Green Living Magazine August 2021

your conscious life

GREEN LIVING August 2021

greenlivingmag.com

3D innovations Exploring the first 3D-printed house

Saving the Saguaro Cactus Back-to-School With Electric School Buses One Woman’s Story of Determination and Hope

US $4.99

Green Living Magazine 13845 N Scottsdale Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85254

Count Your Blessings I believe we’re told to count our blessings each day of our lives to help us realize how well we have it in today’s world. If you were to think of a single blessing we rely on every day, what would it be? It’s easy for me to think the one blessing at the top of my list would be water. Water to me is undoubtedly one of the greatest gifts to mankind. Of course, without it we as humans would cease to exist. As a matter of fact, not only human life but, all life would cease to exist. Since water by itself is only

part of the formula that provides our DNA the lifeblood for our very existence, we have yet one more very important element to add. As the Lord breathed life into us as humans, I believe he also breathed life into water as well. You cannot have one without the other to sustain life. Therefore, once again, mankind as well as all life forms would also cease to exist without water and oxygen.

At Pure Vision Technologies we study water down to the quantum physics level.

Our goal is to be able to provide the highest level of water quality possible to all that thrive for it. We have found that by increasing the dissolved oxygen level in just about any body of water provides truly remarkable benefits to the environment it serves. In our case we are able to treat pools and spas for both residential and commercial facilities and create a much greater level of water quality. Those that utilize these waters are in for a pleasant experience. Water so silky and healthy it will leave you feeling like you just stepped out of the shower except… better! Say goodbye to that chlorine smell while in or out of the water. Say goodbye to that dry itchy scratchy feel after spending the day in your pool trying to stay cool on a warm summer day. No more stench of that strong chlorine odor all over your body and clothes after a day at the pool. Sounds too good to be true? Yes, that is what most people say before they’ve tried our systems.

For more information on how we can help you improve your water quality call us at 480-694-4709 or check us out at www.pureVtech.com. Exceptional Water Systems, providing Healthy Water for Humanity!

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Ready, Set, NOMINATE! Who and what are the best in the Valley for their eco-friendly practices?

Let’s recognize the best of the best! Nominate your favorites—you can nominate yourself or someone else—for the following categories and let’s get the word out.

How to nominate Email bestof@greenlivingmag.com with the following:

CATEGORY for which you are sending in a nomination NAME of business WEBSITE of business

Vote

Though no other information is required for a nomination, if you’d like to add anything, feel free to do so!

Nominations will be accepted through August 13, 2021.

for your favorites!

• Fashion brands • Beauty brands • Skin care • Home builders • Tech companies • EV Automobiles

• Food brands • Restaurants • Chefs • Travel destinations • Hotels/resorts • Travel companies • Cleaning products

• Kitchen products • Green leaders • Green influencers • Kids’ products • Mindful/fitness • Holistic practitioners

Winners will be announced and showcased in the December/January issue.

Voting will open on September 1, 2021, at www.greenlivingmag.com

Don’t Be Fooled By Toxic “Luxury” Vinyl Vinyl is made from poly vinyl chloride which will eventually breakdown into microplastics that become a part of the air you breathe.

There is nothing luxurious about toxicity.

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Here for you

In these unprecedented times, it is important that you know we’re committed to providing you the financial access, guidance and support you need during this rapidly evolving situation.

Through digital, mobile, and by phone Wells Fargo Advisors is here and we continue to serve you and support our communities so that you can focus on what matters most — caring for your family’s health and safety.

Helping you focus on what matters most: Mark Morales First Vice President - Investment Officer Direct: (480) 419-2016 mark.morales@wellsfargoadvisors.com https://home.wellsfargoadvisors.com/mark.morales

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CONTENTS

August 2021 GOOD

Money While Saving the 18 Make Planet with List Perfectly

The company epitomizes ‘resale not retail’

20 M3 Junk Removal is on a Mission Keeping furniture out of the landfill and helping those in need

HEALTH & WELLNESS

With Empty Nest 22 Dealing Syndrome

Ways to cope when your children leave for college

26 Holistic Dental

My Dentist Holistic Dentistry is changing the industry

STYLE/BEAUTY

30 Natural Beauty

Makeup that’s made with the environment— and health—in mind

SAVOR

42 Childhood Nutrition 44 Recipes Eating the right foods

37 FEATURES

30

A Sustainable Solution to Affordable Housing?

The first 3D printed home in the U.S. nears completion

34 From the Brink of Death 37 Saving the saguaro cactus

A story of determination and hope

IN EVERY ISSUE

8

46 Water to Wine

A transformative experience in the Verde Valley

48 Fun in Cottonwood TECHNOLOGY

50 Certified Gold

Novus becomes the first certified LEED-ND community in AZ

54 The Water Crisis…

And the technology to help

TRANSPORTATION

52 Riding on Electric School Buses How it improves your kid's ABCs

EXPERT TIPS

58 Live, Breathe, Sleep…

Repeat

16 60 62 64

Editor’s Note Contributors On the Web What’s Hot

GR E E N L I V I N G

TRAVEL

Family-friendly experiences

Desert Botanical Garden

10 10 12 14

Dishes to try

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Cool Outrageous Stuff She’s Green, He’s Green Green Scenes Final Word

greenlivingmag.com

On the cover: The interior rendering of Habitat for Humanity's 3D House. Rendering courtesy Candelaria Design Associates

architecture

l if es t y le

inspiring living

a r c h i t e c t u r e your l i f e s thome. y le Reimagining

inspiring living 6900 east camelback road suite 400 scottsdale, arizona 85251 P 602 604 2001 F 480 874 7084 www.candelariadesign.com

EDITOR'S

Note

Contributors Meet some of our contributors!

This month we asked them…

What is one favorite ecofriendly tip you like to share?

Ivy Ciolli, writer Thank you, Green Living.

With this issue, I’m sad to announce that I am saying goodbye to working on the day-to-day operations of running Green Living magazine. Though I am stepping away in physical presence, my heart will always be part of the publication—and I’ll always be a champion of both Green Living and its mission, as well as a loyal reader and event attendee!

I’ve been with Green Living for more than two years, and what a journey it has been. We’ve revamped the magazine and the website, our audience has grown exponentially, and still, there is so much more to come. I know what’s on the horizon with this company, and it’s big. Really big.

It’s been an honor to be part of the publication and to share my love of all things eco and sustainable with you. Not only do I hope you learned something from the issues I helped produce, but I learned so much from putting them together, as well—there is always something to learn about sustainability and eco-conscious living!

Ivy Ciolli’s goal is to bring wellness to people’s lives, which benefits the Earth, in addition to restoring the well-being of abused and neglected animals and children. She has a passion for writing and philanthropic purpose. She’s also the mother to two children.

“My eco-tip is to skip the tissue paper and/or shopping bag. I always bring my own shopping bags when I go shopping, whether it be to the grocery store or clothing store. ‘Reduce, reuse, recycle’ has always resonated with me since childhood, even before I knew there was such a term."

Green Living is an amazing publication—and I love the publisher/owner, Dorie, who will remain one of my good friends. It’s just time for me to step back, and to let someone else love this publication and take it to its next chapter.

So, for now I say goodbye, though I know I will see you around—being part of the Green Living community is being part of a family.

To the future,

Rose Tring, writer An avid supporter of recycling and the environment, Rose Tring is a freelance editor and writer in Arizona. She spent 30 years working in newsrooms around the country, including nearly a decade at The Arizona Republic, before taking the plunge into independence to spend time with her two sons, now teenagers.

Michelle Glicksman Editor-in-Chief

“I have a personal bias against plastic, whether in grocery bags or product packaging. I preach the anti-plastic gospel to anyone who will listen, and encourage everyone to re-use their plastic containers as plant saucers, plastic bags in small garbage cans or pooch bags, and to always bring your own shopping bags.”

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your conscious life

GREEN LIVING greenlivingmag.com

PUBLISHER Dorie Morales EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Michelle Glicksman VP OF OPERATIONS Diana Vowels ART DIRECTION & DESIGN Sly Panda Design GRAPHIC DESIGN & SOCIAL MEDIA Victoria Klotz COPY EDITOR Michael Ziffer

CONTRIBUTORS David M. Brown Jennifer Burkhart John Burkhart Ivy Ciolli Jamie Dubow Joanna Hamblin Amanda Hooten Abdel Jimenez

Karen Langston Kassidy McDonald Rose Tring Elaina Verhoff Kyley Warren Kathleen Winston Marisa Zeppieri

EDITORIAL INTERNS Cassidy Reich Maja Peirce

MARKETING ASST. INTERN Maja Peirce

ADVERTISING Julie Baum - julie.b@greenlivingmag.com Dorie Morales - sales@greenlivingmag.com

SUBSCRIBE TODAY! CONTACT US AT:

Subscriptions: hello@greenlivingmag.com Advertising: sales@greenlivingmag.com Editorial: editor@greenlivingmag.com

480.840.1589 • www.greenlivingmag.com 13845 N Scottsdale Rd, Ste. 201, Scottsdale, AZ 85254 Please recycle this magazine 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 © 2020 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 $25 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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ON THE

Web

This month on greenlivingmag.com and social media. /greenlivingmagaz

@greenlivingaz

@greenlivingaz

@greenlivingaz

DESIGN

HOME

PRODUCTS

Plant Solutions Is Transforming the Landscape of Indoor Spaces

Tru Earth Applies an Intersectional Lens to Its Fight for Climate Justice

Ikaria Beauty Is An Ode to Clean, Greek Skincare

With an environmental focus, the company has acted as a leader in the industry of horticulture and biophilic design for more than 40 years.

The brand has made a conscious effort to care about all people by applying intersectionality to their young and ambitious business mindset.

Emmy Award-winner Debbie Matenopoulos is finding new ways to connect with her fanbase and challenge the beauty industry through Ikaria Beauty.

INSTAGRAM

FACEBOOK

Generation BLK advocates for a better future for the Black community by creating an environment where the next generation can find support, guidance, and the tools needed to succeed.

Remake launched the #NoNewClothes campaign, which aims to challenge people to pause on their spending habits and refrain from purchasing new clothes for 90 days.

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WHAT’S

Hot

Henkel Helps Launch U.S. Plastics Pact Roadmap to 2025 Henkel—the company behind well-known brands such as Dial®, Right Guard®, and Snuggle® —helped launch The U.S. Plastics Pact's (U.S. Pact) Roadmap to 2025, a national strategy illustrating how the U.S. Pact, Henkel, and fellow signatories will achieve each of the U.S. Pact’s four 2025 targets through specific actions, responsibilities, and interim timeframes to realize a circular economy for plastics in the U.S. by 2025.

The targets include taking measures to eliminate packaging designated as problematic or unnecessary; ensuring all plastic packaging will be reusable, recyclable, or compostable; and more.

Tocaya: The convergence of Food, Art, and Tech Tocaya, the Modern Mexican fresh-casual concept chain, has created and sold (via the marketplace platform, Rarible) one of the first-ever utilitarian-based NFTs (nonfungible tokens) in the food and restaurant space. With a goal to highlight the impacts of meat consumption on the environment and more than just a piece of covet-worthy art for your crypto wallet, “Be Nice” has unique real-world value, too, as the owner of the NFT will also receive free food for a year through Tocaya’s one-of-a-kind partnership with Postmates.

Designed by Blunt Action, proceeds of the July 2021 sale of the NFT will be donated to the nonprofit Project Eat Less Meat, as well as to Aerial, who made the release carbonneutral. www.tocaya.com

Avolta Breaks Ground on the First of two Biogas Projects in Arizona Avolta, a renewable energy company focused on renewable natural gas (RNG) projects, and its development partner, Atlas Global Holdings, LLC, recently broke ground on the first of two RNG Projects at the Butterfield and Milky Way dairies just outside of Phoenix.

“Since our family began farming in 1620, we have continuously improved our operations and processes to remain competitive and be a good steward of the land. Most recently we designed Butterfield Dairy to be carbon-neutral through managing our water to support crops and capture carbon dioxide,” says the family patriarch, Tommy de Jong Sr. Dairy-based biogas systems use anaerobic digestion to convert manure into biogas. The RNG produced will be distributed as renewable transportation fuel, with gas scheduled to be delivered into a Southwest Gas pipeline beginning in late 2021.

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Beyond Meat® Launches Beyond Chicken® Tenders Beyond Meat—known for its plant-based meat—recently launched its new Beyond Chicken Tenders. The tenders are crafted to look, cook, and taste like traditional chicken tenders, and are currently available at select restaurants across the country.

Like all Beyond Meat products, Beyond Chicken Tenders are made from simple, plant-based ingredients like fava beans and peas. They offer 14g of protein per serving, and have 40% less saturated fat than the leading foodservice chicken tender. Beyond Chicken Tenders are also made with no GMOs, antibiotics, or hormones, and have no cholesterol.

STUFF Outrageous

COOL

Growing Up Green

BY AMANDA HOOTEN

1

1 A Big Haul for the Planet This sustainable dump truck is ready to get working for the planet. Manufactured in the U.S.A. and made 100% from recycled plastic milk containers, this is a purchase of which parents can feel proud. This toy and others in the Green Toys catalog illustrate how playtime can have a positive environmental impact by giving recycled materials a new life.

This reduces waste and significantly cuts back on the energy required during production. This truck comes in a wide array of colors and can overcome the messiest play sessions by simply throwing it in the dishwasher. Customers rave that it’s beautifully built, durable, and popular with boys and girls of all ages. $29.99 at www.greentoys.com

4

2 Lunch on a Mission In 2008, a mom with two young boys ditched disposable food packaging out of concern for the health and environmental impacts found in plastic. LunchBots was founded to solve this issue by creating stainless steel bento boxes that can be easily packed and reused for school lunches. They come in a variety of sizes with multiple compartment options to match the needs of your child, ranging from small snacks to fitting full meals! In addition to the box itself, LunchBots also offers sustainable stainless-steel accessories such as dip containers (made to fit inside the box), salad bowls, and insulated bottles.

These bento boxes are so durable that they claim to last your child from preschool to college. Check out their size guide to find the right box for you, based on the amount of food you plan to pack. You might even get one for yourself! $20.99 and up at www.lunchbots.com

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2

3 Impact They Can Wear The clothing industry is notorious for heavy environmental costs when it comes to their production processes and consumption of natural resources. Pact is on a mission to change that narrative and become Earth’s favorite clothing company. The products are Fair Trade Certified™, which means they focus on safe working conditions, protecting the environment, building sustainable livelihoods, and earning additional money to empower and uplift the communities that work for them.

The company also chooses to use organic cotton to save water and avoid contact with harmful chemicals. In fact, this information is all at your fingertips while you shop. On any given product you select on the website, you can read about where it’s made, how many gallons of water were saved, and how many people were empowered through its production. Making a good choice for the planet has never been more comfortable! Shirt pictured: $20 at www.wearpact.com

4 A Desk They Won’t Outgrow

3

Kids grow quickly for the first several years of their life, and between all the new clothes, furniture, and supplies, it can be hard to keep up with. The team at Eco-Tribe found a way to lessen this burden by creating an adaptable all-in-one station where kids can work, study, and play through all stages of life. The height of both the desk and chair is easily adjustable with three different height combinations, and the whole unit can even convert to a magnetic whiteboard easel (a chalkboard option is also available). The unit is made from strong, durable plywood sourced from European beech wood and thus requires much less energy to produce in comparison to other available resources. This clever desk not only eliminates the task of upsizing furniture but is sustainably thoughtful in its construction and longevity. $397 at www.eco-tribe.com

5 Food-Safe Finger Paint Parents everywhere now have an all-natural, food-safe alternative to traditional paints for their child’s first art projects. Eco-Kids USA is a woman-founded, family-owned business that understands the importance of creating safe and enjoyable products for children.

Already a bestseller, its fingerpaint formula uses food-safe, non-GMO ingredients including tapioca, rice and potato starches, and Gum Arabic (from trees). For the pop of color, it uses food-grade pigments such as cabbage, beet, carrot, and turmeric. You can even count on sustainable packaging—this product arrives at your door wrapped in paper made with a high percentage of recycled material. When it’s time to create, simply mix the amount of paint you want to use with water and watch your little artist create a masterpiece everyone can feel good about. $18.99 at www.ecokidsusa.com

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GOOD

Finances

Make Money While Saving the Planet with List Perfectly

Meet the tech platform helping resellers keep millions of products out of landfills

BY JAMIE DUBOW

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E

Everyone’s heard of “reduce, reuse, recycle,” but this Phoenix-based tech platform encourages others to go beyond that and choose “resale, not retail” in order to lower its carbon footprint and benefit the environment.

List Perfectly (www.listperfectly.com) offers a suite of software and tools to those who make a living from selling items on well-known online marketplaces like Poshmark, Etsy, Shopify, Mercari, and more. List Perfectly enables its users to crosspost their listings to multiple marketplaces at once, help sellers save an average of 80 hours a month, reach more potential customers, and ultimately lower the carbon footprint of its products.

Learn to Love Yourself!

ZenLife Center for Healing in Queen Creek, Arizona has one mission in mind and that’s to promote healing from the inside out. With a wide variety of yoga classes, from heated flow classes and Ashtanga yoga for the more advanced practitioner, to Yin, Hatha and Restorative for those looking to focus more on their inner healing; we have something for Every Body.

Weekly Meditation Classes open to the public along with private Tibetan Bowl Sessions, Hypnotherapy and Rapid Eye Session available for deeper inner trauma healing.

According to ThredUp’s most recent annual report of the resale industry, giving one item a second life reduces its carbon impact by 79%. By helping resellers make more sales, List Perfectly is also helping keep items out of landfills.

“If a reseller’s item doesn’t get sold, there’s a good chance it’ll end up in a landfill somewhere instead,” explains List Perfectly’s Partner and COO Alex Shadrow. “Many of our sellers have seen their sales increase tenfold from using List Perfectly, which means they’re able to keep 10 times the amount of products out of landfills.”

About half of List Perfectly’s user base is part of the reselling community because of the known environmental benefits, and Shadrow notes that the other half, who have had the opportunity to learn that they are part of the solution to the fashion waste crisis, love what they do even more because of it.

List Perfectly is deeply entrenched in supporting its users and building a community around their product. Shadrow describes List Perfectly’s seller community as “a 24-hour open forum for sellers to connect, share issues or concerns, and get immediate help from other sellers, near or far.”

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Through interacting with the community, the leaders of List Perfectly have gotten to know sellers with entrepreneurial spirit and inspiring stories.

“Many people who lost their jobs due to COVID-19 took up reselling as a hobby, and some ended up making more money selling with List Perfectly than they did before,” says Shadrow. “Hearing uplifting stories from our community members reminds us that what we do truly matters.”

Anyone can make a difference. Whether you take the time to search for something on a resale marketplace instead of Amazon, or sell an item you were thinking about throwing away, when you choose resale over retail, you’re choosing sustainability.

21820 S. Ellsworth Rd., Suite 103 Queen Creek, AZ 85142

480.294.4337 www.zenlifehealing.com AUGUST 2021

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GOOD

Green Champion

Keeping Furniture Out of the Landfill and Helping Those in Need M3 Junk Removal is on a mission

BY KASSIDY MCDONALD

T

The Phoenix landfill takes in about one million tons of waste every year, and locally owned and operated M3 Junk Removal has stepped up to help save furniture from the dump.

M3 Junk Removal is a division of North Phoenix- based M3 Commercial Moving & Logistics. The company operates on a “donate first, trash second” model. UMOM, New Life Center, and St. Vincent de Paul receive donations from M3 Junk Removal, giving gently used items a second life and preventing them from hitting the landfill.

“One of the main goals at New Life Center is to provide

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domestic violence survivors with all the tools they need to reestablish their independence in the safest way possible,” says Myriah Mhoon, CEO of New Life Center. “By lifting the financial burden of having to furnish their new spaces from scratch, survivors have one less bill to worry about when they exit our shelter. We are incredibly thankful to Muscular Moving Men for providing these much-needed items and helping the residents at NLC.”

M3’s Junk Removal team is able to donate a trailer full of furniture every month to nonprofits—which is the equivalent of furnishing about six to 10 apartments.

After assessing the condition of its furniture pickups, M3 can donate more than 70% of the items received on job sites.

“When we pick up furniture, we are continually surprised at the high quality of the items that people are wanting to get rid of,” says Ethan Delahunty, director of M3 Junk Removal.

“There might be a scuff or scratch, but these items are still in great condition and can easily be used by someone else. We are thrilled that our charity partners are able to use these items to assist the communities they serve.”

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Most recently, M3 Commercial Moving & Logistics teamed up with The Society of St. Vincent De Paul to help them continue to feed vulnerable families in need. After a year of companies not being physically in their offices to host food drives and families still having to choose between paying rent or buying groceries, the need to put food on plates is greater than ever.

The company hosted the food drive from February to May 10, and during that time, coordinated drop-offs and pickups of complimentary donation boxes to local businesses. With the help of 20 local businesses, M3 Commercial Moving & Logistics was able to donate a truckload of food to the organization.

M3 Commercial Moving & Logistics handles all aspects of office moving. Move management, records storage, technology needs, systems furniture installation, and warehousing are all part of its services.

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HEALTH &

Wellness

Dealing With Empty Nest Syndrome

Ways to cope when your children leave for college

BY KAREN LANGSTON, HOLISTIC NUTRITIONIST

W

When my daughter started her first year of college, I was excited for this new chapter in her life. Never in a million years did I think I would sob uncontrollably from Flagstaff to Phoenix. I did not realize I was suddenly suffering from Empty Nest Syndrome.

Mayo Clinic defines Empty Nest Syndrome as a phenomenon in which parents experience sadness and loss when the last child leaves home.

According to Psychology Today, parents want their children to grow up and lead independent lives. However, during this transition it can be emotionally challenging. Parents may feel lonely, sad, or filled with grief when their children “leave the nest.” For some, it can lead to distress and a loss of purpose and meaning in life. And, it’s not just parents— siblings may also experience this very real phenomenon.

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Every parent’s experience will be different. Some may not have any hardship at all. If the experience begins to affect your daily routine though, it’s time to be concerned and you may need to reach out to a counselor for a check-in.

For me, just as I got used to my new routine and newfound freedom, the school year ended and she was home. I spent every moment I could with her, knowing she would soon be off again. The back-and-forth emotional roller coaster got a little easier, to the point where I was really ready for her to spread her wings and soar solo upon graduation.

Some parents who devote their life to just rearing their children may feel a complete sense of loss as to what to do with their time. For example, for me, I found myself asking, “What the heck do I do with myself now?” And, even worse, “Who am I?” For 18 years I was always “Marteen’s mom.” I can’t remember the last time I was actually called by my given name.

“Coach Christine” Maziarz, producer of the Your Empty Nest Coach podcast and founder of YourEmptyNestCoach. com, found herself asking the same questions. Maziarz was thrown into the empty nest when her gifted daughter started college four years earlier than anticipated.

Completely unprepared for what was to come, Maziarz worked through this new challenge and emerged as an empty nest coach, coaching women on how to positively transform through this experience and find themselves along the way.

I asked Maziarz for some tips on when we should start preparing for this stage. She suggests following the “PSPF” rule and implementing it as soon as your child is leaving.

PSPF stands for: Patience while experiencing and embracing this new phase; Self-love with who you are now and what you are experiencing; Patience and respecting other members of the family as they are transitioning; have Fun on the transitional journey.

She also suggests using your imagination skills and envisioning what your future self will look like. If emotions such as sadness and guilt pop up, spend time exploring that and find the root cause to clear them. Remind yourself that you are strong enough to process through it. If you cannot do this on your own, seek out a coach or therapist who can help.

The more emotionally positive you are towards this new beginning, the more it will help ease your child’s mind.

They too are dealing with fear, guilt, and a host of other emotions. Some students end up coming back home because they can’t handle the emotional experience. Being prepared emotionally ahead of time can help.

Also have open communication in the home. Allow your child to discuss concerns ahead of time and really spend time actively listening and exploring solutions. Once in college, if your child calls, answer the phone. Even if you are busy, let them hear your voice.

Maziarz suggests setting boundaries though—if it is not an emergency, have them email or text you. There are no hardand-fast rules; rather, it’s what works for you.

One of things I did for my daughter (well, let’s face it, me too) was to send her things in the mail. I would write little letters of encouragement and send funny cards. Once, I saw a little book of the kids’ Hangman game and sent it to her with a little note. She later revealed these really helped her feel at ease and looked forward to receiving them.

I believe the hardest transition is not being a part of your child’s daily activities. Maziarz suggests that having a discussion about what level of detail you would like to know about their new life is a great start. Recognize that they'll be navigating their own emotions and daily activities as they transition into adulthood, and think of yourself as a coach instead of a parent. Be there for them, listen actively, and engage in open-ended conversations.

Empty Nest Syndrome can be a positive experience for the entire family. Be open to active conversation, enlist a coach or therapist to help you and your family through the transition, work with a coach who can help you reinvent yourself, remember the PSPF, embrace this rite of passage, and be proud of your emerging young adult.

Let us design the perfect trip to help reduce your carbon footprint.

Book a trip and mention Green Living magazine get a free travel guide.

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HEALTH &

Wellness

Holistic Dental My Dentist Biological Dentistry is changing the landscape of oral health

BY KYLEY WARREN

H

Holistic healthcare is all the rage right now—and for good reason. Alternative practices to traditional medicine aim to address full-body issues with cleaner, more conscious processes. And at My Dentist Biological Dentistry—a Mesabased practice that specializes in effective holistic dental care—the team of experts work to customize each patient’s oral health needs through education and more integrated techniques.

The practice, which is headed by Dr. Michael Margolis—an internationally acclaimed speaker on holistic dentistry, and a passionate advocate for the use of restorative materials for dental work—offers a refreshing medical approach that sees dental health as a “balance of the physical, environment, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs of an individual.”

“Biological dentistry, at its core, takes a look at what we do to the human body on a daily basis and what effects are left as a result—including understanding how brushing and flossing your teeth, as well as the different types of materials that have been put in your mouth, may also produce other health conditions,” says Dr. Margolis.

My Dentist works under the belief that teeth, and their health, play a vital role in the overall well-being of your body.

Since so many of the modern materials used to address issues within the mouth have toxins of their own, biological dentistry identifies these varying sources and treats them at the root.

Oftentimes, seemingly unrelated symptoms that are affecting other areas of the body can be linked to problems

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originating from the mouth. While modern biological dentistry considers every procedure and material that is placed in your mouth, My Dentist also avoids the use of mercury fillings, and actively removes toxic mercury through strict protocols.

Beyond basic dental work, My Dentist also addresses Oral Electrogalvanism and the resulting electric current that can be found in the mouth and head. This sort of electrical current can interfere with the natural electrical flow of energy within the body, and can cause irritability of the nervous system.

“The one thing I tell people is, that if you have any kind of unexplained illness or sickness, and the doctors can't figure it out, come see us. We can take a look at some of the underlying problems and try to see what the hidden causes of your disease or ailments may be,” says Dr. Margolis.

My Dentist Biological Dentistry is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday by appointment.

For more information or to book your next appointment, visit www.mydentistaz.com.

IN THE KNOW

SHOP SMARTER, LIVE GREENER

SHOP GUIDE

Every dollar you spend casts a vote for the world you want to live in. It doesn't have to be daunting - small choices can mean big impacts.

Our friends at SustainableTravelAndLiving.com share their shopping philosophies for how to make your choices matter.

8 TIPS FOR EVERY DAY, EVERY JOUNREY

01 BE LOW WASTE ON THE GO Because cheap isn’t cheerful. Pick up longlasting reusables to skip all things single use.

02 REDUCE (ALL!) PLASTIC We're recycling less than 10% of plastics, which only lose quality when recycled. Cut back in your products and packaging.

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03 SUPPORT RESPONSIBLE BRANDS Run with the brands going the extra mile, from sustainable "B Corporation" status to repair programs or other clear efforts.

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IT'S ABOUT MAKING YOUR CHOICES MATTER 04 GO FOR NATURAL INGREDIENTS We shouldn't need a warning label. Avoid the extra chemicals for your body and the Earth.

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When you shop these and more by Aug. 31, use code: GREENLIVGIFT*

www.SustainableTravelAndLiving.com/GreenLivingMag *While supplies last by 8/31/21, conditions apply, see site for details.

STYLE

Beauty

Natural Beauty

Put your best face forward with makeup that’s made with the environment—and health—in mind

BY MICHELLE GLICKSMAN

A Perfect Base Even when it’s 110 degrees out, the No Sweat Foundation from Jill Turnbull Beauty is a sheer, creamy, flawless second skin, long-wear formula for maximum coverage that’s smudge and transfer resistant. The brand’s collection is 100% plant-based with no harsh chemicals, parabens, or synthetic fragrances that may harm or deplete the planet's natural environment. $49.99 at www.jillturnbull.com

Lip Service Pick from one of 10 shades with noyah, a USDA certified biobased and USDA certified organic lip care line that specializes in chic lipsticks, lip glosses, lip balms, and lip scrubs that are not only eco-friendly and sustainable, but are also made almost entirely with food-grade ingredients and in commercial kitchens. These lipsticks are made with natural ingredients and minerals like coconut oil, shea butter, and skin-protecting vitamin E. $18 at www.noyah.com

Eye Do Elina Organics All Natural Mascara is 100% natural, 85% organic vegan, and gluten-free. It’s also enriched with eyelash conditioning and strengthening ingredients, including chamomile, vitamin E, coffee powder, and sunflower seed oil. $26 at www.elinaorganics.com

For the Men War Paint for Men Concealer is specially formulated for men’s skin, and covers redness, imperfections, and under-eye circles. This vegan and cruelty-free cream-based product is available in five shades. $24 at us.warpaintformen.com

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Welcome to the new home of

frontdoorsmedia.com AUGUST 2021

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A Sustainable Solution to Affordable Housing?

The first 3D-printed home by Habitat for Humanity in the United States nears completion in Tempe

BY DAVID M. BROWN

O

On this loud, lively Habitat for Humanity of Central Arizona building site in Tempe, Arizona, power tools grind and whir, and construction workers and yellow-shirted Habitat volunteers briskly walk from one job task to another.

At one part of the site, large green lights top an elevated steel mast; everyone on the site dutifully notes them, as they would a traffic signal.

At intervals, a loud flat sound cuts through the construction clamor and the green lights blink. Immediately, a BOD2 gantry printer designed and built by the Danish construction company, COBOD, begins delivering Laticrete®, a proprietary cement, through a steel head that travels along the wall alignment and makes pinpoint corner turns as it creates Habitat for Humanity’s first 3D-printed home in the United States.

As the gantry moves along both x and y axes of the walls and vertically to complete columns, the head outputs the high-strength cement until each section is complete, placing it as meticulously as a printing press does ink on paper. A technician posted next to a large delivery hopper issues commands through a hand-held control unit; the lay-down is spot-on.

“When the green light is on, that means the walls don’t need material, and when the blinking begins, the software

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delivers the Laticrete,” says Steve Horst, director of construction for Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona.

Habitat’s President and CEO, Jason Barlow, and his team have partnered with the Shivers family, who plan to move into this historic 1,738-square-foot, three-bedroom, twobathroom home designed by award-winning Scottsdale architects Candelaria Design Associates. As with all Habitat for Humanity families, they have agreed to make their “down payment” with 400 hours of sweat equity, Barlow explains.

Three other traditionally built homes will complete the oneacre site, purchased by Habitat Arizona at a nominal cost from the City of Tempe, a longtime project partner. Other participating businesses in the printed home include the PERI Group, 3D Construction, The Brewer Companies, Chas Roberts, Younger Brothers, Lowe’s, Cox Communications, Ramsey Social Justice Foundation, and many more.

Habitat for Humanity's 3D House. Rendering courtesy Candelaria Design Associates

The Arizona group is aligned with Habitat for Humanity International of Americus, Georgia, founded in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller on a farm owned by Clarence Jordan. Supported by well-wishers such as former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn, Habitat now works in all 50 states in the U.S. and in 70-plus countries.

As a result, more than 35 million people have achieved safe, decent, and affordable shelter.

In turn, Habitat Arizona, coordinating with local firms and volunteers, has built more than 1,170 homes, assisted in 2,500 repairs, and improved the lives of 3,800-plus Arizona families since its founding in 1985.

“This is really a moonshot opportunity for Habitat for Humanity. When we consider the housing issues facing Arizona, the need for affordable homeownership solutions becomes clear,” Barlow says. “If we can deliver decent,

affordable, more energy-efficient homes at less cost, in less time and with less waste, we think that 3D construction will be a real game-changer. Think of the implications.”

A FUTURE OF POSSIBILITIES Most of the 3D home at 677 W. 19th St. will be printed—about 70%–80%—including the internal and external walls. The remainder of the house is built traditionally, Horst explains.

Once the printed walls are complete, the construction team will complete the wood truss roof, add insulation and shingles, ceilings and floors, a garage door, doors, and windows.

Because of the gantry method, the printer can move to any position within the structure, putting down both inner and outer walls layer by layer. So, too, as this structure moves from one area to the next, manual work, such as laying

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Candelaria is a Habitat Arizona board member. A little more than a year ago, Paul Mooney and Clarence McAllister from 3D Construction of Phoenix suggested to the board the opportunity of building Habitat for Humanity’s first 3D-printed home in the Valley.

Connections were made with the PERI Group in Germany and structural engineer, Dominic Petrocelli, of PH Structural in Mesa.

“We adapted one of the already existing and often-constructed Habitat plans to use with this state-of-the-art 3D printing technology,” Candelaria recalls.

Workers at the Habitat Arizona 3D homesite in Tempe stand under the printer gantry, which allows the head to move from place to place delivering Laticrete® cement for the walls. Photo courtesy Habitat Arizona

empty conduits and connections, can be easily integrated into the process.

Although printed, the home will be strong and provide excellent sound attenuation, Horst says.

“We took core samples of the cured cement and tested them to 10,000 psi; we believe that means the walls are capable of withstanding up to 120-mph winds, equal at least to most stick-built homes.”

He notes that PERI is working with groups such as the International Building Council to certify 3D printing.

In 1999, he founded the highend residential architecture firm which now includes three partners, Vivian Ayala, Meredith Thomson, and Evelyn Jung. Damon Wake, an associate architect, partnered with Candelaria on the 3D home design.

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3D future construction is sustainable.

“Because the walls of the home are printed in concrete versus frame, there is virtually no waste. Just like the printer you use to print your documents, only the ink that goes down on the paper is used, and it’s the same with the concrete,” Candelaria explains.

As workers look on, the steel head of the printer travels along the wall alignment and precisely delivers the concrete for Habitat for Humanity’s first 3D printed home in the United States. Photo courtesy Habitat Arizona

For the home’s designer, Mark Candelaria, structural printing “opens up endless possibilities.

We can create and construct both repetitive and custom structures with less labor and less waste, thus bringing the time and cost of producing a house down,” he says.

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Progress has been swift. The Habitat team pulled permits in March of this year, PERI shipped its 3D printer to the U.S. that month, and it was transported to Arizona in April. Printing began in May.

greenlivingmag.com

“So many of our typical tract homes including our Habitat homes are built of wood-frame construction, requiring trees to be cut down, and so much of the lumber waste ends up in landfills,” he adds. “The concrete is made from sand, gravel, cement and water, thus also requiring less upkeep, maintenance, and hopefully extending longevity, all adding to the sustainable aspect of this kind of building.”

home aligns with a municipal goal to find new solutions to develop affordable and workforce housing inside the city. While Tempe, anchored by Arizona State University, has many affluent areas, it also has some neighborhoods with high poverty rates.

“We have to make sure that anyone who wants to live here, including my 82-year-old retired dad, has that opportunity,” he says.

Dorie Morales, publisher of Green Habitat Arizona and the City Living magazine in Scottsdale, adds, have partnered for more than 30 “The first 3D-printed home in Tempe years; in addition to the 3D home, is an innovative and sustainable 15 traditional homes are now also way to expand affordable housing. in process on four city lots.

The project is very exciting because of the technology, reduction of Woods recalls that when he was in waste, time and manpower and his 20s, he had to stretch to make affordability. Habitat for Humanity his mortgage payments, but some Marcus Shivers, the future Habitat Arizona 3D homeowner, Central Arizona partnered with friends had to leave the city. puts in some of the "sweat equity" hours required as a down many groups that have donated payment for his new home. Photo courtesy Habitat Arizona their time and resources to make “We must be committed to not this home possible. The house will be solar-ready, and is losing our intellectual capital because we can’t provide pursuing a LEED Platinum certification, which is for the good affordable housing,” he says. “When I became mayor in 2020, of our planet.”

I pledged to make that part of my mission, and this historic Habitat for Humanity project suggests that, working together, we can get that done.”

AFFORDABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY When it is more widely used, the 3D construction model will also cost less than traditional construction methods.

In addition, the technology can be used for homes as well as multifamily residences at any price, says Thomas Imbacher, managing director of innovation and marketing for the PERI Group, one of the leading manufacturers and suppliers of formwork and scaffold systems in the world.

To learn more, visit www.habitatcaz.org/3D, www.3dconstructionusa.com, www.candelariadesign.com/ 3d-printed-home-for-habitat-for-humanity-az, and www.tempe.gov.

Jason Barlow, Habitat Arizona's president and CEO, greets Tempe Mayor Corey Woods to the 3D home site. Photo courtesy Habitat Arizona

Since 2016, PERI has developed 3D construction printing solutions for residential construction. In 2020, the company built the first 3D-printed house in Germany with a BOD2 printer, followed shortly after by the largest 3D-printed apartment building in Europe to date. And, just recently, the firm won the German Design Council’s German Innovation for a 3D-printed two-story home in Beckum, North Rhine-Westphalia.

“Our PERI 3D construction printing team is incredibly proud to print this home in Tempe for Habitat for Humanity,” he says.

For Tempe Mayor Corey Woods, Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona’s 3D

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DE SER T BOTA NICA L GA RDEN

Saving the Beloved Saguaro Cactus

BY ABDEL JIMENEZ

A

Across Arizona and much of the Southwest, the saguaro cactus is admired for the way it thrives in the desert.

Saguaros are the largest cactus in the United States, and can only be found in the Sonoran Desert. These iconic green giants can grow up to 40 feet tall and live for more than 150 years. They are well-equipped to survive droughts by absorbing and storing rainwater.

Saguaros can grow several arms, sometimes curled but often raised, in a never-ending manner of greeting residents and visitors.

Arizona law protects the plant. The native Tohono O’odham tribe treasures it. And several schools, businesses, and organizations use its name.

But a changing landscape—one which is growing increasingly hotter and drier—are raising concerns about the saguaro’s ability to survive in the Sonoran Desert.

Desert Botanical Garden, nestled in the buttes of Papago Park, is working to save these treasured desert plants and many others from natural and human-caused threats.

Though visitors might be familiar strolling the Garden’s trails or attending holiday events like Las Noches de las Luminarias, they might be surprised to learn about the research and conservation projects that happen here.

That includes saving the beloved saguaro.

“Our iconic plant is really threatened right now,” says Steve Blackwell, conservation collections manager at the Garden.

As wildfires blaze across Arizona, including the Telegraph Fire near Superior that burned more than 180,000 acres in June, the saguaro faces a serious threat. Wildfires can kill hundreds of them as the fire spreads.

The Garden’s Ahearn Desert Conservation Laboratory, which opened in September 2019, is instrumental in

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preserving desert plants. Garden researchers can photograph, test, preserve, and germinate seeds of rare, threatened, or endangered species. If certain populations of plants diminish, researchers can use stored seeds in restoration projects to grow more plants and safely place them back into the wild.

The facility was built after a generous donation from volunteer Susan Ahearn and her husband, Bill.

“We use the seed bank in the seed lab as kind of our insurance policy against extinction,” Blackwell says.

Cacti are the fifth most endangered organism in the world.

Without these prickly desert plants, wildlife would lose a vital source of food and habitat, and the Sonoran Desert would look remarkably different if these plants went extinct.

Since the early ’80s, the Garden has been collecting and maintaining seeds of rare, threatened, and endangered plant species as part of a national network of botanical gardens that founded the Center for Plant Conservation.

But collecting seeds might be the easiest part for Garden researchers. Learning how to germinate seeds is trickier, Blackwell says.

Some seeds only grow under certain environmental conditions.

The endangered Arizona eryngo lives in a specific type of wetland in southern Arizona, called ciénagas. The plant is imperiled due its loss of habitat. Garden researchers were interested in restoring the population, and set out to grow these plants at the facility. But they were surprised when their first attempt produced little results.

“About 5% were germinating,” Blackwell says.

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After a series of tests, researchers discovered that the number of Arizona eryngo seeds sprouting increased when given a period of cold, moist conditions. The outcome allowed the Garden to grow hundreds more of these plants for reintroduction back into the wild, while also collecting their seeds for future conservation efforts.

nonprofit focused on conserving monarchs. The eastern population also is facing consistent decline.

Though the plant is toxic to other creatures, monarchs use the toxins inside milkweed as a form of protection against predators.

“There are so many uses. We are still finding out all the time what we can do here,” he says, referring to the Garden’s facility.

“When the caterpillars eat the plant, they ingest the toxin, and it makes them distasteful to predators,” says Natalie Melkonoff, plant and insect ecology program coordinator at the Garden. “Monarch caterpillars and butterflies are brightly colored, and that serves as a defense—a warning coloration that advertises to predators they are not worth eating.”

But the Garden’s research and conservation work doesn’t stop there.

Arizona has about 30 species of milkweed, the second highest milkweed diversity in the U.S.

Five years ago, the Garden set out to help restore the monarch butterfly’s shrinking population through its Great Milkweed Grow Out initiative.

But very little is known about how monarchs use these plants, Melkonoff says. Garden researchers are studying which species of milkweed are best to support monarchs.

“That’s kind of our ideal goal,” Blackwell says about the restoration project.

“There seems to be a sweet spot between not enough toxin to sequester as a defense and too much that inhibits growth and development,” she says.

Melkonoff also is studying how climate might affect milkweed, and how those changes might influence monarchs.

“If there are extreme droughts or heat events, do those change how the plant is producing toxins? How is the plant regulating its own physiological function, and what are the trade-offs that impact how the monarch is using the plant,” she says.

Increasing milkweed and native nectar plants are a couple things Arizona residents can do to support monarchs and create healthy urban ecosystems, Melkonoff says.

Monarchs exclusively use milkweeds to lay their eggs, and through this initiative, Garden researchers learn more about how monarchs and other insects use milkweed. The project works to increase availability of native milkweed and nectar plants in order to increase monarch and pollinator habitat in the urban community and wildlands.

Over the years, monarchs have faced a loss of habitat due in part to development and herbicides that kill milkweed and nectar plants.

Fewer than 2,000 monarch butterflies were counted this year on the coast of California, representing a 99.9% decline of the western population since the ’80s, according to the Monarch Joint Ventures, a St. Paul, Minnesota-based

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“Arizona is an interesting spot, with so many milkweed species and monarchs from both the western and eastern flyways, to do monarch conservation,” she says.

The Garden, since its founding in 1939, has served as a premier destination for research and conservation of desert plants and habits. Garden researchers collaborate with academic, research, and conservation groups from across the world on a variety of projects, including the discovery of new plant species, conservation of threatened and endangered species, and identifying potential threats to desert habitats throughout the world. All admissions revenue the Garden collects helps fund work like the seed lab, the Great Milkweed Grow Out, and many other projects. For more information, visit www.dbg.org.

From the

Brink of Death

From chronically ill to chronically fabulous, a story of determination and hope

A

BY MARISA ZEPPIERI

At some point in our journey, we will all face a moment or an experience that changes our life forever. For some, this can be a defining moment that often splits life into two parts—before the event, and life after the event.

My moment came in my early 20s on a humid spring evening in downtown Fort Lauderdale. I was a carefree artist, studying nursing in college and taking care of my grandmother full-time. I stepped out onto a road I had been on hundreds of times before to cross the street and the unthinkable happened. I was hit by a drunk driver in a pickup truck that was traveling around 50 mph .

You might be thinking that was the exact moment my life changed—and you wouldn’t be wrong—but the truth is, it was really over that following year that almost every single aspect of my life was going to be reshaped into a new path.

You see, I think back on this event today as a trigger. Yes, my injuries were quite serious, most internal, and I spent a good year in recovery to get back on my feet. But the damage to my body also became the trigger for an underlying autoimmune disease to burst forth.

While the damage from being hit was healing, I had an entirely different trauma that was about to unleash in my life. As I recovered in the hospital, I started to experience high fevers, rashes, pain, and suddenly some small strokes.

Many tests were run, specialists seen, and within a few weeks, a diagnosis of systemic lupus was given.

I was clueless about this disease and didn’t know one person with it. Naively, I assumed I would be given medicine that would heal it and sent on my way to get back to rebuilding my life.

I had no idea what I was going to be up against.

Today, I think back to that 23-year-old woman and there is so much I would love to tell her so that she could bypass so much of the pain, frustration, and challenges that come with an incurable and chronic illness. Yet at the same time, it was persevering through the journey of the past 20 years since my diagnosis that has built me into the warrior I am today.

It took me a few years to get somewhat of a handle on how lupus affected my body—I experienced over 30 hospitalizations, five small strokes, a blood clot, a brain aneurysm, chemo, vasculitis, and numerous other complications from the disease. Using my love and curiosity for the human body and what it can recover from, I started

researching and trying any and every treatment possible— whether pharmaceutical, alternative, or complementary— and journaled extensively about what worked and what did not. I finally reached a point where I felt like I could live— and even possibly thrive—despite what lupus was throwing at me.

After regaining some independence, I was ready to take it to the next level and this is how my nonprofit, LupusChick, was born. Today we reach almost a half a million people a month. These are people across the globe who have all types of autoimmune and chronic illnesses, not just lupus. We are a community filled with inspiration, hope, motivation, and transparency. We don’t hide the bad days, but we also are vocal and supportive about not letting one another get stuck in that place. We aim to showcase the incredible chronic illness warriors who are leaving their mark on this world in the face of incredible health odds.

In addition to a college scholarship fund (we just awarded our 13th scholarship), our story was featured in Lady Gaga’s anthology, Channel Kindness.

And, literally 20 years from the day I was hit, one of my greatest goals and desires came through—my memoir of my journey back from the brink of death was published

by Broadleaf Books. Chronically Fabulous is a combination of memoir, self-help, and how-to, and is a battle plan of sorts for anyone dealing with trauma, illness, or just a difficult life season. It is a message of hope to let others out there know you are heard, you aren’t forgotten, and your purpose in life is not extinguished because of an illness or catastrophic life experience.

I believe we all have a unique and exceptional purpose in our life, and while I originally thought mine would be in nursing, I now help countless people recover but in a different way.

It’s been a wild and challenging ride, but I am grateful that I was given another chance at life 20 years ago, and it is my mission to leave the greatest impact when I am gone.

For more about Zeppieri, visit www.lupuschick.com.

Chronically Fabulous is available on Amazon and at bookstores nationwide.

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Investors see 35% higher returns from companies that have a high representation of women in management.

Women-led businesses represent nearly 40% of all firms and are one of the fastest growing types of small businesses in the U.S.

Nationally, the number of women-owned firms increased by 114% from 1997 to 2017, making the growth rate 2.5 times faster than the national average.

Arizona is ranked 10th in growth of number of women-owned firms over the past 20 years with a 128.6% increase.

Women-owned businesses have added over 175, 000 jobs to the U.S. economy from 2007-2017.

The Rise of

Women-Owned Businesses

Sources: Small Business Administration, 2017 State of Women-Owned Business Survey, American Express OPEN, U.S. Census Bureau.

Emily Blumen

Founder/CEO of Blue Urbane

https://www.blueurbane.com

I started Blue Urbane because I have loved fashion and jewelry all my life and after taking classes at Parsons New School, I knew I wanted to

info@blueurbane.com facebook.com/blueurbane

create a boutique where all the pieces were sustainable, ethically made, and primarily female-designed. To further our support of sustainability,

@blueurbane

helps advance solar energy access all over the world.

Marlene Imirzian

we also give part of our proceeds to The Honnold Foundation, which

President of Marlene Imirzian & Associates Architects

www.imirzian-architects.com info@imirzian-architects.com (602) 943 5279 8906 North Central Avenue Phoenix AZ 85020

Marlene Imirzian & Associates Architects is a leader in the integration of sustainable design practices for building across projects across a number of industries and home types. The award-winning firm repeatedly ranks in the Top 50 in the U.S. for sustainable design—amongst many other honors. Recently, Marlene developed a prototype for a net-zero, entry-level, single family home for a small lot type in Phoenix.

Megan Dickens Interim Site Lead & Greenhouse Production Lead of Bayer Marana Greenhouse Stefanie.Boe@Bayer.com

www.bayer.us/marana

WHAT MOTIVATES YOU EACH DAY IN YOUR BUSINESS?

My respect for this planet that we all share, my passion for developing teams and an obligation to influence my children’s future motivate me every single day. I have the great fortune to work for a company that is not only focused on innovation in agriculture and the quest to solve a global food challenge, but also a company that is focused on sustainability and the development of its people. So, my motivators align very well with key Bayer initiatives, which makes it easy to get fired up when I walk through those doors every morning.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO IMPLEMENT ECO-FRIENDLY ACTIONS INTO YOUR BUSINESS? Each of us is responsible for leaving this world just a little better than we found it, and every decision we make on food, water and waste has an impact on us right now, and on future generations. Even the smallest changes to your daily routine can add up to big impacts, both at work and at home. At Bayer Marana, I love sharing the daily choices I make – meal prepping for the week to make the most use of the food I purchase, bringing in reusable plates and utensils to cut down on disposables – showing just how easy it is if you spend a few minutes preparing!

At work, starting with small, eco-friendly changes and doing so in a group setting can help build new routines and behaviors quickly and you have some immediate accountability partners…it’s a win-win!

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Tanya Shively Owner of Sesshu Design Associates (480) 275.2968

3666 N. Miller Road, Ste. 100 Scottsdale, AZ 85251 www.sesshudesign.com

tanya@sesshudesign.com

WHAT MOTIVATES YOU EACH DAY IN YOUR BUSINESS? I love seeing people happy in their home—when they walk in and tell me it’s even better than they ever imagined, that is so rewarding. If I add in the fact that we are creating spaces that are healthy for them and the planet at the same time, then that is just so much more fulfilling.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO IMPLEMENT ECO-FRIENDLY ACTIONS INTO YOUR BUSINESS? I grew up surrounded by the incredible beauty of the Grand Tetons, and the first national parks created specifically to protect and provide stewardship over our wealth of natural beauty, so it was ingrained in me from an early age. Plus, my father has severe chronic asthma, so the healthy indoor air quality was also a huge factor in my life and my design philosophy.

WHAT ARE YOUR TOP THREE BUSINESS ACCOMPLISHMENTS? One thing that comes up with almost every furnishing project I do is, what do we do with our old furniture? My clients have large-scale expensive pieces that are not suitable for donating to Goodwill, and consignment is not always a great option either. So, I started a nonprofit that accepts donations of gently used high-end furnishings and resells them, keeping them out of the landfill, and provides a tax deduction for the client.

Elizabeth Joseph Owner/CEO of Be More Clean (480) 270-4566

2334 N Scottsdale Rd, Ste 111 Scottsdale AZ 85257

info@bemoreclean.com

www.bemoreclean.com

WHAT MOTIVATES YOU EACH DAY IN YOUR BUSINESS? I’m motivated every day to educate the public on the buried truth and treasure of your true health and self-healing properties of your body.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO IMPLEMENT ECO-FRIENDLY ACTIONS INTO YOUR BUSINESS? I began implementing eco-friendly actions in my personal life about 10 years ago when I learned of the damaging environmental affects of the my food choices. From that point on I knew it was something that would a part of my life, whether I wanted it to or not. My business is no different. We use biodegradable, plant based “plastics” for our gloves, retail bags, trash bags and more.

WHAT ARE YOUR TOP THREE BUSINESS ACCOMPLISHMENTS? My 3 greatest accomplishments would be the creation of Be More Raw LLC and helping people heal from things as serious as cancer to diabetes to weight loss and acne; 2nd would be definitely Be More Clean: Colon Hydrotherapy which I opened up in the middle of the world and the world being shut down; my greatest accomplishment would definitely be the annual Melanin Moms Natural Expo.

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Bailey Wealth Management 1. What inspired you to create eco-friendly actions into your business?

I have been an advocate of ESG (environmental, social and governance) investing since the 1990s, recognizing select clients’ interest in investing in morally responsible companies aligned with their value compass.

2. What are your top three business accomplishments?

– Serving a high net worth client base for over 38 years, and providing solutions and outcomes commensurate with client life goals, expectations and value systems – Empowering women to further their education on financial management and financial independence – Growing a high-functioning team with dedicated members aligned to my practice and philosophy of delivering a quality client experience under the Bailey Wealth Management brand 3. In what ways do you give back?

I support many client business relationships in the area of “sustainable” missioned companies.

I have a number of clients that are integral operators of these new enterprises, and through our financial planning tactics, we are able to provide services and resources to advance these worthy enterprises.

4. What is your top eco-conscious business advice that you would give another business?

As a business owner, look beyond the traditional lenses of business management. It’s no longer just the bottom line that counts. Incorporate practices to accommodate and provide a positive work environment for employees, which fosters much greater results and productivity. Be mindful of your clients’ values; knowing your clients translate into the development of products and services you represent. Be aware and willing to pivot and adapt to the new world of ESG, diversity, digitization and financial inclusion. Be proactive not reactive.

Susan Marie Bailey Senior Vice President–Wealth Management 480-443-5408 susan.bailey@ubs.com Bailey Wealth Management UBS Financial Services Inc. 4800 North Scottsdale Road, Suite 4500 Scottsdale, AZ 85251

advisors.ubs.com/baileywealthmanagement

Sustainable investing strategies aim to incorporate environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations into investment process and portfolio construction. Strategies across geographies and styles approach ESG analysis and incorporate the findings in a variety of ways. The returns on portfolios consisting primarily of sustainable investments may be lower or higher than portfolios where ESG factors, exclusions, or other sustainability issues are not considered, and the investment opportunities available to such portfolios may also differ. As a firm providing wealth management services to clients, UBS Financial Services Inc. offers investment advisory services in its capacity as an SEC-registered investment adviser and brokerage services in its capacity as an SEC-registered broker-dealer. Investment advisory services and brokerage services are separate and distinct, differ in material ways and are governed by different laws and separate arrangements. It is important that clients understand the ways in which we conduct business, that they carefully read the agreements and disclosures that we provide to them about the products or services we offer. For more information, please review the PDF document at ubs.com/relationshipsummary. © UBS 2021. All rights reserved. UBS Financial Services Inc. is a subsidiary of UBS AG. Member FINRA/SIPC. CJ-UBS-1578252022 Exp.: 07/31/2022

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SAVOR

Nutrition

Childhood Nutrition Eating the right foods

BY KATHLEEN WINSTON PHD, RN

I

In contemporary society with easy and ample access to the internet, the amount of misinformation about health, wellness, nutrition, and illness is common and confusing. Healthy eating is important for everyone, and most importantly for children and adolescents.

Normal growth and development depend upon the healthy eating habits that are established at an early age, and proper nutrition for children and adolescents prevents a wide range of serious and chronic conditions that emerge and extend across the lifespan.

parents/caregivers can include foods on the family menu that includes these essential vitamins and minerals. Multi-vitamins will not substitute for the required nutrients, but they can supplement where there are diet deficiencies.

It is the well-rounded diet based on these guidelines that will ensure delivery of sufficient essential vitamins and minerals.

With a commitment to building healthy eating habits for a lifetime, parents/caregivers can partner with their K-12 school leaders and teachers to promote fun food eating, challenges, goals, and achievements. As educational institutions, many schools work closely with credentialed and expert school nurses to create learning activities that highlight nutrition and food habits as a component of the learning. Nutrition, pediatric and nursing research has reported the correlation between academic performance, nutrition, and student success. Schools are in a unique position to provide students with opportunities to learn about and practice healthy eating behaviors. Creative and innovative occasions for having children actively participate in food selection and preparation is a great way to teach a host of life skills while spending quality time and creating confidence.

Unfortunately, few children and fewer adolescents subscribe to these guidelines, but parents/caregivers are the best resource for helping children achieve these benefits. Teens often require supplements for diets that are insufficient in calcium, iron, vitamin D and zinc. When aware of these shortcomings,

Reading ingredients is a fundamental step in building a knowledgeable food consumer and having children and teens prepare healthy lunches as an outcome of learning about ingredients is an excellent way to heighten their awareness of added sugar, sodium, and chemical fillers. By

By age 2, a healthy eating plan should be followed, while avoiding common nutritional myths.

The 5 components of a healthy eating plan are simple and straightforward, and include a variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fat-free and low-fat dairy products, a variety of protein foods, and oils.

In addition to creating healthy meals consisting of fruits, vegetables, grains, proteins, and dairy, limiting calories from solid fats, reducing sodium and added sugars will produce benefits from healthy eating.

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participating in the process, children and teens are fully engaged and invested in the selection of the appropriate foods for their meals and the choices they make for ingesting into their bodies.

Children, teens and parents alike should begin each day with a healthy breakfast. Doing so establishes a standard of healthy eating as each day begins and as a family/caregiver group. Doing so will improve cognition, memory, and mood.

And, beginning each day with a healthy breakfast establishes a routine for continuing to make healthy choices throughout the day.

As children and teens return to school, healthy lunches and snacks are important, and can become an extension of the healthy breakfast. Paying attention to the five categories of including fruits, vegetables, protein, grains and dairy in the diet, lunches can become more than a high-calorie, carbohydrate-rich meal. A whole grain bread with peanut or other nut butter and a banana is an excellent and simple lunch sandwich choice. Combined with a low-fat, no added sugar yogurt and whole veggies, it provides a nutritious and substantial lunch.

• Dates, dried apples, oats, and cinnamon can be mixed and rolled into a healthy-tasting energy ball for a quick grab-and-go snack.

• Soy milk is a safe, nutritionally dense protein rich food that can be used as a dairy substitute.

• It’s important to know that there is no need to be afraid to eat carbohydrates or fats. In fact, high-fat foods such as avocados, olive oil, and walnuts will provide the needed fat for nourishing the brain and other vital organs while these healthy fats also help children to feel satisfied.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s “Choose MyPlate.gov” campaign provides a simple visual resource to help parents and caregivers support the plan for healthy eating and nutrition.

When a healthy nutritional lifestyle is established and promoted throughout childhood and adolescence, the muscle memory of those behaviors remains with the individual through adulthood.

www.inspiredjourneyconsulting.com/podcast/

Children and teens should have two to three snacks per day, and if convenient and processed foods are avoided for both meals and snacks, the children, teens, and adults too will be reducing added sugar, added sodium, and hidden fillers. This action alone is a strong start to improving the nutritional rich value of meals. Need some ideas?

A DOSE OF INSPIRATION

It is important to remember and to advertise that healthy food can also be tasty. The local Food Network television stations have taught the invaluable lesson that food and nutrition, preparation and cooking, are creative and challenging activities that children and teens are learning to enjoy.

Listen to Through Inspired Eyes on your favorite podcast station to be immersed in healing travel and mental wellness.

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SAVOR

Recipes

Watermelon Heirloom Tomato Salad RECIPE AND PHOTO COURTESY OF EAT BY STACEY WEBER, WWW.EATBYSTACEYWEBER.COM

Salad

Pickled Red Onion

Seedless watermelon (cubed), 1 mini or ½ large

1 medium red onion

2 cups halved heirloom cherry tomatoes

½ cup white vinegar

2 large heirloom or other vine tomatoes, chopped (roughly 3 cups)

½ cup water

½ cup pickled onions (see recipe)

1 ½ tsp. salt

¼ cup crumbled feta ½ cup Marcona almonds ¼ cup olive oil

1 ½ Tbsp. granulated sugar Tiny pinch of red pepper flakes 1 Tbsp. pickling spice

2 Tbsp. white balsamic vinegar ⅓ cup mint or basil ½ zest + juice of a lime 2 tsp. agave 1 Tbsp. salt 1 tsp. turmeric Arrange the watermelon, tomatoes, and red onions on a large plate or platter. Drizzle with half the dressing.

Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, agave, turmeric, and salt. Top with the feta, almonds and herbs. Drizzle with remaining dressing. Season to taste and serve.

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Slice the red onion as thin as possible. Use a mandolin for evenly sliced onions. Add the sliced red onions to a glass jar, such as a 16 oz. mason jar. Even a bowl will work, or container with a lid (glass is preferred). In a small saucepan, combine the white vinegar, water, sugar, salt and pepper flakes. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, then immediately remove from heat. Pour the pickling liquid over the onions in the jar. Use a butter knife to press the onions down into the liquid, making sure they are immersed completely. Let them sit at room temperature, uncovered, for 30 minutes, then cover and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving. They will have a stronger flavor after at least 4 hours in the refrigerator.

Can keep for approximately 2 weeks in the refrigerator.

Shrimp Fra Diavolo

RECIPE AND PHOTO COURTESY OF VERVANA, WWW.VERVANA.COM

1 lb. of peeled and deveined shrimp 2 tsp. Italian Seasoning & Dipping Blend Natural Salt Blend, to taste 3 Tbsp. plus 2 tsp. Jalapeño Garlic Flavored Olive Oil or Garlic Olive Oil (if you want less chili heat)

For more recipes and food-related articles, visit www.greenlivingmag.com/savor

1 jar Organic Pasta Sauce - Arrabbiata for a robust hot and spicy flavor, Marinara for a milder flavor, or a combination of both 2 cups broccoli florets 1 bag red lentil or chickpea pasta 4-plus quarts water Toss the shrimp in a bowl with olive oil, Italian Seasoning & Dipping Blend, and 2 grinds of the salt blend. Heat 3 Tbsp. of Jalapeño Garlic or Garlic Olive Oil on medium heat in a large skillet. Add the shrimp and sauté for 4 to 6 minutes until they turn opaque and pink. Remove from the skillet and set aside. Add the broccoli to the skillet with ⅓ cup of water, and cover. Cook on medium-high heat, stirring occasionally and adding water as necessary, until broccoli is cooked but still firm (al dente).

Remove from the pan and set aside. Return the shrimp plus a jar of pasta sauce into the skillet and cook on low to medium heat, just to warm through and meld flavors. Add the broccoli (or serve on the side of the pasta, if you prefer). While making the shrimp and broccoli, bring 4 cups of water and a few grinds of salt to a boil in the stock pot. Add the pasta and cook until al denté. Drain and toss pasta in 2 tsp. of olive oil of choice and spoon into four bowls. Add equal portions of the sauce and shrimp mixture onto the pasta.

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TRAVEL

Locally

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A Transformative Water to Wine Experience in the Verde Valley

BY ELAINA VERHOFF

A

A few months ago, a very persistent Facebook ad for a Water to Wine Experience caught my eye.

Take a kayak trip down the Verde River and enjoy a visit to the Alcantara Vineyards in Cottonwood, the ad beckoned. River floating and wine? Sounded like the perfect ingredients for a girls’ trip to me. And when my friend offered to host our tribe of five at her Flagstaff home, all we had to do was pick a date and book our trip. Lucky for us, the mid-May date that worked best coincided with Zinfest, a wine festival taking place at Alcantara. Fate had a great weekend in store.

The morning of our adventure, we put on our swimsuits and river attire, grabbed our sun hats, and threw our duffels in the car to head up north. Our outing was scheduled to start at 10 a.m., but we got to Alcantara early and the guides offered to take the five of us before the rest of the scheduled group arrived. We parked in the Alcantara lot, used the facilities at the winery, and enjoyed a brief chat with the winemaker, then took a short, bumpy shuttle van ride over to the launch point. There, we strapped on life jackets, chose our inflatable kayaks, and shoved off into the murky waters of the Verde River.

Alcantara is located at the confluence of the Verde River and Oak Creek. The Verde is a refreshing oasis in a brown and dry setting. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Verde River is one of Arizona's only two Wild and Scenic Rivers, a special designation bestowed upon it for the river’s scenery and abundant fish and wildlife.

The Verde habitat supports more than 50 threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species.

As we paddled into the oasis, we felt immediately embraced by the cool green tree-lined banks of the river, teeming with bird life—happy to be escaping the heat of the Valley and feeling the cool breeze along with the droplets that splashed off our paddles as we made our way down the river. More than once we spotted leaping fish who seemed just as happy to be there as we were. For those who are afraid of crazy rapids or falling in the river, I assure you, this is a relaxing but fun river float.

It took us about an hour and a half to complete the trip back to the vineyard—a much-needed Zen experience where I quickly learned to let go and let the river do its thing, literally going with the flow. Mini rapids called “riffles” livened things up every now and then, with most of the kayak trip providing plenty of float time to relax, chat, and laugh. We didn’t see a single other person on the river, which was just fine with us.

Back at Alcantara, guides met us at the beach to collect our life jackets and direct us to the wine. We walked up the hill to our cars, and did a little parking lot switcheroo, stripping off pants and shirts, and throwing on sundresses over our swimsuits.

Zinfest was just getting started, and since we had prepaid for our festival tickets, we collected our wine glasses, T-shirts, posters, and food and drink tickets. If you’re going on a regular non-festival day, your Water to Wine experience will include a credit to use toward food or wine at Alcantara.

The family-owned winery was started in 2004, and while the dusty dry setting made us scratch our heads at how someone would think to plant a vineyard here, Alcantara wine maker Ron Brumley says the rocky limestone soil and sunny climate in the Verde Valley is quite similar to the wine-making regions of France and Italy.

Alcantara has over 20,000 vines and offers 17 different varietals, which can be enjoyed at the Tuscan-style winery on the grounds of their grassy picnic area. There was talk of a hotel being built on the property in the future, but no timeline has been set.

We soaked up the vibes on the beautiful grounds of the vineyard as we lunched, sipped Zin, and listen to live music from “Scott from Prescott.”

Wind in the aspen, flowing wine, and laughing with friends made the hours zip by. We then headed up to Flagstaff for the evening, ordered Thai takeout for dinner, and crashed for the night.

On Sunday, we did a little forest bathing on a morning hike, then grabbed lunch in charming Flagstaff on the patio of Tourist Home before making our way back to the Valley.

You could easily do the Water to Wine as a day trip. Or if you want to make it a weekend, Flagstaff or Sedona are both easy drives from Cottonwood. Just plan ahead, because if this summer is anything like summer 2021, places get booked in advance.

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TRAVEL

Locally

Fun in Cottonwood

From a Western destination to outdoor parks, there is so much to experience

BY MICHELLE GLICKSMAN

I

Photos courtesy Visit Cottonwood

In the heart of the Verde Valley lies Cottonwood, with its distinctive historic district. While it may be known as the “Heart of Arizona Wine Country,” there is also plenty of family-friendly fun to be had.

"Cottonwood is home to Dead Horse Ranch State Park which is located less than two miles from Old Town. This state landmark has earned a reputation as a favorite fishing hole, bird lover’s paradise, and hiker’s dream. With trails meandering through sycamore and cottonwood trees along the banks of the Verde River, Dead Horse Ranch State Park is a jewel in the center of Cottonwood all year-round.

Families are welcome to explore the outdoors, dine at amazing restaurants, enjoy outdoor activities at Riverfront Park, and share this affordable and accessible community with us.

We like to say in Cottonwood, you are welcome here!" says Tourism & Economic Development Director Tricia Lewis.

BLAZIN’ M RANCH Now reopened, Blazin’ M Ranch is better than ever. Here, explore a museum, enjoy a vintage tractor ride, ride & rope, or try your hand at the live shooting gallery. There is also food—from the saloon to the chuckwagon dinner—Western stage shows, and more. And, don’t forget to explore Frontier Town, a Western-themed destination with old Western shop facades. While the cowboys of yore would shop for ammo, flour, tobacco, and whiskey, here you can shop for everything from fashions to books to kids’ toys to housewares. For more information, visit www.blazinm.com.

DEAD HORSE RANCH STATE PARK Spend family time in nature. For those who love hiking, horseback riding, fishing, kayaking, bird watching, and camping, Dead Horse Ranch State Park is the perfect destination. In fact, it's one of the most visited state parks

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in all of Northern Arizona (though it doesn't feel like it because of its size).

CHECK OUT THE LANDSCAPE The entire family will enjoy exploring the trails in an ATV. Whether it’s a guided tour or you take the wheel yourself, there are so many places to experience. ATVs with two, four, and six seats are available. www.vortexatvrental.com Cottonwood also has wonderful outdoor park facilities, the Cottonwood Recreation Center with an indoor pool and waterslide, convenient public transportation, and plenty of family-friendly places to eat with a lot of outdoor seating.

The trail system is a non-motorized 20-plus-mile shared-use mix of doubletrack and singletrack. Those searching for glimpses of wildlife should keep an eye out for river otters, gray foxes, Gambel’s quail, red-spotted toads, and Coues whitetail deer, and those looking to catch fish can try for largemouth bass and rainbow trout in the Verde River.

Looking to make an overnight of it? Rent one of the camping cabins, or there are RV and tent campsites, as well. www.azstateparks.com/dead-horse/

You are welcome here!

We've saved you a seat with a view.

www.visitcottonwoodaz.org

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DESIGN

Innovation

Certified Gold

Novus becomes the first LEED-ND community certified at any level in Arizona

BY KYLEY WARREN

T

The Novus Innovation Corridor—a 355-acre, multi-phased development, which will encompass over 10 million square feet of urban mixed-use developments—recently earned an LEED-ND Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

The Gold certification is noted as being the second-highest certification awarded by USGBC on its scale of Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum designations—and with the 62 points awarded to Novus, in particular, the accomplishment qualifies it as being among the top ten best-scoring LEEDND projects of all time on a national scale.

What sets the Novus Innovation Corridor apart from other sustainable communities is the attention to detail in all aspects of its design—with walkable streets, certified green buildings, and a compact development that allows for close proximity to public transit facilities, Novus acts as the blueprint for what the future of green communities should look like.

Its location, in particular, was a huge factor in why the community earned the Gold certification. Not only is Novus

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housed on Arizona State University’s (ASU) campus in the heart of the Phoenix metropolitan area, but the innovative project is also within a two-mile radius of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, and boasts a close proximity to the Valley Metro light rail and the regional highway system.

Erin McKenna, marketing manager at Novus Innovation Corridor, recognizes the magnitude of this achievement, as well as what it means for sustainable communities in the future.

“It is a remarkable achievement to earn this certification so early in a long-term project. This certification benefits future developers as well, as they will earn points towards their LEED certifications by building within a LEED-ND certified community,” says McKenna. “It’s not only a major milestone for our team and Novus, but also for the state of Arizona. Novus is the first project with the LEED-ND

Gold certification in the state, which speaks a lot to the commitment the project has to sustainability and innovation.”

Novus is the result of an integrated partnership between Catellus Development Corporation and ASU. Catellus Development—a national leader in mixed-use development that has worked since 1984 to transform military bases, airports, and urban industrial sites into vibrant commercial communities—will oversee the development of approximately 8 million square feet of additional new development within Tempe.

Brian Kearney, first vice president of Catellus, says in a statement: “We have set an early high bar within Novus both at the community and project levels, an appropriate step that is important to our partner, ASU.” Additionally, ASU will work to input its team of sustainable leaders and innovators to help take the project to new heights. Over the years, the university has garnered a worldrenowned reputation for its prioritization of sustainability within a number of the university’s departments and schools.

Most notably, ASU’s new Interdisciplinary Science and Technology Building 7 (ISTB7)—which is still currently under construction—will mirror the efforts of buildings within the Novus community, and will reportedly achieve at least LEED Gold certification once the project is completed.

In a press release statement, Morgan R. Olsen, ASU executive vice president, treasurer and chief financial officer, says: “The evolution of the Novus Innovation Corridor as an exemplar of what can be accomplished through a strong partnership between an innovative global research university and the private sector is truly exciting.

Receiving LEED-ND Gold status underscores our shared commitment with Catellus to sustainable building; our collaboration continues to produce outstanding accomplishments.”

of accessible public amenities—not only bring an added element of green modernization to denser urban areas, but they also help to embed economic, social, and environmental value to the communities they serve.

Novus’ first phase involved the development of a 2.1-millionsquare-foot Marina Heights regional hub for State Farm, and was followed by the $307 million reinvention of Sun Devil Stadium.

The project is currently working within Phase III of development, which involves the revitalization of a 19-acre area at the northwest corner of University Drive and Rural Road. Beyond the completion of the 777 Tower in June 2020, the Hyatt House hotel also opened its doors in August 2020.

Once fully developed, Novus will contain more than 10 million square feet of offices, residences, hotels, retail and entertainment uses.

“We hope that Novus can be a model for sustainable, urban development throughout Arizona. Sustainability is one of Novus’ pillars, and we will continue to integrate energyefficient design and cutting-edge technology within our mixed-use communities,” says McKenna.

Visit www.novusasu.com, call 480.566.9900, or email NovusASU@catellus.com for more information about Novus Innovation Corridor and the partnership’s LEEDND Gold certification.

The focal point of the Novus Innovation Corridor will be a main street retail district called Novus Place. This retail-driven epicenter of the development will embrace a “live, shop, and dine” approach, and is designed to serve as a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly element of the expansive lot.

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TECHNOLOGY

Transportation

Riding On Electric School Buses (ESBs) Improves your ABCs

D

BY JOANNA HAMBLIN, SENIOR MARKETING MANAGER, MOTIV POWER SYSTEMS

Decades of public health studies have indicated significant respiratory and cognitive impacts associated with high levels of gas and diesel vehicle emissions. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit and people sheltered at home, we saw a significant reduction in tailpipe emissions, particularly in urban areas where pollution concentrations tend to be the highest.

According to a UC Davis analysis conducted by Fraser Shilling, co-director of the university's Road Ecology Center, emissions declined by nearly 13% in the U.S., and about 7% globally. If you’ve ever sat in traffic, stuck behind a mediumduty vehicle with black smoke rising from the tailpipe, you know how unpleasant (and unhealthy) that experience can be.

Recently, additional studies have been conducted to measure the concentration of vehicle tailpipe pollutants inside traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) school buses, concluding that emissions tend to be 2-3 times higher inside the vehicles. The communities they serve, and areas where multiple idling buses are located, are also affected. Ironically, the same ICE buses that are supposed to get children safely to school are anything but safe. Tailpipe emissions

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negatively impact the maturing brains and lungs of our most vulnerable population, affecting their critical thinking and respiratory functions. The results are telling. Lower cognitive function translates into poor academic performance and soaring asthma rates that carry lifelong health consequences.

Increased rates of air pollution have been tied to lung disease, heart disease, emphysema, and more.

One effective way to eliminate toxic tailpipe emissions from school transportation is by replacing ICE vehicles with electric school buses (ESBs). There are multiple benefits of these clean vehicles. Because buses are a fixture of the communities they serve, ESBs are better for society at large.

And the higher upfront costs of ESBs are offset by lower fuel and maintenance costs.

ESBs also produce no noise. In fact, they are so quiet that many ESBs have noisemakers that activate at low speeds to alert students and pedestrians that the bus is arriving. Think about how a less noisy school bus translates into a more peaceful and enjoyable experience for children and drivers.

For drivers, the single-pedal regenerative driving means less back pain and a more comfortable drive.

If the health benefits aren't convincing enough, the operating and maintenance (O&M) cost savings for schools should be. A recent Department of Energy study saw a 40% operating expense reduction in battery-electric vs. ICE for light-duty vehicles. Based on over 10 years of learnings from Motiv’s industry-leading deployments, fleet customers can expect to see up to 85% O&M savings over ICE vehicles.

According to an upcoming CALSTART ESB report, “Operators reported considerable operating cost savings, particularly from reduced fuel costs. Twin Rivers paid $0.10 per kWh, approximately 80% less than the cost of diesel on an energy-equivalent basis.”

ESBs are not a niche technology. Many have been deployed across the US, including right here in Arizona. Since deploying the industry’s first all-electric Type A school bus in 2013, Motiv has delivered dozens of ESBs across North America. There are many lessons to be learned from these deployments. As school districts in Arizona and across the country look to electrify their fleets, one thing is clear: fleets need to start early. Officials need to plan infrastructure in tandem, if not earlier than the buses. Infrastructure tends to take a while, as it often involves working with a utility whose lead times may be much longer than bus production.

There are multiple grants and funding opportunities available for both electric vehicles and infrastructure, so it’s essential to take advantage of all available opportunities to help offset the initial higher price of the ESB. In addition to maintenance and fuel cost savings, there is also an opportunity in California and Oregon to monetize electric fleets, with programs such as Low Carbon Fuel Standard credits for quicker return on investment. Motiv has deployed Type A and Type C buses in multiple school districts across CA, NY, CT, NC, and AZ. Cumulatively, Motiv’s school buses have traveled over 281K miles and offset 250 metric tons of tailpipe emissions (as of June 30, 2021).

out who makes the decisions on bus procurement and maintenance. See what influence the PTO has on matters of transportation decisions and budget. Even if limited, there are still opportunities to present and advocate for better solutions to your school’s transportation department or fleet manager. If you’re a fleet manager, conduct a budget review to understand vehicle allocations and maintenance. It’s also advisable to understand the age of the fleet and turnover. If you have old buses at the end of their lifespan, that is the perfect time to think about replacing them with electric versions. Lastly, if you're a policy person, work to enact regulations that provide more funding to help offset the initial purchase price of ESBs. Include more incentives for charging infrastructure, which often tends to be overlooked, and make both application processes easy and accessible.

You can also provide more grants for electric vehicles and related infrastructure research, as well as development and emerging technologies such as Vehicle to Building and Vehicle to Grid.

Driven by progress in the passenger car segment, the tipping point for electrification across the entire vehicle market is here. The market is gaining momentum as fleets look to reduce costs, provide a better experience for drivers and riders, meet new regulations, and address social pressures for cleaner transportation options. Make sure to partner with a vehicle manufacturer with a track record of providing a holistic electrification experience that goes beyond vehicles to include charging infrastructure, grants, driver training, vehicle support, and any ancillary energy services.

Electrifying school buses is vital for our children’s health and well-being. These children will be our future engineers, and these buses, this technology, will have a lasting and positive impact on their lives.

What can you do to help schools transition to a clean transportation option? There are many ways to get involved as a parent, a fleet manager, and a policy person.

As a parent, get educated and be active in your school’s PTO. Find AUGUST 2021

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TECHNOLOGY

Water

The Water Crisis…

And the technology to help

BY ROSE TRING

A

An early morning hike along the sunbaked edges of Boulder Bay at Lake Mead confirms what scientists and media are shouting to anyone who cares to listen: All of us living in the Southwest must face the consequences of a rapidly dwindling water supply that experts say may never fully recover in a dryer, hotter future.

“There’s no question it’s a situation that is very serious,” says Sarah Porter, director of the Kyl Center for Water Policy at Arizona State University’s (ASU) Morrison Institute for Public Policy. “But in the Phoenix area, we have other water supplies. We have a diverse water portfolio. Bigger, older cities in the Phoenix metropolitan area have water from SRP, CAP, and the aquifers. What we have to do is manage these resources for long-term sustainability.”

Governors in Arizona, Nevada, California, Colorado, and Washington are mandating water conservation measures such as reducing water usage by 10% to 15% for farms and some industry, and many have declared drought emergencies.

While residents might not see the impact immediately, higher costs for food and goods are likely when water flow to farms and industry is restricted by the multi-state Drought Contingency Plan expected to take effect in January 2022.

“The Colorado River system is in poor health hydrologically.

Shortage declarations and cutbacks in deliveries are triggered by the level of Lake Mead but they cannot ‘prop

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up’ Lake Mead enough to avoid cutbacks if the inflows are very low,” says Sharon B. Medgal, Ph.D. and director of the University of Arizona Water Resources Research Center (WRRC). “A key question is how deep will the cutbacks be over time.

Consider: • Lake Mead is at the lowest level (1,067.79 feet on July 15, 2021) it has experienced since the Hoover Dam opened in the 1930s on the Colorado River and filled the nation’s largest reservoir to supply farms, industry, and 40 million people living in Nevada, Arizona, and Southern California.

• Scientists call the drought a “mega drought” and describe it as the worst dry spell the Southwest has experienced in nearly 1,200 years.

• According to the World Health Organization, one-half the world’s population will be living in water-stressed areas by 2025.

Even available water supplies are threatened by pollution, degradation of aquatic ecosystems, population and economic growth, poor planning and regulation, and inefficient use of water.

With higher temperatures plaguing western states for the past several years, precipitation evaporates faster, reducing water in lakes, streams, and rivers; snowpacks dissipate through sublimation before melting and filling streams in the spring; and the arid, parched earth bakes, turning hard and resisting absorbing water when scarce rain does fall.

water systems may not return to their prior conditions,” she notes. “In fact, geological history indicates otherwise.”

Boyko sees the wisdom in adapting and believes business leaders can help set a forward-thinking standard by seeking, developing, and adopting technologies that conserve water, particularly in industrial processes. DWT has developed and commercialized several technologies that provide innovative ways to recycle and conserve water.

“We are in a long, dry spell, and it’s unlikely to change significantly any time soon,” says Michael Boyko, co-founder and chief operating officer at Tempe-based Dynamic Water Technologies (DWT). “I have lived in Arizona my entire life, and I’ve spent the last 30 years of my career finding sustainable solutions for water and energy conservation.”

Boyko leads a movement among likeminded business and government officials who envision using technology to reduce water usage, especially among agriculture and industrial users—by far the heaviest consumers of water. In the Southwest, cooling towers for medical centers, shopping malls, and office complexes use vast amounts of water. According to a 2018 National Geographic report, agriculture uses 80% to 90% of the world’s water, followed by energy production and industry. Household use—for washing, flushing, and cooking—accounts for 3% of humanity’s total water consumption.

“In the United States, we live in a world that drastically undervalues clean water,” Boyko says.

“We wash our cars with drinking water. We water our lawns with drinking water. We literally use potable drinking water in our toilets.”

He believes long-term sustainability lies in new approaches to water use such as drip irrigation— which reduces water loss to nearly zero— replacing spray irrigation or flood irrigation where appropriate. Spray and flood water loses 35% to 50% of water applied, respectively.

“It is time to start thinking about the stresses experienced by our natural systems and the people and other living beings in them in a new way,” writes Medgal in an article about the agency’s upcoming 2021 conference at the end of August, Tribal Water Resilience in a Changing Environment.

“We must think about how we as humans can adapt to the changing conditions, as our AUGUST 2021

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The company’s electrocoagulation process turns hazardous and contaminated water into “process water” that can be reused in a variety of commercial and industrial applications.

The DWT Dynamic Scale Reactor pulls scale-forming minerals out of treated water and eliminates the need for chemical treatment in cooling towers, which further increases water reuse and recycling.

By eliminating the need for chemical treatment, the technology also keeps any of the chemicals from being introduced into the environment in discharged wastewater.

Boyko says all DWT’s technologies are about helping industry run better, safer, and more cost effectively while simultaneously saving water.

Porter’s view is that overall, Arizona has been ahead of the curve in planning for a hotter, dryer future. She points out that Arizona has experienced significant population and economic growth without a correlated increase in water demand. Between 2000 and 2010, the CAP service area saw a 22% increase in population but only a 2% increase in residential water demand.

She also cites the 1980s Ground Water Management Act as a critical factor in the state’s continued water resilience.

However, current climate conditions may require more adaptive changes in economic and conservation planning.

“We need a big bunch of people such as business leaders, influencers, government leaders to understand and think through what the solutions are,” Porter says. “We need to engage in the conversation about growing in ways that use water in the smartest ways we can so we can continue to flourish economically.

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“All stakeholders need to be part of the conversation so we can look toward a prosperous, thriving community that does all this with less water,” she says.

Boyko’s company is one of those stakeholders. The company’s electrochemical treatment process uses technology first developed in other arid nations. In 2020, the city of Los Angeles won an Innovator of the Year Award for saving 2.45 million gallons of water in less than two years. City leaders attributed the savings to DWT’s technology.

The installation at Los Angeles City Hall East is one of two at government facilities that used DWT’s treatment system as part of studies by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, a division within the Department of Energy. The three-month study at the 242,000 square-foot Juliette Gordon Low Federal Building in Savannah, Georgia produced similar water-saving results as those reported in Los Angeles. The General Services Administration, which issued the study, recommended that DWT’s technology be adopted at all federal government facilities.

“We have the technology available,” Boyko says. “What we need to do is persuade businesses and government leaders to envision new ways of operating that focus on renewable energy and water savings.

“We don’t want to shut down businesses, or curtail economic growth,” Boyko emphasizes. “We want to show businesses how to grow and make money, while being good stewards of our precious resources, such as water.”

For more information, visit www.dynamicwater.com.

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EXPERT

Tips

Live, Breathe, Sleep…

Repeat

BY IVY CIOLLI

D

Breathe in, breathe out. These words are all so familiar to all of us. We hear these words in our yoga and Pilates classes, during meditation, and a multitude of other situations. But did we ever consider dissecting those words and think about what we are breathing in or out, for that matter?

Today, more than ever, we are spending more time in our home environment. For many, this opportunity has created more freedom and flexibility in their lifestyles. People are making healthier nutritional choices and putting more effort into their mental and physical wellness.

While many feel better, others may not understand why they are not experiencing optimal health.

The question is, do you feel better when you leave your home? If the answer is yes, there is something in your home environment that could be causing you to not feel your best.

Our homes should represent rest and restoration, not toxicity and turmoil. Symptoms such as brain fog, irritability, fatigue, nausea, headaches, and allergies could be symptoms resulting from mold, VOCs (volatile organic compounds), electromagnetic frequency (EMF) exposure, pesticides, and other environmental hazards in your home.

We should never just dismiss these symptoms, because the source of the toxicity needs to be uncovered.

As I continue on my pursuit of wellness and environmental integrity, my nutritionist friend Michelle (@eatwellwithmichelle) led me to a company called Test My Home. I’m conscientious of what I bring into my home, but I was intrigued to learn ways to improve my home environment for my family and our four-legged members. I already follow many of their recommendations for a healthy living environment, such as eliminating VOCs—e.g., toxic cleaning products, plug-ins, and scented candles—which can lead to cancer, illness, and long-term side effects. What I did not expect to see in my test results was the high levels of carbon monoxide. Considering that 92% of the world’s population breathes polluted air, the last thing I needed to breathe in my home was CO!

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The company advised me to keep my doors and windows open a minimum of 15 minutes a day, even during those months when it feels like an inferno outside.

Pollutants recirculate in our air due to a lack of ventilation.

Indoor air quality is a big health hazard, with pollutants being up to 100 times higher indoors. Some of these factors include mold, VOCs, allergens, and carbon monoxide. Take into consideration that we take over 20,000 breaths of air each day, and you can imagine how air pollution can impact your health and lead to disease.

As an asthmatic, I understand the importance of my indoor air quality. There are 26 million Americans, including 6 million children, living with asthma. The number of children with asthma has increased by 160%, and research shows it is linked to ozone, particle pollution, and other common indoor environmental triggers.

I had an opportunity to speak with the owner of Test My Home, Ryan Blaser, and learn more about his passion for helping others seeking healing and wellness in their home.

Considering Blaser is an electrical engineer by trade, an air quality specialist, a broadband and radio frequency installer, a building biologist, and an environment engineer, he leaves no stones unturned when it comes to home health. I could feel his passion through his success stories.

Blaser hopes to uncover the toxic triggers before it's too late.

Many seek answers when it is already problematic, instead of seeking for preventative reasons.

When asking Blaser about clients' stories, I was captivated by one that involved dogs. He has a client who lost their 2-year-old Labrador retriever to cancer, and currently has another dog that is dying from the same type of cancer.

After eliminating diet and other factors that could be the cause, Test My Home found that there was a wiring error in their home. Both dogs had spent a significant amount of time sleeping where the electrical current was improperly traveling, and that electrical current was creating a large magnetic field.

Just when you think you are checking all the boxes by not having Bluetooth devices such as Alexa plugged in, no routers or phones plugged in where you sleep, hardwiring as many electrical lines as possible, and having a main power switch to turn off WiFi at night, you gasp at the thought that there could be improper wiring that is not obvious to the naked eye!

Blaser describes EMF and how it has changed our environment, saying, “Electricity, FM radio, TV, microwave, Bluetooth, WiFi, visible light, x-rays and nuclear energy are all electromagnetic frequencies. Within the last 100 years, we’ve been exposed to levels of EMF that are billions, if not trillions, of times higher than we have ever experienced in all of human evolution.” As you unravel the multitude of EMF exposures in our homes, you can start to understand how it impacts the human body.

“On the most basic level, our heart works on electric impulse, as does our mind and nervous system. In fact, our very cells communicate in two ways—chemically and electrically,” Blaser explains. “When you introduce artificial frequencies, especially at the higher powers emitted by our wireless devices, it can disrupt cellular communication, causing oxidative stress and all sorts of health problems.

The spectrums of light and WiFi, both electromagnetic frequencies, are so close that the body doesn't know the difference.”

We are all combatting the effects of EMF during the day, but in the evening we can control our exposure during the repairing hours while we rest.

Needless to say, sleep is essential—but unfortunately, my “internal wiring” does not permit sleep to come easily for me.

The best advice I received was to install a main power cord to turn off my WiFi in the evening to reduce EMFs in my bedroom. Now, not only do I breathe oxygenated air, but I sleep more restoratively.

Call to speak with one of our energy advisors and find out if APS/SRP will give you rebates to improve your home!

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Many people live in a toxic environment and don't understand why they feel sluggish, anxious, and sick. And a majority of those people may not realize that the culprit of their symptoms can be found in their home. Before treating the symptom, investigate the cause. With each breath we take, we are either depleting our energy source or filling our vitality bank. I can now breathe and rest assured knowing that Test My Home has helped ensure that my home is truly a sanctuary for health and well-being!

For more info call 480-269-8601 or visit StardustBuilding.org

Note: the statistics included were found on www.testmyhome.com and this article was not a paid advertisement.

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She’s GREEN He’s GREEN

BY JENNIFER & JOHN BURKHART

Still Summer Fun It may be August, but it’s still hot out there—and still summer! If you're heading to the lake, camping, or a backyard pool and BBQ party, you need to have the right gear. Try to find long-lasting or recyclable products and avoid plastic. We tried a fun selection of products that may help you have a great time, and keep the Earth smiling.

Igloo Recool

Spritz

Waboba

biodegradable, recyclable, reusable cooler

compostable paper plates

flywaze soft silicone disk

He said: What's the best part of eating your food off a paper plate? Washing dishes after is a snap! These paper plates were sturdy enough to stand up to a sawing steak knife and lasted quite a while with liquid. I felt the portion dividers were a bit small for a growing boy like me, but you can't beat tossing them in the compost when you're done.

He said: I can't tell you how many times we've had to do a frantic search for a frisbee while halfway out the door to the park or beach. I know, First World problems. But this little Waboba solves it. It was flexible and compact enough to keep in a backpack or purse, yet it could still be thrown a good distance.

He said: Could you imagine trying to pitch this idea to a boardroom? I want to make an ice chest cooler... but I want to make it out of paper! They probably laughed their heads off. Surprisingly though, this cooler was rather rugged. It held its water and didn't leak for days. It lacked enough insulation though, ice melted fast, and drinks didn't stay cold long.

She said: Move over styrofoam, there's a new contender in town! It may not be pretty, but this little unassuming cooler is more sturdy than styrofoam, and definitely Earth-friendly. But, it didn't keep cans cold for as long (but still good for an outing) and the lid could have had a better seal. I'd still choose it over styrofoam.

She said: Sometimes you just need to use a disposable plate, and that's okay!

Stick to recycled or sustainable materials, like these from Target. They are made from sugarcane, and are compostable. I was happily surprised at their sturdiness and how they held up to liquids, but didn't hold enough food for my appetite.

She said: What a super fun toy! I can finally attempt to catch a flying disk without jamming a finger. It can also fly into a picture hanging on the wall without breaking it (ahem, true story). Easy to catch, throw, and tuck in your back pocket for a quick game anywhere you go.

Coola mango guava 50 SPF spray sunscreen He said: I guess I never truly appreciated the smell of plain ol' sunscreen until I tried this guava mango sunscreen. Do I really need to smell like a tropical fruit salad to avoid a sunburn?! It was easy to apply and offered decent SPF protection, but doesn't last very long on a hot, sweaty day. I think I'd rather use this as an air freshener.

She said: Organic sunscreen? Yep, it exists! The spray was easy to apply, kept me burnfree for at least two hours, and smelled great. I hardly noticed it, so definitely no stickiness or white smears. I suppose if you had the money to spend, this would be worth it. But at $24.99, it seems unreasonable for most.

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GREEN

Scenes

August Events Throughout Arizona CENTRAL PHOENIX August 15 Meditation and Mimosas There is no better way to spend the morning of National Relaxation Day than this event at Mountain Shadows, which is focused on mental wellbeing, complete with a sound healing session and a bubbly boost at the end of the class. Experience a serene session in the Mountain View Room featuring floor-to-ceiling glass looking out to the lawn and iconic Camelback Mountain. The class begins at 10 a.m. and tickets are $29. For more information visit, www.eventbrite.com/e/meditationmimosas-tickets-162573657185.

Photo courtesy Mountain Shadows

August 12

August 25

City of Chandler Homeschool Day: Entomology

West Herbalism Open House

Kids ages 5-14 can be an entomologist for a day by studying how insects are a benefit to both the environment and humans.

Students will learn the life cycle of insects; the physiology of their head, thorax, and abdomen; and how insects play a role in pollination, cultures, and biological research. This event runs from 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m., and tickets are $6 for residents and $9 for non-residents. For more information visit www. scitechinstitute.org/event/city-of-chandler-homeschool-dayentomology-4ee699-2/.

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Join SWIHA’s Western Herbalism program focused on native flora and sustainable wild crafting practices. SWIHA is a member of the American Herbalists Guild, an association of herbal practitioners which uplifts clinical herbalism as a viable profession rooted in ethics, competency, diversity, and freedom of practice. This event will run from 6-7 p.m. and is complimentary. To RSVP, email rsvp@swiha.edu or call 480.994.9244 to speak with an admissions coach.

NORTHERN ARIZONA

SOUTHERN ARIZONA

August 14

August 8

Creating a Wildlife Friendly Backyard

Gotta Dance at the Ranch

Join wildlife experts from Willow Bend Environmental Center and Arizona Wildlife Federation, to learn what you can do in your own backyard to make it friendly to wildlife (the wildlife you want there, of course). This will be an in-person event, at Willow Bend, 703 E. Sawmill Road in Flagstaff, and the cost is $15 per person.

It is limited to 25 people, and registration is required. For more information visit www.facebook.com/events/310451087158271.

Unleash the dancer in you. Experience doesn’t matter—this is all about expression, movement and the magic of music. Gotta Dance is always one of the most popular events at Canyon Ranch.

The Ranch has experts in medicine, life management, spiritual wellness, fitness, exercise physiology, and more. This event runs from 3 p.m.-noon. For more information, visit www.facebook. com/events/378989666465364?active_tab=discussion.

August 4, 11, 18, 20, 24 Green Valley Farmers Market Get your fresh produce, listen to live music, and enjoy the outdoors at the Green Valley Farmers Market this August. The event runs from 8 a.m.-noon. For more information, visit www. heirloomfm.org/markets/green-valley.

August 7, 14, 21, 28 Buddha Farms Wellness Lifestyle Weekend Events Do you love local artisan vendors and organic food? Every Saturday night—weather permitting—Sedona’s Buddha Farms will host dinner and music with organically grown ingredients, vegan options, and local music. The event runs from 4-8 p.m., and tickets are $15. For more information, visit www.eventbrite. com/e/buddha-farms-wellness-lifestyle-weekend-eventstickets-145536380231.

August 14, 28 Women’s Wellness Drumming These Drum Goddesses meet at The Pavillion, Posse Grounds, Sedona at 4-5:30p.m. There are 90 minutes of experiential drumming, where attendees will learn basic rhythms, find and develop their groove, connect with other women drummers in the community, jam, and enjoy drumming as a healing and spiritual musical tool. Beginners are welcome and drums are provided. At the door, tickets are $10 or $13.50 with a credit card. All ages are welcome. For more information, visit www.meetup.com/fr-FR/ Sedona-Spirituality-Meetup-Group/events/278251852.

August 26-29 Women’s Wellness Weekend Take permission to reconnect with yourself, replenish the well, and emerge with a newfound purpose at Women’s Wellness Weekend. Canyon Ranch has experts in medicine, life management, spiritual wellness, fitness, exercise physiology, and more, come together for this one-of-a-kind integrative approach to the unique challenges of women. Prices vary; visit www. canyonranch.com/tucson for more information.

BUSINESS August 18, 2021 Tempe Sustainability Committee Meeting Come advise, educate, and promote to Chamber members the best methods and practices for prolonging natural environments, economic vitality, and healthy communities. Be at the forefront of driving long term sustainable change in the business community. The event runs from 6-7 p.m. via Zoom. For more information, visit https://tempechamber.glueup.com/event/ sustainability-committee-meeting-39161/.

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FINAL

Word “You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”

— Jane Goodall

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YOUR WATER IS THERE FOR YOU.

BE THERE FOR IT. Water conservation is important and easy! Changing a few simple habits can significantly impact water consumption.

Our 100+ water-saving tips are easy to incorporate into your daily routine. Our water thanks you. And so do we.

Visit WaterUseItWisely.com for 100+ water-saving tips.