March 2012 Green Living Monthly by Chris Ellis

www.greenlivingmonthly.com

March 2012

GREEN LiViNG Monthly

Organics • Recycling • Buy Local

Ask Greenie the frog questions about anything on green living and/or buying local. He will answer in the following issue.

Dear Greenie

E-mail question E-mail your your questions to to chris@greenlivingmonthly. chris@greenlivingmonthly.com

“Is there a non-toxic way to unplug my drain?” Stuck in Spokane “Yes, indeedy; much easier than you think, SIS. One way is to pour 1/4 cup of baking soda in your drain, wait a minute, then add a cup of vinegar. That should flush it.” Option 2 and much more dramatic: Pour a can of Coke down the drain. Don’t use this too often, it’ll corrode your pipes...both your drain’s and your body’s.” “Hey Greenie! I like my house to smell nice but I know that those aerosol fresheners can be bad. What can I use?” Wanne-be Stinky Free in the West Plains “Dear Wanne-Be: Lots of great things you can use. #1 Pour some vanilla extract in a cup of distilled water. #2 Take some dried herbs like basil, rosemary, lemon verbena, lavender flowers or rose petals and put them in small bowls around your house. You can use dried or fresh and add a few drops of essential oils as they lose their scent. #3 Essential oil burners are great, though the oils can be expensive. Adding just a few drops of oil to water will make the oils last longer. #4 Use a candlewarmer with soy-based scented candles. Not only is this smokefree, the candle last much longer. “Dear Greenie...what can I use in place of furniture polish that is non-aerosol and natural?” Dusty in Dishman-Mica “Hi DID! Just put a few drops of olive oil on your dust rag and wipe away. Make sure the oil is completely absorbed. You may need to buff it out a bit, but it will give your wood furniture a nice shine with no harmful chemicals or fumes.”

SNAP Financial Access

Green Business Loans By Dave Heyamoto

Business Development Manager, SNAP Financial Access As part of our overall mission, SNAP Financial Access strives to be a leader in the small business sustainability movement in the Spokane area. We do this by encouraging small businesses to take action steps toward sustainability, showing them the value of conservation and environmental sustainability, and connecting them to resources offering green and sustainable solutions. Financial Access works individually with business owners to assist with “greening” their business and tracking their progress and savings. We provide affordable financing to encourage and to make sustainability improvements financially feasible. We offer free consulting services that can show businesses how to incorporate practices that are environmentally friendly, healthy for their customers and employees, set them apart from the competition, and save money. We also work closely with partners such as Avista, Sustainable Resources Inland Northwest, Numerica Credit Union, and Spokane Teachers Credit Union to provide the broadest range of services possible.

Green Drinks is an organic selforganizing network of individuals and businesses who meet once a month (2nd Tuesday at 5:30) at various business in town. Just say "are you green?" and we'll look after you and introduce you around.

Tuesday, March 13 at Sun People Dry Goods, 32 West 2nd Ave.

For more info:

http://groups.google.com/group/spokane-greendrinks?pli=1 https://www. facebook.com/groups/39247888142/

2 • GreenLivingMonthly.com • March 2012

To qualify for a Financial Access Green Loan, the business owner must reside in Spokane County and the business must create jobs and utilize “green” or sustainable business practices. Sustainable business practices can include : • Energy efficiency • Waste reduction and management • Water conservation • Pollution prevention • Green building techniques

• Renewable energy applications • Other material or practices that reduce the environmental impact of operating the business over the long term To check out our Access Green Loans, call us at 509-456-7174, extension 119, or go to our website at www. snapaccess.org. SNAP Financial Access is a nonprofit community development financial institution that provides business assistance and loans to low and moderate income individuals in Spokane County.

Green Living Monthly

Vol. 1 Issue 7

March 2012

greenlivingmonthly.com Editor/Publisher Chris Ellis

chris@greenlivingmonthly.com

509-981-3839

Marketing

carine@greenlivingmonthly.com

509-981-3839 509-467-3826

Lay-out

Dana R. Michie

danam@lakespokanemdia.com

509-467-3826

Contributing Writers: Jaiden Teri Southworth Trish Vieira, Spokane’s Family Farm Maree Koolstra Dr. Alycia Policani, ND Carol, Byrnes, Diamonds in the Ruff Dr. Rosemarie Asterino, DVM Linda Bond, Auntie’s Bookstore Ben Lund, Lunda Carpet Dave Heyamoto, SNAP Financial Access

April 2012 Deadline: Thursday March 15 The staff at Green Living Monthly, while respecting the opinions and views of our writers and advertisers; don’t always agree and/or support those views. We feel it is important for everyone to “do the research” on controversial topics. Please feel free to send your letters to the editor to chris@greenlivingmonthly.com.

Our goal is to bring useful local information and tips to individuals, organizations and businesses that every day are joining the collective movement towards more responsible stewardship of our environment and planet.

Contents 2 Green Business Loans 4 Organic Kids: Preparing for this Year’s Garden 5 Organic Pets: Hicup and Carman, Acupuncture for Goats 6 Recycle Pets? 8 Recycle Sally : Reuse Wine Bottles 9 Clean Your Home Green 9 Kids Corner The First Day of Spring. 10 Know your local farmer: Making the network...Work! 11 Spik and Span, Do our Homes need to be Sterilized 12 The Problem with Bottled Water 13 Switch to Green for Clean Carpets 14 Book review: Handbook of Northwest Gardening 15 Event Calendar

Bring on the Daylight!...

Even though March in the Inland Northwest might not seem like spring weather, the fact is it’s coming! Two great things happen in March. First, on March 11th, we switch to Daylight Saving Time. The clocks spring forward and it’s lighter later. The second great thing is the Spring Equinox, March 21. On that day, there are exactly 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness. The fact is, we’ve been adding extra light to our days since December 21, but as we get closer to the equinox and after, it comes faster and faster, adding minutes of daylight to our darkness. If you’re like me, that extra daylight is enough inspiration for at least dreaming about the warm weather to come. It’s a great time to think about your garden to be. Pulling out seed catalogues with vibrant pictures of flowers, herbs and vegetables can bring sunshine to even the gloomiest of days that sometimes still linger.

And, almost always there is a bonus of a few sunny-enough days to sit outside or hang your clothes on the line for that fresh spring smell! I may

have to eat my words, but I’m guessing it’s going to be an early, beautiful spring!

Chris Ellis

“Treat the earth well: it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children. We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors, we borrow it from our Children.” Ancient Indian Proverb

March 2012 • GreenLivingMonthly.com • 3

When recycling last years pots, be sure to wash thoroughly to avoid spreading soil born disease.

Preparing for this Year’s Garden Growing your own vegetables is good for your health and family By Maree Koolstra Mother of six

It’s that time of year again…figuring out how I am going to create my garden. I have so many ideas and thoughts that I am starting to keep a notebook to keep track of it all; I’ve also started using Pinterest (www.pinterest.com) an online site to keep track of all things that appeal to you. It sure beats ripping out pages from magazines and articles and keeping track of it all. There are a couple of projects that I will be working on this year. I really want a couple of rain barrels to help water out at the greenhouse; it will save money and time plus give me easy access to water when I need to do hand watering. I also figure that it will be a great place to reload my water cannon (I’m getting the BIG

PHOTO: MAREE KOLSTRA

gun this year) when we are in the heat of battle. Another project that I am investigating is mason bees. There is a major pollinator shortage in my yard, my plants bloom but then fail to fruit. I have planted flowers and plants to attract the pollinators and I hope that will help but, if I bring them into my yard myself I hope to be a step ahead. My one concern is that my kids don’t particularly like bees and I may be feeding their phobia, wish us luck. We are also going to do some hand pollinating with our mini orchard. If I give each child a paint brush it should make short work of the task. Last year’s deck garden and my plant tree started off well and then rapidly failed as the summer wore on. A fellow gardener suggested that the roots may be getting fried in the heat even with adequate water and suggested that I plant a terracotta pot inside my planters to keep the roots cooler. I think the kids will be excited about this since I am always finding little treasures in my pots that they have buried for safe keeping. The kids and I have been pouring over my seed catalogs and garden designs. Our favorite catalog is Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds (www.rareseed.com). They have seeds for the most amazing plants: Galeux D Eysines is a beautiful warted squash and Purple of Sicily Cauliflower is a striking purple and cream cauliflower. Then we have my favorite Poona Kheera cucumber, it’s so sweet and juicy. Hannah has requested “tiny’s” which are ground

4 • GreenLivingMonthly.com • March 2012

out of Deer Park, 509-720-4820. We learned about a lot of vegetables that we never would have touched before, like kale. The kids and I can’t get enough of kale chips, no more potato chips for us: Heat your oven to 400 degrees. Spray a pan with olive oil or place parchment paper on a pan. Wash handfuls of organic kale and place them on the pan. Spray kale with olive oil and sprinkle on whatever seasoning sound good. I like nutritional yeast, chili powder, and sea salt (a little salt goes a long way). Place in heated oven for 15 minutes, stirring after 10 minutes. Yummy, you can’t eat just one.

PHOTO: MAREE KOLSTRA

cherries. Rebekah is hoping for multicolored carrots and Danielle wants lots of strawberries. Nathaniel, Isaiah, and Rachel are just hoping I don’t make them move rocks or pull weeds. Most of my kids have asked if they could have their very own garden this year and plant whatever they want. I’m trying to find some affordable planters that are big enough for individual gardens and I already have the perfect sunny spot picked out to put them. As far as design goes, everyone seems to favor the overgrown/shove as much as you can into a small space look; it reminds me of their bedrooms. I think we will have to negotiate on the design aspect. We will also be planting medicinal and culinary herbs to round out the garden. We recently purchased a few more chickens for an increase in egg production; I’m still hoping to be able to sell some. Last fall we fenced off a quarter of the yard for the chickens so they could still free range and not eat all my produce. I can’t wait to let them have the whole yard when the bugs come back to life in the spring warmth. The kids love to compare how yellow/orange the yolks get over the different seasons. Having chickens is a win/win for us: I feed them scraps and they eat the bugs in the yard. They also give me fertilizer to grow more plants that I can use and give them more scraps, and they give us the best eggs! My girls love to play with the chickens, they tuck them under their arms and carry them around the yard like a football. Our chickens have also had the opportunity to go for a ride on a bike and one or two have taken a trip down the slide, I’m happy to say they are no worse for the wear and have been a great teaching tool for the kids on responsibility. I do hope and pray that this year’s garden will be the best ever. The kids love to be sent to the yard to pick dinner and I love to teach them about nutrition and healthy living. But just in case our garden limps along, I plan to join an organic CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) again for their yummy delivered to my door produce. I use Spring Water Farm

ABOVE: The chickens are well loved by the kids. BELOW: Many seed companies have an on-line catalogue. Check their web sites for specials and to get on the mailing list.

PHOTO: MAREE KOLSTRA

ORGANIC KIDS

Carmen is a Tog and Angora goat who knows no strangers. She is happy to befriend all cats, dogs, llamas and people who cross her path. She also seems to love acupuncture. Carmen was born with multiple spinal, hip and other joint deformities. She had so many problems that her first owners could not care for her. So Frank and Missy stepped in and brought her home. She had to live in the house for the first couple years of her life until she was strong enough to live outside where she now prefers it. When Carmen was about 8 weeks old she couldn’t stand or walk. She had done this briefly her first week of life, but now a couple of weeks had gone by and nothing was helping her. Missy and Frank brought her in for acupuncture to see if it would help. After two treatments Carmen could walk with assistance and by six treatments she could walk on her own. Over time, she was able to walk and even run more and more normally despite all her problems. Carmen has been receiving treatments for nearly five years. As a baby, Carmen received her treatments on a table –a human massage table. Now that she is a full sized goat she still wants to lie on the table for her treatments. She even has her own fleece blanket and pillow! She usually goes to sleep during her treatments for about 20 minutes. Then she’s done and ready to be on her way. Carmen is also on Chinese herbal formulas.

ORGANIC PETS

Hiccup & Carmen

How Acupuncture Changed Two Goats Lives By Dr. Rosemarie Asterino Holistic Veterinarian

Hiccup is one of my many, many four legged friends …. But Hiccup is special. She is a Pygmy goat who appears to love acupuncture. Hiccup’s journey into this world was not an easy one. During a difficult delivery, she became stuck in the birth canal which caused severe injuries to her neck. When she was finally born she couldn’t move on her own. Her owner, Melaine, did not give up on her though, taking her into her home and bottle feeding her. After about one week Hiccup began to walk, but it soon became apparent that the serious injuries were going to cause many problems. Hiccup was in constant pain. She was unsteady, losing her balance and falling frequently. She couldn’t hold her

head up and was twisted with severe muscle spasms. Hiccup definitely couldn’t head bonk (something goats like to do) with the other goats. This was no life for a goat. Drugs for pain and muscle relaxation did not help her and caused such serious side effects in her that she could no longer take them. When Hiccup was about 1 ½ years old, her regular veterinarian suggested acupuncture. During her first treatment, Hiccup closed her eyes and became very relaxed. Her neck started to straighten before we even took the needles out. In the week following, Hiccup had better balance and by the third week of treatments she was actually head bonking other goats. Although we highly discouraged this behavior, we could not help but be excited as she was never able to do this before! We added Chinese herbal formulas to further help with pain and function and she continues to do well. I have been treating Hiccup for over six years now. She seems to enjoy her treatments and apparently even waits for me at the gate when Melaine tells her I am coming to the farm. She has a proprietary air about our relationship, getting very angry at the dogs and other goats that approach me at the farm. And heaven forbid that I actually treat one of them!

Both Hiccup and Carmen have severe skeletal and neurological issues to live with. They have their ups and downs, but overall they appear to be happy goats. They have wonderful and giving owners who take very good care of them. They both get acupuncture treatments on a maintenance schedule every two to four weeks. Acupuncture helps them with pain, balance issues, inflammation, muscle spasms, weakness and other dysfunctions. In the Eastern theories of Chinese Medicine acupuncture stimulates the free flow of Qi, the vital life force energy whose disruption or blockage causes pain or disease. Hiccup and Carmen probably don’t care why it helps them, but just enjoy life more fully because it does. As Melaine says, “Acupuncture allows Hiccup to have a good quality of life and to be able to live more like a normal goat.” Dr. Rosemarie Asterino received her DVM from WSU in 1986. She received certification in Veterinary Acupuncture form the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society and certification in Veterinary Herbal Medicine and Tui-na from the Chi Institute of Chinese Medicine and the National Society of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine. She has been practicing veterinary acupuncture and chinese medicine since 1995. She is currently in the process of becoming certified in Canine Rehabilitation. For more information on acupuncture for your pet, please call 509-327-2062.

TM A natural line of cleaning products & personal careTM

We specialize in using all natural, non-toxic ingredients for better health and a better environment. Help us introduce our line by hosting a party.

Call us today at 509-292-8383

Coming soon!! order from our website; www.avignonproducts.com

March 2012 • GreenLivingMonthly.com • 5

2012 Seeds are in stock now. Standard Varieties, Heirloom Varieties, Organic Seeds, Common and Unusual.

Northwest’s Bulk Seed All The Best Varieties For The Spokane Area More Seeds Per Packet For Less Than The National Brands

Spokane’s Local Garden Store Supplying Spokane Gardeners With Quality Products Since 1944 2422 E. Sprague Ave. 7302 N. Division St. 534-0694 484-7387 nwseed.com

REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE .... PETS? Adopt one – till there are none! By Carol A. Byrnes, Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed

REDUCE - the numbers. Available for the residents of Spokane County

509-534-8133 x204

Offering only holisitic pet food and treats! We provide expert advice about pet nutrition.

Spay and neuter! More dogs and cats are born every day than there are homes available for them. You don’t need to find purebreds and designer mixes from people selling puppies on Craig’s list or from the back of their pick-up in a parking lot. The money you spend on these dogs goes into the pockets of irresponsible “greeders” and animal dealers selling truckloads of puppies for profit. The high price paid for these dogs proliferates the squalid conditions at puppy mills. Pets are not produce.

WASHINGTON BASSET RESCUE

Save 25%

7220 N, Haven Spokane, WA 99217

(509) 466-1538

Must present coupon. Offer expires 3/31/2012

www.prairiedogmercantile.com

6 • GreenLivingMonthly.com • March 2012

rescue@wabr.net

www.wabr.net Pat Benstine

REUSE?

Older animals have a much more difficult time finding a home. That wonderful sugar-faced fellow who was given up to a shelter or rescue organization because his owner died or was unable to care for him can be a treasure. WYSIWYG - “what you see is what you get.” No surprises. He’s not going to get bigger than you expected or more active. He is who he is. He’s beyond the crazy puppy zooms and chewing phase. He’s probably already neutered and house trained. He may be leash trained and probably knows a few tricks.

RECYCLE

Adopt don’t shop. Shelters and rescue organizations are over-run with society’s cast-off animals. Who are they? Every age, breed, size and shape imaginable, all looking for homes. Purebreds, designer dogs and lovable mutts, large and small, young and old. Accidental litters - pups and kittens someone bred to make a buck but couldn’t sell or give away. Strays who wandered away and no one came looking. They may have been relinquished in person or picked up on the street. An unappreciated pet; one bought on a whim without understanding the animal’s needs or the work involved to train and maintain a family pet. In this economy, they may be animals turned over because their families couldn’t afford to keep them. Occasionally they are animals rescued from cruelty and neglect. All deserve a second chance at a wonderful life. The largest percentage of dogs in shelters are at the peak of adolescence. The average age of a dog given up by its owner is 8 months of age. No longer a baby, he isn’t as cute and cuddly as he once was. Like human teenagers, he is in need of structure, accountability, exercise and a job. This is the time when he needs the most owner input - attention, training, and guidance. This is time the owner may not be willing or able to make a priority. The good news? He’s on the downhill slide into adulthood. If that owner had just given him a few more weeks, they would have seen the dog that you will adopt. He may have snapped his previous owner’s last nerve - but his new owners exclaim, “I can’t believe someone would have given up this dog - he’s the best dog I’ve ever owned.” He could be yours.

The average dog is a nicer person than the average person.

-Andrew A. Rooney

Many veterinarians and pet supply stores offer discounts and complimentary services and supplies for newly adopted/rescued family members. Here are just a few: Indian Trail Animal Clinic, 9027 N. Indian Trail, 468.8387 offers a complimentary first checkup for that newly adopted family member! Yuppy Puppy, 9423 N Newport Hwy, 467.8221 offers a free self-service dog wash within 30 days of adoption. Bring adoption papers! Nature’s Pet Market, 12208 N. Division (in Fred Meyer-Wandermere Plaza), 464.3400 offers a starter pack for newly adopted dogs and cats. Pet Vittles, 919 N. Argonne, Spokane Valley offers newly adopted pets a sampling of all-natural training treats + 10% off all food every Wednesday. The Urban Canine, 9222 N. Newport Hwy, 465.9663 and 1220 S. Grand, 744.9663 offers newly adopted 2012 pets a free ID tag (while supplies last.) Bring adoption papers! Haute Paws Grooming and Boutique, 5978 Highway 291, Ste 9, Nine Mile Falls, 468.7927 offers a complimentary nail trim and ear cleaning package for that newly adopted dog in the month of March along with an entry in our “Win a Free Dog Spa Day for your Adopted Pal” drawing that will be held on 3/31/12. Bring adoption papers! Dog Haven, 6297 Sundown Dr. Nine Mile Falls, WA 99026 (509) 276-2565 10% Off grooming on the first grooming of adopted dog. Praire Dog Pet Mercantile, 2917 E. Palouse Hwy, Spokane, 443.9663, offers a free goodie bag for newly adopted pets.

Carol A. Byrnes,

Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed

Northwest Seed & Pet, 2422 E. Sprague Ave., 534.0694 and 7302 N. Division, 484.7387 offers 15% off dog supplies and food with adoption papers.

March 2012 • GreenLivingMonthly.com • 7

Home decorating stores sell beautiful high-end chandeliers featuring wine bottles. Create your own “green version” by filling a bottle with lamp oil and top with a craft store’s special ceramic cork and wick. Instant torch! Wine bottles are so versatile. In Europe, landscapers use the bottles to form borders and steps. Dig a trench and line the bottles, upside down, inside the trench, and back fill with cement. No need to worry about the bottles rotting or decaying. Build a beautiful accent wall in your garden by stacking wine bottles in between layers of mortar. Incorporate a wall or window of these light catching bottles in your potting shed using the mortar method once again. Create a whimsical garden sculpture by drilling holes, angled up at 45 degrees, in a tall wooden pole or dead tree trunk. Poke chunks of rebar in the holes and slip multicolored wine bottles over the rebar rods. Bury wine bottles upside down in the soil of your garden for spots of color or highlight a meandering path with the buried bottles. Nurse your potted plants along during the hot summer months. Stick a bottle of water upside down in a potted plant. The water will slowly percolate into the soil. Last but not least: Don’t waste good wine on the christening of a yacht. Use a recycled wine bottle, filled with water and recork. Smash away with no worries of an ugly red stain on that shiny new fiberglass. Remember, always recycle, reuse....and drink responsibly.

FYI: HISTORY OF DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME

Recycle & Reuse

with Recycle Sally

Always save wine bottles! There are countless ways to reuse your bottles. Let’s start in the kitchen. First, wash and sterilize your bottles. Then soak the labels off. Best use: fill with homemade wine and pop in a new cork to seal the brew. How about filling your bottle with a tarragon and garlic infused vinegar? (A perfect hostess gift). Decant your olive, grapeseed and canola oils into wine bottles and top with liqueur pourers. These dispensers are wonderful for the rushed cook. On a recent trip “Down Under”, restaurant waitpersons invariably greeted us with an ice cold wine bottle full of water. Easy to pour, easy on the bus boys, and easy on the environment. Hand soap and dish soap will look much more elegant when dispensed from a wine bottle topped with a hand pump. Turn your wine bottles into candle holders: simply shave a bit off the bottom of a tapered candle and secure with a dab of melted wax into the bottle top. Dress up your office desk by storing your pencils in a pretty wine bottle! Present your best friend with a special “birthday message in a bottle”. Top with a decorative cork for a more festive look. Paint a wine bottle all over with blackboard paint. Place it on the table at your next dinner party with your menu written in chalk. Ready to get crafty? Use a glass cutter to fashion “wine bottle glasses”. Cut the bottle off at approximately three inches high. Be careful, the cut edge will be very sharp and in need of smoothing with a grinder. Complete the look by etching a simple phrase or design onto the glass surface. For example, etch the word “rinse” on a glass and place it on your vanity. Create a sleek new flower vase by cutting the wine bottle neck off at an angle. Smooth the cut edge and fill with flowers. Save the bottle necks and fashion them into a wind chime, or smash the glass and use it in your next mosaic project. If you dread cutting glass, simply group together several intact wine bottles and insert a single thick stemmed flower into each bottle for a pretty table arrangement.

8 • GreenLivingMonthly.com • March 2012

Daylight Saving Time (DST) is a bit of a misnomer. It should really be Daylight Shifting Time, as no time is really gained, just a shift in the daylight hours. In the United States it happens at 2:00am on the second Sunday of March, and ends on the first Sunday in November. In some U.S. states and its territories it is not observed at all; those being Hawaii, Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the VIrgin Islands, North Mariana Islands and Arizona. This is most likely because these areas do not need extra daylight. Being closer to the equator their daylight and nighttime do not change much all year. Interestingly, the Hopi Nation, located in parts of 3 states, do not observe DST, putting them in a bit of “donut hole.” Historically, it was Ben Franklin who originally thought up the DST idea. While in Paris, in 1784, he wrote an essay called, “An Economical Project.” Being the comical guy that he was, he may actually have been joking about setting the time forward because he observed the Parisians, in particular, couldn’t wake up on time. He even suggested taxing window shutters, rationing candles and waking up the people in the City of Lights with cannons and church bells. Clearly, the man was ahead of his time! Enacted on March 19, 1918, Daylight Saving Time may be one of the original energy conservation programs, the purpose being to “preserve daylight and provide standard time for the United States.” After the war, DST was so unpopular that it was repealed in 1919 and became a local (state) option. At that time, people were prone to getting up earlier and going to bed earlier. During World War II, Roosevelt re-instituted the act calling it “War Time,” but after 1945 it was still somewhat optional for each state. This caused much confusion with the broadcasting industry, planes, trains and buses. Finally, in 1974, President Nixon signed the act into federal law and called it the Emergency Daylight Saving Time Energy Conservation law. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, DST saves our country about 1 percent each day because less electricity is used for lighting and appliances. Going to bed earlier obviously saves energy because people turn off their lights. However, this is offset by those getting up early during DST. Clearly, the solution to this is to sleep later, like the Parisians. Setting clocks ahead and behind is also a great tickler file reminding you to also change the batteries in your smoke alarms!

GET READY FOR

SPRING CLEANING 10%OFF

your first cleaning or additional spring cleaning for existing clients

We specialize in cleaning each home as we would our own, with the same care, the same respect and the same attention to detail and using natural products. Offers good until June 1st, 2012

Call us TODAY FREE ESTIMATE 509-998-5316

Com peti tive PRI unm CES & atch able REF ERE NCE

Kids’ Corner

The first day of Spring

by Jaiden

Clean your home Green!

Cut the grime with non-toxic cleaning alternatives By Carine Mossey

Starting in the cleaning business 5 years ago, I quickly discovered that I was adversely affected by the cleaning chemicals I was using...both on my skin and in my lungs. My partner and I began to research extensively on how to keep homes and businesses clean and healthy, albeit using natural and safe cleaning products. In our research, we found some surprising facts: • In 1989 the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) came to the conclusion that indoor air carries a higher risk for personal exposure to toxic chemicals than outdoor air. So where does that air pollution comes from? New carpets, paint, plastic, pressboard, natural gas...and toxic cleaning products we touch and inhale as well as the chemicals we use on our bodies such as glass cleaners, furniture polish, soft scrubs, soaps, lotions, shampoo...etc • The disposal of hazardous household cleaners is becoming an increasingly expensive problem for many municipalities. In the late 90’s several cities in the Los Angeles area that dumped into a landfill in Monterey Park were required to pay more than $38 million of the landfill’s Superfund Liability. That settlement was based on the hazardous content of the ordinary trash from citizens that dumped there. While many things in our environment are beyond our control, we do have a choice in what we use in our homes. We can choose to eliminate toxins and poisons which threaten our health. Looking at label ingredients was the start of such research. Many ingredients, which cannot even be pronounced, for all intent and purposes should also be banned. Bleach and ammonia, for example, found in glass cleaners, all-purpose cleaners, disinfectants, floor cleaners, furniture polishes, and metal polishes, to name a few. Ammonia and bleach can be very irritating to your eyes, nose, and lungs. It can cause rashes, redness, and even burns. When inhaled in concentrated form, it can do damage to your lungs. It is dangerous in the household as a poison or when mixed together it forms a toxic chloramine gas. Alcohol is found in all purpose cleaners, disinfectants, glass cleaners, metal polishes and more. Isopropanol or isopropyl alcohol is made from petroleum. When swallowed, even one ounce can be fatal to a small child. It acts as a potent central nervous system depressant. Ingestion or inhalation in large amounts can cause headaches, dizziness, depression, nausea, vomiting and even coma.

Animals are being born. Flowers are sprouting Everybody is shouting. “It’s Spring time now.” So go outside and have some fun because my favorite season Spring has just begun. The snow has melted, the deer are gone. I know it’s different but there’s nothing wrong. It’s almost Spring break so bake a cake to celebrate because this season is great. You can’t wait or it will be too late.

Reading and referring to Karen Logan’s book “Clean House, Clean Planet” furthered the search for safe but efficient cleaning products. After much experimentation using products typically found in most kitchens, we created recipes for products that triumph over any house cleaning battle. Some easy examples are using baking soda and white vinegar. Both are quite safe to use but powerful in their results. Baking soda (or bicarbonate of soda, as it is also known) is a naturally occurring material, present in most organic life forms. It can be “made” from sodium carbonate, or soda ash. The soda ash is dissolved in a carbon dioxide rich solution, and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) precipitates out. All compounds have a PH level some are more alkaline others more acidic. Acids and alkalis tend to neutralize each other. That means that mixing baking soda, mildly alkaline, with vinegar, mildly acidic, they neutralize each other and form a carbon dioxide gas that balances the pH level and therefore lifts the soil or residue without damaging the material it is on (such as carpet, fabric, enamel, flooring..). It also makes a great cleaner for metalwork - The Statue of Liberty was cleaned using baking soda. Try it on brass and copperware. • Use a 1/2 cup of baking soda for a full load of • Laundry in lieu of bleach and see the results for yourself. • Adding baking soda and borax will help your laundry detergent clean better, leaving your clothes feeling soft and fresh. By being aware and making wise choices we still can save ourselves and our planet. Carine Mossay & Pam Bauman Owners, Avignon Essentials A natural line of cleaning products & personal care.

March 2012 • GreenLivingMonthly.com • 9

Know Your Local Farmer Taking the “buy local” movement up a notch by “Knowing your Farmer!”

hand at making homemade salad dressings using fresh herbs and seeds. Planning nearly a season ahead for the food that graces your family table, can be as simple as planning your meals a week in advance. Getting to know your farmer can bring into the relationship the knowledge of food varieties, your particular growing season, methods and availability as well as delivery options that work for you. Just as we most always frequent the same grocery stores time and time again, the local farmer counts on your continuing support to be successful. Working out details early in the spring is a win win situation for both parties. The same principle can be applied to purchases of grain crops or meat. You can now feasibly meet the farmer who raises your grains for cereals or bread. The farmers who raise beef, pork, lamb or chicken, tend to particularly benefit from early planning. An example that can work well in planning ahead would be to purchase several locally grown turkeys to be ready for the holidays for friends, family or employees. By ordering these birds in early spring you are reducing the stress of last minute gift buying, and helping to feed the nation by keeping your farmer in business for the coming year! When farmers meet their customers and know the specific needs early on in the spring, it helps them create a better profit margin as grain and feed prices continue to rise, and can actually help assure availability of fresh local goods in the future.

As the snow gently falls on Spokane and the surrounding areas, it may seem difficult to think about spring and the upcoming growing season. It may only be March, but it is the perfect time to be planning your family’s bountiful harvest for 2012. During inclement weather, spending time as a family pouring over seed catalogues or planning your trips to various farms to visit with area farmers will be time well spent. Waiting till spring weather is upon you, By Trish Vieira may be too late to do the important Spokane’s Family Farm phase of planning for this year’s food supply. With the increase in health education’s trend to buy local, as well as the growth in the number of Farmers Markets and CSAs (Community Sponsored Agriculture), you will find many options compared to years’ past. Given an early start you may be able to have a voice in what types of produce your farmer will actually plant for this year’s harvest. Actually getting to know the farmer who will raise your food this year, and giving him your input as to what to plant, helps you have a more personal involvement in your family’s nutrition. Most farmers want to plant types and varieties that are favorable to their customers, (especially return customers), as this adds to the experience that is based on relationships. For instance you could plan on using a unique herb or vegetable such as eggplant (which when cooked can mimic a texture like meat but a somewhat healthier and lighter option). Check out varieties on websites like the ones below to educate yourself on the differences and then inform your farmer of your preferences.

Making the network... WORK! Your local farmer knows what is in season.

www.gourmetsleuth.com/Articles/Produce-638/eggplant.aspx www.clintonfallsfarm.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view &id=36&Itemid=1 Learn to use more fresh herbs and make sure your farmer plants plenty of them like basil, rosemary and garlic to keep you supplied. Salad greens also have multiple types with several varieties for each type; check out www. raw-food-health.net/Types-Of-Lettuce.html for more information. Start by planning and thinking about more interesting and nutritious salads. Try your

10 • GreenLivingMonthly.com • March 2012

To sum it all up, the more you know about your farmer and the more he knows about you and what you will need to feed your family in 2012; the better off (we) as local producers and (you) as local consumers will be…knowing your farmer makes the network…work!

BOUNCE FREE! SPORT BRA! TM

the sportsbras the gals remark

“Wow, it really works”

Patented sportsbra: Zipper front - Racer Back, Fully adjustable for different levels of activity. Eliminate the PAIN, when you work out, or play. Healthier by protecting your ligaments.

Designed BY a woman, FOR women. “Your bra is the only reason I run. It is the best no movement constricting bra out there. I am ordering three more - I have run 3 half marathons, and one full marathon. My next adventure is my first triathlon with the leukemia society and your sports bra. For me, just completing a race is the goal, and only made possible by having the correct bra which allowed me to not give up because of a moving chest. It makes all the difference.” Paige Sattler - Hollywood, Florida

Order yours today go to our website at www.Esportbra.com Local Business - Made in USA

EPA. Here are some examples: Phenol: Toxic and corrosive Cresol: A suspected carcinogen that can cause abdominal, vomiting and diarrhea. If ingested it could cause respiratory, circulatory or cardiac failure (in large doses.) • Oxalic acid used in toilet cleaners irritates eyes and skin and can cause respiratory, nervous system and kidney damage. Triclosan has been strongly linked to: • Abnormalities with the endocrine system, particularly with thyroid hormone signaling • Weakening of the immune system • Birth defects • Uncontrolled cell growth • Unhealthy weight loss Triclosan is sold under several trade names, including Microban, UltraFresh, Amicor, and BioFresh and is used in toothpastes, deodorants and mouthwashes as well as handsoap.

Spik & Span...

How sterile do we need to be? By Chris Ellis Editor From our bodies to our homes it seems that the store shelves are filled with hundreds of different products boasting to kill germs of every kind. Anti-bacterial soaps are in every public bathroom and available for home use. Even grocery stores keep anti-bacterial handiwipes near the grocery carts for a quick cleansing before shopping. For starters, here are these products’ ingredients defined: Antibacterial products combat bacteria only. Antimicrobial is an all-encompassing chemical used to kill or maim microorganisms such bacteria, viruses and molds; those that cause disease, food spoilage or deterioration of fibers. Disinfectants are antimicrobial cleaners used specifically for disease-causing microbes. Many of these (disinfectants) have highly powerful, toxic ingredients, that should not be put on your skin. Antibiotics fight (bacterial) infections. In truth, bacteria is a part of our lives, many times in a good way. “Good” bacte-

ria is necessary for a healthy digestive tract. Exposure to bacteria may strengthen our immune system, thereby enabling our own bodies to fight off infection or disease caused by the “bad” bacteria. Antibiotics are prescribed to fight infection; bacterial infection. But antibiotics may also kill the “good” bacteria. Remember MRSA? Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; otherwise known as staph infection. It reared its bacterial head outside of hospitals a few years back, where it was most commonly found. It was said to be resistant to antibiotics. And yet, antibiotics were given to treat it. In fact, antibiotics seem to be the fall back for so many infections, that the Centers for Disease Control warned that years of overuse and misuse of them can create the Superbug. In short, the antibiotics were killing off most of the bacteria in our bodies, good and bad. However, being the little survivors that they are...they did survive, but only the strongest ones. They learned (the surviving bacteria) how to become formidable to antibiotics in order to live. Hence, the Superbug was born. MRSA may have been one of them. So, the question is, how clean and sterile do we need to be? Both on our bodies and in our homes. Most of the time, simply washing your hands with regular soap will do the job as will using non-toxic natural home cleaners. Granted, many of the chemical-laden products may indeed kill germs and bugs, but only temporarily. The germs will return, and this time, they’ll take prisoners. So in addition to providing only temporary reprieve from the microscopic

invaders, these products contain some pretty hazardous ingredients. In fact, 275 different active ingredients in microbial cleaners are classified as pesticides by the

So the question remains: unless you’re speaking at a whooping cough convention at a camp with no running water, do you really need to keep washing and wiping your hands with Brand X’s Anti-microbial Handiwipes, or will a good washing with soap and water suffice?

Eagle Eagle Ecological Ecological Pest Pest Control Control ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY & SAFE FOR PEOPLE OR PETS!

Don’t let them bug you!! WE TREAT; Bees - Roaches - Spiders - Ants (including carpenter ants) Termites - Mice - Mole - Voles

FREETE

ESTIMA

Call Dennis Snyder TODAY schedule your appointment

(509) 953-3998

For your home, office, boat or RV

Licensed and Bonded in Washington and Idaho

March 2012 • GreenLivingMonthly.com • 11

The Problem With Bottled Water By:Dr. Alycia Policani ND Water. What could be more essential to life? It is the common denominator between all life forms. It makes up most of our planet. 80% of our bodies and greater than 90% of our brain are water. It is the most important nutrient in our body (besides oxygen). A human being can’t live for very long without it. And yet, 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. In 37% of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak from the chronic lack of intake that the need for water is commonly mistaken for hunger. Even mild dehydration will slow your metabolism down by 3%. Just one glass of water was shown to shut hunger pains down in 100% of dieters in a University of Washington study. Lack of water is the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue. Research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water daily can significantly ease back and joint pain in up to 80% of sufferers. A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger brain fog, short-term memory troubles, difficulty with basic math and inability to focus. Drinking 5 glasses of water per day was shown to cut the risk of colon cancer by 45%, breast cancer by 79% and bladder cancer by 50%. So, what is a person to do? Well the obvious answer is drink more water. And here is where the crux of the matter begins. First we have municipal or city water. Highly regulated and monitored. In fact many communities test their water for contaminants and bacteria up to 16 times a day. City water has to meet ridiculously high standards which is very beneficial to the population. The down side is that there really isn’t anything cheaper or more effective than chlorine to prevent any possible biologic contamination. Bad for giardia but unfortunately also bad for us. Chlorine, especially when aerosolized out of your shower head, has many links with increasing heart disease. Then, there are those poor people who live in areas in which their municipal water is also fluoridated. Might as well swallow arsenic as swallow fluoride. Melodramatic but true. Riding to rescue in an attempt to save all Americans from the evils of municipal water we have Nestle, Coke and Pepsi. “I thought this article was about water”, you state. It is about water. Nestle, Coke and Pepsi are the three largest manufacturers of bottled water in the United States. These companies in many instances, will move into rural communities, gain access to the community’s water for free, suck the community dry (literally) and turn around and sell that water back to the community and many other cities for at least 1000% profit. In

many instances when you purchase bottled water you pay 1900 times the cost of tap water. “Well”, you state, “it’s worth it to me to pay more for bottled water”. It’s healthier. There is no chlorine or fluoride. It’s from a natural spring, an artesian well, it’s coming off a pristine mountain glacier in Tibet and is full of minerals”. Yes, Coke, Nestle and Pepsi have paid millions of dollars for a really great ad campaign to convince you of this outright lie. And it has worked quite well. The average American drinks 167 bottles of water per year. The truth is most of the time the water in the bottle is good old municipal water. Yep, tap water. If you are lucky that is. Many times that natural artesian spring water is pumped out of a hole in a cow pasture or from right next to a toxic waste dump. The number and variety of contaminants make Hanford look clean. This has been proved in numerous studies comparing the quality of bottled vs. tap water. The reason is that the bottled water industry does not have to meet any standards. Poor understaffed FDA. They just have too much on their plate. What with worrying about the possible toxicity of Vitamin C, there’s just no time to worry about something like the safety of bottled water. But I digress. Unfortunately, the contaminated water that they are putting into the bottle isn’t the only concern. The plastic bottle itself leaches some pretty horrifying chemicals into the water as well. Bottled water has been shown to contain toluene, styrene, phthalates, PET in the single serving size and BPA in the 5 gallon container, arsenic, chlorine, and fertilizers. And this isn’t even a comprehensive list. Toluene can destroy the central nervous system. Styrene causes cancer and infertility. Phthalates are toxic to your organ systems. They cause reproductive and fertility problems. They can also lead to birth and developmental defects, brain and nervous system damage, and immune system damage. PET (polyethylene terephthalate) disrupt your hormones. BPA is estrogenic, increasing the risk of estrogen positive cancers and damages male reproductive organs. Sounds great doesn’t it. Makes you want to run right out to Costco and buy a whole case. What’s a human to do? Stop buying bottled water. Immediately. You are paying through the nose to hurt your health. And the bottled water companies are laughing all the way to the bank. The next thing you need to do is buy a filter for your home faucet and start saving your money and your health. Unfortunately, tap water still contains chlorine, fluoride in some

12 • GreenLivingMonthly.com • March 2012

areas and cannot shed some contaminants like Prozac, Valium, rust, pesticides, heavy metals and some bacteria. Not perfect by any means but still much safer than bottled water. Before running out and spending an excess of cash on a water filtration system, find out what contaminants are common to your region by reading the annual Consumer Confidence Report. This can be accessed through the EPA’s website or by calling your local water supplier. Once you have educated yourself, then go out and find a filter that is best suited for removing the contaminants in your area. Check for NSF International Certification. This agency is a watchdog over the water filtration companies and they require them to meet stringent standards to gain their stamp of approval. As an ending note, by switching to filtered tap water, you will not only be contributing to your own health and the health of your family but also the health of our planet. Currently in each of the seven oceans, there are floating islands the size of Texas. The major component in these islands? Plastic water bottles. Scientist have no idea yet what effects this will have on the health of the oceans and the planet but it doesn’t look good. Currently, there is no possible way to even attempt a cleanup. We only have one planet folks and you only have one body. Make the best of it. Dr. Alycia Policani graduated from Eastern Washington University in 1996, with a B.S. in Human Biology and went on to National College of Naturopathic Medicine, where she achieved her doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine in 2000. She has ten years of experience in private practice as sole proprietor of Evergreen Naturopathic (509) 755-5100 Dr. Policani practices as a primary care physician with emphasis on women’s health, menopause, and thyroid disease, using science based natural medicine. Dr. Policani grew up in Spokane, pursuing many outdoor activities that allowed her to develop a deep appreciation for nature, ultimately leading her down the path to naturopathic medicine. When she is not at the office you can find her horseback riding, gardening, hiking or traveling with her husband and son.

SUN PEOPLE DRY GOODS CO. ADDS ECODEPOT SHOWROOM January 11, 2012 (SPOKANE, WA) — Sun People Dry Goods Co. is proud to announce the opening of an EcoDepot Showroom at their store located adjacent to the Spokane Public Market. EcoDepot was founded in 1994 in Spokane Valley. They focus on sustainable building materials ranging from solar and wind power products and installation, to eco-friendly floor, countertops and paints. “We are extremely excited to welcome EcoDepot into our space. Their emphasis on green building is a perfect compliment to our products and mission around everyday sustainability. This helps us continue to become, Spokane’s one-stop shop for green living,” says Sun People Dry Goods Co. Co-Owner and General Manager, Juliet Sinisterra. EcoDepot will be sub-leasing approximately 200 square feet of the Sun People showroom. Materials provided will be a sampling of all that EcoDepot offers. Products range from solar-powered backpacks to recycled, low VOC paints, to energy efficient LEDs bulbs. EcoDepot will also offer Solar 101 classes through Sun People. “We appreciate the opportunity to share our Green Living products with a greater number of people via the Sun People Annex!” says EcoDepot co-owner, Bruce Gage. “The folks at EcoDepot have been living and selling green longer than anyone in Spokane. Their commitment to building a greener, healthier Spokane makes them a perfect fit for Sun People,” says Sinisterra. EcoDepot will now have two locations, their main showroom located at 1326 East Sprague, and their showroom at Sun People Dry Goods Co. located at 32 W 2nd Ave, Ste. 200.

Switch to Green for Clean Carpets By Ben Lund Using green products can mean different things to different people. Begin by looking at the chemicals on the product’s label. Chemicals are what is used to release the soils from the fibers in your clothes or carpets. If you’ve ever forgotten to add laundry detergent to the washing machine, you probably had to re-do the load with detergent to get the dirt out. Plain water won’t do it.

An example of a chemical that can be used in the carpet cleaning business is: Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH). Also known as lye or caustic soda, but promoted as a non-toxic “special” water. The properties of the chemical make it ideal for use in a number of different cleaning products, water purification, and the manufacture of paper products. NaOH can affect you when inhaled and by passing through the skin. It is a strong irritant to the skin as well and must be handled very carefully. NaOH is highly corrosive and can damage your eyes, irritate your mouth, nose and throat and burn your skin. Inhaling it can cause a build up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), a medical emergency. If it comes into contact with water it may generate enough heat to ignite combustibles.

Other chemicals in carpet cleaners may include dibutyl phthalate, nonylphenol ethoxylate and octylphenol ethoxylated. The last two are surfactants. Surfactants are wetting agents that lessen surface tension, helping to release dirt from the carpet fiber. Some of these ingredients may cause eye and throat irritation and must be used in a wellventilated room. What is safe to use? Green cleaning products do not rely on toxic and dangerous chemicals to get carpets clean. Green products use active ingredients like water, surfactants, fragrance and peroxide. Google the ingredients for your own safety. Biodegradable, non-toxic cleaning chemicals are available. Ask your cleaner if he/she uses them. Lund’s Carpet Cleaning is EnviroStar certified. For residential applications we use a phosphate free, biodegradable product that meets or exceeds EPA guidelines and is Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) approved. www.carpetcleaningspokane.com . 509-922-6153.

Spokane’s Premier Green Cleaning Specialist

Thank you for your referrals since 2001 Service include; • Carpet & Upholstery cleaning • Tile & Grout Cleaning & Sealing • Air Duct Cleaning & Fogging • Hardwood Floor Cleaning & Refinishing

www.CarpetCleaningSpokane.com

March 2012 • GreenLivingMonthly.com • 13

ORGANIC READING

The Ann Lovejoy handbook of Northwest Gardening

Linda Bond, Aunties Bookstore

Fearful of a high water bill this year? Maybe you’d like to out-maneuver the crazy weather patterns that have developed in the last few years, making your garden a bit of a gamble. Why not plan now for a low-maintenance, landscape paradise that will almost take care of itself. Over time every geographic area has yielded it’s own native plants; bushes, trees, grasses and others that are best suited to the climate and seasonal changes which the area experiences. Although we’ve had some weather patterns lately which all but destroyed our veggie gardens, with some planning, we can enjoy a few hardy species of edibles, in addition to herbs and flowering plants that are able to withstand major swings in rain yields, record-setting temperatures, and bugs that take advantage of these changes. And we can surround them with a landscape that will help enhance and protect our annual crops. The first step, of course, is to do a bit of study. Learn about plant species native to the Inland Northwest and ways to introduce others which will be noninvasive and supportive of an overall landscape design. Then, make a plan, including a planting timeline, materials and labor needed, and a budget that will allow you to make changes to your existing

layout in an orderly manner. Don’t plan on doing it all in one season, unless you have the time and energy to carry out a major overhaul of your yard. To get started, take advantage of information available online, or perhaps take a class in organic gardening techniques. And don’t forget the valuable ideas you can find in books, available at your local bookstore. A favorite of mine is “The Ann Lovejoy Handbook of Northwest Gardening.” Although she’s on the Coast, Ann’s advice applies to our area and you’ll find lots of guidance for all stages of your landscaping projects. Covering everything from the best ground covers, shrubs and perennials (as well as herbs), to dealing with pests without the use of harsh chemicals, there’s lots of ideas here to get you started. Publications from the WSU Extension Office and Master Gardeners Program will bring it home to your own backyard. Titles like “Landscaping with Native Plants in the Inland Northwest” and “Perennials for the Inland Northwest,” Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 are basic guides to answer all your questions. So don’t give up! Even though the weather is wacky, with a little thought and careful planning, you can develop a garden that will be easier to maintain, allow space for some annual plantings, and will offer beauty for years to come.

14 • GreenLivingMonthly.com • March 2012

Sites maintained using green products and practices, courtesy of Greenleaf Landscaping.

University of Spokamsterdam

127 W Boone Ave, Spokane, WA 99201

509-998-3405

Providing a safe environment where medical patients and care providers can meet for education and information.

New Semester Starts March 7th Legal Seminar - $20 March 7, 2012 6:30-8:30 Attorney David Miller

Courses Offered:

History & Advocacy Health & Science Horticulture Cooking Legal w

MARCH EVENT CALENDAR AT ECO DEPOT

March 17, 2012 - Solar Power Class 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Solar is a smart investment with strong returns such as reducing the money you spend on your utility bills. Calculate the pay back and you will see, it is possible to even make money on solar installation. “Solar Power” - The investment with strong returns. Learn the basics of Solar Power and what is required to get started. The cost of the class is $35.00 to include materials and handouts. All classes are limited to 20 people. Please contact Nadine Sullivan at 509-924-8803 or email nadine@ecodepotinc.com to register. Classes are held at Eco Depot, Inc. 1326 E. Sprague Avenue, Spokane, WA.

AT SUN PEOPLE

Planting Tomatoes from Seed Workshop - Saturday, March 3rd from 10:30 a.m. to Noon. FREE. Preregistration Required - only 25 spaces available. Register at the store or online at www.sunpeopledrygoods.com Come learn seed planting secrets! These skills and techniques will allow gardeners to avoid those tall, spindly tomatoes and get strong, stout stalks. WSU Master Gardener Marilyn Carothers will present a wonderful “show -ntell” class with power point presentation, “hands-on” activities, demonstrations, and displays so you can become a master tomato gardener! Take home your very own seed-planted tomato! Celebrate Spring Workshop for Kids! - Saturday, March 10th from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Cost: $25. Preregistration Required - only 15 spaces available. Register at the store or online at www.sunpeopledrygoods.com Join Kendra Robinson-Harding of Discovery Education NW for a fun-filled hands-on workshop designed just for children. Learn about the spring equinox, seed starting and planting through stories and games. Then take home your own indoor garden! Each participant will paint their own clay pot and choose seeds to plant. Class fee includes take-home materials. Ages 6 to 12. Film Showing of “The Future of Food” - Thursday March 15th at 4:00 p.m. FREE. No Preregistration Required. Everyone is welcome to attend! The Future of Food has been a key tool in the American and international antiGMO grassroots activist movements and played widely in the environmental and activist circuits since its release in 2004. Genetic engineering of food crops is as controversial today as ever, as many of the large agro corporations that use this technology position themselves as the answer to the world food crisis and further consolidate the seed supply. The Future of Food continues to be a key tool used by activists and educators who call for increased attention to this issue. Solar Energy Workshop with Bruce Gage - Saturday, March 24th from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Cost: $12. Preregistration Required - only 20 spaces available. Register at the store or online at www.sunpeopledrygoods.com Bruce Gage, co-owner of EcoDepot will discuss the basics of solar electric energy. This three-hour workshop will provide you with information on how to best incorporate solar into your home or business. Interactive discussion will include the latest solar technologies and product presentation. Also conversation about the financial and tax incentives for “gettin’ green from the ground up”...and going Solar! Natural Easter Egg Dying for Kids! - Saturday, March 24th from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Cost: $30. Preregistration Required - only 15 spaces available. Register at the store or online at www.sunpeopledrygoods.com

Join Kendra Robinson-Harding of Discovery Education NW for a fun-filled hands-on workshop designed just for children. Learn how to use natural ingredients to make beautiful and vibrant egg dye in every color of the rainbow. Each participant will leave with a dozen colored Easter eggs and instructions on how to do it at home. Class fee includes take-home materials. Ages 6 to 12. **For additional information about any of our events, please contact Juliet at juliet@sunpeopledrygoods.com

AT REI

Scratch & Dent Sale Saturday, March 3, 9:30 a.m. REI Scratch and Dent Sales are legendary for their great deals and “garage sale” style shopping. Here at the Spokane store, numbered tickets, indicating the order in which customers are ushered into the sales area, are handed out at 8:00 a.m. and often lines form even earlier with customers eager to find the deals they can’t resist. Customer traffic in the sales area is limited due to space and safety concerns and we will do our best to ensure that everyone has a pleasant, hassle-free shopping experience. All Scratch & Dent item sales are final and you must be an REI co-op member to purchase Scratch & Dent merchandise. Not a co-op member? Have more questions about the Scratch & Dent sale? Contact the store and ask about the great benefits today. Death Valley to Mt. Whitney , Solo Thursday, March 8, 7:00 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. Join REI and local ultra marathoner Dr. Lisa Bliss for an evening of inspiration. Dr. Bliss is a Physiatrist specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation. In a momentous trip that began on July 25, 2011, she completed one of the most grueling runs in the U.S. An unsupported trip of 146 miles from the lowest point in Death Valley to the pinnacle of Mt. Whitney , completed in only 89 hours and 38 minutes. Lisa ran for passion and dedication; she also ran to raise money for Crosswalk Youth Shelter, a center run by Volunteers of American for local Spokane homeless teens. This trip made Lisa the only woman, and the second person, ever to complete this run unsupported. Her story will fascinate and inspire you. Space is limited at this free presentation. Save your seat by registering at rei.com/spokane. Friends of the Centennial Trail Auction Friday, March 9, 6:00 p.m., Northern Quest Casino Join us for our fourth Adventure Auction on Friday, March 9, 2012 at Northern Quest Resort & Casino. With a mix of wonderful live and silent items, this distinctive auction is not to be missed! Tickets are now available for best seating, so call now at 509-624-7188. Attend and share the fun! 80% of the raised funds will go to the Trail Builders fund to help repair and complete the gaps in the Centennial Trail. For more info, e-mail friends@spokanecentennialtrail.org. Beginning Bike Maintenance Thursday, March 15, 7:00 p.m.- 8:30 p.m. This class is designed for anyone who owns a bike and wants to learn how to keep their bike running for years to come. This class demystifies the challenges of keeping your bicycle in good working order. Our experienced staff will explain basic maintenance -everything from removing the tire to keeping the drive train clean and functioning correctly. This class is free to attend but space is limited. Register at www.rei.com/spokane. Dog First Aid Thursday, March 29, 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Join Greg Benoit, DVM from SouthCare Animal Medical Center for this informative instruction on how to care for your “best friend” in the outdoors. From Fido’s paws to his ears, nature presents challenges but armed with the information from this class, you’ll be ready to respond. This class is free to attend but space is limited. Register at www.rei.com/spokane.

March 2012 • GreenLivingMonthly.com • 15

POSITION AVAILABLE Green Living Monthly is growing! We are seeking a salesperson to represent GLM in the Coeur d’Alene, Sandpoint and Spokane Valley areas. Must be “greenminded” and motivated to help businesses prosper through information and resources in the green movement. Please send resume and letter to chris@greenlivingmonthly.com.

LILY PAD DIRECTORY

A natural approach to reach your clientele. Advertise here for as low as $50/mo. Call Chris at 509-981-3839 or Carine at 509-998-5316

FOOD/BEVERAGES

ORGANIC PETS

422 E. Sprague Ave.

Advertise a 1/4 page or larger and receive a FREE ad in the

7302 N. Division St.

LILY PAD DIRECTORY

484-7387

Wednesday is customer appreciation day.

SAVE 10%

on all regular priced merchandise

NATURAL BEAUTY/HEALTH

Cori Creations BOUNCE FREE! SPORT BRA!

All Natural Lip & Skin Care Products

Lotions, Creams, Scrubs and Lip Balm “MAN STUFF” LOTION UNSCENTED

the sportsbras the gals remark

“Wow, it really works” Order yours today. Go to our website at

www.Esportbra.com

NO PERFUME, NO FLOWERS, NO FRUIT

509.981.9816 CORICREATIONS.COM

DeFelice Holistic Family Dentistry Designed BY a woman, FOR women.

Tuesday, March 13

For more info: http://groups.google.com/group/spokanegreendrinks?pli=1 https://www.facebook.com/ groups/39247888142/

534-0694

Green Drinks is an organic selforganizing network of individuals and businesses who meet once a month (2nd Tuesday at 5:30) at various businesses in town. Just say "are you green?" and we'll look after you and introduce you around. at Sun People Dry Goods, 32 West 2nd Ave.

ARTS & CRAFTS

FITNESS

GREEN INFO

Call today 509-981-3839 or 509-998-5316 If you read this ad..the advertisement works. Call us today to place yours HERE. 509-981-3839

GREEN SERVICES

Holistic Pet Food, Treats, Toys, and more! 2917 E Palouse Hwy Spokane, WA 99223

509-443-9663 Hours: M-F 9:30-6:00 Sat: 9:00-5:00 Sunday: Closed

Washington Alaskan Malamute Adoption League

10%OFF

your first cleaning or additional spring cleaning for existing clients

Call us TODAY FREE ESTIMATE 509-998-5316 EAGLE ECOLOGICAL PEST CONTROL for your home, office, boat or RV

Call Dennis at 509-953-3998

Energetically biocompatible, scientifically natural Dentistry- delivered with loving care!

(509) 327-7719 Armand V. DeFelice, DDS Loretta A. Rosier, DDS Louise C. DeFelice, DDS Check out our new website at:

defelicedentistry.com 4703 N. Maple Street

Spokane, WA

Spokane’s Premier Green Cleaning Specialist

Rescuing Malamutes and Encouraging Recycling Since 1986

www.wamal.com

If you read this ad..the advertisement works. Call us today to place yours HERE. 509-998-5316

Thank you for your referrals since 2001 Service include;

• • • •

Carpet & Upholstery cleaning Tile & Grout Cleaning & Sealing Air Duct Cleaning & Fogging Hardwood Floor Cleaning & Refinishing

www.CarpetCleaningSpokane.com

(509) 922-6153