Green Living August 2017 by Green Living AZ magazine

August 2017

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departments

August 2017

features

Inspiring healthy habits in kids

Saving the Elephants

Future in Equity Crowdfunding

on the cover

live green

On the cover: Photo by Aaron Blackburn. aaronblackburn.com

Cultivating A Brighter Future for a Community in Need

Elephant Conservation

Double up Food Bucks Program

Fun Green Facts

Healthy Hydration

How to Optimize Your Dog’s Brain and Life

Combating Childhood Obesity

Outreach Program Brings Resources to Rural Arizona

Eco Clubs

Climate Change Series: Yavapai County

Turning Art Into Fashion: Local Artist Ruby Farias

The Nature Conservancy Brings Relief from the Heat

work green

play green

Adventures in Consciousness

Part two ask an Expert: Should I Install Solar on my Roof at Home?

Junior Achievement’s Biztown

Green Education for the Back-To-School-Season

Taking Advantage of Equity Crowdfunding

Optima Kierland

41 2 greenliving | August 2017

Master Gardener: Compost

Recipes

Launch Party: July 2017

Green Scenes Calendar of Events

Green Champions

He’s Green, She’s Green

Cool Outrageous Stuff

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Yours in practicing a greener lifestyle PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF:

Dorie Morales

ART DIRECTOR: ASSISTANT EDITOR: COPY EDITOR:

Michèlle-Renée Adams Bharat Venkatesh Rachel Luman

ADVISORY BOARD: Veronica Bahn Ken Edwins Jon Kitchell Eric Olsen

Valerie Crosby William Janhonen Mary McCormick Thomas Williams

CONTRIBUTORS: Debbie Davis Bonnie Roill Kristi Hall Lisa Racz Clare Hahne Terri Schlichenmeyer Cie Allman-Scott, Ph.D. Aaron Fernando Katherine K. Cecala Marj Melchiors Jill Bernstien

Lloyd Ramsey Carol Nelson Shelby Rainford Gretchen Pahia Elaina Verhoff Rachael Vargas Bonnie Newhoff Stacey Champion Michelle Talsma Everson David Schaller

MEDIA CONSULTANT:

Susan Breakstone

EDITORIAL INTERNS: Chais Gentner Rachael Vargas

Shelby Rainford Bobby Yalam

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Please recycle this magazine Green Living magazine is a monthly publication by Traditional Media Group, LLC. Periodical rate postage paid at Scottsdale, AZ. Publisher assumes no responsibility for unsolicited or contributed manuscripts, photographs, artwork or advertisements. Entire contents © 2016 Traditional Media Group. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of content in any manner without permission by the publisher is strictly prohibited. Opinions expressed in signed columns and articles do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. Submissions will not be returned unless arranged to do so in writing. One print subscription is $39 per year or digital subscription is $12 per year. Canadian orders please add $13 per year for shipping and handling. International orders add $22 per year for shipping and handling. Bulk and/or corporate rates available. No representation is made as to the accuracy hereof and is printed subject to errors and omissions. Green Living magazine is printed on recycled paper.

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August 2017 Publisher’s Note

e are living in a world that has 7 billion people and limited natural resources, we must come together and learn to live sustainably. We need to be responsible and take action based on the knowledge that our actions today can have an impact on the lives of the people and the planet in the future. Sustainable education changes the way that people think and work toward a sustainable future. It is about including sustainable development issues, such as climate change and biodiversity into teaching and learning. We are encouraged to be responsible individuals who resolve challenges, respect cultural diversity and contribute to creating a more sustainable world. This issue has feature articles that highlight facts on childhood obesity, taking advantage of equity crowdfunding and what is happening in elephant conservation. You can get involved with what is happening with food in our school systems, what is trending in green education, how to optimize you dog’s brain and health, and what a local artist and her daughter are doing to be conscious. It is summer time and monsoon season so your pool will get dirty but we have a solar pool cleaner that will help clean it. We also have a BBQ grill cleaning company to clean your grill and an appliance company that sells energy efficient appliances. Please support our advertisers they are big supporters of Green Living magazine. If you are ready to get out of the heat, come join us at our August launch party on August 17 in Clarkdale. It is a community filled with Energy star homes with beautiful vistas of the surrounding area, from nature trails winding through the neighborhood to the magnificent sunrises and sunsets for your own personal viewing. Mingus at Crossroads 2021 Crossroads boulevard Clarkdale, AZ 86324. It is a great way to connect with the conscious community and educate yourself with the community and all things sustainable. Enjoy local wine, beer and healthy food while mixing and mingling with raffle prizes that will benefit Local First Arizona Foundation. Check it out on our Facebook page (@greenlivingazmag) and visit our website for more details (greenlivingaz.com/events/august-issue-launch-party).

“In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand and we will understand only what we are taught” -Babe Dioum

Equity in Crowdfunding

PG. 33

Saving the elephants

PG. 18

Cultivating a Brighter Future

PG. 6

To educate, empower and inspire,

Dorie Morales Publisher and Editor in Chief I LOVE TO HEAR FROM OUR READERS! Email me at dorie@greenlivingaz.com

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COMMUNITY GARDENING

CULTIVATING A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR A COMMUNITY IN NEED BY CLARE HAHNE

esidents of south Phoenix now have affordable access to fresh, healthy produce thanks to an initiative called Spaces of Opportunity. Desert Botanical Garden is collaborating with Cultivate South Phoenix and Roosevelt Elementary School District on this program, whose mission is to convert a vacant lot in south Phoenix into a CLARE HAHNE thriving community farm and garden. Once the most productive farmland in Arizona, south Phoenix is now a busy urban community where fresh fruits and vegetables are not readily available, leading to the threat of obesity and other health concerns. The concept of Spaces of Opportunity came when Cultivate South Phoenix was brainstorming solutions to these issues. Searching for a project beyond its existing scope, Desert Botanical Garden jumped in to help spearhead the effort. The initiative is located on 18 acres of old farmland approximately five miles from downtown Phoenix. Organizers hope to restore the area’s rich agricultural history and create for community members thoughtful connections to the food they grow, sell and consume. In time, they anticipate it will become a neighborhood-level food system where farmers have all the tools needed to generate income, and residents can easily buy or grow local, healthy foods. “Spaces of Opportunity is engineering a comprehensive system where farmers and farm workers are celebrated as artisans,” said Nicolas de la Fuente, director of Spaces. “With help, we will provide our farmers with the best possible scenario to succeed.” Here are a few of the ways the community can participate in Spaces: • Gardeners can pay a small fee to keep their own lot on the garden. • 10 acres of the property house an incubator farm, where people of different backgrounds share their skills, develop and maintain their plots, and provide business tutorials and planning support. • Additional acres will also house educational settings for nearby elementary schools, including an outdoor kitchen and an amphitheater where students can participate in project-based STEAM curriculum.

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Farmers’ markets will be an essential feature of the project, offering farmers the opportunity to make a profit on their harvest. Weekly fresh food baskets are available for purchase and include enough fruits and vegetables to feed two to four people for a week. An important element of the project is running a fair and sustainable operation. Farmers must grow food without chemicals and pay any employees at least $15 per hour. Spaces also pays market prices to farmers for the food grown and provides the resources they need to succeed. “Forty one years ago I came from Lebanon and I always wanted a farm, and this was an opportunity to follow a dream,” said Michael Hashem. “We started each with a quarter of an acre; so yes, hopefully in the next month you will see a lot of vegetables coming out.” The Desert Botanical Garden hosted a fundraising event called Fund the Farm in May and raised $58,000 for Spaces. Financial gifts are being used to purchase essential equipment, including a tractor, rototiller, irrigation equipment, basic farm tools and seeds. These tools will allow them to work more efficiently to produce more food for the community. “Seeing the amount of individuals who are willing to help develop a thriving community food hub in south Phoenix is inspiring,” said de la Fuente. “It is my hope that every kid in the community will get to see, understand and engage in the art of growing food.” The Garden’s role in Spaces of Opportunity reflects the institution’s investment in community gardening begun during The Saguaro Initiative campaign. Many generous donors have contributed to the Garden and to its partners, including the following significant supporters: • • • • •

Artplace America Cigna Newman’s Own Foundation NEA: Our Town Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation

• Starbucks • The Steele Foundation • USDA Local Food Promotion Program • Vitalyst Health Foundation

Clare Hahne is an Arizona native and graduate of Arizona State University. She has five years of marketing and public relations experience, specializing in travel, tourism and hospitality. She is currently the marketing communications manager at Desert Botanical.

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August 2017 | greenliving

NUTRITION

DOUBLE UP FOOD BUCKS PROGRAM Encourages Nutrition and Increases Access to Healthy Food for Many Arizona Families While Supporting Local Farmers BY STACEY CHAMPION

ocal nonprofit Pinnacle Prevention believes everyone should have access to nutritious food, and the entire state benefits when local farmers and economies are supported. That’s why the organization is working with partners and growers across the state to bring Double Up Food Bucks Arizona to markets and families. Double Up AZ is STACEY CHAMPION implemented with support from Fair Food Network, Arizona Nutrition Network, Vitalyst Health Foundation, United Food Bank and Mercy Care Plan. Double Up Food Bucks Arizona is a nutrition-based, federally funded program that helps people bring home more healthy fruits and vegetables, supports Arizona farmers and keeps more money circulating in local communities. The program is part of the Fair Food Network’s national Double Up program, which doubles the value of SNAP benefits, formerly known as food stamps, used at farmers markets across the country. When someone uses their SNAP Quest Card at participating farmers markets, every dollar they spend is matched with an extra dollar to spend on more Arizona-grown fruits and vegetables, up to $20 per day. With Double Up Food Bucks, entire communities benefit. The program not only increases access to healthy food for thousands of residents, but also supports our incredible network of Arizona growers, both large and small. This effort is pioneering win-win-win solutions for farmers, families and local economies. The Double Up Food Bucks program started as a small pilot in Detroit and has expanded to hundreds of markets across the country in just five years. Michigan farmers and vendors have earned more than $5 million dollars in those five years through SNAP and Double Up Food Bucks sales. These participating farmers have also reported selling more produce, making more money and expanding production because of Double Up Food Bucks sales. Pinnacle Prevention and its partners want to help Arizona growers

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and farms thrive with the help of this impactful program. Double Up Food Bucks brings new customers and more money to local growers, while ensuring more food dollars stay in the local economy. Healthier people, healthier local agriculture and healthier economies make for a stronger Arizona. Food insecurity, or the lack of access to nutritious food, affects 15.8 percent of Arizonans and 24 percent of Arizona’s children, according Map the Meal Gap’s 2017 food insecurity report. This makes Arizona the state with the fifth-highest national food insecurity rate for children. Maintaining a nutritious, vitamin-rich diet is especially difficult for residents who live in food deserts. The USDA defines a food desert as an area in which a significant number of residents have limited access to affordable and nutritious food. These are typically low-income areas that are more than a mile away from a grocery store or supermarket. Proximity to supermarkets matters because low-income residents are also likely to suffer from limited mobility, making trips to the grocery store more difficult. Many of these families may instead rely on local corner stores or fast-food restaurants that offer fewer nutritious food options. Double Up Food Bucks tokens are currently available at 16 farmers markets, three farm stands and 40 Fresh Express Mobile Market sites across the state. • To learn more about Double Up Food Bucks Arizona and to find participating markets, visit doubleupfoodbucksarizona.org or facebook.com/DoubleUpArizona. • To learn more about the national Double Up Food Bucks Program, visit doubleupfoodbucks.org/national-network. • To learn more about Pinnacle Prevention, visit pinnacleprevention.org Stacey Champion has been involved in the sustainability industry for more than 20 years and currently owns Champion PR + Consulting. You can follow her on Twitter @ChampPR. Read more abour nutrition greenlivingaz.com/nutrition

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

HEALTHY HYDRATION BY DEBBIE DAVIS

hink hydration is a “dry” subject? Think again. Your body is made up of 70 percent water, and that water is needed for every function. Water delivers nutrients to your cells, and of course, your skin. You can use every fabulous skin cream imaginable to no avail if you are not properly hydrated. When you are dehydrated, toxins DEBBIE DAVIS are reabsorbed by the body, stressing your liver and weakening your immune system. Skin sensitivities often signal a high toxin load in the body, and water is the best remedy.

Eat Your Water Intake

As we age, our cells start to leak intracellular water. This cellular dehydration accelerates aging while decreasing fat burning and DNA repair. We can drink more water, but if the cell is «leaky,» it cannot hold the water we drink. So, what to do? In addition to drinking, we should consume our water in the form of juicy, nutrient-rich foods and vegetables. Nutrients are brought to the cells through the bloodstream so that they can repair and the leaks can close. The water will stay inside, and the rejuvenated cell will be stronger. Fruits like watermelon and strawberries are more than 90 percent water. Other hydrating fruits include grapefruit, cantaloupe and peaches. Vegetables like cucumbers and lettuce have a moisture content of over 96 percent. Honorable mention goes to soups and bone broth as powerful hydration foods.

Add Some Flavor Most experts agree that you should drink half your bodyweight in ounces of water each day. So, if you weigh 140 pounds, this equates to ingesting 70 ounces of water. If that sounds like a flavorless endeavor, try these of healthy, tasty and hydrating options: Berry Water: Add raspberries, blueberries, strawberries and fresh organic mint to a bottle of cool water, and let it sit for a few hours. The water will take on a beautiful color, and the mint will cool the body down. You will also get the wonderful antioxidants from the fruit as you bathe your cells in a deep drink. Lemon Water: Add the juice from fresh lemons or limes to your water along with some stevia or raw Manuka honey and a sprig of mint for a refreshing lemonade. This is a great “first thing in the morning» drink to clean your liver, boost your immunity and collagen synthesis and start your digestive tract moving.

10 greenliving | August 2017

Cran-Water: Cranberry juice reduces cellulite and fluid buildup in tissues while it hydrates and flushes a sluggish lymphatic system. Make your own “cran water” by boiling a 12-ounce bag of fresh cranberries in 4 cups of water until they pop. Strain the juice and add stevia or raw honey to sweeten. This will make a cranberry concentrate that you can mix into your drinking water for several days’ worth of delicious hydration. Green Juice: There are many versions of this, and much has been written about the benefits of juicing. Try blending coconut water, green apple, cucumber, celery, lemon and lettuce greens for good hydration.

More Trending Waters Coconut Water: A perfect hydrator with natural electrolytes. Electrolytes are essential to include for their role in fluid regulation, muscle contraction and nerve function. They are found in good balance in coconut water and sea vegetables and have a healthy mineral content. Cactus Water: Prickly pear juice is another good source of antioxidants to revitalize your skin and body. Order at drinkcaliwater.com. Maple Water: Tasty and delicious and a new rival to the coconutwater industry. Easy to find at Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s or go to drinkmaple.com. Watermelon Water: Along with lycopene, a potent antiinflammatory and antioxidant, watermelon water also contains another powerful superstar amino acid called citrulline. It gets converted in our bodies to create nitric oxide, which lowers blood pressure and causes blood vessels to relax, prevents fat accumulation and can also improve erectile dysfunction in men. Order at wtrmlnwtr.com to order this juice, or put watermelon in your blender. Still vs. Sparkling Is drinking carbonated or sparkling water as good as drinking «still» or regular water? Experts agree that carbonated water hydrates just as well as regular water, but that you may feel fuller as your body processes the carbonic acids, which may cause you to ingest less. Debbie Davis writes an article each month for her blog on sleekskinaz.com to offer helpful information to support her signature phrase,»Radiant skin from within.» She is a licensed aesthetician and holds a certification in holistic nutrition. Since much of this information includes dietary suggestions, she advises that you always check with your healthcare professional. Read more greenlivingaz.com/health and wellness

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

COMBATING CHILDHOOD OBESITY:

INSPIRING HEALTHY EATING HABITS IN CHILDREN BY BHARAT VENKATESH

he price, convenience and addictive taste of junk food and fast food can be alluring to schools trying to save money and parents without enough time to prepare more nutritious food for their children. However, a lax attitude toward childhood nutrition is dangerous for children’s health and can have long-term consequences. It is a mistaken presumption that the robust metabolism of childhood can stave off problems resulting from unhealthy eating habits. Simply overlooking what and how much a child is eating is no better. You might be surprised by how many health traps our society

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has in place for children—with junk food being the norm at most extracurricular activities where students meet for sports, afterschool clubs or just to hang out. Childhood obesity can result from environmental, behavioral and even genetic factors—but being predisposed to obesity does not mean one is destined to become obese. Some of the core causes of obesity include energy imbalance, overconsumption, lack of physical activity, poor diet, high intake of processed foods, food insecurity, lack of education on healthy eating and eating out instead of having healthy family meals at home. Childhood obesity is distinct from adult greenlivingaz.com

obesity and should be treated as a chronic condition that needs to be addressed and treated comprehensively. “Parents need to be proactive in involving their kids in learning about healthy eating,” says Lisa Kandell, a registered dietitian and board-certified specialist in pediatric nutrition. “Parents have the responsibility of providing healthy foods in the appropriate amounts. Family meals are important, and taking kids grocery shopping helps them to learn about choosing healthy foods.” Childhood obesity often results in lasting impacts to physical, social and emotional health. Obese children tend to become obese adults, and a significant number of health issues can arise in early adulthood because of childhood obesity. Excess abdominal fat, high triglyceride levels, low HDL cholesterol levels and high blood sugar—a set of risk factors known collectively as metabolic syndrome—can result in a vastly increased risk of cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes. Obesity also can cause respiratory problems leading to obstructive sleep apnea and asthma, various musculoskeletal and joint problems, gastrointestinal problems such as fatty liver disease and gastroesophageal reflux, and cancer. Children with obesity are often stigmatized by their peers or experience bullying, which can lead to anxiety, depression, lowered self-esteem and other psychological issues that can affect the way they function in society. Their demoralized outlook and social isolation increase the number days they miss school on top of days lost due to exacerbated health issues, according to the Centers for Disease Control. “Obese children are often the target of bullying, and this can lead to emotional problems,” Kandell said. “They can feel more self-conscious and thus avoid participating in activities that would improve their health.” Because the incidence of obesity in children is influenced by many aspects of society—including their home life, community, child care setting, schools and the media—it is important to monitor a children’s growth during regularly scheduled well visits with their family physician or pediatrician. “Their Body Mass Index (BMI) needs to be closely monitored and if there is any deviation from a child’s established ‘curve,’ they should be referred to a pediatric dietitian or nutritionist for evaluation and education to ensure appropriate growth and development,” said Kandell. “All too often, it is delayed as the problem doesn’t seem that serious; however, it poses a greater risk to delay a referral as children become more severely overweight the longer it is delayed.” Childhood obesity is “one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century” according to the World Health Organization. Moreover, the percentage of obese children in the United States has increased threefold in the last 50 years, according to a report compiled by the National Center for Health Statistics in 2014. The State of Obesity, a project of the Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, describes a 19.8 percent obesity rate for Arizona children between the ages of 10 and 17, giving our state the seventh highest obesity rate in the nation for that age bracket. To address the problem, various governmental, for-profit and nonprofit organizations have taken a stand against childhood obesity. greenlivingaz.com

Because schools are an integral part of a child’s life, the CDC has a comprehensive framework recommending policies and practices that help schools create an environment supporting healthier food choices and nutrition education for students. The Arizona Department of Education also has its own nutritional standards for school lunches, snacks, school stores, beverages and vending machines that go beyond the requirements enforced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Arizona Nutrition Standards define standards detailing maximum portion sizes and prohibitions on certain types of food and beverages while setting guidelines for other classes of school food. Other efforts in our state include: • The Arizona Nutrition Network is a statewide program providing nutrition education with a vision to shape food consumption in the state by partnering with health departments, the University of Arizona, Native American tribes, school districts, food banks, and non-profit agencies. • The Arizona Department of Health Services Empower Program subsidizes child-care licensing fees for facilities that “empower children to lead healthy lives.” • Garden Kitchen in South Tucson began as a nutrition program but now incorporates various activities and events encouraging families to make healthy choices, cook healthy meals and stock healthy ingredients—even for those in poor socioeconomic conditions. So what can you do at home to prevent or manage childhood obesity? Rather than eating out, consider eating nutritional, homecooked meals more often. Start a family exercise habit and encourage more sporting activities in lieu of evenings spent in front of the television. Sign up for a few classes with a nutritionist and learn how to shop and cook healthy and affordable meals without straining your budget. As with most things, change begins at home. Bharat Venkatesh is a Tempe journalist who believes spreading awareness about the importance of sustainability should be part of every journalist’s ethical goal to seek the truth and report it.

August 2017 | greenliving

SCHOOLS

SCHOOL. SUSTAINABILITY. SUCCESS. ARIZONA COLLEGES WITH ECO-CONSCIOUS CLUBS BY SHELBY RAINFORD

I Member of ASU’s CSSI club show off their recycling bins.

NAU students at the clothing swap table during the Earth Jam event presented by the Green Jacks.

t’s that time of year again, Student. The time when you move box after box into your dorm room, reconnecting with old friends while making new ones. It’s another semester, another year, another opportunity for you to branch out and learn something new about yourself and the world. Joining a new student club or organization is a great way to jumpstart your new academic year and discover your passions. If you’re sustainably minded and want to make a difference, you might want to join one of these green clubs in Arizona:

Campus Student Sustainability Initiatives: Arizona State University With six different campuses, ASU has about 17 different sustainability clubs tailored to various interests. With ASU’s clubs for the green-minded ranging from Business Sustainability to Greenlight Solutions to Sustainabilibuddies, you’re sure to find an eco-conscious club that fits your personality and passions. If you’re not sure which club is right for you, the Campus Student Sustainability Initiatives club, located at the Tempe campus, is the perfect place to start. Founded in 2008, CSSI is ASU’s largest and oldest sustainability club and is open to all full- or part-time students, regardless of major. Club members meet about once a week in order to fulfill their vision to “Provide a fresh, accessible approach to sustainability by showcasing events, products, processes and people who encourage a more conscious way of life.” CSSI fulfills its vision through many different projects including: • The Pee’d Off Initiative, which conserves water one flush at a time by replacing one-gallon urinals with .125-gallon ones. • The School Garden Project, which increases awareness for health and sustainability by helping students create gardens at local elementary and middles schools. • The Hult Prize@ASU Million Dollar Contest, which tackles global problems by creating new business models. • The Up to Us Contest, a national competition where students raise “awareness, understanding and engagement regarding the national debt and the long-term implications,” according to CSSI’s website. For more information, check out the CSSI website at cssi.asu.edu, or email the CSSI president Siddharth Mazumdar at smazumd4@asu.edu. greenlivingaz.com

Members of UA’s Students for Sustainability club.

Green Jacks: Northern Arizona University If you’re passionate about a specific issue, you can join one of NAU’s Environmental Caucus Action Teams, such as the Sustainable Energy or Botany clubs, which focus on individual initiatives. However, the main environmental club on campus is the Green Jacks. This club, also known as the Student Environmental Caucus, connects all sustainable clubs on campus and is open to all students, regardless of major. Founded in 2011, this club has weekly meetings where students come together in the common interest of sustainability. The Green Jacks’ accomplishments include advocating for solar energy on campus, reducing waste at football games, participating in the Reusable Cup Marketing Campaign and more. The Green Jacks are known for their signature events – including the Better World Film Series and Earth Jam – and planning events for Earth Week. For more information, email Sarah Holditch at sbh73@nau.edu or green.jacks@nau.edu. Be sure to check out their website at nau.edu/green-nau/green-jacks.

Students for Sustainability: University of Arizona Sustainability affects every aspect of our lives, from mental health and physical health to social justice. UA’s Students for Sustainability club recognizes that there are many facets of sustainability and has more than eight different committees to advocate for them. Formally recognized as a club in 2008, the mission of SFS is to “engage the student body in order to cultivate environmental literacy from many perspectives. SFS works to do this through the ASUA “Associated Students of the University of Arizona” model of empowering student leaders, advancing social justice and equality, and in pursuing institutionalized sustainability at the University of Arizona and within the Tucson community,” according to its website. Some SFS committees include: • The Environmental Social Justice Committee confronts the intersection of sustainability and social justice. According to its website, the club, also known as EcoSOJO, works to ensure “communities are no longer marginalized based on their race, class, gender, ability, and sexuality.” • The Energy and Climate Committee, which raises awareness for the amplifying effects that energy production and fossil fuels are having on global warming. greenlivingaz.com

• The Environmental Arts Committee, which advocates sustainability through art, creating a dialogue about environmental issues. • The Greening the Game Committee, which strives to ensure that there is zero waste at UA athletic events. SFS also has committees that advocate for food for all, community gardening, water conservation and more. For more information, contact the SFS co-directors: Bitty Fennie, efennie@email.arizona. edu; Lauren Thompson, lthompson330@email.edu; and Courtney Pijanowski, pijanowski@email.edu. Or check out their website at sustainability.asua.arizona.edu, or email sfsdirector@gmail.com. These universities are among 593 American colleges and universities that have signed the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment demonstrating a commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions while raising awareness for sustainable living. ASU and NAU are current active signatories; UA’s commitment to the ACUPCC ended in 2015. These clubs demonstrate how young Arizonans are making a difference through sustainable actions. Join one so that you, too, can make a difference. Sustainability Club: Scottsdale Community College Since 2007, Scottsdale Community College has been working to improve sustainability practices. Current projects include: • Expanding the campus recycling program by instituting recycling receptacles throughout the campus and working with local recycling companies. • Raising awareness for Earth stewardship through sustainable events such as Earth Day and by creating an online green resource center. • Providing the SCC community with alternative, green forms of transportation. For more information, email green@scottsdalecc.edu or visit showcase. scottsdalecc.edu/sustainability/scc-sustainability. Shelby Rainford is a senior professional writing major at Blackburn College with a minor in computer science. She strives to lead a sustainable lifestyle and, through her writing, hopes to inspire others to do the same. In her free time, Shelby enjoys reading, knitting and exercising. Read more education articles at greenlivingaz.com/education

August 2017 | greenliving

ARTS AND EDUCATION

TURNING ART INTO FASHION:

LOCAL ARTIST

RUBY FARIAS BY GRETCHEN PAHIA

16 greenliving | August 2017

ashions and style are always changing, and keeping up with the trends can be difficult at best. However, for designer Ruby Farias, the ever-changing world of fashion is just one way she stays inspired to customize and create. Farias makes custom one-of-a-kind painted clothing and accessories, designed GRETCHEN PAHIA with unique styles in mind. She is also very concerned about sustainability and repurposing in her designs. “There are several ways outside of not wasting fabric in which I work,” explained Farias. “I am a fanatic for fabrics, so when I see an outfit with great fabric, I am one who will take that found fabric and repurpose it into one of my new pieces when possible. I also use old jewelry to embellish some hats, headpieces and handbags.” Farias is dedicated to making sure her creations are not only greenlivingaz.com

Ruby Farias with her daughter Tara Murrin, who is partially dressed in her costume for Comic-Con. Photo Rick Carter.

beautiful and distinctive, but also as Earth-friendly as possible. It isn’t just about creating something new, but taking the old and making it look fresh again. “My clients can bring me existing clothing and I will repurpose it into something new and exciting,” she said. The designer also creates her own fabric paint from an acrylic base combined with non-toxic organic vegetable glycerin. “As an artist, I was never one to waste my paint, so it won’t ever go down the drain, non-toxic or not...it has always been a no-no.” Farias uses any leftover paint to create texture on handbags, shoes and other items. Farias uses all leftover materials for future creations. “Utilizing all fabric remnants is important,” Farias said. “In the world of fashion, there is so much fabric waste, and as I begin to create my own fabrics, I intend to use all pieces that are left behind after cutting patterns.” Farias hasn’t always been an artist. The designer made a career shift several years ago after many professional setbacks. It was during a period of down time in 2001, when Farias was home with her then 2-year-old daughter. “One day, I decided to take my daughter to the greenlivingaz.com

art store to buy canvas and paints so I could teach her how to paint,” Farias recalled. “We loved painting together. She had her small easel and I had my mine. I didn’t realize there was an emptiness that needed to be filled after a long art hiatus, and I vowed to never put that brush down again.” Farias eventually went back to work, but during the 2008 recession, she made a choice to follow her passion and has never looked back. For several years, she set up shop in a studio in downtown Phoenix and sold her acrylic art on canvas. Then in 2013, she decided to create an outfit for herself to wear in the studio. “I decided to splatter paint on a dress with abstract designs on it. I received so many compliments, and many women I knew wanted one. It was one of my mentors who nudged me to begin this new business,” she said. Fashion design and a love for art has definitely impacted Farias, and has also taken a hold of her daughter Tara, who is now 18. Tara is a fashion creator herself, focusing on costumes and other designs. Tara, like her mother, is focused on sustainability and upcycling. “Outside of her regularly recycling at home, she is very conscious about [not] wasting fabric,” explained Farias. “She uses all of her remnants for a future costume or creative item.” For Farias, it isn’t just about selling her fashions and designs; it is also vital that she give back to the local community. She has donated time, money and designs to several organizations, including Arizona Foundation for Women, Debbie Gaby Charities, Women of Scottsdale, Creative Women of Pinnacle Peak, The Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center and many more. Gretchen Pahia has 15 years experience in both media and public relations and is an award-winning television news producer in Phoenix, Las Vegas and Portland. Gretchen is a native to Arizona, born and raised in Phoenix, and a graduate of Northern Arizona University. She lives in the Phoenix metro area with her husband, their two children and their dog. Read more on arts and education at greenlivingaz.com/artsandeducation

August 2017 | greenliving

ANIMALS

ELEPHANT CONSERVATION

IS GRAY HERE TO STAY? BY LISA RACZ

he largest land mammals on our planet, who once roamed throughout Africa and Asia in abundance, are critically depleting in numbers. Elephants are being threatened by poaching, humanelephant confrontations, and the loss of their natural habitats by farming. Conservation efforts are currently in action by several national conservation societies and organizations, such as the 96 Elephants National Campaign through The Wildlife Conservation Society, along with zoos right here in Arizona. “Part of conservation is educating the public in understanding how elephants need to move around in their natural habitat so that they have a variety of food sources to choose from [without eating] an entire section of forest,” said Stuart Wells, director of conservation and science at the Phoenix Zoo. “To prevent this from happening, efforts are in place to maintain natural corridors; paths in the forest for the elephants to travel from one section of forest to another.” The Phoenix Zoo is currently launching a campaign to expand their elephant exhibit to give their Asian elephants a larger habitat. Other local zoos are also stepping in with elephant conservation efforts. Jason Jacobs is the director at Reid Park Zoo in Tucson. “With the opening of our African elephant habitat, Expedition Tanzania, in 2012, came a huge commitment for the conservation of elephants,” said Jacobs. “We provide financial contributions for the purchase of land in Africa to promote wildlife corridors for the connection of their habitats in national parks, such as the Tarangire National Park located in Tanzania.” Community engagement is an important part of their mission. Volunteers can educate the public to ban against ivory sales and poaching along with recruiting people to sign petitions through www.96elephants.com. Corey Barr, Elephant Keeper II at the Phoenix Zoo, explained that the habitats of Asian elephants are threatened by the deforestation caused by palm oil farming. “The elephants’ habitat is cut down to farm, and the farmers poison part of their crops to kill the elephants feeding on their palm oil plants,” Barr said. One way the public can help is by consuming sustainable palm oil, which leaves the natural land to the elephants. “We educate the public on which foods contain sustainable palm oil. Even some Halloween candy contains unsustainable palm oil,” she explained. Other elephant conservation efforts act to benefit humans and elephants, including: Elephant Beehives: Elephants can raid crops. To prevent this, farmers set beehives around their farms that are connected with rope. When an elephant trips the rope, it disturbs the hive and runs in the opposite direction. This keeps the elephants safe from being

Asian elephants Sheena (far Left) and Indu at the Phoenix Zoo.

“PART OF CONSERVATION IS EDUCATING THE PUBLIC IN UNDERSTANDING HOW ELEPHANTS NEED TO MOVE AROUND IN THEIR NATURAL HABITAT...”

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harmed by the farmers, and the farmers can make a profit by selling the honey. Reverse Slash and Burn Effects: Slash and Burn is when habitats are cut down and the remaining undergrowth burned to create a farming site. The reverse of this is replanting old crops sites with trees to open the land back up to the elephants. This restoration of habitats has been supported in India since 2012. Culling: Culling is the act of hunting or killing animals in a herd as a means of population control. Since most African elephants live in national parks, there are some times of the year when food can be scarce and the elephants are literally eating them “out of house and home.” Jason Jacobs explained, “If populations are too large in one section of a habitat, starvation takes place and disease sets in. That’s when a cull takes place. It is usually the sick and injured that are culled.” There are efforts by zoos to rescue elephants in this situation, if possible. Reid Park Zoo in Tucson partnered with the San Diego Zoo to rescue five elephants from a herd that was going to be culled in Swaziland in 2012. Two of the five still call Reid Park Zoo their home. To learn more about elephant conservation and how you can contribute to conserving habitats for the African and Asian elephant, visit www.96elephants.org. or wcs.org/our-work/wildlife/elephants Lisa Racz is an award-winning journalist who has lived in Arizona since 1972. She hopes to inspire the public with her writings and strives to illuminate the minds of her readers. She is also fascinated with writing children’s books.

August 2017 | greenliving

GREEN LIFE

DID YOU KNOW?

For more green fun facts, visit greenlivingaz.com/ greenfunfacts

FUN GREEN FACTS Keep these fun green facts in mind as you or your children head back to school this August!

TAKE STOCK OF LAST YEAR’S LEFTOVERS

Start planning for the school year by going through last year’s supplies. A lot of them can be reused, which will help the environment and your pocketbook. Don’t throw away old pencils just because the erasers are gone — buy new erasers that slide onto the ends. Try repairing old folders rather than throwing them out. Which leads to our next fun green fact…

TAKE THE SCHOOL BUS

American school buses represent the largest form of public transportation, according to the American School Bus Council (ASBC). The ASBC’s website states that 480,000 school buses transport 25 million children to and from school, resulting in an annual savings of nearly three billion gallons of car fuel.

AVOID EXCESSIVE PACKAGING

If you do need to buy new supplies, avoid items that use excessive packaging. Stick to items that are packaged in recyclable materials, and buy in bulk when you can to reduce waste.

RECYCLE USED NOTEBOOKS AND FOLDERS

Arizona falls below the national recycling average; we send more recyclable waste to landfills than most other states. You can help stop this trend by reusing old notebooks and folders. If they are too damaged to be repaired and reused, be sure they make it into the blue bin!

BUY NEW SCHOOL CLOTHES SECOND HAND

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, rubber, leather and textiles account for more than nine percent of municipal solid waste in the U.S., and 15.1 million tons of textile waste was produced in 2013 So, before you head to the mall to buy the latest clothes for the upcoming school year, consider the impact this will have on the environment. Instead, start by looking in thrift stores like those operated by Buffalo Exchange, My Sister’s closet and Plato’s closet . These nonprofit organizations receive more clothing donations than they can sell. It might take you a bit longer to find the styles you seek, but you will be doing the world a great service by reducing textile waste. You might even come home with an incredible (and inexpensive) find.

20 greenliving | August 2017

PACK A REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE

Hydration is vital to brain function. Dehydration can affect short-term memory and recall from long-term memory, according to Psychology Today. So send your kids to school with all the right supplies, including a reusable stainless-steel water bottle they love and will readily recognize, so they can stay focused throughout the day.

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August 2017 | greenliving

PETS

HOW TO OPTIMIZE YOUR DOG’S BRAIN AND LIFE Dr. Allman-Scott with her dogs.

ver the last several years, dogs have become a favorite species of comparative behavior for psychologists. In recent research, dogs seem to solve social problems more similarly to human infants than many primates. While that is fascinating, this article will focus on what we can do to improve our dogs’ CIE ALLMAN-SCOTT PH.D. cognition and counteract some expected yet unwelcome signs of aging. Neurogenesis allows any brain to modify and develop, becoming the product of individual experiences and choices; cells that fire together wire together to improve cognitive function. There is much you can do to keep your dog mentally sharp and fight cognitive dysfunction with an antioxidant-rich diet and plenty of mental stimulation. Basically, there are three things we can do to improve the overall health of our best friends. Let’s take a look at exercise, nutrition and some more advanced learning and fun for our loving pets. By implementing some or all of these suggestions, you may actually see some instant results and possible breakthroughs for you and your dog, as you enjoy more of his youthful energy and vitality.

Exercise Simply walking your dog has tremendous benefits and improves the health of your dog’s brain measurably. Walking is a great stress-

22 greenliving | August 2017

BY CIE ALLMAN-SCOTT, PH.D.

reducing strategy and fitness combination for dogs and humans both. Six months of regular exercise results in increased brain volume. Focus, memory and prefrontal executive functions are enhanced by walking daily. Exercise balances neurotransmitters; your brain needs oxygen and glucose for protection of the neurotransmitter dopamine, the chemical that regulates feelings of “happiness.” All mammals have “pleasure centers” in their brains that are stimulated by dopamine. When a dog is active and playing—fetching a ball, for example—dopamine is released in the pleasure center and the dog is “happy.” I usually advise somewhat depressed human patients to exercise so they can experience more endorphins, which is a general term for all neurotransmitters that make us feel good. A daily one-mile walk reduces dementia risk by 50 percent; walking six to nine miles a week will reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s, improve spatial memory and enhance the ability to solve mazes. If this isn’t enough for your own motivation, ask your children to walk your dog. In a University of Illinois study, dog-walking children ages 9 and 10 achieved better focus and better executive functions such as problem solving. All in all, exercise enhances brain composition for you and your dog. The brain has the ability to reorganize itself by forming new connections between brain cells, known as neurons. This process, called neuroplasticity, allows us and our dogs to improve skills, knowledge and performance on tasks. It also inhibits actual shrinking of your brain, which I am certain you wish to avoid! The brain is a constantly changing organ; reading this article will actually create greenlivingaz.com

microscopically identifiable changes in your brain. Without any type of mental stimulation or skill challenge, neural pathways will dissipate. Your brain is definitely a “use it or lose it” organ.

Diet We all know that feeding our dogs irresponsibly is wrong, but perhaps a few facts will anchor more discipline for human owners. Animals that eat 35 percent fewer calories live 35 percent longer. Also, the rate of degenerative disease is slowed by caloric restriction. Pet nutritionists suggest eliminating cereal grains such as corn, corn gluten meal, ground corn, wheat gluten, wheat flour, or any flour, as it can cause inflammation and allergic responses in many dogs. Many humans have found that their weight and overall health is easier to manage if they eliminate gluten, so consider it for your pets as well. Avoiding flour and soy can improve allergic reactions and urinary tract infections. Other ingredients to steer clear of are meat and poultry byproducts, food colorings and dyes, Brewer’s rice, hulls, soybeans and of course sugar. We must remember that while we are omnivores, our dogs are carnivores; they require meat, poultry or fish. Dogs do not have the complex digestive systems humans have. They need to strike a healthy balance of protein, fiber and fats, especially omega-3 fatty acids such as flaxseed and fish oil. While it can be very healthy to add fruits and vegetables to your dog›s diet, some vegetables and fruits— including avocados, broccoli, mushrooms, grapes and raisins— should be completely avoided. It is wise to research such things before feeding new foods to your dog. Optimal nutrition benefits your dog›s body, mind and spirit.

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Fun and Learning Simple dog games like throwing the ball or Frisbee keep your dog fit and prevent atrophy of your dog’s brain and muscles. Brain games for dogs are becoming very popular, and it is becoming more common for dogs to attain a vocabulary of more than 1,000 words. Introduce games that require the dog to solve a puzzle to get the prize such as Kong toys, kibble balls and treat puzzle toys. Investing time in your dog can prolong his life and enrich both of your lives. It is certainly worth the love, intelligence, and beauty that comes back to us. Dr. Cie Allman-Scott is a Media Psychologist and lectures world-wide about the cognitive potential of the brain. Dr. Cie can be reached at cie@JetSetPHD.com or CieScott.com.

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August 2017 | greenliving

ENVIRONMENT

J.B. Shaw, ADEQ Recycling Coordinator at ERR in Prescott.

OUTREACH PROGRAM

BRINGS RESOURCES TO RURAL ARIZONA BY JILL BERNSTEIN

ver the past four years, a public-private partnership called the Rural Environmental Outreach Program has been raising awareness across Arizona of resources available to help rural communities fight blight and solve waste-diversion challenges. As partners in this program, representatives from Keep Arizona Beautiful, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality’s Recycling and Brownfields Assistance Programs and the Arizona Department of Transportation’s Adopt a Highway Volunteer Program have traveled to 30 cities in every corner of the state to provide informative overviews of resources, strategic planning and project development assistance. The Rural Environmental Outreach Program began with Environmental Resource Roadshows (ERRs), which are free sessions focused on bringing information to rural communities. The presentations are scheduled during the lunch hour, in easily

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accessible locations, to make it convenient for elected officials, city and county staffs, business leaders, local community groups and members of the public to attend. ERRs explain the benefits of joining the Keep Arizona Beautiful affiliate network, how to use the statewide litter hotline and how to adopt a stretch of highway to keep clean. Participants explore ideas and resources for developing effective, sustainable recycling programs and combatting food waste, including grants and other sources of funding to help communities put potentially contaminated properties back into productive use. A statewide survey of 36 communities revealed that the number one environmental concern citizens identified was illegal or “wildcat” dumping. The second most common issue was a lack of recycling resources. In response, ADEQ began developing a series of toolkits for communities to use, including its E-Waste Recycling Toolkit, and Keep Arizona Beautiful developed the Illegal Dumping Prevention Toolkit. While the toolkits were a good starting point when tackling the issue of illegal dumping, it was discovered that communities needed more help identifying and convening key stakeholders, facilitating thoughtful conversations, identifying specific challenges and planning greenlivingaz.com

Rural Outreach team - Jennie Curé (ADEQ), Michelle Fine (ADOT Adopt a Hwy), Patricia Powers-Zermeno (ADOT Adopt a Hwy), and J.B. Shaw (ADEQ) in Holbrook.

step-by-step approaches to create sustainable solutions. It’s one thing to get a site cleaned up; it’s a whole different challenge to prevent the problem from recurring. It requires education and outreach, and longterm waste-diversion solutions. In response to this need, Keep Arizona Beautiful developed the next level of its Environmental Outreach Partnership: Rural Environmental Action Planning, or REAP. Working with a local host, stakeholders from as many areas of the community as possible are brought together for an in-depth planning session to clarify the specific details of the local problem, identify existing resources, identify needed resources,

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create a step-by-step action plan with clear responsibilities and reconvene at regular intervals to keep the process moving forward. To date, the partnership has begun working with four communities through the REAP program: the Kayenta Township – Keep Kayenta Beautiful (on the Navajo Nation), the City of Safford, the San Carlos Apache reservation (Keep Apache Land Beautiful) and the White River Apache reservation. Initial action-planning sessions have been held to build step-by-step action plans for each community. The challenges of overcoming these issues are real, but the collective efforts of engaged citizens are making a difference. The reach of the REAP program will be expanded in 2018. If your community is interested in learning more about available resources, contact a member of the partnership to schedule an ERR in your town. Or, if you want to tackle a larger-waste diversion challenge in your community, ask how the REAP program might work for you. Environmental Outreach Partnership: Jill Bernstein, Keep Arizona Beautiful, executivedirector@kazb.org • 602-651-1227 J.B. Shaw, ADEQ Recycling Coordinator, shaw.joseph@azdeq.gov • 602-771-5613 Jennie Curé, ADEQ Brownfields Coordinator, cure.jennie@azdeq.gov • 602-771-2296 Jill Bernstein is the Executive Director of Keep Arizona Beautiful, a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering communities to take care of their environment through litter abatement, recycling and beautification. Read more environment articles at greenlivingaz.com/environment

August 2017 | greenliving

ENVIRONMENT

CLIMATE CHANGE SERIES:

YAVAPAI COUNTY BY DAVID A. SCHALLER

avapai County sits almost squarely in the geographic center of Arizona, where the Sonoran Desert north of Phoenix quickly transitions to the Mogollon Rim, the state’s southern gateway to the Colorado Plateau. Once a sleepy rural setting, the county grew by more than 50 percent per decade from 1980 to 2010, with more than 200,000 people now calling it DAVID A. SCHALLER home. The Verde River carves its way southeast through the county, supporting ranching and farming on its way to bringing the Phoenix area 40 percent of its surfacewater supply. The Verde’s 6,000-square-mile watershed is one of our state’s most beautiful, and efforts in the county aim to keep it that way even as population pressure, the lack of regulation, and a warming climate take a toll on the river. As in other areas of the state where fragile surface waters are under siege by the twin threats of development and drought, the Verde River’s scenic watershed has become its own worst enemy. It is being slowly diminished as those who flock to enjoy its beauty also want a share of its finite water. Neither does it help that most of the county has no water regulation at all, allowing anyone to pump as much groundwater as they want. While the county continues to struggle to create long-term legal protection for its waters, a new market-based solution is showing what private stakeholders can do in the absence of policy leadership. Just a year ago “Friends of Verde River Greenway” launched the Verde River Exchange, aiming to keep water flowing in the Verde and take pressure off aquifers in the watershed. Water buyers and sellers participating in the Exchange cooperate to promote sustainable economic development through collaboration with nonprofits, businesses and residents. During last year’s pilot program, a Cottonwood family decided not to irrigate its pasture for a year and were paid for unused water rights at market rate. Water credits for the 3 million gallons of river water saved were sold to Page Springs Cellars Vineyards and another local vineyard, allowing them to irrigate almost 10 acres of vineyards and

26 greenliving | August 2017

thus relieve additional pressure on the county’s aquifers. If the Verde is to remain free flowing, more innovative market solutions such as the Verde River Exchange will be needed. Threats to the county’s water security from climate change are playing out in slow motion, and can be missed in the course of daily life. The same is not true when climate disruption strikes with little or no warning, as happens in moments of extreme heat, flash flooding and wildfire. Yavapai County’s most tragic experience with climate chaos was the 2013 Yarnell fire south of Prescott, which claimed the lives of 19 firefighters. Reflecting painful lessons from the Yarnell tragedy, Yavapai County authorities are now being recognized for leadership in implementing hazardous-fuel mitigation projects, particularly in wildland-urban interface areas of the county. As the 2017 fire season set in, local emergency management officials wasted no time instituting a fire ban for all unincorporated areas of the county, effective June 1. Meanwhile, the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Service is helping locals remain on alert for flash flooding conditions, the flip side of wildfire impacts, where quick-onset storms can bring deadly debris flows down canyons and hillsides stripped by fire of their vegetative protection. While the words “climate change” are not often part of the public dialogue in Yavapai County, taking smart steps to keep a river flowing and mitigating threats from wildland fires are proper responses to an increasingly disruptive climate. Success in these efforts can help the county remain a popular destination no matter what the climate throws at it. For Green Living’s climate change series, each month we will focus on one of Arizona’s 15 counties and how climate change is affecting it specifically. Next month’s installment will focus on Yavapai County. David A. Schaller is a retired environmental scientist living in Tucson, where he writes on climate, water and energy security. Read more environment articles at greenlivingaz.com/environment

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here’s no question that Phoenix is hot – in more ways than one. Phoenix was ranked number 16 on this year’s Forbes ranking of America’s Fastest Growing Cities. Pretty hot, right? And when it comes to the thermometer, metro Phoenix is even hotter, blazing its way to the number three spot in the country’s hottest cities. It’s clear that urban growth and an increase ELAINA VERHOFF in temperatures go hand in hand. Yet while development and growth can be a very good thing, the addition of concrete and asphalt can send temperatures soaring. Extreme heat isn’t just hard to endure. It can also be dangerous. From 2006 to 2014, Maricopa County experienced 691 heatassociated deaths, with an average of 77 deaths per year. More than 1,500 people died from exposure to excessive natural heat in Arizona from 2000 to 2012. Thankfully, The Nature Conservancy, in conjunction with Central Arizona Conservation Alliance, the Arizona State University Urban Resilience to Extremes Sustainability Research Network, and the Maricopa County Department of Public Health, is doing something about it. In May, The Nature Conservancy received a grant for $124,534 from Vitalyst Health Foundation to support an urban conservation project called Nature’s Cooling Systems. The goal is to address extreme heat in urban communities, according to Maggie Messerschmidt, the program’s director. “We are selecting three neighborhoods from across the Valley that are suffering from extreme heat,” said Messerschmidt. “Working with urban planners and neighborhood residents, we will propose and scale solutions that could include landscape changes, the addition of green spaces, shade awnings, and tree plantings.” Messerschmidt says they are also looking at ways to manage storm water to minimize the amount of water needed to keep vegetation thriving, even during the extreme heat of summer. The Nature Conservancy, an organization that typically has worked in non-urban settings, established its Cities Program just a few years ago. “Phoenix is one of 20 cities where the Conservancy is working to demonstrate the role that nature plays in addressing the key challenges facing nature and people in urban settings,” said Messerschmidt. Over the next two years in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area,

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The Nature Conservancy will work with partners to integrate environmental planning efforts into county health policy around heat-mitigation planning. Jon Ford, director of communications for Vitalyst Health Foundation, says the foundation selected The Nature Conservancy to receive a 2017 Vitalyst Innovation Grant because of the unique way it is addressing the health of the community. “When people hear the word health, they often think of hospitals, doctors, healthy eating and exercise,” said Ford. “In reality, health depends on so many other factors. One of the major factors in determining health is what we call the ‘built environment.’” Ford explained that physical infrastructure varies widely across the Valley, with the heat-island effect being particularly intense in lower income neighborhoods. “Higher income areas often have green space and landscaping that, combined with their neighbors’, result in entire neighborhoods with fewer extremely hot days than high-risk areas,” said Ford. “The Nature Conservancy’s Nature’s Cooling Systems project will bring relief to some of the lower income neighborhoods suffering the most.” Elaina Verhoff is a Phoenix-based freelance writer and mother of two. She works at Gordon C. James Public Relations in Phoenix and blogs at funfindsformom.com. Follow her on Instagram @elainaverhoff. Read more environment articles at greenlivingaz.com/environment

August 2017 | greenliving

CONSCIOUSNESS

ADVENTURES IN CONSCIOUSNESS The unexamined life is not worth living. -Socrates BY KRISTI HALL

elcome to this new monthly column on living consciously. I am excited to take this journey with you. As I live and learn, I have determined that life is indeed a team sport, the world our classroom and every living being our teacher. My life has taken me on wild and rewarding, KRISTI HALL painful and confounding adventures from the corporate boardroom to silent retreats in the forest. I write to you as a 45-year-old woman always seeking (and sometimes, finding) my place and purpose in the world. Like you, I am keen to discover more meaning, fulfillment, love and peace and make the contribution I was surely designed to share. I hope you will read my words as a letter from a dear old friend and share in the victories and sorrows that are life. Whether you agree with my musings or not, the point is to consider the ideas, try them on and decide for yourself what rings true. In my estimation, to simply be in the discussion together is divine. I hesitated to share this first story because the topic is fear. As humans, our natural response to fear may be to duck, run and try to escape at any cost. But this is what makes fear a perfect topic. My good friend Mel was off to Austin for her granddaughter’s second birthday and at odds with what to do with her rescue dog, a little dappled dachshund, Frankie. Frankie appreciates only his new mom, and makes it a habit of barking and growling at every other person, animal or, sometimes, inanimate object. He gets entirely depressed when taken to the kennel and Mel was concerned about his well-being, so I offered to stay at her house and care for Frankie. I don’t know what scars were left in Frankie’s mind and heart before he was rescued by my friend, though I silently wished he could pull up a chair and share his stories with me. I reasoned if we could just have a heart-to-heart, he could be freed of his past traumas. But instead, he ran and hid underneath the bed when I arrived with my bags, ready to spend the week with him. I tried cooing to him in my most loving voice and assuring him he was a good boy and he was safe with me. When he would not leave his crate

28 greenliving | August 2017

for meals, I lay down by his side and tried to hand feed him his kibble. I brought him fresh bowls of cool water. I gazed deeply into his eyes. I delicately nudged him into the backyard so he could relieve himself. Frankie responded with downcast eyes. He ran like a bullet when I touched him. He barely made it to the back patio before peeing and sitting in his own urine, shaking. He hid under the car and cowered when I carefully lifted him to bring him back into the cool house. I was feeling so sad for dear Frankie, wondering what atrocities had caused his behavior. Here I was, open and loving and willing to work with him. If he had been willing, he could have been rambling in the park, chasing bunnies and squirrels, sleeping snuggled up next to me in bed, and accepting extra treats that I would not mention to his mom. But because of the pain of his past he was immobile, depressed, spending his days hiding in total fear. And then it hit me. How was I like Frankie? How much was I letting past hurts dictate my current reality? How was I hiding in fear instead of accepting the love and support all around me and frolicking through the fields? It is noteworthy to share that I am in the process of separating from my husband of 17 years and quite often feel so afraid that I am surprised I haven’t peed myself and sat in it. I’ve been working through it with a therapist, taking baby steps to move out of my home and create a new life for myself, but it’s felt like a slow and painful process and I must admit I often hide out in the pool of my north Phoenix home reading and isolating myself with not-so-optimistic thoughts. Perhaps it’s wise to say that I’ve needed the past few months to come to terms with the changes occurring in my life. Frankie was a gift; he showed me how much we lose when we’re stuck in fear and pain and blind to opportunities that surround us. By the end of the week Frankie improved. He sat next to me on the patio, keeping his distance, but closer, without shaking. I take this as a sign that we made gentle progress and thank him for showing me that I may move forward without letting my fear debilitate me. Kristi Hall is an author, speaker, and creator of Conscious Connections, a local community of 6,000 purpose-based business women. Join her community at consciousconnectionsglobal.com.

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ENERGY SECTOR

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ASK AN EXPERT: SHOULD I INSTALL

SOLAR ON MY ROOF AT HOME? BY LLOYD RAMSEY

f you read last month’s article you’ll know that before considering adding renewable sources such as solar, you should reduce the amount of energy you consume in your home. Reducing the amount of energy use in your home before you add renewable sources impacts you in a few ways:

LLOYD RAMSEY

• It reduces your annual cost of energy. • It reduces the amount of renewable energy you need to meet your ongoing needs. • It reduces the amount of money you need to purchase renewable sources like solar photovoltaic panels.

Assuming you’ve taken steps to reduce energy consumption, the next question most homeowners ask is, “How much renewable energy should I consider installing?” The average single-family home (2,800 square feet) consumes about 12,500 kWh per year. To completely offset that in the Phoenix area would require a photovoltaic array approximately 7.5 kW in size. Instead of completely offsetting your electrical load, begin with somewhere between one third and two thirds of your total electrical load. For the typical home, that would be between 2.5 kW and 5 kW. A 2.5 kW array will offset $500 of your annual electrical bill and a 5 kW array will offset $1,000. Keep in mind that unless you pay for the array upfront, you’ll need to pay a solar provider for the cost of the panels, associated equipment and installation. So until you retire that debt, you will not see a significant reduction in your electrical bill. If you can afford it, pay the cost to acquire and install all the equipment so that you may enjoy a federal tax credit for 30 percent of the total system cost. Be advised that these systems are not cheap -- installed cost currently runs about $4 per watt. For 2.5 kW to 5 kW systems, that equates to between $11,000 and $20,000. If you can’t afford to pay for the system up front, there are a variety of options that typically involve some form of leaseback. Do your homework and be sure you understand all conditions associated with a lease before you execute an agreement. Lloyd Ramsey has more than 25 years of professional experience implementing sustainable design strategies for new construction, modernizations, and adaptive-reuse. He is chairman of the USGBC Arizona Chapter and sits on the executive board of Discovery Triangle. Read more articles about energy at greenlivingaz.com/energy

greenlivingaz.com

THE LAURA INGRAHAM SHOW

THE SAVAGE NATION WITH MICHAEL SAVAGE

To advertise, host a show, or for more information: Call (602) 277-1100 or visit our website: www.1100kfnx.com August 2017 | greenliving

GREEN KIDS

ECO-CONSCIOUSNESS

IN JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT’S

BIZTOWN BY KATHERINE K. CECALA

here can Arizona youth experience working in an eco-conscious town while learning important work and life skills? Junior Achievement’s JA BizTown hosts 23,000 students each year who run a mini-economy for a day. As the community’s actual producers and consumers, the students are able to see a functioning economic world KATHERINE K. CECALA and their role in making the community a better place. Junior Achievement of Arizona (JAAZ) works to prepare young people to succeed in work and life. Its 9,500 volunteers each year provide critical skills and training in financial literacy, work readiness and citizenship to more than 80,000 K-12 students, most from low-income families. One of the experiential, hands-on programs is JA BizTown, a learning experience that teaches fourth- through sixth-grade students economic concepts, workplace skills, personal and business finances and good citizenship in a student-sized town built just for them. JA BizTown combines in-classroom learning with real-world application. During the town simulation, in addition to running businesses, students practice responsible citizenship by voting and paying taxes. By putting lessons into action, students become intimately familiar with economics and finances, how businesses work together and what it takes to have a healthy community. They become better prepared to assume their role in the practical world of work and responsible citizenship, as well as how to be economically and environmentally sustainable. Eco-consciousness and healthy living are promoted throughout JA BizTown. As part of good business practices, every business and the town itself promotes recycling and reuse. Marketing campaigns in the town tout the importance of clean air and water conservation. For example, a general contractor leads students through a pipe-building puzzle while demonstrating the importance of fixing leaky pipes and conserving water. Another shop promotes public transportation and bike riding and publicizes how to “Make More Clean Air.” Lime-green Prius cabs are a visible reminder of Discount Cab’s

30 greenliving | August 2017

Citizens of BizTown: These students take pride in their roles as the CEO and CFO of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Photo facebook.com/JAArizona

commitment to being “green.” Cab drivers transport business CEOs to their television interviews and talk with passengers about Discount Cab’s environmentally friendly fleet of fuel-efficient hybrid vehicles. Health clinics provide wellness exams, and businesses whose employees get wellness exams realize a reduction in their insurance costs. At the Tech Center, the Fitbit Engineer encourages students to increase their walking and track their steps. At Sprouts Farmers Market, a nutritionist leads a game of “Eat This, Not That” to educate customers about healthy food choices, and a farmer shares information about organic crops through a seed game. These students are our future. We need to prepare them to succeed in work and life, and to be responsible members of our community. In JA BizTown, hundreds of students every school day are gaining the knowledge and skills to succeed and to build healthy, eco-friendly communities. And they are having an incredible time doing it! For more information, visit www.jaaz.org Katherine K. Cecala is the president of Junior Achievement of Arizona. She can be reached at katherinc@jaaz.org or by calling 480-219-0216. Read more about greenkids at greenlivingaz.com/greenkids

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Celebr ate at Arizona Forward’s 37th Annual Environmental Excellence Awards Presented by SRP Spotlighting the best in sustainable design, technology, art, education and stewardship

SATURDAY, SEPT. 23, 2017 | WESTIN KIERLAND RESORT Environmental Sustainability Partners APS • City of Glendale • City of Mesa • City of Peoria City of Scottsdale • HDR • Republic Services • The NARBAH Institute Call (602) 240-2408 to reserve seating or register online at ArizonaForward.org • #AZFAwards

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August 2017 | greenliving

EDUCATION

Photo courtesy of Grabbagreen.

Photo courtesy of the Arizona Charter Academy.

GREEN EDUCATION

FOR THE BACK-TO-SCHOOL SEASON

BY MICHELLE TALSMA EVERSON

I MICHELLE TALSMA EVERSON

t’s officially back-to-school season, and while our kids hit the books to learn reading, writing and arithmetic, it’s equally as important to teach them eco-friendly practices. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite green tips, projects and programs for kids.

friendly programing. The restaurant is promoting both its healthy kids menu for the new school year and charity partner Action for Healthy Kids. Grabbagreen Little Readers Club promotes healthy eating choices and encourages reading, according to spokesperson Morgan Vanderwall. “Children are rewarded with a free youth smoothie when reading a book and presenting the coupon at a participating Grabbagreen location.”

Gardening & Outdoor Learning

Arizona Farm to School Program

One of the best ways to incorporate Mother Nature into the classroom is to step outside of the school’s four walls. Schools across the state have a variety of gardening programs large and small that often are woven into classroom curriculum. One example is an organic garden at Arizona Charter Academy in Surprise, where a sixth grade science class built a sustainable garden on campus this past spring and will begin fully utilizing it this fall. According to the school, middle school science teacher Michael Parham was granted $1,400 through the APS and Phoenix Suns STEM mini-grant program to provide the tools he needed for a hands-on project. Parham said he applied for the grant because a project like this allows his students to grasp so many concepts, from the engineering of the garden beds to studying the science and biology behind the plants and vegetables they will grow. “I enjoy each day I get to work with my students and this garden project has really brought out the best in a lot of them,” said Parham. “It has been so enjoyable to witness their excitement when given the opportunity to not only expand their knowledge of math, engineering and science, but really put it to work with their hands and see a project to completion. They are all very excited to see the fruits of their labor.”

After School Snacks & Healthy Youth Programs With a mission to “lead the charge in making fast food healthy,” Arizonabased Grabbagreen is an ideal spot for after school snacks and youth-

32 greenliving | August 2017

“Arizona Farm to School is a growing movement to ensure students have access to fresh and healthy Arizona grown food,” according to the program’s website, www.farmtoschool.org. If a school wants to start a garden or purchase locally grown food, Arizona Farm to School Program is the go-to place for resources. The Dairy Council of Arizona helps with the state’s Farm to School program through Fuel Up to Play 60, the largest in-school health and wellness program in the country, said Breann Bierman, director of communications for the Dairy Council of Arizona. The Arizona Farm to School Program, which is part of the Arizona Department of Education, also works with local eco-friendly organizations like the Arizona Farm Bureau, University of Arizona College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Cooperative Extension, FoodCorps Arizona and Local First Arizona Foundation. Think Green When Shopping for Back-to-School Supplies When shopping for school gear, green experts suggest that parents model ecofriendly shopping habits. To do so, support brands that have eco-friendly products and consider reusing backpacks and lunchboxes that are still in good condition. Michelle Talsma Everson is a freelance writer, editor, public relations consultant and mom based in Phoenix. With degrees in both journalism and public relations from Northern Arizona University, she writes for several Valley publications. Find out more at www.mteverson.com.

greenlivingaz.com

CROWDFUNDING

TAKING ADVANTAGE OF

EQUITY CROWDFUNDING T BY AARON FERNANDO

hough many to claim to have pioneered the model of crowdfunding, on a small scale it has always been around. Crowdfunding is a form of finance where a business pre-sells its own goods or services so that it can acquire the required cash and capital to produce those goods and services.

AARON FERNANDO

Rewards-Based Crowdfunding

People have been crowdfunding through informal social agreements, pre-sales of gift certificates and other methods for ages, but the digital form of crowdfunding emerged in the late 1990s and grew into popularity by the late 2000s through platforms like Kickstarter. These platforms allowed companies, organizations and even individuals to offer future rewards—their own goods and services—to anyone who funds their projects. Crowdfunding democratized finance by enabling anyone to fund and fuel the businesses and efforts that they believed in. But in this “traditional” form of crowdfunding (known as rewards-based crowdfunding), only future sales of the organization’s products were offered. Recently however, there has been an uptick in a model called equity crowdfunding—instead of goods and services, a person gets actual equity in the company. It’s more like investing in shares in a company listed on a stock exchange, except for much smaller companies.

Equity Crowdfunding In April 2012, the JOBS (Jumpstart Our Business Startups) Act was signed into law. A section of the bill allowed small firms to publicize their fundraising campaigns and engage in equity crowdfunding without being subjected to SEC regulation. This deregulated finance for small- and medium-sized businesses so that equity could be offered to small-scale investors. Beyond that, the JOBS Act made investing more accessible to less wealthy and non-accredited investors. Accredited investors are mostly greenlivingaz.com

banks, insurance companies and the very wealthy; non-accredited investors were previously barred from these types of investments ostensibly because they may not understand the risks of investing. Yet, as the most recent financial crisis demonstrated, accredited investors are not always better informed. Where platforms like Kickstarter made traditional crowdfunding easier by maintaining a well-established website and providing standards and templates for crowdfunding, similar services are offered for equity crowdfunding. Fundable, the first equity crowdfunding platform (which also does rewards-based crowdfunding campaigns), launched shortly after the JOBS Act passed. Among others, platforms like Fundable enable smaller and often local businesses to raise startup money and funds for expansion by advertising their fundraising campaigns. Relevant to Arizona which has a strong real estate industry, there are crowdfunding platforms like Fundrise, RealityMogul and Lending Club specialize in real estate.

Local Opportunities In 2016, NewSleep.com, an online mattress retailer, and the Ten Fifty-Five Brewing Company in Tucson were two of the first Arizona businesses to take advantage of the new equity crowdfunding laws. Only a few Arizona-based businesses have used this novel form of fundraising, but there are plenty of opportunities. Rather than borrow money and get into debt, businesses are now capable of paying a portion of their future growth back into their communities, using the new tool of equity crowdfunding. Aaron Fernando is freelance writer with a passion for working on projects that strengthen communities and regions in innovative ways. He writes about local movements, new economy initiatives, and behavioral economics. Aaron grew up in the Valley, lives in Upstate New York, and can be reached at aarondfernando@gmail.com. Read more business articles at greenlivingaz.com/business

August 2017 | greenliving

URBAN DESIGN

OPTIMA KIERLAND BY RACHAEL VARGAS

ith the feel of a five-star hotel, Optima Kierland apartments offer luxury living with a sustainable twist. David Hovey Sr. founded Optima Inc. in 1978. The company is known for its “upscale hanging garden style multifamily developments” in Scottsdale, Phoenix, Chicago and New Zealand, as well as rooftop gardens and vertical landscaping. The company designs, develops and constructs all of its properties. Optima works with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified architects, which means its architects are certified by the most widely used green building rating system in the world. The company is a forerunner in the green industry; “green thinking” and sustainability have informed its projects since the 1980s. The company has two locations in Old Town Scottsdale: Camelview and Sonoran Village. The newest project, Optima Kierland, is a series of four towers zoned to be either apartments or condominiums. Right now, the first completed leasing tower has 10 stories and 155 units, and the condos will be one- to five-bedroom homes ranging in size from 720 to 4,550 square feet, with flexibility for combining units for larger homes. Keeping the business in the family, David Hovey Jr., president of Optima and son of David Hovey Sr., is the lead architect on the project. Hovey Jr. graduated from Cornell University in 2001 and moved to Scottsdale to get his master’s degree in architecture. He

34 greenliving | August 2017

started with the family business as a superintendent and project manager. Optima Kierland is the first International Green Construction Code (IGCC) project for the city of Phoenix. (Sonoran Village was the pilot project for the IGCC in Scottsdale.) The IGCC is the first model code to include a sustainability measure for an entire construction project site. The Camelview location is a certified LEED building, but they chose to use IGCC for Kierland because, “with the IGCC, we were able to go back and forth during the permit process and pick what we wanted,” said Hovey Jr. Optima Kierland will be constructed in two phases. “In Phase I, Optima Kierland includes a 12-story condominium tower with up to 220 residences, and a 10-story boutique leasing tower with 155 residences. Phase II is the 10-story apartment building,” said Peterson. The towers are 90 feet away from each other to offer a courtyard aesthetic to homeowners. The location of Optima Kierland is perfect for people with active lifestyles. The complex is located within walking distance of Kierland Commons and the Scottsdale Quarter. and has a pedestrian-friendly open plan that is pleasant to look at when driving by. Aside from how pedestrian friendly the complex is, Optima Kierland’s strongest selling points are its amenities and construction typology, as the building is made of concrete rather than wood frame. The building offers a fully equipped gym, an area for dogs, a yoga greenlivingaz.com

studio (and teacher), an indoor basketball court, a personal training, a business center, an in-house masseuse, multiple saunas and a rooftop pool, to name a few. “Unlike our Camelview project and our Sonoran Village project, we have no residential units at grade level. We have amenities at grade level and amenities at roof level,” said Hovey Jr. One of the most striking features is the landscaping; there 5.5 acres of landscaping on a 9.5-acre site. Optima, Inc. is known for its prefabricated planter boxes, which first were used at Sonoran Village. With this second generation of planter boxes, “plants fall down and create incredible privacy as well as sun control,” said Hovey Jr. “People really love it because as these taller buildings are in visual range, you feel comfortable separation of the village [with the plants providing privacy].”

The plant boxes are not just easy on the eye; they function to lower the ambient temperature of the units. Each box is self-contained and hangs slightly over the edge of the building to create a shadow line and add to the aesthetic. First, the box is bolted into the concrete, then fertilizer and water lines come up through the walls and into the boxes to control how much each box is getting. The design came from Dr. Chris Martin of Arizona State University, who worked on 12 test beds in Glendale, Arizona. “We studied what plants would be the best for certain water conditions and certain sun conditions,” said Hovey Jr. Light meters determined which plants worked best at each part of the building. Many of the plants that ended up in the boxes were native to Arizona or elsewhere in the Southwest. Sustainable building was a priority for Optima. The complex is made of technologically advanced materials that extend the building’s lifespan and ensure enduring quality. ! Originally from Portland, OR, Rachael Vargas is a senior studying journalism at the University of Arizona and a member of Sigma Kappa Sorority. She enjoys trying new restaurants and loves music.

greenlivingaz.com

August 2017 | greenliving

GREEN THUMB

MASTER GARDNER MONTHLY

COMPOST…A GARDENER’S WAY OF LIFE

By Bonnie Newhoff

s a serious and somewhat compulsive composter for the past 12 years, I find that the process of composting is no longer a conscious effort, but has become a way of life. Compulsive, I say? Perhaps when one takes home vegetable scraps from friends’ homes (“You’re going to throw that away?”) and has been known to ambush neighborhood BONNIE NEWHOFF landscapers and city maintenance workers for bags of leaves or grass clippings, one could be labeled “obsessed.” Compost – lovely, loamy, delicious-smelling, rich, dark, the kind you want to take a bath in – is the reward for my efforts, and I find it absolutely invaluable. The reasons for composting are many. There is no better amendment to our Arizona soils, which range from rocky and calicheridden to sandy and clay-like. Minerals and nutrients surprisingly abound, but organic material is almost non-existent. Improving the soil web, compost brings a whole universe of micro-organisms as well as nutrients, which help to lighten the soil, improve drainage and hold in moisture. Bacteria and fungi as well as a host of those organisms help form a symbiotic relationship with plant roots to help them better take in moisture and nutrients, as well as give them resistance to disease and pests. Forty percent of food produced in the U.S.

36 greenliving | August 2017

goes into landfills, where it rots and produces methane gas, a large contributor to climate change. With endless information and instructions on how to compost available on the internet, in books and in classes like the ones I give, why isn’t EVERYONE composting? I’d like to dispel some of the myths and problems surrounding the practice of composting, as well as excuses and concerns expressed by my students, the general public and even experienced gardeners. Concerns: 1. Compost smells. 2. It draws flies and other critters. 3. My neighbors will hate me (see concern #1). 4. My HOA won’t allow it. 5. It’s too difficult. I fail every time I try! 6. I don’t have enough carbon materials because I have desert landscaping. My Response: 1. Odor? A well-tended compost pile should not smell. When mixed with a carbon source, decaying vegetable matter, unlike protein, creates little odor. Any offending smell can be covered up by adding carbon materials. If it is a little pungent, bury it. greenlivingaz.com

2. Flies and critters? See above. Food scraps should be made of vegetables only! Scraps that flies find especially delicious, like that rotted Halloween pumpkin, should be buried, as flies are surface eaters and will not dive for food. As for other insects, they are all part of a natural and healthy environment, a sign of a thriving and vigorous microcosm of your own. 3. Unhappy neighbors? With the absence of odor and no increase of vermin, it is doubtful that your neighbors will notice other than to compliment you on your flourishing garden. 4. The dreaded HOA. Manufactured composters abound with compact and attractive options available. Wicker anyone? A discreet and non-obtrusive box placed next to a garden area or a patio will most likely go unnoticed. 5. Difficult? Composting is a natural phenomenon. It happens with or without your help. The breaking down of organic material by bacteria, fungi and insects is a necessary part of the ecosystem. I’m convinced that those who overthink it are the most likely to fail. There is no mistake that cannot be corrected – I know; I have made them all. Stress not. Purchase a composting thermometer, which lets you know how you are doing. A temperature above 100 degrees is average, and 140-160 degrees is what you should aim for. Too cool? Add nitrogen via green, fresh stuff. Too wet? Add some dry carbon material. Too dry? Add water and cover with a tarp if necessary to hold in moisture. Above all turn, turn, turn. The organisms in your compost need oxygen, water and a food source (your garbage) to thrive. 6. No carbon (dry, brown) materials? Finding carbon materials can be challenging for some Arizona residents because leaves from deciduous trees are not always available. Be shameless! Ask your neighbors or hold up a neighborhood landscaper’s truck. Landscapers are more than happy to get rid of bagged materials. Stockpile purloined bags of leaves to be used when needed or purchase a bale of straw from a feed store. Shredded paper from the office or home is a great source of carbon, as are shredded newspapers and paper bags. There is much I have learned from my many years of composting. It is easy, ecologically sound, highly gratifying and the benefits to my garden are boundless. It is also highly forgiving when neglected, with mistakes easily corrected. I have often compared it to cooking without a recipe. Once you know the principle and chemistry, and have the right ingredients, anything goes. I’ve tried to tone down my fanaticism – I no longer subject non-gardener dinner guests to raptures about my steaming piles or compare the gratification of my finished product to that of giving birth. I still find it miraculous, though, every time I mix that luscious dark loam into my poor, rocky, clay soil. Bonnie Newhoff, an expert in composting, has been a Master Gardener since 2003. She has experience with composting in various climates and has been a local organic vegetable gardener for over 30 years. Newhoff teaches the public about composting through articles and classes in a method that caters to both novice and experienced gardeners. Find more green thumb articles at greenlivingaz.com/greenthumb

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August 2017 | greenliving

RECIPES

PINTO BEAN BOWL

TURMERIC CILANTRO RICE WITH

4-SEED

COCONUT MAPLE GRANOLA AVOID THE EXCESS SUGAR and chemical preservatives of store-bought granola and opt for this simple, wholesome recipe instead. Filled with chia seeds, almonds and other superfoods, this granola provides an array of essential nutrients. The final product is perfect for a quick snack, breakfast cereal, or even as a layer in a delicious plant-based parfait! Recipe and images provided by teen chef Haile Thomas from Tucson, Arizona. Visit her website, hailevthomas.com, to learn more about her mission to inspire other young people to pursue a healthier lifestyle through nutrition education and cooking.

INGREDIENTS:

CHANGE UP YOUR KIDS’ school lunches with this Pinto Bean Bowl, a unique recipe that balances intriguing taste with rich health benefits. When prepared in large quantities, the recipe yields enough for multiple meals, easing the burden of preparing daily lunches.

• 1 cup gluten-free rolled oats

sunflower seeds

• 1 cup slivered and crushed almonds

• 2 Tbsp chia seeds

• 1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes

• 1 tsp Himalayan sea salt

• 1/2 cup raw unsalted pumpkin seeds

• 2 Tbsp melted coconut oil

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/4 cup maple syrup

FOR RICE: • 2 cups rice

• 1/2 cup raw unsalted

• 3 Tbsp sesame seeds

• 1 tsp maple extract • 1 tsp vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS: 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 2. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. 3. In a large bowl, combine oats, coconut flakes, almonds, coconut flakes, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, chia seeds, sesame seeds and sea salt. 4. In a small bowl, combine coconut oil, maple syrup, maple extract and vanilla extract. 5. Pour liquid mixture over oat, nut and seed mixture, and incorporate thoroughly with hands or a spoon. 6. Spread granola evenly in one layer on the prepared baking sheet. 7. Optional: drizzle 1-2 tablespoons extra maple syrup over granola for added sweetness. 8. Pop into the oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until golden brown. 9. Cool for 30 minutes before serving.

38 greenliving | August 2017

Recipe and images provided by teen chef Haile Thomas

• Water (according to rice package instructions)

FOR BOWL: • 2 cans pinto beans, drained and rinsed • 1 Tbsp cumin

• Pepper, to taste • 1 cup cherry tomatoes

• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder

• 1 Tbsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 Tbsp oregano

• 1/2 cup diced red onion

• 1/2-1 cup cilantro

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 avocado, sliced

DIRECTIONS: 1. Prepare rice according to package instructions. 2. When rice boils, add turmeric powder and salt, and resume cooking as normal. 3. When rice is cooked, stir in cilantro and set aside. 4. Over medium-high heat, warm pinto beans in a medium-sized pan and sauté for 2-3 minutes. 5. Stir in cumin, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. 6. Cook for 3 more minutes. 7. Remove from heat and cool partially. 8. In a serving container of choice, add a layer of turmeric rice, then a layer of pinto beans. 9. Top with cherry tomatoes, red onion and avocado. greenlivingaz.com

CARROT CAKE

ENERGY BITES GET A BOOST OF ENERGY with these delicious but healthy carrot cake bites! Perfect for an on-the-go breakfast or a midday snack, these treats pack in vital nutrients while tasting like a decadent dessert. One batch makes roughly 14 bites, so you won’t have to worry about running out during a hectic school week. Recipe courtesy of HonorHealth Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center

INGREDIENTS: • 3 large Medjool dates, pitted • 4 dried apricots • 2 Tbsps unsweetened applesauce • 2 Tbsps pure maple syrup • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract • 1 cup rolled oats • 1/4 cup coconut flour • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon • 1/8 tsp ground cardamom • 1/8 tsp ground ginger • 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg • 1 cup shredded carrots • Unsweetened shredded coconut, for garnish DIRECTIONS: 1. Into the bowl of a food processor or high-speed blender, add dates, apricots, applesauce, maple syrup and vanilla, processing until dates and apricots are broken down into smaller pieces and ingredients are well- combined. 2. Add oats, coconut flour, spices and shredded carrots, continuing to process until ingredients are well-combined and mixture sticks together easily. 3. Add a generous amount of shredded coconut to a shallow bowl. Using a heaping tablespoon, roll dough between your hands before rolling in coconut to coat. Repeat with remaining dough. 4. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freeze. greenlivingaz.com

HAPPY

CHICKPEA SALAD SANDWICH

SWAP OUT A BORING, heavy peanut butter and jelly sandwich in your kid’s lunchbox for this refreshing, healthy chickpea salad sandwich. The recipe makes enough mixture for multiple meals and can be served with rice or vegetables. With its quick preparation and delicious taste, this sandwich is a win for both parents and kids! Recipe and images provided by teen chef Haile Thomas

INGREDIENTS: • 2 cups canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed

• 3-4 cloves garlic, diced

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise

• 2 stalks scallions, chopped

• 1/4 cup yellow mustard

• 1/2 cup pickles, diced

• 2 tsp paprika

• 3 stalks celery, peeled and diced

• Sea salt, to taste

• Bread of your choice

• 1 Tbsp thyme, chopped

• Cucumber slices

• 1/2 cup parsley, finely chopped

• Butter lettuce

• 1/2 cup red onion, diced

• Beef tomatoes

DIRECTIONS: 1. In a medium-sized bowl, partially smash chickpeas with a fork or potato masher. 2. Add all prepped ingredients, excluding cucumber, lettuce and tomatoes, to mashed chickpeas and stir thoroughly to combine. 3. Place mixture into fridge for 5-10 minutes to allow flavors to meld and develop. 4. Toast bread and top with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and chickpea mixture to complete your delicious plant-based lunch.

For more recipes, visit greenlivingaz.com/ recipes August 2017 | greenliving

Bernie and Colleen Wahl and Michelle Coffey.

July launch party

George Brooks is happy to show his article in the July issue of Green Living magazine.

Thank you to everyone who attended our July issue launch party at Enterprise Bank in Phoenix. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss our upcoming launch party! Thursday, August 17th at Crossroads at Mingus in Clarkdale. Find more information and RSVP at greenlivingaz.com/events/august-issue-launch-party

A big shout-out to our sponsors from the party: Host & Title Sponsor Ladies having fun.

Booth Sponsors

Team at PSA Art Awakenings.

Michael Neary, Michelle DeBlasi, Tom Waite and Chris Davey.

40 greenliving | August 2017

Dorie Morales and Jim Clifford.

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EVENTS

GREEN SCENES

AUGUST CALENDAR OF EVENTS

8/1-26 Biomimicry

8/1-31 The National Equine Visions Art Show

8/23 Film Screening: “FELLED”

CENTRAL ARIZONA

August 1-26

BIOMIMICRY: NATURE-INSPIRED DESIGN Tempe Center for the Arts 700 W. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe With a selection of exceptional pieces by local artists, this new exhibition at The Gallery at Tempe Center for the Arts focuses on how nature is interpreted in design and how artists feature nature in their work. Additionally, visitors will be able to witness three of the featured artists in temporary workspaces as they create pieces inspired by the desert environment. The free exhibit follows the gallery’s normal hours.

August 1-31

THE NATIONAL EQUINE VISIONS ART SHOW 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. WHAM Community Art Center 16560 N. Dysart Rd., Surprise Featuring both local and national artists with horses as their inspiration, this unique art show, open Tuesday through Saturday, recognizes the often-overlooked beauty of equestrian animals. Twenty-five percent of the revenue from the 90 paintings on display will be donated to the Saving Grace Arizona Equine Rescue. Admission is free.

AUGUST 10TH World Lion Day

42 greenliving | August 2017

August 12

SCHOOL OF SUSTAINABILITY COMMUNITY GARDEN MAINTENANCE & HARVEST 8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. Escalante Community Garden 2150 E. Orange St., Tempe A monthly event hosted by ASU’s School of Sustainability, the Community Garden Harvest Day is a great way for gardeners to volunteer their services for a charitable cause. The event supports the Tempe Community Action Agency Food Pantry, an organization that receives a portion of the garden’s harvested produce. Volunteers will be provided with a light breakfast and a reusable net produce bag made by women in El Salvador. Register at www. sustainability.asu.edu/events/rsvp/sosvolunteer-project-august12.

August 23

FILM SCREENING: “FELLED”

6:30 p.m. Harkins Valley Art Theater 509 S. Mill Ave., Tempe Exploring themes of waste and craftsmanship, the locally produced film “Felled” chronicles the journey of a pine tree, destined for the landfill, found by a pair of woodworkers that repurposed the tree into a dinner table. A discussion following the screening will be held, featuring discussion with filmmakers and tree experts. Tickets and parking are free with validation at the concession stand.

August 26

PHOENIX CENTER FOR THE ARTS OPEN HOUSE 2017 Phoenix Center for the Arts Downtown Campus 1202 N. 3rd St., Phoenix Bring the whole family out for a fun day of free art workshops on dance, theater, mosaics, glass, creative writing, photography and jewelry making. Additionally, attendants of the open house can view regular classes being held at the center. Complimentary snacks and refreshments will be provided.

August 27

EDIBLE-MEDICINAL DESERT PLANTS WALK 8:00 a.m. Boyce Thompson Arboretum 37615 U.S. Highway 60, Superior From prickly-pear cacti to jojobas, Arizona’s desert landscape is filled with an incredible variety of native plants with effective medicinal and nutritional properties. Learn more about these species on a one-hour stroll along the Curandero Trail guided by Jim Shepherd, a local plant expert. Ticket prices range from $5.00 to $12.50.

AUGUST 12TH

World Elephant Day

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EVENTS

8/5 Herbs from Garden to Table

8/24-27 Camp Unplugged

8/26 4th Annual Sedona Bike & Brew

NORTHERN ARIZONA

August 5

August 24-27

August 26

HERBS FROM GARDEN TO TABLE

CAMP UNPLUGG’D: PRESCOTT

4TH ANNUAL SEDONA BIKE & BREW

9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Watters Garden Center 1815 Iron Springs Rd., Prescott Learn from special instructor Deborah Maranville, chef and owner of Natural Healing Garden, about how to take advantage of summer in your herb garden. With her expertise in health-centered recipes that incorporate local, organic ingredients, Maranville will demonstrate cooking techniques to improve your cooking with homegrown herbs.

Camp Stein 3400 Camp Pearlstein Rd., Prescott Turn off the world that clamors for your attention and focus on the peace and serenity of the natural world. Nourish your mind, body and soul with healthy cuisine, fun activities and friendly people. Tickets for the full 3-day 2-night camp cost $595.00. Visit campunpluggd.com for more information on this revitalizing event.

7:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Sedona Golf Resort 35 Ridge Trail Dr., Sedona In this unique high-energy event, mountain bikers of all ages and skill levels are invited to ride on the resort’s six-mile track with over 18 golf course holes and 80 acres of fairways. Participants can camp at the Chavez Creek Campsite on Oak Creek or stay at the Hilton Sedona. Check out sedonabikebrew.com for the event’s full itinerary. Prices vary depending on your division so be sure to register soon!

SOUTHERN ARIZONA

August 12

August 21

August 26

RETURN OF THE MERMAIDS 2017

TUCSON’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

NIGHT WINGS

4th Ave., Tucson Celebrate Tucson’s summer monsoon season at the Return of the Mermaids festival. Visitors and Tucson locals dress up like mermaids and gather downtown to sing and dance in a fun parade. Explore the historic 4th Avenue in downtown Tucson, and bring the kids out for the under-the-sea parade, ending at 9 p.m.

5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Presidio San Agustin del Tucson Museum 196 N. Court Ave., Tucson Happy 241st Birthday, Tucson! Presented by the Tucson-Pima County Historical Commission and the Presidio San Agustin Museum, the celebration will feature various aspects of Tucson’s rich centuryold history. The event will include a display and presentation of all of the flags that have flown over the city. There will be food samples featuring various historical delicacies from the Sonoran Desert in honor of Tucson’s recent recognition as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy.

5:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Pima Air & Space Museum 6000 E. Valencia Rd., Tucson Explore one of the world’s largest aerospace museums, open late for this aerospace event. Enjoy tram rides until sundown, a walking tour of indoor hangars, and interactive aviation-themed activities for kids in all hangars. Adults tickets are $10.00, while kids 12-and-under are free. Admission closes at 8:00 p.m. For more information, contact the museum at 520574-0462, or visit www.pimaair.org/newsevents/event/416-night-wings.

AUGUST 19TH

World Orangutan Day

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August 2017 | greenliving

GREEN PAGES

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Children’s Learning and Play Festival.......25

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CHAMPIONS

GREEN C HAM PIO N S Each month in our Green Champions section, we feature three people – one each in northern, central, and southern Arizona – who are making strides in the green community. In our August issue, we’re celebrating three individuals who educate their students on sustainability in various fields. NORTHERN: ABE SPRINGER Professor of Hydrogeology, Northern Arizona University

Abe Springer says three afflictions face the American Southwest: climate change, water quality and population. As a professor at NAU, Springer and his students research site-specific solutions for these problems. With a focus on groundwater and natural-water springs, he has developed and employed a process of analyzing and restoring water sources in Arizona to sustainable health levels. To ensure his students have the capacity to create sustainable solutions, Springer exposes them to both natural and built environments near the studied areas. For example, his students have operated research projects at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, focusing on its groundwater quality, and at the Verde River, assessing the impact of irrigation and pumping. This teaching method significantly improves students’ ability to analyze environmental concerns and successfully develop potential solutions. Beyond his work at NAU, Springer also serves as a technical advisor to the Verde Valley, Coconino Plateau and Yavapai watershed groups, which represent rural regions of Arizona in the creation of watermanagement policies. NAU.EDU

CENTRAL: DARREN PETRUCCI Professor of Environmental Architecture and Urban Design, Arizona State University Design School

Darren Petrucci dedicates his professional work to developing sustainable urban designs to improve the environmental footprint in city settings. As leader of a student/faculty team from ASU, Petrucci recently oversaw a collaborative project with a Hawaiian sustainability network to discover solutions for environmental problems facing islands internationally. The goal of the project was to develop methods for regional communities to improve resource allocation and sustainability education on islands. The project achieved overwhelming success, gaining national attention for receiving the 2017 American Society of Landscape Architects’ Award for Excellence in Landscape Architecture. Before teaching at the university, Petrucci founded two companies, A-I-R Inc. and R-I-A Inc., each of which focuses on establishing local sustainable architecture and developing eco-concious infrastructure design. Additionally, his continued membership with the Como Innovation Summit has helped the group of global design innovators to advance sustainable architecture. ASU.EDU

SOUTHERN: GEORGE RUYLE Professor of Range Management, University of Arizona College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

George Ruyle’s passion for agriculture has grown exponentially since his adolescence in Illinois, where he was immersed in the local farming and ranching community. Since 1983, Ruyle has taught agriculture sciences at the University of Arizona, where he previously studied. Beyond teaching the science of ranching, he has authored more than 50 articles and range guides that address policy issues such as cattle nutrition, reproduction safety and genetics. The primary goal of his writing is to promote ranching in a traditional sense and to expose incidents of inhumane, destructive practices in industrial agriculture. Considering that 70 percent of Arizona is rangeland, Ruyle is concerned that only 12 percent is privately held. The remaining land is restricted from roaming cattle and therefore could be occupied by environmentally degrading operations. This spatial disparity is at the center of Ruyle’s research, through which he hopes to return sustainable practices — and Arizona land — to ranchers. As part of this goal, Ruyle helps 2,500 ranching families in Arizona plan and manage their operations effectively in an eco-conscious manner. ARIZONA.EDU

Want to nominate someone as a Green Champion? Email your candidate to editor@greenlivingaz.com! 46 greenliving | August 2017

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HE’S GREEN JOHN BURKHART

SHE’S GREEN

HEALTHY KIDS’ SNACKS Product reviews by our eco-conscious couple John and Jennifer Burkhart

JENNIFER BURKHART

They say variety is the spice of life. Why not “spice” up your kid’s lunch box with some new snacks for the new school year? We’ve got the scoop on five quick and easy healthy snacks that are ideal for your wee one’s lunch, snack or breakfast-on-thego. But of course, if you want to nom on these too, no judgment here!

CLIF KID | Z BAR PROTEIN: CHOCOLATE MINT HE SAID: Good luck keeping these on your pantry shelves. The boys and I annihilated this box of protein snack bars in two days. They had a delicious chocolate flavor with a crispy, crunchy, chewy texture that was perfect. I’m pretty sure our 5-year-old thinks these are candy.

SHE SAID: Any kid (or adult for that matter) who tries these will be in whole-grain-protein-non-GMO-gluten-free-chocolate-mint heaven, despite the fact that it looks like a bar of garden soil dipped in chocolate. It’s the perfect size for kids, but I wanted to eat two (okay, three).

He gave it:

She gave it:

SANTA CRUZ ORGANIC | CINNAMON APPLE SAUCE HE SAID: Santa Cruz’s plain apple sauce is delicious, but this cinnamon version has a distinct bitter flavor that reminds me of the time I wasn’t paying attention and ate the core and seeds of the apple. Not sure if it’s the cinnamon or the apples that are to blame, but if your kids refuse to eat this, you’ll know why.

SHE SAID: Who doesn’t love applesauce in their lunch box? Our kids could make a meal of it. I’m a purist, and prefer plain sauce, but this was not bad. There’s a bitter flavor in there that’s distracting, though. Also, six plastic cups per package is sure convenient, but it’s definitely not eco friendly. Sometimes as a busy parent, you have to pick your battles.

He gave it:

She gave it:

SIMPLE TRUTH ORGANIC | CHEDDAR KANGAROOS SNACK CRACKERS HE SAID: The cheddar flavor in this snack is 10 times better than the fish-shaped competition. I have no doubt that they use top-shelf cheddar cheese in this recipe. The crackers have a great crunch, and they’re fully organic and GMO free. Goodbye, Goldfish. He gave it:

SHE SAID: Growing up, I ate Cheez-Its and Goldfish, so the bar is set pretty high when it comes to flavor. There are lots of fun cracker shapes out there, but this is the first kangaroo I’ve seen. Cute and perfect for little hands with that familiar crispy crunch. I’d say the flavor is more buttery than cheesy, but still tasty. She gave it:

NATURE’S PATH | TOASTER PASTRIES: FROSTED BUNCHA BLUEBERRIES HE SAID: These pastries give off a heavenly blueberry aroma while they’re toasting. I warmed two of them at my work and made all my coworkers jealous. The smell is the best part, unfortunately. I found the flavor to be a bit dull, and they definitely could have added a bit more filling and frosting. He gave it:

SHE SAID: These are a classic kids’ favorite! Gotta skip the Pop-Tarts, but where are all the organic toaster pastry options? Come on, how hard can it be? Must be tough, because this well-known brand didn’t cut it. It was almost all dough and frosting, with just a teeny bit of blueberry filling. Boo. Though a kiddo without discerning tastes would likely still enjoy it. She gave it:

STONYFIELD ORGANIC | WHOLE MILK YOGURT POUCH: PEAR-SPINACH-MANGO HE SAID: I’m glad we do most of these reviews at home, because I feel quite ridiculous drinking this yogurt out of a baby-food pouch…though, I’m not saying I wouldn’t. These pear mango yogurts were so creamy, tart, sweet and delicious, they would be worth the embarrassment. I will definitely buy more of these for the “kids” (wink, wink).

SHE SAID: Well this sure is an easy way to give your kiddos a healthy snack! Protein, fruit and veggies, vitamin D, DHA and EPA all in an ever-sopopular pouch. I didn’t feel too silly eating this since no one was watching, and I enjoyed the creamy yogurt that tasted nothing like spinach – only pear and mango. This will be a hit in your little tyke’s lunch.

He gave it:

She gave it:

See more product reviews at greenlivingaz.com/hgsg greenlivingaz.com

August 2017 | greenliving

COOL OUTRAGEOUS

STUFF

PLASTIC BOTTLE LAPTOP BAG

Produced entirely from recycled plastic bottles, this laptop bag from “TheUltimateGreenStore” adds a sustainable element to a student’s back-to-school ensemble. Available in a variety of colors to appeal to anyone’s aesthetic taste, the bag’s slim, inconspicuous design saves space in a school setting. At 15½ inches in height, this bag fits most laptops, with ample space for other supplies. The bag’s durability and lightness make it ideal for students of any age to carry around this coming school year. $39.99 THEULTIMATEGREENSTORE.COM

ORGANIC PLANT-BASED GLUE STICK

Avoid the toxic chemicals and polluting industrial processes of traditional glue sticks. Stubby Pencil Studio manufactures natural glue sticks from potato starch and almond oil, ensuring the sticks are non-toxic, non-solvent and acid free. With effective adhesive capabilities, these glue sticks work perfectly for young art students, scrapbookers and other ecoconscious creators. The company’s sustainability extends far beyond the ingredients it chooses; all products are made in an environment-neutral plant that recycles its heat and water to minimize wasted utilities. $8.95 STUBBYPENCILSTUDIO.COM

RECYCLED COLOR GEL PENS

Taking a greener approach to writing supplies, Pilot has released a gel pen, coined the Pilot “Bottle 2 Pen,” made from 89 percent recycled materials, primarily post-consumer plastic bottles. With the same smooth writing as the company’s other popular gel pens, these come in a variety of vivid colors with refillable ink, perfect for note taking. As the world’s first pens made from recycled bottles, these gel rollers could signal a shift in the office supply industry toward using sustainable methods. $6.99 for a pack of three pens PILOTPEN.US

FIBER PAPER BINDER

To help students avoid the hassle of cheaply constructed plastic binders that fall apart before the school year is halfway over, Naked Binders produces a green option that is built to last. Constructed from recycled fiber sheets, these binders are far better looking than vinyl ones and provide comparable storage and function. Eventually, the environmentally friendly binders become recycled themselves, creating a cycle of renewable materials. $7-$9.50 NAKEDBINDER.COM

ALL-NATURAL HAND SANITIZER SPRAY

Breaking away from clinical antibacterial gels produced from damaging chemicals, EO Products uses organic ethanol and pure lavender essential oils to create a soothing and aromatic spray hand sanitizer. While effectively combating common germs, this disinfectant also restores the hands’ natural moisture and releases a tranquil lavender scent. The spray, free of parabens, synthetic fragrances and other polluting ingredients, does no harm when absorbed into the environment, unlike other spray antiseptics on the market. $1.99 for a 0.33-ounce dispenser EOPRODUCTS.COM

REUSABLE COTTON SNACK BAGS

Reduce your environmental footprint with these reusable cotton snack bags, a sustainable alternative to plastic snack bags that cause unnecessary waste. Located in Scottsdale, Natural Linens Boutique manufactures these bags from certified organic cotton and zero plastic. Suitable for sandwiches, on-the-go snacks and other storage items, the square pouches are perfect not just for students, but for anyone with a fast-paced, eco-friendly lifestyle. The bags are built to last, and will keep lunches and snacks fresh while contributing no net pollution. $14 for a set of two bags NATURALLINENSBOUTIQUE.COM

Find more cool outrageous stuff at greenlivingaz.com/cos

48 greenliving | August 2017

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