Green Living Magazine - October 2022

GREEN LIVING

Built to Last Local architects design with sustainability in mind—find out what's trending now

The Simple Truth Take the guesswork out of deciphering ingredients with EWG

The Quantum Home Seven ways to enhance well-being in your home

The City of Avondale Its offerings attract eco-conscious foodies, beer lovers, mom-and-pop shoppers and so much more

Oxygen Water for Life

For many years, designers and contractors have been building some of the most breathtaking water structures we call pools. Some of these structures are so intriguing and built with some of the most beautiful stones imaginable. But... what is it that draws our attention to these masterpieces? Is it the stones... the design... the water... or maybe the mystical way the water dances along these beautiful features? Perhaps it’s all of these things combined, because the effect wouldn’t be the same having one without the other.

Most often we are all so mesmerized by these great features that we fail to realize the true life and essence that lie within the water itself. I would like to think that these beautiful structures are built with the intent of stepping in and utilizing them with your families and loved ones. We at Exceptional Water Systems believe that the water in these handcrafted pieces of art is the most important element that provides us with the wonders of natural healing.

Our Highly Dissolved Oxygenated (HDO) water is so healthy that— when properly treated— you can utilize your pool water to feed the plants and vegetation around your home. And not only will it be good for them, they will also grow 3-4 times larger and faster than before. It’s very similar to the benefits produced from fresh rainfall.

Unfortunately, in a normally treated swimming pool, there are more chemicals than you can imagine—chlorine, salt, acid, algaecides, clarifiers, metals, and who knows what else! Then to top it off, we jump in like it’s the greatest experience ever…only to get out sunburned and smelling like a chlorine tablet! For the next week, we watch as our family’s skin peels, and we apply layer upon layer of aloe or lotion to help in the healing process. Days and weeks go by until we have finally finished the process of shedding our skin like some sort of reptile and then... we’re ready to start again!

For over 10 years, Exceptional Water Systems has developed and tested our HDO system that provides truly amazing results and is able to provide some of the greatest water quality we’ve ever

BY MICHAEL GEYER

experienced! Not only does it provide this wonderful experience for our families, but to almost anything else it touches.

Aqua Fuzion is a diffusing system that utilizes both pure oxygen and ozone and diffuses them into the water to provide one of the strongest natural disinfectants and oxidizers available. With this extra oxygen present in the water, it provides the softest water feeling you’ve ever felt and the most crystal-clear water you’ve ever seen.

Oxygen is used in hospitals and medical centers all over the world for healing in many ways. When added to water, it offers a whole new level of water quality to many that suffer from the normal chemical treatment process. To balance the pH, we utilize carbon dioxide, which is the third most abundant compound in the world. It is highly efficient and doesn’t leave any harmful byproducts in the water like acid. As an added benefit, it also helps keep the water alkaline. We utilize all these elements because they are purely natural!

We truly feel for those that suffer some way or another from engaging in water activities that they loved and enjoyed so much for so many years, only to find that in the end they would be left with lifelong health problems like swimmers’ lung, hair loss, chlorine allergies, skin issues, asthma, and much more! I know these words don’t fall on deaf ears. Those of you who have lived this journey know exactly what we are talking about! I’ve heard your stories and had the opportunity to visit some of those same rancid indoor and outdoor pools that people should never have been allowed to occupy.

Exceptional Water Systems is dedicated to providing the healthiest swimming environment possible. We seek to provide that clean, safe, and healthy water environment for all that pursue it. Once you’ve had the opportunity to experience the Exceptional Water difference… you’ll realize that there’s just no comparison! Exceptional Water Systems… providing Healthy Water for Humanity!

If you would like to learn more about our systems, please feel free to visit our website at: www.exwsystems.com or call us at 480-694-4709

2022

GOOD 16

Giving Technology New Life

AZ StRUT responsibly recycles e-waste

HEALTH & WELLNESS

18 Memory Lapse

A promising early treatment emerges for the improvement of brain function

20

STYLE

24

26

The Simple Truth

A resource for deciphering ingredients, toxins and pollutants

Sustainable Style

ECOCERT certified, children’s clothing line Little Yogi

Ground to Garment, Seed to Shelf

PROJECT and SOURCING at MAGIC Las Vegas

HOME

30

SAVOR

42

The Quantum Home

Seven ways to activate well-being in your home

Sustainably Committed

FEATURES

32

Built to Last

Three local architects lead the way by building sustainability into their

A Powerful Force

An inspirational photo essay celebrating the powerful force that lives

woman

About the cover: Sustainable Energy Building at West-Maricopa Education Center Southwest Campus designed by DLR Group.

Photo by Liam Frederick

44

Page Springs Cellars blends responsible business practices, striking scenery, and delicious wine

Let’s Taco-bout It!

The Giving Tree Café serves up delicious vegan tacos and more. Recipe included!

TRAVEL

46

50

Absolutely (Green) Avondale

Attracting eco-conscious businesses, foodies, beer lovers, and so much more

Amazing Agave

Find out how this useful plant is positivitely impacting tourism and helping endangered species

DESIGN

54

A New Green World

What sustainability in the workplace looks like

TECHNOLOGY

56

58

Inflation Reduction Act

Key takeaways for our transition to clean energy

All Charged Up

Inside the Fully Charged LIVE 2022 at the San Diego Convention Center

Arizona Community Farmers Market

Fall 2022-23 Schedule

Sun City Farmers Market - Seasonal Thursdays, Oct 6 - May 25, 9 am - 1 pm 16820 N. 99th Ave., Sun City 85351

Carefree Farmers Market - Year round

Fridays, Oct - May 9am-1pm; Jun - Sep 8am-11 am 1 Sundial Circle, Carefree 85377

Downtown Chandler Farmers Market - Seasonal Saturdays, Oct 1 - May 27, 9am-1pm 3 S Arizona Ave, Chandler 85225

Old Town Scottsdale Farmers Market - Seasonal Saturdays, Oct 1 - May 27, 8am - 1 pm; Jun 3 - Jun 24, 7am - 10am 3806 N. Brown Av, Scottsdale 85251

Roadrunner Park Farmers Market - Year round Saturdays, 8am - noon Oct 1 - May 27 Jun - Sep 7am - 10am 3502 E. Cactus Rd, Phoenix 85032

Ahwatukee Farmers Market - Year round Sundays, Oct 2 - May 28, 9am - 1pm Jun 4 - Sep 24, 8am - 11am 4700 E. Warner Rd., Phoenix 85044

Farmers Market on High Street - Seasonal

Sundays, Oct 2 - May 14, 10am - 1 pm 5415 E. High Street, Phoenix 85054

Ocotillo Farmers Market - New Sundays, Oct 30 - May 28, 9am - 1:30 pm

*Call for Summer Schedule 2577 W Queen Creek rd, Chandler 85248

Verrado Farmers Market - Seasonal Sundays, October - June (call for dates), 9 am - 1pm N. Market Place & W. Main St., Buckeye 85396

Who we are and this is our Mission:

Our Farmers’ Market organization has been active in the Phoenix metro and across the valley for over 33 years creating and coordinating community farmers markets.

One of our markets, Roadrunner Park Farmers Market, has been an active member of their local neighborhood for 3 decades. Other markets have acted and created similarly long neighborhood hubs.

Our missions been to support local farmers, growers and other agricultural producers with stable venue that offers them direct contact with their customers. Additionally we support local values added food producers and products even in some markets local artisans and crafters.

arizonacommunityfarmersmarkets.com

Happy Fall! We are excited to bring you our design issue.

While architectural sustainability isn’t a novel concept, greener offerings and innovative trends are constantly evolving. In Built to Last, writer Misty Milioto speaks with three local architects - Clint Miller, Marlene Imirzian & Associates Architects, and DLR Group - who are innovators in Arizona when it comes to climate action and green building practices. From why they feel sustainability in their practice is important to trends they are seeing, distinct green offerings, and ways in which they each personally practice a sustainable lifestyle, even if you’re not in the market for a new home or building, you’ll want to read this!

Speaking of your personal abode, interior designer Marie Roviello shares her insights in The Quantum Home - Seven Ways to Activate the Secrets to Well-Being in Your Home. According to Roviello, “Your home plays a massive role in your mental health and wellbeing. It impacts your cardiovascular, digestive, endocrine, immune, nervous, reproductive, muscular, and respiratory systems. Although we’re living in modern homes, our brains are still ancient and respond to our environment in many of the same ways they did when we were living in nature.” In this informative piece, Roviello dives into creating an atmosphere that promotes a sense of calm; an increase in productivity; fosters focus and inspiration; aids in deep, restorative sleep; boosts confidence; and even leads to healthier eating choices.

In a New Green World, writer Adriana Bachman takes a look at what sustainability in the workplace looks like today. Companies across the globe are implementing green initiatives leading to healthier and happier places to work, while also adding positively to their bottom lines.

In Ground to Garment, Seed to Shelf, Nicole Myden brings you inside the recent PROJECT and SOURCING at MAGIC Las Vegas, where transparency surrounding sustainability in the fashion industry continues to be a top priority.

In All Charged Up, John Martinson, president of the Scottsdale Electric Vehicle Association, takes you inside the Fully Charged LIVE 2022 event at the San Diego Convention Center, which focuses on bringing owners and their vehicles together with prospective owners and those interested in electric vehicles. Also on site from vehicle manufacturers were highly anticipated, soon-to-be-released cars such as the Fisker Ocean; Vin Fast VF 8 and VF 9; Indi One; and Zelectric Motors , VW Microbus, and Porsche 912 electric conversions. Of special note was the Aptera Solar Electric Vehicle (Gamma prototype), slated to begin production next year. Read more about it - and much more - in the story.

Sustainably yours, Dorie Morales Publisher

Contributors

Gay Browne, writer

Gay Browne is an environmental advisor and the author of Living With A Green Heart: How to Keep Your Body, Your Home and the Planet Healthy in a Toxic World (April 2019), a roadmap for making incremental changes that will not only transform your life, but heal the world we share. Browne is also the Founder of Greenopia, a comprehensive guide to green businesses that originated as a print-guide series in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York, and nationwide through Greenopia.com.

Connor Clark, writer

Connor Clark earned his doctoral degree in Community Resources and Development with a Tourism Management emphasis from Arizona State University in May 2022. Connor’s research focuses on destination management, sustainable tourism development, community development, resource management, and nature-based tourism. His passion for exploring, learning, and preserving resources fuels his research and teaching at Georgia Southern University.

GREEN

Dorie

Gay Browne

John and Jennifer Burkhart

Adrianna Buckman

Tiffany Candalaria Conner Clark

Anna Dorl

TJ Keogh

INTERNS

Mia Milinovich Bhoomi Jain

John Martinson

Misty Milioto

Mia Milinovich

Maja Peirce

Marie Roviello

Steven G. Zylestra

Michelle Bussey - michelle.b@greenlivingmag.com

Danielle Coletto - danielle.c@greenlivingmag.com

Dorie Morales - sales@greenlivingmag.com

Green Living magazine is a monthly publication by Traditional Media Group, LLC. Periodical rate postage paid at Scotts

dale, AZ. Publisher assumes no responsibility for contributed manuscripts, editorial content, claims, reviews, photographs, artwork or advertisements. The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the company or official policies. Entire contents © 2020 Traditional Media Group. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of content in any manner without permission by the publisher is strictly prohibited. Opinions expressed in signed columns and articles do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. Submissions will not be returned unless arranged to do so in writing. One print subscription is $25 per year or digital subscription is $12 per year. Canadian orders please add $13 per year for shipping and handling. International orders add $22 per year for shipping and handling. Bulk and/or corporate rates available. No representation is made as to the accuracy hereof and is printed subject to errors and omissions. GreenLiving magazine is printed on recycled paper.

and social media.

SAVOR

Wine and Soul

If you think great wine equates to stuffiness, you have never visited Chateau Tumbleweed. Located in Clarksdale, AZ, this fun and unconventional member of the Verde Valley Wine consortium has set out to break the mold and stamp out all those stuffy stereotypes.

GOOD Amanda Hope on the GO!

Amanda Hope Rainbow Angels recently launched Amanda Hope on the Go! with two mobile counseling units bringing much needed mental health counseling and other resources to children battling cancer and other medical issues, as well as to their families, throughout the state of Arizona.

GOOD Set in Stone

Over a thousand years ago, at a rock wall along Beaver Creek, someone began to carve into the stone. The resulting artwork grew, continuing for generations, until the initial meaning was lost to time. This is the story of how Ken Zoll re-discovered its secrets.

INSTAGRAM

In our first Best Of issue, Green Living magazine is proud to acknowledge Tanya Shively, from Sesshu Design Associates, Ltd., who has made a conscious and sustainable impact on the community. Sesshu Design is a premier wellness and interior design firm located in Scottsdale.

INSTAGRAM

Hydration. Beauty. Nature. The best brands coming to you in our latest article! What could be better? @FleurMarche @pureinventions @GCSalons

The Chouinard Family Gives Patagonia to the Planet

Fifty years after Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard began experimenting with responsible business, the Chouinard family has announced they are transferring ownership of their company to Patagonia Purpose Trust and the Holdfast Collective. With this change, every dollar not circulated back into Patagonia itself will be distributed as a dividend to help the planet and fight climate change. “It’s been a half-century since we began our experiment in responsible business. If we have any hope of a thriving planet 50 years from now, it demands all of us doing all we can with the resources we have. As the business leader I never wanted to be, I am doing my part. Instead of extracting value from nature and transforming it into wealth, we are using the wealth Patagonia creates to protect the source. We’re making Earth our only shareholder. I am dead serious about saving this planet,” says Yvon Chouinard, Patagonia founder, former owner, and current board member. Striving to be a model for others and to demonstrate how capitalism can give back, instead of always taking from our Earth, Patagonia will remain a B Corp and continue to give one percent of sales each year to grassroots activists. The leadership of the company will not change. www.patagonia.com

Climate Future Readings With the ECOtarot Deck

Crafted on plant-based paper from agave, recycled linen, and recycled cotton, the ECOtarot Deck is now available for purchase. Originally created by artist and professor Adriene Jenik of Arizona State University for use during the more than 1,300 “climate future readings,” she’s conducted, the cards spurred a variety of intimate exchanges exploring the emotional responses of people all struggling to make sense of how to live in our challenging world. The recently released custom-designed ECOtarot card deck is updated from the standard “tarocchi” to represent figures, values, and symbols addressing the current climate change crisis. The deck’s true beauty shines through its original artwork, which is hand-painted with natural pigments. Each deck consists of 78 cards. An instruction booklet with interpretations of all cards and references is included. $40, https://theconnectcenter.asu.edu/ecotarot-deck

Healing With Shanti Sound

A great place to find restorative healing and build community, Shanti Sound, founded by Cary Ballou, is now open in downtown Scottsdale. Offering a holistic way to improve health, Shanti Sound offers weekly group sound healing sessions, individual private sessions, private group sessions, and collaborative events. Sound healing, also known as sound baths, is an ancient and natural medicinal practice that sends vibrations throughout the body and works to correct bodily imbalance, relieve stress, calm the nervous system, and accelerate healing. Don't miss special guest Drupon Lama Dorje of Tibet on Fri., Oct. 7th from 6 - 9 pm and Sat, Oct. 8th from 2 - 5 pm. Visit www.shantisoundaz.com for more information.

Recap

Best Of Arizona Awards Party

On September 9th, Green Living magazine hosted its firstever “Best of Arizona Issue” celebration, honoring a variety of sustainability-minded individuals and companies from across the valley. Guests and honorees gathered at the warehouse of Arizona Fashion Source, a multi-line apparel manufacturer based in Tempe, AZ, that offers both ondemand and traditional manufacturing options.

A sound bath and gong ceremony performed by Cary Ballou from Shanti Sound commenced the night, which included Green Living magazine publisher, Dorie Morales, interviewing Mayor Gallego (Phoenix) about green business, leadership, and lifestyle. The evening also featured Mayor Woods who spoke on the City of Tempe and its upcoming sustainability initiatives as well as the debut of Arizona Fashion Source’s new low waste and zero water waste Kornet printer. With its new innovative technology, the company creates unique clothing, an innovative step towards more sustainable fashion production.

Attending honorees included Tryst Café, Sesshu Design Associates. Ltd., Tammy Bosse, Nikola Corporation, Napa Green, My Sister’s Closet, Mayor Kate Gallego, HonorHealth Virginia G. Piper Cancer Care Network, Habitat for Humanity (Central Arizona), FOR Energy, the city of Flagstaff, and the Desert Botanical Garden. Runners-up for each category were also recognized. We would like to thank them all again for the sustainability efforts they put forth everyday!

Food and drinks were provided by whole-food, local chefs, including Amici Catering, Witnessing Nature in Food, Pillsbury Wine, and Titina's Culinary Experiences LLC, while a raffle provided an opportunity for guests to donate to Arizona Sustainability Alliance.

We’d like to extend an extra special thank you to our event sponsors: Gateway Bank, Fry’s Food Stores, Greenlight Solutions, Humani Tours and Travel, Green Travel Queen, Pillsbury Wine Company, The Churchill, Simply CBD LLC, Amici Catering, Witnessing Nature in Food, Body R-N-R, The Fashioneer, MEB Management Services, Dress for Success (Phoenix), and the Arizona Center for Cancer Care. ’Til next year!

Ikea, Runner-Up - Anthony Presutto, Recovery Manager

From left to right: Kyllan Maney Public Artist/ Visual Arts Coordinator at New School for the Arts and Academics, Angela Johnson, CoFounder of FABRIC, and model Talullah Roxie.

Erika Rose St.Louis and Megan Crensha modeling jackets from EMULEOS

From left: Oscar De la Sales, Client relationships manager SW Region Gensler, City of Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, Dorie Morales Publisher Green Living magazine, Pam Giannonatti Kroger Corporate Affairs Manager/Fry's Division

Photos by MisPrinceArts by Brett Prince

Outrageous

WineHive

A fully customizable and space-efficient wine rack that gives back, WineHive is designed to resemble the honeycomb structure built by bees. Bottles are stored horizontally, allowing corks to remain moist. The rack’s unique, patented interlocking and expandable structure allows your wine rack to grow alongside your collection. As the brand’s design was so closely inspired by the structure and efficiency of honeycombs, WineHive donates 1% of all retail sales directly to the beesaving efforts of Washington State University’s Pollination Program. $99.95, www.winehive.com

Briiv Air Purifier

Using the natural prowess of the Earth to clean the air within a space, Briiv provides the opportunity to create a healthier environment while reducing your carbon footprint. Briiv says goodbye to plastic HEPA filter technology in favor of a moss, silk, and coconut structure that is perfect for at-home composting and is biodegradable. All at once, the small and compact purifier eradicates pollen, allergens, bacteria, mold spores, harmful matter, and gasses within your home or office. $298.39, www.briiv.co.uk.

Lila Clare –Botanic Cactus Jewelry

Looking for a beautiful, sustainable addition to your jewelry collection? Based in Tucson, AZ, Lila Clare creates gorgeous pendants utilizing the lost wax process with actual Prickly Pear cactus skeletons hand-casted in 100% recycled sterling silver. The collection is eco-friendly and captures the beautifully subtle intricacies of the desert. A purchase from Lila Clare supports a small woman-owned business, reinforces the local economy, and fosters human-to-human connections. $145, www.lilaclare.com

Sustainable Artisan –Entranceway Organizer

With a mission of creating useful items without further taking from the environment, each Sustainable Artisan creation is hand-crafted from locally sourced, single-use containers, which the company recycles themselves with renewable energy. The uniquely designed coat racks and entranceway organizers are waterproof, antibacterial, antifungal, moldresistant, and weather-resistant without the use of added chemical treatments. A creative addition to any foyer or mudroom that you can feel good about. $70 (shown here is the entranceway organizer in Urban Marble), www.sustainableartisan.com

GOODReuse

Giving Technology New Life

BY TJ KEOGH

IIt’s not exactly junk that AZ StRUT deals with, but rather unwanted or outmoded technology—specifically used monitors, computers, tablets, and smartphones. Just about any piece of equipment that might otherwise end up in a landfill can be safely and responsibly donated to this nonprofit organization. And that’s where the real magic begins. StRUT (an acronym for Students Recycling Used Technology) takes those donations (either by pickup or drop off), refurbishes those pieces that still have life in them, and recycles the rest according to R2 standards.

Much of this old technology can be given a new lease on life. Lithium-ion batteries, for instance, can be refurbished, as can many other items. This rehabilitation not only decreases waste but also provides a much needed service for the community: refurbished items are donated to Title 1 schools as education aides, helping in an area where funding

gaps have long existed. Sixty percent of students at these schools live below the poverty line, and because of financial shortfalls, these schools face challenges that others do not.

AZ StRUT has been doing this work for 25 years, but large-scale publicity has been slow in coming. “We’re Arizona’s best kept secret,” says Tom Mehlert, Executive Director of StRUT. This oversight is certainly not due to a lack of community engagement. In addition to recycling and donation efforts, AZ StRUT also runs a series of Techie Camps specifically designed to give students hands-on experience with technology—literally taking donated items apart and re-assembling them, building skills that can later be utilized in the workforce.

AZ StRUT’s numbers speak for themselves: over 3,500 refurbished and donated computers in 2021 alone; more than 5,000 the year prior; and 750,000 pounds of electronics saved from the landfill last year. So, is this really a zero-waste enterprise? Doesn’t something end up in the landfill? “Only just the pizza box from our office lunch,” Mehlert says with a chuckle.

AZ StRUT is doing its part for a sustainable future while working to level the educational playing field. For donation and additional information on AZ StRUT, please visit www.azstrut.org.

An old adage states that one person’s junk is another’s treasure. For AZ StRUT, a nonprofit headquartered in Mesa, this saying is especially true.

Photo courtesy of AZ StRUT

What Are You Giving Up by NOT Going Solar?

WWhen homeowners are considering solar energy to power their home, they are often focused on one thing: “How much does solar cost?”

The real question to ask is, “What would the electricity from your utility cost you for the next 25 years vs. that same typical warranty period for the solar system?” It is important to compare those costs to see where your savings can be.

Solar is a clean energy, carbon reducing choice to power your home, generally at a lower cost. This is not adding something new to your budget, rather it is switching your electricity provider. Think of buying a home instead of renting one. With solar you own your power instead of renting it.

WHAT IS THE COST OF DOING NOTHING?

Even though solar panels generally last longer than the typical 25 year solar panel warranty period, we will use a 25 year period to compare. Over 25 years, electric rates continually escalate. Comparing utility cost vs. solar, solar companies generally use a conservative 4% annual inflation factor to fairly estimate the long-term utility powered electricity cost. Rate increases are different at each utility. Last year some utility increases around the country went up as much as 10%. If you add up 25 years of utility payments, using a 4% per year increase factor, you will see your “Cost of Doing Nothing” or CODN.

Let’s calculate. Figure out what you’re paying (monthly average) to the utility. Add up your last 12 months of electric bills and divide by 12 to get your Monthly Average Power Bill. Call it an MAPB. For example, using a $150 per month MAPB for 25 years with a 4% annual increase, you could get your financial calculator out and plug all of that into a formula and get $74,962.63. Or, you could use the following simple formula for a fun quick CODN estimate!

CODN = MAPB / 2 X 1000

If your MAPB is $150 per month, this formula of $150 / 2 x 1000 = $75,000. That $150 per month goes up each year accumulates into a $75,000 cost for “rented” utility power. It is shocking how much it adds up exponentially. The utility payments keep increasing and never end. Solar is a home improvement asset that gets paid off with fixed, lower payments (if financing it) and solar can save lots of money compared to the CODN.

vsThere are no up-front, out of pocket costs when you finance solar. Importantly, one of the other key considerations is the JOY of knowing that you are reducing your carbon footprint.

The savings vary because each house is unique and utility rates and plans are different, so it is important to get a specific savings estimate from a trusted qualified solar professional. What if solar cost only a fraction of your CODN? For example, what if it was ½ or ⅓ the CODN cost? That could be $37,500 to $50,000 staying in your pocket instead of going to your utility company.

If you think your family deserves the thousands of dollars of savings, then contact me at 602-697-0003 or go to Solar-Proud.com/Tammy to contact me about saving $$$ and humanity with solar. We can help you determine if solar would make sense for your home.

Winner of the Green Living Magazine 2022 Best AZ Green Realtor award. 602-697-0003

Tammy Bosse is an Independent Solar Consultant with Powur Public Benefit Corporation, Designated Broker & REALTOR at Boss Properties , EcoBroker, GREEN, GRI, e-Pro, and Certified Sustainable Building Advisor. You can find more information about real estate at BossProperties.com and about solar at Solar-Proud.com/Tammy

Wellness Memory Lapse

The inevitability of Alzheimer’s dementia may not be so. A promising treatment has emerged improving circulation, lowering toxin levels, and improving memory and brain function.

MARTHA M GROUT MD, MD(H)

FFrom the occasional “Where did I leave my cell phone” to “Who are you, and where am I” seems like a very long step. We’ve all done it from time to time. Can’t find the car keys, don’t remember where we parked the car, can’t bring to mind the name of your old (or new) friend…

We are told by the medical establishment that the progression from short term memory impairment to Alzheimer’s dementia is likely inevitable once it begins. We are told that the best we can do is maybe stave off the inevitable with drugs that we are working constantly to develop.

How do we know whether we are in the early stages of what we most fear? We could just be having a bad day, right? Or we could just be getting older—one of the biggest “risk factors” for development of Alzheimer’s.

One of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s is amyloid plaque—sort of like asphalt crack-filler in roads—that gets deposited in the brain and confuses our nerve cells such that their long tails, instead of being nice and straight and conducting nerve impulses, start to curl up and get tangled, conducting nerve impulses that go nowhere except around and around…

What if we could measure amyloid plaque in the blood—or even a precursor, a warning signal, of too much amyloid?

Conventional medicine has no test. But researchers have found a way to make those measurements and to correlate them with brain MRI evidence of amyloid plaque. If we know we have plaque but have only the occasional memory lapse, it stands to reason that there must be some way to

References:

1. https://www.cdc.gov/aging/aginginfo/alzheimers.htm

reverse the plaque and restore our brain function to normal. But once measured, we are told that there is no way to remove the plaque. Seems like an exercise in futility, right? Not so.

An ongoing study consists of measuring blood amyloid— correlating the amyloid levels with build-up of plaque in the brain—and shows that treatments to decrease the level of amyloid in the blood lead to a decrease of plaque in the brain, and even restoration of memory function in some patients. One such treatment, plasmapheresis—“washing the blood” to clean it of toxins and impurities—is shown to improve circulation, lower levels of toxins, and improve memory and brain function in those who are willing to make some changes in their lives. Such changes include food choices, exercising, and letting go of old grudges are all hugely important in both prevention and treatment. Healing has to do not only with the psyche but also with the physical body – the mitochondria without which we die – a slow death or a fast death, depending… Alzheimer’s is, alas, the slow death. And we don’t necessarily have to travel that road. Visit www.arizonaadvancedmedicine.com for more information. A complimentary 15-minute phone consultation is offered to see whether this approach is a good one for you.

2. Alzheimer Disease Prevention - Marc Agronin, MD – downloaded from Psych Congress Network on 09-20-22.

3. Hyman, B.T., Damasio, H., Damasio, A.R. and Van Hoesen, G.W., 1989. Alzheimer's disease. Annual review of public health, 10(1), pp.115-140.

4. Tosun, D., Veitch, D., Aisen, P., Jack Jr, C.R., Jagust, W.J., Petersen, R.C., Saykin, A.J., Bollinger, J., Ovod, V., Mawuenyega, K.G. and Bateman, R.J., 2021. Detection of β-amyloid positivity in Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative participants with demographics, cognition, MRI and plasma biomarkers. Brain communications, 3(2), p.fcab008.

5. Boada-Rovira, M., 2010. Human Albumin Grifols 5% in plasmapheresis: a new therapy involving beta-amyloid mobilisation in Alzheimer's disease. Revista de Neurologia, 50, pp.S9-18.

6. Roca, I. and Cuberas-Borros, G., 2010. Neuroimaging in Alzheimer's disease: findings in plasmapheresis with albumin. Revista de Neurologia, 50, pp.S19-22.

7. Loeffler, D.A., 2020. AMBAR, an encouraging Alzheimer's trial that raises questions. Frontiers in Neurology, 11, p.459.

The Simple Truth

Taking the guesswork out of deciphering ingredients and shining a light on harmful toxins and pollutants

BY GAY BROWNE

II first heard about Environmental Working Group (EWG) in 1994, when I was building a “green home” in Pacific Palisades. However, it wasn’t until Earth Day 2005, when I launched my first green city guidebook series, Greenopia: An Urban Dweller’s Guide Los Angeles, that I discovered the incredible and indepth resource that is EWG. Since that time, it has become the first and best source to get answers for all my environmental health and product questions.

Co-founded in 1993 by Ken Cook as a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, EWG has been on the forefront of environmental health research since its inception. Its mission is “to empower you with breakthrough research to make informed choices and live a healthy life in a healthy environment.” Cook, company president, and his large and diverse team of 50+ members have extensive knowledge about the environment, dangerous pollutants, and the unfortunate truth about many of the toxic ingredients

found in mainstream merchandise today—from cosmetics to cleaning products . “We at EWG are doing everything we can to protect human and environmental health by providing consumers the resources they need to make informed choices through our various consumer guides. Every American has a right to consume products that are healthier and are less likely to cause harm,” says Cook.

Cook and his team work tirelessly to “shine a spotlight on outdated legislation, harmful agricultural practices, and

industry loopholes that pose a risk to our health and the health of our environment.” Areas of focus include food and water safety; farming and agriculture; personal care products; household and consumer products; energy; family health; toxic chemicals; and regional issues. Whether on Capitol Hill or working directly in communities across America, EWG knows that the most important people are you and your family and works tirelessly from both sides— consumer education and with policymakers—to elevate the importance of environmental health in today’s increasingly toxic world.

The many EWG guides and their Healthy Living App have become an essential tool in my quest for clean and green living. “The EWG VERIFIED program goes beyond basic ingredient labels to hold companies on the cutting edge of making the healthiest products to an even higher standard. Our mark makes shopping even easier for overwhelmed consumers who want to quickly find a bottle of shampoo and other personal care products that meet our rigorous standards and that are better for their health,” states Jocelyn Lyle, EWG senior vice president for partnerships and development.

Via the organization’s app, you can easily scan products to see their ratings, if a brand/product is VERIFIED and free from EWGs “chemicals of concern,” and have met their standards. “Earning the EWG VERIFIED mark isn’t easy, as anyone who has read our stringent criteria and our exacting transparency requirements can attest. EWG verification takes the guesswork out of deciphering ingredients so consumers can rest assured that the product has met EWG’s strictest standards for health,” adds Lyle.

Who makes up the team at EWG, and how do they work?

• Scientists who research toxic chemicals in food and water, farming and agriculture, energy, and other family health issues.

• Attorneys who educate and inform elected officials around these issues.

• Experts and analysts who know the importance of doing first hand research and interpreting the industry data.

• Communications specialists, who present the facts in easy-to-use consumer guides.

EWG Consumer Guides to Know:

• Tap Water Database. Worried about what’s in your tap water? EWG has answers for you www.ewg.org/tapwater/.

• Skin Deep® Cosmetic Database. Learn about potentially toxic chemicals in personal care and beauty products and which ones are truly “clean” and “green.” www.ewg.org/skindeep/

• Sunscreen Database. There’s much to learn about what’s safe and what’s not when it comes to sun protection. This database includes safety ratings that help you choose the most ideal product. www.ewg.org/sunscreen/

• Consumer Guide for Parents and Caregivers. With tips sheets and videos, this guide arms you with vital information for making healthier decisions for your family. www.ewg.org/consumer-guides/for-parents-and-caregivers

• Guide to Leading a Climate Friendly Life. The way we eat has a direct impact on the climate, and there are steps everyone can take to re-imagine their diet and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. www.ewg.org/sites/default/ files/2022-04/EWG_TipSheet_Meat-Climate_C02.pdf

For more information visit www.ewg.org.

Certified

Sustainable Style

BY ANNA DORL

FFrom the elements of the Earth to our wardrobes, finding eco-friendly clothing with a conscience can be challenging. In a world where consumerism calls for near-constant textile turnover, discovering a company with heart is encouraging for both our wallets and our planet.

Little Yogi stands out as a powerhouse of eco-conscious and gender-neutral children’s clothing, designed to be cherished for years and passed down from one generation to the next. The mission of the company is to provide a world of equal opportunity for every child, regardless of gender or sex.

“We democratize colors and eliminate gender stereotypes,” explains Nancy Caouette, founder of Little Yogi.

Available in select Quebec children’s boutiques, the Canadian-based brand’s robust website and global shipping options have led to a dedicated consumer base across the U.S. and beyond.

Caouette came of age in a creative environment—her mother, an expert seamstress, inspired imaginative handiwork. In 2016, Caouette noticed the juxtaposition of gendered children’s clothing while surrounded by pregnant family and friends. Teaming up with her mother, the duo began combining textiles to create innovative designs, which then became the basis of Little Yogi.

After months of product development and dedication,

Caouette pivoted career paths from her passion for therapy into developing her very own eco-conscious clothing brand.

“I had no entrepreneurial experience,” Caouette said. “I did, however, have years of university education that had imbued me with rigor, organization, planning, data analysis, and, most importantly, intellectual curiosity… We went from cutting a few pieces of pants with our scissors, to discovering industrial processes, to making clothes in my garage and in my mother's basement, before moving on to large garment shops.”

Little Yogi makes use of ecofriendly materials in all of their products and packaging, including 100% organic cotton and bamboo fabrics, organic and repurposed textiles, and non-toxic, water-based inks. The line is ECOCERT certified, exemplifying the brand’s commitment to sustainablyminded practices from concept to completion.

“Our labels can be planted in the ground, and our envelopes are compostable,” said Caouette. “Each piece of clothing is a small work of art, as it is the result of the work

ECOCERT certified, Little Yogi is committed to sustainably-minded practices from concept to completion, creating children’s clothing capturing “our playful, colorful, dashing world.”

Photos courtesy of Little Yogi

of a different artist. We are developing patterns that last 4 to 6 times longer than a regular garment found in a department store.”

Patterns depicting endangered animals, seasonal motifs, and color block choices illuminate the ingenuity and the modern mind of Little Yogi. Featuring vibrant colors and patterns, the Little Yogi collection includes shirts, hoodies, shorts, harem pants, two-piece sets, rompers, dresses, and a conglomeration of items for newborns like onesies and muslins.

With sizing options from 0-6m all the way up to 5-7T, the clothing is designed to fit a wide range of ages, from babies to five-year-olds.

“We are fortunate to have a great community of parents, of people who gravitate towards children and want to make a difference,” Caouette said of the company’s main mission and outreach. “Our clothes are a medium of communication.” Brand favorites include its harem pants - described as having a “grow with me” style that makes use of adjustable waist and ankle circumferences, allowing plenty of wiggle room for growing kids - as well as the rompers.

“It is truly amazing to see how Little Yogi has created a place for itself in the world of children's fashion in Quebec,” said Caouette. “I think what really sets us apart are the deep values of the brand, and the cohesion of those values in everything we do. We stay true to ourselves, to our playful, colorful, dashing world. We want children to stay children for as long as possible. After all, they will have their whole lives to grow up.”

The vast majority of the Little Yogi line are Canadianmade from beginning to end, although their knitwear products are sourced from the Zhejiang province of China, “where all workers are over 18 and have decent and respectful working conditions” according to Little Yogi’s website.

Caouette’s three young children, Sydney, June, and Marley, inspire her daily and live out the creatively conscious mission that Little Yogi sets out to accomplish.

“Let's just say that intensity is part of my life,” she said.

Visit www.littleyogicompany.com for more information and to shop the collection.

Ground to Garment, Seed to Shelf

Practical Sustainability Inspires Industry at PROJECT and SOURCING at MAGIC Las Vegas

BY NICOLE MYDEN

TTransparency surrounding sustainability in the fashion industry continues to be a top priority and theme at the MAGIC Trade Show, which recently took place at the Las Vegas Convention Center from August 8-10 and was put on by Informa Markets Fashion.

Vice President of the International and Men’s divisions at Informa Markets Fashion, Edwina Kulego shared, “We as a trade show have a responsibility. It’s all about transparency and highlighting the brands who are really doing the work. And we as a team need to do the work, too. We meet frequently, asking ourselves if we need to travel to every show even. We’re using more QR codes and digital throughout instead of paper. Truly in every aspect, we are being honest about where we are failing and being

transparent as possible to encourage and inspire our community so we can all do better.”

With the show itself looking for the clearest way to understand which of its exhibitors are truly sustainable, the team partnered with Dr. Cindy Lin, CEO and Co-Founder of Hey Social Good, who explained, “We’re a social impact analytics company. We assess, guide, and verify businesses on their sustainability journey through data, really focusing

Photo courtesy of MAGIC

on the impact footprint.” She added, “A lot of people say they are sustainable - sustainability really should be a holistic approach, and that’s why we look at everything, by looking at the accumulation of good practices and creating a structure to empower businesses to do more or better.”

The year’s PROJECT hall featured the beautiful introduction of the very first Ad Infinitum. This intentionally-curated, circular fashion showcase featured fashion-forward brands doing incredible work, including Vegan Tiger, Veganologie, Jack & Jones, Marita Moreno, Sylven New York, YY Nation, Nous Etudions, Sentient, Sneaker Labs, and SO.TY.

Kulego shared that the intention of this area is to remain small and sustainable at every Las Vegas show from here on out, highlighting a different group of brands each time. She continued, “As a community, we’re all constantly learning from each other and having a dialogue, working together for our common goals. Sustainability is not a trend—it’s everevolving and ever-growing. This is the first year this area has launched, and it’s been received so well by everyone asking how they can get involved.”

Casey Dworkin with Sylven New York, a featured brand in the Ad Infinitum, said, “It’s my first time doing PROJECT with my own brand, and it’s incredible. I have been running a sustainable shoe brand for five years and to finally see a company with the impact that PROJECT has to be shining a spotlight on sustainability - and to have a collective of brands that are all working towards a common goal really be featured in this - is such a step forward for sustainability and brands everywhere.” Dworkin noted, “We have a massive focus on material innovation—we started originally working with vegetable tanned leathers and transitioned our company to be fully vegan and plant-based as these new materials came out, so we were one of the first shoe brands in the whole US to be working with a material called apple leather. And it’s still one

of our “hero materials.” We are looking to reinvent how luxury footwear gets made from the inside out.”

Emmanuelle Rienda, Founder of Vegan Fashion Week - which started in 2018 in Los Angeles - shared how much she loves Kulego’s work and wanted to partner together to create this innovative platform to really showcase the variety of plantbased materials and products that encompass critical values: the animals, the workers in the industry, and the environment. Rienda said, “Plant-based materials are both something designers and retailers are trying to push - innovators are coming up with better and better alternatives like cactus leather, plant leather, mulberry leaves, and grape leather.”

Over in the SOURCING hall at MAGIC, attendees were able to view the sustainability gallery, featuring exhibitors who have all passed the Hey Good Social verification process, not only for how they operate their business, but also for how they produce their products. Vice President of SOURCING at MAGIC, Andreu David, shared “It gives a lot of the buyers peace of mind knowing the brands have been vetted in this way.” David also noted that the show had 26 countries participating and exhibiting on the floor, with a highlighted “Made in the USA” gallery section as well.

“What’s exciting for me to see is there’s a lot of movement in technology when it comes to development in sustainable ways: 3D renderings to reduce your sampling, traceability platforms so you know where the fibers come from, all the way to the end product and also, as well, reducing waste. Just being digital reduces waste. All our goals should be to reduce the amount of waste produced and consumed that ends up in a landfill.”

A major feature at SOURCING is the HYBRID section, with these exhibitors participating in the show without physically being present on the floor, including apparel, accessories, and footwear brands from all over the world.

“The samples are here, but the teams are not physically present,” said David, who also emphasized how the last two years proved to us all that we don’t need to be in person to do business. “This section allows for buyers to connect with the brands online via digital profiles. They get to learn about the brands, message them or connect to schedule virtual meetings, ask about sampling, and overall reduce the carbon footprint without travel.”

While this is a newer concept introduced fall 2021, the show went from 12 to almost 60 exhibitors in less than one year.

Photo courtesy of MAGIC

Re-frame

The Quantum Home Seven Ways to Activate the Secrets to Well-Being in Your Home

BY MARIE ROVIELLO

Interior design by Marie Roviello in Pacific Palisades, CA.

Photo by Claudio Santini

YYour home plays a massive role in your mental health and wellbeing—it impacts your cardiovascular, digestive, endocrine, immune, nervous, reproductive, muscular, and respiratory systems. Even though we’re living in modern homes, our brains are still ancient and respond to our environment in many of the same ways they did when we were living in nature.

Whether you notice it or not, your environment is affecting you every single day. Your home affects your mood and behavior. It can create anxiety; sabotage your health; negatively impact business goals; and damage relationships among other things, as it’s all connected! On the other hand, it can also create a sense of calm; increase productivity; foster focus and inspiration; aid in deep, restorative sleep; boost confidence; even lead to healthier eating choices.

Here’s the secret… it’s hidden in the design.

So much deeper than your Insta-perfect Pinterest board, we’re talking science—neuroscience and several other modalities that I have studied and practiced during my 30-year career. Your home is supposed to be your sanctuary, but maybe it doesn't always feel that way. I know that feeling well. In 2017, I suffered a devastating house fire. My home has always been my sanctuary, and it was up in flames. Literal flames. Suddenly, it was gone, and I was left with 10% of my belongings and my three pets. On top of that, after the fire, I was also recovering from trauma and chronic illness. While rebuilding my life, I was forced to look at my priorities and where I was spending my energy. Eventually, I combined my professional interior design experience with my passions for holistic wellness, personal growth, and spirituality to land me where I am today.

Here are seven tips I learned while rebuilding that can assist you in creating more well-being in your space without having to buy new furniture.

1. Reframe your language and beliefs around your home environment. I’ve heard my clients describe their home as a crazy house, disaster zone, mess, and not worth their energy because it isn’t their dream home. Start describing your space and home office as the coziest, brightest, most peaceful, fun, and creative space it truly is!

2. Mental stress and exhaustion are real because we’re working from home more than ever and can’t turn it off. If you cannot close the door to your office then 1) make sure you have a designated space you can shut down and 2) do something that visually signals it’s the end of the day. Light a candle or dim the lights to help turn work mode off!

3. Interacting with plants has been shown to enhance creativity, reduce antisocial behavior, and support attention span. Other possible benefits include lowered cortisol levels and reduced fatigue.

4. Our senses are ancient. The same experiences we had back then aiding our survival and creating positive, calming, mood-boosting experiences still help us mentally today. Seeing nature scenes through windows or realistic images helps us restock our mental energy after it’s been depleted.

5. Eco-stress: Many Americans are stressed out about the environment and feel helpless and hopeless. Studies have shown one way to alleviate those feeling is through altruism, which positively impacts your mental health; lowers your stress levels, cortisol levels, and blood pressure; and boosts your endorphins. Consider buying secondhand, recycling, and reducing overall consumption.

6. Clutter affects you so much more than you know! It’s not only about being tidy and organized. It affects your mental health and well-being. Studies have shown clutter can create subconscious stress, increases cortisol levels, causes us to snack more, and gain weight. It also hinders focus, productivity, and memory.

7. Color heals! Seriously. Scientists in the 1960s found that we can feel color. Color impacts us physically, emotionally, and mentally. It was used in ancient Egypt and Greece to heal mental and physical diseases. Today, color continues to be used as a healing modality even in the healthcare industry.

What I learned—and what studies have shown—is that if you change your external environment, you can change yourself internally. As you have likely heard, consumption is not just what you eat but also what you absorb into your body and through your environment… physically, mentally, emotionally, and energetically.

You are the secret ingredient—you can create a home that reconnects, realigns, and recharges you.

To learn more on creating a Quantum Home, email me at marie.roviello@gmail.com.

Built to Last

BY MISTY MILIOTO

AArchitectural sustainability is nothing new. However, several local firms are leading the charge when it comes to climate action and green building practices. Here, we speak with three architects making a positive impact in Arizona and beyond.

MARLENE IMIRZIAN & ASSOCIATES ARCHITECTS

Marlene Imirzian & Associates Architects is known for design excellence, project performance, and leadership in the integration of sustainable design practices. Key to the firm’s approach is that each project addresses the larger context beyond its physical boundaries. This requirement addresses everything from user flow, future expansion, and flexibility of use, to connections with utilities and infrastructure, life-cycle cost, ease of maintenance, and sustainability. For Imirzian, it was an internship at an architectural office during high school that inspired her to become an architect. She has now worked as an architect for 25 years, and she opened her firm in 1997.

8906 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, 602.943.5279, www.imirzian-architects.com

Why is sustainability an important part of your practice?

“Sustainability is part of good design. It is important to consider in the development of the design, starting with our first concepts.”

What are your distinct green offerings?

“We are highly knowledgeable of efficient and effective ways to optimize sustainability, starting with building form and continuing with daylighting, reusable materials, and building performance to minimize energy use. We also have a highly collaborative design approach with our engineers to bring comprehensive sustainable concepts to our projects.”

What are some trends in sustainable design that you are noticing?

“Low water use is getting more attention, though it has always been an essential part of good sustainable design.”

How do you personally practice a sustainable lifestyle?

“Thinking about ways to not buy new makes a big impact.”

These local architects build sustainability into their designs.

Southwestern College Math and Science Building.

Photo by MIAA

Paradise Valley Community College Life Science Building. Photo by Bill Timmerman

Urban desert house. Photo by Bill Timmerman

CLINT MILLER ARCHITECT

Architect Clint Miller has been developing his love of architectural design over the course of 40 years in the industry. “I love to draw house plans and render elevations,” he says. “It started in high school with a mechanical drafting class. There, I learned how to draw a stairway in a perspective view, and I have enjoyed the art of drawing ever since.”

Today, Miller focuses on contemporary residential architecture—with expertise in architectural illustration, historic architecture, interior design, and landscape architecture—all while keeping sustainability in mind. In fact, his decision to design and construct his family’s home with load-bearing adobe resulted in a 1998 Homes of the Year award from the Arizona Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. He has now designed many premier adobe homes across Arizona. While his projects span from Palm Springs to Santa Fe, and from low desert to higher elevation alpine environments, most of his work is in Carefree, Scottsdale, and Paradise Valley. He has designed more than 100 projects, with more than 20 in Arizona made of adobe blocks and with varying degrees of green building practices.

Carefree, 480.889.4660, www.clintmillerarchitect.com

Why is sustainability an important part of your practice?

“I believe we have a responsibility to be good stewards of the land. It is just as easy to make green choices as otherwise. Green building methods today are considered best practice.”

What are some specific ways that you integrate sustainability into your designs?

“Many of my home designs use authentic sun-dried adobe blocks as the structure (not a veneer) and are exposed as the final finish. It is, importantly, good for energy conservation and [also] renewable, via soil from the earth that makes up the adobe blocks.”

What are some trends in sustainable design that you are noticing?

“Water harvesting from rooftops and gray water systems, plus advancements in building insulation and highperformance glass designed to reduce solar gain on the building.”

How do you personally practice a sustainable lifestyle?

“The home I designed for my family in Carefree, Arizona, is a repurposed mid-century design of a modest footprint. Due to its modest-but-efficient size, utility bills are kept at bay. We were able to retain many of the historic brick walls in the new construction. Thus, we were using materials existing onsite and not filling a landfill with brick. We also are mindful of packaging to the point of influencing the purchases we make. With careful recycling and composting, we have discontinued regular trash service and make short trips to the local dump with our minimal loads about every two to four weeks.”

Photos by Thompson Photography

DLR GROUP

DLR Group is 100 percent employee-owned, with offices around the globe. The firm designs commercial facilities, and, in the last decade, it has designed more than 100 high-performance buildings across the country that are in various stages of achieving net-zero energy. In Arizona, DLR Group has designed the state’s first zero-energy certified educational building at West-MEC Southwest Campus, plus more than a dozen high-performance buildings that are operating in an energy-efficient manner.

DLR Group’s mission is to elevate the human experience through design. As part of that mission, the firm has five core values: commitment and sharing; fun and creativity; environmental stewardship; integrity and ownership; and teamwork. When it comes to environmental stewardship, DLR Group seeks to mitigate the impact that the Group has on the planet, whether that means reducing or offsetting resources. Prem Sundharam, applied research leader and interim global sustainability leader at DLR Group, leads a team that works to advance environmental stewardship and sustainable commitments supporting climate action.

6225 N. 24th St., Ste. 250, Phoenix, 602.381.8580, www.dlrgroup.com

Why did you want to become an architect, and what do you love the most about your career?

“The opportunity to shape an idea and learn about the world through the process of executing the idea. I love connecting dots between seemingly unrelated or mundane things and visualizing a bigger story and a better opportunity.”

Why is sustainability an important part of DLR Group’s practice?

“Buildings contribute to about 40 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, and addressing the building sector emission is mission-critical for every architect and the entire design community. As one of the largest design consultancy firms in the United States, sustainability is embedded in our culture, which positions us to tackle the toughest challenges in front of us with a heightened sense of urgency.”

How does DLR Group integrate sustainability into its designs?

“We first acknowledge that our clients are at various stages in their journey toward their own sustainability commitments, goals, and achievements. This position allows us to deeply listen to our clients’ values and align our tailored design solutions to their values. We also have committed to designing carbon-neutral buildings by the year 2030 across our entire global practice. For instance, we have invested in growing a highly specialized group of experts that can analyze future climate scenarios and advise our clients on sustainability strategies that bring the most return on the investment. As an integrated design practice (meaning ability to provide interdisciplinary design services), we are proud that we can advise our clients with their built environment from the conception to design and construction to lifelong operations with the following sustainability related services: holistic vision and goal setting; high-performance design; renewable energy and storage; and smart building services that include commissioning, sensorbased space analytics, and portfolio management.”

Pinal County Attorney's Office South elevation. Photo courtesy of DLR Group

What are some trends in sustainable design that you are noticing?

“Holistically addressing sustainability not only from resource conservation but also related to building user-behavior awareness, human health, community health, and the larger ecosystem health is a perspective that is gaining momentum as design solutions for buildings can extend way beyond into the governance, policies, and operations of our clients’ organizations. Another area that is gaining more attention is toward adaptation and resilience. There are two sides to climate action: mitigation and adaptation. The design industry has long focused on the mitigation side, meaning reducing the building’s impact on the environment and contribution toward climate change. Adaptation is the other side of this equation that is getting more attention. So sustainable design is beginning to acknowledge that disruption from natural- and climate-induced events will occur and therefore identify strategies that will allow our clients to adapt and thrive.”

How do you personally practice a sustainable lifestyle?

“Buying less, eating less meat, local shopping, reducing online orders, and reducing dairy intake are some personal choices I have focused on lately. Transportation is the biggest contributor to my carbon footprint. I have been tackling that with electric cars for more than eight years and reduced frequency of flights, preferring to video conference over flight trips. I urge everyone to have a sense of urgency toward climate action. We are running out of time, and, while every little bit of action counts, the biggest effect is going to be from policy. There is some incredible momentum toward climate action with President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act. I encourage everyone to learn about them and leverage them to their benefit.

Canyon Veiw High School. Photo by Tom Reich

NAU Student Athlete High Performance Center.

Photo by Matt Winquist

A Powerful Force

This past summer I had the pleasure of spending time near Portland, Maine, amongst pine groves and ferns. The book Women Who Run with the Wolves kept me company, entrenching me in myths and legends from different cultures carried by “Wild Women” across the globe. The Wild Woman is explained as being a powerful force that lives within every woman, filling them with good instincts, passionate creativity, and ageless knowledge. It represents the instinctual nature of women. The novel dives into Selkie folklore of the Irish and Welsh, La Loba, and so much more.

As I read, surrounded by the forest, the time unfolded as one of healing and consolation. By the time stylists Ebony Whitaker and Claudia Karim approached me for this fashion photoshoot, it felt important that it hold an element of the divine feminine and reflect the internal push-and-pull of a woman’s identity throughout her life. In a time when we are constantly bombarded with how we should look, act, and feel through social media, politics and beyond, we were inspired to create images to ground and ignite a fire of “Wild Women.”

Art Director: Maja Peirce (@majaesty)

Photographer: RINDSTUDIO (@rindstudio)

Stylists: Ebony Whitaker (@effortlessly.ebony)

Claudia Karim (@claudiatheillest, @ecstylemethod)

Vintage Clothing: stylists' own

Models: Susan Gallagher (@holistik_love)

Monica Mora (@monicamora.8)

Jenae Elise (@jenae.elise_)

Ebony Whitaker (@effortlessly.ebony)

Claudia Karim (@claudiatheillest)

Venue: Plant Solutions (@plantsolutions)

Sustainably Committed

Blending responsible business practices, striking scenery, and delicious wine, Page Springs Cellars, in Cornville, Arizona is truly something special. Celebrating women in the wine industry, Page Springs will host its second annual Vin De Filles event on October 16th and 17th.

BY TJ KEOGH

TThe act of turning fruit into wine is, in essence, a kind of partnership. It’s a symbiotic relationship between the vintner and the land, where conservation and sustainability are ever-present. This connection is something Page Springs Cellars takes very seriously.

Founded in 2004 by Eric Glomski (who still acts as general manager of all operations for Page Springs), Page Springs Cellars is nestled in the wine-growing region of Cornville, Arizona. From the beginning, Glomski took to heart a commitment to sustainability, and his winery has come a long way since its beginnings.

Now 100% solar powered, Page Springs is net-zero with its water usage and has an advanced recycling and composting program. The vineyards are all “no-till” as well, meaning the soil itself is not disturbed during cultivation, and no carbon is released. As Eric describes it, “This eco approach to business is sewn throughout the inner workings of Page

Springs Cellars.” A simple glance at their website shows just how intensely this approach is valued.

In recognition of these achievements, Page Springs Cellars has been Silver Certified as a sustainability innovator by the Sustainability Alliance of Arizona. (More information regarding this program can be found at www. SustainabilityCertifications.org.)

It makes sense, then, to learn that Eric Glomski began his career as an ecologist, and the work he’s done at Page Springs reflects that.

But there is much more to Page Springs than just its environmental commitment. The wines are produced in very small batches, allowing for a more personalized approach. Their specialty offerings are dry ‘Rhone-style’ wines, but Page Springs also produces dessert wine, piquette, and brandy. This is all part of an effort to, as Eric states, “allow our guests to lean into their own senses and preferences.” Because wine is a unique and individual experience, Page Springs means to produce something for everyone. “At PSC, we try to create liquid time-capsules that represent a specific time in a certain place,” he says. Their slogan, “Trust Your Palate,” says it all.

During the year, Page Springs hosts various events, including a summer solstice celebration and the Tilted Earth Wine

and Music festival. Part fundraiser and part showcase, these events help to introduce Page Springs to new friends while providing fun experiences to compliment the wine. On October 16th and 17th, Page Springs will host its second annual Vin De Filles, an event celebrating women in the wine industry and featuring the release of a specialty wine produced entirely by women. The proceeds of this special event will be donated to the Verde Valley Sanctuary, a local women’s shelter, as part of Page Springs’ commitment to giving back to the community.

Eric Glomski clearly loves his job. The ecologist in him has found a way to continue seeking ethical innovation, all the while producing an award-winning product. For him, it’s the best of both worlds. “My love of food and drink has always existed,” he says, “and a lifetime of experiences have led me to this point.”

Page Springs Cellars might well be the ideal blend of responsible business practices, striking scenery, and delicious wine. To get the full experience, you only need to “trust your palate.” For more information about Page Springs Cellars, visit www.pagespringscellars.com.

Photos courtesy of Page Springs Cellars

Let’s Taco-bout It!

Central Phoenix’s Giving Tree Café serves up delicious vegan tacos and other delectable dishes, while keeping the health of the planet in mind.

BY TIFFANY CANDELARIA

AAn organic, vegan, and gluten-free cafe, Giving Tree Café specializes in “high vibe comfort cuisine and beverages.” Founder, owner, and chef David Warr explains on the cafe’s website, “We're going to great lengths to create a space of love from the floor to ceiling. The way our guests and staff feel, the visual ambiance, the musical sound of the atmosphere, and, of course, the cuisine, are all crafted in accord with our mission to heal and empower.”

Giving Tree Café’s menu is 99% organic, 99% made inhouse, and 100% vegan and gluten-free. Sourcing most of the produce from local farmers and products from purveyors with similar ethics, it’s among the cleanest restaurant food you'll find. “When you dine with us, you can trust that we're going above and beyond to ensure the standards are higher than the average kitchen. It's good for you, the business, and the environment,” Warr says.

Giving Tree Café offers an array of tasty dishes along with cold-pressed juices, specialty teas and coffees, conscious cocktails, and too-goodto-be-true desserts. Not to miss favorites are the Mushroom Molé Tacos and the Krunch Rap.

The Mushroom Molé Tacos brim with large chunks of sautéed mushrooms covered in a savory molé sauce with Lion’s Mane, an increasingly popular adaptogen that’s great for brain cells and overall well-being.

A potent medicinal mushroom, Lion’s Mane contains antioxidants and boasts anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. The magical mushroom has also been shown to have the potential to improve cognitive functions.

The Krunch Rap menu offers five varieties from which to choose— Original, Korean BBQ, Mediterranean, Big Maxx, and a breakfast option— wrapped in a lentil and rice pancake with a crunchy corn tortilla in the center. Our fave, the Mediterranean, is just like a traditional gyro, both in taste and texture, complete with a tzatzikilike sauce on the side.

The restaurant’s ecophilosophy extends beyond its food: it uses all-natural cleaning products, compostable take-out containers, and towel napkins. Giving Tree Café is open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and is located at 2024 N 7th St., Ste. 111, Phoenix, AZ.

www.givingtreecafe.com

Photos courtesy of Giving Tree Café

Lion’s Mane Taco “Meat”

MARINADE

2 Tablespoons coconut aminos

1/4 Cup olive oil

2 Tablespoons lime juice

2 Teaspoons apple cider vinegar

2 Jalapeños, seeded and diced (optional)

½ Cup yellow onions, diced finely

2 Cloves garlic, diced finely

½ Cup cilantro, minced

1 Teaspoon cumin

1 Teaspoon smoked paprika

1 Teaspoon crushed red pepper

1/2 Teaspoon ground black pepper

1 Cup water

Whisk all well and refrigerate.

DIRECTIONS

Prepare two cups of Lion's Mane mushrooms by rinsing them in pure water and then squeezing all of the water out of them. They are like sponges, so squeeze well.  Finish by drying with a cloth or (recyclable) paper towel.

Next, pull the mushrooms apart with your hands.  They will tear easily, similar to string cheese. As an alternative, you can opt to chop or cube them. Soak them in the prepared marinade for at least 30 minutes, or overnight.

When you are ready to cook them, place them in a hot skillet with a thin layer of coconut oil.  Be careful, as they will splatter. Let them cook completely; there should be a bit of a crust on the bottom before you turn them.

After each side is browned, remove them from the pan and add to your favorite taco shell along with your favorite toppings. At the restaurant, we use guacamole, mole sauce, and pico de gallo.

Absolutely (Green) Avondale

TThe City of Avondale in the West Valley encourages businesses to be green. It also has plenty to offer eco-conscious foodies, beer lovers, mom-and-pop shoppers, and much more.

Discover where you can drink beer to help feed farm animals, dine at a one of a kind farm-to-table cafe, and watch robots grow tomatoes. The City of Avondale in the West Valley has plenty to offer eco-conscious foodies, beer lovers, mom-and-pop shoppers, and much more. If you are looking to reduce your own environmental footprint, supporting businesses that operate more sustainably is a great option – and we’ve got your guide right here!

In Avondale, local businesses are encouraged to green their operations and are recognized for their efforts through the city’s Green Business Program. To achieve certification, businesses must demonstrate that they have implemented practices to conserve water and energy, reduce waste, and prevent pollution.

Certified businesses have adopted water-wise landscaping and low-flow water fixtures, switched to energy-efficient LED lighting, upgraded to EnergyStar appliances, installed rooftop

solar panels, sourced supplies locally and regionally, and created products from recycled materials.

So the next time you want to enjoy a delicious meal or fresh-brewed ale, exciting entertainment, top notch services, or relaxing hotel stays, consider supporting Avondale’s Green Businesses.

Here, a peek at a few of the most innovative and sustainable businesses in the city! Check out the map on the next page for a full list of Certified Green Businesses in Avondale. For more information about the Green Business Program, visit www. avonaleaz.gov/greenbusiness.

Looking for more ways to make a positive impact? Avondale recently adopted a Community Sustainability Plan, outlining actions that residents, businesses, and the city can take to create a more sustainable and resilient community. The Plan is available at www.avondaleaz.gov/ sustainability.

Tip: peruse the ‘Sustainability Pathways’ for strategies you can incorporate into your lifestyle and workplace.

Plan your perfect event, conference, or business meeting at Avondale’s Visitor and Conference Center. Be treated to beautiful views of the Estrella Mountains and enjoy the site’s many sustainability features. Conveniently located near 500+ hotel rooms, several delicious dining options, and a variety of sports and entertainment venues.

OnePointOne

This high-tech vertical farming operation looks like the stuff of futuristic sci-fi movies. Growing multiple plants vertically allows this business to produce up to 250 times more plants per acre than conventional farming, and a sophisticated aeroponic system can grow crops using 99% less water – important advancements in our urban desert environment. The system uses artificial intelligence to analyze the health of every plant, every day. Want to taste it for yourself? Become a member and pick what you want to have grown - you’ll receive a fresh harvest delivered every two weeks.

8-Bit Aleworks

This craft microbrewery has a retrogaming theme and is packed with creative sustainability solutions. Husband and wife duo Ryan and Krystina Whitten have found responsible ways to reuse water and to repurpose defective cans into functional merchandise (hello, sweet coasters!). They even feed farm animals: once the beer-making grain has worked its magic, it is given free to farmers to provide nutritious food for goats and pigs. Now that’s a worthwhile cause to which we should all raise a glass!

Coldwater Coffeehouse & Bakery

This farm-to-table café has its roots in Old Town Avondale and is cooperatively owned by community residents. Have a seat in upcycled classroom chairs and gaze out at the backyard farm that helped make your mouth-watering meal possible. Rest assured that any food scraps are composted and used onsite. The building was originally a farmhouse and has been lovingly renovated to increase energy efficiency and customer comfort. One stop here, and you’ll see why this gem was named 2022 Green Business of the Year by the City of Avondale.

Amazing Agave

BY CONNOR CLARK

WWhat do agave, tourism, and sustainability have in common? Plenty, it turns out! Answering this question may have taken me 12 years of life experience and a doctoral dissertation, but hopefully this article will help speed up the process for you.

Agave is a plant native to hot and arid regions of the Southwestern United States, Mexico, and Central and South America and has been used for human consumption for thousands of years. Today, not only is this unique plant used to make wellknown spirits such as tequila, mezcal, bacanora, and sotol, but it is also the centerpiece of festivals and sustainable agri-tourism operations. This increased notoriety is what peaked my own fascination with this plant.

There are more than 220 species of agave, though most people are familiar only with species such as Agave americana, also known as the Century Plant or American aloe. What many do not know is that agave plays an important role in bat conservation. When agaves are

mature, a massive flowering stalk protrudes from the plant, providing sweet nectar for migrating bats, who are also the plants’ main pollinators.

While tequila, mezcal, bacanora, and sotol production have contributed to wild agave extraction and habitat loss for these bats, tourism can be an effective solution for promoting sustainable agave cultivation by supplementing agave farmers’ incomes. Groups like Borderlands Restoration Network, a nonprofit based out of Patagonia, Arizona, have begun exploring the idea of agave agri-tourism. Because of the plant’s value for migrating bats, Borderlands Restoration Network is promoting the sustainable cultivation of agave in Sonora,

This useful plant is fueling new tourism trends and saving endangered species

Photos by Connor Clark

Biologists from Mexico showing off their catch during a bat survey at Cuenca Los Ojos.

Mexico and starting to organize tours to the agave operations they support.

Though agave agri-tourism is still in its early stages, many feel that there is great potential to expand this type of tourism experience throughout the agave’s range.

Agave is also the literal center of a growing annual event in Tucson, Arizona: the Agave Heritage Festival, a four-day celebration to explore the cultural, commercial, and culinary significance of the agave plant. This event started in 2008 and has grown to include agave pit roasting, seminars, spirit tasting, and world class culinary events.

Another tourist attraction in Tucson that utilizes the appeal of agave (and other desert plants) is Mission Gardens. This nonprofit organization is dedicated to preserving, transmitting, and reviving the region’s heritage by growing garden plots that represent thousands of years of continuous cultivation in the Tucson region. Located at the foot of Sentinel Peak in Tucson, Mission Garden encourages visitors to experience the agricultural heritage of the Sonoran Desert through tours, events, and classes.

My own experience with agave agri-tourism has been very interesting and exciting. During an undergraduate study abroad trip Mérida, México in 2010, I toured an old hacienda that formerly produced henequin, an agave species found in that region, and learned about the various uses of these agave fibers for making rope, twine, and sacks. While touring the hacienda, our guide (who was fluent in English, Spanish, and Mayan), gave us the chance to participate in the process of separating the henequin fibers. Yes, I gave it a whack and have a picture of me in my ridiculous tourist hat to prove it!

More recently, I experienced a form of agave agri-tourism during my dissertation research that focused on tourism and ecological restoration in the Sky Island borderlands, an area encompassing southeastern Arizona, southwestern New Mexico, northeastern Sonora, and northwestern Chihuahua. In this beautiful region, a nonprofit called Cuenca Los Ojos is embarking on an amazing mission to restore the borderlands’ ecology and promote sustainable livelihoods. As a conservation organization in northern Sonora, they have planted different desert plant species on their properties, including agave, which will no doubt be important both for local bat colonies and as an educational prop for visitors.

During my visit to Cuenca Los Ojos, I was lucky enough to witness bat research that was documenting the presence of local bat species

and got to see these cute critters up close! As a conservation organization and nonprofit, Cuenca Los Ojos is also looking at how tourism can play a role in their own sustainability, as visitation can generate significant income. This benefit of income generation through tourism can also impact other agricultural producers in the region who want to augment their incomes by welcoming tourists.

These examples of agave agri-tourism demonstrate how important tourism can be for preserving traditional agriculture, restoring endangered bat species, and generating income for rural and urban communities. As more people become acquainted with this spectacular plant and its many uses, the tourism opportunities built around it or other desert plants can continue to grow and benefit people and wildlife alike.

Agave planting efforts at Cuenca Los Ojos.

Sonoran farmer teaching tourists about agave plant uses.

Sound healing allows soothing vibrations to transfix all sensations of being and provides an opportunity for human existence to realign into perfect function.

Kim Balzan SOUND produces endless vibrational frequencies using various instruments and high-quality Crystal Sound Bowls. Kim carries the finest Alchemy Crystal Bowls on the planet, each infused with pure quartz crystals, gemstones, or precious metals.

Her Crystal Singing Bowls send healing vibrations to expand health; introduce peace; provide relaxation; reduce anxiety; increase concentration; assist through grief; bring love; reduce pain; balance the nervous system; and so much more.

From playing on television to selling out sound events, you can count on Kim to provide an extraordinary experience with each mallet stroke.

Explore her Crystal Bowl Showroom in Scottsdale, Arizona, and purchase your favorite vibrational frequency. Because she believes in her healing practice through Crystal Sound Bowls, she sells only the best to the public.

appointment only.

Green Living offers a print magazine, digital magazine, and a website for all the latest ecofriendly news. Join the community today.

Workplaces

A New Green World

What sustainability in the workplace looks like

BY ADRIANA BACHMANN

LLet’s take a moment to visualize a typical workday in a New Green World… It’s Monday morning, and you wake up to your alarm sounding off at 7am. After making breakfast and walking the kids to school, you bike to work and take a quick shower in your workplace gym. You button up your suit jacket and head to the company café, where you pull out your laptop and connect to the Wi-Fi to check your email.

After spending some time emailing, writing, and thinking of innovative business ideas, you’re nudged by your coworker who reminds you of the 10 am strategic planning meeting. Your colleagues are already waiting to get started in the library lounge. Once your meeting is over at noon, you all head upstairs to have lunch on the green roof patio, where you pick fresh veggies to add to your salad from the company’s urban garden.

The weather outside is beautiful, so you spend the rest of your workday on the patio under a solar pergola, checking your email, video conferencing with clients, and spending more time thinking of innovative business ideas.

Before you know it, the day is over, and it’s time to bike back home. After such a productive day, you even have the energy to stop by the farmer’s market to pick up ingredients for your family’s favorite dinner!

Doesn’t that sound like the perfect workday? If you were to share this scenario back in the 90s, though, you would probably get laughed right out of the boardroom. But today

is an entirely different story, as companies across the globe are implementing green initiatives which not only offer healthier and happier places to work, but positively add to their bottom lines.

So, what exactly is a sustainable workplace?

According to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), “sustainable organizations strive to balance the triple bottom line of people, planet, and profit to achieve long-term success and viability. This means that organizations cannot be sustainable without protecting the safety, health, and welfare of their most vital resource: workers.” This type of sustainability approach also includes protecting workers from the negative effects of climate change and other environmental risks.

A sustainable work environment has the added benefit of making a long workday less stressful and more enjoyable for workers. Companies have crucial roles to play in this regard, not because they are the major contributors to climate change or environmental pollution, but because they

have the capability in the form of incentives and workplace opportunities to design innovative ideas that may help to reverse damage to our ecosystem.

Apart from producing and maintaining happy, healthy, and motivated workers, there are a number of other benefits to a sustainable workplace. Some of these benefits include long-term profitability from energy-reducing measures like the installation of solar panels or skylights; talent recruitment and retention of Millennial and Gen-Z workers who value positive environmental and social impact; and greater consumer confidence.

Is it any wonder that businesses of all sizes around the world have embraced this mindset as a way to showcase their values, measure impacts and outcomes, and increase their competitive advantage?

Here are some ways that organizations can adapt to create a more sustainable and environmentally friendly work space:

Energy savings and electronics management: There are many ways to reduce energy consumption and its related cost, including the installation of solar panels, lighting with automatic timers or motion sensors, and substituting old machinery with energy-efficient alternatives.

Workplace waste reduction: Starting a recycling program at work is a great way to ease employees into thinking about the type of waste they produce. Educating them on proper recycling methods and placing an emphasis on overall waste reduction is key. Start with the 3 Rs of Recycling.

Sustainable dining options: If you have an Employee Dining Room or Café, consider offering reusable dishware as an alternative to disposable plates and styrofoam containers. If you’re feeling extra motivated, begin a rooftop or hydroponics vegetable garden.

Remote work and virtual meetings: Consider offering employees the flexibility of working remotely a few times a week, and replace out of town meetings with virtual ones! This will reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions, as well as create a sense of trust among your team.

Eco-friendly purchasing practices: Where suitable, rent or lease machinery instead of purchasing it. If renting is not an option, purchase second-hand equipment that is still energy efficient and in good condition. Also remember to purchase eco-friendly office supplies made from postconsumer recycled materials.

Biking, carpooling, or public transport incentives: Post a carpooling board for employees to coordinate daily rides to work, or partner with a local bike shop to offer them a discount. Better yet, provide your employees with free bus passes or a discounted annual public transit pass! Many bus stations offer these passes to companies at a reduced rate.

Establishment of a Green Committee: Coordinate regular meetings with a designated group of employees who are dedicated and actively engaged in advancing sustainability within the company. This will create a sense of ownership and belonging, as well as hold your organization accountable to any sustainability goals that have been set for the future.

If you’re an employee at a company that hasn’t yet transitioned to a sustainable work environment, remember this isn’t just wishful thinking. Many successful businesses around the world have implemented sustainable practices such as those listed above and found great benefits to the wellbeing of not only their workers, but the planet as well. Arm yourself with this knowledge and help spread the word to create a New Green World.

Inflation Reduction Act

Key takeaways for our transition to clean energy

BY STEVEN G. ZYLSTRA

TThough some doubted it would ever cross the finish line, President Joe Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) into law on August 16th. This $430 billion climate and health care bill is a momentous step forward, providing opportunities for clean energy innovation that can protect our environment, create high-paying jobs, and grow Arizona’s economy.

This bill’s passage could not have happened without the determination of Sens. Kyrsten Sinema and Mark Kelly, who swayed the conversation by protecting the interests of smalland medium-sized businesses and the continued growth and competitiveness of Arizona’s economy.

The Arizona Democrats were able to deliver unified party support that will play a pivotal role in decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and alleviating historic droughts nationwide.

Here’s a snapshot of some of the IRA’s key takeaways for clean-energy initiatives in Arizona and beyond.

HOUSEHOLD ENERGY EFFICIENCY UPGRADES

An analysis of the bill conducted by the Rocky Mountain Institute found the IRA’s rebates and tax credits could bring electrification and energy-efficiency upgrades to millions of homes. This means an estimated $23 billion in funding to electrify homes; upgrade healing, cooling and ventilation equipment; and develop new energy-efficient buildings.

Just the installation of heat pumps—which can both heat and cool homes using electricity instead of natural gas or heating oil—can make a massive difference. In fact, heat pumps use less than half as much energy as conventional furnaces and air conditioners.

The best part? Most of these rebates and tax incentives support low- and middle-income households, which often

have the highest energy bills due to deferred maintenance and the high cost of making upgrades to their homes.

TRANSFORMATION OF THE BUILDINGS SECTOR

In addition to individual households, the IRA provides a host of financial incentives that encourage businesses to invest in cleaner and more efficient construction and renovation.

It is estimated that the IRA will help retrofit up to 115 million square feet of commercial space via the energyefficient commercial buildings tax credit. This credit grants a tax deduction of up to $1.80 per square foot to owners or designers of commercial buildings that demonstrate a 50% reduction in energy usage through improvements to healing, cooling, ventilation, hot water, and interior lighting systems.

To maximize the IRA’s transformative potential, these tax breaks must be accompanied by programs that educate consumers and contractors on the benefits of investing in energy efficiency and electrification.

ACCELERATED TRANSPORTATION

ELECTRIFICATION

Speaking of electrification, the IRA features several tax credits that incentivize the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and commercial fleets, including:

• Extension of a light-duty EV tax credit of up to $7,500

per vehicle through 2032, which will more easily allow millions of consumers to switch to an EV.

• Addition of a tax credit that makes used EVs eligible for federal tax credits of up to $4,000 or 30% of the sales price.

• Addition of a commercial EV federal tax credit of up to 30% of each vehicle’s price.

• Extension of a tax credit on charging equipment placed in low-income or non-urban areas through 2032, offering a 30% credit for individual/residential uses and a 6% credit for commercial uses.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The IRA contains tens of millions of dollars for other programs and funds that support EV manufacturing and supply chains.

STABILIZATION OF THE SOLAR INDUSTRY

Despite ranking fifth in the nation for solar-powered electricity generation in 2021, Arizona still has a long way to go in diversifying its electricity generation. Solar makes up only approximately 9%, with natural gas (43%), nuclear power (28%) and coal (13%) still in the lead.

Some environmental groups estimate the IRA will add more than 82,000 clean-energy jobs in Arizona, many of which will be in the solar industry. This increase will help remedy the gap between Arizona’s current investment in solar energy and the potential impact it could have.

Many leading executives in the solar industry also claim the IRA’s solar tax credits will give their businesses a sense of stability after years of facing possible tax credit elimination.

These changes allow business owners to focus more on running their companies and getting solar installed on their customers’ homes at a cheaper rate, especially as the IRA introduced tax credits for upgrading home electrical panels (a requirement for larger solar installations).

SUPPORT FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

While it may be challenging for small business owners to sift through the legislation to identify these opportunities, there are many credits, loans, and grants they can now take advantage of through the IRA.

Notably, there is a doubling of the refundable researchand-development tax credit, which offers a $500,000 credit that can be applied against payroll taxes. It also includes expenditures for the improvement or development of products, processes, techniques, and even software.

Although navigating the repercussions of this 800-page bill will require time and patience in the months to come, I have no doubt that the IRA will help many small businesses make the transition to clean energy.

Together, we can create the cleaner, healthier, and more prosperous future we envision.

All Charged Up

Inside the Fully Charged LIVE 2022 event at the San Diego Convention Center

BY JOHN MARTINSON

LLarge manufacturer-driven car shows are generally huge events with grand booths featuring large turntable displays, bright lights, and presenters giving scripted speeches about the newest vehicles. Some allow attendees to inspect the vehicles, salespeople from local dealerships are often available to answer questions. However, with all of the new electric vehicles coming to market in the next several years, sales staff may not be the most informed.

On September 10th and 11th, I attended the Fully Charged LIVE 2022 event at the San Diego Convention Center, where the Electric Vehicle Association (EVA) acted as both partner and participant. As defined by the organization, the Electric Vehicle Association is North America’s leading nonprofit that accelerates the adoption of electric vehicles, by supporting its 100 chapters and thousands of members as they educate their communities about the benefits of driving electric. EVA is a partner in the annual National Drive Electric Week (NDEW) and in Drive Electric Earth Day (DEED). Here in Arizona, there are EVA chapters in Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Tucson, as well as a special Route 66 chapter.

Car shows and events in which the Electric Vehicle Association participates or partners are different from traditional shows. The vehicles displayed are clean and shiny like at the big car shows, but the vehicles are primarily privately owned (many wrapped and otherwise modded), and the owners are there to answer your questions about ownership experience, sans scripted marketing. It is a one-to-one, owner-to-prospective-owner interaction, which is, arguably, a better way to learn about the new electric vehicles. EVA Chapters participate in a host of smaller scale events with owner displays and drive alongs each year all across North America.

Photo by Elaine Borseth

At Fully Charged LIVE 2022, the Electric Vehicle Association brought owners and vehicles together for just this kind of owner-to-prospective owner experience, offering all Tesla Models (S, 3, X, Y), Ford Mach-e and F-150 Lightning Truck, Rivian R1T Truck, Kia EV6 and Soul, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kona, Genesis EV60, Jaguar I-PACE, Nissan LEAF, Polestar 2, Audi e-Tron GT, BMW i-3, Fiat 500e, Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo, Tesla original Roadster, Toyota BZ4X, Honda e, and VW ID.4. Where else can you comparison shop for an EV and have all the different brands and vehicles represented so well?

In addition to the cars on display, some owners provided their vehicles for rides and drives, where attendees could take a ride with the owners on the streets around the Convention Center, for a more hands-on driving experience. Vehicles offered included all Tesla Models (S, 3, X, Y), a Chevy Bolt, a Nissan LEAF, a Kia eNiro, and a Porsche Taycan Turbo S.

Fully Charged LIVE 2022 also included some EV manufacturers, startups, concept vehicles, and other types of electrified transportation like electric 3-wheelers, motorcycles, UTV’s, electric bikes, skateboards, and scooters. A huge oval mini-mobility track in the center of the hall allowed participants to take the e-bikes, scooters, and skateboards for a spin. A major sponsor of the event was Electrify America, as well as other well-known charging networks and home charger companies. There were also vehicle mods including body kits, light kits, and other accessories.

On site from vehicle manufacturers were the soon-to-be-released Fisker Ocean, Vin Fast VF 8 and VF 9, Indi One, and Zelectric Motors’ VW Microbus and Porsche 912 electric conversions. Also on display from Electric Motorcycle maker LiveWire was the “ONE.” Volcon ePowersports brought a Grunt and a Runt, both of which are off-road, fat-tire bikes. There were two other electric motorcycles on display—a Zero and an Energica. Also of note was the Canoo Lifestyle Vehicle, which NASA recently announced would transport astronauts to the launch pad.

Some exciting 3-wheel vehicle manufacturers were there as well, including the Electra Meccanica Solo

(which offered rides), Arcimoto (which offered rentals), and the impressive Nimbus One (with swappable batteries)…

The show stealer was the Aptera Solar Electric Vehicle (Gamma prototype) slated to begin production next year. With prices ranging from $25,900 for its 250-mile range vehicle - and up to $44,900 for its 1,000-miles-on-one charge vehicle - the Aptera, with its daring design, drag coefficient of just 0.13 Cd, and solar panels all over, was the most exciting vehicle at the show.

Resistance being futile, I plunked down $70 (special pricing for the event, discounted from $100) for an Aptera reservation…can’t wait. For more information on the Fully Charged show, visit www.fullycharged.show/events.

Exterior views of the Aptera Solar-Electric Vehicle with built-in solar panels and angled gull-wing doors. Photo by Len Nowak, Aptera Brand Ambassador.

Interior view of the show-stealer, Aptera Solar-Electric Vehicle with its futuristic cockpit. Photo by John Martinson.

GREENShe’s GREENHe’s

BY JENNIFER & JOHN BURKHART

The Charcuterie Board

Gone are the days of tossing meats and cheese on the nearest TV tray and calling it snack-time. Enter the charcuterie board…pronounced “shar-KOO-taree,” an artfully arranged selection of meats, olives, cheese, crackers/toast, and more on a beautifully carved slab of wood. When we weren't stumbling over the pronunciation, we were stuffing our faces with various items from these fancy plates. Here, some healthy alternatives to consider…

Applegate

Trio salami

He Said: A wise man once said : Variety is the spice of life, but don't seal that variety in a vacuum bag. Okay, maybe I added that second part, but only because these all tasted the same to me. Every bite was tasty - salty, peppery, or herbal - but variety should be written in very small print on this package.

She Said: For an indecisive person like me, this was perfect. Three flavors in one package will take care of the salami quota on your board. All three were tasty, but my favorite was the herb for that extra pop of flavor without too much spice.

Jeff's Garden Castelvetrano olives

He Said: The humble olive can be used for so many delicious things. These castelvetranos are mellow and buttery. They are a delicious snack straight out of the jar or would go great on pizza, but probably the best way to use these would be skewered in a glass with gin and vermouth. That's right, these are the perfect martini olives.

She Said: Get a jar for each person you invite to share your charcuterie board. That's how good these buttery, creamy, salty bits of yumminess are. You won't want to run out, so just get extra. Can't remember the name? Castelvetrano olives. You're welcome.

Nuts for Cheese

Un-brie-lievable

He Said: Nuts for cheese? Yeah, I'm more of a cheese for cheese guy. I'm happy that vegan meat and dairy substitution foods have improved so much since we started writing these reviews, but I fully believe a vegan cheese is an impossible goal. This brie was smooth and easily spread, but it lacked that umami flavor of real brie and had a sharp almost yogurty taste instead.

She Said: What charcuterie board is complete without brie? Dairychallenged? Me, too! There are so many options these days, woo hoo! You can join in the fun with this creamy-salty-spready cashew-based cheese. So darn tasty!

Kourellas

Grill & eat cheese

He Said: I have a love / hate relationship with cheese. I love it, but my body hates me for eating it. So when I say I ate too many of these because they were that good, you know I mean it. Browned and crispy on the outside and chewy in the middle—they were worth every minute of my discomfort!

She Said: I tried browning cheese curds once, and only once. I'm STILL cleaning that pan. So what sorcery is this? A cheese you can grill or saute without it melting?! It's true! A beautiful toasty brown crust forms in the pan, with a chewy, deliciously salty center. What a fun way to eat cheese from your “meat and cheese plate”!

GREEN

Scenes

October Events Throughout Arizona

CENTRAL ARIZONA

October 10

Indigenous Peoples’ Day Phoenix Fest

Come together with the Indigenous community of Arizona to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day! This festival will be filled with vendors, multiple event stages, art, music, food, cultural exhibitions, the Indigenous Pop-Up Market, and more. The Indie Film Fest will offer film screenings from Indigenous artists, as well as immersive experiences including the Downtown Showdown Skateboard Competition. The family-friendly event will be held in Downtown Phoenix’s Roosevelt Row Arts District. For more info and registration, visit www.ipdphx.com.

October 2

DIG IN-PERSON: Bountiful Fall Vegetables in the Why-We-Live-Here Season

At the University of Arizona’s Maricopa County Cooperative Extension office, join the U of A’s Maricopa County Master Gardeners and the Desert Institute of Gardening for an educational experience. Autumn has finally rolled back around, and so has the season for certain vegetables. Learn how to make the most of sustainable desert gardening during the autumn and winter months at this informational event. Move in harmony with the Earth during these colder seasons and gain your own beautiful harvest. To secure your spot and for more info, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/dig-in-person-bountiful-fall-vegetablesin-the-why-we-live-here-season-tickets-410656874767.

October 5

City of Peoria: Home Energy Efficiency

Curious about how to cut back on your enormous energy bills? This event put on by the City of Peoria will offer insight into creating a sustainable mindset at home. Learn about some issues that you may recognize and get pointers from an expert on how to dial the issue down for a greener future, starting in your very own backyard. This event will take place at Peoria’s Rio Vista Recreation Center, beginning at 6:00 p.m. To register and learn more, visit www.scitechinstitute.org/events/city-ofpeoria-home-energy-efficiency/.

October 7

Conscious Life Design & Stress Relief Program

Sustainable living includes listening to your own inner voice and working towards whole-body well-being. If stress is sabotaging your attempts at mindful and conscious living, Wind Song Regenerative offers the perfect opportunity to tap into certain helpful skills at this program. From “the serenity of your own home,” learn how to get a handle on negative energy to transition from emotional and physical pain into the inner peace you deserve. To learn more about this virtual event and register, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/conscious-life-design-stress-releaseprogram-tickets-328142742777.

October 22

Live Event – Food costs have you down? Grow food at home!

Since rising inflation affects the life of every American, it may be getting harder to keep up with costs. One sustainable solution is learning how to find your own food sources at home. This live class from Argiscaping offers the opportunity to learn how to grow fresh foods in your very own garden. This free event will be held in Queen Creek and takes place from 9 to 10 a.m. To register and for more information, visit www. agriscaping.com/ qcfoodcosts.

Photo by Danny Upshaw

NORTHERN ARIZONA

October 1

Science Saturday: Sustainable Homes

This program from the Willow Bend Environmental Education Center in Flagstaff offers a chance for kids to learn all about eco-conscious design practices. A collaborative effort with the County Sustainable Building Program, this drop-in event offers hands-on educational opportunities to discover the impact of sustainability and home design. It will be held from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. as one of the Center’s monthly Science Saturday programs. To secure your spot and learn more, visit www.willowbendcenter. org/event/science-saturday-sustainable-homes/.

October 8

Household Hazardous Waste Disposal

This annual disposal event, put on by the City of Sedona and Yavapai County, is for community electronic and hazardous waste collection. Bring your old phones, certain chemicals and batteries, paint, aerosol cans, and more to ensure they are disposed of in a safe and sustainable manner. This event welcomes only those who live in Sedona and unincorporated Yavapai County, so you’ll need to bring proof of residency to participate. The event will be held at Sedona’s City Hall on Roadrunner Drive. For more info, visit www.sedonaaz.gov/ your-government/departments/city-manager/sustainability/ hazardous-waste.

October 16 & 22

Flagstaff Forest Open House

Are you curious about a more eco-friendly approach to endof-life arrangements? Traditional options aren’t known for their green footprint, but Better Place Forests, “a natural alternative to cemeteries,” can help you give back to the Earth. Take an inside look at their sustainable memorial forest in Flagstaff on October 16 and 22. Embark on a guided tour of the forest, consult an on-site advisor, and weigh different memorial tree options as a final resting place for your loved one. To register and learn more, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/flagstaff-forest-open-housetickets-388145873757.

SOUTHERN ARIZONA

October 2

Springs Restoration in the Whetstone Mountains

Presented by the Sky Island Alliance and taking place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., it’s time to help restore McGrew Springs in the breathtaking Whetstone Mountains. Get your hands dirty to help breathe new life into the natural area by joining other volunteers at Kartchner Caverns State Park in Benson. You’ll help take out invasive flora and reconstruct a fence to keep cattle out of this secluded spot. You’ll also have the opportunity to camp out on the evening before the full day of Earth-minded activity! To secure your spot and learn more, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/springsrestoration-in-the-whetstone-mountains-tickets-405422408337.

October 5-7

25th Annual Energy, Utility & Environment Conference (EUEC), Tucson

At this exciting event, SCS Engineers will present an incredible opportunity for learning and collaborative consciousness for the Earth at the Energy, Utility & Environment Conference of 2022. With more than 300 speakers, 10 tracks, and more than 100 exhibitors present, you’re sure to leave with more knowledge surrounding myriad sustainability areas. Held at the Westin La Paloma Resort in Tucson, the event will also feature presentations from SCS experts themselves. To register and find more information, visit www.scsengineers.com/event/25thannual-energy-utility-environment-conference-euec-tucson/.

October 11-15

NAAEE 2022 Conference & Research Symposium

Come together with the North American Association for Environmental Education for a week of learning how proper education about the Earth can help to create a greener world. At Tucson’s Westin La Paloma Resort, NAAEE’s annual Research Symposium will be held on October 11th and 12th, and the 2022 Conference will take place from October 12th to the 15th. A diverse approach to our ever-changing world can make all the difference to preserve it for future generations. To register and for more information, visit www.conference.naaee.org/,

BUSINESS

October 13

Best Hire Career Fairs Phoenix Job Fair

Looking for a new career within the Phoenix metro area? Look no further than the Phoenix Job Fair from Best Hire Career Fairs. Dozens of industry professionals will be available to discuss current opportunities, from openings within the agricultural industry and banking to green technology and transportation. Dress to impress and don’t forget to bring a current copy of your resume. Your best and brightest future may just be one conversation away! General admission for job seekers is free of charge. For more info and to secure your spot, visit www.besthirecareerfairs.com/event/phoenix-job-fairoctober-13-2022/.

October 19

2022 Southern Arizona Tech + Business Expo

A collaborative effort between the Arizona Technology Council and the Arizona Commerce Authority, this tenth annual event will bring together scientific minds from across the state to convene on new technology and business ventures. While the event will focus on many different avenues within these topics, eco-conscious conversations will be held surrounding biotechnology, plus the presentation of a Sustainability Award. To learn more, for pricing, and to register, visit www.aztechcouncil.org/event/2022-expo/.

Your family, your way

Marriage and domestic partnerships bring many changes to your life – and your finances. In addition, LGBTQ couples and families may have different priorities and challenges that require careful planning. Whether your family includes one or two parents with kids, individuals or a couple, or grandparents wanting to provide for and assist future generations, you’ll want to review your state’s laws and how to best plan for your needs.

Mark

20551 N. Pima Rd. #200 Scottsdale , AZ

Direct: (480) 419-2016

mark.morales@wellsfargoadvisors.com

https://home.wellsfargoadvisors.com/mark.morales

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CONSERVATION THROUGH SCIENCE.

Arizona is home to more than 800 wildlife species, and the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s mission is to conserve and protect them all. Every species matters because each plays a unique role in our ecosystems.

Our wildlife conservation methods are equally diverse and always based in science. From habitat monitoring to legal and regulated hunting and fishing (and everything in between), each provides our biologists with valuable data to help keep Arizona’s ecosystems intact. Every method matters to maintain sustainable wildlife populations.

By using the best available science today, we ensure wildlife will be here tomorrow.