Green Living Magazine - January 2022

your conscious life

GREEN LIVING January 2022

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The Shroom Boom An interview with cinematographer, Louis Schwartzberg Best Mushroom Books Fabulous Fungi Recipes 22 Resolutions for 2022 The Best Road & Mountain Bikes Fantastic Fungi – More than just the film Canyon Ranch - The original Wellness Resort

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‘Tis the Season...

Photos courtesy Durango Hot Springs

When Jack Frost is nipping at our nose, we can find warmth by dipping our toes – and the rest of our bodies - in a hot tub or spa.

calcium and magnesium will help to remove toxins from our body. Your goal is to achieve a healthy body by creating a healthy environment.

As winter approaches, the need to stay warm is inevitable. Hot tubs are built for winter weather – in fact, it’s almost a necessity. There is nothing like getting into a 104-degree hot tub after a long day. The warm water helps to relax the muscles while it causes the blood vessels to dilate to increase oxygenation. It’s the perfect way to relax, recharge and rejuvenate.

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CONTENTS

GOOD

January 2022

14 National Soup Month 16 You Are Us – Sneak peek 18 Arizona Tracks and Signs Health through 20 Cultivating Community Gardens

Arizona restaurants serving comfort in a bowl An excerpt from a new book by Gareth Gwyn Wildlife Tracking

Digging in Tucson

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

22 Five Best Books on Mushrooms Cycling – Mountain & 24 Outdoor Road Bikes Healthy reading corner

Exercise for better health

28 Balancing Iodine in Your Body Too much or too little can be an issue

SAVOR

44 Fantastic Fungi Recipes

First the movie, now these delectable morsels

36

TRAVEL

Implements 48 Google “Eco Certified Tag”

How to find “Green” places to stay

50 Trains, Planes and RV’s

On the road with Karen Langston

FEATURES

30 Fantastic Fungi – 34 A Mycelial Connection The Shroom Boom

Interview with Louis Schwartzberg

A film about an underground network of mushrooms

36 22 New Year’s Resolutions for 2022 39 Valentine’s Day Gift Guide 42 Canyon Ranch – Ways to Wellness

DESIGN

Refuge in Your 52 Finding Bathroom

You can find peace and quiet in this space

Strategies for 54 COP26 Decarbonization & Impact on the Environment Gensler talks sustainability

Elm Caring for the 56 West Planet & People

Home furnishings that contribute to a healthy home

A perfect retreat to better health

Can you stick to these?

Getting a head start

About the cover: Photography on cover and in feature story, “Shroom Boom (page 30) courtesy Louis Schwartzberg, cinematographer and director of Fantastic Fungi (movie). Schwartzberg films time-lapse photography in nature, and many of his films appear on the Netflix series, Moving Art.

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TECHNOLOGY

Partners with Salt 58 ZEV River Pima - Maricopa Indian Community Zero Electric Vehicles help fight carbon emissions

IN EVERY ISSUE

6 6 10 12 16 60 62

Editor’s Note Contributors On the Web Event Recap Cool Outrageous Stuff She’s Green, He’s Green Green Scenes

A STATE OF MIND.

A WAY OF LIFE.

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EDITOR'S

Note

Contributors Happy New Year!

The New Year means a new beginning. It’s a time when we take a look at where we have been (in retrospect) and assess what direction we want our lives to go in the future.

We break out the new calendars, set goals, do dream boards (mine is still sitting on the floor in my office from 2020) and begin the process to plan out the year ahead. We make resolutions, commitments, set intentions and even plan workout regiments and dietary goals.

Thirty days later some of us are back to old habits. Our resolutions have fizzled or perhaps have been modified, while others have stayed the course.

There are 365 days within a year – every year. Each morning the sun rises and wakes us to begin a new day. Why not look at each new day as a brand new opportunity. Just think, we have 365 new opportunities to create and manifest what we want in our lives.

Dr. Wayne Dyer said, “You create your thoughts. Your thoughts create your intentions, and your intentions create your reality.

This is how to manifest. I am a big believer in manifestation and have tapped into its magical energy within the Universe.

In 2014, I was living in Las Vegas, sitting in front of the television watching Super Soul Sunday. Oprah Winfrey was interviewing this man who appeared to be an amazing time-lapse cinematographer. During the interview, every word that he uttered was filled with wisdom. I was sitting at the edge of my sofa, listening intently and taking notes. (I still have that piece of paper.) I wondered, who is this guy? I have to meet him and I want to interview him.

Cannon Winkler, writer Cannon Winkler is an artist and tracker who creates paintings out of wildlife tracks.

He pioneered the technique of casting molds of animal tracks in silicone while completing his training as a professional safari guide in South Africa during the height of the COVID-19 Pandemic. In his paintings, he draws inspiration from ancient bushman rock art, aboriginal dream paintings, and eastern mandalas.

Winkler believes that tracking animals is intrinsically human, as we have done so for thousands of years. The paintings in Walks of Life aim to connect people with our last remaining wilderness and inspire an appreciation and kinship with life different than our own. www.walksoflifeart.com

At that time, I didn’t have a TV show or podcast. I wasn’t writing articles or working for any publication that would essentially give me a reason to interview Louie Schwartzberg. However, I remember saying those words with such conviction.

Fast forward three years later (2017), I am living in Sedona, Arizona, and interviewing filmmakers for a local film festival. Louie Schwartzberg was a guest speaker. I had a choice to interview Dr. Joe Dispenza or Louie Schwartzberg. And whom did I choose?

Four years after that, as Green Living’s managing editor, I have been carefully monitoring the ‘Shroom Boom.’ For the past two years, I have been taking mushroom supplements created by Paul Stamets. I recently watched “Fantastic Fungi” – multiple times – and mushrooms are one of my favorite dishes. I have been reading and learning about the health benefits of fungi, and the thought of a mycelium network underground blows my mind.

Gareth Gwyn, writer

Enjoy!

Gareth Gwyn is committed to establishing a new global vision of leadership founded on self-inquiry and restorative practices. She is the founder of Let’s See Labs, an organization that produces films, writing, and cross-platform workshops that facilitate socio-cultural transformation at the individual level through embracing vulnerability.

Carol Kahn Managing Editor

Gareth earned her M.A. in Digital Communication at The Hussman School of Journalism and Media at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Our January Health & Wellness issue is carefully curated to provide you with some of the latest mushroom discoveries, books on the subject, recipes and a double feature article about the “Fantastic Fungi” including an interview with – Guess who?

Just proving the point that manifesting works – and in this case, multiple times.

Together, let’s co-create and manifest some wonderful things within our Universe.

Carol

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your conscious life

GREEN LIVING greenlivingmag.com

PUBLISHER MANAGING EDITOR DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS ART DIRECTION & DESIGN COPY EDITOR

Dorie Morales Carol Kahn Alexandra DiPeri Sly Panda Design Barbara Augsdorfer

CONTRIBUTORS Adriana Bachmann David Brown Jennifer Burkhart John Burkhart Johanna Collins Max Curry Abbie Gellman

Gareth Gwyn Barbara Kaplan Karen Langston Sarah Mclean Mary Stanger Cannon Winkler

EDITORIAL INTERNS Max Curry

DESIGN & EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Maja Peirce

ADVERTISING SALES Julie Baum - julie.b@greenlivingmag.com Sabine Engelbrecht - sabine.e@greenlivingmag.com Dorie Morales - sales@greenlivingmag.com

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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

TECHNOLOGY

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Eco Mesa Sustainable Apartment Homes Paving a New Path

Introducing The New Polestar

Simple Solutions to Restore Our Earth

Polestar is all in, committed to a fully electric future. The global transition from gasoline to electric cars will bring benefits both to the environment and your bank balance, not to mention an exciting new driving experience. It’s time to make a positive change.

The mission of Green Living is to inform, connect, and empower others to make eco-conscious choices for a healthy life and planet. Part of this empowerment is showing that living eco-consciously is tangible for every individual and starts with small steps in everyday life.

On November 13th, real estate firm Habitat Metro commenced their latest development, Eco Mesa Apartments.

This new construction will be revolutionary in sustainability, as the apartment homes are designed to help residents reduce their carbon footprint.

INSTAGRAM

LINKEDIN

Green Living attends the Label Horde Fashion Show put on

by FABRIC Tempe showcasing 60 designers unique looks.

Sam Pillsbury discusses sustainability at his winery, Pillsbury Wines as Green Living's Publisher Dorie Morales emcees the Holiday Customer Appreciation event at Copenhagen Furniture on Dec. 9. The event benefited the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

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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

EVENT

Recap

Holiday Festivities Green Living's Customer Appreciation event in partnership with Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Man and Woman of the year celebrated the holidays on December 9, at Copenhagen Furniture in Scottsdale.

The brand new Polestar was parked right outside the doors, while inside, Copenhagen’s modern furniture and décor proved to be the perfect party place for our guests – all decked out in Christmas decor.

Cocktails flowed from Roxx Vodka and Pillsbury Wine adding to the festive cheer.

A fashion show provided by Tempe Fashion week added to the ambiance.

We would like to thank our sponsors: For Energy, Hoffman Insurance, Polestar, So Fresh Smells, God’s Garden Treasures, Studio BB Designs, Pillsbury Wine and Witnessing Nature in Food.

All attendees received gift bags provided by Natural Grocers.

Photo by CNS Photos

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Photo by CNS Photos

Save the Date FEBRUARY– MARCH 2022 Presenting

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COOL

STUFF Outrageous

Create More Mindfulness in the New Year by Downloading a Meditation App 1

1

Healthy Minds Program Your path to well-being. Powered by science. Be present through awareness. The Healthy Minds Program is backed by four decades of research from world-renowned neuroscientist Dr. Richard Davidson and his team at the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin - Madison, and Healthy Minds Innovations. The Healthy Minds Program trains your mind through meditation and podcaststyle lessons to develop skills – to gain focus, reduce stress and maintain positive social connections. The groundbreaking Healthy Minds Program app uses neuroscience, contemplative traditions and skilled-based learning methods to help you develop the skills for a healthy mind. This program is developed from neuroscientific research. To learn more, visit www.hminnovations.org.

2 Calm Calm is the best of the best and highly ranked since 2017. Calm is the #1 app for sleep, meditation and relaxation. People report that they experience better sleep, lower stress and less anxiety with guided meditations, Sleep Stories, breathing programs, stretching exercises and relaxing music. Top psychologists, therapists and mental health experts also recommend Calm Sleep Stories are bedtime stories guaranteed to lull you into a deep and restful slumber. Calm has 100+ exclusive Sleep Stories for adults and children alike, featuring well-known talent such as Stephen Fry, Matthew McConaughey, Leona Lewis and Jerome Flynn. Drift off to dreamland and wake up refreshed. You will receive an original Daily Calm every day – a 10-minute program to help ease you into the day or to unwind before bed. To learn more, visit www.calm.com.

3 Headspace

Meditate and sleep soundly. Headspace is your guide to practicing mindfulness in everyday life. Learn how to relax, manage stress, and focus your energy to become more centered and well rested.

Create a calm and positive environment. Headspace offers guided meditation, sleep meditation and breathing exercises. Learn mindfulness skills from world-class experts like former monk and Headspace co-founder Andy Puddicombe. Choose from hundreds of guided meditations on a new topic each day: anxiety, focus, relaxation and more. Boost your concentration and productivity with focus-enhancing music. Tune in to the moment with Headspace’s Chief Music Officer, John Legend. To learn more, visit www.headspace.com.

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2

4 Buddhify Buddhify helps bring more calm, clarity and kindness to all parts of your life. Whether you're looking to reduce stress and anxiety, or get a better night's sleep, Buddhify has easy-to-follow guided meditations to help you live happier and healthier. Over 200 meditations are available to help you overcome life's challenges including anxiety, stress, sleep, pain and difficult emotions. You can do mindfulness exercises . Sessions are available for complete beginners and those with more experience, with lengths from three to 40 minutes. To learn more, visit www.buddhify.com.

5

Simple Habit Simple Habit is the #1 app for your wellness and sleep recommended by top mental health experts. Simple Habit was featured on Shark Tank season premiere in 2017. The Simple Habit wellness and sleep-therapy sessions offer guided mindfulness and meditation, daily motivation, guided sleep sessions and coaching by world-renowned experts. Each session is personalized for the way you live your life. It will help you feel less stressed, get better sleep and be your best self whether you have five minutes in the morning, 20 minutes during your commute, or need to fall asleep quickly. Use Simple Habit's On-the-Go feature to quickly calm your anxiety to achieve a sense of mindfulness. To learn more, visit www.simplehabit.com.

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GOOD

Round-up

A Bowl of Your Favorite Hot Soups to Try

As the temperatures start to drop across the country we can officially say it’s soup season!

J

January is National Soup Month, and these Arizona restaurants are serving up warmth and comfort with homemade recipes and spoonfuls of delicious ingredients!

LENTIL SOUP AT PITA JUNGLE When locals think of nutritious and healthy dining options, Pita Jungle is the first that comes to mind, and their Lentil Soup is a go-to immune-boosting favorite for the winter.

Being the backbone of the Mediterranean diet, it is only natural Pita Jungle would have a soup dedicated to lentils!

This lentil soup packs the right amount of earthy and savory flavors with tahini drizzled on top to deliver a nutty flavor.

Pita Jungle fans know that no dish is complete without a side of pita bread or seasoned pita chips made fresh daily.

Cup $5.19. Bowl $6.99. www.pitajungle.com

Mexico City, the origin of your new favorite chicken tortilla soup is right here in Scottsdale! $8. www.diegopops.com

CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP AT DIEGO POPS The modern taco spot in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale, Diego Pops, has a traditional Mexican soup on the menu (sopa de tortilla) that you won’t want to pass up! Tender chicken, and a little kick delivered by poblano peppers and corn are in every scoopful. Diego Pops tops their chicken tortilla soup with avocado, a sprinkle of queso Oaxaca and a pile of crunchy, salted-to-perfection tortilla strips. Although the origin of this soup is known to be from somewhere in

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VEGAN CHILI AT EAT UP DRIVE IN There’s nothing better than finding classic comfort food made vegan and Eat Up Drive In, located in Arcadia, is making homestyle-vegan food dreams come true. Vegans and chili fans can rejoice because Eat Up offers a vegan and gluten-free chili made from scratch packed with beans, mushrooms, big chunks of carrots and celery, onions, poblano peppers and topped with a sprinkle of chives. Best

part? This vegan chili also comes poured on top of their famous baked potatoes! Whether you like it in a bowl, or over a potato, Eat Up Drive In has chili year-round for curbside, pickup and dine-in. $7. www.eatupdrivein.com

DETOX VEGETABLE SOUP AT EAT

BY STACEY WEBER Whether you’re starting the new year off on the right note, or looking for immune-boosting ingredients, EAT by Stacey Weber’s Detox Vegetable Soup is the right soup for you!

This immunity-boosting detox soup starts at its base with vegetable stock and is jam-packed with onion, celery, carrots, red cabbage, broccoli, cilantro, kale, tomatoes, lemon and spices, all on a mission to boost your health during cold season! This gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan detox soup is ready for pickup at EAT seven days a week, or can be added to your weekly delivery orders with EAT’s prepared meals services. $10. www.eatbystaceyweber.com

Montauk classically accompanies its clam chowder with crackers. $8. www.themontaukaz.com

ITALIAN WEDDING SOUP AT STREETS OF NEW YORK The only thing getting married in this soup are the flavors!

Originally named for the ingredients in the soup combining perfectly (like a marriage), Streets of New York’s Italian wedding soup lives up to the origin with the classic elements of your grandmother’s recipe with couscous, tomatoes, spinach, sweet red pepper and arguably the star of the soup, miniature meatballs. This warm bowl of Italian comfort food is perfect for the winter and goes perfectly with freshly grated Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top and with a side of flaky garlic bread. Cup $5.75. Bowl $7.90. www.streetsofnewyork.com

CLAM CHOWDER AT THE MONTAUK Transport immediately to the east coast at The Montauk in Old Town Scottsdale and feel like you’re just steps away from the ocean with their clam chowder that will surely have you convinced you’ve left Arizona. The Montauk is stirring up this New England classic with the traditional ingredients of clams, the earthy flavor thyme and potatoes, all mixed together to create the perfect cream-based chowder. The JANUARY 2022

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GOOD

Book

You Are Us

How to lead in a Polarized World

BY GARETH GWYN

P

Politics, religion, gender, race and other social identity markers often catalyze conflict across families, communities, workplaces and broader society.

These tensions can lead anywhere from an argument with a friend to a full-blown collective war. As these tensions continue to appear in our world, how can we step into leadership that thrives in such a polarized world? What really is at the core of what perpetuates conflict and how can we understand who we are within the chaos and step toward wholeness, peace and the resolution of trauma?

The upcoming book: “You Are Us: How to Lead in a Polarized World,” explores these inquiries and more through storytelling. Twelve case studies of human transformational stories are presented across varied contexts of divided social issues. Interwoven through the stories, we are also taken through an exploration of the underlying patterns that these case studies ignite.

"You Are Us" takes readers on a journey that demonstrates the impact of how leadership positioned to thrive in a polarized world touches a vast spectrum of life involving the micro-scale of the quality of our relationships with ourselves, friends and family, the broader community, organizations, workplaces, indeed even nations and the entire world.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Gareth Gwyn is committed to establishing a new global vision of leadership founded on self-inquiry and restorative practices. She is the founder of Let’s See Labs, an organization that produces films, writing and cross-platform workshops that facilitate socio-cultural transformation at the individual level through embracing vulnerability.

Gareth earned her M.A. in Digital Communication at The Hussman School of Journalism and Media at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

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PATTERNS AND HOW WE CHANGE THEM “The unknown is not far off; it is in what is.” — Krishnamurti The beauty of the human experience is that it is always unfolding, always changing. As a starting point, humans are free. Free to feel, free to see, free to hear, taste and smell, and free to choose our behaviors. In our very essence, we are worthy of love and loving. When we begin to limit ourselves with labels, associations and an identity complex based on a lack of worth, we become stuck.

Being in a human body can feel isolating. Skin, literally, keeps us separate and distinct from one another.

However, if we lean into unified consciousness (a matter of one’s mind-set), we can see and feel that we are both unique and unified at the same time. We are at once separate yet connected.

If we embrace these two seemingly contradictory places, we can begin to find an experience of freewill embedded within. This place of feeling our agency, our participation – conscious or unconscious – our “yes” or our “no” as a sovereign human is a brilliant facet of our human condition.

It means that when we are able to feel our agency, we can choose to bring forth love with how we marry what is connected in all of us with what keeps us separate. When we do this, we can work toward staying connected despite external barriers.We as humans can realize that we are in fact free. It’s from a place of freedom that we can channel love and acceptance.

Which begs the question: How can anyone love while imposing preconceptions on our own experience? The claim that love comes with conditions is a reflection of our own limitations, our own living in a state of reactivity and chaos. But love is non-reaction. Love is acceptance. Love is an infinite possibility.

We can still hold our concepts and ideas about what we are outside, while we also maintain the love and potential of who we are inside. This is the perspective in which our self-awareness helps us access a more forgiving, compassionate point of view. It’s from this attitude that we can see ourselves and others from a position of freshness, wonder, curiosity and awe that loves unconditionally.

It is with love that we break down barriers. Yet so often, our very concept of identity – external identity – is intertwined with these counterproductive barriers. Victim and oppressor roles, or superior and inferior modes of being, operate in a binary system, upholding each other. When one person chooses to disengage from either a victim or oppressor role, the system breaks down. As each person does this, the system dissolves at its very foundation, making way for social transformation.

This is an idealistic dream – that each person in society can break down their currently held point of view and begin to look at the world from an identity filled with love and compassion. And yet, there is truth in this dream as this is exactly where we as humans start: We are all beings worthy of love and loving.

In simple terms, idealism shows us what is possible. However, in order to adopt a new way of being, we must be able to know how to relax our nervous system enough to let the fear and pain out and the love in. Whether our barriers are due to environmental factors, acute trauma experience, prolonged exposure to violence, or simply passive conditioning of societal norms, our physical and emotional health, as well as spiritual connection, depends on building the capacity for resilience in direct relationship with the health of our central nervous system.

Consider how the vagus nerve is thought to serve as the gut-brain axis. In this hypothesis, gut-brain health is vital to the integration of our body’s ability to operate as a harmonious ecosystem. Far from the “fight, flight, freeze, or appease” model of brain-based reactions to danger, fresher studies indicate that the vagus nerve helps us regulate the crucial sociability that we cultivate when we’re not experiencing activation or suppression of emotion. Cultivating resilient vagal tone, then, is central to openness, receptivity and play.

We can witness the importance of the mind-body connection in stories of people who have learned to selfregulate their nervous systems, and how this self-regulation surfaces newfound qualities of comprehensive health, energy, capacity and overall well-being.

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GOOD

Conservation

Arizona’s Tracks and Signs A window into the biodiversity around us

W

BY CANNON WINKLER

Wildlife tracking can be a window into the past. Similar to reading a guest log at a hotel you can learn who was here before you, when they arrived, and where they were going.

Jaguar caught drinking. Photo courtesy of the University of Arizona Jaguar and Ocelot Monitoring Project - Citizen Scientists

The track of the right front paw of a bobcat with other faint tracks around it. Photo by Cannon Winkler.

Tracking doesn’t have to be about stalking animals through the woods. It can simply be about expanding your awareness of what is going on around you. Learning the footprints of common wildlife in your area can be extremely rewarding whether you are a wildlife enthusiast or an occasional hiker.

When most people think of Arizona, they tend to think of dry heat, cacti, and the Grand Canyon. Unfortunately, “biodiverse” doesn’t usually come to mind, although perhaps it should. According to NatureServe, Arizona ranks as the third most biodiverse state in the U.S. Despite low rainfall, this “barren” state boasts a variety of life that will surprise even many of its long-time residents.

After grasping the basics of tracking, you may be surprised how a quiet hiking trail suddenly becomes full with signs of life. Where before, perhaps you saw only rocks and plants, now you may see evidence of a sauntering bear, foraging javelinas, or an owl swooping down to catch a rodent – all of this is written in the sand. Learning to identify tracks can reveal the astounding diversity of life that exists out of human sight yet right under our noses. This is especially true in Arizona.

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Arizona is home not only to mountain lions and bobcats, but also to the jaguar and ocelot. The Grand Canyon state is the only state in the country with four different species of wildcat according to the University of Arizona Jaguar and Ocelot Monitoring Project, an initiative to monitor these cats in the wild. In the recent past, jaguars ranged from the Mexican border all the way to the Grand Canyon. However,

due to hunting and habitat loss, they are labeled “near threatened” in the United States. Some can still be found in remote areas of southern Arizona where they are studied to inform conservation efforts.

Beyond felines, Arizona is also one of only two states where Mexican wolves exist in the wild. Similar to the jaguar, the Mexican wolves were hunted down to only a few individuals by the 1970s. However, after a successful captive breeding program, the wolves were reintroduced to Arizona and New Mexico where their numbers have since been on the rise.

We have endangered ungulates such as bighorn sheep and pronghorn antelope. The pronghorn antelope is the second fastest land animal in the world (second only to the cheetah).

Arizona is also home to the exotic-looking coatimundi and ringtail. Both are relatives of the raccoon but appear more monkey and cat-like respectively.

In addition to elk, river otter and black bear, we also have four species of skunk, three species of fox and two species of deer – this all without mentioning the plethora of birds, reptiles and invertebrates found in the state. Many of these species are elusive and it is uncommon to see most of them in person. However, being track-conscious can help us feel their presence.

Racoon track - right front paw. Photo by Cannon Winkler.

A Ringtail on a rock. Photo courtesy of the University of Arizona Jaguar and Ocelot Monitoring Project - Citizen Scientists

While it’s unlikely you will ever come across ocelot tracks, you will certainly start to see evidence of our other wild neighbors once you become aware of the tracks around you.

It is surprising how often hikers walk on top of fresh animal tracks such as mountain lion without realizing it. This is not to say that they should be fearful, but rather that they are missing out on the richness of their surroundings.

Tracking is as old as humankind and it has only been in the last few hundred years that most of us have forgotten this ancient skill. Today, it is perhaps one of the least-invasive ways to observe and connect with the diverse wildlife around us. Next time you are on a walk, make a special note to be aware of the ground beneath your feet. When you learn to read the dirt you may be surprised by the stories it has to tell you.

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GOOD

Gardening

Cultivating Health through Community Gardens

BY ADRIANA BACHMANN

C

Community gardening has a long history, beginning in America at the turn of the 20th century with allotment gardens, and re-emerging during the World Wars as “Victory Gardens.”

Today, community gardens are often used to revitalize communities affected by urban decline to build a sense of social responsibility, provide nutritious food, teach environmental stewardship and create a safe place for community members.

At their core, community gardens are defined as a piece of land where plants are grown and maintained by members of the community. However, many would argue that they’re so much more. According to Designing Healthy Communities, community gardens: “Play a significant role in enhancing the physical, emotional and spiritual well-being necessary to build healthy and socially sustainable communities.”

The American Community Gardening Association (ACGA) links more than 2,000 gardens across the United States and Canada. At least 20 community gardens are located within the city of Tucson.

Melissa Mundt, community engagement manager at the Community Gardens of Tucson, says their organization has a network of thousands of local gardeners and supporters who learn, share and practice desert-appropriate, sustainable food production. They have an active membership of 400 people who garden in individual plots.

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When asked what the health benefits of community gardening are for individuals and communities, Mundt said she believes community gardens function, “As a green space for getting your hands dirty and getting in touch with the seasons, as a space to get some exercise and get outside, a place to meet people and work together and, of course, a place to grow some vegetables.” She went on to explain that during the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s become incredibly apparent how beneficial community gardens can be for people’s mental health.

“Gardens were one of the few places that felt safe to go, to feel connected to nature and grounded. Gardens became a refuge for people to get out of the house, grow food, relax and unwind from the stress of quarantine or job loss,” Mundt said.

Community gardens around the world have been credited with a multitude of beneficial health outcomes for participants. These benefits include an enhancement of nutrition through the production of fruits and vegetables; the opportunity for regular movement that contributes to a person’s recommended levels of physical activity; and the promotion of mental well being by encouraging mindfulness and reducing stress.

Apart from promoting positive health outcomes for individuals, communities at large also benefit from community gardens by: • Reducing the prevalence of food deserts and mitigating food insecurity • Creating a space for sharing knowledge, cultures and traditions between generations of gardeners • Sustaining the environment by using organic gardening practices, creating pollinator habitats and conserving water • Promoting community and civic engagement • Strengthening social and community-building skills The list could go on and on.

The Community Gardens of Tucson has robust programming that supports the surrounding community in various ways. According to Mundt, the organization serves families in low-income neighborhoods, seniors and refugees who have moved to Tucson from Africa, Eastern Asia and South America. Additionally, they have a positive impact on hundreds of elementary school children and their families through their community gardens located at schools.

Collaborating with school faculty, the Community Gardens of Tucson provides science-based educational programs in the garden that offer children hands-on learning for growing and eating veggies, as well as connecting them with the natural ecosystem of the garden.

They also provide workshops throughout the year and desert gardening resources for their network, along with exciting volunteer opportunities.

If you live in the Tucson area and are ready to “dig in,” visit the Community Gardens of Tucson’s website at www.communitygardensoftucson.org.

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HEALTH &

Wellness

Five of the Best Books to Read About Mushrooms

M

Mushrooms are the wave of the future. What we are now witnessing is just the beginning of many more new discoveries. By keeping an open mind we can learn about numerous health benefits these magical, mystical mushrooms have to offer.

Here are a few books to explore:

MYCELIUM RUNNING: HOW MUSHROOMS CAN HELP SAVE THE WORLD, BY PAUL STAMETS “Mycelium Running” is a manual for the mycological rescue of the planet. Growing more mushrooms may be the best thing we can do to save the environment, and in this groundbreaking text from mushroom expert Paul Stamets, you’ll find out how.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll find chapters detailing each of these four exciting branches of what Stamets has coined “mycorestoration.” The book includes chapters on the medicinal and nutritional properties of mushrooms, inoculation methods, log and stump culture, and species selection for various environmental purposes. Heavily referenced and beautifully illustrated, this book is destined to be a classic reference for “be mushroomed” generations to come.

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FANTASTIC FUNGI WITH PAUL STAMETS This book is the companion to the film “Fantastic Fungi.” Paul Stamets is the world’s preeminent expert of mushrooms and fungi. Stamets is joined by leading ecologists, doctors and explorers such as Michael Pollan, Dr. Andrew Weil, Eugenia Bone, Fantastic Fungi director Louie Schwartzberg and others.

Together these luminaries show how fungi and mushrooms can restore the planet’s ecosystems, repair our physical health and renew humanity’s symbiotic relationship with nature.

MUSHROOMS DEMYSTIFIED BY DAVID ARORA Simply the best and most complete mushroom field guide and reference book, “Mushrooms Demystified,” includes descriptions and keys to more than 2,000 species of mushrooms with more than 950 photographs.

Mushroom authority David Arora provides a beginner's

checklist of the 70 most distinctive and common mushrooms, plus detailed chapters on terminology, classification, habitats, mushroom cookery, mushroom toxins and the meanings of scientific mushroom names.

Beginning and experienced mushroom hunters everywhere will find “Mushrooms Demystified,” an informative and indispensable companion.

DIY MUSHROOM CULTIVATION

BY WILLOUGHBY AREVALO Bring mushrooms into your life as you dive into the practice of home-scale mushroom cultivation.

With applications in permaculture, urban farming, cooking, natural medicine and the arts, interest in home-scale mushroom cultivation is exploding. Yet many beginners remain daunted by the perceived complexity of working with fungi.

“DIY Mushroom Cultivation” is the remedy. The author presents proven, reliable, low-cost techniques for home-scale cultivation that eliminate the need for a clean-air lab space to grow various mushrooms and their mycelium.

Step-by-step instructions accompany a foundation of mushroom biology and ecology to support a holistic understanding of the practice. Growing techniques are applicable year-round, for any space from house to apartment, and for any climate, budget, or goal.

Whether you hunt mushrooms, or dream about growing and working with them but feel constrained by a small living space, “DIY Mushroom Cultivation” is the ideal guide for getting started in the fascinating and delicious world of fungiculture.

HEALING MUSHROOMS BY TERO ISOKAUPPILA This book is a resource on using adaptogenic mushrooms to boost immunity and promote whole body health the natural way.

Adaptogenic mushrooms are one of today's buzziest superfoods, known for their ability to restore skin's youthful glow, increase energy levels, reduce brain fog, keep your hormone levels in check and so much more. In “Healing Mushrooms,” you’ll learn about the ten most powerful mushrooms you can add to your daily diet to maximize your health goals. Though some of these mushrooms will sound exotic, they're all easy to source online in extract form and easy to use in recipes. “Healing Mushrooms” unlocks the vast potential of this often overlooked superfood category and will be the go-to resource for adding mushrooms to your health-and-wellness regimen.

Tero Isokauppila hopes to share the wise practices involved in mushroom use from the past so more people can use them for today. In his book, readers will find helpful recipes for their mushroom enjoyment.

After checking out these best mushroom books, you will be ready to embark on a healthy 2022!

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HEALTH &

Wellness

Outdoor Cycling

It’s one of the best exercises for overall health

BY MAX CURRY

W

Whether you are cycling on the road, or off road, having the right equipment and the best equipment is as essential as where you choose to ride.

In Arizona, cyclists have the luxury of selecting many scenic roads within the state and at different elevations.

Whether it’s riding through Scottsdale's McDowell Sonoran Preserve covering 30,000 acres with more than 120 miles of trails, or the scenic roads of Flagstaff such as Lake Mary Road, which is notable for offering one of the best road bicycle rides in Arizona; or mountain biking through Sedona’s astounding red rock vistas above desert scenery. Sedona is a perfect biking destination for the off-season months when the rest of the country’s trails are covered in snow.

Wherever you ride, the most important thing is finding the best places to shop for the right bicycle for you. Green Living lists five different cycling options for you to choose.

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REI REI, an outdoor recreation corporation specializing in various sporting goods, camping gear and clothing, also has an impressive selection of top-notch mountain and road bicycles. REI has established its presence across the U.S. as an esteemed outdoor gear-supplier. The store focuses on quality, simplicity and durability. Something unique that sets REI apart from most outdoor stores is that they not only provide gear, but also offer classes that help their customers gain the skill sets necessary for various activities.

In both their mountain and road biking departments, you will find trustworthy brands such as Diamondback and Cannondale. However, it is REI’s own brand of road bicycle, the Co-op ADV 2.2, that can barely stay on the shelves. It is currently their top-rated item. For the rugged terrain, the

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Cannondale Co-op ADV 2.2 That "Pavement Ends" sign really means "Fun Begins"—when you're on the right bike. Loaded with gravel-specific Shimano GRX components, the Co-op cycles ADV 2.2 is dialed for grinds of all kinds. $1,599

Cannondale Scalpel Carbon SE The New Cutting Edge Scalpel SE is the ultimate marathon racer and high-speed trail slayer. World Cup fast and all-mountain fierce – this is next-level cross-country mountain bike performance. It thrives on high speed trails and its built for full-throttle trail riding. $6,100

Pivot Trail 429 All-Mountain Attitude, Race Bike Reflexes The Trail 429 might well be the perfect category defying trail bike.

Progressive geometry and super capable suspension give hard charging riders the tools they need to thrive in jumpy and steep terrain. This is a bike that you can shred with confidence everywhere from 24-hour race courses to untamed high alpine singletrack. $7,499

Specialized S-Works Roubaix SRAM eTap They have been saying it for years—smoother is faster. But with the all-new S-Works Roubaix with SRAM eTap, this philosophy is taken to new, remarkable heights.

The frame is one of the lightest that They’ve ever made, and it's been constructed from their top-tier FACT 11r carbon fiber. Its stiffness levels are also off the charts, and compared to the SL4 iteration of yesteryear, you'll experience a whole new, faster, and more efficient geometry. Through some engineering sorcery, however, they've managed to keep the same fit, feel, and position that we've all come to love from the SL4, and kept it consistent throughout the sizerange due to our Rider-First Engineered™ construction. $10,000

COMING 2022 HAANJO 4 Diamondback is proud of their aluminum Haanjo models for their capabilities as road bikes with mountain bike attitude. The Diamondback Haanjo 4, however, ups the ante considerably. They took their aluminum frame and added thru-axles front and rear to give it even more precise handling. WTB Riddler 700×37c tires roll smoothly on pavement but can take plenty of abuse off-road. Potholes, fire roads, wherever you choose to go… the Haanjo 4 says, “Bring it on.” $1,600

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2021 Cannondale Trail 6 is their top-rated mountain bike.

REI doesn’t stop there; they even have a wide selection of top-tier cycles for kids. For example, the Co-op REV 20 is a 6-speed bike that will have your child turning heads around the neighborhood.

Every cyclist needs to have head protection that they can rely on in case of a fall. For optimal quality and safety, REI recommends their hottest commodity, the Bontrager helmet.

The options for bicycles and accessories span all price ranges and skill levels. No matter what you are looking for, REI is sure to carry it. Find out more information about REI’s gear and services at www.rei.com. REI locations: 12634 N Paradise Village Pkwy. Phoenix, AZ 85032 - (602) 996-5400 870 N 54th St., Chandler, AZ 85226 - (480) 940-4006 323 S Windsor Ln., Flagstaff, AZ 86001 - (928) 213-1914 160 W Wetmore Rd., Tucson, AZ 85705 - (520) 887-1938

COMPETITIVE CYCLIST Competitive Cyclist, showcasing their endless selection of cycling products, is committed to providing top-of-the-line services. Their products and brands are hand selected by experts in the industry for the beginner and veteran alike.

Competitive Cyclist boasts brands such as Pivot, Yeti and Diamondback. A unique aspect of the company is their qualified personnel – referred to as their ‘Gearheads” – who specialize in assisting you. The Gearheads are your expert partners who will help you get on the road or dirt feeling as prepared as possible. If you’re interested in buying top-quality bikes that will allow you to maximize your potential in the sport, Competitive Cyclist is the place to go. For example, the Pinarello Paris Disk road bike and the Diamondback Sync’R 29 mountain bike are some of their hottest commodities. For the bikers in training, Competitive Cyclist showcases the Cleary Meerkat 5-speed bike for kids. Besides a helmet, another important accessory that Competitive Cyclist recommends is the Purist Backcountry Water Bottle that is listed at an affordable $8.95. Browse their wide selection of gear and services at www.competitivecyclist.com. The store is located at 2607 3200 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84119 - (888) 276-7130.

THUNDER MOUNTAIN BIKES Thunder Mountain Bikes, a bike shop local to Sedona, consists of a passionate, eager-to-serve team. What sets Thunder Mountain apart from other shops is their tightknit staff that has decades of experience in the industry.

They will welcome you with open arms, quick to talk about mountain biking and their passion for Sedona. Given the mountain biking mecca that is Sedona, Thunder Mountain specializes only in mountain biking. With some of the best brands in their possession, Thunder Mountain is ready to set their customers up with bikes from heavy-hitting brands such as Shimano, Osprey and Evil. One of their most desirable bikes is ‘The Following’ manufactured by Evil. Thunder Mountain also has in stock a must-have

accessory for every adventurer: the Sherpa 2.0 Car Rack.

If you choose Thunder Mountain bikes, you will be sure to work with a team of zealous advocates for the sport of mountain biking. See all that this shop has to offer at www. thundermountainbikes.com. Thunder Mountain Bikes is located at 1695 AZ-89A, Sedona, AZ 86336 - (928) 282-1106.

GLOBAL BIKES Global Bikes is a locally owned and operated business that has been functioning successfully since 2001. This small business currently has five locations in the Phoenix Metro Area and has achieved national recognition by winning the NBDA America’s Best Bike Shop award. It is hard to find a selection more diverse, as Global Bikes offers road, mountain, electric, hybrid and kids’ bikes.

Aside from their ample options for high-quality gear and bicycles, it is Global’s factory-trained technicians that truly set the company apart. The accessibility and skill of these professionals make Global a top choice for all bicyclerelated needs. One of the top-selling mountain bikes in Global’s hands is the Specialized Rockhopper. Specialized is also a leading manufacturer in its selection of road bikes, as the Sirrus X 2.0 is currently at the top of their list.

These popular bikes are only a small snippet of their vast selection. Having ample supply of anything from a tricycle to full-fledged mountain bikes, Global also makes sure to provide the best quality for the kids. To give an example of their diverse and affordable selection of accessories and equipment, Global has bike locks starting at $7.95. Support this local business, while getting some of the best products around. Find out more at www.globalbikes.info. Global Bikes locations: 1010 W Southern Ave #3, Mesa, AZ 85210 - (602) 675-1774 835 N Gilbert Rd #111, Gilbert, AZ 85234 - (480) 892-1315 2915 W Ray Rd #10, Chandler, AZ 85224 - (480) 899-3625 3636 E Ray Rd #6, Phoenix, AZ 85044 - (480) 706-0858 1055 S Arizona Ave #4, Chandler, AZ 85286 - (480) 782-8342

FAIR WHEEL BIKES Tucson’s oldest and most reputable bike shop, Fair Wheel Bikes has been under the same ownership for more than 40 years. The business specializes in everything from top-tier road and mountain bikes, to the campus or beach cruiser. A unique trait of this business is that they are home to one of the top group rides in the country. Three different rides are held per week, each differing in pace and group size. This is a great way that Fair Wheel unites the community of road bicyclists and immerses itself in the community. This shop offers their customers a wide selection of complete bikes ranging from custom-made, to credible brands such as Evil, Specialized, and Parlee. In order to peruse their bikes and accessories for sale, you’ll need to visit their impressive in-store selection. Find out more about this shop by visiting www.fairwheelbikes.com. The store is located at 1110 E 6th St., Tucson, AZ 85719 - (520) 884-9018 JANUARY 2022

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HEALTH &

Wellness

Balancing Iodine in Your Body Too much or too little can be an issue

BY ABBIE GELLMAN

I

Iodine is a micronutrient used by the thyroid to support the creation of thyroid hormones. It does this by adding iodine to the amino acid tyrosine. Its only function in the body is for thyroid hormone synthesis.

Thyroid hormones are required to keep our bodies functioning and help us with a variety of processes, such as how to utilize energy properly. The thyroid gland supports the function of the brain, heart, muscles and other organs.

The trick here is balance. Either too much or too little iodine could be an issue. An iodine deficiency may lead to hypothyroidism (low iodine is not the only cause of this, though) or eventually an enlarged thyroid gland, commonly referred to as a goiter. If someone consumes too much iodine, it may inhibit thyroid gland synthesis. The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) is 150 micrograms with a maximum level of 1,000 micrograms.

Iodine is most often found in iodized table salt, seafood (including shellfish, fish and seaweed), whole grains, vegetables and dairy. Generally speaking, iodine deficiency has been rare in the U.S. due to the addition of iodine to table salt. However, the increased use of non-iodized salt,

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such as Himalayan pink salt, kosher salt, sea salt, etc., may affect those individuals who do not use iodized salt and are not regularly eating enough iodine-containing foods .

If someone follows a vegan diet and does not use iodized salt, they may still be reaching their daily needs with a diet rich in vegetables, seaweed and whole grains. There is one point to mention, though, regarding goitrogens. Goitrogens are foods that release goitrin when broken down, which may interfere with iodine metabolism and thyroid function.

Overconsumption of cruciferous vegetables (brussels sprouts, broccoli, cabbage, etc), soy products and millet may be an issue. However, I would like to note that only people low in iodine seem to have an issue with goitrogens.

If you follow a vegan diet and eat many cruciferous vegetables, then using an iodized salt or a possible iodine supplement may be a good addition to your routine.

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The Shroom Boom The End of Life is Just the Beginning A discussion with cinematographer Louis Schwartzberg

BY CAROL KAHN

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“Beauty is our heart opener that will make us fall in love with the planet in order to protect it.”

message. I'm trying to make sure we don't let this relationship unravel. It's a beautiful story. It's a love affair.”

“The soul is a window into a living universe that makes us celebrate life.”

Schwartzberg is an astute observer of the patterns of nature and likes to figure out how things work and asks, “Why?”

“If you go into nature’s wonders, you are in a temple that will open your heart instantly.”

Schwartzberg grew up in Brooklyn, New York. His parents were Jewish Holocaust survivors, and he says, they never really taught him about nature, but they did teach him a lot about gratitude. “I'm an environmentalist because I grew up in nature. My parents were Holocaust survivors and I'm against any form of genocide, or anything becoming extinct. Mother Earth, I want to protect her. This whole idea of appreciating the little things in life - that's what I learned. That's why I have a deep feeling about gratitude. And it's the little things that make the world go around,” Schwartzberg said.

Louis Schwartzberg, a director, producer and cinematographer, has uttered these pearls of wisdom.

He connects audiences to the intimate glimpses of his cinematography to a world we can experience in no other way.

The stunning images that Schwartzberg creates through his cinematography and time-lapse photography are intimate, exquisite and transcendent. He reminds us of the essential nature of beauty, and the intrinsic beauty of nature.

Schwartzberg is an evocative storyteller who immediately engages with audiences reminding us that beauty connects us to each other and the world around us. His work defies words. He artfully demonstrates the imperceptible beauty that unfolds around us, reminding each of us to embrace the world we live in with gratitude, wonder and awe.

Schwartzberg graduated in the 1970s from UCLA Film School with an MFA. He chaired and served as executive director of the Action! Vote Coalition and served on the board of the Earth Communications Office and the Environmental Media Association. He is a member of both the Directors Guild of America and the Academy of Motion Arts and Sciences.

“When people see my images, a lot of times they will say, 'Oh my God.' Have you ever wondered what that meant?”

Schwartzberg says. “The 'Oh' means it caught your attention.

It makes you present; it makes you mindful. The 'My' means it connects with something deep inside your soul. It creates a gateway for your inner voice to rise up and be heard. And God, 'God' is that personal journey we all want to be on, to be inspired, to feel like we are connected to a universe that celebrates life.”

He created a series for Netflix called Moving Art encompassing six topics: Flowers, forests, oceans, deserts, underwater and waterfalls. The seventh topic is about mushrooms – “Fantastic Fungi,” which launched as a video-on-demand. It has been number one on Apple, Amazon Prime and has appeared on Netflix this past summer. Schwartzberg took the film one step further and produced the Fungi Global Summit, which included a lineup of 50 leading experts and had over 160,000 people register for the event.

Schwartzberg captures life through the power of his lens. He is recognized as a pioneer in high-end time-lapse photography and shares his discoveries in such a way, focusing on the connection between humans and the subtleties of nature and the environment.

“I'm fascinated with unveiling the mystery of life. And so the films I make are part of the sense of wonder and all in curiosity. Before ‘Fantastic Fungi,’ I did ‘Wings of Life,’

“What is life? What is this universe made up of? Those are the big questions that intrigue me,” Schwartzberg said. “If I can see things from the point of view of a flower, imagine the insight that we have. By being able to see what a rose sees, you will be able to see what a hummingbird sees and understand a hummingbird’s point of view or a mountain’s point of view – it's been here for millions of years. “[Through time-lapse photography] you get a glimpse of that. So that is a heart opener, I believe,” Schwartzberg continues. “And each step of the way, I'm asking again, that bigger question, ‘What is it that makes life work?’

I'm not doing it purely as an environmental

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Photos courtesy of Louis Schwartzberg

which was about pollinators and narrated by Meryl Streep, being the voice of the flower” Schwartzberg explained. “It's the intersection of the foundation of life. The plant world gives us healthy food, nuts, fruits and vegetables that we need to eat. But then you say, ‘Well, if that's critical for our survival, what plants need is soil, and most people don't understand where soil comes from.

“When I did the deeper dive into the world of fungi – because I knew some things about fungi, like bioremediation [which is the introduction of microorganisms or other forms of life to consume and break down environmental pollutants in order to clean up a polluted site],” he added. “I really didn't understand that it could be the greatest natural solution to climate change and didn't really quite understand that it makes soil and it breaks down organic matter – even rock – it's amazing. You can talk to a lot of educated people and ask the most basic question, ‘Where does soil come from?’ And people don't know the answer.”

“Bees and the microorganisms in the soil that make soil, are the foundation of life, '' Schwartzberg said. “It’s more important than the top of the food chain, which is where we are. If we go, that's okay. If you lose soil, all plants go, all animals go. I don't know what's left of life on our planet.

Think about it. If you lose the foundation to the house, you lose the whole thing. If you lose the roof, you could fix it.”

Schwartzberg discussed many of the topics that he learned from working with Dr. Andrew Weil and Paul Stamets on the film, “Fantastic Fungi.” From Dr. Weil, he learned about the Lion’s Mane mushroom and how it could be helpful treating Alzheimer’s. “There needs to be more research and more studies, but it definitely can be helpful in eliminating the amyloid plaque that builds up in the brain in people that have Alzheimer’s,” Schwartzberg stated. “With Stamets, there's a lot. His story from cleaning up toxic oil spills with bioremediation and the [spectrum] of mushrooms - it's pretty mind-blowing.”

Schwartzberg says he is fascinated by Suzanne Simard, a professor of Forest Ecology at the University of British Columbia and the author of “Finding the Mother Tree: Discovering the Wisdom of the Forest.” Simard is a pioneer on the frontier of plant communication and intelligence.

She has been hailed as a scientist who ‘conveys complex, technical ideas in a way that is dazzling and profound.’ Her work has influenced James Cameron’s depiction of the “Tree of Souls” in the movie Avatar. “I really, really was inspired by her because I understand her struggle as a woman trying to have this crazy idea about the mother tree and the resistance she got, especially in a male-dominated field called science, but especially in forestry, which is really all about cutting down trees. She is a champion – being really a courageous voice – when nobody would listen. She's definitely at the top of my list.”

While Simard is on the top of Schwartzberg’s list, he, on

Louis Schwartzberg

the other hand, is on the top of many other people’s lists.

Audiences have watched “Fantastic Fungi” numerous times, along with his other films. “There are so many levels to experience the film. There's the beauty which is really nature's secret language that turns you on, for life to go forward. But there's also the science, and then there's the storytelling. There's so many different ways to engage.

It's hard to absorb all of it in one viewing. I've seen it hundreds of times, and I will admit that I will always learn something new, there's always something to be discovered,” Schwartzberg said.

While the “Fantastic Fungi” continues to evolve with audiences, Schwartzberg is now working on a new film, “Gratitude Revealed,” which should be released this spring.

It features excerpts from Deepak Chopra, Jack Kornfield, Lynn Twist and other experts; but mostly it is about wisdom from ordinary people. Discussed are the virtues found in gratitude about courage, compassion, patience, curiosity, creativity and connections. “Gratitude is the perfect antidote,” he said.

Schwartzberg’s films are evergreen and are a metaphor of life itself. He says that nature has invented reproduction as a mechanism for life to move forward. Reproduction is a life force that passes right through us and makes us a link in the evolution of life. “I want to be able to share that sense of wonder with the audience because I don't know where I'm going to be going. I don't know where the end is. And that's life, correct?” Schwartzberg says. “It's just to have that sense of joy – you're on this journey – because, if you know the answer, then you're just a tourist. You need to be a real traveler.”

Visit www.fantasticfungi.com and www.movingart.com for more information about Louis Schwartzberg and the "Fantastic Fungi.”

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The Fantastic Fungi A Mycelial Connection

BY CAROL KAHN

F

For billions of years, mycelium has grown beneath our feet and served as an ecological connective tissue. A sprawling, infinitely renewable, interlaced web, it threads through soil and along river beds to break down organic matter and provide nutrients to plants and trees.

Mushrooms are the fruit of mycelium. Much like the branches and vines that grow apples or grapes, mycelium functions like these twisting, branching supports just below the surface.

“The Fantastic Fungi,” a 2019 award-winning documentary directed and filmed by cinematographer Louis Schwartzberg, explores a journey about the magical, mysterious and medicinal world of fungi and their power to heal, sustain and contribute to the regeneration of life on Earth. Schwartzberg captured this journey through time-lapse photography and breathtaking imagery. The Fantastic Fungi is a consciousshifting film about the mycelium network – an underground network that can heal and save our planet.

Through the eyes of renowned scientists and mycologists such as Paul Stamets, best-selling authors such as Michael Pollan, Eugenia Bone, Andrew Weil and others, we become aware of the beauty, intelligence and solutions that the fungi kingdom offers in response to some of our most pressing medical, therapeutic and environmental challenges.

Few of us are versed in the complex, nutritional and lifesupporting powers of the mushroom, let alone the vast array of mushrooms that grow wild in our forests, parks and even around our homes.

According to Paul Stamets,“Mushroom Mycelium represents rebirth, rejuvenation, regeneration. Fungi generate soil that gives life. The task that we face today is to understand the language of Nature. My mission is to discover the language of the fungal networks that communicate with the ecosystem. I believe that Nature is intelligent.”

Stamets believes that we are heading in a very precarious and dangerous direction for ourselves and for the planet.

From desertization, water shortages, food shortages, bee

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colony collapse, nuclear waste storage and disasters, oil spills, plastic pollution, global warming – we stand at a precipice. We are challenged to find solutions to longstanding problems that we have not yet faced. Stamets adds, “Mushrooms can heal you. They can feed you. They can even kill you. They support life. They convert life. The bulk of the organism is grown underground and the mycelium shares the same intricate design as the Internet.”

“If we don’t get our act together and come in commonality and understanding with the organisms that sustain us today, not only will we destroy those organisms, but we will destroy ourselves. We need to have a paradigm shift in our consciousness. What will it take to achieve that?”

Stamets warned.

“If I die trying but I’m inadequate to the task to make a course change in the evolution of this planet…okay I tried.

The fact is I tried,” Stamets added. “How many people are not trying? If you knew that every breath you took could save hundreds of lives into the future had you walked down this path of knowledge, wouldn’t you run down this path of knowledge as fast as you could?”

The fact of the matter is that through Stamet’s discoveries as well as those of other scientists, businesses are now cropping up everywhere that involve the cultivation, consumption and integration of mushrooms into products including faux leather, shoes, packaging and other items. The mushroom revolution has begun and can be found in leather designs by couture fashion designer Stella McCartney, Lululemon and Adidas. These companies have secured exclusive access to Mylo – a unique material made from infinitely renewable mycelium which looks and feels like leather.

While companies are searching for new ways to create a sustainable future, Schwarzberg is no stranger to many of

these discoveries. He speaks at length about his experience in 15 years of research and filming time-lapse mushrooms in our Green Living feature, “The Shroom Boom,” he added, "the timing is perfect. We are just at the tip of discovery."

Schwartzberg has been producing time-lapse films for more than 40 years. However, he began talking to experts about the mushroom phenomena more than 15 years ago - way ahead of this "shroom-boom."

“But the timing was perfect,” Schwartzberg said. “When I finally finished it in 2019, Denver had just decriminalized magic mushrooms. Oregon had it on the ballot to have it be decriminalized. Voters approved the proposition; then Santa Cruz and Oakland, California. It's just a wave that keeps on growing.

“Sixty academic institutions are currently doing clinical trials. We are involved in the clinical trial here in Santa Monica with the Pacific Neuroscience Institute, where participants watch my video about the patterns and

rhythms of nature as they take a dose of psilocybin to treat alcohol addiction,” he added. “And the results I think are going to be extraordinary,”.

We are moving into a regenerative movement. Mushrooms provide a vast array of potential medicinal compounds.

Many mushrooms such as portobello, oyster, reishi and maitake are well known for these properties, but the lion's mane mushroom, in particular, has drawn the attention of researchers for its notable nerve-regenerative properties.

Other discoveries are on the forefront.

“Fantastic Fungi” provides thought-provoking and meaningful conversation. It is now evident that as something decomposes, a series of fungi will sprout above the soil; and at the same time underground, a vast network of mycelium has already spread - regenerating, rejuvenating and creating new life.

For more information about “Fantastic Fungi” visit www.fantasticfungi.com JANUARY 2022

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Canyon Ranch The Many Ways to Wellness

BY DAVID M. BROWN

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For more than 40 years, Canyon Ranch in Tucson has helped people attain a “well way of life” by providing innovative evidence-based services that are reliable and effective.

In 1978, founder Mel Zuckerman transformed his sedentary lifestyle into a wellness-focused one. After two weeks of healthy living, he wanted to guide others on the same journey.

A year later, he opened Canyon Ranch, located about 30 miles from downtown Tucson. As the first-of-its-kind integrative wellness resort, Canyon Ranch combines holistic methods, treatments and evidence-based methodologies from western and eastern sources to address well-being of mind, body and spirit.

The 150-acre resort can accommodate up to 240 guests in the hotel as well as at Canyon Ranch Living® private residences.

You can book a day treatment, stay for a night or a week, depending on your time, budget and intent.

Since Canyon Ranch opened, thousands of guests have changed their lives by scheduling a treatment or a longer stay. Three additional locations are in Lenox, Massachusetts;

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Woodside, California; and Las Vegas, Nevada.

Activities and programs popularized at Canyon Ranch, including yoga, meditation, plant-based diets and integrative medicine, are now mainstream; and owner John Goff, CEO Jeff Kuster and their team of wellness experts continue to offer innovative wellness guidance.

The Canyon Ranch experience is completely driven by you.

Personalized services begin from the moment you book your stay. A personal wellness team assists you, including a guide, who conducts a one-on-one consultation to determine your intentions for visiting, even before you arrive on property.

You must provide proof of full vaccination upon arrival or proof of a negative FDA-approved PCR or antigen COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival.

Using the information you provide at registration, the team provides guidance to optimize your stay. Their goal is

Photos courtesy Canyon Ranch

for you to return home feeling empowered to continue on your wellness path, and with the tools needed for longterm success.

Canyon Ranch’s 1,500-plus expert-led services are embedded in five wellness pillars: health and performance, fitness and movement, mind and spirit, nutrition and food, and spa and beauty.

Nutrition and diet includes crafting a wholesome diet, but that doesn’t require food-lovers to abandon culinary enjoyment. Executive Chef Shayne Spradlin started as an intern at Canyon Ranch, and has been an employee there for nearly 17 years. Certified by the Arizona Culinary Institute, Spradlin is passionate about cooking and food. His attention to detail, high-quality ingredients, presentation and customer service is well known. He loves inspiring guests on their journeys to optimize health, wellness and vitality through nutritious meals. He says, “You only get out what you’re willing to put in.”

Similar to the other departments, the spa experience is very intentional, including services and products. Canyon Ranch believes each experience should be inspired by you, and the resort empowers its experts to use their creativity and intuition to offer custom services, whether you have a chronic condition that needs attention, or are simply seeking relaxation.

EIGHT PATHWAYS Canyon Ranch offers bundled experiences called “pathways.”

These pathways are collections of curated services designed to help you achieve a specific goal, such as reconnecting with joy. Book these for three-, five- and seven-night stays.

Pathways include: Live your Healthy Weight — Pursue whole health and wellness while you reach and learn to maintain your ideal weight for life.

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Lifestyle Reset — Reimagine your way of life and emerge on a new path toward greater energy, purpose and health.

Optimal Health Exploration — Address any existing health concerns, make a solid plan to prevent future ones and learn how to live younger longer.

Reconnect With Joy — Recover from loss or trauma, find renewed strength and rediscover joy as a vital nutrient for your lifelong well-being.

Transition Purposely — Put career, relationship and life transitions into perspective and set the stage for your successful next phase.

Outdoor Escape — Celebrate the beauty of the outdoors.

Rediscover how the power of nature strengthens the power of you.

Personal Discovery — Forge your own path to selfdiscovery with a wellness journey designed for you, by you.

Just Be Here — Explore wellness at your own pace with a flexible schedule and one all-inclusive rate.

SOME HEALTH & WELLNESS TIPS Two associates of Canyon Ranch offer some tips.

First, Stephanie Miezen, director of nutrition, on Health and Wellness, says: • It’s important to adopt the perspective that change for great health has to be a long-term play.

• It’s important to keep improving skills needed to make healthy eating enjoyable and sustainable. Some of the best skills to do this are cooking- and food-literacy skills.

• Gain a foundational understanding of how foods fuel us.

Learn how to prepare them to be delicious and success will be so much more attainable.

• Excellent well-being can realistically be achieved only if great nutrition is practiced.

Amy Hawthorne, life management director, talks about Health and Healing: • Be curious with yourself around the life you’re living and the life you want to live while also being very aware of the judgmental narrative that could arise. Healthy self-confrontation, couched in self-compassion, can be a wonderful catalyst for change.

• Set realistic and attainable goals. Ask yourself: Is this what I would expect from someone I love and care about?

• If you want to live your highest life in the fullest expression of yourself, you must start with attending to your thoughts and the relationship with yourself.

For more information or to schedule a visit, go to www.canyonranch.com or call 520-749-9655.

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22 New Year’s Resolutions to Stick With in 2022

BY SARAH MCLEAN

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Why do we make resolutions? I know I make them hoping to get closer to or fulfill what I feel is my purpose in life. When I resolve to do something or change my perspective, I imagine it will lead me to happiness. Isn’t that what everyone wants in one way or another – to be happy? One way to find happiness is to practice self care, or what I call soul care. Here are 22 resolutions that I make on a regular basis that help me to do that.

When you wake up each morning, imagine what you want to put attention on for the day. What matters to you? What do you want to enliven in your life?

Maybe you want to keep an eye (or an ear) out for beauty, or intuition. It could be to remember to love yourself, or practice being a good listener, or bring your attention to the present moment, experience joy, notice coincidences and so on. What you put your attention on is enlivened in your awareness. You can decide what you want to focus on each day.

Discover a new practice to nourish your mind and body. Use your imagination. You might learn a new way of cooking, eating, or exercising; learn meditation, nurture or express yourself artistically through painting, yoga, dance, public speaking, etc. Try it, even if what you imagine scares you.

Slow down every once in a while. Life is delicious, but we can miss it when we race around. No matter what you are doing, whether you are eating, showering, talking, driving, exercising, walking, reading, working, or giving a gift, savor the moments. Don’t rush or blow yourself off. Give yourself the gift of the present.

Get outside every day. And this does not mean getting into your car and driving to work. Put your feet on the ground. Smell the air. Look at the sky and the stars. Notice the wind. Take a 10- to 30-minute walk in nature every day – without talking on your cell phone. And while you walk, give yourself a smile and at least 10 full, deep breaths.

Give your time to people over the age of 70 and under the age of 20. Or if you are over 70 or under 20, choose to be with generations other than your own.

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Sit in silence and meditate for at least 15 minutes each day; it clears the channels of communication between you and your source.

Prayer is also a nourishing practice.

to putting your attention right here and now. This is where the action is. You know your attention isn’t in the present when you feel depressed, ashamed, or anxious. Train your awareness through mindfulness practices or meditation.

Literally listen to those around you. Assume they are telling you what they mean, and believe them. Don’t be a mind reader.

Listen to your body’s wisdom and its sensations of comfort and discomfort. When making a choice – whether ordering off a menu or deciding who to spend time with, ask yourself, “How do I feel about this?” and pay attention to your body. It really all boils down to either a “yum” or a “yuck”. Your body doesn’t lie. It is always in the present moment, and that is where wisdom can be found.

Listen to your own intuition or wisdom. Ask yourself: What do I really want? How can I best love myself?

How can I use my talents in the world? Sit in the silence and simply listen. The answers will come. Promise. As my friend Byron Katie says, “The answer always meets the question. It just may not be according to your schedule.”

Say what you mean. Be authentic. It’s a challenge at first, especially for those of us who are really concerned about what other people think of them. Say “yes” when you mean “yes,” and “no” when you mean “no.” You’ll make it easy on yourself and everyone else this way. And you’ll save a lot of time and trouble.

Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat fewer foods that are manufactured in plants. Remember the source of your food.

Drink plenty of water, and not out of plastic bottles.

Reduce, reuse and recycle – even more than last year. It’s a sweet thing to do, as we are all sharing this planet. And add rethink, repurpose, remember… refuse – especially anything with too much plastic.

Give away anything you don’t find useful, beautiful, or joyful. Clear the extra stuff from your house, your car, your desk, your computer, your relationships and make room for new energy into your world. Fix those little things that drive you crazy, day after day.

Don’t contaminate your body with toxins: whether they are toxic food or drink, toxic emotions, environments, or toxic relationships.

Choose nourishing experiences for yourself. You know what they are.

Share your time and talents freely to others, and practice receiving what the universe provides. Whether you realize it or not, the universe is always on your side.

You don’t have to win every argument, or have the last word. Even though we all want to be right, let yourself agree to disagree, or see what happens when you remain silent. A friend of mine sometimes says in the midst of differing viewpoints, “You could be right,” and this usually makes everyone happy.

This moment, this one right now, is the only moment that you can really experience. Get used

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Don’t compare or judge your life or others’ lives.

Who really knows what is happening here. You have no idea what their path in life is all about. As ancient wisdom states, ”Karma is unfathomable.”

Become more self-referral, more independent.

Give up your need for the agreement or approval of others as you walk your own path. You are the wise one. Listen to your intuition. You usually do know best.

Know that the world “out there” reflects your reality “in here.” The people you react most strongly to, whether with love or hate, are projections of your inner world. You can learn from those who drive you crazy, or whom you admire. They are there for us to become more self aware. What you most hate is what you most deny in yourself. What you most love is what you most wish for in yourself.

Each night before you go to bed, take a moment to be grateful, you could find three things, or let the list go on and on. Or simply say, “Thank You.”

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Valentine's Day Gift Guide Wearable Glass We are lamp-work glass artists and jewelry designers creating wearable glass art for over 20 years. Each bead is melted freehand over a torch fueled by propane and oxygen, and carefully crafted one of a kind jewelry. Visit our website at www.studiobbdesigns.com Enter code GREENLIVING for 20% off your entire purchase.

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Fresh & Smooth Body Butter Give your loved ones the gift of wellness with this limited time offer and Receive our NEW Moringa Infused Body Butter. It's the gift that keeps on giving!!! www.sofreshsmells.com

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Just 1-2 ounces a day can help survive the hangovers of the holidays whether it's an over indulgence of sweets or too much of Mama's stuffing. A shot of beet juice will get your gut back on track. www.gardengoddessferments.com

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Coupling Our Room for Two Dopp Kit is the perfect gift for her and/or him!

This versatile bag is so roomy, you won't have to leave anything behind when you travel because it's handcrafted with natural cork. It's also extremely lightweight. This product is handmade in Portugal from sustainably sourced cork, ethically produced, PETA approved vegan, cruelty free and eco-friendly.

Check Tiradia's collection at www.tiradia.com & use promo code GREENLIVING15 for 15% off.

Rose Quartz For Love Rose quartz is the stone of unconditional love. Place the stone in the south-west direction in the bedroom to invite happy energies of romance. Spiritually Bold has unique finds and gifts - crystals, candles, jewelry, apparel, water bottles and more. Lots of gifts for Valentine’s Day.www.spirituallybold.com

Life’s Rocky, Sip Smooth Support a local women-owned business while sipping on your new favorite vodka. Distilled six times in Poland, this ultrapremium vodka uses four naturally-grown, pesticide-free grains to create the cleanest, most flavorful and smoothest martini around. ROXX is exclusively sold in Phoenix, Arizona.

Visit our store locator, www.roxxvodka.com/find-roxx for more information. Follow Roxx on Instagram @roxxvodka for the latest giveaways, exciting promotional events, and recipes.

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SAVOR

Recipes

The story behind "Fantastic Fungi Community Cookbook," edited by Eugenia Bone, is the story of Mycophiles from all over the United States and beyond who have shared their mushroom recipes and in the process, new connections and friendships were made. It’s what Louie Schwartzberg, the director of the film, calls the “mycelial connection.”

Green Living was able to share a few of this delectable recipes.

All photos by Evan Sung

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Hot Buttered Oyster Mushrooms

BY VENORI KESHY LIYANAGE - NORTH DAKOTA

During the COVID-19 pandemic, my husband and I became vegans. We replaced meat with vegetables and found that mushrooms were a great meat substitute. This recipe is adapted from hot buttered calamari, a dish from Sri Lanka, where my family is from. We love to serve this as a hot appetizer, but it is also great as a main dish served over white or fried rice. I typically use chickpea flour (also known as gram or garbanzo flour) for the batter, because I like its sandy texture, but the recipe can also be made with all-purpose flour. You also can increase the chili pepper if you like it hotter.

YIELD: 4 SERVINGS

Ingredients: 1 cup finely ground chickpea flour, or all-purpose flour 1 cup full-fat coconut milk Canola or other vegetable oil for deep-frying 8 ounces oyster mushrooms, washed, dried, and torn into long, thin strips Pinch of salt 4 tablespoons vegan or unsalted butter 1 teaspoon minced ginger 1 teaspoon minced garlic 2 medium red bell peppers, thinly sliced (about 12 ounces) 2 teaspoons sugar 1 teaspoon red chili powder, or smoked paprika 4 scallions, sliced on the diagonal into ½ inch pieces 4 lime wedges for garnish (optional) Instructions: In a small bowl, mix the flour and coconut milk until combined in a smooth batter. The mixture will be thick.

Add 1 inch of oil to a medium or large nonstick skillet. Bring oil to 375 degrees Fahrenheit over medium heat. Then reduce heat to medium-low to stabilize the oil temperature. Dip each mushroom strip into the batter, shake off any excess batter, and add the battered mushrooms to the heated oil. Depending on the size of your pan, add about 3 to 4 pieces of battered mushrooms at a time; do not overcrowd the pan, or the temperature of the oil will drop and the mushrooms will become soggy.

Fry the mushroom strips for two to three minutes, until they are golden and release easily from the pan, then flip them over and cook the other side. Remove the mushrooms when they are golden all over and drain on paper towels or a rack. Repeat until all the mushroom pieces are fried to crispy perfection. Sprinkle with salt.

Heat the butter in a large nonstick saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and ginger and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until the mixture becomes golden and aromatic. Add the bell peppers and sauté for a few minutes to soften. Reduce the heat to low, add the sugar and chili flakes, and mix. Add a pinch of salt and red chili powder to the mixture. (If you don’t like it spicy, add 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika instead of chili powder). Add the deep-fried mushrooms and scallions and sauté for about 2 minutes, until everything is well combined.

Serve immediately as is, or with a side of rice and a lime wedge, if you like.

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Recipes

Lake Prespa Baked Mushrooms

BY NENI PANOURGIA - NEW YORK

As an anthropologist, I travel a lot both for fieldwork and conferences, and everywhere I go, I keep my antennae up for new recipes. I had this dish while I was visiting Lake Prespa, at the shared border of Greece, Albania and North Macedonia. It was served in the village of Psarades, which sits right on the lake. The lake teems with life - from fish, turtles and birds to water chestnuts, which can be harvested easily by just wading in the shallows. When I asked for the recipe, I was told that there wasn’t one; you just put everything together in the oven. After I returned to New York, I tried to replicate the dish. The version is just like the one I had in Greece. It’s best to make this dish in an earthenware pan. Otherwise, using a baking pan about 9-by-12 inches that will hold the mushrooms snugly.

YIELD: 4 SERVINGS

Ingredients: 2 pounds fresh mixed cultivated and/or wild mushrooms, cleaned and chopped into quarter-sized chunks ½ cup chopped juicy tomatoes [about 1 medium-sized tomato] ¼ to ½ cup white wine Pinch of dried oregano 2 small red or green bell peppers, or a combination, chopped in chunks [approx. 8 ounces] 1 tablespoon sweet bucovo or 1 teaspoon smoked paprika 2 teaspoons hot bucovo or ½ teaspoon hot paprika Salt and freshly ground black pepper ¼ cup olive oil ¼ cup thinly sliced shallots 2 tablespoons sliced garlic ½ cup chopped fresh flat-leafed parsley Instructions: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit In a large pan, combine the mushrooms, tomatoes, white wine, oregano, bell peppers, sweet bucovo, hot bucovo, salt, pepper, olive oil, shallots, and garlic. Make sure that there is enough liquid to cover the bottom of the pan. If there is not, add a few tablespoons of water. Cover the pan with aluminum foil, leaving a couple of openings on either side for steam to escape. Bake for 20 minutes, then give the mixture a good mix. Continue cooking, checking the mushrooms periodically for doneness (they are ready when they are fork-tender) another 25 minutes or so. Do not overcook; you are looking for tender mushrooms in a little sauce.

Remove from the oven, mix in the parsley, and cool. Serve at room temperature with sliced feta cheese and bread, if you like.

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Morels and Brie en Croûte

BY LARRY EVANS - MONTANA

In the days of Prototaxites, I developed an interest in edible mushrooms, and I’ve seen a lot of evolution in the study of mycophagy since the twentieth century, eating and singing my way through mushroom forays and festivals across the continents. After my CDs came out, people called me the Fungal Boogieman, and after my role in Ron Mann’s film "Know Your Mushrooms," I’ve been leading mushroom expeditions and working to decriminalize Psilocybe. My late wife, Kris Love, and I came up with this dish, and the recipe won a national award in 1997. It’s a dream recipe for gatherings, because it’s easy to prepare ahead of time and comes out of the oven ready to serve in 20 minutes.

YIELD: ONE 6-INCH WHEEL

Ingredients: 3 tablespoons unsalted butter 6 ounces fresh morels or ½ ounce dried (see note) Salt and freshly ground black pepper 6-inch wheel of brie cheese ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 pack (two 8-inch sheets) frozen puff pastry dough, thawed Note: Rehydrate dried morels by soaking in 2 cups of water for about 5 minutes until they are plump and soft, then drain.

Instructions: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Melt the butter in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the morels and cook until they lose their water and the water evaporates, about 10 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Slice the brie at the equator as you would a bagel. Cover one exposed half with the prepared morels and sprinkle with nutmeg. Place the other half of the brie on top of the mushrooms.

On a floured board, use a rolling pin to roll out 1 sheet of the puff pastry dough until it is smooth and pliable. Place the brie in the center of the dough. Roll out the second sheet of dough and lay it on top of the brie. Crimp the edges of both dough sheets to create the pastry envelope.

Place on a cookie sheet and bake for 17 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown. Serve with a baguette, if you like.

TRAVEL

Consciously

Google Implements the “Eco-Certified” Tag

BY MAJA PEIRCE

E

Each year, climate change has an increasingly profound effect on our decisions as consumers. Google’s CEO Sundar Pichai shared his personal experiences in a recent press release.

“A few years ago, flooding devastated Chennai [India], where I grew up. Seeing the images of the city — which had experienced extreme drought for so many years of my life — covered in flood waters, really made the impacts of climate change feel much closer to home. Last week, many of us woke up to orange skies in Northern California as wildfires continued to rage up and down the West Coast. The world must act now if we’re going to avert the worst consequences of climate change,” wrote Pichai.

When one is able to stick to a routine, sustainable living practices are easier to maintain. However, when traveling, finding amenities such as restaurants, hotels, and transportation that meet your standards of comfort and are also eco-friendly is difficult. Search-engine giant Google has implemented a quick fix to finding environmentally safe hotels by implementing an “Eco-Certified” tag.

When searching for a hotel, after clicking the “Eco-Certified” tag, an “Eco-Certified” hotel will have a “Sustainability” section under the “About” tab that lists sustainable practices the hotel utilizes. There are an array of areas in which hotels can be considered eco-friendly, such as water conservation, energy efficiency, waste reduction and offering vegetarian meals.

In addition to these areas, Eco Certifications may be listed under the “Sustainability” tab as well. These are self-disclosed by hotels, and while Google does not independently verify these certifications, they have partnered with organizations such as GreenKey and EarthCheck to conduct certification processes.

GreenKey is an eco-label in the field of environmental responsibility and sustainable operations within the tourism industry. GreenKey represents a commitment by businesses that their tourism establishments adhere to the strict criteria stipulated by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). EarthCheck is a scientific benchmarking certification and advisory group for travel and tourism.

EarthCheck’s programs are mapped to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) adopted in 2015 by all United Nations member states and underpinned by Agenda 21, a comprehensive plan of action to be taken globally, nationally and locally by all United Nations member states. Their standards are informed by a number of frameworks, criteria and standards that present themselves under that Eco Certifications section. EarthCheck audits hotels with an onsite visit for about two to three days approximately every two years, with some needing one visit every year.

Photo: Proximity Hotel in Greensboro, North Carolina LEED Platinum Green Hotel, 70+ Sustainable Practices It is the first hotel in America to receive the LEED Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, and the building uses 39.2% less energy than a conventional hotel and restaurant.

The Proximity Hotel is "Eco-certified."

These certifications seem to be an asset to both hotels and their travelers by bringing in revenue for hotels and by taking the headache out of finding one away from tourists.

“EarthCheck members benefit from attracting business with bookings from more people interested in making sustainable travel and conferences choices. Our research indicates that more than three in five international leisure travelers – 62% – are actively seeking out tourism operators that adhere to responsible standards when they go on vacation,” said André Russ, vice president of sales at EarthCheck.

Within that 62% who say they seek out responsible tourism, 19% say they “always” do so. These findings also indicate enthusiasm for responsible travel extends beyond North America and Western Europe markets, who have “traditionally been the driver of responsible/ethical tourism,” according to EarthCheck, nearly four in five travelers from Saudi Arabia (79%) and China (78%) report that they seek out responsible tourism operators.

These certifications and excitement in consumers toward sustainable options have been a dream of Google. The tech company reached carbon neutrality in 2007, and by September 2020, it had removed all carbon emitted since its founding in 1998. A year ago, Pichai made a public statement toward completely operating on carbon-free energy by 2030.

Join the fastest growing sustainable lifestyle publication in Arizona!

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We are seeking candidates who have demonstrated skills in the following areas: • Direct, in-person, B2B sales, especially in the advertising field • The ideal candidate will have two to five years of sales experience • The Ad Rep will report directly to the Publisher Responsibilities include the following: direct, inperson B2B sales of advertising for print, website, and e-Marketing formats in addition to sponsorships for eco events and summit events, through a relationship-based approach, being articulate and professional in both communication and appearance.

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“We have overlooked natural capital for too long. The value of natural capital – freshwater, clean air, habitat and so forth – needs to be factored into all economic and social decisions.

We have enormous opportunities to transition toward the new low-carbon economy. This is where the blue economy of entrepreneurship, innovation, disruption – meets the green economy, such as traditional approaches to sustainable development,” Russ wrote to Green Living.

“Today we see new markets emerging for clean energy, electrified transportation, the repurposing of waste, recycling of plastics, smart roadways and community microgrids,” Russ continued.“We hear about the circular economy and net positive strategies, where products can be made from non-toxic resources, returned to soil or water and repeatedly placed back into manufacturing processes.”

Collaboration between companies such as Google and organizations such as GreenKey and EarthCheck builds strong leadership, which will guide industries and consumers to take advantage of natural capital and enter the cleanenergy space. The first steps are providing consumers and businesses the information and education on their options, and providing tools such as the “Eco-Certified” tag.

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TRAVEL

Motorcoach

Trains, Planes and RV’s

BY KAREN LANGSTON

I

In May of last year, Green Living magazine featured my secret. Our driver’s license and our business are still Arizona based; however, we live full time in a motorcoach traveling the U.S. Two years ago, we sold everything, grabbed our clothes and two cats and hit the open road oblivious to what we needed to know. We have learned a lot in these two years.

I am writing this from a Casa Grande coffee shop. Our maiden voyage was from Sun City to Nevada, with my husband in the driver’s seat and me in the passenger’s chair.

Two years later, by the time you read this, we will be driving toward Nevada. This time, I am in the driver’s seat, newly seasoned and still oblivious to what we need to know. But our flight plan will be different. I have to chuckle, driving a 45-foot bus with all its checks and switches is like a pilot’s pre-flight checklist. I had no idea there was so much to do before take-off.

During the last two years the pandemic changed our plans.

This year, we are planning to travel as far east as possible in the U.S. I am looking forward to hugging the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean highways to experience the coastal towns, all the way to Maine and its surrounding islands. I have family in New Brunswick, Canada, so it’s tempting to share my childhood memories with my husband.

I used to plan out months in advance. Due to monthly trips to Arizona, repairs, weather and circumstances such as

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a pandemic where in some states we were not welcomed, understandably, I have learned to be flexible. In fact, I usually don’t know where we are staying until the day before.

I have been wanting to share my experiences to a larger audience but wasn’t sure if anyone was interested. I asked my Instagram followers what they wanted to learn about for the next year through my articles, I was shocked by the responses. Although there were a few health queries, most wanted to read about travel destinations, my adventures, life on the road and behind the scenes of the RV life. Guess, what? That is exactly what I am going to share with you.

There are so many things I can talk about, such as, how do you keep two cats happy in 500 square feet? How do we get our water? How are we sustainable? What apps, tips and tricks to share, and what does trains, planes and RV’s mean?

No subject is off limits. I will share it all.

Thank you for reading and following my journey. Happy New Year and I look forward to sharing my world with you.

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DESIGN

Bathrooms

Photo courtesy Barbara Kaplan

Finding Refuge and Beauty in Your Bathroom

BY BARBARA KAPLAN

H

Have you ever just wanted to hide from the world and wondered where you could go? For many of us, it’s the bathroom.

It’s the room where most of us begin and end the day. We talk with spouses and family members as we get ready for the day. We answer phone calls, make shopping lists, daydream, pamper ourselves and face the realities we see in the mirror.

The bathroom has become a place to indulge ourselves and find peace and refuge. If this sounds familiar, why not make it a place of beauty, support and healing?

Today, many homes have the closet and bathroom together, creating a complete dressing area. It makes access to clothing more convenient and combines all our personal needs in one place.

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To begin creating this very personal space, visit a tile showroom to see the abundance of tiles that may inspire your future bathroom design. Tiles come in a huge array of colors and textures, with beautiful and interesting designs. It seems like there is no end to how you can surround yourself to express your innermost personality and style. Combining tile with area rugs and carpet adds warmth to the all-tile look and feel.

A mix of lighting functions is a smart way to support the many different needs and desires you have in this one space.

Ceiling light for overall lighting will not add to the heat of the room and can be hidden as part of the ceiling fan. For

makeup and shaving, it is best to have the light fixture in front of your face to eliminate shadows. Be sure the wall sconce is the appropriate light intensity for colors to help you perfectly apply makeup.

New Year Green Sale

A ceiling fan gives wonderful relief by circulating the air, and a heat lamp placed where you are dressing after a shower or bath provides warmth. Mood lighting can be joined with the functional lighting and put on rheostats. Lamps give a cozy and warm feel to the hard and cold materials used in bathrooms. And don’t forget the romantic and healing effects of candles.

+

Plants add charm and a feeling of the outdoors. They should thrive very well due to the steam in the air,but be sure they have enough light, too. The containers you place them in are accessories and can add color and interest.

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All these items can also be incorporated in smaller spaces.

Mirrors can be used to expand the area and create a more elegant look. Not only does a mirror make the space appear larger, but it also eliminates the need for accent paint, wallpaper, additional tile and pictures. If you prefer, smaller individual framed hanging mirrors over sinks are a fabulous fashion statement that add style and charm.

Luxury and elegance are the words for our bathrooms today.

And they are a place to hide away with your dreams, relieve stress and indulge yourself. In this most personal space, display your favorite lotions, perfumes and candles. Use floor mats and soft towels that caress your skin. Select colors that soothe you and compliment your skin tone. After all, that may be all you are wearing.

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Seating can be added for lounging as well as making the space more inviting. If it’s a make-up chair or chaise lounge, cover it in a fabric that speaks to you. The fabric and rugs will also add color, warmth and absorb sound in the room.

And for those who have the space, include steam or sauna areas and mirrored rooms for exercise and equipment and maybe even a fireplace. Don’t forget to include speakers for a TV and music for relaxation.

Your bathroom could be the most special place in your home for you!

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DESIGN

Architecture

COP26

Strategies for decarbonization and impact on the built environment

BY JOHANNA COLLINS

T

There is a direct relationship between carbon dioxide emissions and global warming. It is of great importance therefore to get carbon dioxide emissions to zero.

The real estate industry makes up 49% of global carbon emissions when accounting for construction and building performance. Most carbon-reduction efforts in the building sector have focused on operational carbon — the carbon dioxide emitted when a building or systems are in operation — so that properties consume as little energy as possible.

And while these efforts have advanced the industry's goal of getting buildings closer to net zero operationally, we can no longer ignore that building materials account for half of a building's total lifetime carbon footprint.

document product global-warming potential.

At COP26 – UN Climate Change Conference, Gensler, a global architecture, design and planning firm, with offices in Phoenix, announced its green-materials initiative – a move that has the larger goal of shifting the real estate value chain towards net zero carbon emissions. This year marked the first time the annual conference had a showcase on buildings; and only the second year where an entire day was dedicated to discussions on the built environment and real estate development.

REPOSITIONING – STRATEGIES AT SOUTH MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE (SMCC) – LIFE-SCIENCES/ PHYSICAL-SCIENCES (LS/ PS) PARTIAL RENOVATION AND NEW ADDITION While knowing that reusing an existing structure is an important first step in lowering carbon emissions associated with our work, we wanted to quantify the amount of carbon diverted from the atmosphere by preserving an existing structure. We were interested in studying the carbon footprint associated with each material, in the existing structure, as well as the new addition.

Enlai Hooi, the Copenhagen-based head of innovation at Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects, said, “An architect who creates just three typical buildings over their career will be responsible for carbon emissions equivalent to the lifetime emission of 162 typical Americans.” This illustrates the critical role and responsibility architects, engineers and anyone in the real estate and construction sector carry in combating climate change.

STRATEGIES FOR DECARBONIZATION IN BUILDINGS During a typical lifespan of a building 72% of carbon emissions are associated with operational carbon and 28% are associated with embodied carbon. This is the carbon emitted during the sourcing and production of a material and ending with the completion of construction. To lower this number, materials must be selected and specified by evaluating their life cycle and look at environmental product declarations (EPDs) for specific products or product categories, which

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We must also work with our clients and partners and strive to reuse whenever possible, right-size and build only as much as we need. By building only when we need to, at Gensler, we reduced 95% of embodied carbon emissions in 2020. By building only as much as we need to, by working with our clients and employing strategies to truly understand how they use their space, we achieved 60% of space savings that same year.

To do this, our Phoenix team collaborated with our structural engineering partners Meyer, Borgman, & Johnson, in creating a case study project. The SMCC – LS/PS project consists of a partial renovation of the LS/PS building, a total of 15,665 square feet and a new 18,164 square-foot addition. We are preserving the exterior EIFS envelope, steel structure and slab as much as possible, to accommodate the new program and adding a steel structure, masonry walls, windows and storefront throughout, new roof throughout, and slab as a new addition and expansion.

While we anticipated a high embodied carbon associated with steel and concrete, what was interesting is that the highest embodied carbon in the existing building was associated with the insulation of the EIFS enclosure. This discovery led us to a “deeper dive” of the environmental impact of this category and by using EC3 (Embodied Carbon in Construction Calculator) the team selected a material with the lowest embodied carbon.

This case study is just one example of the impact design strategies can have on a project by collaborating with our partners, asking the right questions, being curious and using the tools already available to us.

At Gensler, we strive toward the elimination of all greenhouse gases associated with our work and the announcement of our new green-materials initiative at COP26 in 2021 marks an important next step in meeting our goals.

The analysis was performed using Tally - a Revit plug-in and a cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment (LCA) tool.

We, like our clients and other industry leaders, share a commitment to exceed previous sustainability commitments and 2050 goals, and to accelerate decarbonization efforts over the coming decade. This will require collaboration with partners from all sides of the building sector, from finance and insurance to construction, operations and design.

We began our study by creating a baseline, a from-theground-up building using the same materials and area, as the existing LS/PS buildings and the new addition, as designed. The new construction of this building envelope and structure would result in a total of 740 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e). To help illustrate this, we use the average carbon footprint for a person in the United States, 16 tons per person per year - one of the highest rates in the world. The global average is four tons per person per year – this would equate to an annual carbon footprint of 46 Americans.

We analyzed the embodied carbon of the existing structure and envelope and learned that by doing so we are diverting 220 tons of CO2e from the atmosphere, a 30% reduction of carbon emissions in comparison to new construction. This equates to the annual carbon footprint of 14 Americans.

Those numbers are significant, considering the amount and rate of construction in our valley and globally.

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DESIGN

Furniture

West Elm

Photo courtesy West Elm

Caring for the Planet; Caring for People

F

BY MARY STANGER

Founded in Brooklyn in 2002, West Elm offers a unique line of home décor products that are ethically sourced and Fair Trade Certified. With more than 100 stores worldwide, West Elm is one of several Williams-Sonoma brands, which also include Pottery Barn, Rejuvenation and Mark & Graham. The company offers sustainably sourced, handcrafted and locally produced goods, designing nearly 100 percent of their merchandise in the U.S. in their Brooklyn studios.

SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES Today, 60 percent of their sales support their sustainability initiatives. According to a recent press release from the company, “Today, more than half of West Elm’s original, modern designs support at least one sustainability initiative, including Organic, Sustainably Sourced, Fair Trade, LOCAL, Certified Nontoxic and Handcrafted.”

Caring for the planet is at the forefront of everything they do, with the goal of being carbon neutral by 2025. West Elm uses recycled and upcycled materials in their products whenever possible to cut down on waste. More than 50 percent of their wood furniture is FSC® certified. In 2019, the company contributed to saving more than two billion liters of water (528 million gallons) by sourcing organic cotton for bedding and other textiles. In addition, through their partnership with REPREVE, they leverage the use of high-quality certified fiber produced from recycled plastic bottles. By using REPREVE recycled polyester fiber in their products, West Elm has contributed to diverting 66 million plastic bottles from landfills.

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Due to their environmental focus and efforts, West Elm is the most sustainable home furnishings retailer — the only home retailer on Barron’s 100 Most Sustainable U.S. Companies list for the past four years.

West Elm’s actions speak louder than words. “We look to leading authorities in sustainable sourcing, ethical design, responsible manufacturing and work to meet their standards. When we make a claim, you know we can back it up.”

West Elm is proud of their achievements. They are using design to do good in these key areas.

Handcrafted: Preserves craft traditions around the world, supporting local economies and helping artisan groups scale their business.

Fair Trade: Means certified by Fair Trade USA to ensure factory workers are safe in their workplaces and receive fair wages. The company is committed to community investment and long-term economic support.

Organic: Refers to GOTS or Global Organic Textile Standard-certified cotton, so you know it's made without the use of pesticides, insecticides or intensive irrigation.

Sustainably Sourced: Means responsibly sourced using FSC®-certified wood or reclaimed, recycled or upcycled materials and less waste.

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Certified Nontoxic: Refers to products guaranteed to be safe from harmful chemicals, so you can create a safe and healthy home.

Local: Means made by makers and designers right in your own backyard — and helping their small businesses grow!

Contract Grade: Is built to meet ANSI and BIFMA standards for extra durability and to hold up to general commercial use.

Assembled in the USA: Pieces are hand assembled at our U.S. factories by skilled furniture makers, ensuring topnotch quality.

FAIR TRADE West Elm was the first home retailer to join Fair Trade USA, a leading market-based model of sustainable production, trade and consumption. Fair Trade’s mission is to alleviate global poverty and promote sustainable development. To date, Williams-Sonoma has invested over $7 million in Fair Trade premiums across its entire family of brands, which workers can then invest in community needs such as commuter bicycles, hot lunches and hygiene kits.

THE OLD TRUCK COLLECTION In September, 2021, West Elm launched a brand-new initiative partnering with the authors of the children’s book “The Old Truck” by siblings Jarrett and Jerome Pumphrey.

The collection includes more than 250 handmade stamps made by the authors. The stamps served as inspiration for the West Elm in-house design team to create a modern, gender-neutral collection of sustainably sourced bedding and BCI (Better Cotton Initiative) cotton textiles.

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The collection features products that are GREENGUARD Gold Certified, organic and Fair Trade certified. With GREENGUARD Gold certification, the products are screened for 100,000 chemicals and VOCs to help ensure safety.

Not only does the company partner with other large businesses and TV personalities, but they also advocate for small businesses. Collectively, they have invested over $13 million in small American-made businesses in recent years.

In addition, West Elm has partnered with several nonprofits such as the NAACP, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® and Fifteen Percent Pledge to give back.

For more information, visit westelm.com.

480-275-2968 SesshuDesign.com

Enhancing Your Life With Design JANUARY 2022

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TECHNOLOGY

Zero Emissions

Zero Electric Vehicles

Partnering with the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community to help fight carbon emissions

BY MAJA PEIRCE

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W

When a car or truck is ready for the junkyard, Zero Electric Vehicles (ZEV) steps in to install efficient electric vehicle technology to prolong the vehicle’s life - it’s a game changer.

Based in Arizona, ZEV strives to be the worldwide leader in electrification for light- and medium-duty fleet vehicles. With their powertrain (batteries and drive motor) configuration and rapid conversion turnaround of existing fleet vehicles, ZEV is quickly building the foundation needed to become a globally adopted brand. The company also educates customers about the infrastructure and fleet services they need to transform fleet operations to meet sustainability goals. ZEV’s central focus is tapping into the existing automotive and mobility ecosystem to support fleets through their journey to electrification. The company believes in lowering the cost to entry and making electric vehicles accessible by embracing inclusive strategies for partnerships and open technology standards.

All these strategies make ZEV the perfect player to team up with the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC).

SRPMIC is represented by two distinct Native American tribes; the Akimel O’odham (River People), more commonly known as the Pima and the Xalychidom Piipaash (People Who Live Toward the Water) known to many as the Maricopa; both share the same cultural values, but maintain their own unique traditions. Over 10,000 individuals are currently enrolled Salt River tribe members. SRPMIC is located off the Pima 101 Freeway and borders Tempe, Fountain Hills and Mesa.

The Community owns and operates several successful enterprises including Salt River Materials Group, Scottsdale AutoShow, and Saddleback Communications and hospitality enterprises: Talking Stick Resort, Talking Stick Golf Club and Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, which are all within the Talking Stick Entertainment District (TSED), on the western border of the Community.

SRPMIC sees the value in building a sustainable environment and is passionate about working with local technology innovators to bring low-cost solutions to commercial fleets. To that end, SRPMIC has joined forces with ZEV to help fight carbon emissions in the SRPMIC and throughout the Valley by installing ZEV’s electric car technology into SRPMIC vehicles.

"I'm excited to be a part of a team that introduces electric vehicles to this great community. It's important to be part of a solution that helps reduce [our] carbon footprint and provide clean air to breathe,"David Crownover, the director of SRPMIC Transportation said.

The SRPMIC Department of Transportation and ZEV conducted a complete fleet assessment by evaluating

operations, vehicle-use cases, routes, loads and HVAC requirements. The results from the assessment will help SRPMIC define infrastructure for charging the vehicles, areas on routes where rapid chargers can be placed, and other power requirements, including the option for solar-powered daytime charging. They are additionally working with the Salt River Project (SRP) to determine the charging infrastructure and other incentives to reduce installation costs.

"ZEV is honored to be working with SRPMIC, we are at the ground level of transforming vehicle operations to eliminate all carbon emissions. We are fully committed to the Salt River Indian Community and their goals to significantly reduce carbon emissions. ZEV is excited to be working at the ground level and sees more and more commercial fleets making the move to electric," Jay Ennesser, ZEV senior vice president of sales said.

After the assessment, ZEV will deliver a full warranty on the new electric powertrain, along with vehicle services to support and optimize vehicle operations through a robust fleet management service.

"The SRPMIC Department of Transportation is taking a mindful approach to establishing a dynamic Fleet Electrical Program," Tonya Glass, SRPMIC fleet vehicle specialist said. "The success of DOT Electrification Program is based on a collaborative effort among our internal customers, local innovators and subject matter experts in the field of sustainability and technology. It is an exciting time to contribute to the environmental sustainability of the Community."

If you are interested in connecting with ZEV in the community, come see their Electric Vehicle event with Barrett Jackson at the Sci-Tech Festival on Jan. 22-23.

SciTech Institute is the Arizona Technology Council’s sister nonprofit focused on supporting Arizona’s future STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) workforce. ZEV is looking to connect with organizations in the electric vehicle industry regarding a unique opportunity to showcase STEM in the future of the automotive industry at this season’s Barrett Jackson.

ZEV will have a grand opening on Jan. 28, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at their new 103,000-square foot space on 565 E. Germann Road, Gilbert, Arizona 85297. (855) 546-ZERO Visit www.zeroevcorp.com

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She’s GREEN He’s GREEN

BY JENNIFER & JOHN BURKHART

Comfort Food When the winter drags on and you just want to cuddle under a fluffy blanket, what's the perfect way to chase away the winter blues? Binge-watching shows? Well, yes, but also comfort food! Hot beverages, indulgent meals and sweet desserts all come to mind. We tested a few easy-to-make comfort food ideas that won't have you on your feet in the kitchen all day.

Annie's

Immaculate Baking Company

GluteNull

Vegan Mac, gluten free, USDA organic

Refrigerated flaky biscuits, USDA organic

Coco Moko shortbread, gluten-free, vegan, non-GMO

He said: From my experience, when I read the words “vegan” and “gluten-free” on a label I assume it means flavor-free too. I was happily surprised that this was not the case with Annie's Mac & Cheese.

This was exactly like traditional mac & cheese, other than the noodles having a slightly gummy texture. Our three year old asked for seconds and thirds of this.

He Said: I didn't know Jen put these in the oven. All the sudden there was the heavenly smell of baking bread wafting through our house. Once they were out, I realized how dangerously good they are – light and fluffy with an irresistible buttered bread flavor. I seriously had to restrain myself from eating every single one of them.

He Said: Do you ever think to yourself, I have too much saliva in my mouth? You do? Well this is the product for you, then.

These Coco Moko cookies will turn your mouth into an arid desert in seconds.

Aside from the cranberries, they were fairly devoid of flavor as well.

She Said: Finding quality products that are both dairy- and gluten-free has been frustratingly tough. Our family had given up our beloved mac & cheese, but this one might do. It passed the kid test, but it's not for me. It had the best gluten-free noodle texture I've tried, but the cheese sauce smelled so strange. It was creamy, but tasted nothing like dairy cheese.

She Said: Bread that's flaky, doughy, buttery and slightly sweet – the epitome of comfort food. Eat them straight from the oven for pure deliciousness. Eating three of them was worth the stomach bloat. Handy tip: Don't forget your stretchy pants.

She Said: The cranberries were the only saving grace in this cookie, and there weren't enough of them. The bulk of the cookie was bland and slightly grainy, but did have the overall density of shortbread.

The only way to eat these would be dunked in a super sweet coffee or tea.

Mighty Leaf Coconut assam black tea, USDA organic He Said: This tea had an odd assortment of tastes. It started all nice and normal with a tart fruit and bitter black tea flavors. From there it got weird. It went floral, a bit soapy, and I swear I tasted dill weed. So yeah, not my cup of tea.

She Said: A hot cup of tea on a chilly night sounds cozy, unless you've opened Pandora's box. It was supposed to be a “sweet and nutty” coconut. Ha ha! It smelled like pickles, tasted like bitter pickles, and honey just made it worse. Pickles!? Time for a new taste tester at Mighty Leaf!

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Community, Philanthropy & Lifestyle

Community.

Philanthropy.

Lifestyle.

A Taste For

MORE

OCTOBER 2021

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While navigating the COVID crisis, Mark Tarbell revised his recipe for success A Frontdoors Media Publication | Home of The Red Book

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GREEN

Scenes

January Events Throughout Arizona CENTRAL ARIZONA January 15-16 Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series/ Health & Fitness Expo Making its way to the Valley is the Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series. Kicking off the new year, they will be hosting a running series starting in Tempe with races for all skill levels. Distances offered are a 5K, 10K, half marathon and marathon. Race participants will pass through the breathtaking red rocks of Papago Park, stunning murals from local artists and urban streets of three major cities.

This event is perfect for the local and visitor alike! These racing festivities will also be paired with a health and fitness expo at the Phoenix Convention Center. More than 60 exhibitors will showcase the latest fitness and nutritional products. Admission to the Expo is free. Tickets for the races can be purchased at www.runrocknroll.com/arizona.

January 10 Six-Week Nutritional Series Starting Starting on Jan. 10 is a six-week nutritional series hosted by Chef Andrew Schmidt. The series will go in depth on health trends, body nourishment and techniques for implementing health in the kitchen. The series is open to all skill levels, as all lessons will be for the beginner as well as the experienced cook. Join what could be a revolutionary experience for your health and lifestyle.

To view the curriculum visit www.ccacademy.edu/nutritionalseries. This first session is sold out, but you can call 480-5020177 or e-mail info@ccacademy.edu to be placed on the waiting list in the event of a cancellation.

January 23 Beauty and Wellness Expo by Enchanted Dream Parties Enchanted Dream Parties, a local company specializing in family-friendly festivals, is holding the highly anticipated Beauty

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and Wellness Expo. Featuring yoga, activities for kids, boutique shopping and a farmer’s market, this Expo focuses on relaxation, revitalization, and overall health. The venue will feature a healthy cafe and picnic spots to enjoy. Kids under 12 are free and each ticket includes seed packets and planters to promote eco-consciousness.

Register for this event at www.tinyurl.com/yckt3zd8.

January 26 East Valley Healthy Living Expo East Valley Healthy Living Expo features local organizations to advocate for senior wellness and healthy living. The event encourages seniors and their families to attend, as all attendees will be positively impacted. Attendees will have the opportunity to gain new insight on healthy lifestyles, along with getting to see the latest products and services on the market. Find out more information at www.10times.com/e1zk-z113-p0rz.

NORTHERN ARIZONA

SOUTHERN ARIZONA

January 15

January 21-23

Big Band Dance Event

Silverbell Arts and Crafts Festival

Flash back to the big band swing era, as this night will surely make you nostalgic for a period you likely never experienced firsthand.

Hosted at the local community center, the Big Band Dance Event will feature the Northern Arizona Big Band as they play strictly for dancing pleasure. Enjoy refreshments, meet friends and dance your heart out on this one of a kind evening. See more information at www.prescott-az.gov/events/category/community/

At the Silverbell Arts and Crafts Festival, you will have the opportunity to see the latest handmade passion projects of the Tucson locals. In fact, it may even get your own creative juices flowing! This festival is held annually and boasts over 50 different vendors showcasing their artwork of various forms. Come out for some nice weather and get plugged in with the community! Find out more about this event at www.festivalnet.com

January 26 - February 6 Production of ‘Wicked’ at Centennial Hall The world-renowned Broadway musical Wicked is making its stop in Tucson Arizona. Based on the classic novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, this production features engaging music and themes that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience this must-see production. Tickets can be purchased at www.broadwayintucson.com

January 19 “Step Into Health” Walking Club Start 2022 off on the right foot with North Country Healthcare as they invite children, partners and friends to join together to enjoy community and exercise. This event is open to all fitness levels and attendees are encouraged to go at their own pace. With walking providing a benefit to your mental and physical health, this is an opportunity that you won’t want to miss! The walking club meets regularly every 3rd Monday of the month at Buffalo Park in Flagstaff. Find out more at www.flagstaff.com/calendar.

January 8

January 14-16

Adult Workshop: Pine Needle Basket Making

The Yuma Home and Garden Show

Marina Xoc Castillo de Vasquez will be leading a unique pine needle basket making workshop. Workshop will cover different types of baskets, materials needed for basket making, collecting and choosing needles, and step by step instructions on how to make your own basket. All participants will get hands-on experience and take home their basket and supplies. To see more information visit www.willowbendcenter.org/event/adultworkshop-pine-needle-basket-making-2/

Featuring content related to food, garden, design and construction, this event will be sure to exceed your expectations. The Yuma Home and Garden Show will allow you to see the latest developments in the world of home improvement. They promise that you will walk away with new ideas for updating your home and that you will fall in love with it all over again. Information regarding this event and admission can be found at www.asihomeshows.com/yuma

BUSINESS January 15-17

January 13

Business Management Conference

Business Minds Unite 2022

This Phoenix-located event will feature three days of interactive educational sessions and various networking opportunities. The content will be geared towards TPA (Third-Party Administrator) businesses. It is anticipated that there will be over one thousand participants, so do not miss this opportunity to enhance your knowledge of business management and develop some key connections with like-minded individuals. Register online at www. nipa.org

For those who are either not achieving their desired results or would simply like to gain knowledge in business-growth, Business Minds Unite is an opportunity to get exclusive access to high-level entrepreneurs and ground-breaking speakers. This is a one-day event that will be packed with engaging presentations, panel discussions and small-group discussion. Find out more about this event at www.tinyurl.com/4rehb2cc

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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

$disclosures.get($!user.attribute01) © 2020 Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC. All rights reserved.

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Dr. Michael D. Margolis

One of two certified Oral Systemic Balance Providers in Arizona

Dr. Stephen A. Kovar DMD, FAGD

MyDentistAZ.com

480-833-2232