December 2018
FROM SAND TO GLASS > TO FINE ART CANNAKULA FOR THE COMMUNITY > PROTECTING HERITAGE THROUGH FOOD > SUSTAINABLE FRUIT > SUSTAINABLE ENERGY US $5.95
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 December 2018 WORK 22 SUSTAINABLE ENERGY, SUSTAINABLE FRUIT From volleyball to travel to energy to food
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24 ANATOMY OF AN AD
Reverse classroom critique
26 2018 LEXUS NX 300H HYBRID Lots of power, less gas needed
LIVE 5
GIVE THE GIFT OF SELF CARE How create the perfect one
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CANNAKULA FOR THE COMMUNITY Plus tips on managing stress this holiday season
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RIC COGGINS One more step down the road
27 VIOLET GREEN PLANTS HOPE
Gardens and hatcheries instead of group homes
28 PROTECTING HERITAGE THROUGH FOOD Indigenous chef explores her past
10 LOVE CANAL LEGACY
PLAY 30 BUILDING A TINY HOUSE IN ARIZONA
13 DRIVING ARIZONA HEALTH
31 WANT TO TRAVEL TO VOLUNTEER?
Aftermath of an environmental disaster INNOVATIONS FORWARD Investments in AZ health care
14 CAN HOLIDAY SHOPPING BE SUSTAINABLE? Re-gift used clothes to yourself
16 DO NOT STAND IDLY BY
Interview with Dean Jeffrey Cohen
28 FROM SAND TO GLASS TO FINE ART Local artists share their creations
20 SECRET SQUIRREL SNACKS Soak in self care
Smaller home, better life?
An explainer on voluntourism
33 GREEN CHAMPION
Kay McDonald – Full of charms
34 ECO-FRIENDLY HOLIDAY GIFTS FOR EVERYONE For those you care about
36 RECIPES
Breakfast, lunch, & snacks
38 HE’S GREEN, SHE’S GREEN
Reviews on generous companies
39 COOL OUTRAGEOUS STUFF Eco-friendly items we like
40 GREEN GIFT GUIDE SECTION
December 2018
Local First Arizona takes us into the gifting season
44 GREEN SCENES
What’s happening around Arizona
FROM SAND TO GLASS > TO FINE ART CANNAKULA FOR THE COMMUNITY > PROTECTING HERITAGE THROUGH FOOD > SUSTAINABLE FRUIT > SUSTAINABLE ENERGY US $5.95
on the cover From Sand to Glass to Fine Art Glass art by Joshua Dopp
2 greenliving | December 2018
47 FUN GREEN FACTS Brain enhancers
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Yours in practicing a greener lifestyle PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: EDITOR: COPY EDITOR: SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR: ADMINISTRATIVE WIZARD: ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: DESIGN:
Dorie Morales Tyler Hurst Terra Walker Laura Madden Sara Haidle Kait Spielmaker Sly Panda Design
Arizona’s #1 Chevrolet Dealer! ADVISORY BOARD: Ric Coggins Valerie Crosby Ken Edwins William Janhonen Jon Kitchell
John Martinson Mary McCormick Eric Olsen Thomas Williams
CONTRIBUTORS: Barbara Augsdorfer Lexy Bahn David M. Brown Rose Burke Jennifer and John Burkhart Jennifer Caldwell Jason Chakravarty Ric Coggins Joshua Dopp Megan Goodwin
Melissa Goodwin C. Haire Tyler Hurst Marie Jones Joan Koerber-Walker Laura Madden Lana Olsen, PH.D. Monica Sifert Terra Walker
MEDIA CONSULTANTS: Lisa Racz John Waechter
EDITORIAL INTERN: Abduraafi “Raafi” Andrian
GRAPHIC DESIGN INTERNS: Jordan Miller Jocelyn Rarey
SOCIAL MEDIA INTERNS: Breanna Allen Monica Sifert
Contact Courtesy Chevrolet to learn more about the 2018 Chevy electric Bolt and Volt.
SUBSCRIBE TODAY! CONTACT US AT:
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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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1233 East Camelback Road Phoenix, AZ 85014 (602) 635-2559 www.CourtesyChev.com December 2018 | greenliving
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Letter From the Editor Dear readers: Thanks so much for your time and attention. Before we start talking about the December issue, we have a correction from November. On page 20 of our print issue, as part of the Eco Couture Is No Derelicte piece, we neglected to credit the fine team of photographer Jenny Kaufman, photo editor Ellen Dayan, hair stylist Tawny Meyers, make-up artist Diana Anghelus, and clothing designer Tiger Lily Dress Shop, along with model Laura Madden, for their hard work on the pictured photo shoot. We regret the error. This month’s issue focuses heavily on health and wellness as part of a 'sustainable you’ approach we’ve been hoping to share for a few months. We have articles from a local yoga teacher on how to handle stress at home, while traveling, and in the workplace, a story on holiday fashion with pieces from a local shop, a write-up about a local CBD-infused bath bomb maker, and even one on another local group using gardening and fish hatcheries to help substance abusers stay clean. We also caught up with Dean Jeffrey Cohen of ASU’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, included one of our biggest stories to date about a Superfund clean-up site with Arizona ties, and chatted with one man who played scholarship volleyball at both UA and ASU, turned pro, then became a world traveler, signed on with Solar City and then Tesla, and is now making a run at supplying organic produce to those in need. Read on for those stories plus more about a local indigenous chef, an explainer on what exactly voluntourism is, and monthly house articles like our recipes, He Said, She Said review, another expanded Green Scenes section, and a whole list of eco-friendly holiday gifts good for any season. We also received a great letter from Sam Campana, former Scottsdale mayor and current Executive Director of Desert Discovery Center Scottsdale, which reads: “I always enjoy your monthly magazine launches! So many wonderful vendors, new products to learn about, and really nice people dedicated to a more green lifestyle. Imagine how happy I was to win a raffle prize of three hours of organizing with a professional! And Andrea Brundage is indeed a professional! After living in my home for four years, with an accumulation of Arizona arts, crafts, family memories, and various collections – I was in desperate need of having this historic farmhouse staged for a home tour....Andrea to the rescue! She has an amazing eye for detail, composition, clutter to go, and great good cheer! All my precious things found a better display; and out went the chaos. She is truly a purveyor of CALM! Thanks again for ALL you do at Green Living and to make us a better community! Continued success!” We’re again proud to include our December Gift Guide special advertising section, created in conjunction with Local First AZ’s Kimber Lanning, plus an article on a local woman making charms to help charities raise money. We’re bidding a fond goodbye to our Administration Wizard Sara Haidle this month, whose hard work and tireless efforts will certainly be missed. We look forward to getting to know Kait Spielmaker, who has succeeded her here in the office. Thanks again for reading.
Tyler Hurst
4 greenliving | December 2018
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GIVE THE GIFT OF SELF-CARE AND CREATIVITY WITH A SIGNATURE SCENT
WHY CREATING A ONE-OF-A-KIND SCENT IS THE PERFECT GIFT THIS HOLIDAY SEASON BY LEXY BAHN
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hile perfumes and colognes are common gifts during the holiday season, trying to choose a scent for someone else can be challenging. Two local women have created their respective businesses around offering an alternative, personal solution. Paula Rigby of Fume has been a perfumer for almost 30 years, and Elisabeth Peabody of 50 Clarke is a certified aromatherapist and specializes in essential oils. Both use a variety of oils and fragrances sourced from all over the world in their creations. They each have two main offerings: a signature scent and a custom scent. A signature scent is something you wear every day; a scent that defines you. A custom scent is more of a standalone, maybe a party favor at a destination wedding that takes you back to that sandy beach. “A signature fragrance is the perfect holiday gift because it is highly personal. It’s unique, but beyond that, it is an arm of self-care that is overlooked. It's powerful. Being the engineer of your own aromatic voice is empowering,” said Rigby. Both Rigby and Peabody specialize in crafting individual scents and personalized fragrances sourced from the highest quality materials with no fillers, additives, or alcohol. When working with either Rigby or Peabody to create a signature scent, you start by creating a scent profile and answering questions about your current perfume, favorite scents and what kinds of scents (citrus, floral, etc) you like best. These questions allow them to get to know you and start building your scent profile. Peabody believes that with an oil blend, the sum is greater than its parts. “You need a base and middle notes — oils need teamwork,” Peabody said, adding that essential oils are really chemistry and by bringing art and science together, they create power and beauty. At your scent appointment, you get the opportunity to try a
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plethora of fragrances within your profile and may be surprised at what you like. I fell in love with tobacco oud and tonka bean, two very different deep base notes. “Everyone’s body chemistry is as unique as their fingerprint. The last ingredient in a fragrance is your body chemistry. That will dictate how the oils behave,” Rigby said. When working with Rigby, we tried five different variations of my signature scent before we settled on the right one. I found that not only does the gourmand family of scents perfectly fit my scent profile, but it stays on my skin well. The process of creating your own signature scent encourages people to engage their creativity. When I smell my signature scent now, it takes me back to that peaceful, sunshine filled workshop with Rigby. It was fun to be the master of my signature scent and really have the final say on how I want it and myself to smell day in and day out. Creating a signature scent is a master class in self-care, too. It’s time to be creative, thoughtful and to really dig deep and find what resonates with you. Peabody is a big believer in rituals. “If we can build something into habits we start believing it works. Aromatherapy is a micro-vacation, it is self-care,” she said. Scents are personal and creative; they can have the ability to take you back to a moment in time. The gift of self-care and creativity is perfect this holiday season. If you’re interested in next steps, schedule an appointment and start your scent journey. Both Rigby and Peabody charge $150 for a 10ml signature scent. Lexy Bahn is a digital marketing professional, Arizona native and a proud graduate of ASU's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. She is a self-proclaimed home chef, who spends her free time trying new recipes and reading the latest wellness books. You can find her in a spin or pilates class, at the Uptown Farmers' Market, volunteering at the Boys and Girls Club, or on the couch watching Netflix.
December 2018 | greenliving
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CANNAKULA FOR THE COMMUNITY
Photo by Alissa Brunelli
ASU GRAD & SWIHA STUDENT LOOKS TO HEAL BY TYLER HURST
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or Jennifer Miles, helping people was something she just knew she was ready to do. After her professional dancing and coaching work was cut short by an ankle injury, she went to Arizona State University to start a new career in the hospitality industry. She got a job right out of school helping foster kids heal by teaching them how to dance, but her colitis came out of remission, which ended that. She then tried working in the hospitality industry at places like Montelucia, but re-injured her ankle, forcing her to rethink her entire professional life. “I knew that my calling would be to bring yoga and meditation into cannabis, so that people could essentially heal themselves,” Miles said. After receiving her medical marijuana card and finding relief through her cannabis-aided yoga and meditation practices, she founded her own business, looking to help others do the same. “Cannakula is a place where people can come together and learn different healing techniques: yoga, meditation and then learn about different body work practices. We do these through classes in the Valley, events, and retreats all over the world,” Miles said, noting that ‘kula’ is Sanskrit for community. Since first appearing at the U.S. Cannabis Conference & Expo Phoenix in October 2017 as a vendor and then hosting her first big event at the Pressroom in downtown Phoenix dubbed Sunday Soul Service about a month later, Miles knows she’s been on the right path.
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She was helping people, but perhaps most importantly, finally in a post-dancing career that was personally rewarding. “Everybody does enjoy feeling good. For me, helping others be well feels good. I don’t have children, I don’t want them, my path is to give that nurturing and healing energy toward others in need,” Miles said. “Most important, it’s about loving what you do for a living. I didn’t used to love what I was doing after I retired from dancing.” Since then, Miles has expanded Cannakula beyond herself by working regularly with local healers who all share her yoga knowledge but also have complementary specialties. There’s reflexology practitioner Jenna Gully, sound healer Natalie Hewitt, reiki dude Joe Tubolino, and former Latin America and Peruvian IFC MMA fighter Marco “Knockout” Olano. They hold local, regional, national, and international classes on everything from meditation to self defense. Miles, currently just about finished with her 600-hour master yoga practitioner classes, finds herself leaning on more than just that training in holding such events. Her ASU degree, in Communication Studies and Event Management, comes in handy as her events scale up. She knows that, even as a yoga healer, helping people is always based in customer service. “I think everyone should be in service at some point in their life. I think it should be a college requirement to have to wait tables at some restaurant, somewhere. It should be a must. Or some sort of customer greenlivingaz.com
service-based position. I think it builds character,” Miles said. While Cannakula isn’t yet a full-time gig for anyone on the team, Miles is confident it one day will be. Her other job is working with Dr. Reeferalz, a company that helps sick people obtain medical marijuana cards. She works in business development for them, producing events and helping with social media. “It’s been a grind. You take a leap of faith, hope it’s going to work. You work at it every single day to make sure that energy keeps moving forward in the right direction,” Miles said. “There’s trials and errors and failures, but you just keep plugging along.” Cannakula’s next event is Sunday Soul Service, to be held at the Monorchid in downtown Phoenix on December 16. The free event, featuring reflexology, body work, reiki, CBD vendors and areas for MMJ cardholders, is free for and open to everyone but requires a code to register. See www.cannakula.com/events-classes/2018/12/16/ sunday-soul-service for details. Following that, Cannakula is heading to Palm Springs, CA, at the end of January for their largest event to date. Dubbed Desert Bliss, it will be four days of cannabis- and hemp-infused healing featuring instructors like sensuality coach and aerial yoga instructor Carli Jo, Medicated Maven Sarina Gomez, Gratituned featuring Ben Soto, and a team of Miles, Olano, Gully, and Hewitt. Tickets and room packages are available at www.thehempretreat.com. Tyler Hurst is a freelance writer, yoga trainee, & podcast host living in Phoenix, AZ. His work has appeared in Willamette Week and the Burning Bush podcast, as well as kontakt, CIDERCRAFT, and DOPE magazines. Find him at tdhurst.com or via @tdhurst.
At home, when you don’t have time to sit: Mantras are key. Research a mantra beforehand, combining sounds like the following or something simple like ‘I am peaceful’ and repeat for at least two minutes: Om (pronounced A-U-M), thought to unblock throat chakra for better communication. Sat Nam (Pronounced saaaaaaaat nam), thought to help find intuition. Ra Ma Da Sa Sa Say So Hung, thought to restore healing energy to yourself and others. Neti neti, thought to help rebut negative words or situations. Holiday travel, when in a car or on a plane: Focus on self massage. Relieve tension by massaging jaw, temples, bridge of the the nose, maybe the earlobes. Follow with a breathing technique as mentioned above. If possible when stopped, lay with your legs up against the wall with a flat back and hips on the ground. This will allow fluids to drain and re-oxygenates the heart. At holiday party or event: 20-minute Yoga Nidra, videos can be found online. Apps also available, helps recharge your emotional energy. Always focus on the breath, for when it’s calm, the mind will follow.
Photo by Warren Chu
Office relaxation techniques: Start with the Sheetali cooling breath. Sheetali takes us from a place of thinking to allow us to pour thoughts out through breath. Sit tall in chair, hands resting on top of thighs. Spine in alignment, chin slightly tucked, shoulders relaxed down the back. Close eyes. Breath in through the nostrils with closed lips. Fill up your belly first, then ribs, and then chest. Breathe out through pursed lips, as if blowing through a straw. Let chest fall first, then ribs, and then belly.
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December 2018 | greenliving
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The Road Home To Kansas Part 11 of Ric Coggins' journey to beat his cancer diagnosis
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s the date of my second chemotherapy appointment drew closer, I became more and more inclined to proceed with the half-round we had negotiated with the oncologist earlier. To this day, I cannot say whether my inclination was more from the fear instilled by the oncologist or simply the good Las Vegas odds of the first round knocking out 90% of the cancer cells, and this round taking out 90% RIC COGGINS of the remaining 10%. Looking back from this vantage today, I cannot even tell you that I think I made the right decision. Nevertheless, over my wife’s tearful, caring objections, I was determined to go ahead and do the half-round proposed. Not that it was a cakewalk, but the outpatient process was nowhere near as grueling as the inpatient experience from three weeks earlier. It was shortly after the half-round, however, that I lost my all my body hair except my eyebrows. I attribute much of my success in surviving this subsequent round so well to the Hoxsey Clinic immune-boosting regimen, and my ever-evolving health-promoting diet which I had followed for a month and a half. In fact, my immune system bounced back so fast this time that I did not need all of the follow up protocol shots. It was not all good though: the face peeling returned and the neuropathy in my fingers – which I would have for nearly a year – seemed to intensify. Also, the fog of chemo brain definitely worsened. At my follow up oncology appointment a couple weeks later, my doctor began discussing what he thought would be best for my next chemo round. He recommended a repeat of the half-round scenario. I think this was because he knew it was likely the only thing he could get me to do to stay on the protocol. I am sure I surprised him when I asked, “How do you know I still have cancer?” He responded by implying the high unlikelihood that I had not completed the standard chemotherapy protocol. He was taken back when I suggested that I believed I no longer had cancer. To be sure, it was from sincere concern that he engaged my debate, offering a number of logical reasons why I should not abandon the standard protocol. I suggested that we conduct another PET scan. If it showed that any cancer remained at all, I would reconsider the chemotherapy protocol. But, if it showed no cancer, I would have a hard time subjecting myself to the remaining four to six rounds demanded by protocol. “It’s too soon for that!” he replied. “Your insurance won’t cover another PET scan this soon; not at least for another round or two.” Not dissuaded, I asked him how much would it cost. “About $3500,” he replied. I told him fine, that if insurance wouldn’t pay for it, I would. He wrote out the prescription and a few days later I was back in the tube being scanned. Another week later, we returned to the oncologist’s office to review the scan. He wasted no time loading both DVDs into a special split screen viewer. The original scan populated first. Immediately I was
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reminded of what bad shape I was in at that time, You could see my entire throat was riddled with tumors, then again by my heart, and again below my stomach, I was a mess. Then the second half of the screen populated, nothing. Seriously, nothing lit up. The first guy on the left had cancer bad, the second guy was completely cancer free. The doctor made several adjustment to the reader, seemingly to try to understand what he was seeing, still nothing in the way of cancer showed. “Waaay-elll” he said, protracting the single syllable word into two full syllables. “This says the cancer is gone.” I had thought he might finally now be curious about all of my extracurricular activity. After all, we were only two and one-half months into the three months he had suggested I had to live if I did not carefully follow all of the chemotherapy protocol and Mayo Clinic surgery. “But this does not mean we can stop the chemotherapy. Now we have to be concerned about cancer stem cells which could be lingering, but will not show up on a scan,” he continued. I too was concerned about the cancer stem cell matter, but was already in play with a high dosage vitamin C IV regimen along with a sodium bicarbonate IV regimen both shown to kill cancer stem cells. I did not elaborate on that part but respectfully said that I was not inclined to continue with any further chemotherapy. Then I asked him, since I was declining his professional direction, if he was going to fire me as a patient. “No, of course not, I will be happy to monitor you, in the event that it comes back,” he said. It’s been one year and three months since that day. Every three months I go in for testing, and every three months he’s repeated the same clean bill of health. Initially he prescribed CAT scans but I am even declining those now, not wanting the radiation load. The doctor says if there’s any sign of cancer, he can detect it from the blood work. Every six months I have gone back to the Hoxsey Clinic in Mexico to have my American tests reviewed and to determine what immune boosters I need to stay on. After six months of IV Vitamin C and sodium bicarbonate I was told the stem cells were not coming back, and that I could discontinue that part of my treatment. I am still on the tonic for another year, but the Laetrile and herbs dosage has been lessened.Not only am I used to my new healthy diet, I absolutely have no interest in going back to the ways that ravaged my precious immune system and ultimately my health. And though my Yellow Brick Road adventure was not a dream, I will never forget the folks I met along with way, now that I am safely back in Kansas again. The journey is not over! If you recall when we started this adventure, I told you this story is about you and your health. I believe my healing came with a pay it forward clause. Future installments will each take up a specific treatment, regimen or aspect which resulted in my overcoming this terminal disease and my good health today. We will also cover additional topics that I have learned about since then as I continue to study health and wellness. Ric Coggins is a University of Arizona Master Gardener who grew up on a oneacre garden tended 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 on a one-acre organic garden urban homestead in Mesa he calls The Fool on the Hill Farm.
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December 2018 | greenliving
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LOVE CANAL LEGACY 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTER BY DAVID M. BROWN
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None of us want to see another community go through what this community has endured . . .” – Pete Lopez, EPA Region 2 Administrator Luella Kenny, wheeling her toddler son, Jon Allen, in a stroller, wondered what the large open area was in her densely populated neighborhood in upstate New York. “I had no knowledge of Love Canal until the articles appeared in the newspaper in the late 1970s,” she recalled. She found out, and the country found Love Canal. Macabrely ironic in name, Love Canal was a short-lived 19thcentury hydroelectric and model city project four miles south of Niagara Falls, which attracts myriads each year to upper New York State for misty-eyed sightseeing. Forty years ago, Love Canal became an environmental nightmare, when approximately 22,000 tons of hazardous chemicals, which had been dumped decades before, were widely publicized as seeping into the homes at the working-class community. The event awakened America. “The human toll was enormous. Sickness was seen throughout the community: heart disease, cancer, rashes, kidney, allergies, immune diseases and on and on,” said Kenny, who lived there with her family in a home on a quiet acre next to a creek from 1969 to 1979. “Families were in upheaval. There were many divorces because the males of that era felt it was their responsibility to provide housing for
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the family,” she explained. Some left their homes, while others pleaded to state and federal agencies to visit their community and see what environmental carelessness and social irresponsibility create. Most of her neighbors stayed, especially the older ones; other neighbors committed suicide. Children were separated from their friends. Babies were born with birth defects. Jon Allen died at 7 from minimal lesion nephrosis, a failure of the immune response to develop. Their backyard revealed 32 parts-per-billion (ppb) of dioxin, said Kenny, a cancer research scientist. Her husband was a chemist. “We researched our son’s disease and found medical journal citations that showed his disease was related to dioxin exposure,” she explained, noting that acceptable levels are 1 ppb or less. Her husband had a pre-existing heart condition. “When his cardiologist found out where we lived, he told us we could not stay,” Kenny recalled. After moving from their home at Love Canal, the family lived in a hotel and in air base housing until January 1981, when they were able to buy another home. Two surviving sons were born away from Love Canal, Christopher and Stephen. Other carcinogens in the neighborhood included halogenated organics and chlorobenzenes as well as heavy metals and hazardous waste. Children played in the standing pools of toxic goo, as
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chemicals seeped into the homes. The 70-acre site has since been capped and is monitored, but most of the chemicals remain. David Axelrod, New York’s then Department of Health Commissioner, said that Love Canal was a “national symbol of a failure to exercise a sense of concern for future generations.”
CANAL TO HELL William T. Love began excavating the canal in the 1890s. But a variety of factors made this unrealistic as a business venture. The land was sold to the Hooker Chemicals & Plastic Corp., now part of Occidental Chemical Corporation. The company buried the waste in legal steel drums on the site from 1942 to 1953, capping it in clay. The land was then “sold” to the Niagara Falls School Board for one dollar – with the stipulation that the company would not be liable if some of the chemicals leached out. Residents began reporting odors and residues as early as the 1960s. Those unusually wet, snowy winters in the late 1970s then lifted the water table, and the chemicals in the old and breached containers entered basements and yards as well as the playground of the elementary school that had been built above the canal, explains Dr. Jordan Kleiman of SUNY Geneseo in “Love Canal: A Brief History” (2018). The working-class residents formed the Love Canal Homeowners’ Association and fought a two-year-plus battle, recalled Kenny, who today lives on Grand Island, New York, in the Niagara River between Niagara Falls and Buffalo. “We had a goal of evacuation and would not settle for anything less. The state tried to get us to accept less, but we greenlivingaz.com
held out,” he said. Officials finally heard the cries and ordered the relocation of 239 families on August 2, 1978. President Jimmy Carter declared Love Canal a federal disaster site, which helped the families with relocation costs. A second state of emergency followed in 1981, when the remaining families were relocated. Owned by the Niagara Falls Board of Education, the 70-acre dump site is now fenced in chain link –– almost two decades following EPA remediation. “I will never forget going to the Love Canal neighborhood, shortly after its evacuation, as a nearly rookie reporter,” recalled Dan Herbeck, with The Buffalo News for 42 years. “It looked like a ghost town: hundreds of abandoned ranch homes in what was once a thriving neighborhood, full of families and activity. “I remember the looks of fear and concern on the faces of mothers whom I interviewed around that time, women who had lived for years near a dangerous chemical dump with their husbands and kids. These women were elated that the government was moving them out of that neighborhood but also very apprehensive about what the future held, especially for their kids,” Herbeck said.
LOVE CANAL LESSONS With added public awareness of other contemporaneous environmental disasters, such as the Valley of the Drums in Kentucky, Love Canal intensified environmental activism and inspired federal legislation to clean up the sites and find the perpetrators. One result was the Comprehensive Environmental Response, December 2018 | greenliving
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Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) — better known as Superfund — which became law on December 11, 1980. Under its directives, sites significantly threatening public health and the environment are placed on the National Priorities List (NPL). Today in Arizona, nine NPL Superfund sites are in various stages of remediation. Other good has come: EPA data shows that during fiscal year 2017, approximately 6,600 businesses at 487 Superfund sites in reuse generated $43.6 billion in sales and employed 156,000 people who earned a combined income of $11.2 billion.
If you visit, he explains, you see young families, Little League Baseball fields, a playground and a senior citizens center within a quarter mile or so of where thousands of tons of dangerous chemicals are still buried. “I still shudder when I see the playground that is built right next to the Love Canal fence and I see mothers bring their small children there,” Kenny says. Herbeck has recently interviewed families who complain of strange smells and chemicals seeping into their basements, reminiscent of 40 years ago, and lawsuits have been filed by residents and former residents, claiming Love Canal is still poisoned.
Harrison-Millmar WQARF site looking east after the project was completed (left) and how it looked when the project began (right). All photos courtesy of ADEQ.
Superfund cleanup construction work at Love Canal was completed in 1999, and EPA deleted it from the NPL in 2004 after final review. The agency continues to monitor the site in five-year increments known as “Five Year Reviews,” explained Mike Basile, Region 2 public affairs specialist in Buffalo. “Over the past 15 years or so, the federal and state governments have declared Love Canal a ‘safe’ neighborhood,” says Herbeck, who lives in Tonawanda, N.Y., a suburb of Buffalo, about a half hour from Love Canal. “They changed the name to Black Creek Village and allowed hundreds of families to move back in, buying those longabandoned homes at bargain prices.”
“The government insists this is a safe site, one of the most tested and closely monitored neighborhoods in America,” he says. “Is it safe? I am just a news reporter; I honestly don’t know. Would I want my kids and grandchildren to live there? No.”
LOVE CANAL LESSONS: ARIZONA Some states, including Arizona, established clean-up programs after Love Canal to assist the EPA with these nationally designated sites as well as manage local programs. In Arizona, this is the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, begun on July 1, 1987. One program managed by ADEQ is the Water Quality Assurance Revolving Fund (WQARF), begun in 1986 and revised in 1997. Arizona now has 36 WQARF sites. “You might call it ADEQ’s Superfund program; it’s loosely based on CERCLA,” explained Laura Malone, Waste Programs Division Director since October 2012. “With any sad event comes learning, and Love Canal made for lots of learning,” she said. “As devastating as it was, Love Canal helped spark awareness and the environmental movement throughout this country, so that, working together, we can prevent another tragedy like this one.” Today, four decades later, we are all Luella Kenny. “We thought this was an idyllic place to raise our family,” she said of her Love Canal home, on a quiet acre by the creek. “How wrong we were.” Among many resources are www.epa.gov/superfund and azdeq.gov. Area resident and activist, Lois Gibbs, has written Love Canal: My Story (1982). Brown is a Valley-based writer (azwriter.com).
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DRIVING ARIZONA HEALTH INNOVATIONS FORWARD
INVESTING IN THE FUTURE OF HEALTHCARE BY JOAN KOERBER-WALKER
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atients are waiting for cures, and December is a time when this really hits home, as we gather with family and friends during the holiday season. We all know someone who is waiting, or could not wait long enough, and will not be with us to ring in 2019. Around the world, and right here in Arizona, we are making research investments to discover potential cures. The National Institutes of Health invested over $27 billion into research nationally in 2018, and Arizona has begun to deploy the $1 billion in bonds for investments in university research infrastructure that was approved by the state in 2017. Arizona knows how to invest in discovery. We make major investments in our delivery systems, too. Arizona is home to some of the leading hospital systems in the country, treating people with the most advanced therapies currently available. Banner Health has expanded to meet the needs of patients and their families, and in May of 2018 had $1.4 billion in active construction projects in Arizona. In September, the Mayo Clinic announced its plans to nearly double the size of its Phoenix campus with a $648 million project. Dubbed “Arizona Forward,” it will add 1.4 million square feet onto the existing Phoenix campus, making it one of the Mayo Clinic’s largest expansions. Since 1997, over $18 billion has been invested in building Arizona's life science and healthcare sector. They’ve built hospitals, research institutes, universities and some great companies. When it comes to the business of cures, there is a three-part journey from discovery to development to delivery. This last step is where it makes life better for patients and their families. To move the discoveries forward faster here in Arizona, we need to begin investing in development the same way we invest in discovery and delivery. Often, the early development of cures happens within young companies that rely on angel and venture capital investments. This is an area where Arizona resources are in short supply. In the three-year period from 2014 to 2017, fewer than $300 million was invested in Arizona-based life science companies according to the 2018 BIO/TEConomy Report. Over the same period, life science greenlivingaz.com
companies in Colorado raised over $1 billion and in Utah raised over $600 million. The major difference is in how these states and ours provide resources for funding their early-stage companies. They do. We don’t. The numbers tell the rest of the story. Leaders in Arizona are working together to solve this challenge in innovative ways, using philanthropy and setting a goal to raise a $200 million endowment that will support the creation of Arizona companies to deliver lifesaving and life changing innovations, today and in the future. By using an endowment model, donors can make an impact today and in the future. Based on a $200 million endowment, there would be $10 million or more annually for early-stage funding towards developing new treatments and cures in perpetuity. Philanthropy has been a major factor in the growth of our universities and our hospitals. This new model is designed to use the power of philanthropy to fund the young companies and then reinvest the returns so even more can be funded in the future. It is designed to make a lasting impact. • More life science companies being founded, attracted, and grown in Arizona • Faster job growth across our life science sector • More jobs for the great students graduating from our universities • More cures and life changing innovations • A better life for Arizonans today and for generations to come Patients are waiting for cures. By using the power of philanthropy, we have an opportunity to fuel the growth of Arizona companies that are working to deliver them. To learn more, visit www.AZHCIF.org. Joan Koerber-Walker serves as president and CEO of the Arizona Bioindustry Association (AZBio) and has lived in the Valley of the Sun for more than 25 years.
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CAN HOLIDAY SHOPPING BE SUSTAINABLE? WHY SHOPPING SECONDHAND FOR THE HOLIDAYS MATTERS BY LAURA MADDEN
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f you’ve been following our recent fashion features, it’s no surprise that we support secondhand shopping, especially local secondhand retailers such as My Sister’s Closet. As many of us join the holiday shopping hustle and bustle, why not consider supporting your local economy and shopping secondhand retailers nearby. Consignment, vintage, and thrift stores are packed with unique and hard-to-find gift ideas just waiting to be discovered.
WHY SHOP SECONDHAND? There are many reasons why shopping secondhand is a good idea: financial, environmental, to support a good cause, to make a style statement, etc. Personally, I support the secondhand clothing industry as an environmental stance, and to make a statement for a more sustainable and responsible fashion industry. Every purchase made is a vote for more of what we want to see in the world. I believe that secondhand shopping, whether high-end consignment, vintage, or thrift, is the most sustainable shopping you can do. The resources have already been used and you are extending the lifecycle of discarded items that would otherwise end up in a landfill. Sadly, the fashion industry is the second most polluting industry in the world, only after oil. Just over three years ago, I watched the True Cost documentary (which I highly recommend), and it sold
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me on the idea of secondhand shopping. True Cost reveals both the environmental and social injustices in the mainstream fashion industry. In addition to the environmental benefits of shopping secondhand, my wardrobe hasn’t been the same, not to mention the money I save compared to shopping for brand new. For me, the fact that the fashion industry is trashing the Earth burns a hole in my heart. It is unacceptable, and I believe it is avoidable. We can do better. This is where our secondhand retailers come in to save the day, offering a stylish, affordable and eco-friendly shopping option.
BY SHOPPING SECONDHAND YOU ARE: • supporting your local economy • reducing waste • conserving resources • decreasing the demand on the fashion industry to produce cheaper clothing faster • taking a stance to support a more just and responsible fashion industry • saving money We are fortunate to have the support of My Sister’s Closet in spreading this message and creating a conscious consumer movement, greenlivingaz.com
both locally and globally. The featured look was sourced from the Lincoln Village MSC location, styled by COO Tess Loo, shot at the Phoenix Transfer Center, overlooking the Recycling operation. In the City of Phoenix and almost all municipalities around the US, fashion is not recyclable in a traditional sense. Textiles are not allowed in our blue recycling bins; recycling operations simply can not process them. They also do not belong in our trash bins. No matter how far gone an old pair of socks, towels or undergarments may be, these items are very harmful once they make their way to landfill. As textiles start to break down and decompose they release harmful gases, such as methane, into the atmosphere. If you have unwanted clothing, please consider consigning them at recycled-fashion retailers like My Sister’s Closet or donating. If you have unwanted and unusable clothing items and textiles, please donate them to Goodwill, which does recycle items that they can not sell, or to American Textile Recycling Service (ATRS), which recycles all textiles, and has donation drop-off locations nationwide. Please refer to www.atrscorp.com for drop-off locations. I want to convey the importance of both recycling our fashion and recycling our goods responsibly to create a healthier, happier, and more sustainable planet. As we move into this holiday season, which is traditionally known as a time of excess and increased amounts of waste entering the landfills, we all can do our part. I believe that when we know better we do better. Please check with your local public works departments for what is and is not recyclable. If you need additional resources or ideas on how you can shop secondhand for your holiday needs, or how you can responsibly dispose of unwanted goods, I encourage you to reach out to me through my social media or website (see bio). I am here to help you make the most sustainable choices possible for you! 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. Visit www.laura-madden.com and follow her on Instagram @lmlifestylist for sustainable shopping tips and her sustainable fashion finds.
Clothing provided by My Sisters Closet Styled by Tess Loo Modeled by Laura Madden Photo by Aaron Blackburn Shot at City of Phoenix North Gateway Transfer Station Location Provided by City of Phoenix Public Works Dept. Featured Look Top- Kate Spade, Size XS, $49.95 Skirt- (no label) $49.95 Coat- Topshop, Size XS, $39.95 Shoes- Isola, Size 8.5, $14.95 Clutch- Loeffler Randall, $69.95 greenlivingaz.com
Photo courtesy of My Sister's Closet
TELL US WHAT YOU WANT: Would you utilize a curbside textiles pickup to responsibly recycle unwanted clothes and other textiles?
TEXTILES & RECYCLING According to the City of Phoenix Public Works Department, “The 2018 City of Phoenix Waste Characterization study outlined that textiles make up 2.05 percent or 2,436 tons in our recycle stream.” (Unfortunately textiles are not accepted in Phoenix recycle bins.)
WHY IS CLOTHING NOT ACCEPTED IN THE CITY OF PHOENIX RECYCLE BINS? Textiles and clothing can clog the machinery in the recycling facility. The facility is forced to stop operations two to three times per day (about half an hour each time) to cut bags, clothing and other unacceptable material that may have jammed the machinery.
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Photo courtesy of Jeffery Cohen
DO NOT STAND IDLY BY
ENVIRONMENTAL HUMANITIES ACCORDING TO ASU’S DEAN OF HUMANITIES, JEFFREY COHEN. BY LAURA MADDEN
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arlier this year, Dean Jeffrey Cohen joined Arizona State University (ASU) as Dean of Humanities in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. I sat down with Dean Cohen to learn more about his devotion to ASU, his contribution to environmental humanities, and his belief in using collaboration and conversation across disciplines to solve real world problems. My interview revealed his palpable passion for both higher education at ASU as well as the message of Tikkun Olam: Do not stand idly by (TO3). Dean Cohen is an example of a man who walks his talk. Our September issue cover, which featured the TO3 Art exhibit, was partially sponsored by ASU School of Humanities. Having attended the opening reception of TO3 myself, and feeling deeply moved by the themes of the exhibit, I was eager to learn of his experience. I found our conversation to be insightful and inspiring, and even walked away feeling better equipped to address the worldly issues that I find most troubling, such as climate change, environmental and
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social injustices. Dean Cohen’s responses invite you to think about the world in a larger way. LAURA MADDEN: What drew you to your position at ASU? DEAN JEFFREY COHEN: I truly believe in the charter of this university. It’s a charter that is built on giving our students access to the best education they could possibly have. We are very public facing. We do everything not for our own enrichment, but to make this world better. This university takes this very seriously. ‘To mend the world’ is what the mission of ASU is all about. I am dedicated to making this a place where we train students who are then empowered and enabled to make this a better world. I have a lot of faith in the ASU students. To be part of equipping them to make this future more just and sustainable - that just makes me very happy to be in this position. LM: How do the themes of Tikkun Olam apply to your life? DJC: Tikkun Olam sometimes gets translated as heal or mend the
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world, but I really like Curator Joan Baron’s emphasis on ‘do not stand idly by.’ DO NOT STAND IDLY BY. It’s an imperative. You have to leave the world better than you found it. That is what we are called to do. LM: What part of the exhibit had the most impact on you? DJC: The one that really got to me was a piece by artist and ASU faculty member Christine Lee: a woven workers hat that was made to look like a hat often worn by Latino workers in this area who take on climate-extreme jobs that most other people don’t want. She’d woven this hat together from other hats, using the wood but also leaving it open at the ends to show the convergence between natural materials and the labor that is often invisible to many people; they’ll see the worker, but not see the worker, as if they blend in with the landscape.
For more information on Dean Jeffrey Cohen, please see www. jeffreyjeromecohen.com. To learn about the Arizona State University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, see www.clas.asu.edu/degrees. The Tikkun Olam Art exhibit runs through January 23, 2019 at the Cutler Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center Gallery located at 122 E Culver St. in Phoenix. It’s open Monday through Friday from 11 AM to 3 PM and First and Third Fridays from 6 to 9 PM. 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. Visit laura-madden.com and follow her on Instagram @lmlifestylist for sustainable shopping tips and her sustainable fashion finds.
“Working Hat Ripples, 2018 by Christine Lee. Photo by Joan Baron
“If we ask better questions, we will come to better solutions. But if we’re all working alone at it, we’ll never get anywhere.” But to make that labor visible and invite anyone that looks on it to think about ‘Who is actually sustaining our environment? To whom have we outsourced that work? Why are we satisfied to allow those people to be invisible to us even though we see them? How did we learn not to see the actual labor that makes our environments here in the Phoenix area actually keep going?’ I loved that piece. LM: How do you see TO3 as being a learning opportunity for ASU students? DJC: I thought this would be perfect for students to be brought into a single piece and to use it to open up the world and to see differently. I would have students go to the exhibit and spend a lot of time just attending to the works of art. A lot is gained by just spending some time with one of the art works and getting to know it better. LM: We discussed the topic of climate change, desert humanities and desertification. DJC: We who live in the desert have to think about ways of living more sustainably than it’s been done. I’ve worked with the faculty here on this idea called desert humanities, which is to think in a climate of extremes- what we could do to have a lighter footprint on the Earth, to live more sustainably, more justly? In some ways Phoenix is a test lab for what the future is going to look like across the world. We are looking at a future of temperature extremes. It’s only going to get warmer. One thing we don’t talk about enough is desertification. More cities are going to be facing extremes of high temperature and severe water shortages that goes with the climate change we are experiencing. If we [Phoenix] can articulate a way to live better in those conditions, I think we’ll really be contributing something.
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December 2018 | greenliving
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FROM SAND TO GLASS TO FINE ART JOSHUA DOPP
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hile studying fine art at Santa Barbara Community College in 1987 Joshua started working with glass. After receiving his AA in Studio Art from SBCC, he transferred to the University of California at Santa Barbara where he earned his BA in Art History. After five years of working for professional artists, museums, galleries, and a participating in a glass concentration at Penland School of Crafts in 1998, he attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign earning his MFA in Sculpture/ Glass in 2001. With numerous residences over the years such as the prestigious three-month fellowship at the Creative Glass Center of America in Millville, New Jersey in 2002 and six years as artist in residence at the Mesa Arts Center from 2009 to 2015. He now creates his own programs and residencies with the use of the Highway Hotshop. The primer mobile glass studio of the desert south west. Joshua now calls Phoenix, Arizona his home. For more information on Doppler Design, see www.joshdopp.com.
JENNIFER CALDWELL
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ennifer Caldwell, AKA Umphress, has spent most her life near the coast in California and Hawaii. She is a full-time artist and her primary technical focus is solid sculpting borosilicate glass using a torch. Responding to the fluidness of the material, she has mastered capturing the movement and gracefulness of sea life forms. The use of recognizable imagery allows the viewer to relate and get lost if even just a moment at sea. Narratively her work is a form of therapy that responds to the daily life of being a mother, traveling and experiencing new people and places. Her studio is located in Kingston, WA. Caldwell has taught workshops worldwide including Turkey, Japan, Amsterdam and the United Kingdom. She has also taught at the most reputable schools in the United States including Corning Studio, Penland School of Crafts, Pilchuck Glass School and Pittsburgh Glass Center. Her work has been exhibited at SOFA and is currently represented by various galleries.
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JENNIFER CALDWELL & JASON CHAKRAVARTY
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ince 2012, Jennifer Caldwell and Jason Chakravarty have maintained a critical, conceptual, and technical dialogue about their individual work, which easily evolved to collaborative pieces. Over the past couple years they have mounted multiple two person exhibitions which included work that challenges the experimental process specific to each of them. Within these compositions, Jennifer included flame worked components that represented her mastery of the process while Jason’s contribution was cast and blown glass. Jennifer utilizes a lot of sea life while Jason includes imagery that man uses to access the sea, i.e. Man and Nature in Nature. The finished compositions have been published in glass magazines and generously collected. Jennifer Caldwell AKA Umphress creates work that draws inspiration from her environment. Born and raised in California, she began working with glass in 2000 while living in Hawaii. Caldwell now lives and works in Kingston, Washington, where the Pacific Ocean continues to influence her work. “Although my inspiration comes from the ocean, I am most intrigued by capturing movement. I try to emulate the movement of sea life in a simple contemporary form,” says Caldwell in her personal statement. Jason Chakravarty began incorporating glass through the use of neon into his sculpture in 1998 while attending Arizona State University. He was employed for four years at a commercial neon sign shop, where he learned technical fundamentals of the neon process. In 2002, he began illuminating hot shop forms and kiln casting glass while attending graduate school at California State University-Fullerton. Thematically much of the work is drawn from travelling to teach, exhibit, and demonstrate glass. Road trips back and forth across the US and visits to Japan, Cuba, Honduras, Turkey and Israel have sprung series of work inspired by objects, places, and people they have met along the journey. Wooden docks in the Honduras, sunsets in the southwest, and forest lakes in upstate New York have crept their way into many of the pieces. Objects ranging from antique scuba diver helmets to barnacle covered buoys serve as points of departure inviting viewers to explore their own personal connections to the familiar forms we encounter in unfamiliar places. For more information on either artist, see www.jennifercaldwell.net and www.jasonchakravarty.com. To purchase collaborative, ego-friendly and functional items (including glass straws), see www.jcsquared.shop. greenlivingaz.com
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SECRET SQUIRREL SNACKS NIBBLING, BATHING, AND SCRUBBING YOUR WAY TO FEELING BETTER BY MELISSA GOODWIN
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ometimes, different life experiences combine to lead you down a path you never anticipated, but one that turns out to be rich and satisfying, nonetheless. This is what happened to Jen Mitchell, owner and creator of Secret Squirrel Snacks. Jen’s experience in the mental health field (counseling those with drug and alcohol addictions), combined with her experience in the cannabis industry, helped her gain new insights into treating her own epilepsy. Add in her interest in maintaining a holistic vegan lifestyle, and her desire to help others, and you can see the paths that led to the creation of Secret Squirrel Snacks: the makers of vegan and glutenfree, cannabis-infused edibles and CBD products. Secret Squirrel offers innovative items like bath bombs, salt and sugar scrubs, oils, creams and tinctures for both people and pets alike. “As an epileptic myself, I saw how well cannabis, CBD, and hemp worked for me, and I wanted to see how cannabis could be used more effectively for others who suffer from a variety of ailments. All my experiences help me to do this,” Mitchell said. Green practices and sustainability are important to Jen. “I use
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as many locally sourced ingredients as possible and I’m currently sourcing more biodegradable options for packaging. I try to make everything myself to cut costs so I can pass those savings on as much as I can,” she said. “I’m learning about so many ways to reduce waste, and I’m excited to be incorporating more and more of these ideas into my daily life!” If you are skeptical about the benefits of CBD and hemp, Secret Squirrel Snacks offers a variety of products that offer a gentle introduction. You can try a bath bomb infused with full-spectrum organic hemp oil and CBD isolate, along with hand-mixed rosebuds, jasmine, borage, white sage, ginger & chamomile and essential oils, for example. “Take a simple bath. Soak in it and see if it helps. It’s a nice way to literally dip your toe into the waters,” Jen said. For more information about Secret Squirrel Snacks, visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/secretsquirrelsnacks. Melissa Goodwin is the owner of Wave Health and Pain Therapy where she offers low frequency acoustic wave pressure therapy, a drug-free, non-invasive approach to total body health and pain relief. Learn more at www.wavehealthaz.com.
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Celebrating the people and groups who give generously and work to build the future of our community. frontdoorsmedia.com
Let Chef Jennifer and Witnessing Nature In Food to provide you with Organic, Sustainable, Nutritious Meals. Choose from Meal Prep Plans, Catering, and Cooking Classes. Download our free app! Search for “Chef Jennifer.” Like us on social media and we will Love you back.
Office: 480.813.9065 • Cell: 602.625.5828 Jennifer@WitnessingNature.net • WitnessingNature.net
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December 2018 | greenliving
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SUSTAINABLE ENERGY, SUSTAINABLE FRUIT
ONE MAN’S QUEST TO MAKE THE WORLD A LITTLE MORE GREEN BY MONICA SIFERT
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fter traveling the world following a stint as a professional volleyball player,. Drew Manusharow wanted to see a change in clean energy, clean food, and clean water everywhere, so he set his efforts to make an impact on a global scale. Due to an injury and a strong desire to travel full-time, Drew’s career playing professional volleyball in Germany came to a premature end a few years ago. This gave him the opportunity to travel overseas and explore the many countries that were different from the United States. His travels had a profound effect, and led him to launch United Fruit International Co. Headquartered in Phoenix, all produce is sourced from farmers from around the world. United Fruit International is Global Gap and Rainforest Alliance Certified for its ethical and sustainable business. From North and South Africa to Asia and Europe, Drew was most amazed to see diverse cities and small villages who were not on the Internet, just living a simple and humble life. With India having a bigger population than the United States, and incomparably greater
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air pollution, Drew was inspired by his favorite country to bring clean air to people. As he continued to travel to each country, he noticed the majority of them were lacking three things: clean water, clean food, and clean energy. This is what inspired him to start working with clean energy and in turn fueled him to start a business in fair and globallytraded organic produce. In 2013, Drew began his career in sustainability, choosing to pursue solar power because each country already had the sun as a resource. He decided he could start making a change with energy, because it is a basic need that would make a huge difference. Working with SolarCity and Tesla allowed Drew to accomplish his dream of bringing clean energy and clean air to many families, but he still wanted to do more. “I accomplished what I wanted to with clean energy. Next, I wanted to create a business that gave locally,” Drew said. Bringing produce – like citrus from the orchards in California – to people in Asia who have never had it, felt like a calling to him. By
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ethically and sustainably sourcing organic produce from farmers all over the world, he has business partners and clients in Europe, South Africa, Japan and other hubs around the globe. “It’s all organic and sustainable,” said Drew, who has always lived a healthy lifestyle, and was looking to bring healthier options to a global scale with produce grown without growth hormones or pesticides. Drew loves that the food tells a story from each person and culture from around the world. “Whether you are sharing a meal with others or eating by yourself, you are part of the story,” he said. In remembrance of his late father, Drew always lives “be[ing] aware of his surrounding(s).” This is a piece of treasure that he brings to friends, fellow travelers, his community, and his business today. Those words have helped him be grateful for his experiences and for having the capability of making basic resources accessible to many. “The most gratifying thing is helping other people experience different cultures, having that vision and connecting people from all over the world,” Drew said.
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Monica Sifert, an Arizona native, is a recent graduate from Seat of Wisdom College in Ontario, Canada. She recently joined Green Living as an intern and is currently taking graphic design classes online.
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ANATOMY OF AN AD
STUDENTS CRITIQUE THEIR INSTRUCTOR’S AD DESIGN BY MARIE JONES
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hat is ecological design? Ecosa Institute has been teaching designers to root their approach in nature since 2000. Architects, landscape architects, interior designers, graphic designers, teachers, entrepreneurs, and other professionals come together each semester to kick off, refine, or completely redirect their professional design practices. In classes of 5 to 15 attendees, with a wide range of experience and skills, students share a passion for designing a sustainable future on our planet. The intensive 15week course, offered twice a year in the spring and fall, is experiential and unconventional. Founded and taught by architect Tony Brown and other working professionals in design and natural sciences, the curriculum evolves and adapts much as nature does.
the semester program. Next, they evaluated the ad that had been printed. Did it accomplish the director’s goals? Here things might have turned tricky, because they discovered it was Jesse herself who had put the ad together on short notice. Instead, they were able to observe her willingness to be open to criticism as well as her inherent curiosity— an essential quality for any good designer. What was the result of their critique? Taking a clue from nature, they thought the ad should be simpler and not try to do too many things at once. There was discussion about whether any ad could sufficiently explain Ecosa; that the goal should instead be to attract just enough curiosity to prompt a visit to the website. The
But really, what is ecological design? The challenge of describing a program that isn’t a sound bite became a hands-on project for the Fall 2018 class. Ecosa submitted a full-page, back-cover ad for the October Green Living to accompany a cover article about the curated group exhibit Tikkun Olam 3, at the Arizona Jewish Heritage Center through January 23, 2019. Twenty-thousand copies of the magazine with that ad were printed and distributed throughout the state. But did the ad really accomplish what it was designed to do? This was the question the students took on for a half-day, hands-on, design exercise in their Prescott studio. First, the students interviewed executive director Jesse Hernreich, herself a former student and also the permaculture teacher at Ecosa. In a real-life client interview, they enriched their own experiences about the program by digging into Jesse’s goals for the Institute and
simple drama of one strong statement and a beautiful image is how nature might attract attention. They recommended prioritizing the information, and agreed that most important was the description of the certificate program, Ecosa’s website, and its Prescott, Arizona location. The phone number and mission statement were unnecessary, one logo was enough, and one font would help clarify the message. A headline could either be Design with Nature or the Buckminster Fuller quote, but not both. Lastly, they thought the photo should to be dramatic and probably show nature in some way. The critique is an important exercise in any design program. At Ecosa, even something as simple as an ad is considered through nature’s lens. Look for a new ad that reflects ecological principles in a future edition of Green Living magazine.
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Marie Jones teaches communication design at Ecosa Institute.
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2018 LEXUS NX 300H HYBRID
LUXURIOUS POWER WITH A PRICE TAG TO MATCH BY C. HAIRE
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any consumers purchase a hybrid vehicle to save money at the fuel pump; this fuel-efficient technology has long-been offered on high-level and expensive brands. For those who appreciate modern engineering, cutting the gas bill is a bonus. A clear example is the Lexus NX 300h we drove for a week. With a base price of about $38,000, and total tab of just over $48,000 with options, this compact SUV isn't cheap. On the other hand, it offers Japanese quality, excellent performance, and improved operating costs over the non-hybrid version. The standard NX 300 has a 2.0 liter engine with 235 horsepower, and is rated at 22 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 25 mpg overall. This NX 300h (hybrid) has a 2.5 liter engine that uses 194 horsepower, and is rated at 33 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 31 mpg, overall. We drove both, and n the real world, the non-hybrid got 20 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 22 mpg overall. We drove the hybrid a total of 600 miles in all conditions. The spread was 23-31 mpg, but most figures were 26 mpg city, and 29 mpg at 70 miles per-hour cruising. That made the overall average come to 27 mpg, compared to the non-hybrid at 22 mpg. If you drive a lot of miles, the fuel costs will decrease noticeably.
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In spite of only 194 horsepower pulling a two-ton mass, acceleration is brisk thanks to the electric motor/battery hybrid system. It provides plenty of response at low speeds. For those in a hurry, paddle shifters are located on the steering wheel. The cabin materials are very nice, and most controls are easy to use. We were pleased to see a spare tire issued, something that is often lacking on other hybrid vehicles to save weight. While the suspension provides a firmer ride than we liked, that – along with responsive steering – provides excellent cornering ability on curved roads. The brakes are strong, yet easy to operate. The only complaint noted is with the infotainment master control. Instead of a simple stick as used on other Lexus vehicles, this has a finger touch unit. It is usable when sitting still, but operating this system while on the move is awkward. It will take lots of practice to master. For those seeking a compact and well-built SUV with reasonable fuel economy, the Lexus 300h may be right for you. C.Haire writes reviews of hybrid or gas-saving vehicles for Green Living magazine. He has also reviews cars for Arizona magazines, newspapers, and local TV audiences.
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VIOLET GREEN PLANTS HOPE
IS THIS THE FUTURE FOR RECOVERING ADDICTS? BY BARBARA AUGSDORFER
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lmost every day on the news or in the newspaper there’s another story of a young life overtaken by the opioid epidemic. Sadly, too many die. Some might be “lucky” and survive … only to end up in jail or the hospital, then out, then in again. It seems to be a never-ending cycle of loss and despair – not only for the addict, but also their family. The latest statistics from Arizona’s Department of Justice shows that most substance abusers began experimenting with drugs or alcohol between the ages of 12 and 20; most claim their first time was at 13 years old. Cycles start that sometimes can’t be broken: drug use, crimes committed to get the money to support a habit, lifelong friendships and social circles are broken and replaced with suppliers and dealers who keep the addict in their grasp of crime and addiction. What if there was a way to break that cycle? Not through prison and halfway houses, which have a recidivism rate of more than 75 percent according to the National Institute of Justice. Translation: Most people forced into this route, end up in prison again, or die from an accidental overdose. Part of the failure of these programs is not the programs themselves, but the fact that the person must take an active role — that is, decide for themselves — to get and stay clean. That’s where Violet Green comes in, to offer a viable and potentially profitable solution. Violet Green is not a traditional halfway house where offenders are forced to reside and get clean, only to be released and – three out of four times – end up using, dealing, or buying again — followed by arrest, prison, again, or the morgue. “The traditional treatment protocols utilize words like ‘rehab’ and rely upon halfway houses. The missing word is healing,” explained Violet Green’s Director of Operations, Chuck Little. “Our mission is to heal as many of these teenagers and young adults as we can. Our vision is to change the way addictions are perceived, treated, and healed. That includes providing a model that other socially conscious projects can emulate that leads to self-sustaining endeavors that benefit humanity while being fiscally prudent and producing significant returns because that breathes life into any project.” “A young man, we’ll call him ‘Joe’, comes from a family where his father was a skinhead, and his mother a crystal meth addict. By 13, he was also using crystal meth regularly. ‘Joe’ had been in and out of jail by the time he was 20. At his assigned halfway house, ‘Joe’ said that every other resident offered him drugs on his first day,” Little said, illustrating the optimum client for Violet Green. He added that ‘Joe’ decided it was time for him to get straight after ‘Joe’s’ sister died from a heroin overdose. ‘Joe’ loved the Violet Green project and anticipates greenlivingaz.com
participating in it. The program is scheduled to launch in April 2019. Violet Green developed after nearly a decade of research. Serendipity came into play when acreage next to the proposed site in northern Arizona was slated to be a halfway house for recovering Tribal addicts. Team members were able to convince the Tribal leaders that Violet Green’s processes were different and proven to also promote the patients’ prognosis for productive lives. Violet Green clients will live and work in a hydroponic, solar-powered geothermal greenhouse facility, growing organic vegetables and they will also learn viable skills and embark on exciting careers. “Violet Green presents a socially conscious and environmentally friendly project that will transform lives and generate substantial returns to its investors. We are planning to grow organic tomatoes, kale, broccoli, and herbs,” added Dr. Andria Orlowski, executive director of Violet Green. The concept of using horticulture as therapy is not new. More than 5,000 years ago, doctors in ancient Egypt recommended that their patients walk in the royal gardens to promote calmness and soothe both physical and mental pain. Violet Green is simply expanding on that basic hypothesis. Studies have shown that working in a garden is therapeutic. Among its many benefits are improved mental health by instilling a sense of purpose and achievement. “The inherent problem with most socially conscious endeavors is they wind up spending an inordinate amount of their time and resources raising money to fund their projects, in essence begging for their livelihood,” Little added. “By building the project around solar-powered, geothermal hydroponics greenhouses, it creates the foundation for a self-perpetuating project which will enable us to benefit far more young adults. The logical extensions are endless. We know within each one of these young adults are great ideas waiting to be brought forward.” Little went on to talk about how the Violet Green message would resonate. “At the end of the day, if you’re standing in the produce section of your grocery store considering buying tomatoes, and there are those not-quite-red ones that are always mushy next to some vibrant red ones - with a small tag and the story of Violet Green and how the organic tomatoes were grown by young adults healing from a substance abuse addiction – which ones would you purchase?” Little asked. Barbara Augsdorfer earned a BA in communication arts from California Lutheran University in 1983 and an MBA from University of Phoenix in 2017. She has many years of experience writing and editing for a variety of magazines and newspapers. She currently resides in Providence Forge, Virginia, with her husband, son, and a spoiled 13-year-old Rottweiler/black lab mix named Lucky.
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Photo by Nicky Hedayat-Zadeh
PROTECTING HERITAGE THROUGH FOOD
CHEF FELICIA COCOTZIN RUIZ’S MISSION TO SPREAD NATIVE AMERICAN CUISINE BY MEGAN GOODWIN
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hef Felicia Cocotzin Ruiz has always been a healer and a passionate advocate of Native American cuisine traditions. She started studying holistic health in massage school, where she got the opportunity to study herbs, adding to her ever-growing tool kit to help people better their lives both physically and mentally. She always believed that food was an essential piece of the human puzzle for a happy and healthy life. Growing up, Cocotzin only ate traditional foods from her culture during special gatherings and functions. She has always felt connected to her heritage, and food has connected her to her ancestors in a whole new way. Since she was young, she was analytical enough to recognize that those TV dinners and the ready-made meals nuked in the microwave might not be the healthiest in the world. Now she wants to share knowledge of healthy eating by tapping into the traditional Native American diet that was nearly eradicated because of colonization and industrialization. Chef Ruiz has been a restaurateur since 1998. When she sold her restaurant in 2010, she realized she had a platform to spread awareness to all types of people, including those in the Native American community. When she took a good look around the food community, she realized that there weren’t a whole lot of people who looked like her: brown and female. She took the opportunity to learn
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more about indigenous American foods. She looked to her heritage for clues on how to eat, cook, and live more richly and healthfully. Today, Chef Ruiz has dedicated her life to helping people use food to restore their health, while simultaneously helping with spiritual healing. She is also passionately dedicated to teaching all Americans that, while we all grew up on fast food, that isn’t the true American food. She is an intense advocate for everyone’s right to have the opportunity to eat nutrient-dense foods, our true American diet. A healer at her core, Chef Ruiz’s passion is to help anyone that is in need of healing. To that end, she prepares nutrient-dense foods with vegetarian options, all in order to help people to eat healthier while simultaneously learning about Native American heritage. When someone enjoys one of her dishes, her goal is not only to make them feel fueled, but to feel mentally and emotionally nourished as well, with dishes that look and smell fantastic, using indigenous ingredients prepared to reflect the landscape of the original America. Chef Ruiz is a forerunner and advocate for the Native American community with a passion for reintroducing food origins to the United States. To learn more, visit her profile on Forks Over Knives at www.forksoverknives.com/contributors/felicia-cocotzin-ruiz/ Megan Goodwin just received her Masters of Arts in Creative Writing and Publishing from City University of London.
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GREEN BUSINESS LEADERS RECOGNITION EVENT RECAP
Photography by Rick Carter The City of Phoenix, in partnership with Green Living magazine, hosted its second annual Green Business Recognition event on November 15, America Recycles Day, at the beautiful Jewish Heritage Center in Phoenix. Certified Green Businesses were acknowledged by City of Phoenix staff and officials and received recognition plaques. Lucas Mariacher and Brenda Yanez were the emcees of the event. Councilman Michael Nowakowski as well as Assistant Public Works Director Joe Giudice, Sarah Whitesell of Organic Hair Lab and Dorie Morales spoke at the event. PLATINUM BUSINESS PARTNERS : AWARDS: Ecosa Organic Hair Lab Hunter Douglas El Charro Hipster Keep Phoenix Beautiful Steptoe & Johnson Local First Arizona City of Phoenix Zero Waste Recycled City GOLD BUSINESS AWARDS: VeggiDome Witnessing Nature in Food City of Phoenix Noble Beast Water Department Tiger Lily Dress Shop
DON’T MISS OUT ON THE NEXT ONE!
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BUILDING A TINY HOUSE IN ARIZONA
IS SMALLER BETTER HERE IN THE DESERT? BY ROSE BURKE
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ith housing costs in Arizona rising at a rate that most salaries can’t keep up with, people are searching for affordable solutions. If you’re one of these people, then likely you’ve come across tiny houses. Typically under 400 square feet, they’re the only cost-effective housing available that allows you to own your own home. If you’re ready to get on board with the tiny lifestyle, keep reading to learn how you can build a tiny house in Arizona.
WHAT IS CONSIDERED A TINY HOUSE IN ARIZONA In Arizona, any home built below 400 square feet falls under the category of a tiny house and should follow all respective building codes. This includes size regulations that require any home built with a foundation to be no smaller than 200 square feet. For any tiny house built on a trailer, they must be larger than 160 square feet.
a trailer where all of the mobile aspects have been removed. Whether you are building your home on property in Arizona or moving it there, you will need to have it inspected by the appropriate county. If your structure doesn’t adhere to their codes as is, you’ll simply have to make the required changes.
BUILDING CODES FOR A TINY HOUSE ON WHEELS IN ARIZONA When choosing your tiny house on wheels drawings, remember that they follow a different set of building codes in Arizona, as they’re considered mobile homes. You will need a building permit before you begin construction, as well as an approved trailer. Once your home is finished, an inspection will be required. You won’t be able to receive a Certificate of Occupancy and live in your tiny house until you’ve acquired a permanent land site. This could be a rented property that you’ll use temporarily or a permanent piece of land for your residence.
ZONING CODES FOR TINY HOUSES IN ARIZONA
The structure can be professionally built out of lumber, using a DIY tiny house kit, or made from a repurposed shipping container. All materials are suitable when building a tiny home in Arizona as long as it follows the building codes.
BUILDING CODES FOR PERMANENT TINY HOUSES IN ARIZONA For the most part, building codes for permanent tiny houses follow many of the same restrictions as they do for a single family home. Some slight adjustments have been made to the dimensions, such as: • Reduced minimum room dimensions • Ceiling height requirement reduced from 7’ to 6’4” • Fewer electrical circuits required • Less insulation needed A permanent tiny house includes any home built on a foundation or
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A tiny house built on a foundation has a variety of options when it comes to zoning. Unlike other areas of the United States where there are heavy restrictions on tiny homes, Arizona allows them to sit on a number of different zone types. This includes multifamily, detached single-family, and accessory dwelling unit zoning. There are also some tiny house communities popping up all over the state that allows you to live with like-minded people. Together you can build a community garden, have access to a laundry facility, a shared kitchen, and maybe even a few on-site restaurants. It’s little things like this that turn a house into a home. A tiny house built on a trailer, on the other hand, is considered a recreational vehicle. As long as the structure has the capability to be mobile, it doesn’t fall under the category of a permanent structure. These tiny homes can only be parked in zones allowing mobile homes and RVs, such as state parks. Building a tiny house in Arizona has never been more accessible than it is today, and it will only continue to get easier. By choosing to make this lifestyle change, you’re not only going to find yourself with more money in your pocket, but you can sleep better knowing that you’ve significantly reduced your carbon footprint. Tiny homes are known for being both affordable and eco-friendly, making them the top housing choice among millennials. Contact your county to get the appropriate permits and start building your tiny house today. Freelance writer and art enthusiast, Rose Burke, often writes humorous essays inspired by awkward dating experiences and life’s cruel sense of humor. When she's not doing that, she's typically writing entertainment articles on women's issues, politics, feminism, travel, and other trending topics her readers love. Author of the popular feminist blog series Writings of the Satirical Feminista (www.writingsofthesatiricalfeminista.com), Rose is currently focusing on a collection of humorous personal essays while she travels the world.
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WANT TO TRAVEL TO VOLUNTEER?
BE A SUSTAINABLY-MINDED DECISION MAKER BEFORE YOU GO BY LANA OLSEN, PH.D.
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raveling to volunteer has received a lot of press coverage lately, but unfortunately most of it focuses on the negative impacts of this activity. Critics suggest traveling to volunteer (also known as volunteer tourism or voluntourism) can promote white savior (www.barbiesavior.com/) thinking or mismatched projects that are not sustainable. However, it does not have to be this way. To avoid negative consequences related to travel volunteerism, voluntourists should become sustainably-minded decision makers, before finalizing any commitments to go. Here are four major considerations:
PERSONALITY TRAITS AND MOTIVATION Prior to proceeding with a favorite project, voluntourists should examine what personality traits (www.scientificamerican.com/article/ the-big-five/) they possess, and question how these traits might affect a traveling to volunteer setting. How outgoing am I? Am I flexible? Can I be calm if a situation becomes unruly? If you think you are easily stressed by day-to-day living, you might need to examine how you might act if challenged in a foreign context. In addition to understanding your personality traits, you should decipher what is motivating you to go and whether the particular journey is well-aligned with this motive, or whether a different one might be more appropriate. Some popular motives to volunteer outside of one’s community include wanting to experience a new culture, adding to a resume, and giving back to society.
SKILL-TO-PROJECT MATCHING While thoughtfully reflecting on personality traits and motives for going, volunteer tourists should seek organizations that intentionally match volunteers’ skills (www.movingworlds.org) with community projects. This is important to understand, because program-to-skill matched volunteers are likely to be repeat volunteers, which leads to sustainable community impact. In 2017, I spent just over five weeks researching the U.S.-based nonprofit Daraja Music Initiative (www. darajamusicinitiative.org/), that focuses on music and conservation education with select youth from Moshi, Tanzania each summer. This organization, like many others, is a good example of a sending entity
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Photo courtesy of Lana Olsen, PH.D.
that intentionally seeks skilled volunteers to match their community initiative. As a result, not only do multiple, passionate volunteers return each year, deep relational community bonds are formed.
LOCAL COMMUNITY COLLABORATION It is not enough to find a skill-to-project matched opportunity, a pre-trip volunteer should understand how the organization they are voluntouring for works within the local community. For example, who is leading the project? Is it community run, or internationally driven? In addition, is the organization partnering and collaborating with other community organizations and/or international agencies, or working independently to push their own agenda? Collaboration generates knowledge through the process of group interaction and shared problem solving. It is one key concept of sustainability.
OBJECTIVES, MEASUREMENTS AND REPORTS The traveling volunteer, who is a sustainably-minded decisionmaker, looks for organizational projects that have clearly-defined and measurable project objectives, and check to see if past project reports are available for viewing. They want to know, does the organization’s website feature project impacts, and if so, how were they measured? It is important to keep in mind that any project reports or informational updates should include impact stories from community members’ perspectives as well. Once you consider these different elements, you will be in a better position to assess which voluntourism excursion is most appropriate. Sometimes the best option is to stay home and look for other ways to support a community project, such as volunteering online (www. givingway.com) or close to home. Lana Olsen is a faculty research associate for ASU Center for Sustainable Tourism. She is founder and resource specialist for thetravelingvolunteer.com, with a mission to inform potential and past traveling volunteers about trip preparation, community voice/participation, academic research, volunteer interest stories, news trends, and general tips within the field of national and international volunteer tourism.
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Eco ECO HOLIDAY Holiday POP-UP Pop-Up ECO HOLIDAY SHOP POP-UP Shop SHOP
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GR EEN C HAM PIO N
EACH MONTH WE FEATURE A GREEN CHAMPION WHO IS MAKING STRIDES IN THE GREEN COMMUNITY
KAY MCDONALD
CHARMING ARIZONA CHARITIES FOR 15 YEARS BY MELISSA GOODWIN
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ypically when we think of sustainability, we think of it as it relates to the environment: recycling, and how we use or consume products. Sustainability is also an important concept as it relates to human interaction. Kay McDonald has been a major force in promoting, fundraising, and connecting people and charities for 15 years. Like ripples in a pond, the connections she’s forged will continue to impact the charities she’s touched long after their fundraising campaign is over. Now that’s sustainability. As a child, Kay was fascinated by her grandmother’s charm bracelet and the stories behind each miniature portal to the past. As a young business woman, she pursued a career in the fashion industry for many years, finally owning her own women’s accessory company. While working at fashion shows that benefited various charities, she noticed a need for those charities to have beautiful, wearable tokens that they could use for awareness and fundraising for their cause. “Charms have been worn for centuries as a way to show your passions and your interests. They’re also talking points. At that time, wearing charms was having a resurgence, and I thought those two things, charms and charities coming together, might be a great idea,” said Kay. That’s when her company, Charity Charms, was born. Combining her love of design and marketing with her desire to make a difference, she began working with charities by asking about their goals and objectives. Did they want something special for an event? Did they want to have something to give their donors at the end of the year as a thank you gift? Did they want to give a meaningful token to all their volunteers that give so much personal time to help their cause? “We look at their messaging, the words that are important to them, their colors, brand, icon and logo, and we pull it all together for them into a beautiful, meaningful piece,” McDonald said. Creating beautiful pieces means that patrons will actually wear them, creating a chain of interaction that keeps the charity as a topic of conversation long after the fundraising campaign has ended. In fact, Charity Charms’ mantra is “Once the event is gone, the memory lives on.” Those conversations translate into the sustainability of greenlivingaz.com
each charity’s message. “You can have a lovely time at an event, eat a bunch of great food and win a raffle, but if you can walk away and have something to wear the next day, week, or month, it will remind you of the event. People will ask about it, so you can keep talking about it,” McDonald said. Citing a Purdue University study on the effectiveness of word-of-mouth, she believes that for every bracelet worn, it’s talked about a minimum of 26 times. “It’s important to tell the stories of the projects that we’ve done so that people can understand how they can be used,” said McDonald. To that end, they’ve set up a tab on their website called Charms in Action which continues the narrative of individual charities, their needs, and how Charity Charms has helped them achieve their goals. Charity Charms also understands the power of being green; they use recycled pewter and sterling silver, as well as recycled paper whenever possible. Combining sustainable momentum as a force for good with beautiful, meaningful and often green products is a winning combination. Not only is Charity Charms helping Arizona’s charities, but they’ve become a global force for good, as well. Their presence on the internet has connected them with charities all over the world. Kay’s vast experience in retail and wholesale fields, combined with her passion for helping others, has created a profitable business for herself while helping nonprofits generate revenue for their causes. “After buying an item for $10 and selling it for $20 or $30, I thought ‘Why can’t nonprofits do the same?’” McDonald asked. In the model she created, nonprofits can sell the items themselves and keep 100% of the profits. Profitability meets sustainability meets green: a winning combination for all involved. Check out all of Kay’s charms at www.charitycharms.com. If you see something you like, be sure to contact the charity directly. If you work with a nonprofit looking for a way to keep your mission alive, keep the conversation going and raise a little money, too. Melissa Goodwin is the owner of Wave Health and Pain Therapy where she offers low- frequency acoustic wave pressure therapy, a drug-free, non-invasive approach to total body health and pain relief. Learn more at wavehealthaz.com.
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ECO-FRIENDLY HOLIDAY GIFTS FOR EVERYONE
A WISH LIST FOR THOSE LOOKING GO OR STAY GREEN BY TERRA WALKER
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elcome to the Most Wonderful Time of the Year! Like many of you, I adore the holiday season, and I look forward to the happy faces as gifts are opened and dreams are unwrapped. I was surprised to learn that Americans spend more than $7 billion on wrapping paper each year, not including dressings and bows. While much of it is recycled, it’s almost too difficult to pull the colored fibers and make that worthwhile - which means it ends up in the landfill anyway. To offset our Hanukkah/Christmas/Kwanzaa carbon footprint, I’ve put together a list of the best eco-friendly gifts for everyone on your list, from your kids to your parents, and that necessary oops gift for unexpected visitors. Let’s get going with our green shopping.
HOST/HOSTESS Don’t forget to thank your favorite holiday party hosts with gifts they’ll use to entertain for years to come.
REUSABLE FOOD WRAPS These are a must-have for any eco-friendly kitchen. Each wrap is made of cloth dipped in beeswax, and is food safe (minus a bee allergy, of course). You just heat them with your hands and wrap your foods, either in a container or directly, for an air-tight seal. Each wrap is washable and lasts approximately all year.
RECYCLED GLASS PITCHER Useful as a work of art and for beverage service, this hand-blown recycled glass pitcher is not only environmentally friendly, purchasing it supports artists and a company that believes in fair wages for workers, safe workplaces, carbon-free shipping, water conservation, and forest preservation. It’s hard to say no to a pitcher that does so much for the earth. You might as well grab a set of recycled glass glasses to match.
THE COMMUTER Help your favorite person enjoy their commute a little more with these thoughtful and green gifts.
BAMBOO TEA CARAFE This stainless steel and bamboo commuter carafe is the best way to keep your favorite morning beverage hot (up to 12 hours) or cold (a full 24 hours). Not much is better than being able to sip a drink that’s the same quality beverage when you reach your destination as when you first poured it.
WOODEN SUNGLASSES Nobody likes staring down the sun on the way to the office, whether we’re driving or riding. We all know how environmentally unfriendly plastic is, and the U. S. only recycles about 20% of it’s plastic nationwide. These wooden sunglasses are not only chic and fashionable, they’re made of bamboo, have cellulose lenses, and float.
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THE YOGI We all have the urge to get into downward dog once in a while, and feel the fresh renewal that comes from a short time inverted. These gifts will delight the inner-peace seeker in all of us.
JUTE YOGA MAT This amazing yoga mat is vegan, recyclable, and made of jute fibers. These mats are designed in Australia, and the company that makes them is dedicated to keeping plastics and BPA off your mats. They also plant a tree for every mat sold, and they come with a 100% cotton carrying strap.
YOGA MAT CLEANER If you’re going to do yoga, you’re going to need to keep your mat clean and free from bacteria. This organic yoga mat cleaner is safe for all mat types, not just that cool jute one above. It’s handcrafted, biodegradable, and uses your favorite essential oils.
THE WRITER Do they always carry a pen and notebook? Upgrade their utensils to help save the environment.
CORK-COVERED NOTEBOOK Perfect for your favorite aspiring novelist or bullet journalist, this cork-covered notebook is vegan, and lays flat for optimal writing space. The pages are thick, dotted, and acid-free for archival quality work. There’s a rare pen loop included, so don’t forget to grab the pens below.
RECYCLED BOTTLE PENS These multicolored pens are made from recycled water bottles - 89% post-consumer waste - and feature that familiar 0.7 mm point you know and love in your original Pilot G2 pens. They are, without a doubt, a delightful addition to any desk set.
PLANTABLE PENCILS If your writer doesn’t like pens or they’re not ready for permanent marking yet, here are your favorite #2 pencils with a twist. When you’re done with them, just grab a flower pot or head to the yard and stuff them in the ground. The seeds inside will sprout Forget-Me-Nots, Basil, and Thyme.
While we’re here, we might as well acknowledge that those gifts are still going to need to be wrapped. As you already know, in America we waste wrapping paper like crazy. Well, not anymore; there’s a wrap for that. Grab some eco-friendly, plantable wrapping paper, and put your mind at ease this season, knowing that no matter where it ends up, your paper will biodegrade and grow flowers. Now, get going on your eco-friendly shopping and wrapping. Happy Holidays! Terra Walker is Writer and Editor, Culinary Coach, and WordPress Instructor. She spends a lot of time in Phoenix, where she indulges in the rich food, arts, and pop culture scenes. Catch up with her on her Lifestyle blog, Terra’s Bytes www. terrasbytes.com.
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December 2018 | greenliving
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RECIPES CUBAN CHILI Recipe and photos courtesy of Chef Janette Gomez of The Fig & The Knife (www.thefigandtheknife.com, @thefigandtheknife)
PREP TIME: 45 MINUTES SERVINGS: 6 1 large onion (from Crooked Sky Farms) 1 large bell pepper (or use 1/3 each of red, yellow, orange) (from Abby Lee Farms) 2 medium tomatoes (from Abby Lee Farms) 1 head of garlic (from Community Exchange Table) 2 tablespoons Melba’s Cuban Mojo Spice Blend (from The Fig & The Knife) 2 bay Leaves 2 limes 3 tablespoons or more of Extra Virgin Olive Oil 2 to 3 ounces of dry white wine 12-16 ounces of ground meat. (Use Meatless crumbles for vegan version) 2 cans of organic black beans (or make your own from dry beans) 2 handfuls of crushed blue tortilla chips, as needed (from Willie’s Tomatoes & Chili’s) Salt to taste Chop the onion, pepper and tomatoes into 1⁄4 inch dice and mince your garlic. Heat a 3 QT pot on the stove on medium-high heat and drizzle a generous amount of olive oil in pan, when hot and ready toss in above veggies, except garlic. Once veggies are soft and onions are translucent, toss in garlic and bay leaves. Stir until garlic begins to brown. Then add Melba’s Mojo Spice blend and juice of limes. Stir well. Add dry white wine to deglaze the pan and turn down the heat to medium. Add meat/meatless option of choice and stir in with veggies to blend until cooked through. Add one can of black beans with liquid and, then add the second can of beans without the liquid. Stir all to blend well and taste, add salt as needed. Turn down the heat to simmer and cover for about 30-45 minutes, stirring periodically. If chili is not thick enough, take a handful of blue corn tortilla chips and crush in your fist and stir into chili. Wait about 10 minutes. If not thick enough, add the second handful and stir. For a traditional Cuban experience, serve with a side of white rice and tostones (twice fried green platanos, separate recipe available) with The Fig and The Knife Cilantro Green Sauce.
PORTOBELLO & ARTICHOKE BRUSCHETTA Courtesy of Sauce Pizza and Wine
PREP TIME: 5 MINUTES SERVING SIZE: 4-6 1/4 cup of goat cheese of sliced artichoke hearts 1/4 cup of sliced roasted Portobello 1/4 cup of roasted red pepper Seasoned tuscan bread Toast seasoned bread in panini press for about a minute. Spread goat cheese evenly across toasted bread. Toss artichokes, portobellos and roasted red peppers in balsamic vinaigrette. Place vegetable mixture evenly across goat cheese bread. Cut into 4 even slices and garnish with parsley
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VEGETARIAN MEATBALLS WITH CAULIFLOWER, QUINOA AND BROWN RICE Recipe Courtesy of Robin Miller Cooks
PREP TIME: ABOUT TWO HOURS SERVINGS: 6-8 PEOPLE, 22-24 MEATBALLS 4 cups cauliflower florets, about 1/2 head 8.8 ounces pre-cooked red quinoa and brown rice, heated according to package directions 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (for gluten-free meatballs, use gluten-free ground oats) 2 large eggs (or equivalent vegan substitute) 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese (for vegan meatballs, use vegan parmesan cheese) 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon dried basil 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the cauliflower florets and boil for 5 minutes, until fork tender. Drain and transfer the cauliflower to a food processor. Add the remaining ingredients and process until well blended. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and refrigerate until firm enough to shape into meatballs, about 1 hour. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Shape the mixture into 22 to 24 meatballs and transfer the meatballs to the prepared baking pan. Roast for 25 to 30 minutes, until golden brown. Serve with your favorite sauce or gravy.
VEGAN PUMPKIN PIE TRUFFLES: Recipe Courtesy of Robin Miller Cooks
PREP TIME: ABOUT TWO HOURS SERVINGS: 20 TRUFFLES PUMPKIN PIE FILLING: 3/4 cup pumpkin puree (not pie filling) 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs 2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted 1/2 tablespoon pure maple syrup 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
CHOCOLATE COATING: 6 tablespoons cocoa 5 tablespoons pure maple syrup 4 tablespoons coconut oil, melted just before using To make the filling, combine all the pumpkin pie filling ingredients into a food processor. Process until blended and pretty smooth (graham cracker crumbs never get completely smooth), scraping the bowl of the processor down a few times. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and refrigerate 30 minutes. Shape the mixture into 20 truffle balls and place on a parchmentlined baking sheet. Freeze the balls for 30 minutes. To make the chocolate, combine the cocoa, maple syrup and coconut oil in a small bowl. Whisk until blended and smooth. It's important that the coconut oil be warm and fully melted to create a smooth chocolate. Drop the pumpkin balls into the chocolate mixture and turn to coat all sides. Use a fork to transfer them to a parchment-lined baking sheet (they will harden right away). Serve right away and/or refrigerate until ready to serve.
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December 2018 | greenliving
37
HE’S GREEN JOHN BURKHART
SHE’S GREEN
GENEROUS COMPANIES
Product reviews from our eco-conscious couple John & Jennifer Burkhart
JENNIFER BURKHART
Whether you are looking for a gift or something for your holiday table, it's important to choose products from ethical companies. This month we focused on companies that go the extra mile – like sourcing ingredients that improve the quality of life for farmers, or providing clean water, soap and toilets. The world could always use more kindness, generosity, and love. Let's support those businesses that agree!
THEO COCONUT SALTED ALMOND BITES, USDA ORGANIC He said: Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't. Theo says they have nuts, but they don't. Okay sorry, I'm done singing jingles. This was a tasty little sweet treat, but I had a tough time finding any almonds. I think they over process their coconut almond mixture which hides the almonds and make the coconut a bit dry. But no palm oil and fair trade makes up for it.
She Said: I love this company's commitment to farmers, paying premiums for cocoa beans that improves their quality of life and the quality of the beans. I wouldn't say this candy is their best product, however. Not enough flavor, and not enough almonds, but the chocolate was great!
NEWMAN'S OWN CLASSIC OIL AND VINEGAR He Said: Sometimes simple is better. This Newman's Own dressing has only a couple ingredients but a ton of taste. First thing I noticed was the zing of red wine vinegar that was quickly followed by a peppery mustard aftertaste. The feather in Newman's cap is they donate 100% of their profits to charity. Who does that?!
She Said: It all started with salad dressing, and grew to a company that has donated over 500 million to non-profits around the world. I can see why. Simple ingredients with crazy good flavor. This is the type of dressing that will make you WANT to eat salad!
PACHA SOAP CO LAVENDER FROTH BOMBS He Said: This is definitely a ladies' bath & beauty product. I can tell it's for the ladies because it didn't make any sense to me. It's just a giant alka-seltzer that smells like pretty flowers. Is that it? I want to make a men's bath bomb. It'll have a pin you pull and will actually explode when you put it in the tub. I guess I'm just the wrong person to review this. Please refer to Jen's review for more info.
She Said: This should come with a warning, “Do not drive or operate heavy machinery, or attempt to do anything but nap.” Every muscle in my body felt so relaxed, and my mind calmed after soaking in this creamy, floral bath. Buy this for any frazzled parent or overworked friend, and you'll also support clean water initiatives across the globe.
DAVE'S KILLER BREAD BAGELS, CINNAMON RAISIN REMIX He Said: A toasted bagel with cream cheese and a hot cup of coffee is one of my favorite breakfasts. I usually go for the salted everything bagels, but since this is the cinnamon spice and everything nice time of year, it felt appropriate to switch it up. These were deliciously sweet and savory. Dave's donates enough bread to make 3 million sandwiches a year. Happy to switch from my normal brand.
She Said: I enjoyed Dave's version of the classic cinnamon raisin bagel. Soft & doughy, with just the right amount of sweet cinnamon flavor. There weren't any actual raisins, just a light raisin flavor, which was fine with this raisin-neutral gal.
38 greenliving | December 2018
WHO GIVES A CRAP 100% RECYCLED TOILET PAPER He Said: It's difficult to write a funny review about this company because they've already used all my go-to jokes. Every roll is wrapped in paper with a cheeky message thanking everyone for choosing to use 100% recycled paper (or bamboo). They're also on a mission to build toilets for those in need, and they're doing a cracking job at it ($1.3 million donated). This TP is soft enough and durable enough to get the job done. They're my new number 1 for number 2.
She Said: This company is craptastic! And I mean that in the best way possible. The 100% recycled TP we tried was soft and mostly sturdy (use a couple layers). A large box came right to our door, without plastic in any of the packaging! I loved the snarky humor in the packaging and emailed receipts too. All this and 50% of profits to help improve access to hygiene, water and basic sanitation in developing countries. Yes please!
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COOL OUTRAGEOUS
1
STUFF
SMART PET COLLAR
The Wagz™ Explore Smart Collar is a stylish GPS-enabled device that keeps track of your pet’s location as well as activity and health. With the Wagz™ app, the collar traces everything with geofence technology to signal your dog to stay close. This device keeps your dog safe, with sensors that alert you when conditions are too hot or too cold. The Explore Smart Collar also works with the Serve Smart Feeder to support calorie information. No more worries about your dog! Find at www.wagz.com/explore-smart-collar/
2
INDOOR GARDEN KIT
Gardener’s Revolution® Light Garden Kit makes an indoor room feel like being in nature. This garden kit contains casters, a self-watering planter with full-spectrum LED grow light, organic potting mix, and all-purpose fertilizer. You can farm your favorite seeds right in the pot, and with a self-watering planter, you can chill if you forget to water your plant. The energy-efficient light also improves any plant’s growth cycle. The potting mix includes Canadian sphagnum peat moss, peat humus, perlite, limestone, gypsum, and mycorrhizae to assure great growing seeds. See more at www.gardeners.com/buy/gardeners-revolution-led-grow-light-indoor-garden-kit/8597462VS.html
3
COMPOSTABLE PRODUCE BAGS
By BioBag, these compostable bags are adored by customers at natural food grocery stores and farmers markets. The bags are made from compostable plastics entirely collected from plant materials. This assures the fruits and veggies contained inside the bags breathe, so they are still fresh when you come back home after buying, a helpful feature to prolong the life of the produce by allowing the ethylene gas and excess moisture to escape. Buy from www.goodstartpackaging.com/produce-bags/
4
RE-VIBE WRISTBAND
Do you lack focus? Try RE-vibe wristband, the focus tracker. The device uses gentle vibrations to bring meandering minds back on track, which encourages mindfulness while studying or working. With the long-lasting battery up to 7 days, this device provides a silent reminder without getting attention of people surrounds you. The wristband is made from ultra-strong nylon to make sure a secure fit. The package includes RE-vibe wristband, charging cable, micro-USB wall charger, and programming tools that connect to your smartphone. Get yours via www.revibetech.com/collections/shop/products/re-vibe-with-buckle-band
5
PORTABLE BLUETOOTH SPEAKER
Looking for a sleek and smart audio speaker? NO BOUNDS SPORT - Portable Bluetooth Speaker is both waterproof and dust-proof, making it perfect for the outdoors. Featuring 360° sound, it’s an ideal choice to reach everyone you’re with. Includes a rotating volume dial, and made from Marley REWIND fabric, REGRIND Silicone, REGRIND Cork, and Recyclable Aluminum — it also floats. Its minimalist design makes it easy to carry to the party and liven it up once you’re there. Get at www.thehouseofmarley.com/no-bounds-sport-bluetooth-speaker.html
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December 2018 | greenliving
39
special advertising section
SHOP LOCAL:
Holiday gift buying boosts local economy BY KIMBER LANNING, FOUNDER OF LOCAL FIRST ARIZONA
T
his holiday season, friends and family will gather together to celebrate. We exchange gifts, make and share dishes, host parties, take in movies, and dine out at our favorite restaurants. This year, Americans are projected to spend over $720 billion dollars during the holidays, which is a huge boost for both our economy and job creation. But what if we could ensure that those same dollars were bettering our communities, too? By choosing to spend your holiday dollars with locally owned businesses you’ll be keeping as much as four times more revenue
right here in Arizona. These dollars are used to fund our libraries, firefighters, police, and many other resources for the people living here. Now, it’s easier than ever to do good for your community and the environment with the help of the Green Living Green Gift Guide, featuring both local and eco-friendly products. We’ve selected these gifts with you in mind and hope you’ll find them as fun and exciting as we do. For more local gift or party ideas, visit us at www.localfirstaz.com We wish you a very happy and local holiday season!
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December 2018 | greenliving
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GREEN SCENES
NOVEMBER CALENDAR OF EVENTS GREATER ARIZONA
December 7-9
December 13
FOURTH AVENUE STREET FAIR
THE GEMINIDS AT KITT PEAK NATIONAL OBSERVATORY
Enjoy Tucson’s largest street market with over 300 local and global vendors, a free event great for that last-minute holiday shopping. With family-friendly entertainment and activities, there is something for everyone at the Fourth Avenue Street Fair. Any proceeds generated directly support community non-profits, community events, the Business District and surrounding neighborhood on Fourth Avenue. This weekend event goes from Friday-Sunday, 10 AM to dusk. This fair is on Fourth Avenue between Eighth Street and University Boulevard. For more information, see www.fourthavenue.org/street-fair/
December 11 TUCSON’S ECONOMIC IMPERATIVE OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY Passionate about energy and sustainability? Attend Sustainable Tucson’s December meetings the second Tuesday of every month. These meetings include outreach, awareness, and networking in sustainability and living green. Bring your ideas and help others understand and learn about new ideas for clean energy and sustainable living! Doors open at 5:30 PM, meeting starts at 6 PM at Joel D. Valdez Main Library, Lower Level Meeting Room, 101 N. Stone Ave., Downtown. There is free lower-level parking off Alameda Street. To learn about more meetings, networking opportunities, and how Tucson stays green, please visit www. sustainabletucson.org
44 greenliving | December 2018
Travel outside the city for a night of meteor showers and other astronomy beauties in the starry sky. Nature’s cosmos is truly amazing and meant to be explored! Learn all about space and even touch a real asteroid! Come December 13th from 10 PM to 1 AM for optimal visibility and viewing. Bring lawn chairs and cozy up with sleeping bags and blankets. Remember to layer up on this December evening. Families with children ages 8+ are welcome. Registration is required, so call 520-318-8726 or visit www.kpsv001. tuc.noao.edu for more information.
December 8 FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS Spend some time in the beautiful Red Rock Country this winter. Help Sedona keep its tradition of lighting up the night! When the bell tower tolls at 5 PM, 6,000 luminarias will be set off in the Tlaquepaque courtyards on December 8th from 3 to 8 PM. With a visit from Santa, free cider, musical entertainment and a live performance from The River of Life Tabernacle Choir, you won’t want to miss this free winter event. Bring your family and friends of all ages and don’t forget to dress warm. Find more details at www.tlaq.com
December 16 NORTHERN ARIZONA
December-January 5 GRAND CANYON RAILWAY POLAR EXPRESS Looking for a fascinating trip this holiday season? Stay in-state to experience a magical night; hop on the Polar Express to the North Pole with the Grand Canyon Railway Polar Express! Hot chocolate, cookies and a reading of Chris Van Allsburg’s classic story are ready to make each passenger smile with joy and be full of Christmas spirit! Make reservations while space is still available on the magical ride to visit Santa and his reindeer. Train departs from 235 N.Grand Canyon Blvd. Williams, AZ. Adult tickets range from $43-55 and children ages 2-15 range from $33-45. There are two train departures at 5:30 PM and 7:30 PM. The trains run the whole month of December until January 5. For more details visit www. thetrain.com/events/polar-express/
OLD SETTLERS CHRISTMAS VILLAGE Join Payson in celebrating the last day of its Old Settlers Christmas Village event! This Festival of Lights is held on Main Street and lights up the night with a bonfire, Christmas cheer and a visit from Santa. There is also a shopping space where you can grab those last items on your list, and the proceeds benefit Pine Strawberry Food Bank. This community event is family friendly, so bring your kids and your friends. Bundle up for the cold weather and join in this free celebration December 16, 11 AM to 7 PM. Visit www. paysonrimcountry.com for more details.
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GREEN SCENES
NOVEMBER CALENDAR OF EVENTS CENTRAL ARIZONA
December-January 3 ILLUMINATION AZ: HOLIDAY DRIVE THRU LIGHT SHOW Grab your kids and enjoy the night lights by cruising through the Phoenix and Tempe Illumination Holiday Drive Thru Light Show. Shows are in North Phoenix November 14 to January 3 and Tempe at Tempe Diablo Stadium November 16 to December 31. Bring some hot chocolate and cozy up in the car while driving a mile through this vivid Christmas show from 6 to 10 PM on the weekdays and 6 to 11 PM on weekends. Stop by Holiday Boulevard for playtime at the park: $29 per vehicle, with no limit to number of guests per vehicle. Proceeds benefit Banner Health and Wells Fargo food banks. Illumination AZ is a member of Local First Arizona. Details and tickets are on sale here: www.worldofillumination.com
December-January 13 ZOO LIGHTS Need something to do during the holiday evenings? Bring your visitors and kids to Zoo Lights and spend an evening with the animals! This year features live reindeer, a Polar Slide, and millions of lights. Zoo Lights is open each night from 5 PM to 9 PM until January 13th, so buy your tickets, or if you have a membership already, go back again and again for free. Children 2 and under are free, children 3-13 are $14.95 and ages 14+ are $24.95. Tickets can be purchased in person, or online at a discount. Students, Military, AAA and Senior citizens also get a discount at the entrance. See www. phoenixzoo.org for more.
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December-January 23 TIKKUN OLAM 3 Tikkun Olam is an art exhibit featuring artist Joan Baron with a focus on repairing the world. The artists in this exhibit explore the topics of global warming, climate change and sustainability. This exhibit runs through January 23, 2019 at the Cutler Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center Gallery, 122 East Culver Street in Phoenix. Open Monday through Friday from 11AM to 3PM and every first & third Friday from 6 PM to 9 PM. See www. azjhs.org for information.
December-May OLD TOWN FARMERS MARKET Looking for a place where you can shop local with healthier options? Old Town is the place to be every Saturday! Browse among the many selections of homemade goods, organic produce, and other vendors with natural products. Free admission, but bring your wallet so you can stock up on your groceries for the week. Talk to farmers and local vendors about their products and food to find out where your food is coming from and who is growing it. This market is open until May and opens at 8 AM every Saturday at 3806 N Brown Ave in Scottsdale. For more details and pictures of this weekly event, visit www. arizonacommunityfarmersmarkets.com
December 1st-Jan 11th CHRISTMAS FARM LIGHTS CELEBRATION AT VERTUCCIO FARMS Celebrate Vertuccio Farms’ debut of their first annual farm lights! Includes trails with lights synchronized to classic Christmas tunes. See a 30-foot-tall Christmas tree, barnyard
animals, ice-skating rink, and a photo-op with Santa! Festive treats and hot chocolate will greet you as you enter. This event is family friendly and open to all ages. Tickets range from $15 to $18 with children 2 and under free. Open December 1st through January 11th, 2019; closed December 24, 25, 31, and January 1, 2019. Please visit www. vertucciofarms.com for more information on special discounts and offers.
December 8-9 MESA ARTS FESTIVAL This 14th annual event is a community gathering for you and your families and friends to find holiday gifts, culinary enjoyments, art, and live entertainment from local and national artists! With a family activity area and live entertainment, it is perfect for all ages. Admission and parking are free. For more details see www.visitmesa. com or call 480-644-6500. From 10 AM to 5PM, at 1 E Main St in Mesa.
December 8-9 42ND ANNUAL PUEBLO GRANDE MARKET INDIAN MARKET Celebrate Native American culture, cuisine, art and entertainment with us December 8th and December 9th, 9 AM to 4 PM. There are over 100 booths with unique Indian art and cultural activities for everyone. Live performances include guitar from Gabriel Ayala, storytelling from author Violet Duncan, hoop dancing and singing. Activities include atlatl spear throwing, archery, community painting, pottery making and beading. This market takes place between Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park at 4619 E Washington St., so there are plenty of things
December 2018 | greenliving
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GREEN SCENES
NOVEMBER CALENDAR OF EVENTS CENTRAL ARIZONA
BUSINESS
December 12 HIGH-PERFORMANCE ORGANIZATIONS
to explore for every age. Tickets are $10 and include museum admission. Children 12 and under are free. Please visit www. pgindianmarket2018.brownpapertickets.com to purchase tickets and pueblogrande.org for more details.
December 9 FARM-TO-TABLE PLANT-BASED DESSERT COOKING CLASS FOR THE HOLIDAYS Connect with the farm community by learning how to create three delicious desserts with Melanie Albert the Founder & CEO of Experience Nutrition, Intuitive Cooking Expert, and award-winning cookbook author! You know you’re in good hands with a dessert menu that includes superfoods, berries, chocolate, fruits, and nuts. This dessert menu also was featured in the December 2018 “Natural Awakenings” Magazine. All desserts are dairy-free, gluten-free, and plant-based – not to mention beautiful! Go farm-to-table this holiday season and impress your family with these new-found recipes! This event is on Sunday December 9th, 11 AM to 1 PM at The Farm at South Mountain, 6106 South 32nd Street in Phoenix. $55, non-refundable tickets can be purchased here: www. thefarmatsouthmountain.com
46 greenliving | December 2018
December 9 RECYCLED ORNAMENT MAKING WITH ANN MORTON Reduce, reuse, and recycle this season by making ornaments for your tree with your recycled plastic bottles, straws, cans, and milk jugs. Artist Ann Morton will demonstrate how to make beautiful and quirky designs from recyclable items found in your home. Make your art practical and bring your own materials. The more materials you bring, the more possibilities there are for you to get creative! This event is taking place on December 9 from 11 AM to 2 PM at 5070 N Central Ave in Phoenix. $30 tickets can be purchased online at www. practical-art.com
December 14 CITY SKATE’S CITY LIGHTS, MOVIE NIGHTS, AND ICE SKATING Bring your own blankets and chairs to cozy up under the Phoenix lights to enjoy a night of skating and a holiday film! Perfect for all ages. Free admission for movie showings, and skating is $15 general admission. Children under 3 are free, children under 8, military personnel and seniors receive a $5 discount. Purchase tickets on site, skates are included in purchase of ticket, or bring your own! This event will be held on December 14th at 6 PM. See www.phxicerink.com for more details about film showings and ice rink hours.
Daran Wastchak, a business owner, professional speaker, author, and a HighPerformance Engineer will be speaking on how to keep your business organized, profitable, and keep you less stressed. If you are a subscriber to Green Living Magazine, or a Local First Member, the price to attend is $25 and non-members are $35. The location is to be determined, but will be held 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM on December 12. For more information see www.azgreenchamber.org.
December 18 PHOENIX BUSINESS NETWORKING EVENT 2018 Join in on this free networking event for all people looking to grow and make connections with people around the Valley! With a “lightning round” format to hasten introductions of attendees, this is a perfect opportunity to gain more business contacts. This event starts promptly at 7:30 AM, goes until 9 AM and is being held at Northwestern Mutual, 2201 E. Camelback Road 1st FloorAnchor Centre Conference Room in Phoenix on December 18th. This is a free event, search “Phoenix business networking” on www.eventbrite.com for tickets, space is limited.
December 25 HEALTHY COMMUNITIES AND SUSTAINABLE GROWTH COMMITTEE MEETING Arizona Forward seeks to bridge the gap between economics, environment and sustainability, and move Arizona forward into a more productive and environmentallybalanced state. Civic leaders and the public are welcome to attend, talk, and learn more about how to make sustainable changes in the community. This meeting will be held on December 25 from 10 AM to 11:30 AM at 3800 N CentralAvenue, Suite 1030 in Phoenix. For more information see www. arizonaforward.org.
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DID YOU KNOW?
FUN GREEN FACTS 1
Brain Food (Nootropics)
MIND BUBBLES
WeSpark Lab’s Mind Bubbles are vegan, gluten, and soy-free spherical gel capsules loaded with vitamins, minerals, and enzyme liposomes, formulated to help jumpstart your mind and body. They help with memory, focus, concentration, energy, coordination, anxiety and other mood-related issues, as well as numerous other benefits. They also help restart a person’s system that’s been a bit disabled/depressed by ingesting too much CBD, THC, alcohol, or narcotics. They were designed to be absorbed into the cheek lining, bypassing the need for digestion and increasing the bioavailability tremendously. They can be used in the morning for daytime mental and energetic challenges. $29.99 at www.WeSparkLabs.com.
2
FISH OIL
Fish oil contains two important types of Omega-3 fatty acids — eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which have many benefits for the skin and heart, but have been shown to help with mild memory loss and depression. Low levels of Omega-3s are thought to accelerate brain aging, memory loss, and help with decreased brain function. Fish oil may also relieve symptoms of depression, especially for individuals who are already on antidepressant medication. There are many companies that make fish oil supplements, however, companies like Nordic Naturals ensure that their supplements are sustainable and their fish oil is sourced from wild-caught fish.
3
MIND DIET (MEDITERRANEAN-DASH INTERVENTION FOR NEURODEGENERATIVE DELAY):
This diet includes a lot of veggies and leafy greens, nuts, whole grains, olive oil, some beans, fish, and poultry, plus a daily glass of wine. It limits red meat, sweets, and fried foods. Research shows a correlation between the MIND diet, a reduced chance of developing Alzheimer’s, and a slowing of the normal cognitive aging process. Brain foods are known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and are fairly easy to integrate into your existing diet. Even reducing the unhealthy brain foods by a percentage is a step toward a healthier and higher functioning mind!
4
ST. JOHN’S WORT
St. John’s Wort, or Hypericum perforatum, is a plant that grows wild that has been used for centuries for mental health conditions and is prescribed for depression in Europe. St. John’s Wort may be effective in reducing symptoms of depression, similarly effective as antidepressants (although we cannot recommend that depression be treated with St. John’s Wort alone), and with fewer side effects. To ensure potency, check for specific amounts of either hypericin or hyperforin (the active biological chemicals with health benefits). U.S. suppliers with strict farming and manufacturing standards for their supplements include Gaia Herbs, Solaray, and New Chapter.
5
PROBLEM SOLVING/CRITICAL THINKING ACTIVITIES
Studies show that you can slow the natural aging process of your brain by engaging in problemsolving or critical thinking on a daily basis. It’s easy to get caught up in the business of life and allow our brains to go into standby mode. Challenging games like cards, chess, Tetris, and smartphone or computer games with some problem-solving aspect to them can help train your brain to focus and strengthen its ability to understand and retain information. Crossword puzzles, Soduko, or smartphone applications such as Luminosity, are fun ways to make sure you’re engaging your mind daily.
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December 2018 | greenliving
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THANK YOU to our partners!
KFNX Exclusively Features Laura Ingraham and Michael Savage Ranked Top Ten Shows in the Country
WE APPRECIATE OUR READERS SUPPORTING OUR ADVERTISERS! Arizona Center for Nature Conservation, Phoenix Zoo, South Mountain Environmental Education Center........... 25 Arizona Pool Water Recycling................... 9 Arizona SciTech Festival............................. 25 Bauman’s Xtreme Training............................ 9 Copenhagen..................................................... 25 Courtesy Chevrolet.........................................3 Dermacare.......................................back cover DLR Group........................ Inside front cover Don Zavis Sales Training............................. 42
THE LAURA INGRAHAM SHOW
THE SAVAGE NATION WITH MICHAEL SAVAGE
To advertise, host a show, or for more information: Call (602) 277-1100 or visit our website: www.1100kfnx.com 48 greenliving | December 2018
East Valley Women, Women of Scottsdale, Central Phoenix Women, North Valley Women.................................... 21
Frontdoors Media........................................... 21 Garden Goddess............................................40 Hippie Hobby...................................................40 Honor Health..................................................... 9 KFNX..................................................................... 45 Laura Tanzer Designs.................................... 43 Organic Hair Lab............................................. 43 PurMaid................................................................41 Rokn Yugen Soul.............................................41 Sarah Ley............................................................. 21 Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show............... 9 Shay the Coach................................................32 State Farm.......................................................... 43
Events by Danielle.......................................... 42
Tryst Cafe........................................................... 43
Express Flooring...............................................32
VeggiDome........................................................ 42
Oakcraft, Inc. ................... inside back cover
Witnessing Nature in Food....................... 43
Foot Solutions..................................................41
Young Living Essential Oils.........................41
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