. This anthem is still empowering women today, and breast cancer survivors can roar with the best of them. Now you have an anthem in your journey to reclaim your body — the very one that fought cancer, suffered treatments, and won. Let your inner lioness out and let her rip it up on the gym floor. For some tough love and booty-kickin’ workouts (after a doctor’s release of course!), head over to Results Only Fitness and Catalyst Training. Results Only does not hold your hand, babysit or gloss over the truth, but if you’re ready to demand your life and your body back, Results Only is a great option for you. Owner and trainer Bobby Kelly guides you through workouts that challenge your body and mental stamina. Kelly’s enthusiasm and dedication to overall wellness is reflected in his approach to fitness, and he only accepts applicants he feels can benefit from their conditioning program. The gym is not like a typical personal training gym. Each week Kelly creates new workouts to push his clients and help them realize their
Let some life into yours.
This month The Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale, AZ, offers Being Present, Manifesting Presence: a Retreat for Women. The retreat, held October 28 to 30, 2011, features Carol Whittaker, PhD, and Gloria Cuevas-Barnett for a weekend of prayer and rituals designed to awaken the heart and mind to the present moment. “Being present to ourselves puts us in the place where we can experience and respond to the grace that is always present and sustaining us,” notes the renewal center. Attendees will have opportunities to share their journey and faith in individual sessions. The experience promises to help women enjoy wholeness and personal freedom through prayer.
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42 greenliving | October 2011
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Feature fitness goals. Clients work in group settings to motivate and encourage each other, but Kelly and his staff of trainers work also individually with applicants to learn their personal goals and limitations. “I’ve had women in here from all ages that have had breast cancer. I even have a 90-year-old woman client,” Kelly says. “And she’s in the best shape of her life!” Results Only isn’t just about the body, it’s also about the mind. Kelly’s experience as an athlete and coach coupled with his obsessively creative workouts will help any woman not only reclaim her body, but also make positive changes that will last a lifetime.
re·ju·ve·nate
To make young or youthful again: give new vigor to: to restore to an original or new state, Webster’s Dictionary. The word alone makes one feel like relaxing, especially when it’s coupled with a spa. Maybe what you need is a massage, a mani/pedi, some herbal tea, an organic green salad and smoothie to nourish tired cells after breast cancer treatment and recovery. Right now, a great place for you is Canyon Ranch in Tucson, AZ.
Aside from the obvious relaxing spa and rejuvenation opportunities that the resort offers, social services and licensed therapists are also on staff and available to help survivors with questions or concerns. Considering all the changes that take place when a woman battles breast cancer, it almost seems like a trip to Canyon Ranch should be a standard part of every set of “doctor’s orders.” Take care of yourself and utilize these resources as you transition to your new self, by pampering and rejuvenating your old self. “Just relax and get a massage,” Sheryl Press, spokeswoman for the resort, said. “Because your body is not a medical experiment.” By giving yourself the gift of a trip to Canyon Ranch, Press said, you are giving yourself the gift to “just come back to you.” And what better gift to give yourself for being such an amazing fighter and survivor — YOU. Breast cancer or not, take it from this survivor - your life isn’t just about cancer; taking care of you means taking care of your health - your soul, your heart, your passion, your imagination, your hopes, and your faith. Take time to recoup those things, reclaim the wholeness of you, and rejuvenate yourself. YOU will be glad you did. RESOURCES
canyonranch.com/tucson Renowned for its integrative and restorative therapies, Canyon resultsonly.com Ranch has a Health & Healing Center with access to boardsedonameditation.com certified physicians, exercise physiologists, nutritionists and other sedona-spiritual-vacations.com thecasa.org health specialists well-versed in attending to the special needs of breast cancer survivors. Comment on this article at
Barbi Walker is a freelance writer and an awardwinning journalist. Barbi lives in Phoenix with her husband and young son.
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Earth911 Celebrates 20th Birthday your healthy alternative for hair and nails
Two decades ago, Earth911’s environmental hotline launched in Arizona to help people responsibly recycle their used motor oil.Today, Earth911 hosts the nation’s largest and most accurate recycling directory, with more than 1,000,000 ways to recycle more than 300 products. It’s free to use the directory, which is
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October 2011 | greenliving 43
Art/Culture
YOUR CUSTOMER VISITS YOUR WEBSITE ONLY ONCE IN A BLUE MOON. They visit Social Media EVERYDAY!
BY ABIGAIL GILMORE
M
ichael Schwartz has been involved in the community for more than 30 years, but his current role as executive director for the Tucson Arts Brigade brings new challenges and joy to his life every single day. Tucson Arts Brigade (TAB) is a civically engaged arts and education organization that animates and enlivens communities in Tucson, throughout the United States, and around the world through murals, dance, theater, puppetry, events, special projects and community action. Since 1996, TAB has been bringing communities together through sustainable art and communication. Schwartz said the TAB works with neighborhood associations and schools when there is a need for art-based services, art education or movement arts. “There are a lot of neat outcomes — individual outcomes or larger outcomes — that impact an entire neighborhood or area,” he said. “It has to be a movement or group of people.” Schwartz credits much of their success to the power of art. “The great thing about the arts is that it transcends differences,” he said. “When people get involved in creating a piece of art, they feel validated. It’s an inspiring experience for people.” Schwartz said many Tucson-based Brigade programs have focused on cleaning up tagged (spray painted) buildings, and/ or converting vandalized walls or structures into murals. “Going around Tucson, you can see quite a bit of tagging,” he said. But Schwartz and the TAB staff think about the people who are doing the tagging from a different perspective than many others. “This is their way of speaking out and trying to get attention, a place in society, a voice. By tagging, they feel empowered,” he said. Interestingly enough, through many TAB programs, which allow community volunteers to participate, the taggers have been known to join in cleaning up the very damage they created. TAB is about more than just cleaning up cities and involving people in the arts, Schwartz said. It’s about bettering communities. Some TAB programs focus on teaching children about saving money and finance. “It starts with understanding the way credit works — taking control of their own credit and understanding how checking accounts work and understanding how to budget,” Schwartz said. “Then, these children teach the people around them. That’s really exciting to go from keeping money under the mattress to trusting the bank and opening a savings account. When people ‘get it…’ when their eyes light up and they’re like, ‘Oh this is really powerful stuff — that’s what it’s really all about’ I love encouraging people to find their voice, and that’s what TAB does.”
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44 greenliving | October 2011
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Art/Culture
SMoCA Fall Reception Introduces
people’s biennia
C
oming October 28, 2011, the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) will debut three new fall exhibitions at its annual Fall Opening Reception. The first, Kirsten Everberg: Looking for Edendale, displays the work of a Los Angeles artist who explores the varying line between fiction and reality by focusing on the city’s architectural landmarks and their interiors, which have all been used as locations in numerous films. The second, Artists Tell Stories (Mostly About Themselves), includes five artists who incorporate autobiography, second-and third-person voices, truth and pretense, solemnity and levity in their narratives. The third exhibition, the traveling People’s Biennial, is a collaboration among five lesser-known American art institutions, and artists from each of the museums’ states. Seven local artists will be participating. “The evening allows SMoCA to showcase its ongoing and upcoming exhibitions and introduce many of the artists to the community,” says Cassandra Coblentz, curator for SMoCA. “It’s a great opportunity for art lovers, and the art curious, to investigate the many facets of contemporary art.” Organized and circulated by Independent Curators International New York, the project is guest curated by its founders, Harrell Fletcher of Portland, Ore., and Jens Hoffmann of San Francisco, Ca., who traveled nationwide seeking under-appreciated work, especially from people who may not be considered part of the “professional” art world. Coblentz explains, “Some of the artists
BY DAVID M. BROWN
were referred to the curators who then followed up with studio visits. Some were discovered though an open call and others were selected because I toured with Harrell and Jens around town when they visited, and they asked questions and poked around.” Coblentz continues, “People’s Biennial is in some ways about democratizing the categories of creative activity typically associated with an art exhibition...by designating something not necessarily framed as art with a capital A, the curators are attempting to level the playing field on creative production, in a sense making it more ‘democratic.’” One artist they “discovered” is Avondale resident Andrea Sweet, who had her display on view at the Bruder-designed Burton Barr Library, where she works. Her “Negro-bilia” is an assemblage of African-American collectibles attempting to confront the ideology and “artistry” of racism. She purchased her first controversial but historical mammy doll in 1980. “I wasn’t ashamed or angry. Instead, I felt empowered, even slightly amused. Those ugly caricatures of coal-black faces, bulbous eyes, and protruding ruby lips filled me with a sense of the strength and resiliency of my ancestors,” she said. All of her collectibles are prominently displayed in her home. “I have no problem displaying them alongside the traditional artwork that fills my house,” she explains. “If that offends people, good! I’m more than happy to have my collection be the catalyst for provoking thought, creating dialogue and stirring emotions. Isn’t that what art is all about?” For Phoenix muralist and artist Paul Wilson, art is about funneling energy into a particular concept. “I get obsessed with a
SMoCA Fall Exhibitions Kirsten Everberg, Looking for Edendale Runs October 28, 2011 through January 8, 2012 Artists Tell Stories (Mostly About Themselves) Runs October 29, 2011 through January 22, 2012 People’s Biennial Runs October 29, 2011 through January 15, 2012 For more information on the show and the fall schedule, see smoca.org.
46 greenliving | October 2011
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Art/Culture concept, and find a need for a cathartic, artistic ‘release’ to satisfy and indulge that obsession,” Wilson explains. He has used video, photographs and 3D art pieces as means to bring his concepts to life. When Wilson focused on 1950s albums, he photographed himself as all the members of a fictional “nuclear family” and assembled these into montages. Another obsession surrounded The Poseidon Adventure. “I did a feature-length video satire and remake of it in my garage in the late 1990s, again playing every character,” he recalls. Another featured artist, west Phoenix native Joseph Perez, aka “Sentrock,” breakdances with paint on his hands and shoe bottoms to create canvases, which he calls “Sound in Color.” His love for breakdancing and graffiti art began in high school. “I combined my breaking art form with my painting art form, and the music inspires my dancing, which then inspires the paint strokes,” Perez said. The People’s Biennial has helped validate his art form. “I have had so many inquiries about my art, and once they hear that I am working with SMoCA, it’s like they feel more confident in my art and who I am as in artist,” he said. Jim Grosbach, a resident of Buckeye, began building cities with clay at age six. He finished his first city in 1955, constructing a “fantasy” around it, with a mayor, council and corporate leaders. He built two more major cities in the 1960s, and in 1977 began building ones that can be viewed at People’s Biennial. “While I generally eschew publicity about the cities, I felt it important to demonstrate what can be done with a seemingly simple hobby from childhood through adulthood,” says Grosbach. Phoenix artist Gary Freitas actually uses current technology pieces to create his sculptures. “The works are an experimental art medium utilizing the hidden and common detritus of the modern high-tech world — the printed circuit boards and related components,” explains Freitas, a forensic psychologist from the San Francisco area. “I believe that these sculptures are among the first efforts to fully reveal the hidden nexus between science and art in this evolving consciousness. And, if current research
trends hold true, these circuit board will disappear within the next decade, rendering these art pieces truly unique evolutionary artifacts as well.” In the spirit of the Southwest, Beatrice Moore’s “Mutant Piñata Show” will be featured in the People’s Biennial. Moore, a Phoenix artist who owns the Kooky Krafts Shop on Grand Avenue, says the inclusion of her piñatas will benefit all nontraditional artists and projects. “Many of these projects benefit the community as a whole and strive for a more populist and autonomous approach to art-making and art-exhibiting,” she said. As a child in Vienna, Austria, David Hoelzinger took one of his father’s paper calendars and began making notes and small drawings depicting the events of the day – and continued this for the next 25 years. “This gradually evolved into a pictorial diary, with meanings either apparent or hidden in my own symbols,” Hoelzinger recalls. “Every picture tells a story, most of which would now be otherwise long forgotten but now serve to remind me of who I am and the people and events that are a part of me. It was also a tool for meditation and contemplation; the day was not complete until it had been so summarized.” Today Hoelzinger, who is a cardiologist in Phoenix, hopes that calendars he created as a child will inspire his neighbors and exhibition visitors. “If just one person was inspired enough to believe that they, too, can create their own art, that would be my reward.” Coblentz anticipates many rewards for the People’s Biennial exhibition. For one, the museums participating are not in mainstream art communities, and the artists showing are, for the most part, unknown. More importantly, the exhibition is an opportunity for everyone — artists, curators and community — to rethink basic concepts, labels and categories of art. “The People’s Biennial challenges the traditional semantics and hierarchies of art, exhibitions and exhibition-making in general,” Coblentz said. Comment on this article at greenlivingaz.com
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October 2011 | greenliving 47
Travel
Growing with Ganesha the deity of wisdom and intellect BY CARRIE SIMMONS
I
n the Hindu religion, Ganesha, an elephant-headed figure, is the deity of wisdom and intellect among other things. Later adopted by Buddhism, Ganesha is said to reside in the first chakra, or energy center of the body, and is revered as the guiding force of all other chakras. The chakras make up the Wheel of Life - an ancient symbol that symbolizes the Buddhist teachings on the human condition. The Buddhist yogic philosophy of living is on the rise in the United States and oftentimes integrated into the medical field through visualization and meditation for healing. It is with elephants and Buddhism in mind that I embark on a fact-finding mission to Thailand to discover the healing powers of Eastern philosophy through the mind, body and soul.
Mind
Buddhism first arrived in Thailand hundreds of years ago and according to the 2000 census, almost 95 percent of Thailand’s population still practices Buddhism. With an elaborate set of principles and a long history of practice, Buddhism is sure to challenge my Western mind. I began by visiting some of Bangkok’s infamous golden temples. They weren’t hard to find, just follow the line of saffron robes to the gold spires punctuating the clear azure skies. My first stop was Wat Pho, where hundreds of gold Buddha statues sit in meditation. One particular statue attracts the masses to this temple - measuring almost 150 feet long, Phra Buddhasaiyas, the reclining Buddha, lounges in a colorful temple resting his gilded-gold body and kicking up those mother-of-pearl inlaid feet. In the center of the temple complex, I was able to witness Buddhism in action. Monks gathered for their midday prayers and one could hear a low, reverberating hum wafting down the vibrant halls.
Soul
As if learning Buddhist philosophy and rejuvenating with a massage and footepidermis-eating-fish treatment wasn’t enough, Thailand offers ample opportunities to revive the soul through volunteer tourism. With Ganesha in mind, I headed to the jungle west of Bangkok to come nose-to-trunk with Thailand’s most revered animal, the elephant. Just outside Kanchanaburi, famous for the bridge over the River Kwai, Elephant’s World cares for sick, injured and aging elephants. Founded by veterinarian Dr. Samart Prasitphol, the organization, which hosts eight elephants, lives by the motto: “We humans work for the elephants, not the elephants for us.” The elephants on the farm come from traumatic situations of abuse, neglect or overwork. Visitors to Elephant’s World can help care for these beautiful symbols of Thailand by feeding, bathing and planting food for these gentle giants. One of the highlights for me was bath time. I rode
Body
Wat Phra Chetuphon (Wat Po) is best known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, and for being Thailand’s first “open” University. Inside Wat Po, the Wat Po Thai Traditional Medical School incorporates ancient rituals of herbal healing and therapeutic massage that are renowned throughout Thailand. Beyond Wat Po, there is a plethora of massage options spread throughout popular tourist areas, including crowded Koh San Road, a well traveled backpacker haunt where I kicked back on a comfy recliner and watched the crowds flow past while my feet were rejuvenated by a Thai foot rub…the perfect remedy for a long day of sightseeing. A new and wildly popular addition to the spa treatments in Thailand is the fish spa. Visitors sit with their feet dangling into a giant fish tank while hundreds of tiny “doctor fish” swarm around feasting on dead skin cells. It felt like ants were crawling up and down my legs and between my toes…I do not recommend for the ticklish.
48 greenliving | October 2011
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Travel
Kammoon, a 62-year-old elephant whose thick, rough skin slid underneath me as she lumbered into the river, where we spent an hour frolicking in the water together while I attempted to scrub mud off of her and she tried to shake me loose. It was a rare commune with one of nature’s most majestic beasts and an experience I will never forget.
Ganesha is said to reside in the first chakra, or energy center of the body, and is revered as the guiding force of all other chakras.
If Thailand is too far for your wandering feet, you can experience the invigoration of mind, body and soul a bit closer to home. Here are a few ideas: • Learn about Native American culture at the Heard Museum. Heard.org • Get a Thai massage – find a list of recommended masseuses. Massagetherapists.healthprofs.com • Try your hand (and foot...and legs) at Urban Yoga. Urbanyogaphx.com • Dig into the healthy concoction of vegetables in Pad Thai at Wild Thaiger. Wildthaiger.com • Feed giraffes at Wildlife World Zoo and Aquarium. Wildlifeworld.com
RESOURCES watpho.com/en/home elephantsworld.org/en
Carrie Simmons is the producer of Travel With Kids, a family travel documentary series airing on television around the world and has traveled to five continents in search of adventure. Look for the show on PBS this fall. For more information on the series, visit TravelWithKids.tv
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October 2011 | greenliving 49
Book Review
The first one was easy to deal with. You plucked it, threw it away, then made a mental note: buy hair dye. However, that one gray strand led to another, followed by wrinkles and an increasing number of failing body parts. You wonder, what’s next? You wonder, when did I get old?
Life Gets Better: the Unexpected pLeasUres Of GrOwinG OLder
But when asked if one would want to be 18 again, the answer from the majority was an astounding “no.” Wendy Lustbader uncovers plenty of good aspects about growing older in her new book “Life Gets Better.” Most of the elders she knew – including her middle-aged self – seemed happier, less stressed, and more at ease than her younger compatriots. And yet, youth is venerated in our society and most people dread the signs of aging. With age, Lustbader said, comes self-knowledge — we know who we are, and we’re satisfied with it. We’ve been tested and have survived “more solid than before.” We can accept praise more readily because we know we’ve earned it. We’re grateful for what we have, because we recognize that there are others with less. We know how to use our time, because it goes quickly. Decisions are wiser, resilience is greater, and so is our ability to relax. We’ve gained the wisdom that not everything is worth fighting over and love becomes sweeter due to “mutual sensitivity.” Spending a lifetime with someone no longer seems like enough.
written BY wendY LUstBader reViewed BY terri schLichenMeYer Lustbader’s joyous words make every gray hair seem like a gold star and every wrinkle like a reward as she steers readers away from stereotypes and toward a new understanding. Even the so-called “negative” aspects of aging (senior moments, loss, and incapacitation) are wondrous in Lustbader’s eyes, which will give readers of all ages more reason to embrace elderhood. If you’re missing your youth, or if you’re staring down age with trepidation, read this book and relax. Like life, this book is wellseasoned.
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50 greenliving | October 2011
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Pretty Greek Yogurt Parfait
Serves 1
INGREDIENTS Greek Yogurt Fresh berries (dark berries are best for forming alkaline pH) Granola (oats and no wheat) Agave nectar (drizzle between the berries and yogurt) Carob powder Raisins DIRECTIONS Layer the above ingredients in a champagne flute or sundae glass. Shake the last carob powder and raisins between the yogurt and granola. Adorn the top with apple slices, by propping two slices along the side of the glass. Serve with a sprig of mint, stevia, an edible viola, or any combination above.
Recipe courtesy of Annabel’s Inn
Nourish Muffin
Detox Delicious
Serves 9
Yields 16 ounce portion
INGREDIENTS 6 tbsp. coconut oil 1/4 cup maple syrup 1/4 tsp. salt 1 cup sweet potato, boiled and mashed 1 tbsp. Chia seed, ground 1/4 cup applesauce, housemade and unsweetened
1 vanilla bean, split and scraped 1 1/2 cups of preferred flour 1 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. baking powder, gluten-free 1/2 tsp. cinnamon 1/2 cup dried figs, chopped 1/2 cup dried cherries, chopped 3/4 cup water
INGREDIENTS 1/2 cup parsley 1/2 cup spinach 1/2 cup broccoli Juice of two lemons 1 tbsp. tahini (sesame paste) 1 clove garlic 1 cup green apple (cored and seeded) 1/2 cup vegetable stock
DIRECTIONS In a mixer bowl add the oil, syrup, salt and sweet potato. Mix on medium speed for two minutes. Scrape down the bowl and add in the Chia, applesauce and vanilla bean. Mix again on medium speed for two minutes. Scrape down the bowl. Add in flour, baking soda, cinnamon and powder. Mix on low until moistened. Increase to medium speed for one minute. Scrape down the bowl, add in fruit and water. Continue to mix on medium speed until combined.
DIRECTIONS Blend all ingredients until smooth. This natural and safe beverage can help cleanse without stripping the body of benefits.
Fill muffin cup to top with dough. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes then check with a toothpick – insert into the center and if it comes out clean, it’s done. Recipes courtesy of Nourish
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Recipe courtesy of Executive Chef Frank Caputo of Cancer Treatment Centers of America
October 2011 | greenliving 51
Cool Outrageous
5 [Go green this Halloween Switch out those trick-or-treat plastic bags for a reusable alternative. This pumpkin bag is made from felt and it’s easy to use year after year. Ecopartytime.com
1 [ Eco-friendly App Leaving your phone plugged in and charging too long? The Eco Charger App (for Android phones) will help you manage your energy use, alerting you when it’s time to unplug so you won’t wear out your battery. Appbrain.com/app/eco-charger/asr.eco
6 [ A cardboard house for kids This Little Piggy’s House cardboard playhouses are made from eco-friendly cardboard and hand-painted with non-toxic acrylic paint. The playhouses are easy to build and require no glue or tape. Thislittlepiggyshouse.com
2 [Cool at the zoo! Made from thick, ultra-soft organic cotton, hypoallergenic and chemical-free, these animal printed tights will keep your child warm (and even cuter) this fall. Magic Cabin has made these tights with nonskid soles and a touch of spandex for stretch. Add a matching longsleeve top to complete the outfit! Magiccabin.com
3 [ Eco bags are a snap! Next time you are out shopping, bring along this reusable tote bag. The Snapsac grocery or shopping tote is flexible, machine-washable and has a lead-free stiffener on the bottom for stability. When you’re not using it, the tote snaps flat for easy storage. Snapsac.com
7 [ Tell time the ecofriendly way
This common piece of jewelry has gone green! Sprout watches are completely eco-friendly — made from biodegradable and sustainable materials, and running off of a mercury-free battery. Sprout.com
pEditor’s Pickf 8 [ Desktop accessories
4 [ The Paper Chair No frame and no metal parts – this chair is made from biodegradable material and you guessed it, paper. Danish designer Mathias Bengtsson created this layered chair out of thousands of paper sheets and glued them together. His artwork can also be found at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Bengtssondesign.com
52 greenliving | October 2011
go green
Just in time for fall, The Rhombin, a unique desk accessory, is merging sustainability with convenience and cutting-edge design. This desk accessory is made from plantbased plastic (bioplastic) and can be used as individual pieces or as a “circular” three-piece object. The colors can be mixed and matched. Theutilitycollective.com
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He’s Green she’s Green
She is: Jennifer Burkhart He is: John Burkhart
This month our green couple is getting ready for the outdoors as they filled their snack bags with granola. See which ones they plan to take on their next hiking adventure! Laura’s Gourmet Granola AppleLicious Crunch (all natural, local)
He said This locally made granola was very good overall. The apple chunks were fresh, chewy, and delicious. The problem, a good amount of salt was in this granola recipe and wasn’t mixed evenly. Meaning, one bite would be perfect and the next too salty. I felt a bit bipolar while I ate it. I love it! I hate it! I love it! I hate it! If the salt was evened out, it would be a five-star granola.
sHe said Extra points for being a local product, made right here in Tempe, AZ, however, this all-natural granola was just “OK.” The oats were good, not too hard or soft, then comes the apple pieces. They are real apple, but tasted like sticky, chewy gobs of candy. In the end, not enough apple flavor and enough salt to dehydrate my tongue. She gave it:
He gave it:
18 Rabbits Vanilla, Cherry and Chia (USDA Organic)
He said This is a trail-mix-style granola for all us ‘outdoorsy’ types. It had a solid crunch, and nuts and twigs galore, with whole dried cherries that added a sweet kick for the taste buds. If you like hiking boots and long walks in the woods, you’ll love this granola. He gave it:
sHe said Apparently 18 is the golden number of rabbits to make a great granola! I can picture them in the kitchen, with their aprons and mixing bowls....oh right, the review. It had nice soft oats that were sweet and satisfying, though I would’ve liked a bit more vanilla or cherry flavor. They were a bit stingy with the cherries, and its firmness had me checking the “best by” date on the bag. Still a great granola, with or without milk! She gave it:
Cascadian Farm Vanilla Almond Crunch (made with organic ingredients)
365 Organic Fruit & Nut Granola (USDA Organic)
He said I liked this one quite a bit. It packs a wallop of a crunch and had a nice mellow vanilla flavor. Only downside is, half of this cereal floats on the surface of the milk and the other half sinks. So you get two very different tastes from beginning to end.
sHe said Sweet, crunchy, vanilla and almond – this one lived up to its name! Yummy vanilla flavor and a nice balanced ratio of ingredients with a perfect crunch. I enjoyed it, but it’s not very hearty and closer to a cereal than a granola.
He gave it:
She gave it:
He said I was happy to see, as I poured this bowl of granola, that 365 didn’t skimp on the fruit and nuts. But most of that happiness went away as soon as I started eating. Their dried fruit was hard as rocks and once softened, it glued to my teeth like cranberry krazy glue. The rest of the bag is whole rolled oats which is very healthy, but hard to chew. I felt like a cow chewing its cud while I ate this granola.
sHe said This one had a plethora of great organic ingredients like almonds, pecans, coconut, raisins and cranberries. Too bad I had to chew the oats until my jaw nearly fell off. Undercooked maybe? The nuts were perfect, but the raisins and cranberries were like plastic chew toys that could entertain a Rottweiler. Back to the drawing board, 365! She gave it:
He gave it:
Nature’s Path Love Crunch (USDA Organic)
He said That’s a very fitting name for this granola. I loved it. But to be honest, I’m going to love anything with chocolate and strawberries. The rice gave it a light crunch and it was absolutely heavenly when I got a bite with everything in my spoon. Unfortunately I found myself sticking my hand in the bag to find more chocolate and strawberries to put in my bowl.
sHe said This granola couldn’t have fallen into my basket any faster. Dark chocolate chunks, raspberry, strawberry, and coconut? Hello! I love you already, Love Crunch! Truly, it was love at first bite. Perfectly light and crunchy with a generous mix of chocolate (more fruit would be nice). It was also fantastic alone, without milk. Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, $1 from every box sold helps to fight world hunger. Double win!
He gave it: She gave it:
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October 2011 | greenliving 53
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Green Personality
education on the economic impact and importance of parks and open space in Arizona. Additionally, we are now the lead organization promoting Canalscape. With more than 180 miles of canals, our metroplex has more waterways than Venice and Amsterdam combined. But we still treat a lot of the canal system like hidden alleys. Canalscape embraces this vast network by facing our community towards them to create gathering spaces and recreational corridors.
What are some of the most interesting sustainable projects you’ve seen come through Phoenix?
Diane Brossart
An interview with
president of Valley Forward
BY CHRISTINA LUND
What is Valley Forward Association? Valley Forward is a business-based public interest organization that began advocating for the environment 42 years ago. Ours is the first and only organization in this region to focus exclusively on the balance between economic growth and environmental quality. The basic agenda encompasses land use planning, transportation and air quality, water management and energy – all issues facing growing population centers.
What intrigues you about non-profit? They say you have three careers in life and that’s true for me. I started as journalist, then moved into public relations and actually managed Valley Forward’s PR pro bono for a number of years through an agency. It was a great opportunity to interface with Valley Forward’s leadership, learn the issues and have an impact–I was hooked early on.
What is Valley Forward doing to make Arizona sustainable? Our organization helps ensure that decisions about how residents will live tomorrow are made with foresight and imagination today. We advocate for desert preservation and open space, more compact and walkable communities, a balanced multi-modal transportation system including rail and transit-oriented design, air quality and water conservation initiatives, as well as clean energy and green technology. We’ve recently launched a coalition to take our mission statewide through Arizona Forward to promote a holistic sustainability agenda in the Grand Canyon State.
What are your current projects? Last month, we launched an in-depth resource guide titled, “Why Parks and Open Space Matter – The Economics of Arizona’s Natural Assets.” It’s designed to facilitate public
56 greenliving | October 2011
I’ve always been intrigued by what our region has done in terms of river restoration. The revitalization of the Salt River in Tempe and Phoenix is inspiring–two very different projects but both models of sustainability that bring life back to the river and with its economic vitality. There’s now a master plan underway for the development of over 18 miles of Salt River restoration through the City of Mesa and the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community. This multimillion-dollar project will encompass almost 2,000 acres of river corridor including wetland ponds, extensive multi-use trails, and the rehabilitation and revegetation of a neglected and abused landscape. And, of course, we are seeing more Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) as a result of our light rail system. TOD provides an alternative to traditional suburban housing and community development – it includes a mix of housing choices in urban environments that are connected to employment centers, essential services and transportation options.
What is your vision for a sustainable Arizona? My vision is for Arizona to be among the best places in America to live and work, leading the nation in sustainable growth and attracting visitors to our world-renowned natural amenities and recreational opportunities.
What advice would you could give someone interested in entering a career in sustainability? My advice to someone starting out in any profession is to be proactive, get experience (even if it means offering yourself for free as an intern) and follow your heart. Find something you like to do and it will never be work — it will become a passion and give you immense gratification.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working? Spending time with my two teenage sons and visiting new places around the Valley and state.
How could one connect with Valley Forward? Come out to one of our events, attend an issue committee meeting and/or connect with us via social media: @ValleyForward @AZForward facebook.com/ArizonaForward facebook.com/ValleyForwardAssociation
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