GLAZ_Oct2010

October 2010

F.I.G.H.T.-ing Cancer with Dr. Garry Gordon

Indoor Air Quality

A Cautionary Tale

Golf Going Green ALSO INSIDE:

Survivor Spa Day You Sit You Die The P.I.N.K. List Yoga for Kids | Meditation Spaces Green Living AZ Magazine is Forest Stewardship Council Certified, printed on post-consumer waste paper with soy-based inks.

Sustainable Hospital Systems

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FOR JUST $3 a mOnTh yOU can help ReFOReST aRizOna. Please support Trees for Change, an SRP EarthWise™ program. When you give, 100% of your contribution helps plant ponderosa pine seedlings in Arizona forests destroyed by fire. The $3 a month will be added right to your SRP bill. To help make a change, visit srpnet.com/trees.

features

44

October 2010

Dust to Desert

40 10

Sustainable Hospital Indoor Air Quality Systems September Corrections: In the previous issue we erroneously stated that Bill Janhonen is a professor at Cornell University. In fact, he is not a professor at Cornell, but has appeared as a guest lecturer. We sincerely regret the error.

In our article Green Rail Corridor our corrections are as follows: The Rans participated in a program run by the City of Phoenix Neighborhood Services Department to offset costs in weatherizing a set of duplexes in the Roosevelt Historic District. Additionally, Harley Armstrong, the YouthBuild program coordinator, says his students have worked with Habitat for Humanity to build their first Platinum LEED certified home in Phoenix.

2 greenliving az | October 2010

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departments

October 2010 Live Green

4 Editor’s Note

Pink Ribbon

53 Recipes

Indoor Air Quality

54 Green Scenes

Alternative Health

55 Green Pages

Greenwashing

56 Green Personalities

F.I.G.H.T.: F is for Food Men’s Health

8 10 14 16 18 20

23 25 26 28 30 31 32

Loving Cancer Posture Healthy Color Palette Green Kids Simplify Green Thumb Pets

Work Green The Truth About Green Building Reclaimed Water for Golf Eco-Terminology Employee Engagement Sick Office Syndrome Sustainable Hospital Systems Chandler Boys & Girls Club

34 36 38 38 39 40 42

14

52 Play Green

42

Dust to Desert The P.I.N.K. List Recycled Jewelry

Breast Cancer Makeover greenlivingaz.com

44 46 47 48

50 51 52

He Said She Said Posh Restaurant Cool and Outrageous Stuff

October 2010 | greenliving az 3

October 2010

Editor’s Note

Y

ou, Aunt Sandra, who fought honorably against breast cancer and died with dignity, we lost you in 2002. You, Stacy Pawlowski-Scholz, my dearest friend who fought like a warrior, we lost you to breast cancer in 2008. You, Jeremy Donkersley, my brother-in-law and a pillar of strength, my son will never play ball with you again, and still to this day he holds dear the toy trucks you gave him on his sixth birthday, we lost you to brain cancer in 2009.

Why? Why do we keep hearing, experiencing and dealing with more and more health problems? It’s not fair, it’s not right, and I’m tired of hearing about some child, parent or friend developing some disease or chronic illness. Friends tell me that “It’s just us getting older,” that “It is what it is.” Really? I beg to differ.

Admittedly, I ate junk as a kid, most likely with MSG. Before restaurants had smoking regulations, I inhaled second-hand smoke and probably subjected myself to things I would never acquaint myself with today. Now what? My answer is this - I’ve realized that I can learn, I can change and I can listen. I can open my ears to those with credibility and clout, absorb their wisdom and apply the knowledge to my family and myself. When my friend Stacy was facing cancer, she asked me “How many blueberries do I need to eat to kill this thing?” She considered everything, I’m sure you would too, but our approach to health can not be an afterthought.

We must be proactive, instead of reactive about our health and wellness. I challenge you to be open to all perspectives, conventional or not, so you can live a healthy and happy life. I dedicate this issue

about health and awareness, to YOU.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and everyone at Green Living AZ would like to honor our survivors, those in treatment and those who have gone before us, through our stories. In LIVE, we reveal some truths about the treatment process in Loving Cancer and Cancer Etiquette. In PLAY, we feature our Survivor Pamper Day, where you’ll meet Laura and Missy, two breast cancer survivors well deserving of some pampering. With mani/pedis, presents and glamour on the menu, these two ladies had one special day that was just about them.

Our main feature this month is about indoor air quality (IAQ).

The EPA deemed air quality as one of the top environmental hazards in the country. Learn if what you are breathing in your home could be compromising you and your family’s health. Do you have enough color in your food? Check your fridge with our Healthy Color Palette, then flip to Dr. Gordon as he tackles FOOD, the “F” in his F.I.G.H.T. program, and learn how the food you are eating could be exacerbating your allergies and sensitivities. For a delicious treat, check out the latest green post-workout shake and gluten-free muffins from our partners at the Healthy U TV Show.

If you want, add 30 minutes of exercise to your regimen, go outside and PLAY. Take a walk in one of our beautiful deserts with Edward Ricciuti, or plan your next rejuvenating journey with Carrie Simmons’ P.I.N.K. List, as she travels to Peru for some inspiration.

Introducing the newest addition to Green Living, He’s Green | She’s Green. Our witty couple, Jennifer and John Berkhart, tackles natural deodorants. What he says, and she says, is guaranteed to make you smile and provide a fresh scent to your next purchase.

As always, if you have questions about going green, send your questions to our Green Panel of experts at greenpanel@greenlivingaz.com. Be well and enjoy life.

Tishin Donkersley, M.A., Editor-in-Chief

p.s. Special thanks to our sponsors for the Survivor Pamper Day; everyone

Photography by Kate Larson

4 greenliving az | October 2010

who came together for the Chandler Boys & Girls Club article; Angela, who coordinated and moved the whole crew into our new office; my writers & Heather who made it all happen; and Joe Cockrell, THE PR guy, thank you for all of your positive energy. Love to Will and Jack.

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HEALTHY. CONSCIOUS.

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Your conscious life

AZ

Your conscious life

•

MAg AZine

Publisher John B. Stacy

associate Publisher AZ • MAg Dorie Morales dorie@greenlivingaz.com

AZine

editor-in-chief Tishin Donkersley, M.A. creatiVe director Kate Larson kate@greenlivingaz.com oPerations ManaGer Angela Sinagoga-Stacy angela@greenlivingaz.com PhotoGraPhers Sigrid Velund-Miller Angela Simpson angela@angelinarosephotography.com G re e n L i v i n g M a g a z i n e

adVisors Bill Janhonen, LEED AP NAHB-CGP

Inaugural Firefly Living Event Oct 14 Discover Green Living Featuring Renowned Green Designer & Sustainable Architect Tom Norris Please RSVP 602.773.1337 info@fireflyliving.com

assistant to the editor Heather Fulton coPY editor Michael Ziffer Writers Jennifer Berkhart Anthony Dewitt Jeff Frost LEED AP Heather Fulton Abigail Gilmore Dr. Gary Gordon Dr. Karen Jacobson Bill Janhonen LEED AP NAHB-CGP Healthy U TV Show Derrick Mains

Sarah McLean Maya Nahra, RD, LD Matt Personne Doreen Pollack Charlie Popeck LEED AP Edward Ricciuti Lexie Runge Carrie Simmons Claudine J. Taillac Barbi Walker

adVertisinG sales Todd Beck todd@greenlivingaz.com Michael Burton michael@greenlivingaz.com Tina Connors tina@greenlivingaz.com Denise Gullickson denise@greenlivingaz.com Kathy Peterson kathy@greenlivingaz.com

Connect with us @ www.fireflyliving.com

8502 e. Princess dr. #240 scottsdale, aZ 85255 tel: 480.840.1589 email: info@greenlivingaz.com Web: greenlivingaz.com subscriPtions greenlivingaz.com adVertisinG dorie@greenlivingaz.com

Firefly Real Estate LLC 4600 East Washington #300 Phoenix, AZ 85034 6 greenliving az | October 2010

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editorial submissions@greenlivingaz.com Green Living AZ magazine is a monthly publication by Traditional Media Group. Periodical rate postage paid at Scottsdale, AZ. Publisher assumes no responsibility for unsolicited or contributed manuscripts, photographs, artwork or advertisements. Entire contents © 2010 Traditional Media Group. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of content in any manner without permission by the publisher is strictly prohibited. Opinions expressed in signed columns and articles do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. Submissions will not be returned unless arranged to do so in writing. Single copy price is $4.95 or $39 per year. Bulk and/or corporate rates available. No representation is made as to the accuracy hereof and is printed subject to errors and omissions. Green Living AZ magazine is printed on recycled, post-consumer waste paper and use soy-based inks.

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• 207,090 new cases of invasive breast cancer will occur among women in the United States during 2010.

• An estimated 39,840 women will die from breast cancer this year.

• In addition to invasive breast cancer, an estimated 54,010 new cases of in situ breast cancer will occur among women in 2010.

• About 1,970 men will be diagnosed and 390 men will die of breast cancer during 2010 in the United States.

• Overall incidence of breast cancer is 1.3 per 100,000 men, compared to 123 per 100,000 women.

• Based on rates from 2005-2007, 12.15% of women born today will be diagnosed with cancer of the breast at some time during their lifetime. This number can also be expressed as 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with cancer of the breast during their lifetime.

(According to 2006 data, from Arizona Cancer Registry) • In AZ 3,334 women were diagnosed in 2006, (around 33-3500 diagnosed every year)

• 43 men will be diagnosed in Arizona with breast cancer every year.

• Breast cancer is the most common cancer in pregnant and postpartum women. It occurs in about 1 in 3,000 pregnancies.

• The overall ratio of female to male breast cancer in the U.S. is 100 to 1.

• In the past 35 years, mortality (the rate of death) for white women has decreased. In 1975, 32 per 100,000 white women (including Hispanic women) died of breast cancer, but by 2005, that figure had dropped to 23 per 100,000. For black women (including Hispanic), though, mortality increased somewhat over the same period, rising from 30 per 100,000 black women in 1975 to 33 per 100,000 in 2005.

• The age-adjusted death rate was 24.0 per 100,000 women per year. These rates are based on patients who died in 2003-2007 in the US. • On January 1, 2007, in the United States there were approximately 2,591,855 women alive who had a history of cancer of the breast.

This includes any person alive on January 1, 2007 who had been diagnosed with cancer of the breast at any point prior to January 1, 2007 and includes persons with active disease and those who are cured of their disease.

Sources: Susan G. Komen Foundation National Cancer Institute Arizona Breast Cancer Statistics

Sometimes it’s hard to know what to say to someone with breast cancer. To help guide you, we’ve reached out to survivors and asked them for advice on the dos and don’ts of cancer talk. Check out the full Cancer Manners article on greenlivingaz.com.

8 greenliving az | October 2010

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October 2010 | greenliving az 9

Indoor Air Quality A Cautionary Tale BY jeff frosT Leed AP

Photography by Kate Larson

10 greenliving az | October 2010

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Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect. ~Chief Seattle, 1855

A

s a nation, we spend a great deal of time concerned about the health risks related to swine flu pandemics, salmonella in eggs and spinach, bacteria, out-of-control Toyotas, and most recently, bedbug outbreaks.

But there is one epidemic that plagues our families and communities that doesn’t show up on local or national news.

It isn’t the topic of concern at the water cooler, and it isn’t in the hearts and minds of the average American. Since 1995, the EPA has considered it to be “one of the top five environmental risks to public health.” Our exposure is getting worse every day, and it has developmental, neurological and reproductive implications we can’t even begin to imagine and are only now starting to piece together. What is this looming epidemic? The air you breathe indoors, often referred to as Indoor Air Quality (IAQ).

IAQ is less about that burnt fish or your smelly garbage (although they contribute in their own way), and it’s not improved with a quick spray of Febreze or other air fresheners (they just make it worse). IAQ is about the chemical, biological, gaseous and physical pollutants that enter our buildings in a wide variety of ways, and the impacts they have on our health.

An Inside Game Americans spend 90 percent of their lives indoors. In fact, the average person in the U.S. spends only 2½ hours a day outside, leaving 21½ hours of our daily lives inside sleeping, eating, watching TV, surfing the net, driving, working, traveling, etc.

According to the EPA, our indoor environments can be two to five times more toxic than our outdoor environment, and under certain conditions, indoor environments can reach levels 100 to 1,000 times more toxic than the levels outside.

Where Do We Start?

The study of our indoor environments crosses over dozens of specialties. It would be wrong to think that we can even break the surface of the vast depth of research and information that is out there. It would be overwhelming at best and depressing at worst. The focus is on the pollutants that we choose to bring into our buildings every day without realizing their toxic potential.

The most common pollutants that can be found in the home include: • Biological pollutants: bacteria, molds, mildew, viruses, animal dander, dust mites, cockroaches and pollen • Gaseous pollutants: carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, radon, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), tobacco smoke • Chemical pollutants: formaldehyde, organic gases, pesticides • Physical pollutants: lead, asbestos, mercury greenlivingaz.com

Unregulated Revolution To begin, let’s go back to the mid-1960s, to what’s known as the chemical revolution. It was a time when chemicals were seen as an American ingenuity that had the ability to simplify our lives and usher in a new world of product possibilities. Here is where speed of invention surpassed our ability to understand fully the events we were setting in motion.

By the mid-1970s, over 60,000 chemicals had been introduced into the marketplace with little or no regulation or oversight into whether they posed any health risks to humans. Skip ahead 30 years to today, and that growing list includes well over 82,000 chemicals, and the regulatory environment is still playing catch-up. According to a 2006 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, the EPA “…does not routinely assess the human health and environmental risks of existing chemicals and faces challenges in obtaining the information necessary to do so.”

This means that we are surrounded by chemicals. The average American comes in contact with over 200 chemicals every day.

From lipstick and blush, hairspray and cologne, PVC shower curtains and plastic toys, new car smells, new home smells, the furniture we sit on and the mattresses we sleep on, the TVs we watch and the computers we toil away at, all the cleaners we use and those so-called “air fresheners,” they all contribute to the chemical exposures. It is imperative that we empower ourselves to learn what is in the products we introduce into our homes to minimize this overwhelming threat.

Our Addiction to Plastic Out of this revolution came many innovative developments, but none as impactful or as cheap as synthetic plastics. Being composed of much cheaper materials than glass, wood and metal, plastics quickly became ubiquitous in our economic cycle; but plastic alone wouldn’t have had the impact on our manufactured world if it weren’t for the additives that make them so adaptive to different uses.

Phthalates, an additive, are added to make plastics transparent and/or more flexible, as is the case with PVC. Sandwich bags, plastic wrap, toys and shower curtains – not only do phthalates leach out when in contact with food or liquid, but they also off-gas into our environment. You see, phthalates don’t bond to the plastic itself, and as the plastic ages, more and more of the phthalates are released into the environment, causing the plastic to break down and become brittle.

You can see this in several items. Grab that plastic food container that you’ve had since college (I know you have one). Notice the vertical ‘cracks’ that are in the plastic? That’s a result of phthalates being released from the plastic. Now, remember that vinyl shower curtain you had for several years?

October 2010 | greenliving az 11

What happened to it over time? It became hard and cracked, especially in the bottom corners where it was in contact with water – again, phthalates. Unfortunately, phthalates show up in numerous unexpected products like cosmetics, perfume, building materials and clothing, in addition to the myriad of products we give to our kids that are PVC or plastic.

Phthalates are known as endocrine disruptors. Meaning, according to the EPA, they interfere with the endocrine system of the body, affecting hormone and thyroid function and contributing to reproductive birth defects in males. Both the U.S. and the EU have taken steps to limit the exposure of phthalates to children by restricting their use in toys.

However, stronger U.S. restrictions, adapted in 2009, doesn’t address older toys or the myriad of other plastic products we bring into our homes every day.

Removing plastics altogether is a daunting task, but start off small and work your way up. Start by replacing food storage containers that are clear or translucent plastic with glass, like Pyrex or Glasslock. For those plastic drinking cups, look for plastic made from polypropylene (#5) plastic. Reduce the

Indoor Air Quality... one of the top five environmental risks to public health

plastics that your children (especially those under the age of 5) are exposed to in toys and drinking containers. Avoid toys with plastics numbered 3 and 7, as they are most harmful, and consider Born Free baby bottles, which are phthalate-free as well as BPA and PVC-free. For shower curtains, use a nylon liner and a linen curtain, both of which can be washed and neither of which leach any harmful ingredients.

Fireproof Truths I had the privilege earlier this year to be invited to speak at BuildWell 2010, a symposium on deep green thinking and innovation, where I met many amazing people. One of those amazing people was Dr. Arlene Blum, a biophysicist and the first woman to lead an all-women expedition to the summit of Denali, North America’s tallest peak (some 20,320 feet above sea level). Dr. Blum’s presentation was about flame retardants and their ill effects on human health, and on their ability to bio-accumulate up the food chain, ultimately concentrating in those animals that perch along the very top of that chain. She brought the entire symposium into shock with her findings and reports on flame retardants and their persistence in the environment for decades. These are alarming trends, showing study after study of elevated flame retardant levels in human blood over the last 40 years and disturbing evidence showing extremely high levels in species all around the world that have never set flipper, wing or paw in a building.

California, under pressure from flame retardant manufacturers, mandated flame retardants in a variety of products in order to improve fire safety. Product manufacturers, not wanting to

12 greenliving az | October 2010

make two versions of their products for two different states, decided to make them all meet California’s most stringent standards. Today, you will find high levels of flame retardants in just about every product, from TVs and computers, to foams and fabrics in furniture and mattresses, and on everything inside cars and airplanes. Do the fire retardants improve fire safety? Surprisingly, the evidence on this issue is still not clear, even after 40 years of use. Which leads to the question, how much longer do we risk human health and safety without any proof of effectiveness?

Flame retardants break down from their host products and attach themselves to dust particles that then get circulated in our environments. They have been linked to thyroid, liver, neurological, reproductive and developmental effects. Women who are pregnant or nursing, as well as, young children have higher risks from exposure. An increased level of thyroid disorders is also being diagnosed in pets every year.

For mattresses, look for those made from rubber or wrapped in a wool liner, as these components are naturally flame retardant and don’t require additional treatment. For furniture, look for organizations that don’t use flame retardants or stainresistant treatments, and that utilize natural alternatives similar to mattresses. The most important thing to do is empower yourself and ask whether a product has been treated with flame retardants. If so, get the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) and learn more about it before bringing it into your home or office.

VOCs, Ozone and Our False Perception VOCs are volatile organic compounds. They are gasses that are released from liquid or solid products in your home or office which react with nitrogen and UV light to create low-level ozone. VOCs can be hazardous to our health and our indoor air, but after converting to ozone they become highly toxic for humans and contribute to smog in many metropolitan areas.

As much as 40 percent of our brown cloud here in Phoenix is due to VOCs. VOCs are found in thousands of items and usually have a noticeable smell associated with them. You will find them in many plastics, carpet glues and the carpet backings, paints and stains, clothes (especially those with decals), children’s toys, synthetic grouts, cabinetry glues and finishes, packaging, thinners, cleaning products, nail polish and remover, cosmetics and other beauty products, pesticides, furnishings, printers and copiers, cars, planes and even fuel. If someone says, “I just love that new (blank) smell…” those are toxins and are highly dangerous.

The hazards associated with each of these vary incredibly and often depend on the levels of exposure. Things like painting, staining and applying nail polish can lead to those indoor pollutant levels of 100 to 1,000 times those considered safe by EPA standards. According the EPA, VOC exposure can lead to symptoms of eye irritation, nose and throat discomfort, headache, allergic skin reaction, shortness of breath, nausea, greenlivingaz.com

vomiting, nosebleeds, fatigue and dizziness. Many times allergic or environmental reactions to VOCs and other pollutants can be misdiagnosed as ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), asthma or other behavioral disorders in children and adults.

The best thing you can do to remove VOCs is to not bring them into your home or office. When choosing paint, choose zero-VOC specifically, but make sure that the pigments used to tint your paint are zero-VOC as well; otherwise, after the tint is added, it is no longer VOC-free. Watch out for products that say low-odor, as toxins are sometimes added to restrict the smell. In addition, it is important to realize that VOCs are only one component of a product’s ingredients. We should be reviewing MSDS sheets for known human carcinogens called hazardous air pollutants as well.

mattresses, paints, adhesives, cleaners, filters, air purification, and even carpet and upholstery cleaning.

Reach out to your local resources. Be proactive for the safety of your family. No one else is looking out for you and your family, so it is imperative that you take back the reins. In an effort to make your new found awareness known, write to manufacturers and express to them why you won’t be buying the newest version of their products or sharing their new toy with your family. Many manufacturers are starting to wake up to these issues, and they need you more than you need them.

The Perfect Storm Our indoor air quality issues have really culminated in a perfect storm over the last four decades. We’re building tighter homes with less ventilation in a world of products with little or no regulations or knowledge of their environmental impacts.

Manufacturers, in an effort to keep us buying more, make products cheaper and less durable, and feed into this cycle of planned obsolescence where it is easier to buy something new than to invest in something of quality. We therefore fill our environments with less expensive goods on a continuous basis, Standard 52.5 Minimum constantly increasing our levels of exposure.

Efficiency Reporting Value The best thing we can do is to resist the urge 20 19 for cheap goods and save for the things we want 18 in this world. We should also look for ways 17 16 to increase our fresh air ventilation indoors.

15 This can be accomplished with heat recovery 14 ventilators (HRVs), or by simply adding a fresh 13 air vent/filter to our mechanical equipment. We 12 should upgrade our filtration media to pleated 11 filters with a MERV rating of 11 or higher, and remember to replace them every month. We 10 should avoid in-home stationary air purifiers 9 that produce ozone as a byproduct and often 8 don’t provide enough circulation to clean a room effectively, let alone a house.

7 There are great resources here in the Valley that can help. Dr. Doris Rapp, a Scottsdale-based board-certified doctor in pediatrics, allergy and environmental medicine, has been featured on Oprah and has many videos and books that highlight over 50 years of research into these areas. Additionally, there is an Indoor Air Quality Association (iaqa.org) that is very active in educating the public about indoor hazards.

There are local products you can buy from great local companies, like DuraSoy paint from EcoSafety Products, right here in Phoenix.

Another great company in town is EcoClean, which provides a wide variety of products like greenlivingaz.com

Guinea Pig Principle vs. Precautionary Principle.

Precautionary Principle, as practiced in Europe, says that if it is likely to do harm, let’s prove that it is safe before we use it. Guinea Pig Principle says introduce it and if it harms enough people, we will have years of litigation in order to prove that it does, then we will research it and ask you to recall it. At least the manufacturers are thinking of their customer’s best interests right?

MERV RATING CHART Dust Spot Efficiency

Arrestance

Typical Controlled Contaminant

n/a

n/a

< 0.30 pm particle size

Cleanrooms

n/a

n/a

Virus (unattached)

Radioactive Materials

n/a

n/a

Carbon Dust

Pharmaceutical Man.

Particulates

n/a

n/a

All Combustion smoke

Carcinogenetic Materials

>99.97% eff. On .30 pm Particles

n/a

n/a

.30-1.0 pm Particle Size

General Surgery

Bag Filter- Nonsupported

All Bacteria

Typical Applications and Limitations

>95%

n/a

90-95%

>98%

Most Tobacco Smoke

Hospital Inpatient Care

89-90%

>98%

Proplet Nuceli (Sneeze)

microfine fiberglass or synthetic media, 12-36 in. deep, 612 pockets Box Filter- Rigid Style Cartridge Filters 6 to 12" deep m ay use Superior Commercial Buildings lofted or paper media.

70-75%

>95%

1.0-3.0 pm Particle Size

Superior Residential

Bag Filter- Nonsupported

Better Commercial Buildings

microfine fiberglass or synthetic media, 12-36 in. deep, 612 pockets

Smoking Lunges

Legionella 60-65%

>95%

Humidifier Dust Lead Dust

50-55%

>95%

40-45%

>90%

Welding Fumes

30-35%

>90%

3.0-10.0 pm Particle Size

25-30%

>90%

Box Filter- Rigid Style Cartridge Filters 6 to 12" deep m ay use lofted or paper media.

Milled Flour Auto Emissions

Hospital Laboratories

Commercial Buildings

Mold Spores Hair Spray

<20%

85-90%

Dusting Aids

Pleated Filters- Disposable, extended surface area, thick with cotton-polyester blend media, cardboard frame

Better Residential Cartridge Filters- Graded density viscous coated cube or pocket filters, synthetic media

Fabric Protector

6

Typical Air Filter/Cleaner Type >99.999% eff. On .10-.20 pm Particles > 99.999% eff. On .30 pm Particles >99.99% eff. On .30 pm

Industrial Workplace Throwaway- Disposable synthetic panel filter.

Cement Dust

5

<20%

80-85%

Pudding Mix

Paint Booth Inlet

4

<20%

75-80%

>10.0 pm Particle Size

Minimal Filtration

Throwaway- Disposable fiberglass or synthetic panel filter.

Residential

Washable- Aluminum Mesh

Window A/C Units

Electrostatic- Self charging woven panel filter.

Pollen

3

<20%

70-75%

Dust Mites Sanding Dust

2

<20%

65-70%

1

<20%

<65%

Spray Paint Dust Textile Fibers Carpet Fibers

Sources: www.endocrinedisruption.com/endocrine.introduction.overview.php www.epa.gov/teach/chem_summ/phthalates_summary.pdf http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phthalate http://pubs.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/rp/rppdf/f05-244.pdf www.epa.state.il.us/reports/decabde-study/index.html www.p2pays.org/ref/17/16643.pdf

October 2010 | greenliving az 13

Alternative Healthcare

BY CLAUDINE J. TAILLAC

Why Should I?

I

n the early 20th century, Arizona became a draw for people throughout the country who were suffering from tuberculosis, asthma, arthritis and migraines. Local sanatoriums, like Tucson’s Desert Sanatorium, appealed to people with chronic ailments, as it was believed that the desert climate could ameliorate respiratory problems and other diseases.

Open spaces, clean air and an endless stream of sunshine promised the rest and purity that was missing in crowded, and often unsanitary, early American urban environments. Now considered the “sunniest state in the U.S.,” with the greater Phoenix area boasting more than 300 days of sun per year, Arizona was the perfect place for early health spas to practice heliotherapy. Hydrotherapy, offered at Castle Hot Springs of Arizona in Yavapai County (now a ghost town), was another promised cure for patients whose medical needs could not be wholly addressed during that era.

Arizona’s draw has shifted over the past century, and now focuses more toward those seeking spiritual health and healing.

Sedona’s world-famous vortex sites, and the healing powers of the red rocks, attract millions of visitors each year. Even with a reported doubling of spending on prescription drugs in the last decade, 36 percent of U.S. adults aged 18 years and over use some form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), according to a new nationwide government survey. CAM is a group of diverse medical and healthcare systems, practices and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine.

The list of alternative practices for preventive health is overwhelming; it could include everything from prayer to breathing pure oxygen at oxygen bars. If you are wondering about popular and trusted practices that you can do at home, the following are great places to start: Homeopathy and vibrational medicine stem from quantum physics, using energy to heal. Homeopathy harnesses the energy of animal, plant and mineral sources through breaking down their physical elements, then processing them in a specific way. This allows the elements, when ingested, to go directly into a patient’s system. Vibrational medicine uses sound (vocal toning, sound bowls or gongs) to heal.

Homeopathy Homeopathy is its own system of medicine that should not be confused with herbal medicine. Homeo means “same,” and in homeopathy, the same substance that may cause certain symptoms is used in a diluted form to treat and heal a patient.

Classical homeopathy considers the whole patient instead of focusing on one ailment. Homeopathic practitioners believe that people’s physical symptoms are often a manifestation of emotional issues. They consider a patient’s physical, mental and emotional symptoms, find how all three things tie together, and then create a treatment program to heal the whole person.

The remedies are processed into a homeopathic formula that is then coated on a sugar pellet. These treatments are considered to be more cost-effective than using conventional pharmaceuticals, and benefits include avoiding possible side effects of prescription medications. Homeopathy can be used in conjunction with conventional medicine or independently.

The American Medical College of Homeopathy, located in Phoenix, has the largest and most diverse homeopathic pharmacy in the Southwest region, with 1,800 remedies available. The college’s website, amcofh.org, offers short, introductory videos explaining homeopathy and the remedies that are used, as well as resources for finding homeopathic doctors throughout Arizona.

The National Center for Homeopathy has a userfriendly website featuring a video that explains how homeopathy works, and its benefits versus conventional medicine.

Vibrational Medicine | Sound Healing We all know the sensation of hearing a favorite song.

We are flooded with great hormones and happy memories, and our mood is quickly altered. Although this is greatly simplifying how vibrational medicine works, it’s a good analogy to start the discussion.

Jennifer Williams, CMT, a sound healer based in Flagstaff, uses toning (her own voice) and quartz crystal

14 greenliving az | October 2010

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bowls in her practice. “Because we are beings of frequency and everything has a sound, our bodies are like an orchestra, and when there is dis-ease, one instrument is a little out of tune.

Sound healing helps hone in on that and heal it,” Williams said. The use of sound can be applied in any situation where healing is needed: after surgery, after an injury, or in times where emotional distress is present. The use of sound increases vibratory awareness, and the physical vibrations of the sounds can be sent to the ailing area.

“I use quartz crystal bowls because quartz has a similar structure to our bones, creating a wonderful conduit of energy and sound,” Williams said. “Toning with your own voice, a sound bowl, or a mindfulness gong keeps us mindful of allowing the healing sound to go where it is needed. Some people even use an app on their cell phones of a gong that goes off throughout the day, reminding them to be mindful.”

Vibrational medicine helps strengthen the brain, stimulate the lymph system and oxygenate the blood and the nervous system. “Applying sound is like applying a salve; when I am singing into a chakra, it is like speaking as a vibrational conduit and trusting that the divine will allow it to heal,” Williams said. The great thing about using this alternative healing practice is that it can also be practiced privately through toning “om” and listening to CDs.

Thai Massage Jason Temkin, CMT, a certified Thai massage practitioner located in Tucson, believes in a “holistic approach to wellness using modalities of Thai massage and yoga therapy to impart a well-balanced and harmonizing connection to the mind-bodyspirit.” Although the practice incorporates the entire body, Temkin explained that it isn’t really “body work.” “Although it seems like Thai yoga massage is a physical modality, the primary focus of the work is to impart balance and harmony to the ‘energetic’ body and mind of the recipient,” Temkin said.

Having roots that go back 2,500 years, with origins linked to Ayurvedic, yoga and Chinese medicine, the practice is based on Metta (loving kindness), with compassion for oneself and others being the guiding principle.

According to Temkin, the benefits of Thai massage come from the combination of deep compression, acupressure, passive stretching, traction, joint decompression and energy work along “sen lines” that provides a holistic, well-balanced therapeutic massage. Altogether, the techniques awaken stagnant energy and remove negative “blocked” energy.

Yoga Once considered a fad surging through fitness gyms, yoga is actually here to stay. Besides the obvious benefit of strengthening the mind-body connection, there are many health benefits that are now attributed to yoga practice. Yoga works on the body’s nervous system, allowing immediate and direct attention to effects of stress and/or tension in the greenlivingaz.com

body, without introducing stress or anxiety-reducing medications. It is a meditative practice, but can also be vigorous and provide excellent endurance and cardiovascular training (especially in the Bikram form of yoga). Yoga can also decrease blood pressure and pulse rate, increase circulation and respiration, and balance metabolism.

All of these things directly affect one’s overall health, and can greatly supplement one’s preventive health practice.

body mind

While most yoga practitioners attend local studios and participate in instructor-led classes, yoga DVDs are increasing in popularity and are an inexpensive way to continue a practice at home, making yoga affordable and workable in terms of one’s personal time constraints.

spirit

During Bikram practice at Bikram Yoga of Flagstaff, studio Director Julia Olguin offers a correlation between the practice of the postures and specific health benefits. The compression of the thyroid and other glands is beneficial to stimulating the immune system. Yoga poses that twist and compress organs help massage and rejuvenate immune organs and channels, and can increase the body’s ability to fight disease. Some key poses that can improve immune function are: Kurmasana (Tortoise pose), which supports the thymus gland; Inversions and Forward Bends, such as Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog pose), improve the flow of the sinuses and help flush mucous from the lungs; and chest and lung openers, such as Ustrasana (Camel pose), Yoga Mudra and Bhujangasana (Camel pose), also increase lung mobility and flush out the lungs.

Now, if you are asking yourself, “Why should I consider an alternative form of healthcare?” Evaluate the consistent theme within all of these alternative health practices – considering the whole person: body, mind, spirit. A balance between those three elements, through continual maintenance via homeopathy, sound healing, Thai massage or yoga, may be the missing ingredient in the mix of one’s conventional medical treatment.

Sources The American Medical Association, November 2007 Reports of the Council on Medical Service, by Georgia A. Tuttle, MD, nationalcenterforhomeopathy. org, bikramyogaflagstaff.com

Claudine J. Taillac is a freelance writer and editor specializing in lifestyle topics including travel, food, wine, green living and animal welfare. She has a master’s degree in writing, and her work includes editing numerous cookbooks, art, history and home-design books.

Her articles have been featured in Mountain Living magazine, as well as for the past 10 years in Fido Friendly magazine.

October 2010 | greenliving az 15

Green-wash | green’wash’, -wôsh’ | verb: The act of misleading consumers regarding the environmental practices of a company or the environmental benefits of a product or service.

Don’t get sucked down the “GREENWASHING” drain. Defend yourself with third-party certification companies focused on providing consumers with products and businesses that have been vetted for true environmental protection. Use this guide when purchasing environment-friendly, sustainable products for your children, for you and your health. These products have been tried and tested by these independent and reliable sources.

Cradle to Cradle® Certification Cradle to Cradle® Certification is a third-party ecolabel that assesses a product’s safety to humans and the environment, as well as its design for future life cycles. Cradle to Cradle® (C2C) certified products are evaluated for their reutilization potential, use of renewable energy, efficient water use and maximum water quality associated with production, as well as company social responsibility strategies. There are four levels of Cradle to Cradle® Certification: Basic, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Some C2C Certified products include Method home and personal care products and diapers.

CarbonFree® Certified The CarbonFree® Product Certification label aims to increase awareness about product emissions and recognize companies that are compensating for their carbon footprint.

Companies with CarbonFree® Certified products have calculated the carbon footprint of each product, and implemented an offsetting project like reforestation. Some CarbonFree products include Florida Crystals® sugar products and Grounds for Change coffee. www.carbonfund.org

Design for the Environment B Corporation B Corporations use the power of business to solve social and environmental problems. Unlike traditional responsible businesses, B Corps meet comprehensive and transparent social and environmental performance standards, which they track using the B Impact Rating System. The rating system allows B Corps to assess their impact on stakeholders and improve their social and environmental performance. www.bcorporation.net

Cleaner and Greener® Certification Cleaner and Greener® promotes market-based approaches for companies and organizations to reduce pollution and increase energy efficiency and renewable energy. Cleaner and Greener® quantifies emissions footprints, calculates emission reductions from energy efficiency and other emissions reduction projects, and helps companies offset emissions and offers certification. Cleaner and Greener® offers four levels of certification for companies and organizations, buildings and events: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum. www.cleanerandgreener.org

Design for the Environment (DfE), an EPA Partnership Program, allows manufacturers to put the DfE label on household and commercial products, like allpurpose cleaners, detergents, and carpet and floor care products, that meet strict criteria for human and environmental health. A DfE scientific review team reviews all ingredients in DfE labeled products for potential human health and environmental effects. The label certifies that the product contains ingredients that pose the least concern among chemicals in their class. Some DfE products include the Clorox Green Works line and Nature’s Source™ Laundry Soil & Stain Remover. www.epa.gov/dfe

VeriFlora VeriFlora is an agricultural sustainability certification and eco-labeling program and is administered by Scientific Certification Systems (SCS), a global third-party certifier of environmental, sustainability and agricultural product quality claims. The VeriFlora label ensures that flowers and plants were produced using methods that emphasize environmental performance, social responsibility and product quality. Find VeriFlora flowers at retailers like Flowerbud.com and OrganicStyle.com. www.veriflora.com

Come back for your next “GREENWASHING” lesson next month when we break down the organic label. Build up your defense against “GREENWASHING!” 16 greenliving az | October 2010

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Health & Wellness

F.I.G.H.T. For Your Health “F” is for

BY GARRY F. GORDON, MD, DO, MD (H)

O

ptimal health can no longer be taken for granted. I developed my F.I.G.H.T. program to help everyone understand the intimate connection among our body’s different systems. F.I.G.H.T. is an acronym that stands for “food, infections, genetics, heavy metals, hormones and toxins. Through the F.I.G.H.T. program, we learn that without optimal health, we will not reach our maximum intended useful lifespan.

In this issue we will focus on food (the “F” in F.I.G.H.T.), specifically food supplements, food health issues, and identifying food allergies and sensitivities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cancer is the second leading cause of death in the U.S., and is responsible for over half a million deaths each year. According to the CDC, eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, being physically active every day and maintaining a healthy weight are recognized and accepted preventive measures.

allergies. It is estimated that up to 75 percent of people suffer from food intolerances, such as sensitivity to lactose or gluten, and a majority are unaware of the problem. Regular ingestion of offending foods can mask symptoms and go unrecognized, making it extremely difficult to diagnose. These undiagnosed acute symptoms will eventually cause intestinal damage and lead to chronic conditions like fatigue, mood swings, depression, restlessness, migraines, joint pain, bloating and indigestion.

The good news is that there are several ways to determine food sensitivities. One of the best methods is through an elimination or challenge diet where you avoid certain foods and food additives like wheat (gluten), dairy/milk (lactose), corn, peas, beans, peanuts, smoked and processed meats, sugar, chocolate, food colors and dyes, MSG, citrus fruits and any other fruit you eat more than once a week.

cancer is the second leading cause of death in the U.S., and is responsible for over half a million deaths each year

Unfortunately, our nutrientdepleted soils, anemic produce, growth hormone and vaccinesaturated meats, pesticides, toxins, and the proliferation of genetically modified organisms (GMO), have made it increasingly critical to implement a daily regimen of natural vitamin and mineral supplements if we want to overcome illness and disease and win the fight against cancer.

People have varying dietary needs, so finding the most beneficial combination of foods and supplements for YOU can be complex.

Since it is now believed that nearly 40 percent of people have some adverse reactions to dairy and/or gluten, the first step is to determine whether you have any food allergies or sensitivities that could cause or contribute to illness.

Food Allergies or Sensitivities Food allergies prevent more than 50 percent of us from enjoying optimal health. A food allergy is an adverse immune response to a food protein, and reportedly affects only about 3 percent of the population. According to WebMD, around 5 percent of these true food allergies, which are often severe and obvious reactions, are immediate; the remaining 95 percent are delayed (these reactions are known as “cyclic”).

Food sensitivities or intolerances are more common than food

18 greenliving az | October 2010

After at least two weeks on the diet, when the digestive system is cleansed, certain foods are added back in. Dieters must keep a careful diary of everything eaten and any adverse symptoms experienced.

Some will find that not all reactions occur on the day they consume certain foods. Reaction patterns should be carefully monitored by documenting times and occurrences of symptoms like migraines, irritable bowel symptoms or skin issues. Sometimes symptoms appear one to three days AFTER eating an offending food.

One woman struggled for eight years with the inability to lose weight. After working through the F.I.G.H.T. plan and completing an in-depth food analysis, it was determined that her body could not handle carrots. By eliminating them entirely from her diet, she was able, for the first time, to lose 60 pounds. She discovered her allergy by completing a strict elimination diet and water fast for several days. This method is revealed in the excellent book

by Patrick Carlisle called The Medical Detective: Memoirs of a Most Unusual Doctor.

Dr. Arthur F. Coca, the former Chief of Allergy at Columbia University, explained in his book The Pulse Test how people can learn to eliminate some foods by counting their pulse before and after eating single foods. There has been great success with people measuring their glycemic index at home by eating one food at a time and checking their glucose levels. This method, which greenlivingaz.com

Health & Wellness

has helped eliminate diabetes in many patients, reveals which foods increase glucose levels. Measuring blood pressure after eating single foods, then removing them from the diet, has helped patients eliminate blood pressure medications.

Dr. Gordon received his Doctor of Osteopathy in 1958 from the Chicago College of Osteopathy in Illinois.

He received his honorary MD degree from the University of California Irvine in 1962, and his Radiology Residency from Mt. Zion in San Francisco, California in 1964.

Most of us know that our current diets do not meet all of our nutrient needs. Logically, we all should avoid high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), aspartame, fluoride, GMO and over-processed and fast foods. “Leaky gut” syndrome and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is almost unavoidable with the GMO, HFCS, soy and corn in everyone’s diet. Eat organic whole foods whenever possible and be sure to take food supplements.

Serving as Medical Director and full-time consultant for Longevity Plus, LLC for over 12 years, Dr. Gordon is responsible for the formulation and design of some of the most effective, all-natural nutritional supplements and protocols that aid in the treatment of most modern health conditions and concerns such as Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, cancer, cardiovascular disease, hormonal disorders and osteoporosis.

The optimal foods for each person can be researched in greater detail by viewing my webinars at www.gordonresearch.com. Have a health question? Send it to Dr. Gordon at greenpanel@greenlivingaz.com and you might see your answer in the next issue!

Dr. Gordon has served as board member of Arizona Homeopathic Medical Examiners for over 10 years, and is co-founder of the American College for Advancement in Medicine (ACAM). He is president of Gordon Research Institute (GRI). His findings represent over 40 years of scientific and clinical research. He is the founder and president of F.A.C.T. (Forum on Anti-Aging and Chelation Therapy), which serves as a “Free School” of Advanced Medicine for Health Professionals Institute and houses over 2,600 members. For more information about Dr. Garry Gordon and GRI, please visit our website at www.greenlivingaz.com and www.gordonresearch.com.

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) FASTSTATS – Death and Mortality. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/deaths.htm. Last updated July 28, 2010. Accessed 9/10/10.

2. Web MD Food Allergy vs. Food Intolerance: Comparing Symptoms and Causes. http://www.webmd.com/allergies/foods-allergy-intolerance. Accessed 9/10/10.

greenlivingaz.com

October 2010 | greenliving az

19

Men’s Health

H

ow many hours do you spend sitting every day? Think about it.

Probably more than you’re willing to admit. But, you may want to change your ways, as a recent study suggests that the more time you spend sitting, the shorter your lifespan.

The study, published by the American Journal of Epidemiology, surveyed more than 120,000 people with no prior history of disease.

From 1993 to 2006, these people were followed and studied.

Heart disease proved to be the number-one killer, even more so than cancer. After weighing in other factors such as smoking and body mass index, the risk of dying for both women and men increased. For women who spent six hours a day sitting down, the mortality rate increased 37 percent, compared to those women who spent less than three hours sitting down. In men, the risk of death increased by 17 percent.

The study indicated that even a small amount of daily exercise lowered the risk of death compared to those who did no exercise.

People who spent most of their time sitting and did not exercise had a higher mortality rate: 94 percent for women and 48 percent for men.

With more face time in front of the computer, what can we do?

“The message here is like everything in your life. People need to recognize that the things you do every day have consequences,” said Dr. Jay Brooks, Chairman of Hematology/Oncology at Ochsner Health System in Baton Rouge, La., in an article for Health Day. “And if you’re in a job that does require sitting, that’s fine, but any time you can expend energy is good. That’s the key.”

You Sit, You DIE

BY ABIGAIL GILMORE

If the majority of your work requires you to sit down, there are ways to get your metabolism flowing. Take a break and walk around the office, or a quick walk outside. Each hour stand up and stretch. Switch your chair for an exercise ball. Do leg extensions and work the abs and legs.

Better yet, start the Worksite Wellness Walking Program by the American Heart Association. It’s easy— companies set up walking routes in the workplace and urge employees to use them, and then participants are rewarded. It’s a win/win situation, as healthcare costs could be saved and employees are healthier overall. You can start the program at your company by contacting your local American Heart Association chapter.

After a long day, it is easy to come home and plop down in the front of the television. But is it worth dying for?

Get off the couch and move!

Sources: American Heart Institute, American Journal of Epidemiology, Healthy Day, WebMD

FATTENING FALL FOODS Starting this fall, you’ll have to get up your guard as the delicious treats start rolling in. To prevent weight gain, shift your choices from fattening foods to other healthier options and manage that waistline.

FATTENING

HEALTHY

Pumpkin pie Pot roast Turkey stuffing Sweet potato casserole Mashed potatoes with gravy Cream-based soups Macaroni and cheese Alcohol Canned fruit Sweetened drinks

Skinless poultry or fish Fresh fruit Sweet potato (sorry, hold the marshmallows) Cooked squash or spinach Beans, peas, lentils Vegetable-based soups Low-fat dairy products Low-calorie alcohol or less of it Hold the whipped cream and ice cream Water

20 greenliving az | October 2010

THE GREEN MACHINE POST-WORKOUT SHAKE 1 or 2 scoops of protein (vanilla) 1 tablespoon sugar-free pistachio pudding mix A few drops green food coloring (optional) 1 cup of cold water, low-fat milk or soy milk A few ice cubes Protein within two hours after a workout can help rebuild broken down muscle tissue and help hydrate them too!

Courtesy of Jason Christopher of the Healthy U TV Show healthyutvshow.com

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Loving Cancer

Health & Wellness

BY SARAH MCLEAN

I

was 31 years old when my doctor called me at work and told me I would need surgery to remove a cancerous tumor. Instantly, I went from peacefully working at my desk at the Chopra Center for Mind-Body Medicine, to dealing with cancer. I didn’t physically feel different, but I was confused, scared and began to cry.

It turns out I had been living with cancer for years. When I found out, I had the advantage of asking Dr. Chopra, known for his Ayurvedic approach to medicine, for help. “I’ll teach you a healing mantra, but you’ll need surgery too,” he said. He told me that although there are documented spontaneous remissions, they are rare and not guaranteed. “Don’t wait for your body to catch up with your awareness, get the tumor removed right away,” he insisted.

“fighting” the cancer felt like a war in my body and mind. It made me afraid and anxious. I remembered that the immune system is more responsive when one is at peace. In that moment, I decided to make a shift. I would try to love the cancer, and if possible, love the cancer cells back to wholeness. I focused on the area of the tumor and sent radiant, loving awareness there. Almost instantly I felt warmth and a sense of peace. My energy completely shifted. My breathing changed and I felt harmonious. No more fighting cancer. I learned to love it. I wasn’t giving up, I simply had to accept reality.

Along with loving the situation, I fell in love with my life, my emotions and my body. I also began to practice mindfulness.

Whenever I noticed I was projecting into the future or wishing things were different, I would refocus my attention to what I was doing in that moment. Sometimes I would simply focus on the breath.

Appreciating each moment was truly spiritual for me. I used these same techniques of sending love and practicing mindfulness to recover from the surgery a month later.

Taking a leave of absence, I delved into this natural way to get rid of this cancer. I continued to meditate twice a day to address the mental and emotional stress, and whatever stress caused the cancer.

I tried visualization and imagined armies of white knights on horses (white blood cells) arriving, attacking and overcoming the cancer. I also imagined the cancer being attacked by tiny bullets of energy.

One evening, as I lay in bed visualizing, it dawned on me that

My HeAlINg WAS COMpleTe. I no longer was afraid of cancer or disease – mine or anyone else’s. I knew that disease meant the body was crying out for love in some way. Directing awareness with love and being present and appreciating each moment are powerful healing practices.

Sarah McLean is a Founding Director of the Chopra Center for Wellbeing and the Director of the Sedona Meditation Training Company in Sedona, Arizona. www.sedonameditation.com.

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October 2010 | greenliving az 23

Mommy, I have an owie Three-year-old Zacharias has experienced the painful symptoms of Sickle Cell Disease since birth. Ongoing pain management, including the pain management program at Cardon Children’s Medical Center, is essential to his ongoing treatment. Programs like music therapy and dog therapy distract him from chronic physical pain in his tiny body, while massage and guided imagery can help to ease the physical symptoms. A child life therapist can combine teaching and play to help him understand why he hurts. An anesthesiologist assures the latest pediatric drug therapies are utilized.

Zacharias seems like a normal, happy kid. He loves to play football with his brother and Dad. His heroes are his older siblings and Superman, and he likes to eat apples and chicken nuggets. He wants his mom to let him take home a hospital dog therapist, a yellow lab named Max. Despite his zealous love of life and bright smile, sometimes his mom wishes she could put him in a protective bubble. He is immunosuppressed, and so he gets colds and flu with regularity. Any illness can trigger a Sickle Cell Crisis and send him to the hospital with intense pain.

“Now that Zach is older, he can tell me when he is in pain,” says his mother, Karen. “He says, ‘Mommy, I have an owie.’”

His mother winces when she speaks of it, as if she feels the pain herself.

“The staff at Cardon’s are God-sent,” she says. “It’s always painful for our entire family when Zach comes to the hospital. But, they truly help ease the pain for all of us and for that I am grateful.”

Sickle Cell Disease is an inherited blood disorder that impacts about 2,000 babies every year in the U.S. Misformed blood cells, that are shaped like a cresent moon or sickle, clot together and build up in the veins causing pain and potentially permanent damage to the major organs. The disease leads to severe pain, and can also cause anemia, infections, breathing problems and stroke.

Pain management techniques are of particular importance for patients with Sickle Cell Disease. Cardon Children’s Medical Center has pledged to provide a pain-free environment for kids whenever possible. In fact, children who are about to undergo a treatment that may cause pain, are taken to a treatment room, assuring their patient room is a safe zone and putting them near a toy closet for an immediate visit when their treatment is complete. The Pain Team at Cardon Children’s includes an anesthesiologist, a nurse practitioner, child life therapists, massage therapists, and a music therapist working together to offer patients and their families a comprehensive assessment and a plan for the treatment of pain. In adults pain is assessed on a scale of 1 to 10, but children are shown faces that express different experiences from happy to discomfort to severe pain.

The goal is always to help relieve the pain children are feeling, but in some cases pain is managed to a point where they can cope and work towards a quick recovery. Children and teens who are in pain, often cannot sleep, may not eat, and overall are unable to participate in their own recovery. Resolving pain brings relief to the patient receiving care, and also serves to reduce anxiety in siblings, parents and other family members who feel helpless.

“Sometimes I tell him I want him to grow up to be a doctor,” says Karen, “so he can find a cure.”

Zacharias, 3

If you are interested in helping children like Zacharias receive Integrative Pain therapies, Stars of the Season will be held on December 3, 2010 at W Scottsdale benefiting the Cardon Children’s Medical Center and the Integrative Pain Management Program. For more information, please contact Natalie Hood, Director of Special Events – Natalie.Hood@bannerhealth.com or 602-747-4608.

Photo Credit: Brad Armstrong Photography Provided by: Banner Health - Cardon Children’s Medical Center

Health & Wellness

The Truth About a Book on the Head

BY DR. KAREN JACOBSON

I remember as a little girl walking up and down the hallway, shoulders pulled back and a book on my head. “Stand up straight,” my mother would say. Little did I know back then what an important role posture would play in my life.

Posture is the window to our spine and nerve system. Proper posture reveals more than just poise and personality, it affects performance and productivity. Poor posture, on the other hand, may indicate potential health problems. Slumped posture will push the head forward, round the shoulders and stretch out the back muscles, leading to stiffness, muscle fatigue, decreased stamina and pain. Poor posture can result in a range of health issues including decreased lung capacity, digestion problems, a limited range of motion, headaches or increased low-back pain.

In addition, body mechanics will be affected, leading to potential gait and walking issues.

A simple way to observe proper posture is done by checking the body’s alignment. Proper posture will create a plumb line.

From the side view, the head is centered with the ears lined up to the front of the shoulder, eyes gazing at the horizon straight ahead. Shoulders lined up above the center of the hips, followed along the seam of the pants to the middle of the knee, ending just in front of the anklebone with the pelvis gently tucked under and knees relaxed with a soft bend. When looking from the front,

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weight is distributed equally between the left and right sides, and hips, shoulders and ears are level.

What do we see when we look around us? How many kids and adults walk around with slumped shoulders, staring at the ground? What can we do to improve our posture and health throughout life? It’s simple; paying just a little attention to what we do can create a world of difference.

Posture at work When sitting for long periods of time, get up, move around and stretch.

Keep the computer monitor in a slight upward tilt, which will create the proper curve in your neck. Sit upright, feet flat on the floor and knees at a 90-degree angle. Have a small pillow to support your lower back.

Posture at play During exercise, pay attention to balance and symmetry. Check your posture in the mirror when lifting weights. Avoid lifting excess weight, so the neck and shoulders stay relaxed and prevent you from straining and pulling your head forward. When bicycling, be sure the seat is high enough so your knee is extended on the bottom pedal and toes are barely touching.

Posture at rest Sleep on your back or side with only one neck pillow. If you sleep on your side, consider using a pillow between the knees. For back sleepers, use a pillow under the knees. Avoid stomach sleeping. Be sure to stretch when you get up each morning.

Awareness is the key. If you know what to look for, you are on the right path. Remember, if all else fails, you can always walk around with a book on your head.

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Dr. Karen R. Jacobson is the official Chiropractor & Wellness advisor to the Healthy U TV Show.

She maintains a family practice in Scottsdale with a focus on children and pregnancy, as well as athletes of all ages. drhelth.com

October 2010 | greenliving az 25

A Healthy Color Palette

BY MAYA NAHRA, RD, LD

An array of colors fill our world. Most importantly, what colors brighten your plate?

Use our nutritional guide to help paint in some primary colors for your health.

Fruits/ Vegetables: Asparagus, honeydew, spinach, romaine lettuce, Swiss chard, brussel sprouts, collard greens, broccoli, kiwi, bok choy, turnip greens, artichokes, green beans, snow peas Phytochemicals: Green fruits and vegetables contain lutein, indoles and isothiocyanates.

Health Benefits: Lutein is essential for maintaining optimal eyesight and reducing the risk of cataracts and certain types of cancers. Indoles, found in the cabbage family, are extremely effective in reducing the risk of certain types of cancers, including breast cancer. Isothiocyanates may reduce the risk of colon cancer.

Fruits/Vegetables: Blueberries, purple cabbage, eggplant, blackberries, grapes Phytochemicals: Blue and purple fruits and vegetables acquire their beautiful color from a member of the flavonoid family called anthocyanins and ellagic acid.

Fruits/Vegetables: Strawberries, cranberries, cherries, tomatoes, red chilies, apples, red raspberries, red bell peppers, grapefruit, watermelon

Health Benefits: Anthocyanins have been found to improve short-term memory, reduce the risk of aging, aid in balance and coordination, and improve Phytochemicals: Red fruit and urinary tract infections. Ellagic vegetables contain two powerful acid may reduce the risk of antioxidants, resveratrol and lycopene. certain types of cancers and even lower cholesterol.

Health Benefits: Resveratrol may reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, blood clots and stroke. Lycopene has been found to lower the risk of prostate cancer and heart disease.

Fruits/ Vegetables: Yellow and orange bell peppers, corn, winter squash, carrots, pumpkin, egg yolks, sweet potato, cantaloupe, mangos, apricots, oranges, pineapples, lemons

Phytochemicals: Yellow and orange fruits and vegetables mainly contain carotenoids and betacarotene.

Health Benefits: Beta-carotene may help to slow the aging process, reduce the risk of certain types of cancers, improve lung function and reduce complications associated with diabetes.

Fruits/Vegetables: Mushrooms, jicama, banana, cauliflower, potatoes, pears Phytochemicals: White fruits and vegetables contain allium and limonene.

Health Benefits: Allium may reduce the risk of certain cancers and lower blood pressure and cholesterol. Limonene, has been found to protect the lungs and reduce the risk of cancers.

Maya E. Nahra, RD, LD is a Phoenix-based Holistic Registered Dietitian and Owner of Pure Nutrition. She specializes in weight loss and digestive disorders, and offers individualized programs and consultations, including metabolic, hormone and allergy testing. Send your nutrition questions to Maya at greenpanel@greenlivingaz.com or visit www.purePHX.com.

26 greenliving az | October 2010

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Eat, Drink, & Be Healthy Organic pizza, pasta, and salads. Happy hour every day.

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Green Kids

October Green Kids Lesser Long-nosed Bat Bats get a bad rap and are probably one of the most misunderstood animals. In fact, these mammals are shy, gentle and hardworking! There are over 1,000 different bat species in the world, and they can live in a wide variety of habitats, like deserts and forests. Here in Arizona, approximately 70 species of bats live in the Sonoran Desert region. A single brown bat can catch 600 to 1,200 mosquito-sized insects in one hour!

Lesser long-nosed bats have yellow-brown or gray on their backs, and rusty brown fur

HaLLoween Painted Jar LUminaries what you need: • Clear, empty jars • Black, green, red and orange acrylic paint • Black Sharpie • Cardboard or used cereal

box for stencils (optional) • Krylon Low Odor Clear Finish • Tea light candles or other illumination

Paint jars with red, green or orange acrylic paint. Let the jars dry completely, then add a second coat of paint and let them dry overnight. If you want a rustic look, only use one layer of paint.

on their bellies. They have short tails and large ears, and have a triangular-shaped nose leaf that sticks out at the end of their nose.

These bats only eat the fruit and nectar of night-blooming cacti, like saguaros. Lesser long-nosed bats actually help plants grow by dispersing seeds and pollinating plants.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed lesser long-nosed bats as endangered in 1988.

FUn FaCts: • Lesser long-nosed bats weigh 0.6 to 1 ounces and are only 2.5 to 3 inches long, and have a 14-foot wingspan.

• 95 percent of rainforest growth comes from seeds that have been spread by fruit bats.

• Bats are not blind – in fact, most bats can see as well as humans do. Fruit bats have eyesight that is adapted to low light, much like cats. Fruit bats also see in color, like us!

• Lesser long-nosed bats can reach flight speeds up to 14 miles per hour!

• Bats should never be rescued barehanded.

• Lesser long-nosed bats live approximately 20 years.

You can make stencils for the face out of old cereal boxes, or freestyle with a black Sharpie marker to draw on eyes and mouths and then fill in with black acrylic paint. Paint the jar rims with black paint, then let everything dry for about half an hour. Spray with a low VOC clear glaze. Use two coats. Let the jars dry for three to four hours.

Add glow lights, tea light candles, votive candles, or any other illumination and line them up along your sidewalk for a fun and spooky entrance.

Amanda Formaro is a mother of four and the craft expert for Disney’s Kaboose.com. Find more crafts, recipes and activities at www.craftsbyamanda.com.

Have a fun family craft to share? Send it to us at info@greenlivingaz.com.

28 greenliving az | October 2010

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Green Kids

YOGA FOR KIDS With kids today being shuffled here and there to activities, managing their schoolwork and dealing with social pressures and body changes, we as parents may not recognize how stressful this can be on them. To relieve that pressure, parents are looking to yoga for kids and integrating this practice into their child’s preventive health plan.

When yogis developed the asanas (yoga postures) many thousands of years ago, they took reverence toward the natural world and used animals and plants for inspiration—the sting of a scorpion, the grace of a swan, the grounded stature of a tree.

Yoga studios like Yoga Phoenix, a non-profit organization, aim to educate, uplift and inspire humanity through the teachings of Kundalini Yoga, as taught by Yogi Bhajan, as well as integrate storytelling, games and music, with assumed positions to engage the whole child.

When children stretch like a dog, balance like a flamingo, breathe like a bunny, or stand strong and tall like a tree, they are making a connection between the macrocosm of their environment and the microcosm of their bodies. Children begin to understand their connection to the environment, and learn how to obtain a sense of control over their body and minds.

Building stamina, strength, Studios in AZ: flexibility, stability and balance are just some of the benefits children Kids Yoga Garden, also caters to special-needs children, can attain from yoga. Yoga helps instill responsibility and respect Tucson – www.kidsyogagarden.com for one’s self and others, and helps develop stress management Northern Arizona Yoga Center, Flagstaff – skills. Yoga supports your child’s overall health by boosting mental www.northernarizonayogacenter.com concentration and attention, and improving body awareness and Yoga Phoenix, non-profit institute, Phoenix – coordination. www.yogaphoenix.com Depending on the studio, yoga classes can range from teaching 3 Inner Vision Yoga, East Valley – www.innervisionyoga.com years olds to pre-teens. Yoga is a great place for your child to meet Gilbert Yoga, Gilbert – www.gilbertyoga.com and enjoy friends in a peaceful environment.

– NAMASTE’

Green Kids Pop Quiz The 3 R’s of being green are: a) Recycle, reclaim, refund b) Review, reheat, reduce c) Reduce, reuse, recycle d) Recycle, reclaim, reuse Which of these is a good example of reducing (using less of our resources)? a) Bringing your bags to the grocery store b) Turning off your lights when you are not in the room c) Using both sides of the paper in the printer d) All of the above Which one is a greener choice? a) Buying plastic water bottles b) Refilling a reusable water bottle with water What is a good way to enjoy the earth? a) Go for walks in nature b) Eat foods that are in season c) Plant a tree d) All the above

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Answers: 1.c 2.d 3.b 4.d

Source: Adapted from kidshealth.org

GREEN YOUR HALLOWEEN PARTY 1. Use eco-friendly bags or your pillowcase to carry your candy.

2. Compost your pumpkin when you are done.

3. Hand out all-natural, eco-friendly candies, like dye-free lollipops from Trader Joe’s, Jelly Belly natural flavors, Glee Gum or organic chocolates.

4. Don’t hand out candy, try pencils.

5. Decrease your high-fructose intake and make your own cookies for the kids.

6. If you want to go really green, find candy wrapped in eco-friendly packaging. Many brands of taffy are wrapped in paper. There are also paper pouches full of gummy fruit snacks.

7. Use Beezwax or soy candles for decoration.

8. Decorate with nature: real pumpkins, leaves, sticks.

9. Decrease plastic decorations and make ghosts with good old-fashioned sheets stuffed with newspaper.

10. Serve seasonal treats.

October 2010 | greenliving az

29

Simplify

Get a Handle on your

Closet

3.

Plan out your closet and create a space for each category.

Put items that you don’t wear as often, or seasonal items, out of reach or in another storage area.

Does your closet look like a scene out of “Twister”? Here are a few tips to help calm the storm that hit your wardrobe.

5.

2.

1.

If your closet is so tragic, take everything out and categorize each item (for example: t-shirts, accessories, skirts and work shirts), then organize by color.

Go through each category and get rid of anything you haven’t worn in forever and donate it!

Challenge yourself!

7.

4.

Use clear plastic bins for shoes, belts and other accessories. Bins stack easily and allow you to see everything quickly when you are in a hurry. Another option is an over-the-door shoe rack for the same items.

8.

Put your purses in baskets. This will save time when you’re searching for that perfect clutch or coin purse at the last minute.

Time to organize – get rid of those wire hangers. They might be cheap, but they will do damage on delicate clothing.

Use sturdy wooden hangers for jackets and hang delicate items on hangers with satin padding to extend the life of your garments.

Double rods do wonders! Before breaking out the power tools, check out hanging rod options. These rods hook over existing rails and provide an inexpensive fix to cramped closet space.

6.

Separate your jewelry into small, labeled boxes, pouches or tiny baggies, then house the small boxes in a clear plastic bin that can be put on a shelf.

9.

Label, label, label. Make sure everything keeps its place by labeling where everything goes.

Resources: Associated Content, LifeOrganizers.com, Containerstore.com

Salz – Zout – Y’an – Sol’ - Salt Salt does more than ward off witches and curb curses. Our bodies need salt. According to the Mayo Clinic, salt helps us maintain the right balance of fluids, aids in the transmission of nerve impulses, and influences muscle contraction and relaxation. According to the Salt Institute, there are 14,000 known uses for salt. Try some of these tips, and why not throw a little salt over your shoulder for good luck.

• Mix 1/2 teaspoon salt in an 8-ounce glass of warm water and gargle to help with sore throats.

• Soak mosquito bites in saltwater, then apply a mixture of lard and salt over the bite.

• Mix equal parts of salt and olive oil and gently massage your face and throat for a stimulating facial. Remove the mixture after five minutes and wash your face.

• Mix one teaspoon of salt in a pint (16 ounces) of hot water. Soak eye pads or

30 greenliving az | October 2010

cloth in the solution and apply around your eyes to help relieve puffiness.

• Add several handfuls of salt to a warm bath and soak for at least 10 minutes to help relieve fatigue.

• Remove perspiration stains by adding four tablespoons of salt to one quart of hot water. Sponge fabric with the solution until stains disappear.

• If weeds or unwanted grass come up between patio bricks or blocks, carefully spread salt between the bricks and blocks, then sprinkle with water or wait for rain to wet it down.

• Soak new candles in a strong salt solution for a few hours and then let them dry. When burned, the salt-soaked candles will not drip!

• To remove hard water deposits from fish tanks, rub the inside of the tank with plain, not iodized, salt. Rinse well before returning the fish to the tank.

• Sprinkling salt in canvas shoes will help absorb moisture and remove odors.

• Prevent apples, pears and potatoes from browning by dropping them in lightly salted water as they are peeled.

• Pour a strong brine down the kitchen sink to prevent grease from collecting and eliminate odors.

• To prevent cheese from molding, wrap it in a cloth dampened with saltwater before refrigerating.

• Test egg freshness by placing an egg in cup of water with two teaspoons of salt.

Fresh eggs sink; old eggs float.

• Rub salt inside coffee mugs and teacups to help remove stubborn stains.

Sources: www.mayoclinic.com, www.saltinstitute.org Photography by Sigrid Velund-Miller

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Green Thumb

An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away!

BY DOREEN POLLACK

This saying is true, especially if you are eating fresh, organic apples.

It’s easy to take control of your own health by planting your own apple tree!

Most people think you can grow nothing but citrus in Phoenix.

Since it is so common to see citrus all over the Valley, it is easy to forget about the wide variety of other fruits that can be grown in home gardens.

The main reason stone fruit trees (any tree other than citrus) are unsuccessful here is because they need a specific number of “chill” hours (the length of time between freezing temperatures and 60 degrees Fahrenheit) to bear fruit. California growers have developed fruit trees that need shorter chill hours, like apples, peaches, plums, pears and apricots, figs, pomegranates and dates.

When selecting a fruit tree, consider not only the number of chill

Meditation Spaces

Everyone needs a place to escape to, a place to relax and find a little peace and quiet. As the days become cooler, escaping to the outside is ideal. Why not try a meditation garden in your backyard? It can be large or kept small and simple. All good outdoor meditation areas, regardless of size and complexity, share the same three basic ingredients:

water, greenery and a good seating area.

The focus of your meditation area should be a fountain or a water feature. What is more relaxing than having your ears be caressed by the soothing sounds of moving water? Water will also act as a little white noise, to help drown out typical neighborhood noises, and let you focus on you. One can find a small water feature for less than $100 that plugs into a wall or an extension cord from your local home improvement store. Even better, have a landscape contractor install

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hours it will need, but whether you will eat (and eat a lot of) the fruit it will produce. Most people are used to going to the grocery store and buying three to four apples each week, along with a few other kinds of fruit; however, when you grow your own, you can expect to get dozens of fruit ripening at one time. Preserve (or “put up”) fruit to be used later in the season for pies, chutneys and jams, or give them away as gifts.

Not all types of fruit will ripen at the same time. Some trees ripen at different times during the season (usually May through November). Since you may need more than one variety to help with cross-pollination and good fruit set, select one that has a different ripening date to extend your harvest. If you are buying only one tree, check with the nursery to see if the tree is selfpollinating.

Selecting the right fruit tree may seem daunting. The Phoenix Permaculture Guild is offering classes this fall on how to select and plant fruit trees. Visit their website (phoenixpermaculture.org) to view the many varieties of fruit trees they’ll have on sale through November.

Remember to share the fruits of your bounty with others. Consider encouraging a neighbor to also plant a fruit tree. They will provide shade, protection, privacy and beauty for you for years to come.

Besides, if you are going to water a tree for all of the great things it will provide you, it may as well feed you and your family too.

Doreen Pollack is the Garden Goddess and owner of Down 2 Earth Gardens, where she provides garden consultations and coaching. Visit down2earthgardens.com. Have planting, picking, or other garden-related questions? Send them to greenpanel@greenlivingaz.com Photography by Sigrid Velund-Miller

BY MATT PERSONNE

a water feature that can run on a timer with its own water source.

Plant choices are important to the setting. Try and keep the plant palette to a minimum. You’re looking for a calming effect, not an explosion of color.

Choose plants with lots of texture, like evergreens. Try and select plants that require minimal maintenance. The goal is to have a place to commune with nature, not battle against it. Plants with strong scents can also act as a type of aromatherapy, but if you can, choose one scent. Too many strongly scented plants will overwhelm your senses. Plants like roses have strong fragrances, but require a lot of maintenance. I like to use native plants like sage and different species of cactus. What they lack in fragrance, they more than make up for in the lowmaintenance department.

The most important piece of your meditation garden is you, or more specifically, a place for you. Your

meditation garden should have a place for you to sit. It can be a bench incorporated into your landscape, or a simple lawn chair. If you prefer being closer to the earth, try a soft pad or pillow. I prefer an Adirondack chair, so I can sit back and close my eyes and grab a few minutes of serenity.

There are a hundred other things you can add to your meditation garden, like wind chimes, garden statues and outdoor speakers, to name a few. Many gardens feature a path or incorporate tenets of Feng Shui. The challenge is to keep it simple and inviting. The more relaxing the space, the more likely you will spend time there. Now, back to my chair for a little meditation of my own.

Matt Personne is the owner and founder of Mission Landscaping, LLC, which focuses on landscape and hardscape design and installation on commercial and residential properties. www.missionlandscapingllc.com

October 2010 | greenliving az 31

Pets

10 Poisons

Threatening Toxins: 000

to Keep Away From Your Pet

BY ABIGAIL GILMORE

A

nimals are a part of our families, and though we may feel it’s okay to give them a place at the table with some leftovers, many people don’t know that everyday foods and products can be toxic for their furry friends. Learn the top 10 toxins to keep away from your pets to ensure their safety.

1. Flowers. Buttercups, morning glories, poinsettias and tulips may be pretty, but things will get ugly if your dog gets a hold of them. These flowers can cause stomach pains, hallucinations and mouth irritation, if ingested.

2. Fruits. Though grapes and raisins are very nutritious for humans, they are extremely toxic for dogs. Ingestion can lead to irreversible kidney damage, which can result in death.

3. Plants. Elderberry, holly berries and potato plants can all cause your pets pain. According to Vicky Eckerdt, Director of Veterinary Operations at the Arizona Animal Welfare League, pet owners should beware of the Arizona native sago palms plant, which can cause liver failure in both dogs and cats.

4. Chocolate. Chocolate can be toxic to dogs. If your dog eats chocolate, the side effects will vary depending on the amount and type of chocolate ingested. Pure baking chocolate is extremely toxic to dogs, while a dog would have to ingest 10 times the amount of milk chocolate to experience fatal effects. It’s best to just avoid this all around.

5. Alcohol. Don’t invite your pets to happy hour, as the result will be anything but happy. Alcohol is poisonous for pets, as it causes vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing and tremors.

6. Medications. Both ingesting too much of their own medications and consuming human medications can be toxic for pets, said Dr. Brian Serbin, Veterinarian and Owner of Ingleside Animal Hospital. “We get a lot of calls where a dog or cat has ingested an owner’s medication by mistake, or the owner gave their pet the wrong medication because they were in a rush,” Serbin said.

7. Chemicals. You may have some chemicals laying around the house that could cause serious harm to your pets. Motor oil, battery acid, rat poison and bleach are all tremendously dangerous to pets, and if ingested, must be treated immediately.

8. Some foods. Both Eckerdt and Serbin agreed that pets are commonly fed table scraps that could be toxic. Onions can cause anemia in cats and dogs, and the artificial sugar in toothpaste and chewing gum has been linked to problems.

9. Environmental hazards. Mushrooms in the yard and contaminated water can critically hurt your pets. Many pets have curious noses, which unfortunately can lead them to harm. To try to prevent ingestion of mushrooms and bad water, try to keep your pet in sight at all times.

10. Caffeine. Similar to chocolate, caffeine can cause damage to the heart, lungs and kidneys, as well as hurt the central nervous system. Be sure you keep your pets away from caffeine pills, coffee beans, coffee and tea.

The best way to prevent your pets from getting into these toxins is to keep dangerous materials and foods off of the counter and up high, where pets can’t reach them.

Sources: Dr. Brian Serbin, Veterinarian and Owner at Ingleside Animal Hospital and Vicky Eckerdt, Director of Vet Operations at the Arizona Animal Welfare League.

Conserve energy and protect your furnishings with Madico Window Films.

Installing Madico Window Films is a smart way to lower energy costs and reduce CO2 emissions. Our films reject up to 80% of solar heat in summer months and help to retain interior heat in cooler months, saving money on heating and cooling costs all year long. In addition, Madico Window Films reject almost 100% of the sun’s harmful UV rays, which over time will fade furniture, fabrics, walls and floors in your home.

To learn more about how Madico Window Films can reduce your energy costs, call Dennis Labadini at 480-628-8907 or e-mail him at dlabadini@madico.com.

32 greenliving az | October 2010

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EZ Messenger EZ Messenger, an Arizona-based legal services company, is undergoing a transformation which has already set the company apart from everyone else in the profession. A new benchmark for corporate social responsibility and sustainability has been set, and EZ Messenger is leading the way.

Values have changed, expectations have been raised, and according to EZ’s Managing Member Steve Ezell, many of their major clients now prefer to do business with value-based companies that practice green initiatives. “We’ve paved the way, and we’ve placed our values out in the open for all to see. This unwavering commitment of ours, along with our transparency, has put us way out ahead of the curve, and as a result, we have a significant competitive advantage.” Ezell said.

EZ Messenger provides legal services to over 600 law firms a day throughout Arizona. “It’s a constant flow of papers,” Ezell said; however, after a recent ownership change, the company decided to stop the paper pushing. With the help of qualified consultants like Star Simmons of Threads of Connection, who has been instrumental in EZ Messenger’s green building project, EZ Messenger is moving in an ecologically and socially responsible sustainable direction.

They are currently transforming their offices into more sustainable environments by implementing paperless billing systems that use eStatements and in-office recycling programs. “We run through cases of paper, since we do so many transactions here,” Ezell said, “In our first month we had almost 400 of our clients opt in to the eStatement.” Ezell hopes to one day have a billing cycle that relies completely on eStatements.

As well as providing their employees the means to be more eco-friendly, EZ Messenger will offer employees training on how to be more sustainable in the workplace and at home. EZ Messenger’s

“people, planet, profit” business model prioritizes employees needs as well as the company’s impact

“[our new CSR initiatives]

has changed our whole image,” Ezell said. “But this is not a sprint we’re going to be in this for the long run.

”

on the environment. “When you are bottom linedriven, the bottom line never works out,” Ezell said.

“Our greatest asset is our staff.”

One of the most exciting and challenging aspects of EZ Messenger’s eco-transformation is finding greener alternatives for the company’s 65-vehicle fleet. They currently have 12 hybrid cars in rotation, but the company is looking into other green driving options.

“This has changed our whole image,” Ezell said.

“But this is not a sprint we’re going to be in this for the long run.”

EZ Messenger is the largest Legal Support Services Provider in the State of Arizona, with over 175 employees serving the legal industry. They have served the Arizona legal community for over 30 years and recently opened a Dallas office. EZ Messenger is a sponsor for the 2010 Sedona Jazz Festival.

Steve Ezell EZ Messenger www.ezmessenger.com

The Truth About

Gr e e n Bu i ld i ng

By ChArLIE PoPECk, LEED AP

Y

ou really can’t escape the fact that green building, sustainable construction or (my preference) highperformance building have become mainstream. Green building has been the fastest-growing segment of the building industry for several years, and continues to be, with good reason – Green building makes sense!

Green building is a simple, common-sense approach to the design and construction of ANY building. The concepts, principles, strategies and products are all similar, regardless of the building project. Having worked on more than 60 major LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) building projects around the country with many different project teams, I’m still amazed at the range of perceptions from industry professionals about green building. I’ve asked the question, “What do you think green building is?” Responses vary from “Building with straw bales and rammed earth,” to “Energy and water efficient building.” Honestly, they’re both correct!

Green building is a comprehensive and integrated way of approaching the design and construction of any building. It does not have to take an extreme approach in either a natural or high-tech direction, but should employ common-sense strategies and construction methods in order to produce the most sustainable end product. A building that is resourceefficient minimizes impact on the environment and creates a healthy environment for its occupants.

A truly green building combines proven ways of implementing all of the above while responsibly managing costs. Let’s face it, something isn’t sustainable if it drains your bank account.

That’s why I recommend early planning to determine the approaches that make the most sense for your situation. Some of the most common sustainability-related green building goals I’ve seen include:

Energy efficiency Energy efficiency measures, like a high-performance building envelope, quality windows and doors, and maximizing use of natural lighting, will put money back in your pocket.

Energy efficiency leads to better occupant comfort. An energy-efficient building will be less likely to have temperature fluctuations and will require less adjustment of the mechanical

34 greenliving az | October 2010

systems, therefore saving more money and providing a higher degree of comfort to its occupants.

Indoor air quality Buildings are all about people. A large part of our lives is spent in buildings learning, working, shopping or living. Anything you can do to improve the indoor air quality will pay big dividends toward the health of your family or productivity of workers.

Using low or zero VOC (volatile organic compound) products is a good common-sense strategy. Many materials used in a building’s interior design contain VOCs, which offgas harmful chemicals long after people move into a building.

Specifying products with this in mind greatly improves indoor air quality, and ultimately the health of a building’s occupants.

Water efficiency Water is a precious resource, and we need to start reusing it.

A water efficiency strategy shows immediate results on the monthly water bill and makes you feel good about your efforts.

Items to consider include dual-flush toilets, low-flow fixtures, landscaping with native or adapted vegetation, and graywater for irrigation purposes.

There is a lingering conversation that green building costs more, but the bottom line is this - target only those elements that make financial, environmental and business sense (in the case of a commercial building), and do it as early as possible. Establish realistic building goals by conducting a brainstorming session (sometimes called a “charrette”) early on to focus the design and construction of building goals that are most important to you.

Starting early will eliminate the need for re-design. Just as the old carpenter’s adage, “Measure twice, cut once.” Attests, forethought, proper planning and effective construction management will eliminate waste, reduce costs and create a building that will provide many years of satisfaction.

Stay tuned for my “how to” tips in my article series for Green Living AZ Magazine addressing the above subjects.

Charlie Popeck LEED AP is the president of Green Ideas Sustainability Consultants and is a contributing editor to Green Living AZ Magazine. Green Ideas specializes in helping design, construction and facility management teams understand and implement building science and sustainability into their projects.

Email your questions to Charlie at greenpanel@greenlivingaz.com.

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N PAR FOR GREEN: RECLAIMED WATER FOR GOLF

BY ANTHONY DEWITT

T

he golf industry generates approximately $3.4 billion annually for Arizona’s economy and provides over 20,000 local jobs, according to the Golf Industry Association. Golf is a year-round industry in this state and it’s definitely expensive for the upkeep. “There’s no downtime in the desert,” said Gus Rodda, Golf Course Superintendent of Seville Golf and Country Club. “You grow your golf course in twice a year.”

With overseeding on the minds of agronomists and horticulturalists, many golf courses in Arizona are taking sustainable initiatives to use reclaimed water as their primary source for watering their massive lawns. Reclaimed water has shown to provide significant cost savings for courses in comparison to using potable well and groundwater.

Rodda said that when Seville made the switch from well to reclaimed in November 2008, it cut their water costs by about 50 percent. Rodda explained that the majority of these costs were energy-based and used for pumping water out of the course’s onsite well.

“I had to pay to pump it out of the ground, and the electricity to run the pump is substantial,” Rodda said.

Rodda explained that they did not have the initial infrastructure to pump in water from treatment plants, and once they did, they made the change immediately to save on costs. Seville receives its recycled water from the Greenfield Water Treatment Facility, which pumps the water into holding ponds that double as landscaping, or friendly water hazards, on the course.

According to the Waste Management Phoenix Open Media Guide, there are over 207 golf courses in the Phoenix area alone, and the sport consumes about 4.2 percent of the Arizona water budget. Phoenix’s ecosystem is already strained for water resources, receiving on average 9.5 inches of rain annually.

Scarce natural rainfall and a limited water budget make using reclaimed water a pressing issue for local golf courses.

The Scottsdale Water Campus is one water treatment plant that is actively finding solutions to these water supply issues.

The water campus is an advanced treatment facility that was recently funded by the City of Scottsdale and private partners to bring filtration to the next level.

Art Nunez, Wastewater Service Director for the facility, has been working in reclaimed water since it made its first appearance in the Valley in the 1980s. Nunez explained that high salinity levels in reclaimed water mainly come from water softeners in residential single-family homes and multi-family housing.

Residents of the Valley use water softeners because Arizona has hard water. Hard water is created from minerals in the earth, like calcium and magnesium, that are exposed to water sources. “[Water softeners] are flushed every night, and tens of thousands are flushing it right into the sewer system,” Nunez said. He further indicated that although neither mineral is bad for you at the present levels, they still adversely affect the taste of the water.

This issue aside, the real question for concerned golf course superintendents and Arizona economists is how you mitigate the salinity issues for golf courses while continuing to use water softeners for drinking water.

“Water reuse should be par for the course”

Benjamin H. Grumbles, Director of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), says that it makes both economic and environmental sense to use recycled water.

“Water reuse should be par for the course,” Grumbles said.

With this sustainable initiative comes a package of issues involving water purity and contaminants. Grumbles explained that attention must be paid to some emerging problems, like increasing salts in some water supplies that threaten grasses and plants. Grumbles said that he is concerned these issues tempt golf course owners to use groundwater supplies, rather than treated, reclaimed sources.

36 greenliving az | October 2010

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golf consumes about 4.2 percent of the Arizona water budget

Nunez explained that the Scottsdale Water Campus has entered into an agreement with Scottsdale residents and the golf industry clientele to offer additional filtration for sodium and other compounds of potential concern (CPC). CPCs include items in human waste, like caffeine and drug byproducts. This facility provides the majority of its reclaimed water to 24 golf courses and has become a benchmark for water treatment plants.

While other facilities in the Valley meet ADEQ standards for chemical filtration of chemicals, Nunez’s water plant has updated its facilities to include reverse osmosis, a process most commonly associated with filtering seawater.

Troon Golf, a global leader in golf and golf course innovation, has taken this salt burden and environmental concerns into their own hands. Troon has been one of the leaders in Phoenix by running on reclaimed water for the last five to seven years.

Jeff Spangler, Senior Vice President of Science and Agronomy at Troon, said that Troon made this change to be proactive to Arizona’s environment.

“Golf courses use a fair amount of water and it was a very sensitive issue for the community,” Spangler said. greenlivingaz.com

Spangler explained that Troon goes above and beyond using reclaimed water on their courses. Their sustainable initiatives include a multimillion-dollar irrigation system, an onsite weather station that adjusts watering heads daily and cuts to fuel used in maintenance vehicles. In addition, the company uses organic composted fertilizer from poultry farms to fertilize their grounds.

“We are using a product that is better environmentally and works agronomically,” Spangler said.

To address the salinity issues that water treatment plants like Scottsdale Water Campus face, Troon has mitigated their impact by applying gypsum calcium on their grounds. This compound prevents reclaimed water from killing grasses and plants by neutralizing the salt content. Overall, Spangler expressed excitement for the future of environmental stewardship at Troon and in the golf industry.

“There will be changes; we are just at the beginning stages of defining what environmental programs are and how they are implemented,” Spangler said.

Sources: ADWR, AZDEQ, Golf Industry Association, Seville Golf Course, Troon Waste Management Phoenix Open Media Kit Photos courtesy of Troon Golf

October 2010 | greenliving az 37

ECO TERMINOLOGY Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): Carbon compounds that participate in atmospheric photochemical reactions (excluding carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, carbonic acid, metallic carbides and carbonates, and ammonium carbonate). The compounds vaporize (become a gas) at normal room temperatures. Limits are set on the amount of VOCs permitted in a given volume of a product.

The main products that produce VOCs are adhesives and sealants, paints and coatings, carpet systems, composite wood and agrifiber products. These products are found in our homes, cabinets and furnishings, as many are made from plywood, particle board and MDF (medium density fiberboard). Don’t you love that new car smell? That odor is off-gassing from the new carpet, seat cushions, upholstery, foam in the roof and the adhesives to secure them all in place.

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS): Each individual has a unique reaction to drugs based upon their individual metabolism and body chemistry. Likewise, each individual can react differently when exposed to certain chemicals. Those with compromised immune systems, like the elderly, infirm or the very young, may be more sensitive to chemicals than others. Some perfectly healthy individuals may have a high sensitivity to chemicals. This reaction to chemicals may manifest itself as an acute multiple chemical sensitivity. Unfortunately, some doctors do not recognize MCS as a diagnosable disease or condition, due to no standard reaction by individuals. People have a built-in chemical sensitivity detector. It is called your nose. A normal human being can detect up to 10,000 odors, if something smells funny or harsh, you are probably right.

Sick Building Syndrome (SBS): Sick building syndrome covers a range of symptoms thought to be triggered when the sufferer spends time in a particular building. Symptoms range from itchy eyes, skin rashes, and nasal allergy symptoms, to more vague symptoms, such as fatigue, aches and pains, and sensitivity to odors.

Some specific diseases, such as Legionnaires’ disease, have been attributed to older buildings with cooling towers and inadequate air conditioning systems.

“Building it tight”: With the increased emphasis on energy conservation, the mantra of “building it tight” to prevent air infiltration has had the negative effect of making indoor air quality suffer.

Our loose, leaky building may have lousy efficiency, but better air quality. So the correct mantra should be, “Build it tight, but vent it right!”

Rainwater Harvesting System: Rainwater harvesting captures and stores rainwater for later use. Captured rainwater is often used in landscaping and flushing toilets because the water does not have to be treated when used for this purpose. Rainwater harvesting can also help to prevent flooding and erosion by turning storm water runoff into water supply assets.

Carbon Monoxide Detector: Carbon monoxide detectors work in a similar way to smoke detectors by monitoring carbon monoxide levels in your home and sounding an alarm if elevated levels are detected. The majority of carbon monoxide detectors use one of three basic sensor types: electrolytic, colorimetric and metal oxide semiconductor sensors. All three methods produce similar results with slight variances. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), one CO2 detector is recommended per household and near the sleeping area.

Sources: epa.gov, tamu.edu, homedepot.com

38 greenliving az | October 2010

R’s

The Five of Sustainable Employee Enagement

BY DERRICK MAINS

We all know the traditional “R’s” that come to mind when addressing sustainability: reduce, reuse and recycle. We grew up with these mantras, and they are usually the first guidelines deployed when beginning green teams or sustainability initiatives within our offices. If employees are involved and exercising these practices, the “R’s” can be extremely effective means to greening a company; environmental footprints, and bills, will begin to shrink.

But unfortunately for many of us business leaders, 71 percent of employees are not engaged, according to the authors of Human Sigma.

So how can leaders incorporate sustainability into the daily practice of their organizations? How do they involve the entire workforce? By employing a few more “R’s”— the five “R’s” of sustainable employee engagement:

1

Rethink: Think about sustainability in a different way. It need not be the larger issues like climate change. Small steps can add to large impacts. Encourage and remind employees to turn off lights when leaving their office. Even if it is for a short period of time (to run to the restroom or a weekly meeting), the mere act will, over time, become a routine. When the entire workforce begins to change their routines, it becomes a shift toward a more sustainable culture.

2

Reconnect: Have your employees reconnect with the environment, and with their garbage. A company dumpster dive can be a team-building exercise, allowing them to see firsthand what and how much they are wasting. Waste is a waste. This will help them think twice about using that disposable coffee cup or throwing away paper that could and should have been recycled.

3

Research: This relates to internal and external factors affecting the sustainability of your company. Internally, setting benchmarks and goals can help your employees see how their efforts can and have helped the team reach its goals. In addition, offering your team specific tips and statistics on what actions they should take and why can be helpful in influencing them to change their behavior.

4

Reach out: Make sure all employees are involved in sharing ideas and ways to improve efficiency. Game-changing ideas come from those who do the work.

5

Reward: Recognize employees for their efforts. Reward programs entice employees and create a cycle of sustainability.

Engagement is the first step to sustainability and culture change within your organization, and culture change can be a powerful thing. It is not something that stays within the confines of your office walls. Sustainable behaviors follow employees home with them at the end of the day.

Derrick Mains is the CEO of Green Nurture, the software solution for helping companies incorporate the value of sustainability into daily practice. Mains is also the host of “Your Triple Bottom Line,” a national green talk radio show that is focused on the business of sustainability.

Send your questions to greenpanel@greenlivingaz.com and you might see a response in our next issue!

greenlivingaz.com

Sick Office Syndrome

BY ABIGAIL GILMORE

It’s that time of year when everyone in your office seems to be getting sick. A cough here and a sneeze there from a co-worker could be enough to catch a cold; or perhaps toxins in your office are the cause of your snuffles.

How can you tell if exposure to toxins at your office or workplace is making you sick?

Ask yourself: • Do you feel fine when go to work, but have symptoms after you’ve been there for a while?

• Do you feel worse when it’s time to go home?

• On weekends, do you feel wonderful but start having symptoms within a few hours of being at work?

• Late Friday afternoon, are you feeling really bad?

• Do your symptoms disappear on vacation?

If you answered yes to one or more of the above questions, chances are, something at work is causing you to feel crummy. “If you have allergies, or allergic relatives, it is possible your medical complaints are due to dust, mold, pollen or a chemical,” said Dr. Doris J. Rapp, board-certified Environmental Medical Specialist and Pediatric Allergist. “A food is not the cause of work problems, unless you ingest something at work that’s not eaten at home.”

If allergies are to blame, what symptoms could you have?

If you are allergic to something common, like pollen, dust or molds, typical symptoms include: • Itchy skin patches • Asthma or heavy coughing • Hives • Itchy, red, watery eyes • Abdominal discomfort • Runny nose and sneezing Unfortunately, there are plenty of uncommon allergic reactions as well. Some atypical symptoms are: • Extreme fatigue • Tender skin spots • Hyperactivity • Chronic intestinal complaints • Trouble concentrating • Depression or suicidal thoughts • Joint or muscle pain • Anxiety or panic attacks If you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms, you could be allergic to something at work. But how do you find out what that something could be? “Just notice what you did, touched, smelled, or ate just before you began to not feel right,” said Dr. Rapp. “It can be that easy.”

There are many aspects of your environment that could affect how you feel. Consider whether new furniture or carpeting has been installed or if remodeling is in the works. When were the air filters changed last?

I know what is causing my symptoms, now what?

Ask yourself: • Can problem areas be cleaned or eliminated?

• Can safer cleaning agents be used?

• Can you install an air purifier in the area that bothers you?

• Can you switch to a different location in the workplace?

• Can you avoid problem areas?

• Look at material safety data sheets (MSDS) for chemicals used at work. Can these cause the symptoms you have? How toxic are they? Can they cause cancer?

These practical solutions may be able to get you through sick office syndrome this season!

Source: Dr. Doris J. Rapp, board-certified Environmental Medical Specialist and Pediatric Allergist

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October 2010 | greenliving az 39

BY BILL JANHONEN, LEED AP, NAHB-CGP

F

or those of us in the sustainable building world, hospitals and laboratories have been the “third rail” of green building. Put simply, these facilities don’t easily fit into a standard model or prescriptive path design because they run 24/7/365. I know this personally, as my sister is the Director of Nursing for OB/GYN and Pediatrics at Cayuga Medical Center in Ithaca, New York. People don’t have babies according to a set schedule, and people need medical attention all day, every day. Hospitals run labs, tests, lights and food services, laundry and life-saving equipment all day, every day – and that takes a lot of energy, and I mean energy from the dedicated staff, as well as the grid.

Into this enormous challenge have emerged several groups and builders that have taken on the daunting aspect of building “green” hospitals and improving healthcare companies. In San Francisco, the city-owned Laguna Honda Hospital opened in June with a silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. The new 780-bed facility is the first hospital to receive such a certification in California.

The LEED program itself is in the process of establishing a specific Healthcare certification. Emerging emphasis on sustainable building in healthcare is becoming more common with integrated and holistic views that affect the patients, workers and visitors, but the community at large. In Arizona, Phoenix-based Ascent Healthcare Solutions has been awarded the Champion of Change Award by Practice Greenhealth.

The Champion for Change Award recognizes businesses and organizations that demonstrate successful accomplishments in “greening” their own organization, and have assisted their associated healthcare facility, clients, members and customers in improving their environmental performance. Ascent Stryker Sustainability Solution identifies that reprocessing and remanufacturing medical devices are the most impactful sustainability initiatives that hospitals can do to divert thousands of pounds of medical waste from landfills and redirect savings to patient care initiatives.

40 greenliving az | October 2010

Chandler Regional Medical Center, another Arizona company that has been recognized by Practice Greenhealth, has been awarded the Partner for Change Recognition Award. This award is for healthcare facilities that have begun to work on environmental improvements, achieved some progress, and have less than 10 percent recycling rate for their total waste stream. In 2009, in conjunction with Ascent Healthcare Solutions, Chandler Regional was able to divert over 14,900 pounds of medical waste from landfills and save over $580,000 in device supply costs.

“Chandler Regional Medical Center, with the support of its leadership, has engaged its employees to identify and prioritize projects that they believe are feasible and will have a real impact on our environmental ‘footprint,’” said John Walters, Director of Environment of Care at Chandler Regional. “Our future plans include identifying opportunities for the use of solar energy and donating food preparation waste to the local farming community.”

In an article by Natalie Engler titled “Green Hospitals,” Bill Ravanesi, Boston’s Regional Director at Health Care Without Harm (HCWH), indicated if every healthcare facility were to embrace green building design, the effects would be felt around the globe. HCWH is a global coalition of almost 500 organizations working to protect health by reducing pollution and promoting high-performance healing environments in the healthcare sector. The healthcare sector comprises about a seventh of the U.S. economy and is the nation’s second-largest consumer of energy per square foot. Annually, the sector constructs 100 million square feet of medical building space and spends $5.3 billion on energy. “That makes it imperative that healthcare become a better steward, not only of health, but of the environment and the planet,” says Ravanesi. “Of all the industry sectors, it is the only one that has taken an oath: first do no harm. It is in its mission to do the right thing.”

Brigham and Women’s Hospital’s new comprehensive cardiovascular care facility was designed according to green greenlivingaz.com

design principles. The Carl J. and Ruth Shapiro Cardiovascular Center is a place that promotes healing, reduces stress, improves patient and employee safety, and is sensitive to the community it’s built in, while reducing the carbon footprint.

When it came to constructing the 440,000 square-foot, 10-story center, “We pursued green design holistically,” says Arthur Mombourquette, Vice President of Support Services at the Brigham. “We installed state-of-the-art ventilation and cooling systems and energy-efficient lighting, but we also thought about the people who would work in the building, the patients who would stay there, and the residents of the neighborhood surrounding it.”

Some 70 percent of interior spaces receive natural light during the day. “Not the first thing that comes to mind when you think of sustainability,” Mombourquette says.

Other green features include low-energy fixtures, an Energy Star-compliant roofing system, highefficiency air handlers and conveyance systems that improve air flow, low-flow plumbing fixtures, water-efficient landscaping, a wastewater recycling system, and environmentally friendly and recyclable carpets and floor coverings. Non-toxic recycled rubber floors require no waxing or stripping with toxic chemicals and are softer underfoot, potentially reducing slips, falls and stress fractures. In addition, during construction, contractors recycled more than 90 percent of construction waste and used recyclable building materials.

In 2007, Partners HealthCare and seven other major health systems banded together with Health Care Without Harm, Practice Greenhealth, and the Center for Health Design to create the Global Health and Safety Initiative. The hurdles facing hospitals in generating sustainability include creating environmental compatibility, energy efficiency and quality.

The basics of green building are as applicable to the healthcare environment as any other. Features such as lower-energy fixtures, Energy Star-compliant roofing systems, low-flow fixtures, occupancy sensors, water-efficient landscaping, and

building orientation to allow passive solar heating and cooling and wastewater recycling are all available to hospitals. Those among us who have compromised immune systems, along with children, the elderly and those with illness, also need an environment free of toxic pollutants found in indoor air and from the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found in carpets, furniture and cleaning products. All of these programs and more have been adopted and put into practice by hospitals across the nation.

The USGBC, through LEED and the Green Guide for Health Care (GGHC), have teamed up to provide direction and assistance to facilities pursuing sustainability. The LEED for Healthcare rating system represents a culmination of seven years of close collaboration between the GGHC and USGBC.

The Green Guide for Health Care is a best practices guide for healthy and sustainable building design, construction, and operations for the healthcare industry. In today’s world, hospitals are facing the same economic hardships we all are facing, but the reality is that we can no longer assume that the methods and technologies of the past should or will be the direction for the future. Best practices in building seen as a premium, or something extra, are rapidly becoming the standard practice, and before too long may become the mandated method of building. But the initiative shown by hundreds of healthcare facilities around the nation have proven that sustainable building can be performed in a cost-effective manner that takes into account lifecycle concerns and the holistic view of how hospitals affect the patient as well as the workers, visitors and surrounding community.

For more information about sustainable healthcare: Health Care Without Harm ~ noharm.org Green Guide for Health Care ~ gghc.org U.S. Green Building Council ~ usgbc.org Sources: Ascent Health Care Solutions, Chandler Regional Hospital, Engler, N. for Partners Harvard Medical International 2009, EPA, GGHC, Healthierhospitals.org, noharm.org, Practice Greenhealth-Awards and Recognitions, Practicegreenhealth.org, USGBC

Bill Janhonen LEED AP, NAHB – CGP lectures and teaches Green Building methods and technology. His company WSJ Enterprises provides corporations with green staff training and consultation for sustainable policy programs. wjsenterprises.com Opposite page: Carl J. and Ruth Shapiro Cardiovascular Center Top: Chandler Regional Medical Center

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Photo courtesy of Chandler Regional Medical Center

October 2010 | greenliving az 41

Community

Chandler Boys and Girls Club

BY TISHIN DONKERSLEY, M.A.

I

t’s 3:30 and the kids are making their way into the building.

I can hear all the excitement about what they are going to do, who is going to play what, and who is on whose team. I follow the kids into the new 32,000-square-foot facility. A constant stream of “Hi Mindy!” fills the room as the children greet Mindy Elias, Director of the Chandler Boys & Girls Club and my tour guide for the day. All of the smiling faces line up at the desk to check in as Mindy reminds them of their schedule, “Remember to go to the community room for homework,” Mindy said.

From the get go, I knew this tour would be different, especially when Mindy handed me a Scavenger Hunt brochure.

Scavenger Hunt, a game developed by Chasse Building Team, Inc., takes children new to the Boys & Girls Club on an adventure where they search for sustainable clues about their facility. Education and embracing sustainability have been at the forefront of the project, and have also been implemented in their after-school program. Before the design, the building team went to the kids and asked what they wanted to have in the new club. “More than anything, the kids wanted drinking fountains,” Mindy said. Not only did the kids get 14 new fountains (they had two originally) scattered throughout the club, they also received a brightly colored environment that would be playful and welcoming for all. “They felt like they were really heard,” Mindy said.

In 2009, the Compadre Branch was awarded LEED Silver Certification, making it one of only three LEED certified Boys & Girls Clubs in the nation. Mindee Padilla, Public Relations

and Marketing Director for Boys & Girls Club of the East Valley, explained that the Compadre Branch had been here since 1983. Prior to that, it was used by Seton Catholic School from 1953 to 1983. The building was over five decades old – it was time for a facelift. With Chandler residents approving bonds in 2007 for the $7 million facility, the children’s hopes of a new facility certainly came true! Chandler Mayor Dunn said, “It is the culmination of years of hard work and the fulfillment of many promises to the children of Chandler.”

The most exciting part of the project was to learn about how the Chasse Building Team developed a mentoring program and monthly workshops to educate the children about building and living green. “Having the mentoring tours with the club members gave our building team pride in demonstrating the different skills involved on a big construction site,” Chasse Building Teams Superintendent Robert Dilzer said. “We enjoyed having them be a part of the process, and they showed great enthusiasm for the behind-the-scenes tours and learning about the infrastructure of their new club.”

Between the regular on-site visits and workshops addressing sustainable initiatives, the children gained a new appreciation and excitement about the importance about using local and regional supplies, recycled concrete and asphalt, low-flow toilets, and why building green is better for their health and environment. The children felt empowered by the information and “they really took pride in their facility, because they were involved,” Mindy said. Chasse Building Team also hoped to inspire teens to apply for apprenticeships and seek out degrees and certifications in sustainability at local educational institutions.

Meanwhile, on our adventure through the facility, static displays reveal the “clues” for our scavenger hunt and explain all of the methods used to obtain LEED certification.

The club contains low-flow plumbing fixtures and dual-flush toilets to help the branch save money and conserve over 48 percent clean, potable water. “I like that the sinks turn on by themselves,” Lexi Martinez, 7, said. All of the interior wall paint contains zero VOCs. Mindy explained that the carpet was made from pre and post-consumer recycled content (plastic water bottles and other textiles), low-emitting materials, adhesives and sealants. At first, Mindy

42 greenliving az | October 2010

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Community

didn’t know if recycled carpet would be ugly, but she was pleased to see it was bright and cheerful.

I searched for additional clues and discovered that over 37 percent of the total building materials had been manufactured using recycled materials, and 75 percent of the construction waste was recycled or salvaged. If you venture into gymnasium #2, you will find a piece of the old gym floor proudly displayed on the wall like a retired jersey.

With two gymnasiums, meeting rooms, multipurpose rooms, a teen center, professional music studio, fully loaded game room, creative arts room, office space and the world’s largest Intel Computer Clubhouse, energy efficiency was a primary design feature.

“Walking through the little gym, it was interesting seeing the new (performing) stage and how they were putting the old floor on the wall,” Celeste Izguerra, 11, said.

To start, the highly reflective roof allows for minimal absorption of the sun’s heat and reduces air conditioning needs. Each room has thermal comfort controls, programmed to automatically cool or warm depending on the time of day or how much body heat is generated. Additionally, CO2 sensors are strategically placed, and if levels rise, the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems are programmed to ventilate with outside air. Recently, the Compadre Branch received a 15,000 dollar solar electric system installation gift from Aide Solar, DEGERenergie, Fronius, Hawkins Design Group and SolarCity; this will save the club $500 each month on energy costs.

My adventure at the Chandler Boys & Girls Club ended at the front desk, where I had the pleasure of meeting the staff. The smiling faces that fill the Chandler Boys & Girls Club can be attributed to those who dedicate their hearts and souls for the betterment of the community and the happiness of their members. Thank you to all who volunteer or work at Boys & Girls Clubs, you do make a difference. Including children in sustainable conversations provides an educational platform and baseline of stewardship for our world. The children are our future and part of the solution.

The natural daylight, directed from solar tubing located in the hallways and gymnasiums, makes the walls’ bright colors explode. This feature reduces the need for artificial lighting and has been shown to improve mood and brain activity. “The skylights light up the whole gym, and it looks really cool at night,” Gustavo Garcia, 18, Youth of the Year said.

Sources: City of Chandler, Boys & Girls Club of the East Valley, Bollinger Consulting Architects & BCA Companies, Chasse Building Team, Business Wire Photography by BCA companies, City of Chandler, Chasse Building Team, Inc. Special thanks to: Mindy Elias, Jim Phipps, Mindee Padilla, Sydney Dilzer, Chris Lamm, Craig Younger

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October 2010 | greenliving az 43

Preservation

Dust to Desert

A desert is a desert is a desert... or is it?

BY EdwArd r. ricciuti

Photography by Steve Packer

A

lthough all deserts share certain characteristics, to the ecologist’s eye they can differ significantly from one another. The 440,000 square miles of territory that comprise the Great American Desert of the western United States, for example, encompass four different deserts - the Sonoran, Mohave, Chihuahuan and Great Basin - which are each defined by different plant communities and climates. Arizonans who are desert buffs – a not-inconsiderable multitude – have it made because all of these desert types exist to explore within the state’s borders.

Scientists generally define a desert as an environment receiving less than 10 inches of rain yearly, often much less than that. It is not just a matter of how much precipitation originates aloft. High temperatures can evaporate moisture on the way down, causing most of it to vanish before it hits the ground. Terrain and geography play a role, too. The four American deserts all lie in the leeward rain shadow of mountains, especially the Sierra Nevada and Coast Ranges.

As air from the Pacific Ocean moves up the western slopes, it cools and its moisture condenses and falls so that the winds are wrung dry by the time they descend on the east.

The Mohave is the westernmost North American desert.

It covers about 25,000 square miles, mostly in California, but extends into Nevada, southwestern Utah and the extreme western part of Arizona. It is the desert that claims Death Valley, at the salty pool at Badwater which at 282 feet below sea level is the lowest location in North America, and one of the

44 greenliving az | October 2010

hottest places in the world. Year-round, the Mohave mercury can vary greatly, sometimes dipping well below freezing. Its annual rainfall is about 5 inches and its marker plants are the creosote bush, saltbush and the Joshua tree, a huge yucca that towers up to 40 feet above the sandy soil.

The Joshua tree grows only in terrain above 3,000 feet in altitude; despite the depth of Death Valley, the Mohave is largely high desert, between 2,000 feet and 5,000 feet above sea level. It is also a transitional desert, between the even higher, cold Great Basin Desert to the north, and the hotter, lower Sonoran – considered by many as Arizona’s signature desert – to the south.

Covering 130,000 square miles, largely on high plateau above 4,000 feet and extending to 6,500 feet, the Great Basin Desert spans most of Nevada and Utah, fringing into California and Idaho and reaching into central Oregon. Arizona’s share lies largely north and east of Flagstaff, in the extreme northwest and north of the Grand Canyon. As anyone who has coped with winter snows on the canyon’s North Rim knows, it is the coldest, wettest North American desert – with 7 to 12 inches of rain annually. Vast stretches of the Great Basin Desert, with its trademark big sagebrush and blackbrush shrubs, is bland and sere, but in northeastern Arizona, largely between the Little Colorado River and the Hopi Mesas, it blazes with glorious colors. Here, the landscape is daubed with the purples, whites, blues, reds and other colors that tint the shales and sandstones of the so-called Painted Desert. Within its margins lies the greenlivingaz.com

Preservation

famed Petrified Forest and the national park bearing its name.

Stretching over most of southwestern Arizona – and deep into Mexico – the Sonoran is the hottest and, if a desert can be such, the most verdant North American desert. It is comparatively wet; if doused by any more rain than it already gets, it would not qualify as desert. No Arizonan needs to be told how hot this desert gets (at daytime average 90 degrees Fahrenheit, often much more, in summer). Altitude-wise, the true Sonoran Desert lies below 4,500 feet and most is well below that. Plant communities include the palo verde, saguaro cactus, and what is known as the “creosote bush-bur sage” community. There are endless opportunities of deserts to explore in Arizona, among the best being Saguaro National Park outside of Tucson.

More typical of west Texas, southern New Mexico and adjacent Mexico, the Chihuahuan Desert creeps into the southeastern corner of Arizona, mainly Cochise County.

Mostly above 3,500 feet and covering almost 140,000 square miles in total, it is higher in altitude than the Sonoran but lower than the Great Basin. Its summer temperature approximates that of the Sonoran, with colder winter temperatures. It is also wet, enough so that some of it approximates grasslands. Large cacti are scarce in this desert.

Tarbush, lechuguilla and yuccas are typical plants here.

Desert survival hinges on the ability to get water where it is at a premium and conserving it once gotten. Some desert plants spread wide nets of roots just below the surface.

Saguaros have root systems as wide as they are tall, while others, like the mesquite, bore deep to tap water as much as 100 feet below the surface. Even among plants, survival in the battle for water can be a matter of kill or be killed. The next time you are in a desert with creosote bushes, check out the spacing between them. You will find it is relatively uniform, almost as if each bush had been formally planted.

There is a dark secret behind this neat arrangement. The roots of the creosote bush produce chemicals that kill competitors threatening to crowd them and steal their water.

As befits organisms with the ultimate green lifestyle, desert plants have evolved a myriad of adaptations for conserving water. During long, dry periods, acacias and the ocotillo shrub shed leaves that would allow water to escape, appearing lifeless; while in reality they shift into low gear to curb moisture use. Some desert plants spend most of their lives as seeds, sprouting into life only when awakened by water.

Their time from sprouting to maturity may be a matter of only weeks. The tough, waxy skins of plants like yuccas slow water loss; so does small leaf size. Coats of spines or hair not only protect, but also insulate and hold in moisture, while the pulpy interiors of cacti store water.

Animals face similar water issues. The little kangaroo rat, which frolics about Arizona deserts after dark, is an advertisement for wise water use. The seeds and insects it consumes not only provide immediate moisture, but are broken down within its body to generate the most water possible.

Its kidneys concentrate and solidify urine for waterless elimination. Conserving water is literally no sweat for these rodents because they lack glands that produce perspiration.

They reduce body heat by exhaling, but their warm breath greenlivingaz.com

is cooled as it passes over the lining of their nasal passages, reducing evaporative water loss.

During the heat of the day, a desert lizard may keep cool by facing the sun head on, reducing the amount of body surface exposed to its rays. If you see a lizard positioned this way, you may also notice that its tail is elevated and its body is raised off the ground – additional heat reduction measures.

When the midday sun sizzles, and positioning does not suffice, lizards head for cool underground burrows. In the cool early mornings and late afternoons, a lizard may go broadside to the sun, warming up.

Adaptations for survival that have worked for eons may fall flat when human activities disrupt the desert. For all their fierce harshness, deserts are fragile places. Scant water means desert plants grow slowly and take years, even centuries, to recover from serious damage. Once plants and the protection they offer to the thin soil disappear, a vicious circle commences. The soil goes blowing in the wind, leaving behind ground so barren that new plants have difficulty colonizing, resulting in wasteland. According to some calculations, a single motorcycle driving across one mile of desert can dislodge almost a ton of topsoil.

It is no secret in Arizona that when housing and other development spreads in uncontrolled fashion, desert environments suffer and can even disappear. More insidious is the long-term threat to water supplies and to the desert rivers that provide them. The delta of the great Colorado River was once one of the richest estuarine habitats anywhere, but no longer. Today, the river barely trickles into the Gulf, which it had once flushed with nutrients carried from the land.

Thus, what goes on in deserts deep within the interior of the continent can have an environmental impact on the very sea itself.

Edward Ricciuti has covered conservation issues around the globe. His specialties include natural history, environmental and conservation issues, science and law enforcement. He was a curator for the New York Zoological Society, now the Wildlife Conservation Society. He has written more than 80 books, with his most recent “The Snake Almanac” (The Lyons Press).

October 2010 | greenliving az 45

Travel

The P.I.N.K. List

W

hen I found out this issue would be dedicated to breast cancer awareness, I was both elated and anxious. Elated, because I spent the last year living through my mom’s struggle with breast cancer and realizing what a pertinent topic this is, and anxious about how I would advise people on travel to promote health.

For me, travel is the reviving drink of my soul. It invigorates my mind with exploration and replenishes my spirit. I believe learning new things like language, skills and activities that stimulate the mind and body provide a longterm focus on life. In today’s travel market, with a plethora of options including yoga retreats, eco travel and medicinal healing, the world has become a great source for wellness vacations, or what I call “Discovery | Recovery.”

BY CARRIE SIMMONS

meditative activities, makes Costa Rica the P.I.N.K.-est destination out there.

Peru | Illuminating The Amazon Rainforest is home to over 430,000 species of plants, many of which grow only in that part of the world. Many modern medicines were derived from rare plant species that have been used by local healers for generations.

After flying into the small town of Puerto Maldonado, I boarded a motorized canoe that transported me five hours into the middle of the Peruvian portion of the Amazon Rainforest. At Refugio Amazonas Lodge, I hiked through the jungle, past crying beetles and monkeys, to the hut of the local shaman, where I learned about indigenous plants and was privy to some of his ancient medicinal healing techniques. I followed that with a visit to a nearby farm to A quote from English writer Hilaire learn about some of the local fruits Belloc put this so well when and vegetables and the benefit of describing the journey: “We wander Carrie Simmons in the Amazon Rainforest in Peru. organic farming. The long history for distraction, but we travel for of healing and respect for the earth fulfillment.”

Fulfillment – in the Amazon taught me so much about how the planet works to take something we all search for in one way or another. care of itself and how we need to protect our natural assets.

For those like-minded travelers, I created the P.I.N.K. List (Places of the Illuminating, Nurturing Kind; or Potentially Increasing Needed Karma) Puerto Rico | Karma The Caribbean Sea, or any ocean for that matter, has always held a as a guide to spiritually rejuvenating journeys. healing property for me. Puerto Rico made the P.I.N.K. List for its unique combination of rich history, an intense culture, amazing The P.I.N.K. List scenery and luxury spa services for rejuvenation. Puerto Rico’s two biggest towns, Old San Juan and Ponce, offer a perspective in Costa Rica | Nurturing Costa Rica tops my list for four reasons: It combines adventure of history with restored buildings from colonial times. Its vast expanse spirit with meditation for the body, and it’s easy to get to and has good of nature offers bioluminescent bays, some of the world’s longest medical facilities. For those seeking a respite for the body, Costa Rica’s caves, deserted beaches and lush jungles. I opted for a hike through alternative therapies include hot springs near Arenal, yoga retreats at El Yunque Rainforest and breathed in the scent of tropical flowers.

What better way to follow a muddy hike than with a mud treatment Montezuma and adventure activities everywhere you go.

I chose to learn two new skills in Costa Rica, rafting and zip- perfectly tailored to whatever ails you? It’s karma, baby! Mud baths lining. I tumbled down the Rio Penas Blancas with Desafio Adventure at Nouvelle D’Spa in Andalucia include imported muds and can also Company. Although the water wasn’t quite white (more like a cater to those coping with degenerative disorders, skin ailments and swimming pool after a cannonball hits the surface), the scenery was circulation problems. breathtaking - sloths inching their way along branches, basilisk lizards (also known as Jesus lizards) scampering across the water, and monkeys Luckily, my mom is now cancer-free and living life to the fullest. chattering in the trees. After a full day on the river, visitors can relax If cancer has taught me anything, it’s to live for the day. Enjoy the sore muscles and soak in rejuvenating minerals at Tabacon Hot Springs, moment, relish life, and do all you dream of doing. Do it now, renew a carbon-neutral resort with completely natural springs. Many resorts your passport, pack your bag and treat yourself to the adventure drill to reach hot spots, but at Tabacon, they have three natural hot you’ve always dreamed of, and be sure to pamper your spirit along the way. To find out more about the P.I.N.K. List, or to add your own springs and two cold ones.

On Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast, in Montezuma, I tried my hand destinations or comments, visit www.greenlivingaz.com. at zip-lining. Flying hundreds of feet over the rainforest canopy Photography by Jeremy Simmons along nine cables produces uplifting adrenaline and lifts my spirits, both literally and figuratively. Visitors can follow a zip line with an Carrie Simmons is the producer of Travel With Kids, a family travel afternoon of yoga at the oceanfront studio at Ylang Ylang Beach documentary series airing on television around the world, and has traveled to five continents in search of adventure. For more Resort. This combination of discovery, and exploration along with information on the series, visit www.TravelWithKids.tv.

46 greenliving az | October 2010

greenlivingaz.com

Artist

Recycled T

Jewelry

hree years ago Cindy Litterer-Lopatynski found her creative outlet when she started putting new and recycled components together and turning them into unique pieces of art.

Described as whimsical, Cindy’s colorful and eye-catching creations one would proudly wear and verify as one-of-a-kind.

Cindy’s design inspiration comes from her love of vintage jewelry.

When friends and family learned that she was making jewelry, many gave her their old and broken items to use for new creations. Cindy also scours a range of thrift stores, estate sales and the Internet for treasures. Her creations are made entirely from recycled components.

The necklace Cindy is wearing was once a turquoise brooch. By combining components of an old bracelet, she turned that simple brooch into the focal point of a new vibrant necklace, and paired it with a set of earrings. What about wearing tiles from a Rummikub® game?

Or maybe you like cats? Cindy’s piece called “Cats of the World” was a collection of domestic and wild cat charms she acquired over time that was waiting for the right inspiration.

“I’ve received more compliments from Cindy’s creations than all of my accessories combined. I love how there is truly one of each design,” said Tishin Donkersley, Green Living AZ Editor-in-Chief. Giving beautiful, recovered jewelry new life is a joy for Cindy, and a visual treat for the owners of her creations.

Contact Cindy at cindyL3@q.com or at 480-391-8867. Check out her unique designs at the Girl’s Night Out event at the Marriott Starr Pass resort in Tucson on October 21. Photography by Roman Lopatynski and Kate Larson.

REJAZZINATING

SEDONA

greenlivingaz.com

Red Rocks and Red Hot Jazz...

Sedona Jazz on the Rocks is back with a SIZZLE! 2010 will see the reJAZZination of a great Arizona

tradition! The SJOR Annual Fall Festival will be held on

Saturday, October 2, 2010 at Poco Diablo.

MAYSA

This Jazz/R&B singer-songwriter’s powerful vocals are known worldwide. She first rose to fame as the featured vocalist for Incognito.

ALFREDO RODRIGUEZ

is an internationally renowned, high profile pianist who captures the energy, essence and exuberance of Jazz.

HOMEMADE JAMZ BLUES BAND

These amazing kids are powerhouse, awarding-winning Blues performers, with a sound that is mature and fully realized!

DENNIS ROWLAND

is a Grammywinning vocalist and recording artist, who delivers dynamic performances whether the genre is Jazz, Blues or Motown.

TICKETS go on sale August 8: www.sedonajazz.com

•

CRAIG CHAQUICO

left a rich legacy as lead guitarist for Jefferson Starship, and is now a Grammynominated artist at the forefront of the smooth jazz market.

928.282.1985

October 2010 | greenliving az 47

SURVIVOR PAMPER DAY Meet Laura Capello, breast cancer survivor, single mom of three children and Manager of Community Relations and Special Projects for ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation. Laura finished her cancer treatment in February of 2010 and is now training for the PF Chang’s half-marathon.

Meet Missy Farr-Kaye, two-time breast cancer survivor, single mom of three children, Associate Head Coach for ASU’s Women’s Golf Team and former golf professional. Last year Missy helped the Sun Devils win their first Pac-10 Championship in eleven years.

Green Living AZ and our sponsors treated these ladies to a day of pampering, something they both admitted they’ve rarely done, if at all. From manis and pedis, to presents and photo shoots, these ladies were well deserving of a day just about them. All of us at Green Living AZ and our sponsors were honored to spend the day with these inspirational and amazing ladies.

In June 2009, on a Saturday, I felt a large lump on my right breast and immediately freaked out. I calmed myself down, knowing I couldn’t do anything about it until Monday. That entire weekend was a blur to me. On Monday morning, I called my doctor’s office and made an appointment to have her check me out. That was the beginning of my 10-month battle with breast cancer.

I met with countless doctors, had two needle biopsies, two surgeries, countless blood draws, four chemotherapy treatments and seven weeks of radiation. I lost all of my hair, slept and cried more than I ever imagined, and had to give up a lot of my activities so I could focus on getting better. While it was the toughest experience of my life, it was also a journey that taught me many life lessons.

On July 17, 2010, I celebrated my first anniversary of being diagnosed with cancer. I learned that life is brief and we need to take advantage of every second we have. I learned that I need to put my health first and not stress over the small stuff. I also learned that it is okay to ask for help, and that I am much stronger than I ever gave myself credit for. The most important lesson I learned throughout all of this was how much I am loved by my family and friends, and how lucky I am to have all of them in my life. I don’t know what the future has in store for me, but I know for certain that I can handle whatever is thrown my way. I will never take life for granted again, and am going to make every second count because I am a survivor and I kicked cancer’s ass!

Laura Capello’s Journey 48 greenliving az | October 2010

greenlivingaz.com

Missy Farr-Kaye’s Journey My journey with breast cancer started with my sister Heather Farr, when I lost her to breast cancer at the age of 28. I never thought in a million years that lightning would strike twice in my family. But at 30 years of age, after my second child and my regular mammogram, I was faced with my own diagnosis of breast cancer. I remember my doctor saying it looked like a lot of stars on the film. I was terrified. Five days later I had surgical biopsy.

I remember waking up and seeing the sad look on the nurse’s face, then my family came into the recovery room in tears. I realized it must be cancer. I had a bi-lateral mastectomy with full reconstruction. My prognosis looked good, so I went on with my life and put cancer behind me!

Ten years later I found a lump in my right armpit that turned out to be a malignant tumor. I was in shock. I am very blessed to have three wonderful boys, Dalton (17), Riley (13) and Cameron (6), not to mention terrific parents and friends that were a tremendous help to me over the past two years.

After 25 months, seven surgeries, six months of chemotherapy, radiation and countless doctors and nurses, we did it! I survived!

I appreciate every single day and consider each day a special gift. I have learned that I am strong, tough and resilient. I hope I am teaching those qualities to my children, as well as our players on the ASU Women’s Golf Team!

Life lessons learned during cancer treatment: • Take it one day at a time.

• Ask for help and lean on your friends.

• You are stronger than you realize.

• Someone always has it harder than you, and someone always has it easier than you – appreciate every day!

Special thanks to our sponsors for making this day memorable for Laura and Missy. SpaFitFinder.com, 20 Lounge, Rumors, Pita Jungle, Pearl Sushi, EcoSaurus, MomBomb, Healing Anthropology, and Angelina Rose Photography.

RUMORS SALON greenlivingaz.com

October 2010 | greenliving az 49

He’s Green She’s Green

She is: Jennifer Burkhart He is: John Burkhart

Our Green Living couple endures the sticky, the slippery and the stinky this month while testing five different all-natural deodorants. Before making your next deodorant run, check out their opinions on these popular brands.

Tom’s of Maine

Naturally Fresh Deodorant Crystal

He said: I thought the Tom’s stuff was like rolling snot on my underarm. After it was a bit dry, my arm was glued to my side. I washed it off halfway through the day. It has a nice fragrance, and it still smelled nice later, so it must be pretty strong. It would work if I could get past the texture.

She said: I’ve never been a fan of roll-ons, since it always seems like you’ve been slobbered on by a sheepdog. Unfortunately Tom’s is no different. It smells great, like fresh lemon, but rolls on very wet. The goo took until after breakfast to “dry” to a sticky texture. After some much-needed housework, I noticed I no longer smelled like lemon, if you know what I mean.

He gave it:

She gave it:

He said: I had to dry my side after applying it. The crystal stuff was weak. I barely started sweating and could already smell the funk. This is great for people who don’t sweat.

She said: Maybe I just need to work out more, but my gimpy left hand couldn’t depress the spray nozzle without shaking! Good thing John wasn’t around to poke fun. Keep a tissue handy, for this will drip down your ribcage faster than you can wipe. The texture was thin, like water. There was no fragrance, and it was only slightly sticky. If you are in a hurry in the morning, you might want to have a backup – it took about 15 minutes to dry. With such a watery texture, I was happily surprised this deodorant never faltered.

Considering the industrial-strength bacteria I apparently house under my arms, that is quite an accomplishment!

He gave it:

She gave it:

JASON

He said: For the longest time I thought the only thing strong enough to negate my underarm funk was a gnarly, aluminum-filled, cancer-causing antiperspirant. Luckily, I was wrong. This deodorant did its job and did it well. It covered me for a full 8 hours of manual labor in the Valley heat, and I never once smelled a hint of B.O. Definitely pick a scent you like.

She said: I really like that this product is organic and is very similar to the average dry solid. It has a smooth texture and only a hint of stickiness. If you pick the tea tree scent, everyone within a 20-foot radius will know it too. That isn’t a bad thing, just don’t plan on wearing any other scented anything. I was grateful for the tea tree scent at the end of the day, however, when one side was getting a bit funky. The other side was funk-free, so I blame faulty application on my part. JASON is by far the best one I’ve tried.

He gave it: She gave it:

Kiss My Face

He said: It seems like all-natural deodorants are going to make my underarms sticky, and this one was no exception. I put this one on before I went to work on a hot summer day. The fragrance was light and went away after about an hour, and the active enzymes covered me for another two hours or so.

After about four hours, the enzymes went on strike, and I was left sticky and smelly for the rest of my workday.

She said: I have no doubt that Kiss My Face brand facial products would make my face “kissable,” but steer clear of my armpits, wowee! This one will make you think you grabbed a glue stick instead of a deodorant stick. The scent is nice, and the deodorant protection lasted until about dinnertime, but I just couldn’t wait to wash off the tacky goo at the end of the day.

She gave it:

He gave it:

alba Botanica

He said: This one performed the worst out of the five. It gave up a couple of hours after I applied it. That so-called “aloe” left me high and dry... and stinky, damp and uncomfortable.

He gave it:

She said: alba + Jen = Holy smelly Batman! This one brought body odor to a whole new level. It started off well enough, applied clear, light aloe scent (although it said “unscented”) and only slight stickiness, but all did not end well. Not only did the deodorant aspect fail me, it created a completely new B.O. signature! I had no idea I could smell like that. Ew. She gave it:

50 greenliving az | October 2010

greenlivingaz.com

Restaurants

COMEDIAN OR CUISINE, IMPROV TAKES CENTER STAGE AT POSH

BY LEXIE RUNGE

Improv is not just for comedians anymore. Chef Joshua T. Hebert, owner of POSH Restaurant in Scottsdale, has taken the stage with his “improvisational cuisine,” attracting foodies of all kinds. At POSH, patrons outline their menus around their specific preferences. “We cater to all food lovers, and haters,” Chef Hebert said. “We have never been unable do something.”

Guests outline their food preferences, allergies and specific diet requirements on a custom sheet. Then Chef Hebert and staff get their creative on, inventing and preparing modern and seasonal dishes to meet each person’s needs. The restaurant is vegetarian and vegan-friendly, and also caters to gluten allergies. “We always have one or two desserts that accommodate gluten allergies, like a chocolate mousse made from avocado and sweetened with agave nectar,” Hebert said.

POSH offers four to seven courses, ranging from soups and salads to exotic cheeses and sorbets. POSH takes pride in having one of the best Foie Gras Torchon presentations in the Valley, as well as a daily updated menu, which offers seafood and a variety of meats, ranging from Kobe beef to kangaroo and crocodile.

POSH’s sustainable initiatives include purchasing local, seasonal produce and serving only the highest-quality meats, seafood and cheeses. When possible, the restaurant also uses sustainably-raised and harvested products.

POSH Restaurant Chef James Porter French Bistro

Chef Hebert began cooking at age 12, and was working in restaurants at 17. He is self-taught and has worked with some of the top chefs around the world. After working in San Francisco and in Tokyo, Hebert returned to Scottsdale, where he met Chef Zac Zaun, co-chef at POSH and they have worked together for the past eight years.

7167 E. Rancho Vista Dr. Scottsdale, AZ 85251 480.663.7674 poshscottsdale.com

GREAT FOOD • CRAFT BREWED BEER

FINE WINE • ESPRESSO & COFFEE LIVE MUSIC • LOCAL ART

a green cafe

Join Us For Some Fresh Air Dining, Have One of Our Tasty Creations and Enjoy One of Arizona’s Largest Selections of Wine and Craft Brewed Beers

N. C

00

9

1

42

OR TE

2 Z • • 9 P R E SCOT T, A Z

.0 17 8 .7

HOURS Mon. - Thurs. 7:30am -11:00pm Fri. - Sat. 7:30am - 12:00am Sun. 8:00am - 3:00pm we accept all major credit cards

CHECK FOR COMING EVENTS • W W W.RAVENCAFE.COM FOOD Organic, Grass-Fed Beef From Local Lost Cabin Ranch • Sustainable Fish Honolulu Fish Company • Organic Valley Eggs • Local Whipstone Farms Eggs • Organic Salad Greens and Spinach • Horizon Organic Cheddar, Provolone, Mexican and American Cheeses • Local Pangaea Sourdough and Bruscetta Breads • Strauss Yogurt • Muir Glen Canned Tomatoes

greenlivingaz.com

BEVERAGES Horizon Organic Dairy • Silk Soy Milk • Rice Dream Rice Milk • Locally Roasted Organic, Fair-Trade Shade Grown Coffee and Espresso • Swan Sisters & Maya Teas • Organic Lakewood Lemonade • Valley Orange Juice • Knudsen Apple Juice • Organic Monin Flavoring Syrups • All-Natural Blue Sky Cola • Reed’s Ginger Ale & China Cola • Organic Beer & Wines

RECYCLED GOODS Seventh Generation Recycled Paper Towels, Toilet Paper and Napkins • Corn Plastic Cold To Go Cups • Recycled Hot To Go Cups NATURAL CLEANERS Dr. Bronner’s Tea Tree Soap & Iodine Sterilizer • Citrasolve Floor Soap • Seventh Generation Multi-Surface Cleaner & Dish Washing Fluid • Ecover Dish Tablets • Biokleen Surfactant

WASTE Frying Oil Donated To a Local Biodiesel Manufacturer • Glass, Plastic, Tin, Aluminum & Cardboard Recycling By Earth Business • Vegetable Compost Donated To Karma Farm WE SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES AND USE ORGANIC, NATURAL & BIODEGRADABLE PRODUCTS WHENEVER POSSIBLE

October 2010 | greenliving az 51

Cool Outrageous

7 [ Dog Wool

1 [Nyokki Halloween Plant Pet

Let your imaginations grow along with these Halloweenthemed cuties! Each two-inch, ceramic plant pet comes with soil mixture and rye grass seed. Once planted, your pets will sprout “hair” in about two weeks! For ages 3 and up. hearthsong.com

Sheep wool, no, dog wool. Some people have close relationships with their pets. For those looking to feel a little closer to Fluffy, try a coat or a vest made from, that’s right, your own pet’s hair. dreamdogsart.com and erwanfichou.com. Photography

BY Erwan Fichou of the Dogwool Series

8 [Fruit Stadium 2 [Green Golf FOUR! Heads up for Dixon Golf, based in Tempe, AZ, who developed the world’s first high performance eco-friendly golf ball, made of 100% recyclable material! Believe it or not, it outperformed the Nike One Platinum and Titleist ProV1. Tee it up on these corn based golf tees. 4greengolf.com

What do fruit and football have in common? Normally nothing, but artist Helmut Smits has found a fabulously fun way to honor the game and display produce. His football stadium was built out of recycled wooden crates and fruit (green carpet is used for grass), and fruit labels were used as the advertising banners.

Touchdown for a healthy diet! helmutsmits.nl

3 [CAVE When libraries and desk chairs just don’t cut it anymore – try a CAVE. Created by designer Sakurah Adachi for urban living and a need for space, books can be stored on both sides, or you can use it as a partition of a room! sakurah.net

5 [Perma-Glaze

4 [Babysuit The shirt says it all. This organic cotton outfit

by Babysuit™ is sure to get a laugh, or at least spark a conversation at your next family outing. uncommongoods.com

52 greenliving az | October 2010

Instead of ripping out and throwing away worn out fixtures, simply re-glaze to the color of your choice.

Better yet, use fine art to kid’s art and turn a boring room into a real focal point. You will save up to 85% of replacement cost.

It’s the closest finish within the industry. permaglaze.com

9 [Rubber Sink Rubber bands or rubber sinks? The RUBBiSH sink, designed by Minarc studio, uses a flexible sheet of recycled rubber to form its lightweight, waterproof surface. The natural contour of the rubber sheet determines the slope of the bowl. minarc.com

6 [Turf Tush With football season in full swing, try this for a seating pad.

Made of high-quality artificial turf and recycled content, this seating pad requires no mowing and provides some cush to your tush. Made in Arizona,

by Urban Earth Design. A portion of each sale goes to support the planting of trees in a community in need. urbanearthdesign.com Send us your cool and outrageous finds to submissions@greenlivingaz.com

greenlivingaz.com

Garden Herb Omelet Serves 2 1/4 cup quinoa 3/4 cup water 2 pinches of sea salt 4 eggs 2 tablespoons yogurt 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 teaspoon Herbs de Provence

1 2 3 4 5 6

Recipe courtesy of Annabel from The Annabel Inn B&B in Old Town Cottonwood, AZ. theannabelinn.com

1/4 cup finely chopped onions 1 clove garlic, minced 1 small tomato, cubed 1/2 medium-sized avocado, sliced 4 sprigs fresh herbs, finely minced

In small pot, add water and one pinch of salt, boil. Add quinoa and stir. Cover and let simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Turn off heat and leave covered.

In a bowl, whip eggs, then whip in yogurt. Add remaining sea salt. Set aside.

In a medium skillet, heat olive oil. Add Herbs de Provence and onion, saute until translucent.

Add garlic and tomato. Saute until juices are mostly evaporated. Add egg mixture and cook over low heat (with lid on) until fluffy, then turn off heat and remove lid.

On serving plate spoon half the quinoa mixture into a circular bed. In pan, fold omelet in half, then cut in half and place quarter circle on plate. Add half the avocado slices to top of omelet. Garnish with fresh herbs.

For an added treat, pair with watermelon, drizzled with lemon juice and ½ teaspoon of cinnamon.

Wheat Free/Gluten Free Banana Pecan Muffins Dry IngreDIentS 3/4 cup organic cane sugar 3/4 cup rice flour 1/2 cup potato starch 1/4 cup bean flour 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 1/3 cup chopped pecans

Recipe courtesy of Mary Heitmeyer, co-host of the Healthy U TV Show and Owner/ Executive Chef of ChefDujour.

Wet IngreDIentS 3 eggs (may use egg replacement or ¼ cup applesauce for each egg) 1/4 cup vegetable oil or canola oil 1/2 teaspoon organic vanilla 3 large bananas, mashed (very ripe bananas for better flavor and texture)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. In a medium bowl, combine all of the dry ingredients, mix well. In a separate bowl, beat eggs until frothy. Add oil, vanilla and the mashed bananas. Stir to combine well. Add the wet ingredients to the dry mixture and stir until just combined. Fold in the chopped pecans. Using paper muffin cups, fill each one about ¾ full with the batter. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes. Delicious! Serves 12-24.

Pomegranate Spritzer Serves 1 1 lemon or 2 tablespoons of lemon juice 1 teaspoon agave nectar 1 cup pomegranate juice Club soda of your choice Ice

1 2 3 4 5 greenlivingaz.com

Muddle 1/2 of a lemon Add pomegranate juice, agave nectar and ice Pour in a shaker or between two cups Shake and top off with club soda For an adult drink, add vodka, rum or tequila to the mix

Recipe courtesy of Keith Clausen.

Keith has been a mixologist for 14 years and for some of the finest resorts in Arizona.

October 2010 | greenliving az

53

Green Scenes Valley Forward

October Events Desert Botanical Garden

October 2 Environmental Excellence Awards When: 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Where: The Phoenician Resort 6000 East Camelback Road Scottsdale 85251

September 25 – November 14 Mariposa Monarca Monarch Butterfly Exhibit Where: Marshall Butterfly Pavilion When: 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. / Daily / Free for members and children under 3. $3.50 for general public with paid Garden admission.

For more information, visit www.valleyforward.org.

October 1 – November 12 MUSIC IN THE GARDEN Fall Concert Series Where: Ullman Terrace When: Fridays (7 p.m. - 9 p.m.) / Doors open at 6 p.m.

Sedona Jazz Festival October 2 Red Rocks and Red Hot Jazz Where: Poco Diablo www.sedonajazz.com City of Scottsdale Green Building Lecture Series October 7 Site Sustainability When: 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Learn about ways to reduce a building’s impact on local ecosystems. Hear about protecting/restoring biodiversity, mitigating heat island effect and reducing transportation impacts.

For more information, visit www.scottsdaleaz.gov/greenbuilding

October 21 – 24 The Great Pumpkin Festival When: October 21 and October 22 (9 a.m. - 12 p.m.)

October 23 and October 24 (9 a.m. - 3 p.m.)

Activities and hayride are included with paid Garden admission. Members are free and must show member ID to be admitted. All children under 3 are free.

For more information, visit www.dgb.org.

Celebrate Your Business October 28 Where: Heard Museum, Phoenix When: 8:30am - 4:00pm www.celebrateyourbusiness.com

Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) October 8 SMoCA’s Fall Opening Celebration & Scottsdale Fashion Week’s Designer of the Year Runway Show When: 6:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. Free Event For more information, visit www.smoca.org.

Phoenix Permaculture Guild October 13 The Benefits of Bees & Mosquito Management Where: Tempe Transportation Center When: 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.

For more information and to RSVP, visit www.phoenixpermaculture.org.

Terra Initiative Foundation October 15 Inaugural Charity Golf Tournament Where: McCormick Ranch Golf Course For more information, please contact bob@4greengolf.com.

Phoenix Green Chamber October 26 Keeping it Local (Panel Presentation) Topics: Promoting local businesses, Urban farming, CSAs Speakers: Kimber Lanning, Greg Peterson/Crooked Sky Farms www.arizonagreenchamber.org

54 greenliving az | October 2010

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October 2010 | greenliving az

55

Green Personalities

Anthony Floyd AIA, LEED AP Green Building Manager, City of Scottsdale

BY HEAtHEr FULton

Are there any new, exciting advancements in green building?

The way I see it, green building is on the threshold of becoming standardized, and to me, it’s the most exciting thing that’s happening right now. Today you hear building officials talking about green building, where as, in the past, they would just brush it to the side. Even though the economy is really bad, I think this is the time to consider new opportunities, reassess how we build and look to the future as to how we do business.

This is a great time for us to pull all of these codes and standards together.

What is the International Green Construction Code (IGCC), and how will it change the way cities approach green building? How are you involved in the development of the IGCC? Since the industrial revolution codes have developed to bring some standardization to the way we build. The International Code Council (ICC) develops model building codes for safeguarding public health, safety and welfare. Since the 20th century, local governments have enacted a minimal level of protection from hazards for the buildings we live, work and spend time in. Over the last 15-20 years, welfare has been expanded to include accessibility, energy efficiency and water conservation. Welfare doesn’t just cater to people, but communities, environments and natural resources. Once the ICC realized the role codes play in the greater welfare of our communities, they reached a consensus to develop the IGCC. The IGCC was created to work in conjunction with existing building codes. Cities can adopt these green codes and eliminate additional amending, editing and conflicts. Cities can also customize these codes to meet their local environmental priorities and resource needs. I was a member of the ICC green building focus group and the Sustainable Building Technology Committee, which was a collaboration of building industry members formed to develop the first draft of the IGCC document.

How do current green initiatives in Arizona differ from those in other states?

Scottsdale established the first green building program in Arizona in 1998 which was the fifth such program in the country. In my opinion, we have the opportunity now to move beyond local green building programs towards the institutionalization of green building through the minimum baseline measures of green building codes and standards.

Please explain your Green Building Lecture Series.

The lecture series is designed to educate the general public

56 greenliving az | October 2010

about green building. We’re focus primarily on residential construction and related applications. We bring in local and regional practitioners to discuss numerous environmental building topics, including rainwater harvesting, energy retrofits and preservation of natural resources. We want to make people aware of what they can do. For example, what can we do to make our built environment healthy and sustainable? What are we doing for desert preservation or resource conservation?

What needs to be the biggest improvement for air quality in commercial buildings?

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We need to minimize VOCs from paints, finishes and other materials. People should try to eliminate VOCs altogether.

Ventilation; you want to have fresh air.

Daylight. We made an amendment in the residential code to require daylight, so buildings will maintain a minimum percentage of windows depending on use. Currently, the model building codes gives you a choice of natural or electric light – and most buildings have gone with electric light in lieu of the window percentage prescribed by the building code.

How have you transitioned green practices from your work to your home?

I started remodeling my house in 2000 which is now rented as a green remodel. I raised the living room roof with north facing operable clearstory windows, created north and south courtyards with shading trellises, double-paned windows, cotton ceiling insulation, bamboo and cork flooring, and dual flush toilet. In 2004, I added a solar PV system, strategically placed glass blocks for improved daylighting and clay plaster on some of the walls.

In my current house, we added an ocotillo living fence, rainwater harvesting system with storage tanks, gray water distribution system and a passive solar hot water system. We’ve also have an edible front yard landscape, raised bed gardens and a few chickens.

Biggest tip for our readers: Understand how much energy you are using. (Check out energy dashboards) Favorite eco-friendly activities: Developing educational activities, biking and reading eco-minded books.

Favorite thing to grow at home: Artichokes and asparagus. greenlivingaz.com

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