heliumballoon

October is National Vegetarian Month!

2011-10-01T10:00:00.001-04:00

October is National Vegetarian Month!

There are so many benefits to going vegetarian or cutting back on the meat, that I'm going to take the month to provide you compelling reasons to ditch the habit.

This week lets take a look at the effects on our health.

Research has shown:

Vegetarians are 50 percent less likely to develop heart disease.

Vegetarians have 40 percent of the cancer rate of meat-eaters.

Meat-eaters are nine times more likely to be obese than vegans are.

The consumption of meat, eggs, and dairy products has also been strongly linked to osteoporosis, Alzheimer's, asthma, and male impotence.

Scientists have also found that vegetarians have stronger immune systems than their meat-eating friends; this means that they are less susceptible to everyday illnesses like the flu.

Vegetarians and vegans live, on average, six to 10 years longer than meat-eaters.

One great way to start incorporating more vegetarian meals into your diet is to pick one day of the week (meatfree Mondays perhaps!?) to devote to eating vegetarian...

Be Well!

FINAL Day of our Veggie month!!!!!!!!!!

2011-09-01T09:19:00.002-04:00

Well, today is officially the first day of meat eating month, or, the end of our meat free month? Either way, #1 can be crossed off!!! WOO HOO!!

And, Happy September folks!

Five

2011-08-22T12:54:00.010-04:00

#5- Take a domestic trip- CHECK!

Every spot in Maine is beautiful. The views, the ocean breeze, the rocky coast! And the major metropolis of Portland (65K people) is so eclectic! We ate lots of seafood, visited the L.L. Bean store in Freeport and became Maineiacs! Below are some of my tips!

1. Take in a baseball game with the Portland SeaDogs.

2. Eat lobster Benedict at Bintliffs. It's worth the wait.

3. Visit one of Maine's only beaches, Popham Beach. Brave the cold water!
4. Eat $1.55 oysters at 555. Avoid Commercial Street for dinner.

5. Kayak with Joe on Peaks Island

6. Visit the Shipyard brewery and buy a six pack. Drink it by the ocean

7. Visit the Portland Lobster Co. It's touristy, but so are you!

Five

2011-08-17T11:43:00.000-04:00

My fifth and sixth 30 x 30 items are really not that hard to accomplish:

#5: Take a domestic trip

#6: Take an international trip.

Honestly, I already had trips planned when I made my 30 x 30 list, but they are still goals and I am still able to check them off! #5 this weekend!

Huck and I decided a long time ago that we would try to take one big trip a year to some place we'd never been before. We plan on alternating domestic and international, but this year we are lucky enough to take both!

So, tomorrow, we embark on a journey to a place neither of us have been: Portland, Maine!

Will post more on our return.

xxx

One

2011-08-16T09:57:00.007-04:00

Well, I didn't manage to go horseback riding this Sunday- the torrential downpour most of the east coast was experiencing sort of put a damper on that.

However, I did photograph a delicious vegetarian meal last night. August is our vegetarian month, which fulfills my #1 30x30 goal.

So, without further ado- here is the receipe for my new favorite stew, "Kitchen Sink:" (aka, anything left in the fridge.)

1 small eggplant

1 large zuchinni

5 tomatoes

4 stalks of celery

1/2 cup olives, chopped

1 tablespoon capers

garlic, rosemary and other spices to taste

2 small onions

1 carton of veggie stock (4 cups)

-Sautee tomatoes, capers, onions and olives in olive oil in the bottom of a large saucepan until broken down, the idea is to create a delicious sauce
-Add veggie stock and spices
-Add rest of veggies
-Simmer for 30 min or until veggies are soft

The trick here is to ammend the recipe to your liking. If you like carrots more than eggplant, use those, corn? You got it! Want to add meatballs? Well, I couldnt come over for dinner but it would still be delicious!!

So, on a cold, rainy night (like tonight)- simmer up some veggies and slurp up this delicious kitchen sink recipe!

Enjoy!

Oh, and, if you find doing a whole month of vegetarianiam difficult, join the leagues of "meatless monday" folks. It's good for you AND the enviroment.

Eleven

2011-08-11T15:12:00.005-04:00

This weekend I will accomplish # 11.

Ride a Horse.

It's been 15 years or more since I took horseback riding lessons... Old Man was a slow and sweet horse but once he bucked me (aka he tripped and I freaked) lessons were cut.

I did take a beautiful trip through the snow with my Londonettes a few years back, as evidenced to the right. But, nothing serious. My feet aren't even in the stirrups.

So, alas, this Sunday I will attempt to conquer my first 30 x 30 and ride a horse. Stay tuned.

2011-08-04T10:55:00.006-04:00

Today marks a huge mile stone for me, no, I am not pregnant nor is it my wedding day (which was the best day of my life and maybe Ill dedicate a post to one of these days) ... but, it is the day I return to blogging! Thank you, thank you... but hold your applause. I can't promise daily posts like the Helium Balloon of yesteryear, but, I can promise 30 posts throughout my 30th year of life.

31 if you count this one.

You see, on July 8th, I turned 29 years old. SOME of you might find that unbelievable, and not because I still act like a 10 year old or look like a 21 year old, but because no one was sure that I'd ever make it out of prison.

And, as it so happens, on July 8th, 2012, I will turn 30 years old. SO, by the suggestion of my dear friend from Mywhatabigblogyouhave, I have decided to make a 30 x 30 list.

Fake, I wasn't really in prison.

So, what's the big deal? You ask. Because apparently it is commonplace to make such a list, see this blog, this blog and this blog (my favorite.) But, I am actually going to complete my list AND blog about each adventure. Video, pictures, quotes, you name it, I will document it.

So, here it is, in it's entirety... drum roll please:

1. Do another vegetarian month
2. Volunteer at a soup kitchen
3. Volunteer at a pet shelter
4. Put away an extra $100 a month
5. Take a domestic trip
6. Take an international trip
7. Ask for a promotion
8. Make fresh jam
9. Ask for a raise
10. Stop biting my nails
11. Ride a horse
12. Try new restaurants in Summit
13. See the ophthalmologist
14. Train for a race (tri, half, century…)
15. Spend a day like a tourist in NYC
16. Take a cooking/baking class
17. Go on a hot air balloon ride
18. Take a gun safety class
19. Go on a girls vacation
20. Take a trip with all forms of internet/texting/twitter OFF
21. Put away my phone when I get home from work
22. Write a book.
23. Paint
24. Learn the ceramic wheel
25. make a piece of pottery
26. Make a killer wedding scrap book
27. Make a quilt
28. Make a dress
29. Visit another Frank Lloyd Wright home
30. Dinner/Drinks with an old friend once a month

And yes, I will do it all but I need your help! Anyone out there who can advise me on where to go for any of the above would be much appreciated!

Bonne Chance to me!

Quote Sundays

2010-05-23T08:00:00.001-04:00

We want a society where people are free to make choices, to make mistakes, to be generous and compassionate. This is what we mean by a moral society where the state is responsible for everything and no one is responsible for the state.

-Margaret Thatcher, British Prime Minister

Quote Sundays

2010-05-16T08:00:00.001-04:00

Years and years of happiness only make us realize how lucky we are to have friends that have shared and made that happiness a reality.

-Robert Frederick, author

Quote Sundays

2010-05-09T08:00:00.001-04:00

No one's happiness but my own is in my power to achieve or destroy.

-Ayn Rand, writer

Quote Sundays

2010-05-02T08:00:00.003-04:00

In honor of officially giving up my apartment in Manhattan and starting my life with a wonderful man, I pass on this wisdom...

Most quarrels amplify a misunderstanding.

-Andre Gide, author

Quote Sundays

2010-04-25T08:00:00.001-04:00

"Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind"

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Satunesday

2010-04-24T08:00:00.002-04:00

"Lessons Learned"
Matt and Kim

The coolest thing about this video, besides that I love the song and the idea, it's one camera, one shot, no editing. They had one chance to get this right, and looks like they did...

Check out more from Matt and Kim here.

Ch ch ch changes

2010-04-19T08:00:00.003-04:00

Good morning readers!

Today marks my very first day as an Associate Marketer for Liz Claiborne. I will specifically be working with the beautiful jewelry line Monet and focusing my energy on getting the word out about the amazing new designs. More to come on that.

Please check out the website for more info and soon for online shopping!

But for now, heliumballoon goes on hiatus. I need to settle in to the new job and figure out how to best direct my time. Thank you for the years of support and reading and commenting. It has been a wild ride updating a blog everyday. At least I know I can do it!

To be continued....

Quote Sundays

2010-04-18T08:00:00.001-04:00

Imagination grows by exercise.

-Somerset Maugham, writer

Satunesday

2010-04-17T08:00:00.002-04:00

"Good Arms vs. Bad Arms"
Frightened Rabbit

In honor of my Scottish heritage, I present to you: Frightened Rabbit. Melodies, lyrics, accents! Oh, and they will be at Webster Hall on April 28th. So... buy your tickets now.

Some light reading...

2010-04-16T08:00:00.016-04:00

I've done a post about great books that I've read or plan to read, and since I've made it through those - here is the second edition.

As a member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Henry Pollack has been on the front lines of the fight against global warming. A World Without Ice describes the potential repercussions of melting glaciers and ice caps- and what we can do to change their course.

Following his popular An Inconvenient Truth, Al Gore's Our Choice focuses not on problems but solutions.

In Hot, Flat and Crowded, Thomas Friedman argues that by fixing the environment we will boost America's struggling economy.

Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv, has been recommended to me numerous times. It links childhood obesity, depression and ADHD to the indoor-centric lifestyle of today's kids. He makes the case that nature will have no guardians if we do not encourage kids to enjoy it.

Finally, Daniel Goleman's Ecological Intelligence, shows that "green" doesn't always mean earth friendly when it comes to consumer products. He points to manufacturing transparency as the key to helping shoppers make informed purchases.

Green Crafts

2010-04-15T08:00:00.004-04:00

I found out about Crafting a Green World from the wonderful site, Recycle your Day. It’s full of ton’s of great eco green DIY ideas. I’m a huge fan of DIY projects because it brings out my inner creative self. After visiting their site I feel like I can do any of the featured crafts/projects.

Crafting a Green World features do-it-yourself projects that incorporate reused, recycled, and natural materials. Find knitting, sewing, crocheting, and other project ideas for eco-friendly and fashionable clothes, crafts, gifts and more.

Weather forecasters predict.... nothing

2010-04-14T08:00:00.001-04:00

As usual, some weatherpeople are just useless. Case in point, a seemingly counterintuitive rift has emerged between climate scientists and "meteorologists."

“Meteorologists are far more likely than climatologists to question the science of climate change,” Leslie Kaufman reports in an article in The New York Times.

One reason, the article suggests, is that climate scientists study long-term weather patterns and meteorologists make short-term forecasts. See some of the absurd videos below:

I've never taken what you say as fact before anyway...

Ha ha ha...

2010-04-13T08:00:00.001-04:00

So, did you ever think climate change could be funny? Check out this article from the Wall Street Journal...

Food Label Lowdown

2010-04-12T08:00:00.001-04:00

Keeping track of all the different food labeling can be confusing. Below, you will find the 8 most common logos that Body+Soul have dissected and analyzed to help us make more conscientious choices.

American Humane Association:
This label ensures that farm animals engaged freely in normal behavior (ie, were not raised in cages) and employed only trained handlers to tend to them.

Marine Stewardship Council:
This label represents a fishery's commitment to sustainable practices, such as protecting biodiversity and ecological development.

Food Alliance:
This non-profit certifies food producers for a variety of sustainable practices, including fair working conditions, reduced pesticide use, water and energy conservation, and wildlife habitat protection. It also rejects the use of hormones and antibiotics.

Rain Forest Alliance:
A champion of sustainable agriculture and guarantees socially and environmentally responsible management policies. More than 31,000 farms in 22 countries comply. The RA holds its members accountable for decent wages, soil and water conservation and the use of pesticides only as a last resort.

Demeter Biodynamic:
Producers certified Demeter use no pesticides or fertilizers. Biodynamic farming also supports plant biodiversity, the efficient use of water and takes the cycles of the moon into account. It aims to revitalize the soil with homeopathic preparations that include herbs.

Fair Trade:
They guarantee that growers of products such as coffee, tea and cocoa, receive a fair, above market price. They also push for sustainable farming and forbid child labor and the use of harmful pesticides.

Certified Vegan:
This label can be found on all types of products from clothing, cosmetics and food. It asserts that the product contains nor uses any animal ingredients or byproducts in its manufacturing. Plus, you can count that none of their ingredients have been tested on animals.

Dolphin Safe:
Regulated by the National marine Fisheries Service under the dolphin Protection Consumer Information Act, manufactures can not label tuna "dolphin safe" if it is not.

Look for these labels when you buy!

Quote Sundays

2010-04-11T08:00:00.001-04:00

I think you should take your job seriously, but not yourself- that's the best combination.

-Dame Judi Dench, actress

Satunesday

2010-04-10T08:00:00.004-04:00

Congratulations, the sophomore album from MGMT, drops April 13, but you can listen to it in full on the website.

Word is, that band members Andrew VanWyngarden and Ben Goldwasser will not release or promote any one song from the record. Instead, they encourage both listeners and radio stations to play the songs that jump out at them.

So, I listened... and although Congratulations has no singles, "I Found A Whistle" and "Flash Delirium" are my favorite so far...

Have a listen.

The most... Sustainable crops.

2010-04-09T08:00:00.001-04:00

Did you ever wonder what the top two MOST sustainable crops are? I sure did. And thanks to AJK (and some scientific study) I can now pass this information on to YOU!

1. Palm Oil: one of the few highly saturated vegetable fats that comes from the pulp of the fruit of an oil palm tree. Sounds gross.
2. Sugar Cane: fibrous stalks that are rich in sugar. Sounds good.

Researchers at the Wageningen University in the Netherlands compared nine crops on criteria including soil erosion, water use for each unit of energy produced and nitrogen usage, according to Sander de Vries, author of the comparative study. But Palm Oil!? I hope we can convince these makers of Palm Oil to start producing kale and spinach to be just as sustainable.

Buy Tom's

2010-04-08T08:00:00.001-04:00

Thanks to Raquel from In the Mood to Live, and Spring, I bring you the latest and greatest Tom's styles.

If a pair of comfy, casual shoes is on your shopping list… consider purchasing a pair of TOMS shoes. Improve your style, and the life of a child!

I love it when you can find style and also know you are doing good with your purchase. TOMS shoes fits that bill. I love these shoes – they look like a hybrid between driving shoes and espadrilles: perfect for your everyday spring looks. Plus the fit is exact to size and they're as comfortable as they look!

For every pair of TOMS shoes purchased, a pair of shoes goes to a child in need. Since 2006, TOMS has given over 10,000 pairs of shoes to children in Argentina and 50,000 in South Africa.

Smart Technology in Barcelona

2010-04-07T08:00:00.002-04:00

GOOD Magazine, a provider of constant information for my blog, presents us with Barcelona's solution to saving energy.

There is so much electricity wasted by lights that stay on when no one needs them, at home and in the streets. So, to solve this problem, one Barcelona neighborhood is using a system of LED lights, controlled wirelessly, to provide light exactly when, and where, it's needed. It keeps the streets safe while saving the city money.

Brilliant!

Sun Chips?

2010-04-06T08:00:00.002-04:00

Large corporations are constantly surprising me... check out Sun Chips new compostable bag...

It's made from corn and will compost within 14 weeks in a "hot, active compost bin." And, news is that the bag is on shelves now.

Nature

2010-04-05T08:00:00.004-04:00

I am constantly inspired by nature. It's hard not to be. Today, I offer you a little inspiration.

The Lightning Field, built in 1977 by American sculptor Walter De Maria, is what I would call a masterpiece.

Situated deep in the desert of New Mexico, The Lightning Field is comprised of 400 polished stainless steel poles installed in a grid array measuring one mile by one kilometer. The poles are spaced 220 feet apart and have solid pointed tips that define a horizontal plane. They are intended, as the name suggests, to attract lightening.

Ms. Long will be visiting soon and I hope she shares her picture with us, in the meantime- here are a few I found online. Enjoy.

Picture 1

Picture 2

Picture 3

Quote Sundays

2010-04-04T08:00:00.002-04:00

If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. Don't complain.

-Maya Angelou, poet

Satunesday

2010-04-03T08:00:00.002-04:00

"I'm Leaving Now"
Merle Haggard and Johnny Cash

This is an oldie but a goodie that Huck found. I had to pass it along. Blow the dust off your record player,pop this baby in and take your girl for a swing around the dance floor.

Planning A Summer Garden: Part 1

2010-04-02T08:00:00.001-04:00

As most of you know, I will soon be moving to New Jersey(!!!!!) And one of the perks of living there is being able to cultivate my first garden.

I thought I would pass along a few of the things I have been reading about planning a garden and obviously keep you updated with our progress.

Part 1: Start a garden journal. Keeping a garden notebook will be an invaluable tool to you as the garden project progresses.

There are four things to keep track of in your garden journal:

1. Environment. Observing the area in which you will plant your garden will give you practical information about the environmental concerns you face - things like water, sun, shade, and pests.

2. Planning your garden space. Next, you’ll use that gathered information to plan your garden on paper. It will be important to deciding what to plant where.

3. Yield refers to the amount of produce you receive from your garden. By keeping track of how much you get from your efforts, you’ll know how much your garden actually costs, and which plants thrive in your garden and which don’t.

4. Lessons learned. At the end of the growing season, you’ll use this section to evaluate how your garden did. In this space, record any unexpected problems you encounter and how you deal with them. Record also your thoughts on your garden experience and what you did and didn’t like about gardening. This will help you become a better gardener over time.

I can't wait!!!

We've done it!!!

2010-04-01T08:00:00.004-04:00

Oh my gosh, I can't believe I'm finally writing this! After almost three years of keeping this blog, we, you and I, have finally made a difference.

Global Warming is over!!!!

Rejoice! Sing with the humpback whales. Jump with the golden frog. Fly with the Bald Eagle. Thank you for all you have done for this planet! You have really made a difference by changing your light bulbs to compact fluorescents, recycling, using solar and wind technologies, taking public transportation, hell- walking to work, consuming less. America, (well, heliumballoon readers) I applaud you.

Ok, ok. But, let me tell you, although this is clearly an April Fool's day joke, and climate change is a serious issue, I still applaud you. You heliumballoon readers, you. You commenters, you.

I do hope, however, that one day a post in this vain will be possible. That we won't depend on foreign oil. That we begin to conserve; conserve electricity, conserve natural resources, conserve everything. Reduce, reuse, recycle!!!! Let's make this happen!

Happy April...

Animal Sanctuary

2010-03-31T08:00:00.001-04:00

I first read about the Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary when I was researching my Satunesday post about Monsters of Folk. The sanctuary, like most, serves to save abandoned farm animals from mills, slaughterhouses and our tables.

Founders Jenny Brown and Doug Abel have been dedicated animal lovers since birth, however, documentary work Jenny did for PETA inspired her to do more. They opened the sanctuary in 2004 and have been saving lives ever since.

The farm hosts a number of events and has visiting hours starting TOMORROW! You can even sponsor an animal if it's too hard to make the trip- either way... JUST DO IT!

Spotlight: A Man Full of Kindness

2010-03-30T08:00:00.020-04:00

It all started with Facebook. I noticed that my friends were becoming “fans” of Kindfulness: the Practice of Being Well. So I looked into it, and I immediately knew I had tapped into something great.

And THEN, I found out who the man behind the curtain was…
Meet Dave Mochel. Dave has been instrumental in shaping lives ever since he stepped into his first classroom over 25 years ago, including that of young Ethan when he attended Millbrook.

“Mochel was the first person to ever tell me that I could make whatever decisions I wanted." Ethan explains, "he always supplemented that statement with a disclaimer warning that I would be responsible for enduring the consequences of those decisions. Of course, as a 14 year old boy, I only faintly heard the disclaimer. Over time, though, I have realized that life is indeed a long series of making decisions and experiencing the associated consequences. Those consequences may be good or bad, but they are the result of my decisions. That is a lesson which, with cultivation and experience, breeds integrity, respect, leadership, and of course, well-being.”

And, when Ethan talks highly of someone, I can be sure that this person is worth knowing. So, I approached Dave for an interview... and wasn’t disappointed…

Dave's focus is "well-being." He says the "well-being practice is about cultivating the resources to work skillfully with whatever arises, whether it is comfortable or not." Spending the last month lost in my journal and meditation, I know that this can be a difficult practice, and something that has never crossed many people minds. So, I wanted to share what I learned from Dave.

After pouring over his blog posts, the first thing I wanted to know was, does HE ever lose his cool?

"Of course. Practicing well-being is not about being “perfect” - whatever that means. A large part of the practice is to be as aware and accepting as possible so that when strong emotions arise, we aren’t completely hijacked by them. There is a lot to learn from strong emotions..."

So the first step to well-being is recognizing your emotions.

"When I lose my cool, it is important to keep in mind that strong emotions are part of the human experience and that making myself feel awful will not improve the situation. It is important that I take responsibility as quickly as possible for my behavior and make amends if needed. I have to admit that if too much time goes by where there is no anxiety, annoyance, frustration, resentment, fear, or anger, then I am a little disappointed - the strong emotions are fun to work with because there is so much energy there."

And the second step is taking responsibility for these emotions.

And the final step is deciding what to do with them. Dave hit me with a zinger when I asked about people who believe they are unable to enact these practices into their lives. He said, "well, you are either practicing well-being or you are practicing something else."

Of course. It seems so simple.

"There is no short cut and no secret - it takes practice. If you want more calm in your life, then you need to practice being calm. If you want more love in your life, then you need to practice being loving. If you want more gratitude in your life, then you need to practice being grateful. And so on. Whatever you most want to experience in your life is what you should spend your time practicing. ... and the best time to practice is when you are living your life. You are always practicing something, the question is whether you are doing so intentionally"

Ugh! It all makes so much sense. We spend so much time feeling one way, it just takes practice to experience a higher level of well-being.

And of course, in conjunction with the end of my March Month of Meditation, I had to know if Dave meditates, which he does, and as I reach the end of my month, I am interested to know how to get deeper into mediation and self-awareness.

I sit each day for some period of time and I practice throughout the day as often as I remember to. Meditation falls into two categories for me. The first is the one that most people think of - aiming and sustaining attention on some phenomenon such as the sensations of the breath or a mantra. The second is the intentional cultivation of an internal state such as acceptance, kindness, curiosity, gratitude, or commitment. These are things I want more of in my life, so it makes sense to spend time practicing them. Based upon clinical research, benefits for meditation include more positive and intimate interpersonal relationships, improved concentration, more effective immune system function, better memory, more frequent positive moods, decreased frequency of depressive episodes, and decreased blood pressure and incidence of heart attack. Not a bad list.

Thank you Dave, your insight is just the beginning to my lifetime of practicing well-being.

And of course, you can contact Dave with questions, comments or for a free consultation: dmochel@kindfulness.org

What Bill Gates thinks about Global Warming

2010-03-29T08:00:00.004-04:00

Bill Gates is pretty smart, don't ya think? Well, I was on the fence until I started following his blog, "The Gates Notes."

In a recent post, he talked about a trip he took to Antarctica. He witnessed first hand the change in arctic temperatures and drastic melting ice.

"winter temperatures there have risen by five degrees centigrade, which is changing the icepack and the penguin habitat quite dramatically. The warming being seen worldwide is magnified in the Antarctic Peninsula"

Read his blog. It's pretty cool to see what he is doing with retirement.

Quote Sundays

2010-03-28T08:00:00.002-04:00

All growth depends upon activity. There is no development physically or intellectually without effort, and effort means work.

- Calvin Coolidge, 30th U.S. President

Satunesday

2010-03-27T08:00:00.004-04:00

"The High Road"
Broken Bells

I looove collaborations. Monsters of Folk. Traveling Wilburys. Now, meet Broken Bells, Danger Mouse Brian Burton and Shins singer James Mercer. The album dropped on 3-9 but this song, THIS song, I cant get out of my head. Listen. Dance.

Turn out the Lights... again!

2010-03-26T08:00:00.005-04:00

Starting at 8:30pm tomorrow, the Big Apple will join 1,000 cities around the world in turning off their lights to draw attention to climate change.

Tune in. Turn off.
March 27th, 8:30pm

The World Wildlife Fund is asking individuals, businesses, governments and organizations around the world to turn off their lights for one hour – Earth Hour – to make a global statement of concern about climate change and to demonstrate commitment to finding solutions.

Join us.

Could communication solve all our problems?

2010-03-25T08:00:00.003-04:00

Obviously communication solves most problems. Romantic disputes, family spats, work arguments; they can all be solved by talking. So, could the climate crisis fall under the same category?

Dr. Jerome Ravetz, believes it can. And in the following article, he shares a very interesting perspective where he believes talking, communicating, can be the key to convincing the global population that climate change is real.

Two elements would be very useful. The first is improved quality assessment procedures, more clear and more open than at present, using the resources of IT. The other is the principle that underlies courtesy: non-violent communication. This is based on self-criticism and on respect even for those whose views you abhor and whose legitimacy you deny. It has succeeded in resolving conflicts in politics, and now it is the appropriate methodology for post-normal science.

I believe he is right. Communication has proved to be successful, and I'm up for trying anything about now.

James Hansen and Nuclear Power

2010-03-24T08:00:00.005-04:00

I saw Nasa Climatologist James Hansen interviewed when I went to a taping of Letterman last year. I thought, who is this genius?? So I did some research and found out that he is pretty well known in the environmental world.

However, his research can be controversial; in the 80's he warned against popular fossil fuels, mainly coal, and now, he is claiming that nuclear power might offer an way out of the problems caused by coal.

Check out this video from Hansen on "Why America Needs Nuclear Energy." He describes this second generation nuclear power that we are seeing now can be very effective in reducing our CO2 output. He says that we have to face a fundamental issue,

as long as fossil fuels are cheap, they will be burned.

And we can solve this problem by putting a rising price on emissions and making renewable energy (wind, solar, nuclear) affordable!

I like your ideas James Hansen, and I'm passing the word on!

Mexico City

2010-03-23T08:00:00.004-04:00

I love the idea of bike sharing programs. Many cities are adopting these programs to reduce pollution, promote health, and demonstrate concern for the environment.

And now, Mexico City jumped on board. Their bike-sharing program, which will initially include 85 stations and over 1,000 bikes, costs only 300 pesos ($23) a year, and bikes can be taken for 30 minutes a ride.

Mexico City joins Portland, Denver, Barcelona and Paris, to name a few. And, a similar attempt was made in New York City, but within a few days all the bikes were stolen.

Who knows if this will happen in Mexico City, which is notorious for its high crime rate and significant poverty, but since Mexico City is often cited as the most polluted city on earth, any little attempt helps. Go Mexico!

US London Embassy goes... Green!

2010-03-22T08:00:00.010-04:00

I always love driving down Embassy row in NYC, or any city for that matter. It's fun to see the different flags, architecture of the buildings and fancy cars parked outside. But now, there will be an even cooler embassy.

Construction begins in 2013 of the newest US Embassy in London. It will resemble a glass cube, rise 12 stories, sit atop a shrubbery-fringed mound and is estimated to cost $500 million (or more).

Having outgrown its 1960 embassy (see right), a Kennedy-era modernist design by Eero Saarinen, the U.S. State Department has decided that London is too important to build one of its conventional insults to local sensibilities.

Philadelphia architect (!!!) KieranTimberlake has been given the job to creating the first green embassy. Green features include:

Pliable plastic material, called ETFE, will stretch tent-like over rods projecting from the outside walls. It will form insulating pillows that taper into vertical and horizontal fins. Tuned to optimal sun angles, the fins will harvest daylight when useful and shade when needed.
Photovoltaic film will be laminated onto the ETFE to collect solar energy.
A heating and cooling system that uses organic matter for fuel, the building will be energy independent. It achieves carbon neutral status by supplying heat to the rest of the development at times and feeding surplus power into the grid.
The glass cube sits aloof on beefy columns atop a shrub- covered mound, which will be partly open to the public as a garden. The mound’s mass can dissipate the explosive force of a car bomb, while avoiding the menacing walls and fences that deface so many consular facilities.
A pond on the north side offers a pleasing amenity, while acting as another obstacle to would-be bombers and a heat sink for the biomass plant.
Visitors, guests, and visa seekers, some 1,100 a month, will enter through a security checkpoint in a grass-topped pavilion set into the mound to separate gun-toting wackos from the main building.

It sounds forward thinking, and in step with the green features Obama is starting to enact in this country! Can't wait to see it! (2017)

Quote Sundays

2010-03-21T08:00:00.000-04:00

I was always looking outside myself for strength and confidence, but it comes from within. It was there all the time.

Anna Freud, psychologist

Satunesday

2010-03-20T08:00:00.003-04:00

On March 23, Volume Two, the second album from She & Him, will be released. The indie pop superstar duo consists of two of my favorite artists, M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel.

In an interview with MTV News, Zooey revealed that She & Him have already completed their sophomore album and will go on tour once it's released. (note, the interview is more about her movie 500 Days of Summer than the band...) Dates below:

03-15 Los Angeles, CA - Largo
03-25 Los Angeles, CA - El Rey Theater
03-27 Savannah, GA - Savannah Music Festival
03-29 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom
03-30 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom
04-15 Pomona, CA - The Glass House
04-16 Indio, CA - Coachella Festival

Please, please, pleaseeeee can we go?

M. Ward also gave an interview to Paste Magazine, in which he talks about Volume 2, "it's such a great album," he gushes, "I think it's my favorite album... ever."

Have a listen here.

Get your Green Start- Ups Going... now!

2010-03-19T08:00:00.003-04:00

Green Start-ups have become the hot ticket now for investor and government support.

In the third quarter of 2009, clean energy received 19% of venture capital investment in the U.S., second only to biotechnology, according a report by PricewaterhouseCoopers and the National Venture Capital Association.

The key sectors in the clean-energy industry are Energy Efficiency, Solar, Smart Grid, Wind, Transport, Biofuels.

So, if you're interested in starting a green company, NOW is the time to do so.

Read more here.

RICH

2010-03-19T07:00:00.000-04:00

You're in the thick of it now. Just remember,

"what doesn't kill you, will only make you stronger!!!"

Porsche!

2010-03-18T08:00:00.003-04:00

The biggest surprise from Volkswagen at this year's Geneva Auto show? The new plug-in electric hybrid Porsche concept car. Say what?

I think it looks like a Batmobile. The 918 Sypder can allegedly get 78 mpg, can go 16 miles on electric charge alone, and can do 0-60 in 3.2 seconds.

I'll take one in red.

Sydney

2010-03-17T08:00:00.006-04:00

I don't know how we missed the opportunity to visit The Sydney Theatre Company when we were there, but alas, we did. I guess we will have to return! (NOAH!)

The theater is well known for its fantastic productions (and its rather famous director, Cate Blanchett.)

But, it’s also set to become the greenest theater company in the world!

Thanks to a program created by the Australian Government, called the NSW Climate Change Fund, the Sydney Theatre will soon be installing the second largest integrated solar photovoltaic array in the country!

The theater’s new solar array will be a $1.5 million Pluto photovoltaic system developed by the University of New South Wales and China’s Suntech Power.

The project will also be installing a rainwater recycling system that will provide for all of the building’s needs, saving nearly 8 million liters of water each year.

The solar array is expected to slash solar consumption at the site. There will also be more energy efficient lighting and lighting controls, and a solar hot water system to save an estimated total of 634 tonnes of carbon pollution a year. Water efficient fixtures and an innovative rainwater harvesting system will help save more than 8 million litres of water a year.

Way to go, again, Sydney!

Fair... Ice Cream?

2010-03-16T08:00:00.005-04:00

Fair Trade: certified farmers using environmentally sound practices to grow and harvest their crops in a sustainable way. Farmers selling Fair Trade products earn a better income, which allows them to stay on their land. Fair Trade premiums also allow for reinvestment in their farms, their families, their communities and their future.

And now, leading the way, Ben & Jerry's announces that they plan to go fully Fair Trade by 2013.

Even though Ben & Jerry's is the first ice cream company to make a full commitment to Fair Trade, founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfeld say the transition would have happened much sooner if not for hesitation from higher-ups at Unilever.

Fair Trade certification has already become standard practice at a number of coffee chains, including Starbucks, Peet's Coffee and Tea, Tully's Coffee, and Seattle's Best Coffee.

Time for some Phish Food!!

Eat what's in season NOW

2010-03-15T08:00:00.007-04:00

Pumpkin reminds me of Fall. Cranberry's are so Winter. Tomatoes and corn scream Summer.

It really is best to try and choose fruits and vegetables that are at the peak of freshness. They taste better, are more nutritious, are better for the planet, and are often less expensive than produce that's traveled 1,000,000 of miles to reach your table.

Below are veggies chosen chef's across the country (and by Yahoo) that are seasonal.

Tomatoes. "Tomatoes should be picked off the vine where they have grown at the natural pace in the summer -- outside in the sun. Those are the only ones worth eating. I'm convinced that people who think they don't like tomatoes have eaten them at the wrong time of year." Kevin Gillespie, executive chef, Woodfire Grill, Atlanta.

Asparagus. "The peak of its season is in spring, but people are able to grow it during the winter further south in places like Mexico because of the weather. By the time this asparagus gets to us in Seattle during the winter, it's probably three weeks old and hardly at its best," Mark Fuller, chef/owner, Spring Hill, Seattle.

Corn. "I grew up picking corn in the summer and know the flavor of perfectly ripe corn. You just can't beat it," David Myers, chef/owner, Sona, Los Angeles.

Nightshades. "We stay away from about all fresh nightshades, meaning tomatoes, eggplant, peppers. They're not local, they're shipped across the globe, you can drop 'em out a third floor window and they remain intact, plus they taste lousy," Eric Tucker, executive chef, Millennium Restaurant, San Francisco

Peaches. "Some people think of peaches the way that Gertrude Stein talked about a rose -- but a peach is not a peach is not a peach, especially if you consider when and where you're eating it. In August, there's no more beautiful or more delicious expression of the season. But in March, it's a disaster." Dan Barber, executive chef and co-owner, Blue Hill, New York City.

Melons. "Down here in the south, there's no way you're going to find a good quality melon right now. The taste, smell, and texture are all bad in the wintertime. There's also the mental association to summer. You think of 90-degree days when you think of melons," James Boyce, chef/owner, Cotton Row, Huntsville, Alabama.

Berries. "They're really expensive. They taste like cardboard. Most of them are coming from South America, and I'm afraid of some of the chemicals used in the growing process," Rob Endelman, founder, Cook With Class, New York City.

Here's a guide to peak times for popular produce. Or find out what's in season where you live right now. Search for local farmers markets or visit LocalHarvest.

Quote Sundays

2010-03-14T08:00:00.002-04:00

Choose your own direction, rather than climb on the bandwagon.

-Peter Drucker, management expert

Satunesday

2010-03-13T08:00:00.005-05:00

If you’re like me; a fan of indie rock music and cares about making a conscious difference in the world, then you should check out the Yellow Bird Project.

I recently came across the website for this non-profit initiative, and after reading about why it was created (to raise $ for charity) and which bands were involved (Grizzly Bear, Block Party, The Shins, etc), it immediately became one of my favorite organizations.

"The Yellow Bird Project was created by friends Matt Stotland and Casey Cohen, both who had a passion for music and a desire to turn that passion into something inspirational and quirky. They thought it would be great to get together with the bands, design t-shirts together and then sell the t-shirts to raise money for charities."

They have awesome t-shirts designs that you should buy, immediately.

Climate in Different Countries

2010-03-12T08:00:00.005-05:00

Every country has a responsibility to our planet. However, some are doing better than others. Check out this scoreboard:

This scoreboard attempts to calculate the long-term climate impacts of the negotiations to produce a global climate treaty.

Read more about accounting here from The Economist.

Meditation

2010-03-11T08:00:00.003-05:00

The more I have been meditating, the more relaxed and calm I have found, the more I have wanted to learn about Buddha.

There is no single word for meditation in the original language of Buddhism. The closest is one that translates is ‘mental development.’

Meditation, as taught by the Buddha, was a means of taming the mind by bringing the entire range of thoughts, feelings and physical sensations into awareness, making the unconscious conscious.

He was more like a therapist than the founder of a religion. He saw, from his own experience, that self-awareness makes self-control possible. If we want to change what we become, the Buddha taught, we have to change the way we think. “A disciplined mind is the road to Nirvana,” is the Dhammapada’s (Buddhist text) insistent refrain.

The ability to transcend — to dive within and experience an ocean of energy, intelligence and happiness—is the birthright of every human being, he believed, and I am just beginning to tap into that.

Try it. Really.

Richard Branson is a GENIUS!

2010-03-10T08:00:00.004-05:00

Richard Branson is a billionaire. And when a billionaire puts his mind to something, you better know a change is coming.

Branson, after realizing that politicians are not going to offer real solutions for climate safety, took a leadership role during the Copenhagen climate talks by announcing his Carbon War Room. The War Room is a groundbreaking organization that brings together entrepreneurism with philanthropy to win the war against climate change.

He wants to harness the power of entrepreneurs to implement market-driven solutions to climate change. The war, according to their website, operates on "seven fields of battle": electricity, transport, built environment, industry, land use, emerging economies and carbon management. Sounds very interesting.

See more video, here.

Planet Green TV

2010-03-09T08:00:00.001-05:00

Many of you know that I can be a big cliche- I work for a TV station, but don't own a TV (as one example.)

So, I believe that if you're going to watch TV- you might as well be watching something that enriches your brain and your soul.

Here are the top 5 environmental programs that help you with that enriching:

Living With Ed: (Planet Green) Profiles actor Ed Begley and his wife as they attempt to live the greenest life possible. Comedy ensues as they attempt to make toast from the bicycle powered toaster.
Eco-Trip: (Sundance) David de Rothschild follows everyday products from their inception to their death and how they effects the environment.
The Green: (Sundance) A different special each week hosted by Mr. Green himself, Robert Redford.
100 Heartbeats: (MSNBC) Jeff Corwin profiles one of the 100 animals that are edging closer and closer to extinction each day.
Raging Planet: (Discovery) We have one pissed off Mother Earth, and this show documents up close her anger; tornadoes, volcanoes, avalanches and more.

Check them out.

Keep Wild things... WILD

2010-03-08T08:00:00.004-05:00

I recently read a piece from Yale's environment 360 blog (an amazing blog) that takes a look at conservation.

The article discusses the benefits of something they call "rewilding:"

A Marshall Plan for the environment, rewilding promotes the expansion of core wilderness areas on a vast scale, the restoration of corridors between them (to fight the “island” effect of isolated parks and protected areas), and the reintroduction or protection of top predators.

Conservation efforts have too often been about saving a particular species—the spotted owl or the panda or whatever. And, yes, I love Pandas as much as the next girl, but narrow campaigns like that don't do much to help. If we don't stop these entire ecosystems from collapsing, then we'll all be screwed—pandas, owls, and humans alike.

Quote Sundays

2010-03-07T08:00:00.000-05:00

One day Alice came to a fork in the road and saw a Cheshire cat in a tree. "Which road do I take?" she asked. "Where do you want to go?" was his response. "I don't know," Alice answered. "Then," said the cat, "it doesn't matter."

-Lewis Carroll, author

Satunesday

2010-03-06T08:00:00.004-05:00

I have always heard her name, but never knew who she was. Now, thanks to Beck, I am a HUGE Charlotte Gainsbourg fan.

Heaven Can Wait
Charlotte Gainsbourg feat. Beck

She is a French actress and daughter of the French cultural icon Serge Gainsbourg, but now you can add vocalist to that list.

Charlotte has a throaty, fluttery, cool voice - it seems as if she is almost whispering to you. Charlotte sings the lines, but doesn't write them. Nor does she provide the music. If you can't tell, it is Beck and his "pop eccentric" that took care of that.

The album, IRM, grows on you, if you give it the time.

What kind of fire do you burn?

2010-03-05T08:00:00.003-05:00

Do you have a cozy apartment fireplace? Or, do you often go camping and roast marshmallows?

Well, did you know that you should only burn dry wood (preferably logs that have had about six months to dry out).

Wet wood doesn't burn as completely, meaning it releases more pollutants into the air. The biggest concern is so-called particulate pollution — solid particles smaller than a red blood cell that are implicated in 30,000 deaths in the U.S. and 2.1 million deaths worldwide each year. Particulate pollution can cause, and irritate, asthma and allergies, as well as lung problems.

According to a 1989 study published in Free Radical Biology and Medicine, wood smoke is chemically active in the body 40 times longer than tobacco. By sticking to dry wood, you'll help reduce the toxins entering our air.

Also remember that if you are going to be using wood for a significant amount of heating, make sure your stove is high efficiency and well maintained (pellet models are best), or use cleaner-burning oil or natural gas.

This guy's still around?

2010-03-04T08:00:00.003-05:00

The headline of this article is what really caught my (Huck's) eye. "Bin Laden blames U.S. for climate change." In big, bold letters.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Basically, in the 1 minute audio tape, bin Laden warned of the dangers of climate change and said that the way to stop it is to bring "the wheels of the American economy" to a halt. He blamed Western industrialized nations for hunger, desertification and floods across the globe, and called for "drastic solutions" to global warming, and "not solutions that partially reduce the effect of climate change."

Ok, so he IS still alive, and blaming us for global warming!?

At least he believes in it......

True happiness lies within

2010-03-03T08:00:00.008-05:00

I've tried all types of cleanses. The juice cleanse. The cayenne pepper cleanse. The cabbage soup cleanse. I could go on. But, none of them get to the root of my needs.

So, I have decided to do my own cleanse and call it the Body, Soul and Mind cleanse. Yes, I know, it's another cleanse. But this time, it has more to do with my being than with my body image.

I started March 1st and will, every day of March, write in my journal, meditate and do morning sunrise vinyasa.

Meditation is not an easy task. The purpose of meditation is to focus the mind as well as identify the things that make it unstable. The technique I am trying involves listening.

Mark Epstein explains:

Try sitting quietly in an upright posture. Keep your back straight. Let your eyes gently close. And just listen. Listen to the sounds and the silence that surround you. Let the sounds come and go as they wish without choosing one over another. Try to listen to the entire sound, noticing when your mind identifies it as whatever it is: a car horn, the refrigerator, the heat coming on, children’s voices, the dog, or nothing. Don’t let your identification of the sound stop you from listening. Simply note the thought and return to the bare sounds, to the act of listening. If your mind wanders, as it will, bring your attention back to the sounds. It might be after a moment or two, or it might be after a whole cascade of thoughts, it doesn’t matter.

At some point you will realize, “Oh, I’m not listening, I’m thinking,” and at that point you can return attention to the sounds. Treat your mind the way you would a young child who doesn’t know any better. Be gentle but firm. Meditation means bringing your mind back when you notice it has wandered, it’s not about keeping your mind from wandering in the first place. You will notice that you instinctively prefer some sounds over others - don’t let this influence your listening. Just observe the liking or the not liking but don’t let it control you. Listen to everything, the way you would listen to music.

After five minutes, or ten, or fifteen - it doesn’t matter - open your eyes and resume your day. Like a fish returned to water, you may notice that things flow more easily.

This month I will aim to achieve a more relaxed me. I'll keep you updated.

Green your Taxes

2010-03-02T08:00:00.007-05:00

Wouldn't it be great if just for reading this blog and implementing changes you could get a tax break?

Well, unfortunately, there is no tax credit for organic veggies or using CFL lightbulbs.

But, some eco-friendly upgrades can yield big rebates on your 2009 return.

Remember, a tax credit is a sweet deal: It reduces your tax bill, dollar for dollar (i.e. a $2,000 credit knocks down the amount you owe by... $2,000).

If you made energy-efficient home improvements last year (windows, doors, roofs, water heaters, wood or pellet stoves heating/cooling systems, etc.) you can save up to $1,500.
If you installed an alternative energy source in your home (wind, solar, etc.), you may qualify for a much bigger tax break: 30% of the cost, with no limit on the amount of the credit.
If you bought a hybrid vehicle, you may qualify for a tax credit up to $7,500. And that's in addition to the vehicle sales tax deduction.

IRS Warning: Of course, you need to double-check that the products you bought qualify under IRS rules.

File by April 15th, 2010!

And thanks to Dailyworth for the information in this post!

Meat Free Mondays

2010-03-01T08:00:00.003-05:00

Ok, here’s the story on Meat Free Monday from Goop.

In 2006, the United Nations issued a report which stated that the livestock industry as a whole was responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions than the whole of the transport sector put together. Their facts:

The Livestock industry produces gases that are extremely dangerous for the future of our environment.
The two main gases, methane and nitrous oxide, are considered to be more harmful than CO2 (methane is 21 times more powerful than CO2 and nitrous oxide is 310 times more powerful than CO2) so the data suggests that this is causing a highly dangerous situation for ourselves and, more importantly, for future generations.
Methane also remains in the atmosphere for 9 to 15 years; nitrous oxide remains in the atmosphere for 114 years, on average, and is 296 times more potent than CO2 - the gases released today will continue to be active in degrading the climate decades from now.
Livestock production is land intensive: a recent report by Greenpeace on land use in the largest meat producing state in Brazil found that livestock (cattle) production was responsible for vastly more deforestation than soya.
A third of all cereal crops, and well over 90% of soya, goes into animal feed, not food for humans. Eating less meat will free up a lot of agricultural land which can revert to growing trees and other vegetation, which, in turn, will absorb more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Livestock production is water intensive: it accounts for around 8% of global human water use. The estimated 634 gallons of fresh water required to produce one 5.2 ounce (150g) beef burger would be enough for a four-hour shower. For comparison, the same quantity of tofu requires 143 gallons of water to produce.
Livestock production is the largest source of water pollutants, principally animal wastes, antibiotics, hormones, chemicals from tanneries, fertilizers and pesticides used for feed crops, and sediments from eroded pastures.
The meat industry is set to double its production by 2050 so even if they manage to lower emissions by 50%, as they have promised to, we will still be in the same position.

I think that if you sign up to lead a Meat Free Monday lifestyle, we can make a big difference.

Quote Sundays

2010-02-28T08:00:00.001-05:00

Those who stand for nothing fall for anything.

-Alexander Hamilton, Treasury Secretary

Satunesday

2010-02-27T08:00:00.000-05:00

All The Love
Karen O

If you saw the movie Where The Wild Things Are, then you know about the killer soundtrack already.

Karen O. and her Kids (including but not limited to YYY’s band mates Brian Chase and Nick Zinner, Deerhunter’s Bradford Cox, Liars’ Aaron Hemphill, The Raconteurs/The Dead Weather’s Jack Lawrence, The Bird and the Bee’s Greg Kurstin, and Imaad Wasif) have created a super kid friendly, fun song in All Is Love.

Check them out.

Spotlight: Your local EPA Chief

2010-02-26T08:00:00.003-05:00

Meet Lisa Jackson, our Eco-Warrior and Chief of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Since her inception, Lisa and the EPA have sought stricter limits on toxic pollutants like mercury, moved to scrub emissions of arsenic and heavy metals from coal-fired plants, and revoked a permit for the nation's largest mountaintop-removal coal mine. She also has started to crack down on CO2 pollutants, Big Oil and Big Coal, which no one else has been able to crack.

In a recent Rolling Stone article by Tim Dickinson, he notes that the EPA is once again making decisions based on science, NOT politics.

Lisa is aided by the fact that the EPA has it's biggest budget in history, thanks to the Obama Administration, and is able to hire more scientists to assess data.

Her biggest fight will be enacting the Clean Air Act, which enforces the reduction of smog., pollutants and CO2 in the air.

I applaud you and support you Ms. Jackson.

Green buildings

2010-02-25T08:00:00.006-05:00

I am a big fan of Mayor Bloomberg. From his 1 million trees initiative to taking a $1 salary, he does a great job for NYC.

And now, he has added the promotion of green buildings to that list.

On February 1st, a panel of experts issued more than 100 recommendations on how to make New York City’s building codes more environmentally sound by imposing energy-saving requirements on construction and renovation work.

The measures include:

insulating glass skyscrapers
temperature controls in individual apartments, (eliminating my winter ritual of opening windows to vent excess heat)
higher efficiency standards for heating systems
ban inefficient boilers

The recommendations are the city’s latest attempt to reduce the greenhouse gases produced by its buildings, which are estimated to be the source of about 75 percent of the city’s emissions over all.

This is a very forward measure, but will take a lot of planning and cooperation between departments. Go NYC!

Going Green (AGAIN) in Portland!

2010-02-24T08:00:00.004-05:00

In the next couple of years, Huck and I will be shopping for a new city. And if we only chose based on the city I blog about most often, it would hands down be Portland, OR. They have more bike lanes and farmers markets than any other city and great public transportation!

And now we can add forward thinking to that list.

The federal government plans to plant a garden... on a building.

As part of a $133 million renovation, the General Services Administration is planning to cultivate “vegetated fins” that will grow more than 200 feet high on the western facade of the main federal building, a vertical garden that changes with the seasons and nurtures plants that yield energy savings.

“They will bloom in the spring and summer when you want the shade, and then they will go away in the winter when you want to let the light in,” said Bob Peck, commissioner of public buildings for the G.S.A.

The G.S.A. says the building will use 60 percent to 65 percent less energy than comparable buildings and estimates a savings of $280,000 annually in energy costs. Solar panels could provide up to 15 percent of the building’s power needs. The use of rainwater and low-flow plumbing fixtures will reduce potable water consumption by 68 percent. And energy for lighting will be halved.

It sounds like a really cool addition to the city. I can't wait to see it!

Designer... doormats?

2010-02-23T08:00:00.002-05:00

Roll out the welcome mat for some of the coolest "green" mats from Imports Unlimited.

Available in February, Imports Unlimited is introducing eight new eye-catching doormat designs, brimming with personality and charm.

The eight designs include a timely environmental message of “Save the Planet” simply stated against a blue-green world and Ghandi’s “Be the Change” credo in warm, earth tones.

Read more at The Garden Plot thanks to Garden Media Group!

Is grass fed better for you?

2010-02-22T08:00:00.005-05:00

It has been a common conception that eating meat is bad for the environment. I am not here to dispute that, in fact, I still believe these are the facts. However, people WILL still continue to eat meat and the only thing we can do as a collective population, is make conscious decisions about the meat we eat.

Hence, grass fed beef is, as Lisa Abend claims in a recent Time article, better for the environment.

“It works like this: grass is a perennial. Rotate cattle and other ruminants across pastures full of it, and the animals’ grazing will cut the blades — which spurs new growth — while their trampling helps work manure and other decaying organic matter into the soil, turning it into rich humus. The plant’s roots also help maintain soil health by retaining water and microbes. And healthy soil keeps carbon dioxide underground and out of the atmosphere.”

Sounds pretty sensible, right?

Check out this graphic for a better understanding of how the cycle works. And, remember, if you do choose to eat red meat, make sure your beef has been loved. Meaning: grass fed.

Quote Sundays

2010-02-21T08:00:00.000-05:00

Appreciate the moment.

-Isamu Noguchi

Satunesday

2010-02-20T08:00:00.007-05:00

BIG RED!!

That's all. I could end this post right now!

[All Photos by Regan Teti Marscher]

Ok, ok, I won't! I will tell you about the best Valentine's day ever with Huck, AjK, JL and Anastasio and at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, NJ.

is a group of musicians that play with in his "off" season, and what a delightful group it is. With the addition of the horns, the music has a funky and rhythmic twist. They have tested such songs as Backwards Down the Number Line and Gotta Jibbo before they became big hits with Phish. This tour includes new and old members, and features for the first time a second generation member, Natalie Cressman (her dad used to play with the band.)

Set One: Valentine, Cayman Review, Shine, Drifting, Curlew’s Call, Tube Top Flop, Obstacle of Course, Night Speaks to a Woman, Goodbye Head > Gotta Jibboo, Tuesday

Set Two: Sand*, Push On Til The Day, Mr. Completely, The Way I Feel, Money Love & Change, Sweet and Dandy, Last Tube

Encore: Sultans of Swing, First Tube
* House lights go on because of fire alarm (lots of "no smoking signs" mixed with lots of smoking) leading to impromptu parade around the theater with horns and Trey on percussion. See video below.

[via @YEMblog]

(PS- you can see Ethan at 2:11 and JL at 2:23) The genius that is . His stage manager whispers to that the fire alarm is going off, and instead of panicking, he breaks into an all out marching band style parade around the theater.

Check out more video here.

And catch on tour, here.

Natalie Cressman

Tony Markellis
Comprised the rhythm section for 's first solo project, 8 Foot Fluorescent Tubes

Ray Paczkowski
Longtime friend and collaborator

Jennifer Hartswick

Thanks for a wonderful show!!

Happy Valentine's Day to my love!

Treehouse in the Woods

2010-02-19T08:00:00.002-05:00

When I was in Vermont for NYE, a friend told me about Twin Farms, an all inclusive hotel/spa in Barnard, Vermont.

"Twin Farms is situated on over three hundred acres of wildflower meadows, hardwood forests, ancient gardens and private ponds in Barnard, Vermont, just ten miles north of picturesque Woodstock."

But the real draw here is the Treehouse Cottage.

"If you love the woods, snowy in winter, brilliantly verdant in summer, this might become your favorite place in the world.

Through the pines, into a secret world of birch beams, Adirondack twig work abounding, carved ebonized wood for your four-poster and wicker on the porch.

Enjoy the forest from every window, and bring the outdoors in, with luxurious simplicity."

Sounds like HEAVEN to me... unfortunately the rates are a little steep, I can barely bring myself to type this, but the Treehouse Cottage is $2,100 a night. Barf. Hopefully one day I can finish that treehouse I started when I was 12 and sleep in that, for free...

For reservations and further information:
Phone: 800.719.6422 or 732.473.9982
Email: jc@janinecifelli.com

Brooklyn Bowl

2010-02-18T08:00:00.005-05:00

Check out this rad new place

What? A big warehouse?

No, it's Brooklyn Bowl, the latest and greatest bowling alley to hit the mean streets of NYC, and the latest and greatest green building!

Building on the long-standing tradition of the Wetlands Preserve, Brooklyn Bowl is committed to sustainable development and is officially L.E.E.D. Certification. Their green design features include:

* 100% Wind-powered electricity

* Forest Stewardship Counsel (FSC) Chain of Custody controlled wood

* Pin-spotters use 75% less energy than a typical pin-spotter

* No bottles, no cans. All our soft drinks and beers are on tap.

* 10 draught beers are all brewed locally in Brooklyn, New York.

* LED stage lights use 90% less energy than the typical draw

* Energy Star Certification wherever possible

* HVAC Johnson Controls are the most efficient units available

* HVAC also features CO2 sensors, variable frequency drive motors, air-side economizers.

* Four “Big Ass Fans” brand ten-foot fans to augment HVAC system

* 100% reclaimed cork floors in Bowler’s Lounge

* Stage floor is 100% recycled truck tires

* 30+ capacity bike racks

* 16 trees planted in and around property

Let's go!

Du-Pont, Du-ing the right thing

2010-02-17T08:00:00.002-05:00

Check out this amazingly interactive article from Fortune's Geoff Colvin with DuPont's Chief Sustainability Officer, Linda Fischer. The article addresses climate regulation under President Obama, prospects for feeding the world, whether sustainability is possible in a recession, and much else.

"Fisher, a lawyer, joined DuPont five years ago after 13 years with the Environmental Protection Agency, where, in the 1980s, she was in charge of developing the EPA's first position on climate change."

Fischer on Sustainability

She says her responsibility has two parts, which "reflect the way DuPont has evolved. The first is keeping our operations in compliance and going beyond that to reduce our footprint. The second part is the growth piece, and that is about finding market opportunities that are going to present themselves because of evolving societal needs."

It's a great day when large companies are taking real steps in reducing their carbon footprint and giving back to create a greener society and planet.

Wind Power!

2010-02-16T08:00:00.006-05:00

WOW, wind power has had a lot of press lately... I LOVE it. Renewable energy will be the only thing that can save us from abusing our coal, natural gas and oil resources.

The New York Times reports that Wind Power has grown 39% in 2009, and continues to grow.

According to them, the wind industry has undergone rapid growth in recent years. Since 2002, the country’s installed base of wind turbines has jumped almost sevenfold. The article also reports that nation’s wind turbines generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of 9.7 million homes, according to the report.

Last year, Texas was the number one top wind producer, with a total capacity of 9,410 megawatts, about three times more than the second-largest producer, Iowa. California, Washington and Minnesota follow- but where is the East Coast!?

Here is a graph of the countries with the most, at least The United States leads that chart...

And finally, Investors.com has an article that claims wind power could be the leading source of electricity by 2024, but we need to address the "eye sore-ness of them."

I actually think that they look cool, and could be a part of middle-americana, but... I don't live there so... who am I to talk. Either way, I love that other sources of energy are becoming more and more prevalent.

Olympics go GREEN!

2010-02-15T08:00:00.002-05:00

Did you watch opening ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics? They were spectacular, and go Vancouver for a green focus!

The Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC) has raised the bar and set very public sustainability objectives for the Games by managing environmental, social and economic impacts and opportunities of the Games to produce lasting benefits, locally and globally. This has included construction of LEED® Platinum and Gold certified buildings in the Olympic Village, use of urban agriculture and green roofs, and irrigation from harvested rainwater. VANOC's goals also include diverting as much waste as possible from landfill by means of composting or recycling!

And here’s some more cool news: Mannington and 3M Canada are working together to turn the large format graphics from the games into high recycled content flooring!!

About 200,000 square feet of the graphics seen during the games on vehicles and key venues (buildings) such as the Richmond Olympic Oval, Hillcrest Centre, and the Pacific Coliseum will be recycled. After the games, all of this material will be diverted from landfill and remanufactured into Mannington flooring.

Mannington will recycle the signage into commercial premium tile manufactured in our Salem, NJ plant. Very cool! Go Vancouver!

You...

2010-02-14T08:00:00.002-05:00

Resignation
-by Nikki Giovanni

I love you
because the Earth turns round the sun
because the North wind blows north
sometimes
because the Pope is Catholic
and most Rabbis Jewish
because winters flow into spring
and the air clears after a storm
because only my love for you
despite the charms of gravity
keeps me from falling off the Earth
into another dimension
I love you
because it is the natural order of things

I love you
like the habit I picked up in college
of sleeping through lectures
or saying I'm sorry
when I get stopped for speeding
because I drink a glass of water
in the morning
and chain-smoke cigarettes
all through the day
because I take my coffee Black
and my milk with chocolate
because you keep my feet warm
through my life a mess
I love you
because I don't want it
any other way
I am helpless
in m love for you
It makes me so happy
to hear you call my name
I am amazed you can resist
locking me in an echo chamber
where your voice reverberates
through the four walls
sending me into spasmatic ecstasy
I love you
because it's been so good
for so long
that if I didn't love you
I'd have to be born again
and that is not a theological statement
I am pitiful in my love for you
The Dells tell me Love
is so simple
the thought though of you
sends indescribably delicious multitudinous
thrills throughout and through-in my body
I love you
because no two snowflakes are alike
and it is possible if you stand tippy-toe
to walk between the raindrops
I love you
because I am afraid of the dark
and can't sleep in the light
because I rub my eyes
when I wake up in the morning
and find you there
because you with all your magic powers were
determined that
I should love you
because there was nothing for you but that
I would love you
I love you
because you made me
want to love you
more than I love my privacy
my freedom my commitments
and responsibilities
I love you `cause I changed my life
to love you
because you saw me one friday
afternoon and decided that I would
love you
I love you I love you I love you

Satunesday

2010-02-13T08:00:00.008-05:00

So, watching the half-time show at the Superbowl last Sunday made me nostalgic for rock stars who tore up hotel rooms and smashed their guitars like sledge hammers. So, I decided to do a little research on The Who and came across this beautiful diddy.

"Sunrise"
The Who

*for you, Huck

Pizza Tour of Brooklyn

2010-02-12T08:00:00.009-05:00

It was supposed to be a snowy, white wonderland on Saturday but there was not a flake to be seen (In NYC that is) Instead, the storm dumped on us yesterday!! But that's ok, nothing could have gotten in the way of our Brooklyn Pizza Tour.

Metro cards, empty bellies and a pen in paper in hand, we embarked to Fort Greene for our first stop, Not Ray's.

Not Ray's is a great local joint. Our reviews ranged from, "delicious crust" to "greasy" to "still one of my favorite slices." Go for the classic slice, the crust is crunchy and the cheese to sauce ratio is perfect. In my opinion, all others fall flat.

Chicken, Green, Lasagna and Plain

Bobo enjoying her plain

The next stop on our tour was a bit of a detour.

BTavi had visited Fort Greene before and been to see The Cake Man. He sells one thing (except when we went, he was featuring a pineapple cream cheese cake) so, I guess I should say, he is FAMOUS for one thing; Red.Velvet.Cake. Yum. We didn't take a picture of it (no, it's not because we ate it too fast........) but we did enjoy it. And if you're looking for a delightful sugar fix or to get a cake replica of your OWN body, he is the guy to see.

The next stop was another detour.

We needed juice since we still had two places to visit and our bodies were going into overdrive. We found the most delicious (and cheap) juice at Green Planet. Check it out.

Finally, we were ready to head to our next pizza destination. Lead by the handsome and hilarious Huckleberry Finn, we tromped down Atlantic Avenue towards Park Slope.
Finally, through our frosted eyelashes, we were able to see the orange glory that is franny's.

Happy diners

It was delightful experience.

franny's website says that they have "a strong commitment to creating an environmentally responsible business... commitment to sustainable agriculture... locally grown foods and serving them in the seasons during which they are grown.

The vegetables, fruits, eggs, dairy, and fish are largely sourced from local and/or organic producers; all the meats at franny's are from sustainable sources, containing no hormones or antibiotics.

Additionally, franny’s uses renewable energy, made up of 35% wind power and 65% small hydroelectric power, purchased from Con Edison Solutions; the coffee is fair-trade and sustainably produced; the cleaning and dish washing products are earth-friendly; kitchen grease is converted into biodiesel fuel; the menu is printed on recycled paper; and the to-go containers are made from biodegradable materials."

I mean, even if the food didn't taste so good... it'd still be an amazing place!

So, the review: "delicious!" "Delectable!" "The crust melts in my mouth and pops when I bite." "the flavors are perfectly blended." "I want more!!!" Need I go on? franny's wins. Try the Olive Oil and Salt and the Garlic and Tomato. Nothing else is needed to make these pizzas delicious... but you.

Top: Tomato and Buffalo Mozzarella Left: Tomato and Garlic Right: Olive Oil and Salt

We hated it.

The next stop was supposed to be Nino's. But, it you've been paying attention, we all ate too much. The next stop was home, bed,

Needless to say, I think more than one of us woke up Sunday morning craving pizza. Disgusting? Amazing? You decide.

Greenest Colleges

2010-02-11T08:00:00.002-05:00

While my alma mater was busy trying to make THIS list, we missed out being on THIS list.

The Sierra Club has released their Top 10 Greenest Colleges for 2010.

And, with as many as two-thirds of the nation’s college applicants reporting that environmental concerns played some part in their choice of university, I think this is something colleges should take into account.

BTW Miss Bobo, The University of Colorado at Boulder is ranked #1 on the greenest list!!

"Green" Superbowl Ad

2010-02-10T08:00:00.004-05:00

Many of you may have seen the ONLY "green" Superbowl ad for Audi with the "Green Police." I thought it was hilarious, and made me think highly of Audi. If you haven't seen it:

The A3 TDI recently won the 2010 Green Car of the Year award presented by Green Car Journal and provides an EPA-rated 42 mpg on the highway — the highest fuel-economy number of any luxury car sold in the U.S. The clean diesel technology of the A3 TDI also reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 30%.

However, some people are up in arms about the commercial. Mainly, the plastic industry. I think the point of the commercial is to say, we can all make small changes... choosing the right car is one of them. And, I liked it!

Read more here.

Avatar

2010-02-09T08:00:00.006-05:00

I saw Avatar last week with Miss Meels (seems we were the last, it has grossed almost $2 billion around the world). And since we went into it expecting very little, we both emerged quite pleased and surprised at the movie's strong pro-environmental spin.

Picture this: it's 2154 and the Earth's resources have been pillaged by the human race. So a greedy corporation has been sent to the planet Pandora to mine a rare but highly valued mineral. But, the planet is already inhabited by a peace-loving race of 10-foot tall, blue-skinned natives called the Na'vi. Humans and Na'vi battle, leading to casualties on both sides.

The planet Pandora is a beautiful, glowing utopia and the movie, especially in 3D, is a stunning portrayal of that world. And while the movie touches on a lot of different themes, I believe Avatar is a metaphor for the the kind of environmental destruction we are inflicting on Earth.

Cameron describes it best in a interview with the UK Sun,

“the point is that we are devastating habitat and biodiversity at a terrible rate. We are causing a global climate change that’s going to be absolutely devastating to the coral reefs. Science is unable to keep up with our industrial society. We are destroying species faster than we can classify them. We are destroying the food chain faster than we can understand it. The politicians are over in Copenhagen talking about climate change now – but there are other issues as well."

The visuals in the movie are the most powerful symbol of why we need to enforce environmental change NOW. The Na'vi are a people deeply connected to their roots and to the world around them. This website highlights 7 important environmental themes like this connectedness and that we depend on the planet as much as it depends on us for survival.

It's a beautiful film with an important message- I just hope the billions who see the movie can see the message between the trees.

Plus, at the end you can recycle those 3-D glasses! Give back!

The Happiness Project

2010-02-08T08:00:00.007-05:00

I was first introduced to The Happiness Project by my boss, and not 2 minutes later, my mom sent me a link.

"This must be a sign," I said.

And then, I got to reading.

The Happiness Project is a memoir of the year author Gretchen Rubin spent "test-driving the wisdom of the ages, the current scientific studies, and the lessons from popular culture about how to be happy--from Aristotle to Martin Seligman to Thoreau to Oprah."

And, the blog it is an accompaniment to that: a dialogue about what makes people happy. The search for the Holy Grail, if you will.

I haven't read her book yet, but the blog is worth taking a look. Gretchen encourages her readers to start their own happiness project, and I have taken the challenge (not that I am usually UNhappy... but it seems fun!)

Here are 4 of Gretchen's "Truth's" that she learned while writing the book:

First: To be happier, you have to think about feeling good, feeling bad, and feeling right, in an atmosphere of growth.
Second: One of the best ways to make yourself happy is to make other people happy; One of the best ways to make other people happy is to be happy yourself.
Third: The days are long, but the years are short.
Fourth: You’re not happy unless you think you’re happy.

Smile today. And pass it on.

Quote Sundays

2010-02-07T08:00:00.002-05:00

Small helpings. Sample a little bit of everything. These are the secrets of happiness and good health.

-Julia Child, chef

Satunesday

2010-02-06T08:00:00.000-05:00

ALICE SMITH "FIRE" LIVE PERFORMANCE
from ALICE SMITH

In case you missed her residency dates in January, like I did, you still have a chance to see her perform live!

Join us at Joe's Pub on February 9. She hits the stage at 9:30 pm.

Urban Farming

2010-02-05T08:00:00.011-05:00

One of the major issues in the environmental sector today is sustainability. And, I believe that the local food movement is one way of tackling that problem.

According to Food & Water Watch, one-fifth of all of the fossil fuels burned in the United States are consumed in food production and transportation and 80% of that energy is spent on
“processing, packaging, selling, and storing food after it leaves the farm.”

Therefore, if we could produce fresh, local food in this great city of New York, we could start solving the problem. And, some believe that Aquaponics might be the future of Urban Farming!

Aquaponics is the cultivation of plants and aquatic animals in a recirculating environment.

Get it? Ok, Me neither...

So, plants need energy, water, nutrients, and physical support, right?

Well a hydroponic setup allows you to emulate all of these conditions, but in a water filled environment. This hydroponic system allows plants to grow in nutrient-rich water. An aquaponics system incorporates aquatic life into the water. And, as aquatic life (fish) waste accumulates, the effluent-rich water increases. Then, the plants take up the nutrients left in the water.

The water, now clean, is returned to the aquatic animal environment and the cycle continues. Aquaponic systems do not discharge or exchange water. The systems rely on the relationship between the aquatic animals and the plants to maintain the environment. Water is only added to replace water loss from absorption by the plants, evaporation into the air, or the removal of biomass from the system.

Mike Yohay, CEO and founder of Cityscape Farms, a San Francisco company is using a hydroponics soil-less farming that allows you to grow plants in non-arable conditions, believes “the only advantage soil has over a hydroponic system is that some soil comes with a nutrient source and is pre-existent in the environment.”

Cityscape hopes to launch its first farm in the first half of 2010. Advantages, longer growing season, more efficient use of our water resources and eliminating the need for chemical fertilizers!

I am on board!

State of The Union

2010-02-04T08:00:00.001-05:00

The four-letter word that dominated U.S. President Barack Obama's State of the Union address last Wednesday was -- jobs.

Clean energy, Obama says, will create millions of new jobs, and amid a 10% unemployment rate, (the worst in more than a quarter-century) this got lots of applause.

Around 2.5 million new jobs would be created by boosting the clean energy industry. And this is good news.

Of course there are opposing opinions that because factories and utilities use less oil and coal, it would end up killing jobs.

But with a projected 800,000 jobs lost in connection with the declining use of fossil fuels, there WILL be a net 1.7 million new jobs, says a study by the Center for American Progress and the University of Massachusetts economics department.

What were your thoughts on his State of the Union?

In the Mood to Live

2010-02-03T08:00:00.001-05:00

A friend, (good, grounded and beautiful inside and out) has "jumped on the bandwagon and started a blog."

And, as you know, I love to share these tidbits with YOU.

Her blog, In The Mood to Live, is a daily conversation on travel, fashion, arts & entertainment, and global issues.

As she says, if "you are smart, stylish, and voraciously interested in the world, with an extraordinary ability to discern what is truly worth your time and attention" then this blog is for you.

Check it out!

Save the Forests!

2010-02-02T08:00:00.003-05:00

Unfortunately, not much happened in the Copenhagen Climate Change talks.

But, one thing that did happen, was an agreement that our forests need to be preserved. In fact, it is so important, that participating countries might be compensated for this act.

Forests (peat soils, swamps and fields) are efficient absorbers of CO2, the primary heat-trapping gas linked to global warming.

The Reducing Emissions From Deforestation and Forest Degradation Act, or REDD, is a set of steps designed to use financial incentives in order to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases from deforestation. The main purpose is to reduce gases, but in turn it can deliver conservation and poverty alleviation.

This is a big step in the right direction, if managed properly... I will keep you posted.

Spotlight: Local Vermont Artist

2010-02-01T08:00:00.021-05:00

While hiking our way through the snowy, wooded hills of my favorite state, I looked out into the valley and was struck, as I always am when I come to Vermont, by the untouched, pristine beauty of nature.

And, never have I seen this beauty better captured than by Laurel Fulton. And thanks to our mutual friend, I was introduced to her (and sequentially, her work) at a delicious brunch in Burlington!

What strikes me about her landscapes is the absolute simplicity of them. Laurel has a vision and paints what she sees, which might be a little different from what we see- she explains:

"I remember noticing that I was somewhat 'different' when I began helping my friends with their drawings in preschool and kindergarden. I remember having a friend over once and gently explaining to her that there were many more ways to draw grass than a evenly-spaced series of vertical lines, and more colors than green."

Her artistry is obviously a product of both nature and nurture. Her mother was a print maker and children's art teacher, her father ran a film business out of their home and her grandfather (like me) was fascinated by the mystical side of sculpture and art. Laurel, says that she '"pondered them as one would rare specimens of wisdom and unique spiritual knowledge that kept my imagination constantly stimulated." But it was her mother that was the

"primary, possibly primal component to my growing confidence as a young artist, although she never singled me out amongst my peers, and, to my disappointment at times, seemed to keep an unbiased eye to whatever I was creating. Watching her teach, draw and sculpt in front of us, and in her free time, I think I was somehow able to absorb some of her talent. "

I find her work reminiscent of van Gogh's landscapes... but more realistic. Laurel finds her inspiration in "those who tell a story, or a moment of that story, in their work." Such as the Impressionists, saying that it is "their breathtaking ability to capture atmosphere and use of genius color palates" that she admires. She remembers,

"At some point around this age, merely eleven, I remember my Mom taking me on a trip to the Boston Museum of Fine Arts for my birthday. All the exhibits were fun to look at and informed me, however, it was the moment I stepped into the Impressionist Room, that something occurred that I will never forget. Standing within the center of that large, glorious room, with Van Goghs, Cezannes, Renoirs, Gaugins, Monets, and so many others swirling around me, I felt as though I had suddenly met my soul's closest companions- those individuals who expressed so eloquently and fearlessly a view and appreciation of the world that I felt I shared (perhaps I was a bit over dramatic then?). I remember tears welling up behind my eyes and wondering why I was alone in my overwhelming ebullience and seriousness, why I wasn't experiencing the same muted and restrained reaction as everyone else. This was my little person "ah ha" moment that helped me see that I had a peculiar connection to the world of the artists and that I perhaps was meant to follow them."

One of the distinguishing features of Laurels work that I find so fascinating is her use of recycled cabinet doors, which she started using when she moved to Burlington. Laurel says that she

"was so inspired by the degree of recycling taking place here and the resourcefulness of the community that I started thinking about how I could be a part of it. With so much rich history in the layers of the city, the recycled building supply organizations were ripe with all sorts of beautiful old cabinet doors. Fed up with many paintings on canvas that I couldn't afford to frame, it struck me to use these interesting and eclectic panels as pre-framed landscape painting surfaces. It is also so much fun to refinish the panel according to customer's preferences. The creative challenge of creating a painting within a fixed size cabinet door, or choosing which landscape to paint within which particular one, is another unexpected and enjoyable artistic component."

And here we arrive at my main reason for blogging/obsessing about Laurel. She is not only a creative and talented artist, but she is as dedicated to this planet as I am. In one email she explained, "I feel that just under the surface of my meditative art process is a fierce pursuit of ways to protect this planet from further harm."

She goes on to explain that

"One thing I am passionate about in terms of making a positive impact on our environmental condition, is paying attention to the degree of waste that we are directly, uniquely, responsible for through our daily actions. Getting into the habit of consuming less, and creatively reusing what we already have, is a text book example of showing respect for and nurturing the beauty around us. But mostly it is my hope that my paintings of the rare and pristine natural landscape spark a fire in the hearts of those who view them, and in turn cause further environmentally aware actions to take place."

It is people like Laurel who use their talents and their ideas to spread the word about conservation. When I asked why she paints landscapes, Laurel clarifies that

"It is important to explore and celebrate your surroundings, because it always leads to deepening connection, something we need more than we're often willing to admit...

Landscapes are also capable of depicting strong abstract components simply through the way the artist maps out the composition. This is another reason I do not grow tired of creating them; the playful abstract work is often the heart and soul of the piece."

Check her out at the Shelburne Farmers Market in Shelburne, VT. Saturdays, from 5/10-10/10. Or contact her directly for information and pricing.

"There's nothing like great nature poetry/writing to garner a new way to see beauty around you and feel compelled to represent it in a painting."

-Laurel Fulton

Quote Sundays

2010-01-31T08:00:00.002-05:00

It's kind of fun to do the impossible.

-Walt Disney

Satunesday

2010-01-30T08:00:00.003-05:00

Closer
corinne bailey rae

Corinne Bailey Rae tickled our ears with her jazzy sounds and smooth voice when she released "Put Your Records On" four years ago, and now, Corinne has a new album out called The Sea.

You might expect the new songs to be sad, because of the accidental death of her husband two years ago, but they're not. NPR notes that the opening track, "Are You Here," includes a tribute to Jason Rae: "He's a real live wire, he's the best of his kind; he'll kiss you and make you feel 16."

Listen to her album from NPR here.

The Dirty Dozen

2010-01-29T08:00:00.003-05:00

Environmental Working Group (EWG) has published their latest guide to the "dirty dozen." It is a list of THE MOST pesticide contaminated foods, based on statistical analysis of testing conducted by the USDA and the FDA.

The latest guide is now available here. But, here are the 12 foods to always buy organic:

peaches
apples
bell peppers
celery
nectarine
strawberries
cherries
kale
lettuce
imported grapes
carrots
pears

The fruits and vegetables that you can stress less about include onions, avocados, frozen sweet corn, pineapple and mango.

And read more about what it means to be organic, local, etc, here.

The Energy Diet

2010-01-28T08:00:00.004-05:00

I was first drawn to the following article because of the picture. Anyone hugging a tree is my kind of folk. But then, I started reading, and realized that Laurie David has really got it right.

She outlines a lot of great and easy ideas about how to reduce our consumption, and calls it an "Energy Diet." I have listed a few of my favorites below.

1. Replace all light blubs with compact fluorescent

2. Plant a tree

3. Clean your air conditioner filter

4. Unplug your electric devices when your not using them

5. Buy minimally packaged goods

6. Move your thermostat down 2 deg this winter and up 2 in the summer

7. Tune up your car; tires, air filters, etc.

8. Wrap your water heater in an insulating jacket

9. Air dry your clothes in the spring and summer

10. Tell your friends about this blog...

Pay Less if You Weigh Less??

2010-01-27T08:00:00.005-05:00

Whole Foods has been known to offer rewards to their employees such as discounts at their supermarket chains. But now, the less you weigh the less you pay!

How do you feel about this? I think it's great that companies offer reduced fare gym memberships and smoking cessation programs, but is this discrimination? Call me crazy, but I like it.

Urban Escapes

2010-01-26T08:00:00.001-05:00

Looking for an urban escape for 2010? Check out this website for some really cool local NYC hikes, backpacking and other adventurous outdoor activities.

"From hiking and camping in the Catskills to whitewater rafting in the Poconos, snow tubing just outside of New York City to all-inclusive weekend ski getaways, rock climbing in the Shawangunks to wine and beer tastings within driving distance, each of our unique itineraries is designed to get you out of the bubble with a crew of new faces."

And if you're doing one, be sure to call me!

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch

2010-01-25T08:00:00.007-05:00

I like to let my readers in on a little bit of what is happening on this big, green globe. And this piece of news is certainly shocking to me.

It's called the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. And no, it is not the newest Cabbage Patch Doll, it is a 3.5 million ton floating trash pile. The Patch is double the size of Texas and stuck midway between California and Hawaii in what is called the North Pacific Gyre, a clockwise collection of ocean currents.

The Patch’s 3.5 million tons of trash and tiny plastic particles extend a hundred feet below the surface. And, the problem is, that any cleanup would harm plankton and other small marine life.

Thankfully, Project Kaisei is studying the cleanup. Launched in March 2009, Kaisei are experimenting with ways to capture, clean, and recycle the plastic bits into diesel fuel, but have had limited success. Another proposal would utilize a giant floating artificial beach to scoop up and filter the junk. But an immediate solution seems unlikely.

This pollution is killing sea life, choking birds and fish, entangling seals and whales, as well as assaulting the Hawaiian Islands. Hopefully for us, a clean-up method is in our near future.

Quote Sundays

2010-01-24T08:00:00.002-05:00

Don't say you don't have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Louis Pastuer, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson and Albert Einstein.

- Jackson Brown Jr., writer