Farm to Table Tour with Toyota!

I am so excited to be joining forces with Toyota in the Farm to Table Tour. As the long time founder of California Certified Farmers Markets and Jennifer McColm Certified I feel that this is a great opportunity to further educate our community about conscious living and bring together great like-minded representatives from Toyota and Jennifer McColm Certified to benefit the community. Jennifer McColm certifies products that meet our rigorous criteria and are proud to announce that the Toyota Highlander and Prius meet those standards.
For more information or to see when the Farm to Table Tour hits your town check out: http://www.farmtotabletour.com/

Featured Vendor - “All Green Things”

The idea all started with a little a little independent film called “An Inconvenient Truth”. The message was clear and there is actual evidence to back up what Al Gore has been saying for years: Global warming does exist. After watching this documentary, Tanya Peel, like many of us, was motivated to start the journey to embrace a green life-style, not only for herself, but for our planet.

“I wanted to figure out how to minimize my use and waste of resources. It is undoubtedly a challenge at first, but I was realistic in trying to affect an initial change through an evolution instead of a shock. Consistent and deliberate action, however small, ultimately adds up to immense differences that reduce the negative effects on our environment. I suddenly felt empowered and wanted to empower others to challenge themselves to do more. I genuinely believe that people not only CAN make a difference, but when inspired properly by the stakes of this global struggle, will WANT to make a difference.”

Tanya Peel
Founder/ President

First, the easy stuff – she started with recycling bottles, cans, and paper products at home. This was a realistic beginning that led to bigger changes, such as exploring organic foods and eco-friendly household products. These steps were a little more daunting as a fear of paying higher prices for these products is a natural concern. Surprisingly enough, she found that with eco-friendly products you end up using less (light bulbs are a great example of this) so you actually end up SAVING MONEY.

Empowered by this new knowledge, Tanya became excited about inspiring and educating others to explore their own options in this green revolution. From this hope for the future, “All Green Things” was born. “All Green Things” is an on-line educational resource that provides users with a comprehensive source of facts about green living. They offer eco-products that encourage a purchasing process that focuses on local economies, fair practices, reusable or sustainable materials, and less consumption tied to ever changing trends.

One of the most successful selling items on the website is a 100% hemp reusable produce bag. These bags come in small and large sizes and are breathable, lightweight, washable and super durable. You can also purchase a 100% organic cotton carrying pouch which holds 5 or 10 100% hemp reusable produce bags. Perfect to keep on- hand at home, work, and in the car for those last minute needs! Click here for more info.

As a rule, “All Green Things” strives to be a good citizen within the “greening the planet” industry. As an extra bonus, whenever you make a purchase with them, they give a portion of all net profits back towards causes in support of the arts, community, and environment. They are a proud member of “One Percent For the Planet”, a select group of retailers who are committed to giving back at least 1% of net profits towards environmental causes.

On Saturday mornings you can always stop by Tanya Peel’s booth at the Calabasas Farmer’s Market. She is also making plans to open her new storefront in Woodland Hills, due to launch March 2009.

GREEN EVENT IN LA!

Go Green Expo  held it’s premiere event in New York City in April of 2008.  There were over 250 exhibits, more than 50 speakers, and plenty of eco-film fun.  Go Green Expo was the brainchild of Bradford Rand, who developed the idea after viewing the controversial film
“An Inconvenient Truth.” He asked himself the simple question: ”How can we make a difference?” This question was shared with his “green” team and Go Green Expo was born. Rand has been a producer of over 700 trade shows and job fairs over the last 14 years and knew he could step up to the challenge.

A one of a kind event from it’s inception and the ground up, Go Green Expo changes not only the public’s view of environmental issues, but also how events like these are developed and produced. Consumers have the opportunity to have hands on experience of the eco-friendly alternatives to current everyday products.  They are able to interact with hundreds of companies that are there to showcase what they are doing to reduce their carbon footprint.

Two of the speakers at this event are Ed Begley Jr, well know actor and environmental advocate, who serves on the boards of many environmental awareness organizations and Mariel Hemingway, who will discussing “How to Green Yourself” through living a healthy life style. What more could you ask for?

One of the truly wondeful parts of this experience is that even the event itself is environmentally friendly.  Biodegradable trash bags, eco-friendly printing, table coverings, recycled signs, and compostable sponsor banners are a few of the nods to zero carbon footprinting. All of the event waste will be separated and sorted to make sure the least amount of trash winds up in landfills. Even the staff will be traveling in eco-friendly style!

Don’t miss the opportunity to educate yourself and your family!
The Los Angeles Convention Center
Saturday, January 24th • 10am - 6pm
Sunday, January 25th • 10am - 5pm

Quote of the Day!

Throughout my adult life, I’ve always been conscious about the environment and what we should do to reduce our impact on the earth. One of my motivations was the belief that you may not be able to change the world, but you can at least change your footprints on this earth.

~ Jules Dervaes, November 2004~ The Path to Freedom

Eco-friendly Gifts — Easier than you think!

Just by putting a little more effort into your holiday shopping this season, you will be free and eco-clear! Why not try to give earth-friendly or handmade gifts? Your local farmer’s market is full of talented artisans that depend on their wares to get them through the holiday season, do something good for the economy, and spend locally! I recently purchased a beautiful piece from the local Farmers Market near my home that I am planning on giving away to a dear friend. The price was reasonable and the quality was unmatched. Plus, I am doing my little part to help my community.

Alternatively, if you have time, make up recipe jars, photo-calendars, or coupon books for good deeds. Another eco-friendly idea is giving a “cultural experience” gift. Think about a family membership to the local zoo, museum, or botanical gardens.

Lastly, when you do shop for gifts, take your own bags to cut down on plastic waste. Oh, and those make excellent gifts too!

Go Green on Turkey Day!

Thanksgiving Day is one of those rare times throughout the year where you have a chance to catch up with your family and share what you’ve been up to all year ‘round. With all the cleaning and preparing you have to do in order to accommodate your guests, you might think “greening” your Thanksgiving dinner would be too difficult to even think about.

The truth is, like all your other choices throughout the year, it is very easy to make small changes that can make this day a nod towards the environment. Another benefit is that you will set an example to others on how easy it can be to enjoy an eco-friendly holiday season.

Here are some easy tips to green your Turkey Day:

1. Green your shopping - shop locally!
   Thanksgiving is a great opportunity to shop for your staple and perishable items at your local Farmers’ Market. Many of the recipes in a traditional Thanksgiving dinner rely on fresh whole foods that are in-season. You can find almost everything you need as far as veggies are concerned (carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes, yams) as well as fresh cheeses and breads to complete your dinner table!
2. Eco-Clean the house!
   Whether you are the one toiling around the house the day before or you have a little bit of help, be sure to use non-toxic cleaners. These eco-safe cleaners are so much healthier than their alternatives and can make your house shine just as well! Either way, using non-toxic cleaners can make your house sparkle without chemicals. Want windows that sparkle? Here’s a recipe you can use!
3. Encourage car pooling!
   Fewer emissions and more parking spots will be the benefit in making this suggestion to your guests. It might take a little planning, such as distributing the names, phone numbers or email addresses of guests who live near one another, but it is well worth it.
4. Serve “Green” Liquids!
   Be sure to serve up organic wine or champagne with real cork, not plastic stoppers or twist off tops. Cork is renewable and no tree is touched to make cork. You can also serve organic vodka, gin, cider, wine or beer; buy local if possible. Instead of bottled water, serve crisp, clean water by using a faucet filter or a pitcher such as a Brita. A Brita “filter uses an ion resin exchange to reduce lead, copper, mercury, cadmium, zinc, and other impurities from drinking water.” Flavor it up by adding squeezed lemons, limes, or oranges.
5. Recycle all you can!
   Donate leftovers or use the greens in your compost. Be sure any aluminum cans go into the recycling bin and that any paper plates are biodegradable so they can be “re-used” as well!

There are so many more ways to go green on this day – let us know your ideas!

Green Celebrity: Ringo Starr

No more fan mail for Ringo Starr, the legendary drummer for one of my favorite groups of all time, the Beatles.  Now before you begin to think that he is not grateful for his fame and his fans, his decision is two folded.  First of all, can you imagine how many letters Starr receives on a weekly basis? And not just letters, but items that fans would like for him to sign for them – where do you suppose the majority of those items appear for sale? On eBay of course!  I’m sure it doesn’t make you feel good to have your “fans” use you as a profit making machine.  The former Beatle explains his 40 second video posted on his website by insisting the ‘ban’ on fan mail was “in direct response to an inordinate amount of items which have recently appeared for sale on eBay, and to those that repeatedly send cards and items to be signed.”

He also adds, “(It’s) a waste of paper and we all should be mindful of our carbon footprint.”

Quick Fact: the average American uses more than 730 pounds of paper each year, which ends up making close to 40% of our garbage.

Starr adds the video was not aimed at his “real fans” who have recognized that he “has always signed items and is in fact the only Beatle to have been doing so.”

The drummer says he is “amazed” by the reaction to his video message, and urges fans to “read this in a mellow way.”

So perhaps we could still send our “peace and love” to Richard Starkey via email or text message? Maybe. Maybe not. Either way, it’s always a step in the right direction when attention gets pointed to the importance of being aware of our carbon footprint.

Coastal Cleanup Day 2008

Coastal Cleanup Day is September 20th, 2008!!

Every year, the state of California relies on volunteers to help clean up the coasts along the entire state. Coastal cleanup day in California is easily one of the largest volunteer events in Southern California.

This year, the coastal cleanup day will be September 20th. In 2007, there were more than 60,000 volunteers who moved trash from all of the beaches and lakes in the state. This huge undertaking helped to remove nearly 1 million pounds of trash; this is an astounding number that is unfortunately too common. While there are thousands of volunteers, there are millions of people who trash the coast and do not understand the importance of keeping it clean.

Why Clean Up our Coast?

There are two major reasons to clean up the coast; the humans, and the wildlife. Those who do not have a large soft spot for Mother Nature can still appreciate a clean coast. No one wants to walk onto a coast and beach only to find cigarette buts and wrappers. All of this trash can be incredibly distracting, and downright disgusting, for those who are attempting to enjoy a day at the beach. This is also incredibly unsanitary, as junk on the beach is not necessarily a healthy haven.

The animals are an entirely different story. While many people have heard of animals who have a hard time on the coasts with trash, the may not understand how wide spread the problem is. Many people have heard of birds or fish that have been stuck in the pop can plastic connecters. People generally do not hear of the birds and other animals that eat cigarette butts, and the animals who cut themselves on sharp trash. All of this trash can easily find it’s way to the coasts. If no one cleans this u, the animals will remain in danger.

How to Register and Volunteer

Registering and volunteering for the coastal cleanup day in California is incredibly easy. First, you need to figure out where you would like to clean up; there are local coordinators for all of the different areas on the coast. Once you reach the local coordinator, you can receive directions and instructions for the day of the cleaning. You can also do so online, and can actually set up a site of your own if none exist.

On the day of the actually clean up you will check in at your location and will receive most of the things that you need. While you need to bring your own shoes, hats, and gloves, you will be given trash bags and the information you need to track the trash you pick up. Volunteering for the coastal cleanup day is really this easy. Searching California’s government website will easily lead you to the database for the coastal cleanup day so that you can find your area and be well on your way to making a difference on California’s coasts.