July 2018
ALGAE: THE NEXT ALTERNATIVE ENERGY 6 EARTHY FRIENDLY TIPS FOR GLOBAL TRAVEL
GOATS AND YOGA? IT’S A STRETCH US $5.95
NEW APP JOINS FARMERS, CHEFS AND FOODIES
3 REASONS SOLAR IS SMART FOR YOUR HOME
GET HIGH ON SKY ISLAND HIKES
30 Connect with us | dlrgroup.com
offices located around the world West-MEC Southwest Energy Campus
... what if the education campus not only taught about the energy industry, but incorporated energy related concepts into every aspect of the curriculum and environment? … what if it created a net-zero energy high school building in the nation as a teaching tool? … what if it harvested the power of the sun while providing protective shade to the inhabitants below?
Maricopa County Attorney’s Office Building
Total Square Feet: 263,595 SF Number of County Attorneys to occupy the facility: 935 Total $ saved using adaptive reuse rather than new building: Approximately $70 Million Anticipated waste diverted from landfills: 2,105,000 lbs. of reinforcing steel 65,117,000 lbs. of concrete (16,633 cubic yards of concrete)
“The highest form of true sustainability is to repurpose an existing facility.� -Craig Randock, AIA DLR Group, Design Leader
CONTENTS July 2018
LIVE 6 8 10
E-RECYCLING Bringing new life to old computers. HEALTHY AND HEARTY SERIES, PART 6 One man’s alternative path to healing from cancer. MINDFUL FRAMING A new way to transform anxiety into vital energy.
12 TURNING GREEN SERIES, PART 4
Sayonara Steak! A family decides to overhaul their diet.
15 FUN GREEN FACTS
A beginners guide to green travel.
20
16 18
KEEP YOUR HOME COOL AND STILL SAVE MONEY THIS SUMMER THREE REASONS WHY SOLAR IS STILL A SMART OPTION
WORK 20 IS ALGAE A GREEN ANSWER TO RENEWABLE ENERGY? 22 SPORTS & SUSTAINABILITY SYMPOSIUM
Gathering industry leaders together for sustainability solutions.
PLAY 24 SIX STEPS TO SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL 28 ARIZONA MADREAN ARCHIPELAGO
38
A biodiverse hot spot right here in Arizona.
30 FENG SHUI AND BAJARO
The perfect pair for personal design.
32 THE NEW BITES APP
Where chefs are brought together with foodies and farms.
34 SECOND HAND FASHION Why buy new?
38 RECIPES
Healthy and fresh for summer.
40 on the cover
Arizona is leading the way in algae research. Studies taking place at the Arizona Center for Algae Technology and Innovation at ASU may discover that algae is a viable option for renewable energy.
40 GOATS GAINING POPULARITY WITH YOGIS 42 APRIL ECO EVENT Enterprise Bank & Trust
43
MAY ECO EVENT DLR Group/ Westlake Reed Leskosky
44 GREEN SCENES CALENDAR AND ENVIRONMENTAL HOLIDAYS 15 Fun things to do in Arizona this month.
45
GREEN CHAMPIONS Featuring green heros from around the state.
46 COOL OUTRAGEOUS STUFF correction from June issue
In the Green Champions section of our June issue, the word “craniosacral therapy” was used to describe the work of Shaweta Vasudeva. It should have read “cranial sacral work”. greenlivingaz.com
Solar brightens camp outings.
47
HE’S GREEN, SHE’S GREEN Rates low carb beverages. July 2018 | greenliving
3
Editor's Letter
Welcome to July n June, my older son came to the Green Living office unexpectedly. He had a strange smile on his face. The “I know something you don’t know” kind of grin. “Dad has a big present for you in the car,” he said. That, of course, was puzzling. As much as my husband is a gift-giver, a big present in the car, while he is actually miles away at work, was a very flawed enticement for me to go down to the parking lot. But I did. My second son was standing by the car with his own version of that knowing smile. “It’s in the trunk,” he said, opening the back of my Toyota Sienna. As the door opened, there was my 6-foot-tall younger brother, Matthew, curled up in the small trunk of my soccermom van. This was surprising for many reasons. It was 113 degrees that day, and seeing my 212-pound brother in a fetal position in the trunk was not at all what I was expecting. But the biggest shock came from the fact that Matt doesn't live in Arizona, or in the United States for that matter. Last year, he resettled in Naples, Italy, and I haven't seen him for a long time. So having the “big present” turn out to be my “little brother” was completely surprising. It was unexpected and I cherished it for his entire stay. I believe that the July issue of Green Living magazine will hold as many surprises for you as it has for me. Did you know
4 greenliving | July 2018
that right here in Arizona we have one of the most biodiverse regions in the entire world? Neither did I. But our writer RJ Brenner did, and she takes us through the rolling grasslands and subtropical terrain, where jaguars...oops, I don’t want to ruin your surprise. Read the story in our July Play section. How about this? Have you heard that algae may play a crucial role in the search for green energy solutions? I wasn’t. Arizona Biotech Association President Joan Koerber-Walker’s story explains how it may fuel our future. And who knew goats were getting into yoga? Not even the goats themselves could have suspected. I’m sure they were as surprised as you will be when you see them positioned to be yogis. There are many more stories in the following pages that I’ll leave you to discover. Like finding my brother in the back of my car, may they be both unexpected and truly enjoyable.
Thanks for reading!
Dolores Tropiano Editor I LOVE TO HEAR FROM OUR READERS!
Email me at dolores@greenlivingaz.com
greenlivingaz.com
Yours in practicing a greener lifestyle PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: DIRECTOR OF CREATIVE SERVICES: MANAGING EDITOR: ADMINISTRATIVE WIZARD: COPY EDITOR: ADVISORY BOARD: Ric Coggins Valerie Crosby
Dorie Morales Aaron Blackburn Dolores Tropiano Sara Haidle Rachel Luman
John Martinson Mary McCormick Eric Olsen Thomas Williams
William Janhonen Jon Kitchell CONTRIBUTORS: Lexi Bahn Jill Bernstein John and Jennifer Burkhart Ric Coggins Shannon Higgins Joan Koerber-Walker Barbara Kaplan Laura Madden Raleigh Nelson
RJ Brenner Lisa Racz Dr. Oscar Segurado Kelley Martin Madison Mosley Colin Tetreault Dolores Tropiano Javier Valdez
MEDIA CONSULTANTS:
Lisa Racz
EDITORIAL INTERNS:
André Butzberger Faith Cain Chais Gentner Skye Richmond
SPECIAL EVENTS INTERN:
Paige Vanden Heuvel
DATA ANALYST INTERN:
Varun Aditya Raghavan
PHOTOGRAPHY INTERN:
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Green Living magazine is a monthly publication by Traditional Media Group, LLC. Periodical rate postage paid at Scottsdale, AZ. Publisher assumes no responsibility for contributed manuscripts, editorial content, claims, reviews, photographs, artwork or advertisements. The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the company or official policies. Entire contents © 2018 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. One print subscription is $39 per year or digital subscription is $12 per year. Canadian orders please add $13 per year for shipping and handling. International orders add $22 per year for shipping and handling. 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 magazine is printed on recycled paper.
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Achieve your health and fitness goals and reach your peak performance at Bauman’s. We specialize in intense fitness and strength training that increases tone and strength without extreme heavy lifting. We offer one-on-one training or unique group classes that never repeat the same class and include cardio, self-defense, boxing and martial arts. And help your kids develop lifelong nutrition and exercise habits with martial arts, sports training and more fitness classes designed just for them. We also offer a world class nutritional program and counseling. Come to Bauman’s and take your fitness to a new Xtreme.
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July 2018 | greenliving
5
Don't Let E-Waste Ruin Your Routine Recycling
The Eco-friendly Way to Recycle Electronics BY JILL BERNSTEIN
I
f we’re lucky enough to live in a community with a curbside program, recycling seems easy, doesn’t it? We just pop cardboard, paper, cans and plastic into the recycle bin and put it out for weekly pick up. Simple. It’s called single stream recycling and the dirty little secret is that it doesn’t work very well. Why? Because mixing recyclables in one bin creates contamination. If recycled products are to have any value, they need to be kept clean and separated. Otherwise, the labor and equipment needed to separate the products at a material recovery facility or MRF adds costs that cut into the value of the recyclables. As much as 60 percent of what we think we are recycling ultimately ends up in a landfill.
RECYCLING E-WASTE EFFECTIVELY Recycling gets even more complex when we talk about e-waste (cell phones, computers, modems, small appliances, etc.). These items
6 greenliving | July 2018
involve many components, some of which are toxic. Responsible e-waste recyclers go through a certification process, which ensures that they are separating out the materials effectively and not simply pushing the problem downstream. STSS Recycling has e-waste facilities in both Richmond, Virginia, and Phoenix, Arizona. The company is R2:2013 certified, which is the leading global designation for the electronics reuse and recycling industry. STSS Recycling works with large multiple-service operators that have several cable or direct-broadcast satellite television systems, like Cox Communications and Comcast. These are large-scale businesses turning over millions of pounds of electronics every year. “Our first objective is either to reuse the items or harvest components for reuse,” said Matthew Wicichowski, co-CEO of STSS Recycling. "Being able to refurbish and reuse an item like a modem, cell phone or computer extends the life of the product and saves on greenlivingaz.com
NOT ALL CERTIFICATIONS ARE CREATED EQUAL While R2:2013 is the leading global standard, the e-Stewards certification is considered one of the strongest, most rigorous standards for electronics recycling and refurbishment. The global e-Stewards team is dedicated to upholding the core objectives of worker health and safety, data security and downstream transparency and auditability. In addition, e-Stewards ensures no sweatshop, child or prison labor, no export of illegal hazardous e-waste to developing nations, and no dumping or incineration. manufacturing costs and the raw materials to make something new. If the product cannot be reused as is, it can be carefully pulled apart, sorted and processed for reuse."
HOW TO HARVEST ELECTRONICS Harvesting requires separating out the components to create clean streams of unique materials. Components can include plastics, printed circuit boards, batteries and wiring, and each component has its own market. For example, STSS Recycling granulates all the plastic components at their own facilities and sells them to others who can process and reuse it. Circuit boards are sent to smelters to be refined for their precious metals. “Less than 10 percent of the material that comes into our facility gets landfilled,” said Wicichowski.
“As much as 60 percent of what we think we are recycling ultimately ends up in a landfill.” For obvious reasons, individual consumers cannot be expected to separate out the components in their electronics, but they can make responsible choices about what they buy, how often they buy, and how they dispose of these electronic devices. We can all make sure to keep these items out of landfills by taking our old cell phones, computers, modems and other devices to a certified recycler or to a city or county sponsored e-waste event. Consumers can also put pressure on manufacturers to take more responsibility for the end-oflife of products they sell. “We have to get big brands interested in solving the downstream issues,” Wicichowski said. “Manufacturers have to become more invested in solving the problem.”
CERTIFIED E-WASTE RECYCLERS The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality offers a list of certified e-recyclers and some good resources to help communities plan and implement a successful e-waste event. (Learn more at azdeq.gov.) We have listed a few certified e-recyclers here. EGREEN IT SOLUTIONS Certifications: e-Stewards, R2:2013 11034 N. 23rd Dr., #107 Phoenix, AZ 85029 Karin Harris KHarris@egreenits.com 602-368-6096 ext. 104 WESTECH RECYCLERS Certification: R2:2013 850 W. Lincoln St. Phoenix, AZ 85007 Tom Holland tomh@westechrecyclers.com 602-256-7626 DMD SYSTEMS RECOVERY Certification: R2:2013 1706 W. 10th Pl. Tempe, AZ 85281 David Diggs david@dmdsystems.com 602-307-0180
Jill Bernstein is the executive director of Keep Arizona Beautiful, a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering communities to care for their environment through litter abatement, recycling and beautification.
greenlivingaz.com
July 2018 | greenliving
7
When Chemo Comes In A detour from the alternative healing path
T
he drive back from Mexico seemed a lot longer than the trip there. My energy was notably depleted from the intensity of the trip and the previous couple of days at the Hoxsey Clinic. The cancer was clearly taking its toll. I was certainly not looking forward to the chemotherapy that lay ahead, but I felt a strange excitement in knowing what I had to do. In that sense, RIC COGGINS I was surprisingly eager to get started so I could put all of this behind me. HEALTHY AND HEARTY PART 6 A couple days later I was back in my allopathic oncologist’s office in Chandler discussing his recommendations for the types of chemotherapy I would need to endure. The language of chemo is based more on acronyms than descriptive words. My daughter aptly translated the pharmaceutical mumbo jumbo and helped me understand the intent and desired result of each of the several chemo regimens I would receive. No time was to be wasted.
8 greenliving | July 2018
THE BEGINNING OF CHEMO - THE END OF CANCER The following Monday, I reported early in the morning to the Chandler Regional Medical Center for a surgical procedure to install a “port” into which the chemo drugs would be administered. The port was placed just under the skin of my chest below my right shoulder. When I woke from the anesthesia, I saw that it had a raised center that made a bump in my skin. The bump, called a septum, is made from a self-sealing rubber material where needles can be inserted. The chemo fluids inserted here are carried by a catheter directly into the superior vena cava (a large vein by the heart). Shortly before noon, I was settled into the room where I would spend the next week, but it was not until nearly 8 p.m. that the chemo would start. The delay took place because the severity of my initial chemo treatment required a specially trained oncology nurse who would be assigned exclusively to me. The goal of my week-long inpatient chemotherapy session was to stop the tumor’s growth by killing its cells. The dead and dying cells would then slough off into my bloodstream and be eliminated. The medical term for this cellular breakdown is tumor lysis syndrome.
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A concern with the size of my tumors was that a large amount of the dead cell matter could flood my system all at once, potentially overloading my organs to the point of being fatal. Because of this, the only “safe” way to administer this regimen was within close proximity (5-10 minutes) of an ICU facility.
SEVERE STRATEGY At the appointed time, my dedicated nurse arrived with an assistant to begin the initial series of chemotherapy. The first thing they did was “suit up.” Because of how severe this type of chemo is, practitioners must first clad themselves in protective gear before even handling the sealed bags. Oncology nurses are specially trained to handle an accidental spill or break of a chemo bag. Much like a hazmat response, protocols exist that can include immediate evacuation of the area–and this stuff was going to go into my veins! The nurses confirmed my identity and read the labels on the bags to each other. Once the safety ritual was completed, the bag was not connected directly to my port, as I had assumed, but to a pump on a pole. A pole to which I would be tethered for the next week. After one final safety review, the pump was turned on and the “hazmat” bag began to flow into my body. I closed my eyes and imagined millions of microscopic soldiers charging into my body, weapons drawn, ready to attack every cancer cell in their path. Ric Coggins is a University of Arizona master gardener (Maricopa County) who grew up on a 1-acre garden tended to by his father, who was a regular contributor to Mother Earth News and organic gardening and farming magazines. Ric continues his father’s “green” traditions, owning and operating The Fool on the Hill Farm, a 1-acre organic garden homestead in Mesa.
American Herbalists Guild
29th Annual Symposium October 25-29, 2018 - UNICOI State Park and Lodge
Bioregional Herbalism Chattahoochee National Forest of North Georgia
Keynote Speaker:
Phyllis D. Light Registration opens
May 2018
AHG
greenlivingaz.com
P.O. Box 3076
Featuring:
Bioregional Materia Medica in Clinical Practice
For more information or to register, please go to:
americanherbalistsguild.com Asheville, NC 28802-3076
617-520-4372
July 2018 | greenliving
9
TURN NEGATIVE ANXIETY INTO POSITIVE ENERGY Author shares secrets of reframing negative thoughts
BY OSCAR SEGURADO
I
f you feel a knot in your belly, your heart pounding, repetitive and negative thoughts or other manifestations of anxiety, think about this: the solution may not be medication or meditation, it may be related to your lifestyle. But it is possible to create a mentality that helps you to acknowledge anxiety triggers and keep them from hijacking your mind and your life! I have developed the Mindful Framing practice to help people dealing with anxiety and stress develop a calm mind, emotional balance and excellent health. In my book “Mindful Framing: Transform your Anxiety into Vital Energy,” I have laid out a mental plan to ease anxiety in just 15 minutes per day. The book and free audiovisual materials provide all the tools needed to leverage the five senses to connect with nature; harmonize emotions with those of others; and invigorate the body, especially the immunity (the balanced state of the body in which it is able to fight or resist infections or diseases).
THE GIFTS OF NATURE While we belong to the natural world, we are mostly focused on the artificial world. When we spend leisure time in the forest or a beautiful landscape, we often pay more attention to our mind or smartphone than to the environment. Being able to fully enjoy Mother Nature with our senses is within reach: it just requires a prepared and open mind.
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE We spend time surrounded by people, but often feel lonely. We should create an emotional bank to give and receive love, compassion and gratitude. We need to learn about our emotional tree,
10 greenliving | July 2018
understanding the roots of our character and the way we can harmonize our interactions with others. This is emotional intelligence – the ability to identify our strengths and weaknesses, selfregulate, and truly listen to the words and moods of others. All this cannot happen in a vacuum; some people have this emotional scaffolding in place, while others need to develop or improve it. Our body is tremendously complex. The immune system, especially, is unknown to many people. Immunity requires a delicate balance that once shaken can lead to serious diseases, including cancer. With creative ideas and a clever use of storytelling, "Mindful Framing" provides a short story to describe the main orchestrator of the immune system: the T cell. This cell is a smart detective solving mysterious crimes in the city of Boston. The metaphor will help you familiarize yourself with the physical consequences of infections, cancer or autoimmune diseases driven by a malfunction of immune cells. Once familiarized with the basics of immunity and how it interacts with other body systems, you will learn how to invigorate the entire body. "Mindful Framing" is rooted in ancient teachings and provides an alternative to conventional meditation practices. This revolutionary approach to controlling anxiety focuses on self reflection to confront anxiety triggers and replace them with a mindful lifestyle. This is the NEO Chi lifestyle, a method of transforming anxiety into vital energy. Dr. Oscar Segurado is the author of "Mindful Framing" an immunologist and neuroscientist with a lifelong interest in the intersection of conventional and ancient medicine. His interest in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine led to the development of mindful framing and associated NEO Chi lifestyle. His experience of how anxiety can affect the immune system has been a core motivation in his life’s work.
greenlivingaz.com
WELLNESS WITH AN interdisciplinary APPROACH Soft Touch, Powerful Results
Cranial Sacral Corrective Exercise Nutrition
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Be Green. Stay Blue. In less than a day, Arizona Pool Water Recycling will filter your swimming pool water and leave it as if you filled your pool with bottled drinking water. No damage to the surface of your pool No down-time as you save time and money Conserve a valuable and limited resource
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greenlivingaz.com
July 2018 | greenliving
11
PHOTO BY ALYSSA CROWE
Salad Days Aren't Over, They Are Just Beginning
Our Family faces a fork in the road to healthy eating
A
few years back, I watched the movie “Forks Over Knives.” If you haven’t seen it, the 2011 film uncovers the simple but startling science that processed and animal-based foods can cause sickness and many diseases. And it spoils any chance of enjoying them forever. Or in my case, for a few months. Well, that's my simplistic take on it. DOLORES TROPIANO The documentary, considered one of the most influential of our time, helped launch TURNING GREEN the "food as medicine" revolution. It follows a PART 4 nutritional scientist at Cornell University and a top oncology surgeon from the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic, who discover the link between diet and degenerative diseases that affect millions of Americans. And then it ruins the experience of enjoying your favorite foods forever.
OUT, OUT, DAMNED STEAK My husband and I were shocked by the film and quickly converted
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to a healthier diet. We passed the movie on to some friends, who passed it on to their friends, and before long, an entire group of us were forking and knifing our former foods to death. We were fired up. Meat, chicken and processed foods were the enemy, they no longer existed for us, they were poison, pabulum non grata. And naturally they were all shown the exit and eliminated from our lives. Or at least we thought they were. This newfound commitment came at the worst possible time–right before our annual Father’s Day camping trip. If there’s anything that can throw cold water on a grill covered with juicy steaks, burgers and hot dogs, it’s a film like “Forks Over Knives.” During that trip, our meals were mostly salads, rice, pasta, and more salads. I might even say that while suffering through the salads, I, the person who had previously sneered at healthy eaters, became a bit smug, and possibly even proud of my purer-than-thou food plan. But soon, my enthusiasm began to wane. When a member of our granola gang went on about her daughter’s new recipe for cheese-less pizza, I couldn't help but think that some foods should just never be veganized. And Italian pizza with melted mozzarella cheese was one of them. greenlivingaz.com
A RED MEAT RELAPSE In time, our passion for pure foods, like many passions, could not be sustained in that initial heightened level. I found myself thinking: life is too short to go without steak. (And shorter still when we grill it.) On our next camping trip, as one family took out 2-inch-thick New York steaks wrapped with slices of greasy bacon, I realized that the final knife had put an end to our commitment–our new life had been very short lived.
“Some foods should just never be veganized, and Italian pizza is one of them.” So, I have decided that the next step in our family's Turning Green journey is going back to the notion that not all foods are created equal. While I will always believe that what comes out of my mouth is of more concern than what goes in, I understand that we are what we eat, and when that's a lot of processed food and red meat, it might be time for a change. In the course of their work for the film, the doctors conducted one of the most comprehensive, health-related investigations ever undertaken, and they came to the conclusion that degenerative conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some forms of cancer could almost always be prevented and often even reversed by a whole-food, plant-based diet. Please send your suggestions for beginning this overwhelming overhaul of our diet. Ideas for making our commitment last longer than a few wholesome meals would also be helpful. In the meantime, I will dust off my old "Forks Over Knives" DVD–and maybe this time, I can fork over my favorite harmful foods forever. Dolores Tropiano is the editor of Green Living magazine. She lives in Scottsdale with her husband, Alain, and two sons, Andre and Dante. She hopes to reduce the number of hamburgers, tacos, and meat sauce (geez, I'm getting hungry) the family eats and ruin the experience of enjoying their favorite foods forever.
TURNING GREEN COMMITMENT CARD
More Food for Thought Knives” or the benefits of a plant-based diet, check out the following popular documentaries on the subject. If there are more movies or books I should add to my binge list, send suggestions to dolores@greenlivingaz.com.
Campbell (Amazon, $13.99)
for Plant-Based Eating All Through the Year” by Del Sroufe (Amazon, $14.59)
Life-Saving, Whole-Food, Plant-Based Diet” by Alona Pulde M.D. (Amazon, $10.44) Website: forksoverknives.com OTHER HELPFUL SOURCES “Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret” (2014)
accountable.
“Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead” (2010) “Fast Food Nation” (2006) “Food, Inc.” (2008) “Live and Let Live” (2013) “Vegucated” (2011)
greenlivingaz.com
July 2018 | greenliving
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© Enterprise 2018
NATIONALLY RANKED.
LOCALLY FOCUSED.
Enterprise Bank & Trust was recently ranked number 14 out of 161 nationally-ranked banks1. And while we’re proud of that fact, it’s just part of who we are. Whether your focus is on your business, your family or the quality of life in your community, you’ll find us there. We’re committed to supporting dreams, securing financial futures and delivering on community investment. Learn more at enterprisebank.com/phoenix
Member FDIC 1. Bank Director, 3rd Quarter 2017, Volume 27, Number 3
DID YOU KNOW?
FUN GREEN FACTS Taking a trip doesn’t have to mean a vacation from eco-efforts
1
TRAVEL BY TRAIN
Not only will traveling by train save you cash, trains are also much more energy efficient than cars and planes. Steel wheels and rails produce low friction, which means a train’s energy consumption is highly efficient when compared to carbon emissions from airplanes that are released straight into the upper atmosphere. Buses are also a great alternative for travel; when compared to flying, bus travelers cut their emissions anywhere from 55-75 percent. That isn’t to say bus and train travel are completely harmless, just better alternatives. Both give you the chance to sit back, take in the changing scenes and enjoy the ride.
2
CHOOSE AN ECO-FRIENDLY HOTEL
Finding an eco-friendly hotel means searching for things like recycled paper, organic paint and food (hopefully in separate places), and eco-friendly cleaning products. It’s also wise to find hotels that run on solar energy. Three of the top 10 eco-friendly hotels of 2017 are on the west coast: the Mandarin Oriental in Las Vegas, Nev., the Bardessono Hotel and Spa in Yountville, Calif., and the Orchard Garden Hotel in San Francisco, Calif.
3
PACK A SOLAR LAMP It’s understood that solar lighting has many benefits, but do we really know why? Solar power is a renewable resource that has no emissions. Other limited energy resources, like coal and oil, can be dangerous to our planet and contribute to global warming. The power of the sun is limitless. So when it gets dark on your next summer camping trip, let the sun help light your path with solar-powered lanterns. You can find them at your local REI for a substantially lower price than a propane lantern. Check out our Cool Outrageous Stuff page for more information about solar lamps.
4
DINING OUT
Traveling can be expensive, so seek out pay-as-you-can restaurant cafes around the country! One in six Americans (that’s about 50 million people) are food deprived. One World Everybody Eats is a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing food security and building community by letting individuals pay what they want for an incredible meal or volunteer for a free meal. You can find 60 of these community cafes in America and 50 others in the planning stages around the world. To find one near your next destination, visit oneworldeverybodyeats.org.
5
UNPLUG
Did you know that your appliances use up power even when they are not turned on? So while you take a break this summer, make sure your appliances unplug as well. Start with the obvious: lamps, toasters, coffee pots and hair dryers. But don’t forget the stove, washing machine, clothes dryer, computers, televisions, entertainment centers and other electronics with remote control. They’ll benefit from the break and so will your budget.
greenlivingaz.com
July 2018 | greenliving
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Cooler Home, Cleaner Environment, Lower Costs BY RALEIGH NELSON
A
s temperatures rise, choosing the best air conditioning system is critical to maintaining an eco-conscious lifestyle without breaking the bank. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, home cooling and heating accounts for nearly half of energy use in the country, with air conditioning creating 117 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. The U.S. Energy Information Administration reports that in Arizona, air conditioning is responsible for 25 percent of home energy use – more than four times the national average of 6 percent. The good news is that by following some practical tips you can stay cool, save money and respect the environment.
1. BOOST ENERGY EFFICIENCY
2. INCREASE YOUR CLIMATE CONTROL IQ
Upgrading your system will boost effectiveness and reduce expense. Today’s more energy-efficient cooling systems offer a healthier home environment, decreased fossil fuel consumption, reduced greenhouse gas creation and lower utility bills. Common options include central air conditioners, room air conditioners and ductless mini-split systems. The latter are usually wall-mounted indoor units combined with an outside compressor. They are used in lieu of a window AC unit when a room is added to a home. These units require only a very small hole in the wall, which eliminates leakage. Plus, they’re quieter, less visible, and can save up to 25 percent on your bill. They operate at much higher efficiency levels than central forced-air systems and window units. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, duct losses in a central system can account for more than 30 percent of energy consumption.
Knowledge conserves power. You can save as much as 10 percent a year on heating and cooling by lowering your thermostat just 7-10 degrees for eight hours a day. For instance, setting it to 78 degrees instead of 72 degrees could lop as much as 18 percent off your cooling costs. Many programmable thermostats can be controlled with a smartphone or tablet app for ultimate ease and convenience.
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3. CHOOSE WINDOW TREATMENTS WISELY Window treatments can make a big difference. Close windows and drapes during the summer. Dark-colored curtains, Roman shades and even discount-store roller shades are effective. Solar screens or meshlike window screens intercept up to 70 percent of solar energy before it enters the house. Installing awnings can reduce solar heat gain by as much as 77 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
greenlivingaz.com
BUSINESS 4.
4. CLEAN FILTERS FOR PURER AIR AND MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY Dirty air conditioner filters block airflow making units work harder to cool your home. Cleaning or replacing filters once per month will lower a unit’s energy consumption by 5-15 percent. Designed to trap dirt, dust and other airborne particles, clean filters refine the air while ensuring a smooth flow and optimal efficiency.
Our mission is to provide exceptional service, meanwhile, reducing our carbon footprint by using products that are naturally clean and partnering with environmentally and ethically conscious companies. Because we believe that what we put on and in our bodies should be as nature intended; free from dyes, harmful toxins and harsh chemicals, exploitation and suffering.
5. SIMPLE WAYS TO REDUCE ENERGY USAGE Don’t forget easy energy savers. Use heat-producing appliances – stoves, irons and dryers – at night or early morning. Switch to LED light bulbs which consume less power and emit significantly less heat than incandescent, keeping your home cooler. Seal air leaks around windows, doors and places where pipes and wires come through walls. Check caulking and weather stripping for gaps or cracks. Use ceiling and other fans for additional cooling and better circulation. To encourage homeowners to purchase energy-efficient products and reduce greenhouse gases, many utility companies offer rebates on qualified products. The federal stimulus package also offers significant tax credits to homeowners who invest in new insulation, energyefficient windows, and heating and cooling systems. (The sources for statistics in this story came from the U.S. Department of Energy and Energy Star Program, which was established by the Environmental Protection Agency to provide information for consumers and businesses.)
www.herahub.com/phoenix 480-999-1615
Raleigh Nelson is the Southwest regional sales manager for HVAC Products, Fujitsu General America, Inc.
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July 2018 | greenliving
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Solar is Still a Smart Option Three Myths Busted
PHOTO BY JUHASZ IMRE FROM PEXELS BY SHANNON HIGGINS
W
ith more than 300 days of sunshine, turning Arizona’s most abundant natural resource into savings is a nobrainer. But confusion and uncertainty over recent utility rate plan changes has caused many people to take pause when considering a solar purchase. In truth, residential solar is alive and well. While new rate plans have forced us to rethink the technical approach a bit, with the right combination of technologies and incentives there are still many opportunities to save big by cashing in your piece of the sun. Here are some of the more common misconceptions around solar, along with the facts that show just how viable the technology still is here in The Valley of the Sun.
MYTH #1: SOLAR IS DEAD IN SRP. SRP's E-27 Customer Generation rate plan sent ripples through the local solar community in 2015. Most solar companies simply packed their bags and left the territory. This led to the popular myth that solar is dead in SRP territory, which couldn’t be further from the truth. By pairing solar with powerful energy management technology, (an additional “smart” module that balances power loads in the house to prevent quick spikes in your electrical use), SRP customers are once again enjoying cheap, clean energy. In fact, Sun Valley Solar Solutions developed this approach and was the first to break through the SRP roadblock. To date, many hundreds of SRP customers enjoy the benefits of going solar.
MYTH #2: APS MADE SOLAR TOO EXPENSIVE. When APS introduced new rate plans in 2017, many people
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assumed that solar would become too expensive. But solar is still the most viable way to save money in APS and, at the same time, hedge against the certainty of future rate increases. After all, existing solar customers were the only ones allowed to stay on their legacy APS plans after the new rates rolled out. Today’s APS plans are still quite lucrative for solar; but lock in now, because the rates will once again go under the APS microscope in September 2018.
MYTH #3: WAITING WILL SAVE ME MONEY. At the rate technology advances today, it’s reasonable to think that waiting will result in cheaper solar panel pricing. What some people forget about are the incentives currently in place that have a more immediate impact on your ROI (return on investment) than cost alone. The 30 percent federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) is in place through the end of 2019. After 2019, the solar tax credit will begin to ramp down until permanently ending in 2022. At a more local level, there are also buyback programs in place that give solar users credit for any surplus solar electricity they send back to the grid. These buyback rates have been decreasing with recent utility rate changes, and that trend is expected to continue. Going solar now will allow you lock in today’s buyback rates for an average of 10 years, depending on utility. Although the sun doesn’t have an expiration date, don’t wait to cash in your piece. As the marketing coordinator for Sun Valley Solar Solutions, Shannon spends her days helping people turn Arizona’s abundant sunshine into clean, affordable energy. When not touting the benefits of solar or convincing her friends of the environmental upside to the carpool lane, Shannon can generally be found curled up with a good book and a cup of English tea.
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To advertise, host a show, or for more information: Call (602) 277-1100 or visit our website: www.1100kfnx.com
July 2018 | greenliving
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PHOTOS PROVIDED BY ARIZONA CENTER FOR ALGAE TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION, ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
IS ALGAE THE GREEN ANSWER TO REN BY JOAN KOERBER-WALKER
C
ould pond scum someday fuel our vehicles or propel our jets across the skies? Maybe not. But algae, the tiny microorganisms that live in pond scum, may play a major role in the green energy solutions of the future. And with gas prices at an all time high, the need for an alternative energy source is crucial. According to AllAboutAlgae.com, Algae can: Produce between 2,000-5,000 gallons of fuel per acre; far more than any other renewable feedstock. Grow on marginal, or non-crop, land, so they don’t compete with valuable agricultural land. Grow in brackish, salt or polluted water, so they don’t require freshwater resources. Consume carbon dioxide (CO2) and emit oxygen as they grow, so they help reduce the total amount of CO2 in the atmosphere.
As an added benefit, unlike other agricultural biomass products such as corn or soybeans, cultivating algae for fuel does not disrupt or divert major food supplies for people and animals.
ARIZONA IS LEADING THE WAY The Arizona Center for Algae Technology and Innovation (AzCATI) at Arizona State University serves as a national testbed for the research testing and commercialization of algae-based products such as biofuels, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and other algae biomass co-products. AzCATI provides open-test and evaluation facilities for the algae industry and research community. As a part of the LightWorks initiative, AzCATI is embedded within the Polytechnic School at Arizona State University. LightWorks is an ASU initiative that works to provide solutions to global energy challenges. In Southern Arizona, research at the University of Arizona is focusing on the development of technically viable, sustainable and
“Algae can produce between 2,000-5,000 gallons of fuel per acre–far more than any other renewable feedstock.”
20 greenliving | July 2018
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NEWABLE ENERGY? cost-effective algal feedstock production. The UA Regional Algal Feedstock Testbed (RAFT) is an $8 million project – funded by U.S. Department of Energy – to collect long-term cultivation data necessary to understand and promote biomass production. By using outdoor testbeds, long-term algal cultivation data is gathered.
WHY AREN’T WE USING ALGAE BIOFUELS TODAY? The production cost of algae biodiesel is still high compared to fossil fuels, and the technology for efficient mass-production is still in the development phases. That is why support from and collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, alongside our universities and industry, is vitally important. According to a 2016 Department of Energy report, rapid advancements in biofuels science have reduced the cost from $400,000 to $6 per gallon. Soon that number will be even lower, making it competitive with today’s fossil fuels. That’s a key step toward replacing gasoline, diesel and jet fuel in our cars, trucks and planes. Joan Koerber-Walker serves as the president and CEO of the Arizona Biotech Association.
greenlivingaz.com
July 2018 | greenliving
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FIELDS OF GREEN ASU HOSTS SPORTS & SUSTAINABILITY SYMPOSIUM BY KELLEY A. MARTIN
A
gathering of sports industry leaders from across the country will meet at Arizona State University next month to discuss winning strategies for incorporating sustainability in their future plays. The Sports & Sustainability Symposium takes place 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. on August 23rd at Arizona State University's Sun Devil Stadium Founders Club. The event, presented by the Green Sports Alliance and hosted by ASU, will convene regional, professional and collegiate sports teams and athletes, as well as venues, businesses, public leaders and stakeholders to focus on advancing sustainability and promoting healthier communities. Programming will highlight waste and water management and energy solutions as they relate to golf, collegiate and professional sports sectors. “The Green Sports Alliance is thrilled to bring a convening to the Southwest region, and ASU is a great location to host us given their tremendous dedication to sustainability and impressive contributions in the collegiate sports space,” said Justin Zeulner, executive director
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of the Green Sports Alliance. “This event will help facilitate important conversations on pressing issues in the region, produce valuable networking opportunities, and give attendees a chance to collaborate around sustainability challenges and success stories.”
POWERHOUSE HOST Event host ASU is a sustainability powerhouse, both academically and operationally. The Tempe school was ranked No. 1 for most innovative schools by US News & World Report, and the university boasts more than 500 sustainability scientists, scholars and fellows. The university also has a comprehensive renewable energy program encompassing more than 50 MW of solar systems, including energy from the 29 MW Red Rock solar facility dedicated in January 2017. In fiscal year 2017, ASU generated 73,562,942 kWh of renewable energy, enough to power 5,859 Arizona homes. A zero waste department on campus aims to reduce the university's landfill waste by 90 percent, both by reducing consumption and by improving rates of recycling, composting, and reuse.
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PHOTO COURTESY ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY.
SPORTS SHAPES FUTURE OF SUSTAINABILITY “The School of Sustainability is proud to partner with the Green Sports Alliance and its members in accelerating sport as the driving force to shape our future,” remarked Colin Tetreault,
“The symposium brings together global sustainability leaders...to showcase the power of sports.” senior sustainability and global sports scholar at ASU’s School of Sustainability. “This symposium will bring together global sustainability leaders, bold community leaders, and pioneering sport practitioners to showcase the power of sports to leave a legacy of good."
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Raymond Anderson, vice president for University Athletics and athletic director at ASU, and Christopher Boone, dean of ASU’s School of Sustainability, will both speak at the event. Former mayor of Phoenix and congressional candidate Greg Stanton will discuss the value of sustainability, sports and leadership in creating cities and communities of the future. A special golf-focused panel, including championship golf tournaments, will provide an inside look at what golf industry leaders are doing to enhance and progress sustainability efforts and drive innovation in their sport. Panelists will touch on water and natural resource efficiency and the opportunities that golf provides for enhancing local communities. To learn more about the Green Sports Alliance Sports & Sustainability Symposium, please visit sustainability.asu.edu/gsa. Kelley Andersen Martin is Director of Operations of the Green Sports Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to leveraging the influence of sports to promote healthy and sustainable communities where we live and play.
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SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL - SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
TAKING YOUR VALUES ON VACATION Steps for creating sustainable travel
T
BY JAVIER VALDEZ
ravel can and should be a force for good – economically, environmentally and culturally. With a global contribution of more than $7 trillion, travel and tourism is one of the world’s largest industries. The sector employs 284 million people, which equates to roughly 1 in 11 jobs worldwide. Despite the economic success, mass tourism is in no way operating sustainably or responsibly, from excessive carbon emissions to cultural exploitation and natural destruction. This problem becomes more alarming when we consider that over the next 10 years, tourism is predicted to grow at a rate of four percent per year. This continued growth not only means more economic and travel opportunities, but also more occasions to expand and enhance the way we preserve and protect travel destinations and their people, cultures and environments.
GLOBAL AWARENESS OF NEED FOR ECO-FRIENDLY EXCURSIONS In conjunction with the threat of global warming and other issues exacerbated by the travel industry, the rapid increase of tourism has made the push for sustainable travel greater than ever. Around the world, the travel industry and travelers are recognizing this need and adopting responsible practices. But perhaps the greatest of these acknowledgments comes from the United Nations, who made sustainable tourism a top priority by designating 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development. It stands to reason that travel and tourism are complex industries, comprised of many independent and different business sectors (aviation, hospitality, tour operators, etc.), stretching all over the globe. And while it may be relatively easy to diagnosis the harmful effects of these businesses, the real challenge lies in developing ways to address the problems and provide actionable solutions.
STEPS TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL Unfortunately, like most large-scale global problems, there are few, if any, magical, quick-acting solutions. Instead, we can expect change to happen incrementally. Nonetheless, some promising initiatives have recently emerged, like the 191-country agreement to help aviation achieve carbon neutral growth by 2021, and the partnership between Royal Caribbean and World Wildlife Fund to support ocean conservation. Though governmental policies and regulations are capable of making the biggest impact, we, as individuals and consumers, must also take the necessary steps each day to enact and promote sustainable travel. Here are some basic ways you can incorporate sustainability and responsible practices into your travels:
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Transportation – Opt for foot and bike, and use public transport as much as possible. Try to mitigate air transport. Accommodations – Seek out places that have green initiatives and are committed to sustainability. Food – Eat locally. Destinations – Take part in sustainable adventures by booking your next vacation through the Lokal Travel platform. Culture – Support local products and people, and always respect their cultures. Consultation – Consult with traveling professionals to make sure your traveling has a positive impact. They can help you find ways to offset your carbon emissions, or find a hotel with a sustainability plan or eco-friendly services. Given the size and growth of the industry, now more than ever, tourism and travel must serve as a means for economic development, preserving nature, sharing cultures, building understanding, and creating a more peaceful world. Interested in making travel a force for good? Visit myght.com.
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SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL - SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
㐀㠀 ⸀㜀㠀㠀⸀㘀㠀㌀㈀ 眀眀眀⸀攀瘀攀渀琀猀戀礀搀愀渀椀攀氀氀攀⸀渀攀琀 搀愀渀椀攀氀氀攀䀀攀瘀攀渀琀猀戀礀搀愀渀椀攀氀氀攀⸀渀攀琀 greenlivingaz.com
July 2018 | greenliving
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PLAS
Straws 20
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THE LAST STRAW
Break Your Addiction to Plastic Last year, the My Sister’s Closet family of brands took the pledge to eliminate all single-use plastic bags, straws and water bottles from our stores. We continue our commitment to preserving wildlife, a healthier planet and you since 1991.
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AMC DESERT RIDGE 18 Desert Ridge Marketplace, Phoenix Intronot available. Wednesday, July 25, 2018 6:30PM Q&Anot available.
Hosted by Tracey Martin, author of Sustainable in Stilettos CDESERT RIDGEPublisher/EIC, 18, Desert RidgeMarketplace, Phoe with and AM Dorie Morales in partnership Green Living magazine. will lead a Q & A Wednesday, JulyTracey 11, 2018 6:30PM immediately following the film.
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THE MADREAN ARCHIPELAGO
NORTH AMERICA’S “GALAPAGOS” BIODIVERSE HOTSPOT RIGHT IN OUR OWN BACKYARD BY R J BRENNER
D
id you know that one of the most biologically diverse regions on the Earth is right here in Arizona? If not, you're not alone. The area is called the Madrean Archipelago (Sky Islands of North America) and Conservation International has crowned it a "biodiversity hotspot." But compared to places like the Galapagos Islands or the Amazon, it is a well kept secret. Much like an island, these mountains can be tough to get to; but if adventure inspires you, many areas within the region are open to the public for scenic hikes. Sergio Avila, a wildlife biologist who worked with the Sky Island Alliance, had it right when he responded to the space saying, “Nature knows no boundaries.”
DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH The territory stretches 70,000 miles from the southern flatlands of the Rockies in New Mexico and Arizona to the northern end of the Sierra Madre Occidental in Sonora and Chihuahua, Mexico. It is bracketed east and west by the Chihuahuan and Sonoran Deserts, respectively. The north-south overlap of the two ranges contain
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temperate and subtropical climates and four different types of regions including desert, grasslands, woodlands and forest. Picture remote peaks sprouting out of plateaus like the first stalks of wheat in the summer and miles of grass-covered hills with weather ranging from monsoons to freezing temperatures. This overlap generates ecological interactions found nowhere else in the world.
A HEAVEN ON EARTH The name of this vast area is derived from the Sierra Madre Mountains, Madrean and archipelago, referring to the broken chain of 57 mountains ranging from 3,000 to more than 7,000 feet above sea level. The region’s ecological diversity mirrors that of the entire Americas, from the southern tropics to Canada, by changes in altitude and latitude combined. These ranges, where isolated forested mountains soar above surrounding grasslands and desert, share another attribute with other ecologically unique ecosystems: it spans an international border with approximately 60 percent in Mexico and 40 percent in the U.S. greenlivingaz.com
JAGUARS, BEARS, AND PARROTS, OH MY! The region’s native animals are a combination of species such as wolves, bears and deer in the temperate woodlands and jaguars and thick-billed parrots in the tropical areas. Some are endangered or are on the brink of extinction. According to the Sky Island Alliance, more than 7,000 plant and animal species and more than half of the bird species in the U.S. can be found here. The avian diversity along the San Pedro River, a critical migratory flyover, rivals tropical forests in Central America. Southeastern Arizona alone boasts 550 species of birds, including the most species of hummingbirds in all of North America. Many of the islands, including Mount Lemmon, are located near the Tucson area. "The 57 mountain islands surrounding Tucson make for a wildly biodiverse experience," said Dan Gibson, director of communications for Visit Tucson. "It's a great drive from the desert floor into the pines." RJ Brenner is a retired marketing professional turned freelance writer specializing in Arizona's natural history and travel. She graduated from Miami University with a degree incommunication and has been written for several regional publications.
greenlivingaz.com
July 2018 | greenliving
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Feng Shui and Bajaro
The perfect design combination for personal and environmental energy BY BARBARA KAPLAN
M
any of us want to create a space in our homes and at work that is comforting and helps us to be productive, positive and prosperous. Combining the philosophies of Feng Shui and Bajaro in interior design can do just that by producing perfect harmony in our home and work environments. Together, they are the most powerful methods of building a synchronized setting that leads to happiness, good health and success.
THE FENG SHUI WAY Feng Shui is the ancient Chinese method of creating a harmonious environment. It promotes general well being by examining how energy, or chi, flows through a particular space. For example, changing the position of a desk in relation to the door can promote a better flow of energy resulting in less distraction and stress. Feng Shui
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also examines the effect of different materials on the flow of good energy in a room. In the world of Feng Shui, shapes and materials all possess specific energy depending on how they are used.
UNCOVERING YOUR CREATIVE INSTINCTS Bajaro is about people in their space. This method of interior design empowers the individual to trust their own instincts, creating a space that expresses their personality. It poses questions that allow individuals to discover what they need for fulfillment in their lives. For example, what color will create a relaxing mood or inspire your creative process? Each day, we can consider the experiences we have. What is the first thing we see in the morning? How does it make us feel? What is the last thing we see at night? Does it help us to wind down and sleep
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“These two methods, used together, are believed to bring about personal connection and healing of the mind, body and spirit.”
well? What is the energy we experience when we walk into our work space? It becomes more difficult when we are out in public spaces. Learning the cues that affect us becomes critical. For instance, when entering a restaurant, do we carefully select our table and our seat so we are comfortable with the direction we are facing, the noise level around the table, and the distance from the restroom and service areas?
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE? The key difference between these two philosophies is this: Feng Shui is about the space and Bajaro is about the individual in their space. With Feng Shui, aligning objects is key to facilitating the free flow of positive energies and removing negativity in the environment. Positive energies are those that move freely in your spaces to bring greenlivingaz.com
people good health, contentment, sound relationships and wealth. Negative energy is stagnant. It can be created by clutter or the wrong placement or size of furniture. Once the space is clear, there is room for people to live and thrive. With the Bajaro philosophy, people are encouraged to have confidence in their taste and address the design through their own eyes. It is a deeply personal process of self-discovery and learning how to express the inner self and develop a signature style. These two methods, used together, are believed to bring about personal connection and healing of the mind, body and spirit. When you have both the positive environmental energy of Feng Shui and the personal awareness of Bajaro working together, you have perfection! Barbara Kaplan is a Phoenix-based interior designer and lifestyle influencer. She is the author of “The Bajaro Method," "Rooms Have No Feelings, You Do!” and CEO of Barbara's Picks.
July 2018 | greenliving
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HEALTHY BITES
NEW APP CONNECTS CHEFS, FARMERS, AND FOODIES FOR A FEAST BY LEXY BAHN
P
lanning a party at a restaurant? Why not consider a specially curated meal at your home for the same price, if not less? Bites is a new smartphone app that can help you do just that. The free app, compatible with Android and iOS, connects foodies with professional and home chefs as well as culinary students. Phoenix-based creator, Roza Ferdowsmakan, cooked up the concept to build relationships between chefs, local farms community gardens and foodies, and create a one-to-one connection that dining out lacks. The elevator pitch would be: Tinder for foodies. The meals are not only healthy and clean, but chefs come to your kitchen and prepare a farm-to-table dining experience. The menu can feature food from other cultures. Ferdowsmakan has compiled menus and chefs from different countries and backgrounds, so people can
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experience a sense of adventure without leaving home.
IT’S THAT SIMPLE Consumers enter their zip code, then search by cuisine, event date and chef type. Once these three categories are selected, users can message a chef and request a reservation. The in-app messaging platform allows them to seamlessly communicate about the menu, dietary restrictions and more. Ideally, the chef then coordinates with local farms to source the freshest ingredients and create a personalized dining experience at a reasonable price. By making the kitchen the focal point of the event, chefs can interact, share stories and talk about the food. It creates a sense of intimacy that your usual restaurant or catering experience is missing.
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Efficient and resourceful.
CONNECTING CHEFS AND LOCAL FARMS Bites was born out of the desire to unite people who are passionate about food with those who are ardent about preparing it. Ferdowsmakan, a former technology lawyer, said she wanted chefs to share their love for cooking on their own terms. "With Bites, they are their own boss. It’s a job platform for them. They set their own schedule, menu, ingredients and prices.” Dressing Room’s Executive Chef, Malone Deever, was drawn to Bites because he can participate in private parties, showcase his menu and connect with other chefs. He’s excited about the opportunities Bites provides. “It’s much easier to connect with local farms and find hyper-seasonal, hyper-local food as well,” Deever said. McClendon Farms owner Bob McClendon, is looking forward to connecting chefs to local farms. “Eating local is becoming more important by the day," he said. "A tremendous number of people are changing how they eat. There is more awareness around local produce. People want to keep their dollars in the community, and they know the produce is much fresher than what they’d find in grocery stores.”
Mary Contreras, Agent 2145 E Warner Road Tempe, AZ 85284 Bus: 480-775-7788 mary.contreras.gpdf@statefarm.com Se habla Español
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NO NEED TO WORRY ABOUT FOOD RESTRICTIONS A major benefit of using Bites is that diners can work with chefs to choose the menu and ingredients. This collaboration makes it perfect for those living with food allergies and dietary restrictions. Not only can they try new cuisines and experience new cultures, but they have the ability to be selective about what they eat and serve their guests. Ferdowsmakan is fired up about the possibilities of her new app. "By normalizing farm-to-table dining, healthy eating becomes more attainable," the app founder said. "This means people of all socioeconomic backgrounds can benefit from this lifestyle." Bites is not just for the local, seasonal, organic-conscious foodie... it’s for everyone. Lexy Bahn is a digital marketing professional, Arizona native, and a proud graduate of ASU's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass
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July 2018 | greenliving
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ARE WHAT WEAR RESPONSIBLE FASHION IS SO IN RIGHT NOW BY LAURA MADDEN
S Laura Madden models a series of shorts, suits and skirts to demonstrate earth-friendly fashion.
ustainable fashion. When you hear those words, what comes to mind? Eco-friendly? Ethical? Fair Trade? Often, people paint a visual of hippy-style 1970s garb, or something that lacks style and sass – the furthest thing from fashionable. Choosing sustainability doesn’t mean sacrificing style. If you love fashion and also care deeply for the environment, explore this concept with Green Living magazine as we cover sustainability in the fashion industry and raise awareness of fashion’s environmental impact. This is a big one. In case you weren’t aware, fashion is the second-most polluting industry on the planet, second only to oil. As consumers, we have the power to change the world, especially through the clothes we choose to spend our money on. Every choice matters. The good news is we’ll be sharing solutions, such as stylish shopping options, to inspire you to create a responsible wardrobe. Join us each month as we demonstrate how stylish sustainability can be, and how important it is to be conscious about your choices. Stay tuned for more Earth-friendly fabulous fashions. Laura Madden is a fashion advocate, model, and creator of Laura Madden Lifestyle, a lifestyle brand and blog that inspires a life of style, sustainability and self esteem for a modern girl in a material world.
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LOOK 1: SUSTAINABLE SUCCESS Blazer by The R Collective (upcycled cut-out back blazer): $248.54 The Gabriella, tropical print top by Alyned Together: $49 Pencil Skirt by Zara, from Goodwill AZ: $3.50 Shoes by Stuart Weitzman, from Sola Lucy: $60
LOOK 2: GOTTA BE GREEN Silk top by Jean Paul Gaultier, from TBC Consignment: $200 Pencil skirt by Zara, from Goodwill, AZ: $3.50 Shoes by Stuart Weitzman, from Sola Lucy: $60
LOOK 3: CONSCIOUS CHIC Silk top by Jean Paul Gaultier, from TBC Consignment: $200 Lace shorts from Goodwill AZ: $3 Shoes by Gucci, from Urbanity Style Sharing: $55
LOOK 4: SUMMER ESSENTIALS The Gabriella, tropical print top by Alyned Together: $49 Lace shorts from Goodwill AZ: $3 Shoes by Gucci, from Urbanity Style Sharing: $55
PHOTOS BY AARON BLACKBURN greenlivingaz.com
July 2018 | greenliving
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RECIPES
WILD ARUGULA AND PINK GRAPEFRUIT Start to finish: 30-35 minutes Servings: 1 2 cups heavy cream 2 sprigs rosemary 1 cup chèvre (fresh goat cheese) 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 grapefruit 1/4 pound arugula 1 tablespoon olive oil (we recommend Queen Creek Olive Oil) 1/4 cup candied pecans Bring cream and rosemary to a boil in sauce pot. Once it is boiling, lower heat and simmer slowly until it has reduced about 1/4 of the way. Turn off heat and steep for 5 minutes. Then, chill the cream in the fridge. Once cold, fold 10 teaspoons of the cream into the chèvre until smooth. Season with salt. Supreme the grapefruit by cutting the top and bottom off the fruit then cutting the edges away from the fruit inside. Supreming is a technique that removes the membrane from citrus fruit. Cut the fruit into bite-sized pieces, removing any seeds. Toss the arugula with olive oil and salt. Assemble the salad by combining arugula, grapefruit, candied pecans and chèvre. (Recipe from Executive Sous Chef Christopher Brugman and Chef de Cuisine Alfred Muro, Hearth ’61, Mountain Shadows Resort)
SUMMER GREEN BEANS Start to finish: 30-35 minutes Servings: 1 1 yellow onion, sliced 1 pound green beans 1-2 pounds Roma tomatoes 3 tablespoons olive oil, plus 2 tablespoons Fresh thyme, parsley, oregano, chopped Lemon to taste Salt and pepper Heat the oven to 350 F. Cut Roma tomatoes lengthwise into 6 pieces and toss in a bowl with 3 tablespoons of olive oil, chopped herbs, salt and pepper. Place on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper, and bake for 30 minutes. In a pan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil and place onions on medium-low heat until they have golden color (about 20 minutes). Stir gently every 5 minutes. Remove the ends of the green beans and place in boiling water until cooked (about 15 minutes). Strain green beans, remove tomatoes from the oven, and combine all ingredients with the caramelized onions. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon and chopped parsley. (Recipe from Chef Celine Fabre of Cuisine by Celine)
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LOW CARB BLUEBERRY MUFFINS Start to finish: 30-35 minutes Servings: 1 2 cups whole wheat flour 1/4 cup sugar 1 tablespoon baking powder 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 stick butter 3 eggs 6 ounces fresh blueberries 6 baking cups Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Prepare a muffin pan with baking cups. Combine all dry ingredients in a large bowl. Melt the butter and add to the mix, along with the eggs and vanilla. Delicately fold in the blueberries. Spoon mixture into the baking cups and cook for 20-25 minutes. (Recipe from Chef Celine Fabre of Cuisine by Celine)
ZUZU AT HOTEL VALLEY HO’S HEIRLOOM CUCUMBERS Start to finish: 20 minutes Servings: 2 Cucumbers: 1 cup mixed heirloom cucumbers 2 shaved local radishes 2 ounce pickled red onion Juice from one fresh lime Olive oil to taste Sea salt to taste Thai Basil Yogurt: 1 cup Greek yogurt 1/4 cup chopped mint 1/2 cup chopped Thai basil 1/2 ounce honey 1 pinch togarashi (Japanese word for red chili peppers) Chili Peanut Crunch: 1 ounce crispy garlic 1 ounce ZuZu Spice (dry chilis, pasillas, guajillos, and thai bird all toasted and coarsely ground) 2 ounces chopped roasted peanuts 2 ounces chili oil Garnish: Micro mint lime Sea salt Petite basil Prep each segment separately, mix all items together in a bowl, plate and garnish accordingly. (Recipe from Executive Chef Russell LaCasce of ZuZu at Hotel Valley Ho)
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July 2018 | greenliving
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GOATS AND YOGA - IT'S A STRETCH!
AN APPROACH TO YOGA THAT INCORPORATES ANIMALS PHOTOS AND STORY BY MADISON MOSLEY
Y
oga is positioning itself to appeal to a variety of people. There's paddleboard yoga, aerial yoga and even laughter yoga. And now, goats are getting a piece of the action. You heard me right, these goofy horned animals are adding an amusing element to the growing discipline of yoga. But what exactly is goat yoga? It is a form of yoga practiced in the presence of — and in tandem with — live goats. "It’s just a blast," said April Gould, co-founder of Arizona Goat Yoga. "It brings the community together." Gould and Sarah Williams started Arizona Goat Yoga in 2016 as an adventurous enterprise that they could do together. Before Arizona Goat Yoga, Gould started incorporating her own goats into her
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workouts while training for NBC’s TV show “American Ninja Warrior." Meanwhile, Williams, a long-time yoga instructor, had been teaching different types of yoga around the Valley, including paddleboard yoga. This unique twist to the yoga studio prepared her to stretch the boundaries of a typical yoga class. The two friends soon discovered that by putting together their passions for yoga, in many different iterations, they could have greater success. Arizona Goat Yoga is not only one of the longest running goat yoga businesses, it is also the first to feature actual yoga-trained goats. Classes are held year-round and typically take place at Welcome Home Ranch in Gilbert, Arizona. We recently sat down with Arizona Goat Yoga Co-Owners Gould
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and Williams, who shared more about their goat venture. Green Living: Why should people try Arizona Goat Yoga? April Gould: It is so much fun! You have the combination of animal therapy, with goats, and lots of laughter. Sarah Williams: We’re trying to make every class just a little more special for everybody. We’re changing it up even a little bit. We have cow cuddling and bunnies come. We’re trying to support local farmers and everyone’s just really happy when they come out. It’s people from the city most of the time and they’re just getting back into nature. They’re getting a little bit of the outdoors without the fluorescent lights. GL: What would you say to people who are hesitant to come? AG: I’d say come try it. It’s a blast! Even if you’re not a total animal lover, it’s so much fun and it’s a great way to meet new people. It’s even fun to watch other people laugh. SW: We have a lot of women who don’t tell their husband or partner where they’re going, so when they walk up they’re like "Are you kidding? Goat yoga?" And then afterwards they tell us, "I was a little bit hesitant, but this was hilarious." GL: Why did you start Arizona Goat Yoga? What are your future plans for the company? AG: Sarah and I like to do really fun, different, adventurous activities together. Sarah does a lot of different types of yoga, and I have goats, so we just thought it was a perfect combination to do goat yoga. We got started about a year and a half ago and... SW: Most of our friends made fun of us! AG: Yeah, most of our friends made fun of us. SW: They asked, "What’re you guys thinking?’ But I read a
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quote this morning that said, "If anyone tells you that you can’t do something, you should probably go do it." You know? So dream big! Don’t listen to the naysayers! We still have a lot of friends who have never come, and they’re like "You guys still doing that goat yoga?" We answer, "Yup we are." We plan on keeping this going. We try to keep everything fresh. I’m working on my improv routine all of the time. The goats are constantly being trained to do new tricks, so we keep stepping it up. GL: Have you ever been challenged by the goats or other animals during a class? AG: The goats are pretty well trained at this point, and they know what to do. They know that as soon as they get in and the trainers get their costumes on, it’s showtime. I think that we have it pretty much under control. SW: I think if we didn’t expect weird things to happen, then maybe that would be a problem, but every class is different. Just today we had a bunny going underneath people, and we’ve never seen that before. So, whatever weird stuff happens is cool. GL: Is there anything else you’d like to add? AG: Goat yoga is really affordable and it’s for everyone. Families love it. SW: Don’t worry about not being able to do yoga. Some people just come and sit in a chair. When we first started, so many people were like, "I’ve never done yoga, but I really want to see goats." Don’t be nervous. Just come. AG: It’s really not about the yoga. It’s more about the goats and having fun in the community. SW: Goats don’t judge, goats just love! Maddie Mosley is an Arizona native that first and foremost, loves sharing that she is an Oprah enthusiast and a pop culture junkie. In her spare time, you'll catch her dancing, beat boxing, playing sports, spending time with loved ones and of course, obsessing over all things Oprah.
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APRIL ECO EVENT On April 25, our Eco Event took place at Enterprise Bank & Trust, which serves the financial needs of privately-held businesses, their owner families and other success-minded individuals. Proceeds from the evening went to Arizona Forward, an organization that brings business and civic leaders together to improve the environment. We raised $200 for Arizona Forward. Host and title sponsor: Enterprise Bank & Trust Non profit: Arizona Forward
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42 greenliving | July 2018
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MAY ECO EVENT On May 2, our Eco Event was hosted by DLR Group and Westlake Reed Leskosky. The party took place in their newly renovated offices in Phoenix and everyone was immersed in the spirit of their mission - to elevate the human spirit through design. The event raised $1,100 ($500 of which was donated by the DLR Group and Westlake Reed Leskosky) for St. Mary’s Food Bank.
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July 2018 | greenliving
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GREEN SCENES
JULY CALENDAR OF EVENTS CENTRAL JULY 1 – SEPTEMBER 4 A Mirror Maze: Numbers in Nature The Arizona Science Center features a mirror maze of gigantic proportions that allows visitors to navigate through seemingly infinite repeating patterns. There is also an immersive theater experience with colorful footage of nature, the human body, art and architecture. Cost: $8.95, plus general admission ($18 for adults, $13 for children ages 3-17, free with membership). Located at 600 E. Washington St., Phoenix. Visit azscience.org for information.
JULY 14-15 Experience Arizona Music at The MIM Arizona has a rich musical history with several distinct cultural styles. The Music Instrument Museum invites guests and members to experience the sounds and artistry of our home state. This event is included with admission and free for museum members. Event takes place from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. at 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix. For more information, visit mim.org.
SOUTHERN JULY 1-31
JULY 4 33rd Annual Fabulous Phoenix Fourth Celebrate the Fourth of July with local entertainers, festival-style food and beverages, arts and crafts, exhibits, a classic car display, youth activities, rides and a water spray zone. Join in the fun from 6-10 p.m. at Steele Indian School Park located at 300 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. For more information, call 602- 262-6862 or visit phoenix.gov/parks.
JULY 5, 12, 19, 26 ArtWalk in Downtown Scottsdale Enjoy Scottsdale’s ArtWalk Summer Spectacular every Thursday evening along Main Street from Scottsdale Road west to Goldwater Boulevard, and on Marshall Way north of Indian School Road to Fifth Avenue, from 6:30-9 p.m. July 12, 7-9 p.m. every other Thursday. For more information, visit scottsdalegalleries.com.
JULY 6, 13, 20, 27 Free Swim Fridays Take a dip and cool off with two water slides, a lazy river, water vortex, family play pool, toddler slides and more from 6-8 p.m. every Friday at Mesquite Groves Aquatic Center, 5901 S. Hillcrest Drive, Chandler. Call 480-782-2635 or visit chanderaz.org for more information.
JULY 13-22 “The Little Mermaid” Enjoy one of Hans Christian Andersen’s most beloved childhood stories - the classic “The Little Mermaid.” The animated Disney film will be shown at the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts, 8355 W Peoria Ave, Peoria. For tickets, call 623-815-7930 or theaterworks.org
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“Desert Sun” at Madaras Gallery: Tucson The gallery features hot Southwest scenes and desert sunsets by Diana Madaras. Enjoy beautiful paintings capturing the bold colors of the region. The gallery is open every day at 3035 N. Swan Road, Tucson. For information, call 520-615-3001 or visit madaras.com. July 4 51st Annual 4th of July Celebration Take part in the Annual Pets and People Promenade, military displays, arts and crafts vendors and a Salute to the Union fireworks display at 8 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park in Sierra Vista. For information, call 520-417-6960 or visit sierravistaaz.gov.
JULY 4 Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration Enjoy free food, kids activities and a squirt down courtesy of the Tubac Fire Department from 10 a.m. – noon. Park admission is free during the event at Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, Tubac. For information, call 520-398-2252 or visit tubacaz.com
JULY 7-29 Sweet Corn Extravaganza Head out to Apple Annie’s Produce Farm to enjoy roasted sweet corn and a day of family fun. Sweet corn season is at its peak during the height of summer, and you won’t want to miss out on this and other pick-it-yourself activities. The event takes place from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. July 7-8, 14-15, 21-22, 28-29 at the Produce and Pumpkin Patch location of Apple Annie’s Orchard, 6405 W. Williams Road, Willcox. For information, visit appleannies.com.
NORTHERN JULY 4 2018 Parade and Vendor Fair Join in the fun at the July 4th Parade and Vendor Fair. Enjoy food, arts and crafts, games, prizes, bouncy houses and a visit from the Page Fire Department who will shower the kids with water. The parade begins at 10 a.m. on Lake Powell Boulevard and ends at the City of Page. For information, visit pagechamber.com.
JULY 7 Evening Concert: The Sahnas Brothers Enjoy an outdoor concert featuring Sahnas Brothers under the shade of the cool pines. Bring a picnic dinner. Beer and wine will be available for purchase. Concert takes place from 5:30 p.m. at the Arboretum at Flagstaff, 4001 S. Woody Mountain Road, Flagstaff. For information, visit thearb.org.
JULY 21-22 21st Annual Arizona Highland Celtic Festival Hosted by the Northern Arizona Celtic Heritage Society, the festival features bagpipes, reenactments, workshops and more for both adults and kids. Bring your appetites! Traditional foods will be available for purchase. Festival takes place from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday. Tickets range from $5-$30 for the event located at Foxglenn Park, 4200 E. Butler Ave., Flagstaff. Contact Jude at 928 - 606-6327 or visit nachs.info.
AZ BUSINESS JULY 12 Green Chamber Lunch and Learn with Solutions AEC Join us at this month’s Lunch and Learn for insights about the engineering design on the world’s first living building from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at Bluewater Grill, 1720 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix. Register at azgreenchamber.org.
JULY 25 Bisbee Business Mixer Join Local First Arizona for an evening networking opportunity with fellow independent businesses and local leaders. Hear about recent developments, upcoming projects, and the future of Local First Arizona in Cochise County. From 6-8 p.m. at Bisbee Breakfast Club, 75A Erie St., Bisbee. Please RSVP to Rachael Hudson at rachael@localfirstaz.com or localfirstaz.com.
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GR EEN C HAM PIO N S Each month in our Green Champions section, we feature three people – one each in northern, central and southern Arizona – who are making strides in the green community. NORTHERN: JEREMY KRONES Jeremy Krones is the program manager of the Diablo Trust, created in 1993 to promote the social, biological and economic sustainability of a half-million acres of land southeast of Flagstaff. While Krones was born and raised in Maryland, he came to the West and fell in love with Northern Arizona. The program manager worked as a cowboy and farm manager on one of the multigenerational ranches on the land protected by the Diablo Trust, and is now in charge of managing the environmental nonprofit. “I got involved because I like Northern Arizona and the idea of collaboration and protection of our public lands,” said Krones. The trust protects the lands that include the Flying M and Bar T Bar ranches. By working with ranchers, federal and state agency personnel, environmentalists, university students and other citizens, Krones and his team are able to pursue their goal of long-term sustainability through proper land stewardship diablotrust.org, info@diablotrust.org
CENTRAL: MARK LEWIS Every Saturday in a small booth at Scottsdale's Farmers Market, Mark Lewis runs Chmachyakyakya, an educational nonprofit where he shares his vast knowledge of the environment and his Native American culture. Each week, Lewis presents a different native plant and its importance as food and medicine to his people. While it may be difficult to pronounce, Chmachyakyakya means “ancient and future food crops remembered,” and Lewis does just that by leading guided foraging walks that teach participants about our region’s indigenous plants. The educator considers foraging, or the search of food in the wild, as the most sustainable and natural activity humans can practice. His eye-opening walks have inspired people to deepen their relationship with nature. Lewis has an appreciation of native peoples and their interactions in the environment and he helps to encourage others to return to a more sustainable way of living. responsibleeatingandliving.com, manujib@yahoo.com
SOUTHERN: GUILLERMO MOLINA PADILLA From an early age, Guillermo Molina Padilla was interested in science and nature. He attended the Instituto Tecnológico de Nogales in Sonora, where he received a degree in computing sciences. (He currently works as an electromechanical engineer.) Padilla now combines both of his passions with outdoor activities and volunteering near his hometown of Cananea, Sonora, Mexico. He has been recognized for his generous contribution of time and effort towards the restoration and protection of the Sky Island mountain region in Tucson, Arizona, and was awarded the 2014 Volunteer of the Year Award by the Sky Island Alliance. As the meeting point between desert and forest, the Sky Islands offer a blend of tropical and temperate climates that can sustain many creatures, including more than half the bird species in North America. Padilla is dedicated to preserving this unique ecosystem. He has led hiking groups to help forge an understanding of the need for conservation and restoration. Padilla now combines his prior work in the local industry with teaching classes at Instituto Tecnológico Superior de Cananea. skyislandalliance.org, siainfo@skyislandalliance.org
Want to nominate someone as a Green Champion? Email your candidate to editor@greenlivingaz.com! greenlivingaz.com
July 2018 | greenliving
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COOL OUTRAGEOUS
STUFF
SOL AR SOLUTIONS
1
SUNSHINE LIGHTS UP CAMPSITE NIGHTS
Light up your campsite or hiking trail while staying eco-conscious this summer. The MPOWERD Solar Inflatable Lantern serves as both a flashlight and a S.O.S. searchlight. The water-and dust-proof lamp stays illuminated up to seven hours after an eight-hour charge in the sun. rei.com, $14.95.
2
THROW OUT THE TOOTHPASTE
The Soladey solar-powered toothbrush uses the vibrations of the brush to remove plaque and tartar without the mess and eco-toxins of toothpaste. You can power this amazing toothbrush through the light in your bathroom or through the power of the sun. amazon.com, prices vary.
3
PLUG INTO SOLAR POWER
A unique look into a solar future. The SunPort plug doesn’t come with solar panels and won’t save you money, but it could help you protect our beautiful planet. Once you plug it in, the device measures the electricity you take from your wall outlet and automatically matches solar credits to the energy you take from your outlet. Just by plugging it in, you instantly use 100 percent solar energy. sunport.co, $50.
4
SOLAR-POWERED WATER PURIFIER
Activated by the sunlight, Puralytics water purifier destroys a great deal of contaminants without pumping, electricity, chemicals or replaceable components. You’ll never believe the simple steps it takes to start enjoying clean water. Place the SolarBag in the sun for a few hours and you are set. The water tastes delicious and you don’t have to worry about consuming any harsh chemicals! puralytics.com, $13.99.
5
SOMETHING NEW UNDER THE SUN
Can’t ignore your coffee addiction while camping? This solar-powered kettle, created by Contemporary Energy Ltd. will help you avoid those caffeine withdrawals. It warms up after 20 minutes in the sun and reaches boiling point in less than an hour. No need to rely on gas or propane while enjoying the beauty of the outdoors. amazon.com, $74.99.
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HE’S GREEN JOHN BURKHART
SHE’S GREEN
LOW CARB BEVERAGES Product reviews by our eco-conscious couple, John and Jennifer Burkhart
JENNIFER BURKHART
It’s pretty much a fact that if you live in Arizona, you’re dehydrated. Like, all the time. So when summer hits, you better chug water like a hippo on the Nile. When water gets boring, and it will, be sure to reach for a healthy alternative. Whether you’re watching your weight, exploring the ketogenic diet or just saving your calories for a late-night ice cream binge (we wouldn’t know anything about that), avoiding sugar is paramount to good health. Can you keep your body and your taste buds happy? Read on, thirsty friends!
NOOMA
STEAZ
ORGANIC ELECTRO LYTE DRINK, CHOCOLATE MINT,
ZERO CALORIE ICED GREEN TEA, PEACH MANGO
HE SAID: “It’s got ‘lectrolytes, it’s what plants crave.” Anyone seen the movie “Idiocracy”? Sorry, back to the review. I was downright scared of this drink. Chocolate mint coconut water? This has to be terrible, right? Completely wrong! It was delicious. The chocolate and mint flavors were so tame that it didn’t lose the refreshing coconut taste. This’ll be my new go-to coconut water.
HE SAID: This is one of those products that I loved and hated at the same time. It had a strong tart peach-mango flavor that I loved. It also had a noticeable chemical flavor that I hated. Likely a combination of that funky pine taste that mango sometimes has and the erythritol sweetener. I finished the can, but only because I’m a sucker for anything peach flavored. I don’t think I’d buy this one again.
SHE SAID: Whoa, that was better than I thought it would be! I was having a hard time imagining a chocolate mint style drink and believing that anything chocolate flavored could be clear. Well, it wasn’t a thin mint cookie, but I would totally chug one of these after a strenuous session of goat yoga. (Have you tried that? I need to try that...)
ZERO CALORIE FRUIT PUNCH + POTASSIUM NUTRIENT ENHANCED WATER BEVERAGE
SHE SAID: I’d say if your product smells like a dirty kitchen sponge, it’s time to go back to the drawing board. But aroma wasn’t the only issue. This slightly sour tea might have been okay with just peach flavor, but “kitchen sponge” mango and “other natural flavors” were the likely culprits in spoiling the whole can.
HE SAID: This is insanely sweet for having zero sugar. It tasted like someone made fruit punch Kool-Aid, but with half the required sugar. It had a nice tropical fruit flavor with only the faintest herbal taste from the stevia. I guess the star of this show is the monk fruit extract. It’s 150-200 times sweeter than sugar and has zero calories, zero sugar and zero glycemic impact. (They harvest it by shaking the dust off fairies in Neverland.)
ORIGINAL MATCHA
WHOLE FOODS MARKET
MATCHABAR HE SAID: Go green, they said. It’ll be fun, they said. Well, this drink tasted like juiced lettuce and green tea, which is decidedly not fun. That being said, I would drink this again. The health benefits from matcha are amazing and definitely worth drinking– occasionally. I would write all of the magical benefits out for you, but this review would be way too long if I did.
SHE SAID: This reminded me of Gatorade’s fruit punch. Tons of flavor with only a little stevia aftertaste. The B vitamins will keep you energized and the lack of questionable ingredients makes this an easy choice for your next 10K–or short walk from the car to the grocery store, because it’s HOT. Hydrate, people!
ZEVIA BLACKBERRY SPARKLING WATER HE SAID: Stevia usually has a very herbal taste and a lot of these berry-flavored sparkling waters taste like soap, so I expected to drink something that tastes the way the inside of Bed Bath & Beyond smells. Fortunately, my expectation was not met. This Zevia sparkling water was lightly sweet with a refreshing berry flavor that wasn’t herbal or soapy at all. I’m not sure how they did that, but good job.
SHE SAID: Zevia makes great-tasting stevia sodas and this sparkling water is tasty, too. Though there isn’t much difference between the two. This was not as sweet as soda, but definitely more than a little bit sweet. I’m not complaining, though–I liked the blackberry flavor and would prefer this over the soda’s intense flavor.
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SHE SAID: There’s got to be a reason to drink tea that tastes like powdered reconstituted lawn clippings, right? Oh yeah, matcha is a superfood containing more antioxidants than you’ll know what to do with. You get the whole leaf (ground up), which is why you practically chew this tea; but it’ll be worth the clarity of mind and metabolism boost, along with the many other benefits.
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