Green Living Magazine - June & July 2024

Page 1

GREEN LIVING

LUXE LAVS

Six resort bathrooms to inspire your next reno

In Bloom

Is there a healthier way to enjoy flowers?

Feeling at Home

The (neuro)science of design

US $6.99 Green Living Magazine 13845 N Scottsdale Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85254
your conscious life greenlivingmag.com JUNE/JULY 2024

Welcome to the waste-free future

It starts at home

Meet the easiest way to prevent food waste at home. Mill recycles your peels, bones, and forgotten leftovers — no effort required. Drop in your scraps and forget about it. Mill dries and grinds them while you sleep. Keep filling it for weeks. Skip a garbage day or two. Thanks to powerful odor filtration, your kitchen will smell like nothing at all.

It continues on the farm

Once a month, R.City will pick up your clean, dry grounds right from your doorstep and bring them back to their regenerative farm. R.City will then turn them into compost to nourish their soil and grow fresh vegetables for the community. Each quarter, you’ll receive a box of fresh veggies or a bag of compost from the farm to use in your own garden.

Made possible by Mill and R.City

Get to know R.City

Over a decade ago, JD Hill, owner and head farmer of R.City, started collecting food waste in the Phoenix area. He could be seen pedaling his bike around neighborhoods with a trailer full of scraps he’d collected from homes and restaurants hitched to the back. Today, R.City has grown to include a farm, a fleet of trucks, a service area of over 1,200 square miles, and a mission to connect the Valley back to its agricultural roots.

Better together

Mill and R.City work wonderfully together because both make it even easier to keep food out of the landfill. Mill makes food recycling easy, odorless, and clean. R.City makes it convenient with door-to-door collection. Together we’re supporting small farms around Phoenix, and investing in our community and planet. Sign up today to join us.

Start your free 30-day trial now. Service is just $35/month. Visit mill.com/greenliving – or text us at: 623-286-3122.

A Life-Changing

Soaking Experience

Revitalize Your Wellness: Discover the Power of Oxygen-Infused Soaking with Genesis Tubs

Countless individuals strive for transformative changes in their health and wellness. However, often these aspirations fall by the wayside, and the familiar patterns of unhealthy living persist. In a world that races towards progress, the pursuit of wellness and relaxation has never been more crucial. Pneuma Industries is leading the charge to reshape our approach to self-care and health. The relentless demands of stress, pollution, and hectic lifestyles underscore the need for holistic health solutions, and in response, we present the Genesis series soaking tubs — a cutting-edge path to enhanced well-being.

Water: Beyond a Basic Necessity

Water, the quintessential elixir of life, receives meticulous attention from Pneuma Industries. It's not just about cleanliness and safety; it's about ensuring that the water used in our soaking tubs is enriched with essential natural nutrients crucial for healing and sustaining a healthy lifestyle. This dedication to water quality lays the foundation for an optimal pursuit of wellness.

Revolutionary Genesis Series Soaking Tubs

Central to Pneuma Industries' mission are the Genesis series soaking tubs — a groundbreaking evolution in the simple act of soaking. What distinguishes them is the incorporation of Hyper-Dissolved Oxygen technology, elevating the soaking experience to unprecedented heights. But how does this translate into tangible benefits for you? Beyond merely enhancing your soaking experience, the

oxygen infusion in our tubs provides a myriad of health benefits. Acting as a natural carrier for various minerals, oxygen supports the body's innate healing processes. The tubs maintain an optimal temperature of around 97-98 degrees Fahrenheit, facilitated by an internal heater, ensuring both your comfort and a truly relaxing experience.

Making Soaking a Ritual in Your Routine

Picture commencing your day with a morning soak, invigorating yourself for the challenges ahead. The additional oxygen in the water offers a revitalizing boost, propelling you into the day with renewed vitality. Upon returning home from a taxing day, immersing yourself in the Genesis series soaking tub becomes the ultimate way to relax and recharge.

Moreover, a serene soak in highly oxygenated water before bedtime can prepare your body for a restful night's sleep, facilitating the rejuvenating rest crucial for overall well-being. Pneuma Industries' Genesis series soaking tubs, enriched with oxygen, present a straightforward yet abundant avenue to augment your wellness journey. Whether for relaxation, recovery, or rejuvenation, these tubs are meticulously crafted to unlock the manifold benefits of oxygen-infused soaking. Embrace a novel approach to wellness and let water be the elixir guiding your journey to well-being.

Please visit Pneumaindustries.com or call us at (480) 714-2281 for additional information.

Visit pneumaindustries.com to learn more! Call today at 480-714-2281
Got
Hyper-Dissolved Oxygen?

Bordelon & Jordan Slocum’s For the

of Renovating: Tips, Tricks & Inspiration

Creating Your Dream Home + Dean G. Lampros’ Preserved: A Cultural History of the Funeral Home in America

Tasty

CONTENTS 26 Feeling At Home Combining neuroscience with design 29 Rammed Earth Construction Gets an Upgrade Phoenix’s SIREWALL improves upon an ancient building technique 32 Luxe Lavs Inspirational, eco-conscious bathrooms from hotels around the globe IN EVERY ISSUE 6 Editor’s Letter 6 Contributors 8 On the Web 10 Trending Green 12 Cool Outrageous Stuff 50 She's Green/He's Green 54 Green Scenes EVENTS 14 Living for a New Age Green Living’s 2024 Future of Sustainability Summit 16 The 97th Annual AZ Water Conference GOOD 18 June/July Book Reviews Barry
Love
22 Trashing Food Waste Troubles: Part 2 Commercial
HEALTH & WELLNESS 24 In Bloom Local flowers are better for your health SAVOR 36 Historic Haunts Valley restaurants that have
house their home 40 Recipes Kasai Japanese
TRAVEL 42 Twelve
Retreat This
this summer 46 Roaming in Wyoming Exploring Jackson Hole TECHNOLOGY 50 Serene Skies Are electric planes
air travel? FEATURES 46 June/July 2024 On the cover: An inviting limestone tub carved from a single quarry monolith sits perched before a wall of glass at Chablé Yucatán in Mexico. 4 GREEN LIVING | greenlivingmag.com
for
Composting is a Big Business
made a
Steakhouse’s Coconut Chicken Skewers +
AZ’s Salmon Bowl
Senses
Encinitas bed & breakfast is a must-visit
the future of

WORLDWIDE SHIPPING MADE IN THE USA

SPECIALIZING IN CUSTOM ORDERS

What’s in Your Furniture?

Did you know that most mass-produced furniture contains harmful chemicals that can slowly make their way into your home exposing your family and pets to low-level long-term exposure?

Travel Back to a Simpler Time with Furniture by Buffalo Collection.

Our luxurious, heirloom quality buffalo leather furniture is handmade in America by skilled craftsmen using renewable materials and responsible tanning methods. Each piece is fully customizable, built to last, extremely durable, and made with clean, wholesome goodness. Just pure, simple furniture.

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Dear Readers,

I’m wondering if any of you are mildly preoccupied with ideas and questions about other peoples’ homes like I am. My friend Sara and I have a strange little curiosity that we indulge from time to time on random Saturday mornings with a little walk or a drive through unfamiliar neighborhoods that pique our interest. Sometimes we make up imaginary stories about the people who live there, projecting sweet fantasies of perfection onto unsuspecting residents that we’ll never meet — those narratives vanishing as quickly as we finish our last sip of coffee. But, in these self-guided home tours of ours, I’m also cataloging design ideas and bits of inspiration for my own home. A few paint colors here, an art-deco archway there — pepper in a perfectly framed picture window and a cozy front yard patio (complete with fireplace, of course) and I’m in inspiration overload.

Ultimately, what I love about checking out other people’s homes is seeing the outcome of the work someone has done to make it their own. One could argue that your home is the single largest possession that most accurately represents who you are as a person or family. Our homes are deeply personal spaces that some would say provide insight to how we feel on the inside. As such, when you open your home to others, you’re ultimately sharing a piece of yourself. As a person who loves to host family and friends in our home, I can say that sometimes this can be stressful during times when I’m feeling particularly tired or vulnerable. I admire people who have the energetic fortitude to open their homes to others on a regular basis — as is the case with Anke Bodack, owner of Twelve Senses Retreat in Encinitas, California. Our publisher, Dorie Morales, had an opportunity to visit with Bodack at her B&B earlier this year — flip to page 42 for more on Bodack’s journey from being a corporate executive to opening a sustainable, mindful retreat right in her own home.

Although I’m not jonesing to turn our house into a hotel any time soon, the features in this issue are giving me major home inspo vibes. I’m in love with Shannon Harris’ report on neuroscience and home design (pg. 26) and might be ready to demo my master bath after checking out some of the most luxurious resort lavatories I’ve ever laid eyes on (pg. 32). If architecture is your thing, flip to page 29 for a peek at some of the most gorgeous — and sustainable — rammed earth homes around the globe. Whether you’re a fellow daydreamer, inspiration addict, or just looking for a couple of items to make your home a little greener, I hope this issue will spark your imagination and help you create a home that reflects your own unique personality and style.

Thanks for reading,

Got a burning question or comment? Reach out at editor@greenlivingmag.com.

Contributors

Isabel is the recipe developer and photographer behind Tasty AZ, a food blog focused on easy recipes with a Latin twist. Born and raised in Colombia, she learned how to cook at a young age. Since moving to Arizona over 10 years ago, Isabel has built a reputation as a food influencer, dining at some of the best restaurants around the state. Learn more at tastyaz.com.

Alison Bailin Batz, better known as @ABSeesItAll online, is a veteran public relations executive who began freelance writing as a hobby in 2007. Today, she is a contributor on all things luxury travel, events, wine, food, and spirits for outlets across the Southwest. Alison’s aim in life is best summed up by her social handle as “AB” truly does want to “see it all” and share it all with you.

Alison Bailin Batz, writer
EDITOR'S
Letter
Isabel Byfield, writer
6 GREEN LIVING | greenlivingmag.com

GREEN LIVING your

PUBLISHER Dorie Morales

MANAGING EDITOR

ONLINE EDITOR

ART DIRECTION & DESIGN

COPY EDITOR

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

CONTRIBUTORS

Alison Bailin Batz

David M. Brown

Jennifer Burkhart

John Burkhart

Isabel Byfield

Anna Dorl

INTERNS

Yula Armstrong

Melat Alebachew

Paige Sundelius

Olivia Sanwick

ADVERTISING SALES

Pat Ford - pat.f@greenlivingmag.com

Shelby Tuttle

Shelby Tuttle

Sly Panda Design

Erin Wilson

Brett Prince

Angela Fairhurst

Shannon Harris

Laura Leach

Terri Schlichenmeyer

Camilla Sexton

Tori Toth

Jennifer Kaiser - jennifer.k@greenlivingmag.com

Dorie Morales - sales@greenlivingmag.com

CONTACT US AT:

Subscriptions: hello@greenlivingmag.com

Advertising: sales@greenlivingmag.com

Editorial: editor@greenlivingmag.com

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Please recycle this magazine

conscious
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 © 2022 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
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MAGAZINE NEWSLETTER JUNE/JULY 2024 | GREEN LIVING 7

ON THEWeb

TECHNOLOGY

EVPassport is Revolutionizing EV Charging

EVPassport, the brain child of Aaron Fisher and Hooman Shahidi, is making waves in the electric vehicle charging industry. Their revolutionary infrastructure-as-a-service model allows businesses to leverage EVPassport’s charging infrastructure without the upfront investment.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Stretching for Better Sleep

If you struggle to fall asleep, you’re not alone. Approximately 50-70 million Americans suffer from insomnia. In today's fast-paced world, winding down before bed has become increasingly difficult but is essential for a restful night's sleep.

FACEBOOK

A look into the Eco Fashion Week’s finale event, CANVAS! The

TECHNOLOGY

Florida’s Babcock Ranch to Unveil New Interactive Solar Education Center

Babcock Ranch and Florida Power & Light Company have joined forces to unveil the Solar Ranch, an FPL EcoDiscovery Center. Boasting 2,500 square feet, the discovery center is filled with activities and exhibits that bring the science and benefits of solar power to life for all ages.

Green Living magazine joined the City of Avondale’s Green Business Summit for an inspiring day filled with fellow green businesses.

This month on greenlivingmag.com and social media. /greenlivingazmag @greenlivingmag @greenlivingaz @greenlivingmag
fashion show highlighted
fashion, which
the benefits of digital processes, tools,
workflows in the industry.
phygital
underscores
and
INSTAGRAM
8 GREEN LIVING | greenlivingmag.com

EV MARKETPLACE

OUR SIGN, IT’S A GOOD SIGN

Courtesy Automotive Group has an impressive selection of electric vehicles (EVs)! With an emphasis on cuttingedge technology and eco-friendly design, our EV selection showcases the latest advancements in automotive innovation. Courtesy specializes in EVs by Chevrolet, Nissan, Polestar, Jeep, Kia and Volvo. From sleek sedans to versatile SUVs, each vehicle offers not only zero-emission driving but also top-tier performance and advanced safety features.

Whether you’re a seasoned EV enthusiast or considering your first electric ride, Courtesy Automotive Group is dedicated to helping you find the perfect vehicle to fit your lifestyle!

COURTESY CHEVROLET 1233 E Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85014 CourtesyChev.com Phone Number: (602) 714-3120 COURTESY JEEP 6428 E Test Dr, Mesa, AZ 85206 CourtesyJeepSuperstitionSprings.com Phone Number: (480) 660-2605 COURTESY NISSAN 6354 E Test Dr, Mesa, AZ 85206 CourtesyNissanOfMesa.com Phone Number: (480) 400-0785 COURTESY KIA 6222 E Auto Park Dr, Mesa, AZ 85206 CourtesyKia.com Phone Number: (480) 573-0915 COURTESY VOLVO 4001 N 89th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85251 CourtesyVolvoCarsOfScottsdale.com Phone Number: (480) 325-3162 POLESTAR SCOTTSDALE Fashion Square Mall, Suite 1268, Scottsdale, AZ 85251 Phone Number: (480) 716-9250 Courtesy Automotive Group is your for Phoenix, Arizona! IF YOU SEE
VOLVO EX90 KIA EV9 VOLVO C40 CHEVY BOLT NISSAN ARIYA NISSAN LEAF KIA EV6 POLESTAR 2 CHEVY BLAZER EV JEEP WRANGLER 4XE CHEVY SILVERADO EV

TRENDINGGreen

TERREPOWER Donates Solar Panels to Brighten Haiti

Terrepower recently announced a partnership with Brighten Haiti, a non-profit organization dedicated to using solar energy to expand education, develop a sustainable economy, and end poverty in Haiti. In total, Terrepower has committed to donating over 4,900 solar panels to aid in Brighten Haiti’s mission.

GreenPower Showcases Expanded Transportation Solutions at ACT Expo 2024

Last month at the Advanced Clean Transportation Expo, Green Power showcased its all-electric Type D BEAST school bus, EV Star Cab & Chassis, and EV Star Cargo Plus. Green Power is a leading manufacturer and distributor of purpose-built, all-electric, zero-emission medium and heavy-duty vehicles.

R.City Awarded 2024 Sustainable Scottsdale Award

On May 6, co-owner of Recycled City, J.D. Hill, was awarded the 2024 Sustainable Scottsdale Award by Mayor David Ortega.

New FERC Transmission Rules Will Boost Clean, Reliable, and Affordable Power Across the U.S.

On May 13, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued two new rules that aim to speed and strengthen the buildout of a modern and reliable electric transmission system across the country.

UberEats Partners with Blitz Motors in London on Sustainable Food Delivery Efforts

On May 15, Uber Eats announced its partnership with Blitz Motors, a renowned smart electric moped supplier, to revolutionize delivery services in London. This collaboration solidifies UberEats’ efforts to reduce carbon emissions and improve efficiency in delivery operations.

10 GREEN LIVING | greenlivingmag.com
TOGETHER, WE CAN REDUCE WILDFIRES. Join SRP, the U.S. Forest Service and Arizona municipalities to combat catastrophic wildfires. srp.net/healthyforest 632225_FY23_HealthyForestInitiative_GreenLivingMagazine_3.4375x4.625_PROD1.indd 1 8/19/22 11:13 AM habitatcaz.org/cars Doesn’t run? Doesn’t matter. Recycle your ride and let’s give Arizona a hand up! When you recycle your old vehicle, you help Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona build more homes in your local community. Learn more at habitatcaz.org/cars half-page ad Green Living AprilMayJune 2023.indd 1 2/16/24 9:09 AM Game to post on social media with us? Work in PA or AZ and want to get involved in our rallies? Hosting your own Earth Day event? Get in touch here! Any questions? Reach out to Emily Byrn at: ebyrn@cacampaign.org Earth Day 2024: Climate Solutions Now In 2024, the Climate Action Campaign and Partners are utilizing the momentum of Earth Day to drive a powerful public narrative to combat climate change! JUNE/JULY 2024 | GREEN LIVING 11

OUTRAGEOUSCool Stuff

A person’s home, no matter where it may be, is often the place that represents them the most. If you’re reading this, you’re probably on the hunt for some aesthetically pleasing products that don’t only add design and function but also benefit the Earth. As the one home that we all share, our planet gives us everything we need. Mindful consumerism is one of the most important ways to help shift environmental impact. Choosing greener ingredients, supporting sustainable manufacturing, and creating less waste helps to build a greener future for all. Here are five items that can help make your home a greener place.

Coconut Candle 3 Pack by Coconut Bowls

Coconut Bowls, a certified B Corporation, sells bowls crafted out of coconut shells. Their naturally concave shape is refined by craftsmen in Indonesia and Vietnam, who clean and prepare them. Their Coconut Candle 3 Pack, made from their coconut bowls, includes three coconut-soy wax blend candles with natural fragrance oils. After you’ve lit one for the last time, you can say thank you by returning the natural container to the Earth, as each bowl is compostable. Scents include Toasted Coconut, Coconut Lime, Tropical Fruits, Ocean Breeze, Sandalwood Vanilla, and Pure and Unscented. www.coconutbowls.com

Recycled Sari Wrapped Wire Basket by Ten Thousand Villages

Ten Thousand Villages describes itself as a “maker-to-marketmovement” with fair trade at the heart of its mission. The company showcases and sells unique items made by artisans from countries across the globe. Everyone can use a new basket to store their stuff around the house, but this Recycled Sari Wrapped Wire Basket is so much more than just a convenient container. Built from wire, the baskets are wrapped with recycled saris, each with its own pattern and color combination. Every unique piece is handcrafted in India by environmentalist artisans from Noah’s Ark International Exports, a fair trade handicraft marketing organization. www.tenthousandvillages.com

12 GREEN LIVING | greenlivingmag.com

Birth Month Wildflower Bouquet by Uncommon Goods

While bouquets of real flowers are beautiful, they aren’t always the most sustainable choice. Instead of plucking plants from the ground, why not celebrate a momentous occasion with a longlasting, sustainable item that will never wilt? These beautifully unique arrangements, available from Uncommon Goods, feature wildflowers that correspond to each birth month. For example, the January bouquet includes carnations, while December’s is narcissus. These one-of-a-kind pieces of art are crafted from recycled glass and recycled paper, displayed on an alder wood base with brass wire. Through a creative partnership, Philippinesbased artist Loly Gomez works with Chicago entrepreneur and designer Carmi Plaut to bring these undying flowers to life. www.uncommongoods.com

FTO Biodegradable Kitchen Sponges –Pack of 2 by Free the Ocean

The next time you’re ready to replenish your kitchen sponge supply, don’t forget that most of them contain plastic. When you throw away a regular sponge, its fate will most likely be to rot in a landfill for hundreds to thousands of years; even natural sponges can take up to five years to decompose. Biodegradable kitchen sponges, like this two-pack from Free the Ocean, are a great solution to this everyday issue. These sponges are created from plant cellulose, a material that the Earth already knows well. After you’ve washed your last dish with one, you can compost it. Free the Ocean says that these sponges can outlast plastic ones and “absorb up to 10 times their weight!” www.shop.freetheocean.com

YONA Cardboard Bed

Whether you’re getting a new mattress or bed frame, moving soon, or having company over, the YONA Cardboard Bed is here to help you and the planet. Before you cast aside the idea of putting your mattress atop cardboard, consider this: a YONA Bed can hold up to 7,054 pounds. Made from recycled cardboard from the United States, these beds come in multiple colors and mattress sizes. Setup only requires removing the YONA bed from its shipping box and topping it with your own mattress. The company offers a 30-day trial and five-year warranty. For customers in the continental U.S., YONA offers free, carbon-neutral shipping as well. www.yonafurniture.com

JUNE/JULY 2024 | GREEN LIVING 13

The Future of Sustainability 2024

Defining a greener path forward in

Arizona

OOn April 18, Green Living, in partnership with Gensler, came together to celebrate Earth Day with renewed vigor and a sense of urgency. Held at Gensler’s offices in Phoenix, this year’s third annual Future of Sustainability event was a remarkable convergence of local leaders, environmental activists, and business owners, all united by a single goal: to combat climate change and pave the way for a sustainable future. The summit’s theme, "Living For A New Age," underscored the pressing need for innovative solutions and collaborative efforts to heal our planet.

The summit commenced with an inspiring speech by the Honorable Mayor Kate Gallego with the City of Phoenix. Gallego called for immediate and decisive action to reduce emissions, conserve water, and treat extreme heat like the global emergency that it is.

A three-time attendee and speaker at the Future of Sustainability event, Mayor Gallego also championed various sustainability efforts across the state, adding, “I learn things at this event about what’s happening in this community every year and we get to celebrate our successes. We’re real leaders in sustainability in Central Arizona, but we don’t always get together to celebrate that.”

Director of Sustainability at Gensler, Kaley Blackstock, moderated a panel with Kim Stroh from Persefoni, Victor Atlasman from NXU Energy, and Greg Ayres from Nox, bringing together leaders at the forefront of technological advancements and innovation to discuss charting new paths towards a more sustainable future.

Topics included advancing markets — like EV cars for transportation — in a new industrial revolution, as well as how ‘big data’ is impacting the way we collect, analyze, and encourage behavioral changes towards a net zero future. Of course, the panel also brought attention to the external influences, regulations, and incentives steering change across Arizona.

Event goers also participated in a sustainability survey that asked three questions. The first — “How would you rate Arizona’s commitment to a sustainable future?” received an average answer of three stars out of five stars — indicating that participants agree that our state has some work to do. As for the other questions, participants overwhelmingly agreed that finances are the biggest obstacle to implementing sustainability measures in our state, and respondents agreed that water conservation and improvements in transportation are the way to a more sustainable future.

Mackenzy Leray, a student

EVENTRecap
14 GREEN LIVING | greenlivingmag.com

from Grand Canyon University, presented her Canyon Challenge Pitch to reduce plastic bag usage with a reusable tote that incorporates embedded NFC technology. University of Arizona student Tyler Byland also spoke about Students For Sustainability initiatives that help curb climate change and reduce waste by focusing on gardening, food, health, and educational outreach. This gives students the opportunity to attend sustainable events, volunteer and learn more about the sustainable professional opportunities available.

When asked what his biggest takeaway was from the event, Harry Tannenbaum, founder and president of Mill, responded, “My biggest takeaway is meeting folks who are similarly optimistic and feel the urgency around the need to act on sustainability.”

During the event, guests got to mingle with over 150 VIPs and thought leaders in sustainability while sipping on wines from Pillsbury Winery and beers from North Mountain Brewery. Event goers also enjoyed delectable bites by Titina’s Catering.

JUNE/JULY 2024 | GREEN LIVING 15
Photos by Sophia Geyer

EVENTRecap

Water Consciousness in the Valley

The 97th Annual AZ Water Conference returned to Phoenix with a jam-packed two-day schedule

of events

TThe 97th Annual AZ Water Conference and Exhibition, held at the Phoenix Convention Center from April 23 to 25, brought together nearly 3,000 water professionals from across Arizona. This premier water industry event served as a central hub for leaders, professionals, policymakers, and stakeholders.

CELEBRATING ARIZONA'S WATER PROFESSIONALS

Coinciding with Arizona Water Professionals Appreciation Week, the conference highlighted the vital role these professionals play in the state's water security. Senator Priya Sundareshan and Representative Betty Villegas presented a proclamation recognizing Arizona Water Professionals, further honoring 13 individuals from AZ Water Association.

A DIVERSE PROGRAM FOR LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT

The conference offered a comprehensive program featuring keynote presentations, panel discussions, technical sessions, learning exchanges, and exhibition hall tours. Attendees gained valuable insights from over 180 technical presentations, four panels, five learning exchanges, and a new conservation workshop. These sessions covered a wide range of topics including water management, water and wastewater operations, the use of AI and new technologies, communication, leadership, and conservation.

INSPIRING KEYNOTES AND A VIBRANT EXHIBITION HALL

The event featured prominent keynote speakers, including Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, water sanitation expert Jack Sim ("Mr. Toilet"), AWWA Delegate Randy Moore, and WEF Delegate Howard Carter. These experts shared their knowledge on

water management, wastewater operations, and the importance of water resources. Senator Mark Kelly delivered a video message emphasizing the critical role of water and the professionals who manage it.

The vibrant exhibition hall showcased over 260 vendors — providing attendees with a chance to explore cutting-edge advancements and technologies in water and wastewater treatment — and fostered valuable connections between attendees and product vendors.

BUILDING CONNECTIONS AND FOSTERING CAMARADERIE

Beyond the educational offerings, the conference featured special events to create a sense of community among participants. These included a service project at the Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area, a golf tournament and awards ceremony, dinner at The Churchill, operator competitions, and several sponsored hospitality events.

LOOKING AHEAD

The 97th Annual AZ Water Conference and Exhibition was a resounding success, thanks to the tireless efforts of organizers, speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, volunteers, and attendees. The event leaves participants with valuable knowledge, inspiration, and a renewed commitment to all things water in Arizona.

The 98th Annual AZ Water Conference will return to Phoenix on April 15-17, 2025. For more information, visit www.azwater.org.

16 GREEN LIVING | greenlivingmag.com
Dream
Studio JUNE/JULY 2024 | GREEN LIVING 17
Photos by
Photography

Books

Book Reviews

That's it.

You're not going one more month with this room like it is. You can't stand the wall color at all anymore. The sofa is frayed, the chairs need love, and if someone would tell you where to get an inexpensive table, they'll be your new BFF. And when you're done with this room, you'll start in another room. First, though, you need help and For the Love of Renovating by Barry Bordelon & Jordan Slocum is where you'll find it.

Your humble abode is much more than a big box to put your things in. Say Bordelon & Slocum, in fact, “you deserve to create a truly special place to call home.”

They know what they're talking about: together, they bought and remodeled a beautiful old Brooklyn brownstone years ago and when it came to renovations, they noticed a definite lack of direction for doing it right. Blogs helped, as did magazines.

For you, so will this book. Their first advice: spend some time figuring out what you want. Would a fixer make you happy, or is move-in-ready mandatory? There are pros and cons to both.

how you're going to pay for any project, no matter the size. Build a “team” to do the job right – and don't even think about skimping on your workers.

Dare to dream of design at this point. Think about how you cook, if you're renovating your kitchen, and learn about the kinds of cabinets and counters. If the bathroom's first, determine how much space you'll have and what fixtures you require. And if you're thinking about a reno that doesn't involve tear-downs, you might be in luck: furniture you already have may be able to be refurbished. New window treatments can be inexpensive. Do-ItYourself tips here can help you save money, and spend it instead on nicer floors, upgraded windows, even new doors.

Next, “really start thinking about the B-word.” Budgeting is essential and should be top-of-list for anyone who's thinking about renovating. Educate yourself on financial terminology and know ahead

When you tour a new home to buy or rent, you naturally dream about a reading nook, a cozy fireplace, holiday dinners, and movie-night with the family. So how do you make those dreams into a home? How do you get motivated to tackle a reno job?

You start with For the Love of Renovating.

For sure, it's going to be work, and authors Barry Bordelon & Jordan Slocum don't hide that fact here. Instead, they instruct readers how to make a reno a little less painful, with how-to tips and advice on nearly every homeowning aspect, from finding financing to determining what the outside of your home should look like. Readers will like being

GOOD
For the Love of Renovating: Tips, Tricks & Inspiration for Creating Your Dream Home by Barry Bordelon & Jordan Slocum, The Brownstone Boys. Published by Union Square. $28.00
18 GREEN LIVING | greenlivingmag.com

forearmed with no-nonsense, no-frills hints. You'll also relish the many, many full-color photos that drip with inspiration.

This is a book you'll page through often, whether you just did a reno or are planning another. For the Love of Renovating is a book most homeowners will want to make room for.

Three bedrooms upstairs. That's a minimum.

You need a big kitchen, a large back room would be a bonus, you want lots of bathrooms, and if you can get a corner lot, that'd be great. The thing you need most is a gigantic all-purpose room or maybe a ballroom because you're planning on a lot of people. As you'll see in the new book Preserved by Dean G. Lampros, not all living rooms are for the living.

Not too long ago, shortly after he took a class on historic preservation, Dean Lampros' husband dragged him on a weekend away to explore a small town in Massachusetts. There, Lampros studied the town's architecture and it “saddened” him to see Victorian mansions surrounded by commercial buildings. And then he had an epiphany: there was once a time when those old mansions housed funeral homes. Early twentiethcentury owners of residential funeral homes were, in a way, he says, preservationists.

thousands of “stately old mansions in aging residential neighborhoods“ soon held death-industry businesses.

This, says, Lampros, often didn't go over well with the neighbors, and that resulted in thousands of people upset and lawsuits filed. Some towns then passed ordinances to prohibit such a thing from happening to their citizens.

Still, funeral home owners persevered. Moving out of town helped “elevate” the trade, and it allowed Black funeral home operators to get a toehold in formerlywhite neighborhoods. And by having a nice – and nice-sized – facility, the operators were finally able to wrest the end-oflife process away from individuals and homefunerals...

Here's a promise: Preserved is not gruesome or gorefor-the-sake-of-gore. It's not going to keep you up all night or give you nightmares. Nope, while it might be a little stiff, it's more of a look at architecture and history than anything else.

Prior to roughly World War II, most funerals were held at home or, if there was a need, at a funeral home, the majority of which were located in a downtown area. That changed in 1923 when a Massachusetts funeral home owner bought a large mansion in a residential area and made a “series of interior renovations” to the building. Within a few years, his idea of putting a funeral home inside a former home had spread across the country and

From California to New England, author Dean G. Lampros takes readers on a cruise through time and culture to show how “enterprising” business owners revolutionized a category and reached new customers for a once-in-adeathtime event. Readers who've never considered this hidden-in-plain-sight, surprising subject – or, for that matter, the preservation or re-reclamation of those beautiful old homes – are in for a treat here. Despite that the book can lean toward the academic, a good explanatory timeline and information gleaned from historical archives and museums offer a liveliness that you'll enjoy.

This book will delight fans of little-know history, and architecture junkies will drool over its many photographs. Preserved is the book you want because there are other ways to make a house a “home.”

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Preserved: A Cultural History of the Funeral Home in America by Dean G. Lampros. Published by Johns Hopkins University Press. $34.95

The Great Garden Express

Now running at the Tucson Botanical Gardens

IIf it’s been a minute since your last visit to the Tucson Botanical Gardens, there’s a great reason to make the drive to 2150 N. Alvernon: a new permanent exhibit, months in the making, called “The Great Garden Express.” Whether you’re a train enthusiast, lover of nature, or a child at heart of any age, there is something there for you.

Six model train engines pull freight and passenger cars that wind their way through the American West in miniature, past iconic historical landmarks and quintessential landscapes. Operated by volunteer train engineers decked out in requisite blue and white striped hats, the trains chug past intricately crafted structures, including missions of the Southwest such as San Xavier del Bac, over wooden bridges, and through excavated tunnels.

Towering overhead, seven-foot high upper-track supports draw inspiration from the hoodoo rock formations found along the Catalina Highway. You can walk right under elevated sections of track for a fully immersive experience. Watch out for the famed Santa Fe Super Chief, the “Train of the Stars,” as it rounds the corner over a trestle bridge sculpted from willow branches. Give an imaginary wave to the celebrities it carried between Chicago and Los

Angeles during the golden age of Hollywood.

National Park favorites, such as the Old Faithful Inn at Yellowstone, are lovingly recreated using acrylic-based foam for the frame, casting resin for the window cutouts, and sand-based grout for the wall surfaces. Natural and botanical materials, including seeds, bark, and acorns, are used to render intricate architectural details.

Nestled among mature shade trees, with a recirculating eight-foot waterfall cascading into a meandering stream, The Great Garden Express is set in a lush and tranquil oasis providing a welcome respite from the heat of a Tucson summer.

That deep shade and dappled light in the exhibit area at the Tucson Botanical Gardens enabled Director of Horticulture, Adam Farrell-Wortman, to create a high elevation plant-scape in microcosm.

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He says, “When I found out that our new train exhibit, The Great Garden Express, includes structures modeled after the region’s hoodoo rock formations, I knew immediately that I wanted the landscape surrounding the trains, what I call the plant pallet, to reflect the Sky Island pine and juniper scrub communities you experience around the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.”

Adam and his team of gardeners have created a haven of Piñon Pine (Pinus edulis), Alligator-bark Juniper (Juniperus deppeana), and One-Seed Juniper (Juniperus monosperma) to form the typically sparse canopy. Gambel Oak (Quercus gambelii) and Curl-leaf Mountain Mahogany (Cercocarpus ledifolius) are are also present, along with Western Redbuds (Cercis occidentalis) and even Arizona’s native Bigtooth Maples (Acer grandidentatum) planted near water and in shade to provide seasonal pops of color and changing texture. Arizona grassland plants like Banana Yucca (Yucca baccata), and Blue Grama grass (Bouteloua gracilis) thrive in the understory of this miniature forest. During our rainy seasons, the landscape will be painted with species of penstemon, salvia, mirabilis, and oenothera.

Angel Lodge, and the Rock Arch from the route to Mount Lemmon.

Made specially for the Gardens by world renowned garden railway creators, Applied Imagination, this is the only opportunity to visit one of the team’s train layouts in Arizona, and it is currently the only one west of the Mississippi. Led by Laura Busse Dolan, daughter of Paul Busse, a landscape architect who founded the company over thirty years ago, the structural elements were created over thousands of hours at their headquarters in Kentucky and shipped out to Tucson with great care. Tucson Botanical Gardens is in good company, as Applied Imagination has completed projects with over 100 gardens nationwide, including the Chicago Botanic Garden and The New York Botanical Garden.

If you’re a train nerd, these are G Scale model trains. The G stands for garden, or groß, German for large, and this gauge is selected because of its size and rugged endurance. Even so, the train engineers will monitor the train engines carefully and switch them out every two or so hours to ensure they stay in tip–top condition.

Complementing these high elevation plantings, see if you can spot the Grand National train depot, Bright

Visit www.TucsonBotanical.org for more information about Tucson Botanical Gardens and to plan your visit.

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Commercial Composting is a Big Business

Trashing Food Waste Troubles: Part 2

CComposting has become quite the buzzword in recent years and has become increasingly popular as people look for ways to reduce waste and help mitigate disastrous levels of methane gas caused by rotting food scraps in landfills.

Last month, we took a look at residential composting and Mill’s partnership with Arizona’s R.City. In the final installment of our two-part series on composting, we’re diving into the world of commercial composting to explore the efforts that large companies are making to close the loop on food waste.

Denali, the nation’s largest full-service organics recycling company, has processed and recycled more than 2.6 billion pounds of commercial food waste into compost and animal feed since 2021.

Opened in April 2017 next to the the City of Phoenix transfer station and recycling facility at 27th Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road, Denali’s Arizona-based location has been designed to process as much as 220,000 tons of compost each year. The product is

then used as a soil amendment for farms and gardens.

The 27-acre site — including office spaces, a break area, a maintenance building, and a water-retention basin — is on the city’s Resource Innovation Campus, which works with innovative companies like Denali to strengthen the circular economy and develop sustainability solutions.

Samuel Liebl, director of communications for Denali, explains that the company collaborates with thousands of U.S. grocery stores including 4,700 Walmarts, food manufacturers, cities and towns, hotels and restaurants, schools and universities, healthcare companies, and sports and entertainment venues. They partner with farms, which convert nutrient-rich residuals into fertilizers, to reduce

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An excavator loads green waste into a grinder at the city of Phoenix's compost facility, operated by Denali. Once size reduced by the grinder, the material will be mixed with food waste to produce compost.

farmers’ dependence on chemicals. With locations nationwide, the Russellville, Ark.-based company has grown through nationwide acquisitions and now employs 1,500 associates.

“We recycle organic byproducts from these industries and convert them into valuable products such as feed, fertilizer, and biofuel,” he says. Denali is one of the largest producers of feed for cattle from agricultural byproducts and food waste and operates one of the largest biodiesel manufacturing facilities in California, producing about 12 million gallons annually. Much of the used cooking oil for that fuel is sourced from Arizona, he adds.

By diverting and turning unused food destined for the landfill into valuable products, in the past two years, Denali has collectively helped to avoid the creation of more than 500,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, including landfill-produced methane. Based on the U.S. EPA’s calculation tools, this is equivalent to keeping approximately 100,000 cars off the road for one year or providing electricity to more than 60,000 homes for one year, the company says.

“We are on a mission to replenish the Earth by repurposing waste. Our work is essential to keeping water clean, reducing the need for new landfill capacity, building soil fertility, helping farmers be more resilient and reducing society’s reliance on fossil fuels. Our services and products touch thousands of acres, hundreds of locales, millions of tons of material — and nearly every person who purchases and consumes food in the U.S.,” reads a July 2023 statement from the company.

Here’s how the TAP works. First, Denali schedules trucks throughout Arizona that pick up the organic waste from hundreds of grocery stores, healthcare facilities, sports events, and even event venues run by Live Nation. The drivers maintain routes. For instance, one covers Flagstaff, another the White Mountains or Tucson. Nationwide, the Denali fleet includes about 1,000 trucks.

For organic green materials like grass, palm fronds, and tree stumps, Denali collects the raw material or it is dropped at the facility, explains Blake Ludeman, vice president of sales for Denali. Landscaping businesses pay the city by weight to dispose of the material, which would otherwise be landfilled. Once

delivered at the site, all material is arranged in specific sorting areas: green waste, food waste, and already separated organics. This equates to about 90 to 100 tons daily. At the 27th Ave. facility, the Denali team efficiently completes the composting process in 45 to 60 days. Traditionally, quality compost can take from nine to 12 months to produce, says Ludeman.

RECYCLING ALCHEMY: GREEN WASTE TO BLACK GOLD

The Denali facility uses a state-of-the art Turned Aerated Pile composting system that generates large amounts of compost in almost half the time as traditional methods. Workers are on site for three shifts six days a week.

Continued online...

Visit www.greenlivingmag.com/ commercial-composting-bigbusiness/ to read the second half of this story and learn about the rest of the recycling process.

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Denali grinds tree trimmings from across Phoenix, and this material makes up a large portion of the compost produced at the 27th Avenue facility. Photos courtesy of Denali

HEALTH &Wellness In Bloom

Why locally grown flowers are better for your health and the local economy

WWhen people think of Arizona, they generally think of saguaro wilderness, the oppressive heat, and the Grand Canyon. That doesn’t seem like an environment that would work well for agriculture. Yet even in Arizona’s extreme conditions, a budding agricultural crop of cut flowers is being grown on farms (and in backyards!) around the state.

Back in the 60s and 70s, flower production was abundant in South Phoenix. Over the years, that land was developed and flower farming ended in Arizona. Most flowers in the industry began to be farmed in Central and South America, as they could be produced year round with little cost. Today, the majority of flowers you find in the grocery store and florists’ shops still come from Central and South America, although more flowers are coming from California when available.

Most flowers travel from thousands of miles away — first harvested from a farm, then to a wholesaler, followed by a grocery store or florist, and then to you. By the time you get them, they’re not exactly fresh. Because of the time it takes for the flowers to get to your home, only a select few flower varieties are typically available to choose from. These flowers tend to have more chemicals sprayed on them to repel and kill insects and to keep them lasting long enough to get into your hands.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT’S ON THOSE GROCERY STORE FLOWERS?

Knowing what’s lurking on conventionally grown flowers, it’s disturbing to see them adorning various cakes and baked goods for décor. It’s also unnerving to see someone putting their face in a bouquet of flowers that has been sprayed with chemicals. Consider that the next time you purchase flowers from the grocery store or florist. Instead, you might consider purchasing local flowers, as they’re much more likely not to be sprayed with toxic chemicals.

With more consumers choosing to buy local and to support sustainable practices, locally grown food and flowers are growing in popularity. In turn, locally produced products are becoming more widely available. Farms in Arizona have been focused largely on food, but more are starting to grow flowers because consumers are asking for them.

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FLOWER FARMS ACROSS ARIZONA

In Arizona, we have flower farms and backyard flower growers all over the state today. Some of the larger farms are in Kingman (Rosebird Farm) and Paulden (Whipstone Farm). Smaller farming is happening from the north in Show Low and all the way south to Elgin.

Arizona has such a diverse climate that in the late winter, flowers can be blooming in metro Phoenix and Tucson while northern Arizona is under snow. Once it gets super hot in Phoenix and Tucson, the farms in northern Arizona are growing the bulk of their crops. With such diverse climates in the state, flowers are blooming for cut flower production 10 months out of the year!

Many flower growers across the state sell their harvests at their local farmers markets, to their local florists, and offer their flowers in subscription services. In an effort to encourage florists to purchase more products from Arizona growers — and to get them into the hands of more consumers — flower farmers from across the state have come together to create a collective. Flowers from multiple farms across the state are being sold weekly to wholesale florists at Baseline Flowers, the site of the original South Phoenix flower growers. The Arizona Flower Collective is currently only selling wholesale to florists but hopes to be able to open up retail sales to the public in the future.

HOW CAN YOU GET YOUR HANDS ON LOCALLY AND SUSTAINABLY GROWN FLOWERS?

Check out your local farmers market, ask your local florist to source from the Arizona Flower Collective, or reach out to a farmer and order directly from them. Here are a few farms in the Arizona Flower Collective you can contact:

• Anne E’s Garden Fresh, Scottsdale, @anne_es_garden_fresh on Instagram

• Flower to Table, Scottsdale, @shopflowertotable on Instagram

• Frontera Flowers, Bisbee, fronteraflowers.com, @fronteraflowers on Instagram

• The Potters Bench, San Tan Valley, thepottersbench.com, @the_potters_bench on Instagram

• Ruby Jewel Flowers, Show Low, www.rubyjewelflowers.com, @rubyjewelflowers on Instagram

Local, sustainably grown flowers are not like the flowers you get at a grocery store. They’re grown without harmful chemicals, support pollinators, and change organically with the seasons. New varieties come into bloom week by week and provide a wonderful experience and a healthier way to enjoy flowers.

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How neuroscience can help you design spaces that make sense for your personal well-being

G Feeling At Home

Generally speaking, when talking about neuroscience, we look at the interplay of cognition, emotion, and behavior — how neural networks weave themselves through different brain regions, influencing the way we show up from these cognitive, emotional, and behavioral standpoints. The study of neuroscience seeks to understand what types of stimuli activate which neural networks.

For the course of the last year, I’ve been designing a framework to combine neuroscience and design in order to enhance mental well-being for my clients. In my work, I seek to understand how various shapes, colors, textures, sounds, and tastes are registered and processed in our brain and in which regions. But whether you hire a professional designer or not, it can be fascinating — and important — to understand the way your environment impacts you on a daily basis. Has something kicked off your fight or flight response? Did something trigger a release of serotonin, helping you to relax? These are the questions to ask when you feel yourself responding in a certain way in various environments. What we consciously feel or perceive can sometimes vary based on our physiological responses to the environment around us. And as the designer of your space, you hold the key to achieving just the right amount of sensory inputs for your daily goals and emotional balance. Too little environmental stimulation, and you’ll be bored, unmotivated, and have a lack of focus. Too much environmental stimulation, and you’ll be a

short-fused stress ball wandering around without ever getting a full dose of rejuvenation. Understanding how your brain responds to various stimuli can allow you to craft a space that promotes relaxation, focus, and creativity, among many other “states of being.”

COGNITIVE LOAD AND YOUR RESPONSE TO YOUR ENVIRONMENT

Let’s look at cognition – we’ve all experienced a time when we have felt overwhelmed, where one small annoyance can send us into a tailspin. This is usually because our cognitive load is tapped out and can’t absorb any further input. So let’s dissect this for a minute. There are conscious actions and thoughts that take place in everyday life that add to our cognitive load for the day, and there are also subconscious inputs that add to the load. Consciously adding to our finite cognitive limit are things like focused work, engaged conversation, housework, parenting, and so on. Sneaky little inputs that make their way into our subconscious are urban noises, color pops, poor lighting, clutter, poor air quality, and uncomfortable furniture, for example.

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These subconscious factors create more demand on cognitive resources, making it harder to thrive. Now, are you ready for this? We are only conscious of 5% of sensory inputs. Five percent! So that leaves a large 95% of what we take in each day to our subconscious mind — meaning we don’t even know it’s happening. You can start to see why paying attention to your physical environment can have a big impact on your functioning.

PERSONAL EXPERIENCES IMPACT YOUR PERSONAL SPACE

When we look at emotional responses to our environments, visual and auditory stimuli also play a crucial role in emotional processing. Through these senses, we interpret social and environmental contexts, recognize facial expressions, and assess threats or opportunities. Our sense of taste actually plays a role in emotional processing and memory. And although as humans, there are some ways in which we may all respond to the same stimuli due to evolution, there are also ways in which we respond differently due to lived personal experience. Knowing how to decipher what is human response and what is your unique response is also a factor in how we can design a space to foster our well-being and healing. Considering your own personal experiences are key to designing a space that can influence healing, restore homeostasis, and even diminish trauma responses.

of “threatening” stimuli heighten our arousal, making us uncomfortable in a state of hypervigilance.

Once we remove the sensory threats, we want to introduce positive stimuli. We can introduce many shapes, patterns, colors, and textures that tantalize and positively awaken our senses. Creating space for the mind to wander and allowing these sensory stimuli to seep in has just created a new state — and space — for us to sink into with confidence, safety, and security.

When working to address anxiety or trauma through your environment, the first thing to do is reduce perceived threats in the environment. Through our evolution, there are certain textures, shapes, and noises that we may perceive as threatening — like rigid angles that stimulate the subconscious mind to think of thorns or sharp teeth. The responses to these types

Finally, it’s the personal touches that you put on your space that speak to your innermost desires, memories, and interests that can take your mood to the next level. The conscious and subconscious mind both benefit from the things that make you feel happy, safe, and truly at home.

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Phoenix’s SIREWALL improves upon an ancient concept

TTraditional rammed earth is a beautiful, earth-friendly building technique that has existed for thousands of years. Made from compacted natural earth, these walls can absorb and release moisture, helping to stabilize indoor humidity levels. This creates a natural humidity balance, reducing the need for mechanical dehumidifiers or humidifiers.

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Rammed earth homes not only maintain stable indoor humidity levels crucial for comfort and health, the natural materials eliminate the presence of harmful chemicals, allergens, pollutants, and mold to create a healthier living environment.

Phoenix-based SIREWALL is leading the way in rammed earth improvements through several key innovations, making it an attractive option for modern, sustainable living. SIREWALL — which stands for “Structural Insulated Rammed Earth WALL” — actually addresses humidity issues even more efficiently through its humidity flywheel effect to maintain perceived temperature and create less energy consumption for heating and cooling.

SIREWALL has also improved upon the concept of rammed earth walls by increasing structural integrity so that the walls can be load bearing. SIREWALL materials mimic the appearance of natural stone, and are naturally and locally sourced but can be shipped anywhere, as they work in nearly every geographic location.

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Luxe Lavs

Eco-chic sanctuaries from around the globe

BBathrooms play a central role in home design, offering a private space where splendor meets functionality. Luxury resorts take this concept to new heights, providing guests with opulent bathroom experiences that inspire and rejuvenate. What's even more impressive is when these resorts prioritize eco-friendly practices, seamlessly blending indulgence with sustainability. Here is a unique selection of such eco-conscious resorts that take luxury to a new level where lavatories are concerned.

CHABLÉ YUCATÁN: RE-ENVISIONED AGAVE FACTORY

Across 750 acres of the Mayan jungle of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, architects and designers reimagined, restored, and honored the ruins of a 19th century hacienda and former agave factory, transforming it into a five-star wellness resort of eco-chic indulgence. Chablé Yucatan banned single-use plastics in addition to installing 1,848 solar panel modules that generate 60% of the resort’s current energy use. This effort has offset approximately 812 tons of CO2 — the equivalent of planting 4,318 trees.

Sustainability permeates every aspect of Chablé’s bathrooms, from surfaces crafted from local tropical hardwoods with naturally soft and rich waxed finishes, to one-piece quarried monoliths for the sinks, showcasing a dedication to environmental preservation without compromising luxury. These monoliths not only exude elegance but also contribute to sustainability by minimizing material waste and promoting durability. Carved limestone bathtubs, hewn from nearby Dzitás, offer a luxurious retreat, with some tubs in the Royal and Presidential

Suites weighing an impressive 1,100 pounds each — also carved from a single quarry monolith.

Each villa's bathroom is a sanctuary of sustainable opulence with floor-to-ceiling glass walls and indooroutdoor showers which invite the lush surrounding nature to become part of the bathing experience.

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Photo courtesy of Chablé Yucatán

The architects' goal was to create an open space that connects the guest visually to the exterior surroundings, while ensuring privacy within the natural landscape that envelops each casita and villa. https://yucatan.chablehotels.com

HOTEL KLOSTERBRÄU: NATURE ROOMS

The Green Pearls® Hotel Klosterbräu in Seefeld, Tyrol, stands as a symbol of sustainable luxury and an example of how a new building can be constructed almost entirely from regional materials and still have all the modern amenities of a luxury hotel. Its 28 new rooms and suites boast up to 95% locally sourced materials. Recognizing the escalating temperatures in the Alpine region during summer, the Seyrling family, the hotel's owners, ingeniously integrated natural cooling methods. Clay walls, sourced from the family's personal forest and expertly affixed to wooden slats, provide an eco-friendly solution to regulate room temperatures. With insulating clay wool and an A+ emission rating, the hotel minimizes reliance on traditional air conditioning and heating systems, further reducing its carbon footprint.

The bathrooms are serene sanctuaries of indulgence. Crafted

with sustainability in mind, these luxurious spaces feature freestanding bathtubs offering panoramic views of the breathtaking Tyrolean landscape. Chic and modern, the cabinetry is made from locally sourced materials and blends rustic charm with contemporary elegance. Guests can unwind in private saunas crafted from regional and sustainable woods, indulging in the ultimate relaxation amidst the tranquil Alpine surroundings. Showers, manufactured with water-saving technology, provide a spa-like experience while ensuring eco-consciousness without compromising on luxury. www.klosterbraeu.com/en

HOTEL CHRISTOPHER: ECO-FRIENDLY EXCELLENCE

For its third consecutive year, The Hotel Christopher retains its Green Globe Certification, reaffirming its dedication to nature-centric tourism and eco-conscious practices. As the sole hotel on the Caribbean island of Saint-Barthélemy to hold this certification, The Christopher stands at the forefront of sustainable hospitality. This year's accolade acknowledges the hotel's groundbreaking efforts in

Nature rooms at Hotel Klosterbräu. Photo by Patrick Langwallner
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Hotel Christopher Photo by Hugo Allard

water management, achieved through a fully selfsustaining system incorporating water treatment and desalination. This pioneering initiative includes the establishment of a unique drinking water station on the island, made possible through a collaboration with AQUAchiara, a renowned French expert in water purification. By bottling and purifying water in-house, The Christopher significantly reduces CO2 emissions and eliminates the environmental footprint associated with outsourced bottled water, aligning with Green Globe's mission to operate at the highest echelon of sustainability.

The hotel's design, crafted by the renowned French architectural firm De Yavorsky, boasts 48 rooms and suites, including three four-bedroom villas, each offering captivating views of the sea and adjacent bay. Envisioned as a sprawling residence with sleek, timeless lines, its Creole architecture seamlessly intertwines with contemporary design and vibrant hues, exuding charm and sophistication. Within the guest bathrooms, long single-slab sinks in warm, earthy tones add to the ambiance. Enhanced by energy-efficient LED lighting, the reflections dance across the shower tiles, creating a mesmerizing visual display as water cascades from the tropical showers. Relaxing in the spacious granite bathtub, guests are treated to panoramic views of the sea, enveloped in a sense of serenity and solitude amidst the vastness of the ocean. www.hotelchristopher.com

CREATIVHOTEL LUISE: RENEWABLE HOTEL ROOMS

Creativhotel Luise in Erlangen, Germany, is a pioneer in sustainable hospitality. Since its inception in 1956, the hotel has adhered to eco-friendly practices, evolving with each generation. Today, under the guidance of manager Ben Förtsch, the hotel continues to innovate, embracing measures for efficiency, sustainability, and climate neutrality with a new Cradle-to-Cradle room concept, made from recyclable materials that are and remain 100% biodegradable or 100% recyclable. These “renewable rooms” — a phrase coined by the hotel

itself — are constructed with structural panels made from untreated straw and recycled materials, and the ceilings crafted from Oriented Structural Straw Boards (OSSBs). Straw is an abundant and renewable resource, often considered a waste product in agriculture. Using it for construction helps reduce waste and provides an eco-friendly alternative to wood-based products, and OSSBs have good insulating properties. Therefore, these materials reduce CO2 emissions, support local farmers, and provide an environmentally friendly and socially responsible choice.

The renewable rooms feature metal-free timber construction, using plug connections and eco-friendly glue to minimize environmental impact. Non-toxic silicate paint on the walls regulates humidity and enhances air quality. Coco-Mat mattresses offer comfort with natural materials like natural rubber, coconut fibers, and seaweed. Real plants purify the air, while nature-inspired artworks add aesthetic appeal.

The bathrooms at Creativhotel Luise are the highlight of the sustainable design. Guests can experience showering like an astronaut with Orbital Systems' patented water recycling technology, originally developed for NASA's Mars missions. This technology saves over 90% of water and up to 80% of energy compared to conventional showers. Compare this to an average shower with an economy showerhead which uses 30 liters in five minutes, and a regular shower head using 60 liters! Additionally, intelligent heating systems save around 33% of heating energy

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Renewable hotel room. Photo courtesy of Hotel Luise

by adjusting room temperature based on weather and occupancy. Efficient heat recovery units in the bathroom and LED lighting systems further support energy conservation, making the bathrooms a perfect blend of luxury and sustainability. www.hotel-luise.de

THE PALMS HOTEL & SPA: GREEN GLAMOUR

Along the coastline of South Beach, The Palms Hotel & Spa offers a tranquil retreat where genuine hospitality and environmental consciousness intersect seamlessly. This privately owned and managed resort embodies laid-back sophistication and oceanfront

serenity. The Palms holds prestigious certifications such as Green Globe and Florida Green Lodging Three Palm designation, underscoring its unwavering commitment to sustainable practices. Efforts to eliminate single-use plastics are underway, with initiatives like Proud Source locally bottled spring water in aluminum bottles, and FSC certified wooden keys replacing plastic cards.

The Palms’ dedication to sustainability extends to its design and amenities, with eco-friendly practices evident in every detail. They use recycled materials in furnishings, energy-efficient Mode Green Guest LED light, and A/C climate control systems. The low flow showerheads and faucets throughout the hotel only consume 1.5 gallons per minute, while eco-friendly toilets use hand wash water to flush in one third of its guest rooms. Guests can also indulge in a little bit of personal luxury from BeeKind by Gilchrist & Soames toiletries, whose bottles, cartons, and labels are made from the most readily available recyclable materials.

They also utilize bio-additives in some plastics, making them 100% biodegradable should they wind up in landfills. www.staybeyondgreen.com/hotels/ united-states/palms-hotel-spa

COULIBRI RIDGE: SOLAR-POWERED SERENITY

Coulibri Ridge is a 14-suite off-grid discreet luxury resort located on a mountain ridge in southern Dominica, just minutes from the picturesque Soufrière Bay, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Caribbean Sea. Designed as a long-term research project, Coulibri Ridge exemplifies how modern ecoresorts can thrive while respecting the environment and supporting local traditions. With a commitment to self-sufficiency, solar panels fuel all the resort’s power needs, and water is generated entirely by filtered rainwater, ensuring a sustainable water supply while preserving the natural beauty of the surroundings. Even the construction materials are sourced locally, with the resort's hurricane-resistant exterior crafted by skilled artisans using hand-chiseled rock from the property itself. Coulibri Ridge is a member of Beyond Green, a global portfolio of planet Earth’s most sustainable hotels.

The design of each suite’s sustainability is woven into the fabric of the guest experience. Rainwater harvested from the surrounding landscape flows through lowflow showerheads, while solar heater tanks provide hot water using renewable energy. Recycled materials are incorporated into the suite furnishings, and organic, locally sourced amenities enhance the guest experience while minimizing environmental impact. Smallercapacity toilet tanks are used, reducing the amount of water consumed per flush. The bathroom vanity top is finished with reclaimed granite, and custom-made vanity furniture is made from certified recycled teak. www.coulibriridge.com

Inn by the Sea bathroom Cove and Beach Suites. Photo courtesy of The Palms Hotel
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External shower at the villa. Photo courtesy of Coulibiri Ridge

Historic Haunts

These Valley restaurants have a storied past

TThe Valley’s culinary scene boasts more than just delectable dishes. Many restaurants here — too many to catalog in one list — reside in structures steeped in history, offering a unique blend of past and present. Here is a handful of our favorites.

THE HOUSE BRASSERIE: A LEGACY OF HOSPITALITY

The House Brasserie in Old Town Scottsdale is an elegant gastropub that exudes a timeless Victorian charm, and is aptly named for its residence within a 1939 structure originally built by the Mowry family. The Mowrys, having weathered the Dust Bowl of

the 1930s, sought new beginnings in Arizona. They established a Pima cotton farm on over 100 acres, and the home that became The House Brasserie was their family’s haven.

Servers familiar with the restaurant’s history tell tales of the Mowry grandchildren climbing the property’s magnificent tree that resides along the western edge of

SAVOR
36 GREEN LIVING | greenlivingmag.com
Photo courtesy of Cibo Pizzeria

the restaurant’s patio and will share that the pine tree behind the former home is the oldest in Scottsdale — the Mowry family’s Christmas tree, planted in 1943. Mrs. Mowry was well-known for her vibrant rose bushes that adorned the property, and her best rose bush was transplanted onto the grounds of The Hotel Valley Ho just steps from her home. Apart from the kitchen addition to the structure in 2014, the exterior construction is all original, allowing diners to imagine a simpler time as they’re transported to a bygone era. Rumor has it that the Mowry children continue to return to the property to celebrate birthdays within the property’s iconic walls.

CASEY MOORE'S OYSTER HOUSE: A SPIRITED SANCTUARY

Venture further south to Tempe for a hauntingly delicious experience at Casey Moore's Oyster House. The 1910 William and Mary Moeur family home brims with history, with William Moeur having held prominent positions within Tempe’s educational system along with others during the early years of Maricopa County.

Today, the historic spot is lauded for its delectable oysters and a jovial atmosphere that fosters great conversation…but whispers of the past linger.

William and Mary Moeur both died in the home and it’s speculated that their spirits can be seen dancing around the upstairs window in the early hours of the

morning. But it’s the spirits of a somewhat darker nature that keep things interesting by sending forks flying off of tables upstairs.

Following the couple's deaths, the home is said to have become a bordello, complete with parties, drugs, suicides, and murderous activity.

In 1973, the building became a restaurant called Ninth & Ash and was sold in 1986 to become Casey Moore’s Oyster House, where servers report tables and chairs being rearranged when staff arrive at the restaurant in the morning, lamps swaying for no reason at all, and paintings even falling off the walls. Many have reported seeing the spirit of a young woman with black hair and light eyes and assume that she was a former resident of the bordello. Often, a soft glow can be seen in the window upstairs, but the light is reported to have been investigated on several occasions with no logical explanation.

BINKLEY’S

Moving into Midtown Phoenix, Binkley’s restaurant was originally built as a residence in 1928. According to Chef Kevin Binkley, not much is known about the history of the home, apart from the fact that the home’s pool was where the restaurant’s parking lot is now located. In 1989, the home was converted to a novelty store.

Photo courtesy of Binkley's
JUNE/JULY 2024 | GREEN LIVING 37
Photo courtesy of Casey Moore's Oyster House

“I was told where the private dining room is located was where they filled up all the balloons that they would use at large sporting events…like releasing at halftime shows,” says Binkley.

In 1989, the novelty store was converted to Sofia’s Restaurant, a cute country French bistro with a piano bar. Twenty three years later, Kevin and his wife, Amy, purchased the property to open Bink’s Midtown, and then transitioned it to the second home for Binkley’s Restaurant in 2016.

This fall, the historic house and restaurant will become home to lauded Phoenix chef Stephen Jones. The James Beard-nominated restaurateur will bring his signature Southern style of cooking to the space, continuing in the Binkley’s tradition of offering an elevated, multi-course seasonal tasting menu.

CIBO PIZZERIA: A SLICE OF HISTORY

In Downtown Phoenix, we find Cibo Pizzeria, a charming restaurant with a delicious menu that is housed in a restored 1913 bungalow. This former boarding house and naturopathic doctor's office features exposed brick walls, gleaming hardwood floors, and a crackling fireplace that weave a tale of the building's rich past. Today, the space buzzes with the energy and excitement of hungry diners who

crave Chef Guido Saccone's authentic Neapolitanstyle pizzas and pastas. The restaurant's charming tree-lined patio welcomes guests to sit under a sparkling array of twinkling lights, perfect for a romantic dinner for two.

GEORDIE'S AT THE WRIGLEY MANSION: A MANSION REBORN

A treasure all its own, Geordie's at The Wrigley Mansion was originally built by chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr. as a 50th anniversary gift for his wife Ada in 1931. The mansion has undergone several transformations and was saved from demolition by Georgie Hormel (the heir of Hormel Foods) and his wife, Jamie, in 1992. The couple lovingly restored the property, and although Geordie passed in 2006, Jamie remains the owner today.

At Geordie’s, the mansion’s signature restaurant, diners can see glimpses of the home’s original design. From the south veranda of the restaurant, visitors can see the original roofline and outdoor fireplace, while the bar is meticulously designed around the home’s original columns. Upstairs, Geordie's Gallery — once an open balcony with two primary suites — hosts private events for discerning clientele and is a testament to the mansion's adaptability.

38 GREEN LIVING | greenlivingmag.com
Photos courtesy of Geordie's at the Wrigley Mansion
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Captivate

SAVORRecipes

Kasai Japanese Steakhouse’s Coconut Chicken Skewers

Ingredients

3 chicken strips (3 oz.)

3 wooden skewers

1 cup of canola oil

¼ cup tempura batter mix (a box from the grocery store is fine)

3 oz. coconut milk

¼ cup coconut flakes

¼ cup panko bread crumbs

1 inch slice of pineapple

¼ cup sweet Thai chili sauce (your favorite from the grocery store is good)

Directions:

Heat the oil in a pan to 350 degrees. In a bowl, mix the tempura batter with the coconut milk. In a separate bowl, mix the coconut flakes with the panko bread crumbs. Dip the chicken in the tempura coconut milk mixture, then dredge the chicken in the dry breading mixture. Skewer each chicken strip, then dip the chicken in the hot oil for about three minutes or until fully cooked through.

To plate:

Place pineapple slice cut side down on a serving platter. Poke the sharp end of each chicken skewer into the flesh of the pineapple so that skewers are standing upright on the platter. Drizzle sweet Thai chili sauce over the chicken and across the plate.

40 GREEN LIVING | greenlivingmag.com

Red Pickled Onions

1 red onion

½ cup water

¼ cup red wine vinegar

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 teaspoon salt

Thinly slice the red onion and add to a glass jar. Add the water, vinegar, salt, and sugar to a sauce pan and bring to a gentle boil until the sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat and allow the mixture to cool slightly. Cover the onions with the liquid and let them rest at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Cover with a lid and refrigerate the onions for at least two hours.

Tasty AZ’s Salmon Bowl

This salmon bowl is an easy dish with massive flavor payout. The cooking technique creates a delightful crust on the salmon and the blend of spices add incredible flavor to the fish.

Served with rice, sliced cucumbers for a fresh crunch, arugula, a zesty tomato and mango salsa, and punchy pickled onions, this bowl will become your favorite summer dish.

MAKES 4 SERVINGS

Ingredients for the Salmon:

1 lb. fresh salmon, skin on (3-4 filets)

2 tablespoons avocado oil

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Directions for the Salmon:

Take the salmon out of the fridge 10 minutes prior to starting the recipe. Cut the filet into four equal pieces and pat dry with a paper towel. Brush with the avocado oil.

In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Rub the spice mixture into the flesh of the salmon until fully and evenly coated. Broil the salmon on high for 8-10 minutes or until your desired level of doneness.

To Serve:

4 cups cooked rice

2 cups arugula

½ cup red pickled onions (recipe follows)

1 cup tomato mango salsa (recipe follows)

1 Persian cucumber

Sesame seeds for garnish (optional)

Assemble serving bowls with one cup of rice per bowl, along with the sliced cucumbers, arugula, mango salsa and red onions. Place the salmon on top and enjoy.

Tomato Mango Salsa

1 pint cherry tomatoes

1 medium ripe mango

1 lemon

Salt and pepper to taste

Cilantro (optional)

Slice the cherry tomatoes in half lengthwise. Cut the mango into small cubes and combine with the tomatoes. Add the juice of one lemon and add salt and pepper to taste. Add a few leaves of chopped cilantro, if desired.

JUNE/JULY 2024 | GREEN LIVING 41

A Twelve Senses A delightfully conscious retreat

As a German woman who made her way to the U.S. in 1996, friends of Anke Bodack will say that everything she experienced in her life perfectly positioned her to create the Twelves Senses retreat — a small but exceptional holistic wellness getaway located in Encinitas, California.

Bodack grew up with parents who enjoyed hosting people in their home — not to make money but to meet people. Her father traveled often by train and was frequently known to tell the people he met aboard that they could stay at his home upon arriving at their destination. Bodack’s mother would cook and play the role of hostess. Once stateside, Bodack’s life was full of twists and turns and took her on a path from New York to California, doing color and material design for various automakers. Eventually, Bodack opened her own design firm but found the

life of an executive to be less fulfilling than what she’d imagined.

Eventually, she found inspiration through a trip to Mexico in which she visited an incredible B&B where the owners made everything from scratch. That experience led her to begin the journey of looking for properties that she, herself, could develop into a retreat. When her search continued to come up short, her son suggested that she create a B&B within their very own home. And that’s what she did.

TRAVEL
42 GREEN LIVING | greenlivingmag.com
Photos by Brett Prince

A REMODEL AND A DREAM

Encinitas is a popular beach town close to Swami Beach — a world famous surfing destination with a laid back atmosphere where many come to experience sun, surf, and a renewed sense of self. To create the retreat, Bodack refinanced her 1950s-era home in 2019 and took money out of her retirement savings — a move that would make anyone uneasy. A full two-thirds of the home was remodeled to turn it into Twelve Senses, all while Bodack and her son were living in the house.

Bodack worked with Alliance Green Builders on the project, who supported her vision to use sustainable materials and finishes. For the exterior, she chose Accoya from Delta Millworks — a type of acetylated wood that is ecologically friendly and doesn’t contain toxic substances. The wood throughout the property has been charred using an ancient Japanese method called Shou Sugi Ban to protect it from rot and fires, making it impervious to future damage. On the rooftop patio, guests may be interested to know that the tiles are made from reclaimed ocean plastic.

WHAT ARE THE 12 SENSES?

An intentional way of living that expands far beyond traditional knowledge of the most common five senses, Steiner’s approach considers the way the soul experiences the external world: touch, life sense, selfmovement, balance, smell, taste, sight, temperature, hearing, speech, thought, and ego.

Bodack chose the name Twelve Senses based on the 12 Senses philosophy created by 19th century philosopher and architect Rudolf Steiner.

She says, “I chose it because I have always been interested in design on a multi sensory level.”

“The Twelve Senses are best experienced in nature, and since sustainability has been my passion in my design career from the beginning, it felt like full circle for the guest to be invigorating and replenishing their senses, just like they would in nature,” says Bodack.

BRINGING CONSCIOUSNESS TO THE 12 SENSES

When designing the rooms at Twelve Senses, Bodack designed four rooms with the elements of nature in mind. Drawing on her previous design experience with autos, she even utilized a few of her favorite recycled materials that she incorporated into vehicles. Her intention in the design of each room is as obvious as it is beautiful. The Fire Room addresses the senses of hearing, ego and smell, utilizing dark, rich colors to invoke feelings of transformation. The property’s Earth Room is based on Steiner’s principles of thought, sight and warmth. Natural tones abound in

JUNE/JULY 2024 | GREEN LIVING 43

the space, invoking feelings of restoration, nurturing, and grounding. Bodack’s Water Room focuses on the senses of sound, taste, and life. Here, beautiful aqua blue tones envelop guests to provide a restorative, calming, and peaceful experience. Finally, Twelve Senses' Air Room brings to life the senses of thought, balance, and smell. Connected to our very breath, air is cleansing and restorative. This special room is made with vegan materials and surrounds guests with a peaceful color palette using natural materials and various shades of white and cream.

AMENITIES AT TWELVE SENSES

Within the rooms, guests can catch a wonderful night’s sleep on Coyuchi organic crinkled percale sheets, then wake to restorative sessions of yoga and interactive sound healing. Of course, traditional resort amenities like massages, manicures, and facials are available, as well.

If you’re feeling peckish, the food at Twelve Senses is not to be missed and reflects whatever is in season. Sourced mostly from local farms, bakeries, and suppliers, each dish is made with love, and the menu, which includes

vegan and gluten-free options, changes daily.

ENERGY SAVING IN ENCINITAS

Twelve Senses doesn’t just talk about sustainability — it’s built into everyday life at the retreat. Two solar photovoltaic systems generate on-site renewable electricity, cellulose insulation made with 85% recycled paper mitigates temperature changes and improves energy savings, the use of AeroBarrier envelope sealing within the construction increases energy efficiency, comfort, and air quality, and Nest thermostats provide smart controls to reduce the load on heating and cooling systems within the property.

STAYING AT TWELVE SENSES

We highly recommend staying with Twelve Senses and simultaneously supporting its partnership with Kind Traveler to give back to the Changing Tides foundation. With a $10 donation, you’ll receive an average of $44 off the going nightly rate.

For more information, visit www.kindtraveler.com/ content/twelve-senses-retreat.

Let us design the perfect trip to help reduce your carbon footprint. greentravelqueen@gmail.com Book a trip and mention Green Living magazine to get a free travel guide. 480-788-6832 44 GREEN LIVING | greenlivingmag.com
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Roaming in Wyoming

Jackson Hole offers guests the chance to walk on the wild (animal) side

TTravel is certainly therapeutic. But travel that features fresh mountain air with blue skies and unspoiled majestic scenery in every direction is truly the most natural form of self-rejuvenation — and a necessary prescription for the mind, body, and spirit.

Wyoming — and Jackson Hole, in particular — is among the sneaky-best (and most sustainable) spots for a little self-rejuvenation all summer long.

Jackson Hole is a mountain-lined paradise near the Teton Mountain Range. Certainly, it has earned national attention as a chic refuge for the likes of Kim Kardashian and Harrison Ford in recent years, but beyond being a mecca for celebrities looking to escape from it all, it is the perfect place for adventure buffs, culinary connoisseurs, and nature lovers of every shape and size.

In recent years, many who visit do so in the thick of the winter, given the tremendous skiing at Jackson

Hole Resort. But those in the know book a trip in the summer or fall, because it is heaven on Earth.

SNOW KING

Surrounded by 3.4 million pristine acres of the Bridger-Teton National Forest and encompassed by the iconic, jagged peaks of the Teton Range and Grand Teton National Park, Snow King Resort is one of Jackson’s most celebrated resorts providing an authentic Western lodging experience. Given its prime location, the resort is smart to offer its Snow King Adventure Tour through Grand Teton National Park year-round. The half-day tour features a professional guide, window seats in comfortable transportation,

TRAVEL
Fishing in view of the Grand Tetons.
46 GREEN LIVING | greenlivingmag.com
Photo by Andy Parker

access to quality binoculars and spotting scopes, drinks, and light refreshments. During the four-hour tour, the guide seamlessly shares the archaeology and history of the region while pointing out moose, elk, grizzly bears, black bears, antelope, bison, wolves, coyotes, trumpeter swans, sandhill cranes, bald eagles, and more.

Now through October, the resort also offers a Yellowstone adventure. The full-day tour — usually 10 to 12 hours — whisks guests through Grand Teton National Park and then ventures across the lower loop of Yellowstone National Park, making stops at Old Faithful, the Grand Prismatic Spring, Hayden Valley, and both the Upper and Lower Falls of Yellowstone River. As with the Grand Teton tour, there are ample wildlife viewing opportunities and refreshments throughout the adventure. There is a full lunch service as well.

Once guests have walked on the wild side, throughout the summer Snow King also offers the chance to relax through its “Tame Your Mild Side” package. Guests who book this package may enjoy complimentary breakfast for two daily, two desserts, and two signature cocktails at Haydens Post restaurant on-

site, and two passes to the resort’s 9,000-square-foot Grand View Spa, which boasts experiential showers, a co-ed infrared sauna, outdoor deck and hot tub with scenic mountain views, a retail boutique, and private men’s and women’s locker rooms. The package also includes a 30-minute session for two guests in the spa’s halotherapy salt lounge, which is the first of its kind in Wyoming. The treatment involves breathing in air with tiny salt particles to improve lung health, fight allergies, and ease skin conditions. A final bonus: the package provides admission for two adults to the nearby National Museum of Wildlife Art, which is the nation's only museum dedicated solely to wildlife, art with more than 5,000 cataloged artworks and 550 artists represented in the museum's permanent collection. www.snowking.com

FOUR SEASONS RESORT AND RESIDENCES

Another amazing option: Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole. The Five Diamond AAA resort is conveniently located just a mile from the entrance of Grand Teton National Park, among the top mountaineering, hiking, backcountry, and fishing locales in the United States and home to thousands of species of animals, notably moose, bald

JUNE/JULY 2024 | GREEN LIVING 47
Wildlife Tours. Photo by Josh Metten at JH Eco Tours

eagles, elk, deer, bears, and bison. The prettier-thana-postcard resort has a heated outdoor pool, multiple hot spring-style jetted tubs, three award-winning restaurants, a small-bite mixology bar, access to a nearby ropes course, and hiking trails. There is also a dedicated team of on-site naturalists that lead adventures ranging from wildlife safaris, fly fishing, and stargazing daily, given the greatest of the great outdoors awaits at every turn.

Sustainability is at the forefront of everything they do at the resort. On the property, there are electric vehicle (EV) charging stations available for guest use, as well as complimentary bicycles. Linens and towels are replaced every third day, unless otherwise requested, and all of the eateries use local menu items whenever available, as well as cage-free eggs. They also have a comprehensive waste reduction program in place focused on elimination of single-use plastic bottles and food and beverage containers; recycling; organic waste diversion; and all soaps and toiletries are donated to those in need through Clean the World. www.fourseasons.com/jacksonhole

MORE TO EXPLORE

Beyond what the resorts offer both on and off their properties, adventure awaits at every turn across the region. For those looking to see it from a bird’s-eye view, Fly Jackson Hole offers four scenic flight packages daily that start at $295

per person and range from 60 to 90 minutes. During the tours, expect to soar over the Tetons, Snake River, several waterfalls, alpine lakes, and canyons. For the daredevil, Teton Hang Gliding’s experienced FAA Flight instructors lead multiple hang-gliding expeditions daily using a powered buggy with an open cockpit.

Less high in the sky and wetter and wilder, Barker Ewing White Water offers whitewater rafting and scenic float trips along Jackson Hole’s Snake River. The tours, available separately and able to be combined together into packages, many with meals included, range from seven to 15 miles. The whitewater rafting section of the Snake River is Class III, perfect for people of all ages and experience, while the scenic float is an unhurried, relaxing jaunt down the river best for photographers and nature lovers. Or if a power boat is more your speed, there are four main marinas for boating in Grand Teton National Park that offer rentals, services, and other amenities for adventures on the Snake River and numerous lakes. Signal Mountain Lodge is a best bet as they have deck cruisers, pontoon boats, and motorboats.

Visit www.visitjacksonhole.com for more information.

Snow King Resort luxury condominium living room and kitchen.
48 GREEN LIVING | greenlivingmag.com
Night view of the pool at Snow King Resort.
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Embracing the Electric Revolution

Pioneering sustainable air travel

GGroundbreaking advancements are happening as the aviation industry stands on the cusp of monumental transformation, propelled by electric airplanes. These electric planes will revolutionize the skies and transform the impact of travel on the planet, offering a myriad of benefits that herald a new era of sustainability and efficiency.

COST-EFFICIENT ADVENTURES

Electric planes aren't just environmentally friendly; they're wallet-friendly, too. According to a groundbreaking study commissioned by Jettly, a Private Jet Charter Company, fuel expenses can be slashed by a staggering 90%, with maintenance costs halved. Bid farewell to exorbitant bills and welcome more funds for your next adventure.

EXPANDING HORIZONS

With current battery technology, electric aircraft are perfectly suited for routes under 500km (310 miles),

potentially opening access to an additional 5,000-8,000 public and private-use airports. This kind of expansion adds accessibility to new destinations previously beyond reach, breathes new life into regional airports, and streamlines travel for passengers.

GREEN AND SERENE SKIES

Imagine not having to use earplugs or soundproof headphones on a flight! Electric planes significantly reduce emissions and noise pollution, offering a cleaner and quieter journey. Embrace the serenity of electric flight as you soar towards your destination with a lighter environmental footprint.

TECHNOLOGY
50 GREEN LIVING | greenlivingmag.com

ACCESSIBILITY FOR ALL

Electric aviation isn't just about saving the planet; it's about making travel easier, more hassle-free, and accessible to more people.

Justin Crabbe, CEO of Jettly, believes that “the journey towards electric air travel is set to redefine the world travel market. With their promise of drastically reduced operating costs and emissions, electric aircraft can be the ultimate catalysts for change through revitalizing regional air markets, more accessibility, and their potential for higher economic growth.”

FUELING ECONOMIC GROWTH

Electric aviation isn't merely environmentally sustainable; it's also economically viable. By generating new job opportunities and rejuvenating regional airports, electric planes are propelling economic development and innovation.

CHARGING TOWARDS A GREENER FUTURE

Ongoing research and innovation promise endless possibilities for electric flight. From extending range capabilities to advancing charging technology, the sky's the limit for electric aviation.

“This shift is not without its challenges,” says Crabbe. “The adaptation of airport infrastructure, the development of advanced charging technologies, and the need for ongoing research and innovation emphasize the complexity of this transition. While the journey towards a fully electrified aviation sector is laden with challenges, the rewards - in terms of sustainability, efficiency, and accessibility - promise a new era in air travel - a future where the skies are busier and greener and quieter.”

Never Miss an Issue

Get your guide to an eco-concious lifestyle ORDER TODAY greenlivingmag.com/subscribe $12 1 Year Digital Subscription 1 Year Print + Digital Subscription 2 Year Print + Digital Subscription 1 Year Greenie Membership* 2 Year Greenie Membership* $25 $37 $39 $56 *includes exclusive benefits and organic cotton t-shirt Join the eco-conscious community and subscribe to Green Living for all the latest on living eco-concious and sustainable. Visit www. greenlivingmag.com for more information on this conscious magazine. JUNE/JULY 2024 | GREEN LIVING 51

She GREENShe’s GREENHe’s

Fast & Furious Our Go Karting Adventure

She Said: I've always loved go-karts. The wind in my hair, the “chug-chug” sound of the lawn mower-esque engines, and yes, even choking on fumes are all remembered fondly. After trying the indoor karts though, I'm a convert! No worries about chewing fumes or loud noises, just clean air and a soft electronic hum of the battery. These things were FAST — faster than any others I've tried and really fun to drive. I wasted no time going full throttle right out of the gate. It was just John and me on the track, so I went as fast as I could, taking full advantage of all the open space and seeing what these little karts could do. It was a thrill to zoom around like that. My first kart was easy to drive and did great around tight curves. Sure I grazed the wall a couple of times and even legitimately crashed into the wall on a hairpin turn. Let's just say the kart I had on the second race handled differently than the first (read: poorly!). Don't worry, I wore my helmet and seat belt! I think we got about seven to 10 laps in each race, so a relatively short experience. But honestly, I was done after two races — it gets your adrenaline going for sure, and I was shaky and a bit tired. I can't imagine doing that for real. You won't find me at the Indy 500 anytime soon, but I'll challenge ya to an indoor kart race in a heartbeat!

Looking for something fun to do for Father's Day or just to beat the heat? How about something with a bit of nostalgia and a “green” upgrade? I think most of us have tried the outdoor, noisy, exhaust-spewing go-karts of mini-golf parks, and as fun as that was, I don't think any of us enjoyed taking “eat my dust” almost literally. Indoor kart racing is where good, clean fun can be had. So bring your family, a date, or ride solo, and prepare to satisfy that need for speed!

HeHe Said: We put our pedals to the metal this month, quite literally. We tried out our local indoor kart speedway for some electric motor propelled fun. I drive a plug-in electric hybrid to and from work everyday, so I'm familiar with how zippy and fast off the line an electric car can be. I walked in there thinking I was the next Formula One racer about to give Max Vertstappen a run for his money, but that confidence quickly evaporated as Jennifer annihilated me on the first race. She nearly lapped me. Thankfully, we were the only ones on the track. These were definitely not the dinky putt-putt golf course go karts I drove as a kid. These karts had a 48-volt, 20-horsepower motor and went from 0 to 45 in about three seconds, though I don't think I ever got going that fast. I slid sideways a few times and almost spun out once. I genuinely couldn't keep the power on the road. We hopped out of the kart all jazzed up on adrenaline, and they told us to hop right back in for race number two, where I drove much better, but still couldn't pass Ricky Bobby over here — she made her kart eight lanes wide. We had a great time and are looking forward to going again.

52 GREEN LIVING | greenlivingmag.com

Your Key to the Community

Community, Philanthropy & Lifestyle JUNE/JULY 2024 | GREEN LIVING 53

GREENScenes

June/July Events Throughout Arizona

June 1

Gilbert Women’s Day Out Expo

For a fabulous and empowering day, take part in the Gilbert Women's Day Out Expo event at the Doubletree Hotel celebrating women with shopping, pampering, and connections. Discover the latest trends in fashion, beauty, and health from diverse exhibitors. Indulge in spa treatments and gain expert advice on wellness and personal development. Network with like-minded women and make new friends while enjoying exciting door prize giveaways. Whether you seek relaxation, shopping, or fun, this expo is for you. Bring your girlfriends for an unforgettable day out celebrating women!

June 9

The Arizona Wedding Show

The Arizona Wedding Show returns to the Phoenix Convention Center to showcase over 200 of Arizona’s top wedding specialists under one roof. Attendees can expect an array of vendors that cover the ceremony to the honeymoon, along with dynamic fashion shows at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Event goers can also anticipate numerous giveaways, including the chance to win a coveted Ultimate Wedding Package, sparing couples thousands in planning costs. Three wedding gowns will also be raffled off at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., and 1 p.m. The event is from 8:30 a.m. — 3 p.m.

CENTRAL ARIZONA

July 4 and 6

July 4th Freedom Run Phoenix

Celebrate July 4th weekend with a Freedom Run! Join the fun 5K, 10K, or half-marathon with friends and family, choosing between Thursday or Saturday for the run. Ten percent of proceeds and all fundraising go to Hope for the Warriors, supporting service members, veterans, and military families. Limited spots are available with waves closing quickly, but virtual run options and waitlists are available. This intimate run, capped at 15-20 participants per wave, welcomes all ages and paces, with coordinators offering support. Enjoy stress-free running, with optional timing support from coordinators using bib numbers on race day.

June 19

4th Annual RYBE Juneteenth Celebration

Enjoy the 4th Annual RYBE Juneteenth Celebration with over 50 black-owned businesses and local Arizona artists! Immerse yourself in the dynamic drum culture showcase by Sankofa West African Drum and Dance on Stilts, featuring traditional rhythms and Caribbean steel pan music. Witness a powerful performance by the Pretty Precise Step team, proudly supporting a local nonprofit dedicated to empowering young girls in the community. Don't miss out on giveaways and raffles, adding excitement to this vibrant Juneteenth celebration. Admission is free. Footprint Center, 201 East Jefferson Street, Phoenix.

June 21 & July 21

Lunar Sound Healing 2024

Immerse yourself in a community setting at the Spirit of Yoga for Lunar Sound Healing 2024 to learn about lunar and solar cycles, eclipses, and astrology. Relax in the resonant frequencies of gongs, crystal and Tibetan singing bowls, chimes, and nature sounds. Bring comforting items like pillows, blankets, and eye covers, as well as any sacred items you wish to charge and clear with vibrations. Arrive 10-15 minutes early to set up your sacred space. Doors open at 4:00 p.m. with the event taking place from 4:30-6:00 p.m. Space is limited. Spirit of Yoga, 1420 E Southern Ave, Tempe.

54 GREEN LIVING | greenlivingmag.com

NORTHERN

July 5

Summer Group Show Reception

The Summer Group Show is celebrating over 40 years as a premier fine art destination, with a reception at Mountain Trails Gallery, showcasing more than 40 award-winning artists. Immerse yourself in this spectacular display of art and explore a diverse range of traditional and contemporary paintings, sculptures, and mixed media pieces. Each artwork reflects the artist's unique expression, offering a captivating lineup of art including "A Rich Artistry" by Sue Krzyston, a stunning 9x12 oil painting featured in the exhibition. Mountain Trails Gallery, 300 AZ-179, Sedona.

July 5-7

Flagstaff Art in the Park

Flagstaff Art in the Park is a locally owned arts and crafts festival showcasing meticulously curated fine art and crafts by talented artists. Held on Fourth of July weekend in Wheeler Park, it offers a scenic backdrop with lush trees and grass, adjacent to City Hall. Featuring 80 artists from the Southwest, the event includes live music, a variety of food trucks, and family-friendly activities. Join the community for another season of art and music in the heart of Northern Arizona's refreshing pines! Free to the public. Wheeler Park, Downtown Flagstaff; Friday & Saturday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

July 20, 2024

Don’t Give Up! Yoga Festival and Health Fair

Experience the Don’t Give Up! Yoga Festival and Health Fair at the Elks Theatre and Performing Arts Center. Dive into a day of relaxation, rejuvenation, and wellness. Enjoy diverse yoga classes, workshops, and health vendors, all tailored to nurture your mind, body, and soul. Led by local practitioners, the event offers trauma-informed sessions in yoga and breakout workshops. Explore the Health Fair featuring local companies and artisans offering diverse delights. Lunch will include healthy options amidst sound healing sessions. This year’s theme, "Don’t Give Up!," draws inspiration from Michael Franti's song "Brighter Day" and celebrates July as national Minority Mental Health Month. 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Prescott Elks Theater 117 East Gurley Street #115 Prescott.

SOUTHERN ARIZONA

June 8, 15, 22, 29,

July 6, 13, 20, 27

Creatures of the Night (Cool Summer Nights)

Experience the magic of the desert after dark at Cool Summer Nights! Every Saturday from June 8 to August 24, the Desert Museum invites you to explore the nocturnal world of desert creatures. Witness bats soaring in pursuit of dinner, beavers frolicking in their pond, and scorpions glowing green under black light. Bring your flashlight for an adventure-filled evening — explore, grab a local beer, enjoy live animal encounters, play in Packrat Playhouse, feel the touch of a stingray, and participate in special nightly activities. Open until 9:00 p.m., it's the perfect way to beat the heat and discover something new about the desert! Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, 2021 N Kinney Rd, Tucson.

July 20

Fresh Pasta from Scratch Hands-On Cooking Class

Indulge in the culinary art of crafting fresh pasta from scratch at this hands-on cooking class from The Garden Kitchen in Tucson! In this delightful session, you'll mix, roll, shape, and learn to cook various types of pasta and sauces from scratch. On the menu, choose from laminated fettuccine, angel hair, tortellini, or ravioli, accompanied by delectable pesto and puttanesca sauces, served with a fresh salad. Gain essential skills in pasta making, filling, and sauce creation while enjoying a fulfilling culinary experience. Don't miss this opportunity on Saturday, July 20th from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, led by experienced instructor, Jennifer Parlin. The class fee is $60.00 per participant, including lunch, and participants must be 18 years or older. Unfortunately, this class cannot accommodate gluten-free or vegan options due to the base pasta dough. Participation supports free programming, empowering Pima County residents through food, fitness, and gardening education. Take note of the cancellation policy. The Garden KitchenUniversity of Arizona Pima County Coop Ext, 2205 South 4th Avenue, Tucson.

ARIZONA
JUNE/JULY 2024 | GREEN LIVING 55
A h u g e t h a n k y o u t o o u r s p o n s o r s a n d e v e r y o n e w h o m a d e T h e F u t u r e o f S u s t a i n a b i l i t y a s u c c e s s ! W e a p p r e c i a t e y o u r s u p p o r t a n d l o o k f o r w a r d t o s e e i n g y o u a t o u r n e x t s u s t a i n a b i l i t y e v e n t ! CREATING A BETTER WORLD THROUGH THE POWER OF DESIGN. THE LINK, PHOENIX, AZ GENSLER.COM ADPX_Green Living_Gensler_240515.indd 1 5/17/2024 11:10:27 AM 56 GREEN LIVING | greenlivingmag.com

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• It is illegal to abandon a campfire.

• Be aware dragging chains or tow straps can spark a wildfire.

• Be aware parking in dry, grassy areas can spark a wildfire.

• Smoking and use of electronic cigarettes are prohibited in all public places within the city of Flagstaff.

• Only use designated open forest roads and trails for recreation.

The path to adventuRE isn't always paved. DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE FLAGSTAFF TRAILS PASSPORT AND
PRIZES
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which can include a donation in your name made by Discover Flagstaff providing trail maintenance for future enjoyment.
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FORESTS BEAUTIFUL.
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