Green Thinking Blog

It seems to me that “Green Cuisine” is the newest trend to the diet world.  But it shouldn’t be just a trend.  I first heard the term while in the frozen foods section.   I purchased a delicious version of General Tso Shrimp-a complete kit-with a sign stating it was:  GREEN CUISINE.  So, turned it over, and took note of the company’s web address.

Contessa Premium Foods’ home page actually has a link called Green Initiatives.  To click it shows a company with their values in order - at least from what I can tell…This company boasts the first environmentally LEED-certified frozen-food manufacturing plant in the world!  What does this mean? It means that the food manufactured in this plant is completely carbon neutral & made no foot prints on our Mother Earth in its creation.  They practice aquaculture and are 100% turtle safe.  The company supports wildlife efforts, including sea-turtle conservation projects. (check out saving a turtle)  Not only that, the company uses recyclable materials & practices recycling in their operations.

I went a little further & Googled Green Cuisine only to find a plethora of links come up!

Imagine my surprise when I ran across an article by the Union of Concerned Scientists that featured my favorite restaurant in my home town - Food Dance Cafe in Kalamazoo, MI!  (Yes, there really is a Kalamazoo.)  Food Dance Cafe & other restaurants have begun to feature locally grown products year-round.  Its fresh & supports community. What could be greener?

The term also refers to the practice of growing your own Microgreens, or in simple terms, things like arugala, cress, snow peas, herbs, and edible flowers…

With a focus on health, look for more health-conscious ideas and information on your cuisine at Laurel on Health Food.

Ah & MMM, what a great term:  GREEN CUISINE.  If only Green Eggs & Ham could taste this good….

Attention eco-fashion lovers! I’ve rounded up a few of my favorite earth-friendly clothes, shoes, and accessories for you. The best eco-friendly finds are vintage or second-hand items that don’t require new resources to make. But, there always comes a time when you need something new. Maybe you’ll find a little green fashion inspiration here. I tried to choose classic pieces that weren’t ridiculously expensive.

Chica Rosa Bag - This adorable clutch would be great for a night out or as a handy makeup bag. The outside of the bag is made from 200 recycled aluminum can tabs and nylon thread. The inside has a nylon liner and a zipper to close it. Get it at Elsewares for $36.

Women’s Yuri Jacket - I think this basic black jacket is worth the $116 because you could find SO MANY occasions to wear it. It would be great paired over a button-down for work, or you could be saucy and wear it alone like the girl in the picture for a night out. Available in black or white, the jacket is made of 100% hemp muslin with a 100% silk lining.

Women’s Del Forte Denim Daphne Shorts - I love the dark denim and the cuffs on these long shorts. I also love how the girl in the picture is rockin’ some pointy toe pumps with them. They’re made of 99% organic cotton and are on sale for $68. That may be too pricey for a lot of people, but these were too cute for me not to mention!

Women’s ‘Cushee’ Flip Flops - These casual flip flops are made from hemp and recycled rubber. They come in sand, chocolate, or black colors. They look super comfy too! I really like the sand ones with the pink sole. $25 from Simple Shoes.

Women’s Organic Fine Jersey Short Sleeve T - I bet this baby-tee is super comfortable with its organic fine jersey material. The little green contrasting stitch on the shoulder is a cute touch too. $18 at American Apparel (a sweatshop-free company).

Women’s Loyale Temalpaid Pant - These yoga/dance/workout pants are low-rise and come with free shipping. Grey with purple or blue stripe at $55 from Pangaya. 92% Organic Cotton.

Men’s CAReen Shoes - These kicks are made from recycled tires and organic cotton. They come in muted colors including classic taupe, olive, espresso, and black. $65 from Simple Shoes.

Men’s Gap (PRODUCT) RED™ empowered T - I really like this basic off-white tee with the subtle block letters that spell “empowered.” The material is 100% cotton, and half of the proceeds go to the Global Fund to help fight AIDS. $24.50 at Gap.

Men’s Mossimo® Organic Shirt - Brown Suede - This classic button-down shirt is on clearance at Target for only $15.39 ($16.70 for XXL). Other available colors are blue stripe, green stripe, or taupe stripe.

Men’s Minimalist II Board Shorts - These solid color board shorts have a durable water repellent finish and are made from 100% recycled polyester through Patagonia’s Common Threads Recycling Program. Available for $55 in the following colors: meditation green, carbon, low tide, mars red, and blueblack. Patagonia gives 1% of profits back to the planet and is LEED-certified.

Apollo Alliance sent me a worthwhile petition in my email yesterday. It’s no surprise that the oil companies are banking on record profits right now, and they are currently teaming up with their allies in Congress to propose more offshore oil drilling. Apollo has cooked up a new petition to tell Congress that we do NOT want them to drill on coastal protected areas. Instead, we want the money to go towards clean, renewable, and homegrown energy and more green jobs for Americans.

Here’s what Apollo Alliance had to say in their email:

“Every day, Americans pay more and more at the pump, while oil companies bring in record profits. Now, those same oil companies and their congressional allies are proposing more drilling - even though nearly every energy expert agrees this is one problem America can’t drill its way out of. The oil companies say they’re doing it to help lower the cost of gas. But scratch the surface, and you’ll find it’s the oil companies that truly benefit from new offshore drilling. Don’t let them continue to make money off of high gas prices while working Americans remain dependent on the energy of the past. Instead, tell Congress we need a real, comprehensive solution to America’s energy crisis. Let’s invest in clean, renewable energy and homegrown fuels, that will create millions of high-quality, green-collar jobs and reduce our dependence on oil. “

Are you fired up? I know I was. If so, you can sign the petition here.

What is Apollo Alliance? It’s a coalition that promotes clean/renewable energy, green collar jobs, and independence from foreign oil. Check out the Apollo Alliance website, and sign up for their email list. You can read more about the Apollo mission and how the alliance got started on their About page.

This last weekend took me to Ft. Lauderdale beach in sunny Florida. As I walked along the sandy shore I was stuck by a strange mound in the sand surrounded by construction tape.  Upon further observation, I discovered this mound was in fact an onshore incubator for sea turtles.  I said to myself, “Self, You have got to look into this further once you return home & get the scoop on these turtles.”  So. I did.

From what I have found out, in large part to Turtle Time, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to loggerhead sea turtles, is that from May until August every year these amazing creatures come ashore to lay their eggs.  The mama will dig a nest in the sand, usually about 18-22 inches deep and lay her eggs for a period of roughly two months.  When the little babies are born they are only 2 inches big and will eventually grow to be 250-400 pounds! 

So that is the easy part:  Get it on, lay some eggs, return to the sea.

The hard part comes when the babies hatch.  Sometimes they get confused with hotel lights, street lamps, car headlights, and instead of wandering off to sea and their destiny, they wander into the road and under your car tire. 

I saw signs all over the beach in Ft. Lauderdale warning tourists of the dimmed lights on streets and buildings to give the hatchlings every chance they have at surviving, and I truly thought it to be a great effort amongst the community to come together to help this endangered species. 

Tips from Turtle Time, Inc. about things you can do to help the turtles while you are on the beach:

• Do NOT shine lights on a nesting turtle! 
• Please don’t litter.  Plastic bags, balloons, soda can holders, etc. can be fatal if eaten by a turtle - or any animal for that matter.
• Close drapes or blinds after dark if your lights are visible to the beach, while this helps the turtles, this can help you too!  Create a little mood for yourself and a loved one, who knew turtles could be so romantic.

Another great resource:  Guided Turtle Walks.  While on vacation take in a little culture.  Many museums, aquariums, and community centers provide guided walks on the beach in hopes of witnessing this miracle of the sea turtle.  Ususally taking place between the hours of 9 pm - 1 am, but remember, do not bring your flashlights, and do not disturb the turtle - how would you like your business disturbed?

Man, I guess I am on a Pickens kick. 

This time though, the focus is on T. Boone Pickens, the oil tycoon turned renewable.  He has launched a nationwide campaign to promote alternative fuel sources to help America quit its addiction to foreign oil.  You may have seen his commercials aired on the television. 

He is currently in hot pursuit of wind energy and is in the midst of creating the world’s largest wind farm in Texas.  The farm near Sweetwater, Texas, will produce 4,000 megawatts of wind power, enough to double the United States’ wind energy output. 

Pickens Plan is to find enough renewable energy sources to bide time while we create better technologies for fuel sources.  If we better utilize our natural gas and create wind generation facilities, we will have the opportunity to replace 1/3 of foreign oil in ten years.

T. Boone plans to take this campaign to the new President of the United States and to make sure the voices are heard within the first 100 days of his presidency.  He is calling for your help to be heard, click here to read more.

Remember our previous post about Fort Pickens?  The mystery of the solar panels atop an abandoned building? Some of you thought those panels powered a meth lab, others an emergency shelter, and some of you guessed right (yes, you).  The mystery has been solved!  Thanks to a Roxanne, a representative from the Gulf Islands National Seashore.  Those panels, seen below, have been used to power fans, also seen below, to keep air filtering through the building after the affects of Hurrican Ivan.  Throughout the park, there are 20 fans or so all powered through sunlight.

Pretty awesome huh?!  Thanks for the knowledge Roxanne!

I recently posted 10 inspirational nutrition quotes on my health food blog, so I figured that green thinking blog needs its own list too. Here are my top ten quotes on being green, loving Planet Earth, and doing something to save it. Got quotes of your own? Drop us a comment.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtfully committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead

“Problems cannot be solved at the same level of awareness that created them.” – Albert Einstein

“There are no passengers on spaceship Earth. We are all crew.” – Marshall McLuhan, 1964

“You must become the change you wish to see in the world” – Mahatma Ghandi

“If the future of all human civilization depended on me, what would I do? How would I be?” – Buckminster Fuller

“I recognize the right and duty of this generation to develop and use our natural resources, but I do not recognize the right to waste them, or to rob by wasteful use, the generations that come after us.” – Theodore Roosevelt, 1900

“We are the most dangerous species of life on the planet, and every other species, even the Earth itself, has cause to fear our power to exterminate. But we are also the only species which, when it chooses to do so, will go to great effort to save what it might destroy.” – Wallace Stegner

“It is our task in our time and in our generation, to hand down undiminished to those who come after us, as was handed down to us by those who went before, the natural wealth and beauty which is ours.” – John F. Kennedy

“I think the environment should be put in the category of our national security. Defense of our resources is just as important as defense abroad. Otherwise what is there to defend?” Robert Redford, 1985

“How many generations in human history have had the opportunity to rise to a challenge that is worthy of our best efforts…that has a challenge that can pull from us more than we knew we could do? I think we ought to approach this challenge with a sense of profound joy and gratitude that we are the generation, about which a thousand years from now philharmonic orchestras and poets and singers will celebrate by saying “they were the ones that found it within themselves to solve this crisis and lay the basis for a bright and optimistic human future.” Let’s do that.” – Al Gore, 2008

The Fourth of July took us to a little place called Pensacola Beach, a completely beautiful land that promoted healthy bike rides, some vitamin C to the skin (protected by UVB & UVA sunscreen), some entertainment, and an awesome fresh fish market. The short time we were there we were fortunate enough to partake in each of these activities while celebrating the birth of our country’s freedom.

Little did I expect, silly me, that I might take an adventure that was completely spontaneous, a downright accident actually, that would lead me to a mystery. This mystery I speak of is still unsolved, and if you should have any information, please please please contact us immediately!

Our last day in Pensacola Beach our host suggested we take a bike ride to visit Fort Pickens to gain some history on our vacation. We agreed to go, thinking it might take us all of an hour to tour and then get on the ride home. So, we ride and ride, what a beautiful ride! Sugar sand beaches, clear blue green seas, fresh air in our hair and faces, and we didn’t even recognize how long we had been riding until the Fort never seemed to come. We turned around and could no longer see civilization. To make a long story short, we took a 4 hour cruise, a dip in the Gulf, a walk through 2 miles of sand pushing our bikes where the road had been washed away, introduce ourselves to Tropical Storm Bertha (she was relatively friendly considering she only threw sand in our faces and refused to rain on us) and we came across this:

Please notice the four solar panels on the roof. This house is an old Campers’ Registration/Visitor Center for when the Fort was up and running regularly before Hurricane Ivan came over in 2004. The solar panels seem to be running a set of fans that are under the awning, but I couldn’t be too sure.

So, I’ve checked with the Gulf Islands National Seashore, I’ve checked with Pensacola’s Greatest, and Google to no avail. My curiosity has been piqued as to the history behind this house, those solar panels, and what future reconstruction could bring to Fort Pickens on the Gulf Beaches of Florida.

If you have any insight to this mystery, please please please contact us!

Until then…Happy Trails!

Today I got a glimpse of a huge, beautiful sparkler of a diamond on some lady’s hand when I was standing in the checkout line at Publix. After I shook off my mesmerized stare (I’m a sucker for anything shiny and sparkly), I made a mental note to write this blog for our Green Thinking readers.

Is it possible to “green” your engagement or wedding rings? Well, first we have to put aside the fact that rings are not a necessity to life and they do require resources, energy, and transportation. But it got me thinking that in 2008 there must be sustainable or eco-conscious ways to adorn your finger (or your partner’s). The truth is that rings are pretty and most girls really look forward to the moment when we’ll get one. Can I get an AMEN?!

As usual, I did a little research, and here’s what I came up with:

Brilliant Earth - I found out about this company from my friend Melanie in California who recently got engaged. Her guy surprised her with a non-traditional, but oh-so-classy platinum sapphire ring from Brilliant Earth. All the company’s jewelry is made using socially-responsible methods, the diamonds are certified conflict-free from Canada, and they donate 5% of profits to “communities who have suffered from unethical practices in the jewelry industry.”

GreenKarat - I read about GreenKarat jewelry over on TreeHugger. They have some ready-made selections (check out that simple, but gorgeous canary diamond), but the best feature is the custom jewelry page where you can tell them exactly what you want, and they’ll make it for you in 2-8 weeks time. GreenKarat makes ecologically and socially responsible jewelry, and the company is also a big supporter of recycled gold.

Another option is to buy a “recycled” ring from the classifieds or a vintage/antique store. It would take some searching, but you never know what you’ll find. You might come across something special in the classifieds if someone is getting divorced and wants to get rid of a ring (seriously)! As for vintage/antique jewelry, you may have a great store right in your city or you can browse online. A few good sites I found are: Sylvia’s Antiques, Fay Cullen, and Dover Jewelry (wowza they have some ROCKS). On these sites, you can find rings from $400 to $80,000! Another option: take a diamond that’s been in your family and have it re-set in the style and setting that you want.

Pictured: Platinum sapphire ring from Brilliant Earth.

Just about everyone is annoyed with junk mail. We don’t want to see it in our email boxes, but its even worse in our physical, snail mail boxes. How many days a week do you get junk mail? If you’re like me, you get it every day and there’s at least two pieces that you have to shred or throw away. So what can we do about all the wasted paper resources and piles of trash that junk mail causes?

First, go sign the petition to stop junk mail at DoNotMail.org. You can remain anonymous or you can include your info and rant about why the junk mail really makes you angry.

Second, take some action to “opt out” of the junk mail you receive. Visit the Direct Marketing Association’s Mail Preference Service page and follow the three steps to register. The service costs $1.00 and its estimated that it can reduce your junk mail by 75%. PrivacyRights.org also has an informative page about reducing your junk mail from specific types of business or services. They usually advise you to contact companies directly and ask to be removed from their contact list.

Third, designate a box in your home or a corner of your desk where you can stack junk mail. As long as it doesn’t have any of your personal information, toss the mail in that pile and drop it off for recycling once a month. Of course, if it does include your personal information, shred it and throw it away.

Have some ideas or advice of your own? Share with us!