Mighty Monti Carlo
Her story of tribulation, triumph and teaching people to get back in the kitchen
The Importance of Self-Love What it means, how to get it, and how to keep it
Next Level, NextGen Jane
The company using genomics to diagnose endometriosis
In the heartwarming story of my wife, Allie Geyer, we find a beacon of selflessness, a story that not only touches the heart but also inspires the soul. Allie's life is a vivid tapestry woven with threads of compassion, dedication, and an unyielding commitment to making a difference in the lives of others. As a mother, wife, grandmother, business owner, and so much more, Allie embodies the pure essence of giving, teaching those around her that the true measure of our lives lies not in what we accumulate, but in what we give away.
From the early days of raising her daughters as a single mother, Allie instilled in her family the priceless value of service to others. Life for her in her first marriage was unimaginable — taught to think she was weak and not capable of surviving on her own. Yet despite her tumultuous past she not only survived, but thrived above and beyond what she ever thought was imaginable. As we started a life together, a new world of opportunities opened up for each of us.
Allie’s actions spoke louder than words as she and our daughters extended their hands and hearts to those in need. These moments were not just acts of charity, they were lessons in humanity, as she taught our children that the warmth of giving outshines the comfort of receiving. Despite the fact she thought she couldn’t possibly have a greater love than our girls… we now have grandchildren and that changed Allie’s thinking forever!
When Allie and I joined forces in our family business, Exceptional Water Systems, her spirit of generosity found new ground to flourish. Together, we’ve steered the company towards a noble mission from “innovations for aquatic professionals” to "providing healthy water for humanity." This wasn't just a business decision, it was a
declaration of our unwavering belief that every endeavor, no matter how commercial, should carry a heartbeat of unselfishness. Through Allie’s vision, clean and safe water isn’t just a product; it is a gift to communities, and a fundamental right she is determined to support for all human beings.
The beauty of my wifes’ journey is not just in her multiple acts of giving, but in the profound ripple effect they create. Her life is a testament to the idea that selflessness breeds more selflessness, that one act of kindness can ignite a chain reaction of goodwill. Through her example, Allie has sown seeds of compassion that have blossomed into gardens of generosity within her family, her business, and her community.
Allie's story transcends the narrative of a successful businesswoman. It is a heartfelt reminder of the profound joy and fulfillment that comes from putting others first. In a world often caught up in the pursuit of personal gain, Allie Geyer stands as a beacon of hope, showing us the unparalleled beauty of a life dedicated to service to others. Her legacy is a powerful call to action: to live not for ourselves, but for the betterment of those around us. Through her, we learn that the richest lives are those that pour out love and kindness, freely and unconditionally. In every smile she brings to a face, every life she touches with her generosity, Allie teaches us that the most enduring form of wealth is found in the hearts we touch and the lives we lift. Her story is not just one of giving but a profound narrative that echoes the timeless truth: in giving, we receive the truest, most lasting forms of joy and satisfaction. Through her boundless selflessness, my wife, Allie Geyer, reminds us all of the immense power of a giving heart.
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Dear Readers,
This is my favorite issue. It happens to be so, because it’s our annual women’s issue. When curating this month’s features, we wanted to compile a collection of material that represents stories of triumph and perseverance through modern struggles that women face.
From our cover story on chef and food media personality Monti Carlo — who, hands down, happens to be one of the hardest working people I’ve ever had the opportunity to know — to our coverage on the antiquated standards of several of the country’s beauty pageants, and our follow up feature with FemTech CEO Ridhi Tariyal of NextGen Jane, we’re shedding light on the prejudices that women face in a variety of industries and professional arenas. In my conversation with Tariyal, she shares staggering information regarding discrepancies in both funding and research that profoundly impact women’s health in America. You may remember last year’s March cover story, The Future of FemTech, which briefly touched on NextGen Jane’s technology. This year, we’re delighted to shine a brighter light on both Tariyal and the company leading the charge to change the way that endometriosis — a disease that affects a staggering 1 in 10 women — is diagnosed.
Finally, we are proud to showcase coverage from accomplished journalist and ASU professor Pauline Arrillaga, who in 2023, led a team of master’s students in interviewing and researching the impact of the reversal of Roe v. Wade on women and families across the country.
Although this issue focuses largely on the challenges that women face today, I’d like to think that the content is relevant to all readers. After all, women’s issues are human issues. To the women reading this, I hope you feel seen and inspired by the stories shared here. And to the men, if there’s a woman in your life that you know and love, or if you have a daughter, granddaughter, or niece that you adore and want the absolute best for, I hope that you find value in these pages, as well.
Thanks for reading,
Shelby Tuttle Managing Editor
Pauline Arrillaga is executive editor of the distinguished CarnegieKnight News21 program at Arizona State University's Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. She works with top journalism students from universities across the U.S. to produce in-depth projects for major media outlets, focusing on topics that deeply impact our society. She spent 27 years as a writer and editor at The Associated Press and is a mentor and coach to journalists across the globe.
Aundria Layne is a mind-body wellness coach who has spent the latter part of her life helping others to understand and honor the best version of themselves. She is a graduate of the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, where she studied life-coaching, hypnotherapy, and holistic nutritional coaching. Aundria has also obtained her 200-hour yoga teacher training certification and has used her training to work with troubled youth and adults with an emphasis on mindfulness and self-compassion.
/greenlivingazmag @greenlivingmag
Every one to two weeks, most of us roll our recycling bins to the curb. How much of what is in those bins is recycled, and what ends up in the landfill? How many of us are doing our part to reduce, reuse, and recycle? To spur changes in recycling behavior, community participation and changes must be made.
The Environmental Working Group is reshaping the landscape of mattress manufacturing by highlighting new safety standards for the industry. Naturepedic is the first brand to meet EWG’s rigorous criteria, underscoring its commitment to health and ingredient transparency.
The 34th annual Chinese Culture & Cuisine Festival kicked off the Lunar New Year in Phoenix last month! Green Living attended the festival and captured some incredible moments while we were there.
With the world pivoting towards a more sustainably conscious mindset, buzzwords like ‘compostable’ and ‘commercially compostable’ are thrown around to endorse eco-friendly practices. However, it is critical to distinguish between these terms and be aware of the actual compostability of the products you buy.
Green Living attended a wonderful event to celebrate the launch of the Circular Plastics Micro-Factory, which is a partnership between ASU, the City of Phoenix, Goodwill, and Hustle PHX.
Lab-grown meat is often marketed to be more environmentally friendly than beef. However, researchers have found that these “cultivated” meats may actually produce an impact substantially higher than retail beef.
According to Derrick Risner, UC Davis Department of Food Science and Technology, “If this product continues to be produced using the “pharma” approach, it’s going to be worse for the environment than conventional beef production.”
Neste, a Finnish oil refining company, has expanded its partnership with Emirates Airline by collaborating on the supply of sustainable aviation fuel in 2024 and 2025. Flights departing from Amsterdam Schipol and Singapore Changi airports will now fly with a blend of conventional air fuel and Neste’s sustainable aviation fuel.
On January 29, the state of Washington held a public hearing on a proposed green amendment. According to Maya K. van Rossum, “The Washington Green Amendment, if passed, would make Washington the first state in the nation to explicitly and unequivocally provide constitutional protection for the right to a safe climate.”
Water solutions company, Bluewater, showcased its innovative HotelBottlingStation™at a hotel conference in Jakarta, which lets hotels say goodbye to the hassles and costs of buying, transporting, storing, and recycling plastic water bottles — a win-win for both the environment and the hotel’s bottom line.
The Tucson Botanical Gardens has been nominated for the Best Botanical Gardens category in the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. Voting is currently open and will conclude March 4 at noon. “We are elated to receive this nomination for the second consecutive year!” expressed TBG CEO Michelle Conklin.
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On January 28, Gainey Village Health Club and Spa in Scottsdale hosted Back to the Basics: How to Be a Healthy Human. Organized by Green Living Magazine and Garden Goddess, the expo offered attendees a one-stop shop for health and wellness information through a variety of seminars and hands-on experiences.
Garden Goddess’ Suzette Smith hosted a hands-on fermentation class with a recipe from her children's book, Sasha and Sheila, and introduced cultured condiments that showed participants how to make a probiotic ranch dressing sure to please the most discerning ranch connoisseur with just two simple ingredients. Suzette also shared the importance of incorporating fermented foods into a daily diet, and everyone went home with an easy-to-use, veggiefilled fermentation kit to make at home.
Event goers enjoyed classes on how to make mead, along with instruction in aerial yoga, and also learned about the latest health and wellness trends from leading experts who dove into topics like the power of the microbiome, botanical wellness, and restoring balance through acupuncture.
Dr. Richard Jacoby, a leading peripheral nerve surgeon and author of Sugar Crush, shared shrewd observations on sugar as the common denominator of many chronic diseases and discussed dietary changes that can dramatically help regenerate nerves and restore their normal function.
Between seminars, attendees mingled poolside with over 25 green vendors while listening to live jazz, tasting mead and local beers, and noshing on delectable bites from Giving Tree Café.
Who dis?
Dr. Richard Jacoby
Suzette Smith teaches a fermentation class
Dr. Ingo Mahn
Photos by MisPrinceArts, LLC.
Boie USA’s Flat Body Scrubber offers a soft solution to sustainable self-care while you enjoy your next shower or bath. Instead of loofahs that require frequent repurchasing, or a body puff that might be too rough on sensitive skin, try this flexible tool! The similar-to-silicone scrubber glides across your body, working together with body wash to facilitate gentle exfoliation and make way for smooth skin. It can stick to the wall of your shower and offers users a controlled grip with three open segments for fingers to fit. With one-time purchase and yearly subscription options, Boie USA’s website offers their Flat Body Scrubber in six bold color choices. Boie’s products are super durable and don’t need to be replaced as often as their traditional counterparts. And when your scrubber has finally worn out, Boie will take back your used product to upcycle at its U.S.-based manufacturing facility. www.boieusa.com
With summer on the horizon, you might be looking for an Earthfriendly, tasteful tan. Pacifica is known for its wide range of cruelty-free and vegan self-care products, and the SUNNY GLOW Bronzing Drops are a new addition to their beloved makeup line. The formula makes use of Vitamin C, Kakadu plum, and glycolic acid to give your skin a naturally sun-kissed appearance. The bottle is constructed of 50% PCR (post-consumer recycled) material, and its box even had a past life as sugarcane pulp. Purchasing higher-end bronzing drops consistently might hurt your wallet, so why not consider this eco-conscious option from a caring company? www.pacifica.com
Linjer’s shimmering Moonstone Ring – Elisa is both a gorgeous gift and a perfect personal pick-me-up. This sustainable piece features three off-white and/or subtle blue rainbow moonstones encircled by your choice of 100% recycled gold vermeil or silver. The company’s attention to sustainable beauty encompasses many different accessories throughout its website. Linjer’s dedication shows customers that they don’t have to give up looking great in favor of fighting for our naturally beautiful Earth. www.linjer.co
The heart of Neococo is reflected in not only its mission, but the positive visual appeal of its products. The company’s anatomy revolves around providing work opportunities to refugees, teaching them how to embroider, and ultimately prioritizing “people before profits.” The hand-embroidered Individuali-Tee features women’s all-natural forms, each outlined uniquely in bright embroidery floss by talented artists. This shirt’s soft feel incorporates 100% bamboo, and it’s available in sizes XS to 3XL. Neococo’s manufacturing processes emphasize slow, mindful fashion manufactured in California. And the best part? According to the website: “100% of our revenue is directed back into the company to hire and assist women refugees.” www.neococo.com
Oceanna The Label emphasizes “the delicate beauty of sustainable clothing.” A slow fashion brand from Canada, the company focuses on putting out intentionally crafted clothing into the world. The French-inspired Scarlett Rose Dress was recently released with the intricate Jardins Enchantés collection. This elegant and thoughtfully made garment combines baby pink fabric and white piping made from 100% TENCEL™, a fiber derived from recycled wood pulp. Oceanna The Label also commits to using home compostable shipping materials, including mailers, stickers, and tissue paper. The Scarlett Rose Dress is a perfect fit for the everyday princess who also wants to help save the planet. www.oceannathelabel.com
Merriam-Webster defines self-love as ‘‘An appreciation of one’s own worth or virtue.”
HHowever, defining self-love can look different to everyone and because of that, when speaking about self-love with others, I often dive in a bit deeper. I spend a lot of time with my clients working through their personal definition of what self-love means to them. I let them know that their definition may change or grow over time — the goal is to find ideas and meanings that resonate with their core beliefs while aligning with their values.
For me, there are three main components to the practice of self-love: self-care, values, and boundaries. These three pieces have many individual parts and when combined, allow us to grow fully into ourselves.
Do you remember the advice given every single time you fly? Put on your own oxygen mask first before helping the person next to you with theirs. There isn’t much help you can give to someone else if you aren’t breathing yourself. I happen to find this advice to be pretty spot on in life, as well.
We can often become so focused outwardly that we forget to take care of ourselves. We forget our own oxygen mask in times of need, not remembering to take a much needed deep breath of self-love before offering our assistance to someone else. What we don’t realize is that this lack of self-care can create harm to ourselves and spiral out to those around us.
There are many forms of self-care: physical, psychological, emotional, social, professional, spiritual, and financial. How we honor our needs and what self-care looks like can change day to day.
Sometimes self-care can simply look like a long bubble bath before bed or heading out to the batting cages to hit balls until your arms feel like jelly. It can be saying ‘no’ to the daily trip to the coffee shop to save money for the house you’re planning to buy, or passing on the promotion that offers you a huge raise but would leave you extra stressed and with no time to spend with your family.
I like to remind my clients each and every time I see them that by simply showing up for our session, they’re already practicing self-care.
If we aren’t operating from a space aligned with our values, we’re ultimately not operating from a place of self-love. Defining our own system of values can be done in a three-part process, starting with our core value system.
Core values are most often learned during our upbringing. They are the values and cultural expectations ingrained in us that were either intentionally, or sometimes unintentionally, modeled by those around us. As a child, we absorb like a sponge the behaviors of key people in our lives: parents, friends, caregivers, teachers, and more.
Personal values are also a key component of our values system. These are values that often change over time with our experiences as human beings. As our emotional intelligence grows, so do the ideas of what is important to us. Your personal values define how you show up in the world, including your selfdiscipline, transparency with others, trustworthiness, and expectations of your life and the people in it.
The personal core value system is the combination of both the core value system and the personal value system. When I am helping someone to define their personal core value system, we start by discussing their lowest moments — how did those events make them feel and how did they grow or get through those times? Then I ask about the greatest experiences of their lives — and I’m able to learn what fills them up with pride, happiness, and a sense of fulfillment.
Defining these moments and feelings can be a valuable pathway to determining your own personal core values of who you are and want to be, helping you to align your individual beliefs of what is most important to you in life, work, and love. In order to ensure we are operating from our values, we need to be able to set healthy boundaries.
I always remind my clients that boundaries are not easy to set — there is a lot that can go into the process, and often our boundaries change from person to person. But setting boundaries is a great form of self-respect and self-care. By setting boundaries, we enhance our own well-being and promote positive relationships of all types. A great place to start when setting boundaries is to first become aware of what is important to you and to get in touch with your own feelings. We set boundaries based on what we like and dislike and how certain behaviors or actions from others make us feel. Boundaries help us to stay focused, keep us safe, improve relationships, and signal to others what feels good for us and conversely, what we will not tolerate. By setting clear and consistent boundaries, we can reduce stress, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion.
Steps to setting a boundary:
• Tap into your own feelings about what brings you joy, stress, pain, or uncertainty.
• Acknowledge those feelings and needs.
• Identify individuals in your life who bring unwanted feelings or experiences to the surface for you — this could be a boss, partner, friend, or even yourself.
• Determine how a specific boundary may need to be placed. Consider how this boundary would provide feelings of physical, emotional, or mental safety and security. Will it open your possibilities for more positive growth? Boundaries can look very different from person to person and may be something as simple as setting defined hours of work so as to not impede your personal life, taking a needed break from social media, limiting interactions with a certain person, or even limiting negative self-talk.
• If the boundary is with another person, identify the appropriate time and tone of voice for delivery. Communicate it clearly and concisely without over-explanation.
• Determine any alternative solutions or consequences for others who do not honor your boundary.
All in all, self-love lies at the core of our being. It requires self-care to grow it, values to define it, and boundaries to protect it. We choose how it looks and feels to each of us on our own terms. Understanding the meaning of self-love is just the tip of the iceberg — what lies beneath can be so much more rewarding. I encourage you to get out there, be courageous, and define what self-love means to you.
SSometimes, your kids might seem down in the dumps. While completely normal at times, it can be troubling for parents to see. And while it may be nothing that a bowl of ice cream can’t fix, you might want to consider mindfulness practices for your child to help manage feelings of sadness or stress.
Mindfulness activities are projects and ventures that can help both adults and children to feel calm and present. These types of activities can be helpful when experiencing feelings of overwhelm. A mindfulness activity can take many forms, but the unifying goal is for the person to be aware of his or her thoughts and feelings and be in touch with their surroundings.
The concept of mindfulness is often discussed with respect to adults, helping them to clear out tension related to the stresses of work and life. However, it’s also key to recognize the importance of mindfulness for children.
Award-winning journalist and author Jennifer Breheny Wallace dives into how most young students face a competitive academic landscape, and the impact of that pressure. “Many of these students come from the top 25% of household incomes. Depending on where you live, that’s a household income of roughly $130,000 a year.”
Wallace continues, “In 2019, I wrote an article for The Washington Post about two national policy reports that found these students to be — officially — an at-risk group, meaning they were two- to six-times more likely to suffer from clinical levels of anxiety, depression, and substance abuse disorder than the average American teen.”
“It felt so counterintuitive that kids who are given so many opportunities would be doing less well — in tangible measures of well-being — than middleclass peers. And what is happening to these kids is happening to all kids throughout the country,” Wallace said.
Even if your children aren’t dealing with these particular stressors, it’s key to build healthy coping mechanisms for the future. Mindfulness techniques can help kids gain control over their thoughts when they feel anxious or worried.
Kids can engage in various mindfulness activities indoors, but it can be good to have a change of scenery. The outdoors can activate more of the body's senses by offering different levels of stimulation. It can also feel freeing to explore the outside world.
Breathing is a core technique when it comes to practicing mindfulness. Some people find that doing it with closed eyes works best, but consider going outside. Let your children take in the breeze. Invite them to observe the foliage, the flowers, and the ground while you encourage them to take deep breaths.
Find a space outdoors that will give kids a clear view of the sky. Tell them to point out different shapes in the clouds. This exercise can stimulate a child’s spatial awareness and measurement skills. You can also just let them watch each white fluffy cloud pass by. Cloud gazing can be a fun activity for children to forget stress and connect with their thoughts.
There are so many rocks to be found, and each one is unique. It can be a great activity for your child to focus on collecting, inspecting, and categorizing different types. You can also try out other mindfulness activities that utilize the rocks, such as balancing them on top of one another.
If your child responds to goal-based activities, suggest a scavenger hunt and create a list of items for them to find. Various birds, insects, and flowers can be great items to keep an eye out for. You can also try a colorbased hunt, where your child looks for outdoor items that include all the colors of the rainbow.
For a more relaxed activity, consider blowing bubbles with your kids. There’s such an innate joy in seeing them floating around. You can find bubble wands and easy bubble solutions to make at home online, or you can assemble different shapes made out of sticks and strings.
A quick walk outdoors is a wonderful way to clear your head. Child and teen mindfulness educator Christoper Willard suggests silly walking and balancing acts to make the activity more fun. He also notes that classic mindful walking works just as well.
“In my own insecurity that the kids will think mindful walking is boring, or complain and laugh about ‘zombie walking,’ I may go too far … Sometimes this simplicity of just knowing we are walking is the best instruction that even the youngest among us can understand and appreciate,” shares Willard.
Sometimes, you just need to stop and smell the roses. Appreciating the different colors and smells from various flowers can promote relaxation and appreciation of the world around you. Aside from roses, the scent of lavender and jasmine can also be quite soothing.
Yoga is considered one of the ultimate meditative practices that can fortify your physical and mental well-being. Stretches and yoga poses can be helpful and easy if your child is looking for more active mindfulness exercises.
Lotus pose is great for beginners. Try this traditional yoga pose outdoors on a soft patch of grass with your child by sitting cross-legged, resting the feet on the opposite thighs. You can also encourage them to practice a bit of deep breathing while keeping their form.
If your child is a natural bookworm, bring a blanket and their favorite stories outdoors. It can be great to have a reading session while outside. Encourage them to practice mindfulness and focus on the words on their pages. When they need a break, they can just take in the scenery.
Creative kids might enjoy nature journaling. Give your child a notebook and pen so they can write down their thoughts and observations. Let them know they can be as silly or introspective as they want. All that matters is that they pay attention to what’s happening around them and write it down on paper.
Tree planting is a sustainable mindfulness practice that can help children connect with nature. It also imparts the importance of giving back. Teach kids the therapeutic routine of digging a hole, gently placing a seed, and refilling the space with soil.
Outdoor mindfulness activities can be incredibly helpful for kids to re-center themselves and deal with stress. Accompany them on their journey and cheer them on as they try out different pursuits — they might just find a new favorite hobby.
MMid-century modern architecture. A showcase of sustainable building design, construction, and home products. An eco-friendly, budget-built home in the high desert of Arizona, producing power, capturing and treating water onsite, even growing food — all for a total cost of about $300,000 without the land. A bargain in comparison to other newly constructed luxury homes in the Valley, this selfsufficient home can now be toured, studied, and booked for events and stays.
Constructed on a 5.8-acre parcel in the hills of Cave Creek, the AZ Green House Project includes a 2,950-square-foot main house with a fully equipped kitchen, billiard room, greenhouse dining room, and master suite, as well as a 1,650-square-foot threebedroom guest house.
The riparian campus is sited 110 feet above the seasonally flowing Cave Creek and provides 360-degree mountain and lush desert views. A few miles away is the historic Lemon Springs Mine, originally worked by a former Confederate soldier and still marked by his cross, and the 2,154-acre Spur Cross Recreation Area.
Inspiring the project are the Arts & Architecture Magazine-sponsored Case Study homes that appeared
in Los Angeles after World War II in the 1950s and 1960s — in particular, Case Study #22, architect Pierre Koenig’s Stahl House, which cantilevers off the Hollywood Hills above Sunset Boulevard, explains Tim Mooney, the Scottsdale-based designer and developer who envisioned the AZ Green House project five years ago.
“These homes were designed as models of modernity and affordability 70 years ago, and we’re adding sustainability to this,” Mooney explains. “That’s our vision for the project and our motto, ‘Build Green, Save Green.’” And, we encourage others to follow us as they plan their homes. That’s what we ask about many of the components in this house: ‘Why doesn’t everyone do that?’”
The AZ Green House will use significantly less energy than even energy-efficient homes: architectural overhangs, limited windows with a western exposure, Low-E high-efficiency windows and doors, solar power, spray-foam insulation, low-wattage LED lighting, Energy Star®-rated appliances, and highSEER HVAC equipment. The home will produce more energy than it uses, so Mooney expects to sell the excess to Arizona Public Service, the state’s largest provider of electricity.
Overall, the effort began with passive building design, which limits solar heat gains without sacrificing the panoramic 2,300-foot views.
“We’ve taken a light footstep on this unique highdesert land, conserving water and protecting the lush vegetation,” Mooney says. A majority of the parcel will be left undisturbed, including 24 saguaros, some as high as 25 feet and 150plus years old. “Not one of these desert titans have been disturbed from their habitat,” he adds.
Three major home components are the highperformance HVAC, the solar and zero-discharge septic systems.
Four Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US LLC inverter-based heat pumps, with SEER2 (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) from 19 to 23 were installed. These high-efficiency outdoor units are connected to quiet electric ceiling cassettes and wall-mounted units. The SEER2 designation represents a recently updated SEER formula. Each of these helped meet unique requirements of the different zones in this home, allowing the systems to operate at lower energy demand, explains Ken Johnson, regional sales manager for the Suwannee, Georgia-based company.
indoor air quality systems as necessary,” he says.
Mitsubishi Electric uses variable capacity “inverter” technology which can perform as much as 40% more efficiently than conventional HVAC systems, adds Johnson. “Importantly, heating with heat pumps can be 200% to 400% more efficient than electric resistance heating or a gas furnace. In this higher-elevation desert home that sees some colder temperatures, that means a significant reduction of winter electric usage.”
The first septic system of its kind installed in Arizona, the space-saving, sustainable NextGen installation involves a three-stage process, including simultaneous biological aerobic and anoxic treatment, membrane separation, and ozone disinfection, explains Rakesh Govind, the company founder and principal. In brief, wastewater enters the first compartment, is aerated with moving biomedia, and then disinfected with ozone.
“The water coming out of our unit is purer than what comes in,” he says.
“The ceiling units eliminated the need for large ductwork running through the home. This helps maintain the architectural aesthetics and provides very quiet operation and superior comfort. We also had a couple of small ducted systems that allowed for proper system sizing and the ability to integrate
Neatly installed behind the garage, the system requires no drain field, as conventional systems do. Not only does this reduce possible environmental damage to the ground water, it saves space, he explains. The system results in as much as 1,500 gallons of re-filtered water, which can be used for landscaping, or even fighting a forest fire, such as the one the Cave Creek area experienced a few years ago, he says.
Scottsdale-based iVee League Solar installed the 20-kilowatt solar system, one array of 50 panels, on the rooftop of the main house.
Christopher Yau, its CEO, says, “This innovative project is not just about harnessing solar energy; it’s about showcasing the latest advancements in sustainable living. By providing solar solutions for this innovative initiative, iVee League Solar contributes to a greener future and demonstrates the potential for self-sustainable living.”
Among the many other green building components in the AZ Green House are floor-to-ceiling sliding and tilting doors from Panoramic Doors in Laredo, Texas. These are triple-paned and argon gas infused. Cave Creek is about seven to 10 degrees Fahrenheit cooler year-round than Scottsdale, but temperatures in the foothills can still exceed 100 degrees in the summer and fall into the 20s during winter nights, Mooney explains.
For potable water, neighbors share and maintain a common well, and the home harvests rainwater and reuses its greywater from sinks for xeriscape landscaping, including the orchard, and edible plants. In addition, the team chose low-flow plumbing fixtures, adding to the energy savings.
New composting and planting techniques will enhance the productivity of the garden and orchard. And the indoor/outdoor dining room incorporates low-water-use aeroponic plant towers growing a variety of greens, herbs, and vegetables such as mint, thyme, snap peas and tomatoes. “That’s farm to table — in four feet!” he says with a smile. The ceiling is Polycoolite, which allows sun in while reducing heat gain; the floor is cool scored concrete.
The 12,000-gallon saltwater pool has a solar-powered pool cover. “Uncovered pools can lose up to 75 gallons a day in the hot Valley,” Mooney says, “but this one will cut that to about 2%.” He adds that the salt water avoids potentially skin-damaging chemicals, and the cover prevents animal entries and keeps the water warmer, extending the swimming season.
Recycled materials are widely used. These include CorTen steel siding and steel roofing, recycled “blue jean” insulation, the decorative use of lowcost repurposed cargo container doors, recycled furniture, and recycled turf from plastics just outside the pool, which is less expensive than natural turf and newly manufactured artificial products. Lifetime low-maintenance
Kitchen and Living Room. Photo courtesy AZ Green House Projectmaterials include Japanese Shou Sugi Ban burnt cedar siding, metal roofing, and concrete flooring.
The eco-friendly interior incorporates low VOCs, zero formaldehyde, limited interior paints, stains, and rugs, with extensive use of natural materials.
Two charities, Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona and United Food Bank of Arizona, have already benefited from 14-days of guided home tours and a 50-person sunset dinner. The charities sold tickets through their support networks, social media outreach, and earned media coverage.
“We are so grateful to be partnering with The Arizona Greenhouse Project, an initiative designed to inspire and educate a new generation of homeowners on the benefits of sustainable living,” says Dusty Parsons, chief marketing officer for Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona.
“With our mission to build strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter, this partnership aligns perfectly with our vision of creating a more livable and environmentally sustainable Arizona.” Since 1985, the nonprofit has built more than 1,200 homes, completed more than 3,800
repairs and improved living conditions for 5,000plus Arizona families.
Mooney concludes: “More than anything, we want to provide an example of ‘going-green why-nots.’ Things that just make sense, that bring new technologies, greater efficiencies, and lower costs. If we want people to go greener, we need to make it easier and cheaper. We’ve done that. Others can, too, and with this wonderful home we’re happy to showcase how.”
Visit www.azgreenhouseproject.com for more information.
MMany people see beauty pageants as opportunities for women to boost their selfconfidence. However, for many others, they can perpetuate unhealthy ideals. As the world strives for diversity and inclusivity, some standards are yet to evolve. Here’s what society has witnessed in the beauty pageant industry for years, and what you can hope for in 2024.
Every year, millions of women join thousands of pageants across the world. Generally, candidates are judged on their intelligence and physical appearance. However, recent years have seen organizers emphasize contestants’ cultural and social awareness, and how they can bring positive change to the world. Despite notable shifts in the judging criteria, most of the requirements for joining the competitions
have remained unchanged. Here’s what the top four international pageants are looking for:
• Miss International: Contestants must be 19 to 30 years old, single, never married, nor given birth to a child.
• Miss World: Qualifications vary slightly by country, but Miss World USA beauty contestants must be females 17 to 26 years old, unmarried, not pregnant, and must remain single during their reign.
Ngozi Onwuchekwa receives the Exceptional Lady crown.• Miss Earth: Women must be single and never married, be a minimum height of 5 feet 4 inches tall, and have a beautiful face with a proportionate body structure.
• Miss Universe: All women over the age of 18 and are eligible to compete in Miss Universe and its associated pageants in various countries. Women may have children and can also be married. Applicants must apply through the national director of their corresponding country. In the U.S., potential candidates must first qualify for the Miss USA pageant.
Some United States pageants require the following standards:
• Miss America: A candidate must win a local pageant before competing to represent her state. They must be 18 to 28 years old, a U.S. citizen, single, and have no legal dependents.
• USA National Miss: A participant must be a natural-born female who has never been married, pregnant, or had a child. She must have never posed nude in any form of media.
Of all these criteria, what seems to be the most important one is that candidates should be thin and stereotypically beautiful. Although Miss Universe has no height or measurement requirements, contestants generally fall below the average standard body mass index for women. And while standards seem to be slowly evolving, pageants that continue to exclude mothers seem to imply that women who have given birth are somehow diminished in beauty, and those who are not single are unattractive.
For instance, organizers of Miss Italy defended their rule to ban transgender contestants from participating. “Currently, the competition is open to candidates of ‘female sex since birth,’” said Patrizia Mirigliani, daughter of Miss Italy’s former head Enzo Mirigliani. The organizers also said they can adapt to the times, but the idea of trans women joining the competition isn’t a priority.
Additionally, Miss Ukraine 2018 and women’s rights activist Veronika Didusenko was disqualified four days after being crowned because she was a single mother. She fought the against the unfair standards through the global initiative #RightToBeAMother — a campaign against the discriminatory practices of major beauty contests.
While pageants still have a long way to go in dismantling beauty norms, there are signs of progress. In 2012, the Miss Universe Organization lifted the ban on transgender contestants, with Miss Universe Spain 2018 Ángela Ponce being the first trans contestant. As of writing, it remains the only major international pageant that allows transgender candidates.
In October 2022, Thai entrepreneur, transgender woman, and transgender rights advocate Anne Jakapong Jakrajutatip purchased the organization for $20 million, making her the first woman owner in history. Under her ownership, the contest revised its rules to embrace inclusivity.
Many beauty contests are reticent to expand requirements to be inclusive of evolving social norms.
During the same year, married people, divorcees, and mothers could join the competition, scrapping a 70-year-old rule barring women with families from participating. The Miss Universe organization also announced that all ages 18 and above are now allowed to compete, starting in 2024.
While many individuals celebrate this progress, some find it more proper to retain the age requirements.
“Like other leadership or internship programs, I believe pageants should be used as programs to develop, train, and prepare young women — not a career path. Being Miss “State” or “Nation” shouldn’t be the end goal, but a precursor and launching pad to whatever that young woman wants to go on and pursue. Having an age limit maintains that goal,” says Alissa Musto, Miss Massachusetts 2016 and a Top 5 contestant at Miss World America 2020.
With Miss Universe placing inclusivity at the forefront, here are some candidates who challenged the beauty-queen standards:
• Miss Netherlands Rikkie Valerie Kollé: The transgender woman and LGBTQIA+ rights activist joined the competition in 2023.
• Miss Portugal Marina Machete: She became the first transgender woman from Portugal to participate in Miss Universe 2023.
• Miss Guatemala Michelle Cohn: She was among the first married women with children who joined the pageant in 2023.
• Miss Colombia Camila Avella: The beauty queen became the first married woman and mother to place in the Top 5 in the Miss Universe competition last year.
inclusivity, Miss Universe 2021 — which took place in Israel — had the lowest viewership ever in history in the U.S. with only 2.7 million viewers. Claims of rigged contests, suspensions, and preferential treatment also emerged.
Last year, six contestants in the Miss Universe Indonesia pageant filed complaints over inappropriate physical examinations. Contestants from Sweden, Kazakhstan, and Israel withdrew from the competition due to a lack of local interest, and the former Miss Israel Sivan Klein said the “beauty queen contest is buried.”
• Miss Nepal Jane Dipika Garrett: As the first plus-size contestant to participate in an international beauty pageant competition in 2023, Miss Nepal’s appearance is a significant breakthrough that sparked conversations about body diversity to foster a more inclusive environment in the pageant industry.
• Miss France 2024 Eve Gilles: The beauty queen captivated France with her short pixie haircut, becoming the first contestant with short hair to win the competition.
During an increased era of body positivity and
Despite issues surrounding major international competitions, many contestants and previous winners still believe in the transformative power of pageantry. For Ngozi Onwuchekwa — who placed fourth in the Mrs. Universe contest and took home the Exceptional Lady crown — her reign enabled her to uplift suffering women. The beauty queen was diagnosed with stage three rhabdomyosarcoma at 42, underwent intensive chemotherapy and just three years later graced the stage of the Mrs. Universe pageant. Onwuchekwa serves as an example of resilience and strength for women around the world.
“Through my voice and visibility, I aim to motivate those struggling with illness, disability, discrimination, or other obstacles to live boldly. My story proves it’s never too late to turn your struggles into triumphs,” said Onwuchekwa.
While these changes in criteria have certainly begun to pave the way for a more progressive era in the pageant industry, many competitions have remained homogenous and are based on antiquated ideals of beauty. As our society begins to demand more inclusivity, pageants can be expected to adapt further to changing norms, fostering an environment where women can truly feel empowered to embrace their authentic selves and the beauty that lies within.
OOn June 24, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling that would upend almost five decades of legal precedent and leave behind chaos and confusion in communities across the nation. The justices overturned Roe v. Wade — the landmark case that had affirmed an individual’s constitutional right to an abortion.
From January to August of last year, 25 journalists from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication and eight other universities across the U.S. joined the Carnegie-Knight News21 program to produce a national investigation exploring the broad impacts of that ruling, one year later.
“America After Roe,” a project I oversaw as executive editor of News21, examines how that monumental decision has gone beyond abortion bans and courthouse battles to more broadly affect health care, culture, policy, and people.
In 10 weeks, our student journalists — many of whom had never worked in a newsroom setting or traveled out of state to report — produced the type of work many professional outlets would take 10 months or more to publish.
They traveled to over 34 cities and towns in 14 states, as well as to Monterrey, Mexico, and Washington, D.C., with a goal of helping the public better understand how the decision was playing out on the ground and in individuals’ lives.
One team traversed New Mexico to document how, post-Roe, the state has emerged as a safe haven for abortion care but also a new battleground in the fight over access, with conservative towns battling liberal leaders over local anti-abortion ordinances.
Said one self-proclaimed abortion abolitionist who made clear his desire to outlaw abortion at all stages, for any reason: “We gained a lot of ground with the overturning of Roe v. Wade, but now it’s at the state level. Now instead of one battlefield, it’s 50 battlefields.”
Another team of reporters spent time in Texas with those who sued the state to clarify the scope of its abortion bans when applied to pregnant people facing emergencies. The story is as enlightening as it is heartbreaking, taking viewers inside the life-and-death decisions doctors and patients now face daily.
“People shouldn’t have to die for lawmakers to change some of these restrictions,” said one woman, who at 18 weeks of a much-wanted pregnancy was diagnosed with cervical incompetence — meaning there was virtually no chance her baby would survive past an inevitable premature birth.
Historically, doctors would perform an abortion to end the pregnancy to prevent the mother from developing a life-threatening infection. Instead, she was sent home with instructions to monitor herself. Days later, she developed sepsis. Her baby, Willow, was delivered and died shortly thereafter. Due to complications from the infection that she suffered, the mother may now never be able to have a child.
To provide readers a glimpse at how legislators are reshaping reproductive health care after Roe, some of our News21 journalists took on the monumental task of analyzing more than 550 abortion-related bills introduced last year in all 50 states. They found that these legislative sessions produced hundreds of bills that are all over the map with respect to abortion, including proposals to do what was once considered unthinkable: criminalize pregnant people themselves.
“The way that these bills are written are specifically written to be confusing,” Kailey Voellinger, former clinic director of the abortion-rights organization Trust Women Foundation, told our reporters. “These laws are intended to create fear and shame around health care, and it’s deeply frustrating to watch it happen over and over, state to state.”
Our team also spent time with the nation’s most vulnerable populations — Indigenous, immigrant, and Black individuals — to document new efforts to help those in need of care.
I have been asked many times why we chose abortion as the focus of our 2023 project. Each year, the program covers one issue or topic that affects greater America. In 2022, News21 reporters covered police reform. In 2021, it was how COVID affected various populations across the country. For 2023, I could think of no other issue that warranted our attention more than this one. The ripple effect of confusion caused by the overturn of Roe and its direct impact on the health care of people in cities across the country large and small — for people young and old, rich or poor, white or of color — was too large to ignore.
Our News21 journalists felt the same. For many, the issue was personal and profoundly emotional. One of our reporters was pregnant with her first child while she spent the summer reporting on reproductive health and the impact of the reversal of Roe on maternal mortality.
Her own baby is now six months old, but she recalls
how scary the assignment was, “knowing that I could have easily been one of the many women who have a traumatic experience. Being pregnant, while listening to the stories of horrific labor and postpartum experiences, was one of the most mentally challenging things I’ve done.”
Some of the student journalists held strong opinions about abortion, one way or the other. But these feelings and opinions didn’t get in the way of reporting on one of the most important social issues of our time.
“Reproductive health care is often perceived as a political issue and key talking point for campaign trails, but rarely is it seen for what it is: a deeply personal conflict for many women and families across the United States,” said Kevin Palomino, a News21 journalist representing the University of Oklahoma.
“News21 spent countless hours building trust with sources to tell their stories from across the political spectrum, never narrowing its reporting to a ‘single side,’ because reproductive health care is not a singlesided story or a two-sided story,” Palomino said. “It brings a variety of different perspectives that are equally significant to the broader question of, ‘What is it like to be a pregnant person in the United States?’”
In all, our team produced more than 14 written stories, 12 video stories, and eight audio stories, including a three-part podcast exploring the rise of the religious right and where it’s headed next. We also provided some of this content in both English and Spanish to reach as many people as we could.
To date, the body of work has been republished over 400 times in media outlets including The Associated Press, The Washington Post, Religion News Service, Indian Country Today, Houston Landing, NPR affiliates, the Mexican news magazine Gatopardo, numerous local newspapers, and even Canadian outlets.
Our reporters spent over seven months digging into the far-reaching impacts of the decision to reverse Roe v. Wade, and the end product represents the highest standards of journalism rooted in the values of truth, accountability, and giving a voice to the otherwise voiceless.
Said News21 reporter Morgan Fischer, a journalism student at the Cronkite School, “News21’s widespread coverage was essential to give audiences a full image of the impact that overturning Roe v. Wade had on individuals and organizations across the country.”
Morgan Fischer is an undergraduate student at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. As a News21 reporter, Morgan was part of a team that analyzed more than 550 abortion-related bills in all 50 states to provide readers a glimpse at how legislators are reshaping reproductive health care post-Roe. She also traveled to North Dakota, which has some of the strictest abortion laws in the nation, to learn how lawmakers are addressing gaps in care for mothers and children.
What did you learn from your reporting about the state of reproductive care across America after the reversal of Roe v. Wade?
“ Through diving into the legislation being introduced and passed in state legislatures across the country following the overturning of Roe v. Wade, I learned so much about how these legislatures were beginning to tackle this new front of reproductive care. Identifying and analyzing legislation trends across the country, my team and I uncovered the different ways that individual state legislators from every side of the ideological spectrum were dealing with their state’s underdeveloped reproductive laws — finding all sorts of ways to either restrict or protect abortion rights. From restricting travel, to protecting doctors, and limiting or expanding access, legislators were experimenting with the power of law surrounding reproductive rights being kicked back to the states.”
Elise Gregg is a graduate student earning her master's degree in criminal justice at Florida International University, where she also obtained her bachelor's in journalism. As a News21 reporter, Elise went to Texas to examine the impact of Roe’s reversal on pregnant individuals who face medical emergencies but have been unable to get needed care because of confusing abortion bans.
Why do you think it was important for News21 to help illuminate these issues?
“ I think it was important for News21 to help illuminate the issue of maternal health because so much of the debate surrounding abortion is about abortion for unwanted pregnancies. Shedding light on abortion as part of wanted pregnancies adds depth to the conversation. It allows people to be more informed about abortion as a purely medical procedure as well as understand its role. The topics we covered in our reporting reveal the diverse arenas in which reproductive care plays a role beyond elective abortions. Our work was important because it allows people to be fully informed on various issues that have come up post-Roe and the diversity of people they affect.”
Noel Lyn Smith is a Diné (Navajo) reporter. She’s currently working for Inside Climate News as part of a yearlong fellowship funded by the Outrider Foundation and the Scripps Howard Fund. As a News21 reporter, Noel explored how the reversal of Roe has further restricted access to reproductive care for Indigenous women.
What did you learn from your reporting about the state of reproductive care across America after the reversal of Roe v. Wade?
“ I learned that reproductive care for Native American women remains in dire straits. A large number of Native women seek reproductive care from the Indian Health Service. Because the IHS is under the Department of Health and Human Services, the federal government handles its funding and the way health care services are administered. Regulations, like the Hyde Amendment, affect a person’s ability to determine their medical care. I state this because abortion care was already limited or non-existent at IHS facilities before the overturning of Roe v. Wade. The situation is still the same today. It will be this way until the Hyde Amendment is changed or repealed.”
Kevin Palomino is a senior pursuing a journalism degree at the University of Oklahoma. As a News21 video journalist, Palomino spent months building trust and developing sources with advocates in Mexico and along the Texas border to tell the story of how Mexican activists are helping people in the U.S. get abortion pills via underground networks.
What most struck you from some of the people you interviewed during your reporting?
“ Fear is a powerful thing that will push or prevent someone from (speaking out.) Through my reporting, I had the privilege to speak with brave and courageous women going against the confusing abortion rights laws to fulfill their passion. I’d often hear them say, “I wish I didn’t have to do this work,” when referring to their activism. Yet despite the risk of prosecution, they pushed past the barriers and fought their battle. They were fearful to provide even advice in what’s considered the most democratic country on Earth. That’s a problem.
Women in marginalized communities are not obtaining reproductive health care. Services meant to help women of color are struggling because of the increase in demand. Although it was a problem before the reversal of Roe v. Wade, it’s only worsened since then.”
IIt’s been 10 years since Ridhi Tariyal launched NextGen Jane, a women’s healthcare startup that is aiming to revolutionize the way endometriosis is diagnosed. NextGen Jane’s concept revolves around the collection of what Tariyal refers to as “menstrual effluence” — the fluid shed during the menstrual cycle composed of blood, vaginal secretions, and cells from the uterine lining — via a smart tampon system.
When they first launched the company, Tariyal and her business partner, Stephen Gire, had no idea what challenges would lie ahead when pitching investors on the merits of this technology. Ideated from a personal experience with a doctor who refused to provide her with testing to gather information on her own fertility, Tariyal originally envisioned a technology that would be able to identify and even predict a myriad of conditions specific to women: polycystic ovary syndrome, preeclampsia, adenomyosis, endometriosis, and a host of autoimmune diseases (80% of all patients diagnosed with autoimmune disorders are women).
“The thing that I care most about right now is that there’s just not great molecular characterization of the conditions that affect women. When you try to understand autoimmune diseases, there’s just not that much of an understanding of the etiology. Why is it that so many women get it?” she questions. “What’s the cause of endometriosis? We don’t really know. How do we change that state?”
Tariyal is level-headed but passionate in her expression.
“The problem that we’re trying to tackle is that we want to make sure that the labeling and the data infrastructure for understanding these diseases that impact women emerges — and it can only emerge with the capital that is large enough to support that novel infrastructure,” she says. “The biggest challenge has been raising the types of checks that novel foundational science takes.”
As such, the team at NextGen Jane repositioned to focus first on what Tariyal calls “a grave unmet need” in women’s healthcare: endometriosis.
“The funding question becomes really important. If we’re capitalized to do this well for one disease, then I'm going to do it well for one disease rather than mediocre for two diseases, or unwell for three diseases,” she says.
She notes that a staggering 1 in 10 women suffers from endometriosis, which can cause a multitude of symptoms that range from diarrhea and irregular periods to debilitating abdominal pain and even
infertility. What’s more, in order to just diagnose endometriosis, patients must undergo an invasive laparoscopic procedure in which a surgeon looks for endometrial-like tissue that has grown outside of the uterus. And statistics show that the average time from the onset of symptoms to the time of diagnosis is a staggering seven to 10 years.
Many conclude that the data gap — both in women’s healthcare and pertaining to the disease itself — is why women suffer for so long with the condition before being able to obtain treatment. Many patients are blithely dismissed by doctors, mistakenly evaluated for gastrointestinal disorders, or told that their pain is all in their heads.
Caroline Criado Perez, author of the international bestseller Invisible Women, believes that the data gap begins with how doctors are trained. She notes that “a 2006 review of ‘Curr-MIT’ – the U.S. online database for med-school courses – found that only nine out
of the 95 schools that entered data into the system offered a course that could be described as a ‘women’s health course’.”
This gap is prevalent in research, as well. For reference, Criado Perez notes on a 2022 episode of her podcast that in the 14 years prior, the National Institute of Health provided just $176 million in funding for research on endometriosis — a disease that affects 10% of women. During the same time period, hepatitis — a disease that affects just 1% of the population and predominantly more men than women — received $4 billion in funding from the NIH.
“We wanted to go after something that had both a big imprint on the quality of life and outcomes for women,” says Tariyal.
For decades, women have either been excluded from scientific research or limiting parameters have been put in place to compensate for the “challenges” that women’s hormones introduce into scientific study. In her book, Criado Perez writes that “historically,
it’s been assumed that there wasn’t anything fundamentally different between male and female bodies other than size and reproductive function, and so for years medical education has been focused on a male ‘norm’, with everything that falls outside that designated ‘atypical’ or even ‘abnormal’.”
Tariyal notes that a high number of pre-clinical animal studies will often use male models because the “female hormonal cycle introduces a level of variability that is just another thing to take into account.” And while the NIH ruled in 2016 that federally funded studies must incorporate both sexes in animal pre-trials, it's important to note that plenty of studies are privately funded.
With respect to human clinical trials, the NIH Revitalization Act of 1993 made it illegal not to include women in federally funded clinical trials, but women who are included in trials are often put on very specific birth controls to minimize the variable presented by a woman’s pesky hormonal cycle.
Criado Perez writes, “Female bodies (both the human and animal variety) are, it is argued, too complex, too variable, too costly to be tested on. Integrating sex and gender into research is seen as ‘burdensome’.”
But those burdensome hormones have real consequences for women when it comes to the ingestion of antibiotics, heart medications, antipsychotics, and even antihistamines.
hormone cycle you’re catching them. That’s a much tougher challenge that someone should lean into.”
And lean in, she has.
Currently, the team at NextGen Jane has collected over 2,000 tampons from 300 participants in an effort to study each individual’s menstrual fluid over time. Typically referred to as “menstrual effluent” in the medical community, Tariyal intentionally tweaked the verbiage used at NextGen Jane to “menstrual effluence.” The term effluent is often associated with sewage or wastewater, while effluence refers to a substance that flows out of something.
According to Criado Perez, “Some antidepressants have been found to affect women differently at different times of their cycle, meaning that dosage may be too high at some points and too low at others. Women are also more likely to experience drug-induced heart rhythm abnormalities and the risk is highest during the first half of a woman’s cycle. This can, of course, be fatal.”
Says Tariyal, “You’re catching women at different times of the month, so you have no idea where in their
Tariyal — along with a growing component of the medical research community — believes this effluence holds the key to some very critical information about women and, more specifically, the ability to unveil critical information about endometriosis. A fair amount of research has been done on the disease using whole blood from normal venipuncture blood draws comparing biomarkers of people who have endometriosis to those who don’t. Unfortunately, the research hasn’t led to a good understanding of the disease. She believes that’s because the research hasn’t considered the genomic signatures of endometrial tissue.
“There’s a real difference there that undergirds our very scientific hypothesis — and that is in whole blood, you’re getting all of these systemic biomarkers, but in menstrual effluence, you’re also getting access to endometrial lining,” she says. “In whole blood, you don’t have an entire organ that is literally taking its marching orders from the really beautifully coordinated hormonal cascade. However, [women] do have an organ in [their] body that is taking its marching orders from the hormonal cascade. The endometrial lining is exquisitely responsive to the hormonal signaling in your body.”
She goes on to explain that with diseases like endometriosis, if there is a shift in estrogen, it’s going to show up in the uterus — and the endometrial lining — first.
“That’s why we think that it is a much more interesting specimen type to look at for diseases that are impacting [women’s] hormone levels,” Tariyal says.
Tariyal’s background is in commercializing genomics, and she is an expert in her field. The 43-year old holds a B.S. in industrial engineering from Georgia Tech, a master of science from MIT, and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Prior to founding NextGen Jane, she led the operation and financial budget of a $10 million genomic endeavor in West Africa for the Broad Institute — a research organization that brings together a community of researchers from across many disciplines from MIT, Harvard, and Harvard-affiliated hospitals. She was also named to the first class of Blavatnik Fellows in Life Science Entrepreneurship as a graduate of Harvard Business School. The five fellows — Tariyal being the only woman — were given the opportunity to work with inventors from Harvard University’s research laboratories to promote the commercialization of important life science-oriented technologies.
“I was always stunned by how genomics transformed cancer care,” she says. “When sequencing became available and affordable, you were able to go back and sequence all these biopsies and develop an entire, profoundly granular, molecular understanding of these cancers — so much so, that you could begin to identify the causative mutations. And once you’re able to identify the causative mutation, that opens up a completely new vista for how you can treat these cancers. It’s amazing, and I’m so glad that’s happening for cancer. That is not happening in women’s health.”
With a current focus on endometriosis, tampons that have been sent to NextGen Jane for other research studies will remain frozen at the company’s research facility in Oakland, California, until the company progresses in its ability to focus on other diseases.
“Part of me knows that I’m going to have to fund some of this foundational building of an understanding of what’s happening,” she says. “And then, disease by disease, bring products to market that transform how these diseases are diagnosed.”
Tariyal notes that ideally, she’d like to do a study
NextGen Jane's Collection Kit
with 10,000 patients. Realistically, that endeavor would cost between $50 and $100 million.
“To do this right, [we want] to have age-matched ethnicity cohorts because [we] need to establish what a typical menstrual cycle looks like for these age groups within these ethnicities as a starting point. And then [we] can begin to establish against that typical cycle what disease states look like,” she says.
She estimates that NextGen Jane is about two years from going to market — first as a diagnostic tool for gynecologists, followed by a hopeful approval as a direct-to-consumer test much further down the line.
“There are layers and layers and layers of regulatory requirements that you have to meet in order to have a clinical diagnostic that is off the shelf that [people] can buy at a pharmacy. We want to get this in the hands of women as fast as possible. And if that means selling to the provider, then [we’ll] sell to the provider.”
And although selling to providers would still leave an endometriosis diagnosis in the hands of healthcare gatekeepers, it would effectively remedy the need for a woman to endure a costly — and invasive — exploratory procedure with an average recovery time of one to two weeks. Tariyal believes that it would also serve to
educate gynecologists about the disease on a greater level and shorten the time to achieve diagnosis.
“One thing that we can do as a company to help make this [known] earlier, is educate GYNs. If you think about a woman that comes in, and she has this debilitating pain — a GYN has a certain (limited) set of tools that they can use to work this up. Currently, the diagnosis sits in the hands of surgeons who are skilled in laparoscopy,” she says. “But now imagine if a GYN has in their toolbox a tampon that they can send [her] home with and mail it in, that will [provide] an indication of whether or not this could be endometriosis. That’s game changing.”
Game changing, indeed. But before NextGen Jane can get the test to market, additional research must be completed. Tariyal says that her first intent is to target women who are struggling with infertility.
“We established a genomic classifier that is different in women who have endometriosis versus those who do not. When you look at IVF clinic [patients], an absurdly high number of women just have undiagnosed endometriosis,” she notes. “But before a provider will feel comfortable prescribing a test for a particular condition, they want to know how well it works in that intended population. We need to establish how well it works in women who have infertility.”
The team at NextGen Jane.
She continues, “Right now, we are recruiting women who have struggled with infertility specifically and either know that they have endometriosis or know that they do not have endometriosis.”
She clarifies that participants can currently be struggling with infertility or have struggled with it in the past, and that the team hopes to get 300 more participants for this next round of research. Tariyal and her team have worked to recruit clinical study participants by reaching out to fertility clinics across the country but still have a significant need for additional women to enroll.
“This only happens by women raising their hands and saying, ‘I’ll be part of your research,’ and we’re so grateful for that,” she says.
And while she notes that it’s an exciting time to be in women’s health because there seems to be a new interest in it — “there has not been much interest in the past,” she quips — she comes back to the fact that NextGen Jane must first prove that there’s a need for this type of technology before it will ultimately receive the funding and attention it deserves.
But how is a need determined? Some may argue that because there’s already a way to diagnose endometriosis, albeit an invasive and costly one, that a test to more easily diagnose a condition affecting only women isn’t warranted, summarizing the systemic beliefs that have prejudicially compromised women’s health for decades.
For Tariyal and her colleagues in the
menstrual health field, the need is incontrovertible.
“The time that I spoke to a 23-year-old girl who had a hysterectomy because that’s what her doctor said was necessary… the stories are very hard for me to share,” she says. “Describing how hard it is to navigate this… it’s not even just hard. It’s hard from every perspective — from dealing with investors to dealing with layer upon layer of problems and complexities in trying to bring something like this to market. The thing that makes it really enjoyable and you know, keeps us going, is just the conversations with women. Every time I hear a story about a woman and what she had to deal with to find an answer, I’m electrified. What I’m dealing with is nothing compared to what these people are dealing with.”
For more information on NextGen Jane and to enroll in one of the company’s current clinical studies, visit www.nextgenjane.com/clinical-studies.
Research Associate Claire Toth and Senior Staff Scientist Matt McElroy.
W“Women are hardcore,” Chef Monti Carlo says over FaceTime while finding time to chat with me between testing recipes and filming content for a new brand partnership.
“I’m staying busy, hustling — you know. I think that’s what happens when you’re a woman. You just gotta make it work and hustle.”
Hustle might be a bit of an understatement. Carlo is currently the editor-in-chief of Food World News and the chef-in-residence for ZENB pasta. She’s drafting her newest cookbook, Spanglish (due out in spring 2025), writing a memoir, and works as an advisor, host, judge, and presenter for the James Beard Foundation. She just wrapped filming on a new series for the Roku Channel and regularly appears as a guest
chef at some of the most prestigious food festivals around the country.
You might recognize her as a top five finalist on Master Chef Season 3 or from her 2023 appearances on The Today Show that provided viewers with tips on how to maximize their food budgets as inflation gripped our nation. She’s served as a guest chef or judge on numerous Food Network programs, including The Kitchen, Chopped Junior, Cutthroat Kitchen, and The Cooking Channel’s Best Thing I Ever Ate. Her career in food writing has produced
memorable essays in Bon Appetit, The Washington Post, and The Spruce Eats.
Born and raised in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, Carlo is most passionate about the cuisine that represents her culture.
“We already have more Puerto Ricans outside the island than there are on the island. It’s in economic distress; it’s a disaster. When the pandemic hit, everyone in the restaurant industry in the States freaked out. Labor was a challenge, ingredients were skyrocketing in price, and there were supply chain issues,” she says. “Imagine all of that plus hurricanes and earthquakes, plus lights and water going in and out every day for 30 years. That’s what Puerto Rico’s chefs have been going through.”
Not one for all talk and no action, Carlo has been a vocal advocate for various Puerto Rico relief efforts, working to raise awareness of conditions on the island following multiple natural disasters that struck the area from 2017 to 2020.
“If we don’t do something about it, we’re going to lose our culture — and our cuisine — for real.”
She beams with pride as she shares her love for Puerto Rico by recounting her most recent experience at the 2023 James Beard Awards. There, she presented the award for Best Chef South to fellow Puerto Rican chef Natalia Vallejo — the first time in history that a chef from Puerto Rico has ever won the award.
resilience instead of the traditional awards. They asked me to present and talk about a mentorship program with young chefs that I was a part of.” She continues, “I was able to take a guest, and I took Giovanna Huyke— the Julia Child of Puerto Rican cooking — as my date. It was her dream, and she’d never been to a ceremony, even though she was the very first Puerto Rican to light a fire at the James Beard House.”
She goes on to recount Huyke’s storied life and the many times she’s overcome adversity, mostly due to her gender. She points out the “shelf life” that the aforementioned chef and many talented other women face when they have babies, struggling to balance the grueling hours of professional kitchens with motherhood. From being one of the first women in Puerto Rico to work in a professional kitchen to being a head chef and owning her own restaurant, hosting her own TV show, and moving to the States to open two more awardwinning restaurants, it’s clear that Huyke’s story serves as motivation for Carlo.
“She won, and I lost it. The fact that I was able to share that and be part of that moment in history was ridiculous. I had mascara down my face.”
Carlo is most nostalgic about the time she spent with another female Puerto Rican chef, Giovanna Huyke, whom she took as her date to the 2020 James Beard ceremony.
“With everything going on in the world at the time, the foundation experienced a huge shift in priorities, and they did an award show based on stories of
“She’s teaching a whole new generation of Puerto Ricans about our history and our culinary arts. To me, she’s just an inspiration, you know? She’s reinvented herself like four times.”
Carlo knows a thing or two about reinvention. In 2010, she resigned from her lucrative position as a popular Seattle morning radio host to be more present in her family’s life and raise her then 2-year-old son, Danger.
“I came home one day, and my son was calling the nanny ‘mommy,’” she recounts. “I left my job, where I was signed to a half-a-million dollar contract, and became a stay-at-home mom.”
Not long after her decision to resign, Carlo discovered an online dating profile that her husband had left open on her computer. When she filed for divorce shortly thereafter, she also found out that he had gambled away her savings. Attorney’s fees quickly added up, as did hospital bills over the next several
months to treat her son for MRSA, a potentially deadly and antibiotic-resistant skin infection. Carlo sold nearly everything she owned to pay her bills, with the exception of a bed, chair, desk, and TV. Out of employment and out of options, Carlo and Danger relocated to a 400-square-foot apartment in Los Angeles to take the only opportunity she could find — selling ads for a podcast.
“I moved, and the gig lasted all of two weeks. So I’m in L.A. with no job, no rent money, freaking out when my neighbor tells me that if I audition for a reality show and get on camera, they have to give me 50 dollars,” she says. “We did a search on a reality show website around midnight, and MasterChef came up. The audition was for that morning at 9 a.m.”
Carlo showed up to the audition with three small apple pies she had just recently baked — a recipe she had perfected over the previous several months. Chopping apples became somewhat of a therapeutic release for Carlo.
“I called them angry little apple pies,” she says. She toted those pies — filled with anger, determination, and hope — to the audition in a diaper box with a dog leash strung through the perforated handles. She knew nothing of professional cooking and surmises that she made it through the first meeting with the casting team because they thought she might be good for a laugh.
But on her second audition for Gordon Ramsay himself, she didn’t make a dish filled with anger. She brought him pastelón — a traditional Puerto Rican lasagna made with plantains. Carlo explains that she wanted to bring the Michelin-star chef a dish that exemplified her very being — for him to taste the flavors of her culture that made her who she is.
That year, 15,000 people auditioned for MasterChef, and just 18 made it through to compete on the show — Carlo becoming the first Puerto Rican woman to compete in the MasterChef kitchen. A $250,000 grand prize awaited the winner, and
she had her work cut out for her. The underdog from the start, she studied cookbooks during breaks in her shooting schedule and late into the night while other contestants partied or slept. She continually surprised judges with her combination of hard work and natural talent and won over audiences with her vulnerability and ability to overcome challenges.
“I set fire to the MasterChef kitchen three times!” she exclaims.
Carlo was the fourteenth contestant to be eliminated from the kitchen that season, placing her among the top five finishers. When she left the show, she had a job offer waiting for her in Phoenix as the star of her own morning show on My 103.9. She kept the gig for about a year, all the while feeling as though she was missing her calling. She relocated back to Los Angeles and hustled to hold down multiple part-time jobs working in some of the city’s best kitchens. She filled in the gaps by waiting tables to keep enough money in her account to provide for her and 5-year-old Danger.
She secured a talent manager and auditioned
Judging Easy Bake Battle with Anthony Porowskibetween work shifts, eventually landing her own show on FYI network called Make My Food Famous. She worked with Jessica Alba’s The Honest Company to host a web series about baby food and created the recipes for the series, as well. Five years after appearing on MasterChef, Carlo appeared alongside super chefs Bobby Flay, Giada De Laurentiis, and Robert Irvine as a guest judge on Food Network Star. Slowly but surely, additional opportunities began rolling in.
Getting back to what she’s working on now, Carlo touches on the prejudices that women still face within the restaurant and hospitality industries.
She notes that although women have made some headway, the tradition of women running kitchens at home and men running kitchens professionally hasn’t gone away.
“We’re still in transition and fighting for equal rights, especially in male-dominated fields. A lot of male chefs talk about cooking with their grandmothers and mothers and what a big influence that was for them but often don’t hire women to work in their kitchens,” she says. “I’m hoping to help create a world where the young ladies coming up now will not have to deal with some of the things that we’ve dealt with, you know?”
most of the ingredients in their kitchens.
“I think about how I can use my skill set to create a better world for Danger. I know I’m not gonna cure cancer, but I can show people how to run a greener kitchen, you know? Food waste is a really big problem when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions.” Her videos to #savethefood have racked up millions of views across multiple platforms and are occasionally peppered with laughter, love, and silly banter between her and Danger, who often serves as her cameraman.
Unfortunately, this type of gender bias isn’t limited to kitchens run by other chefs.
“Even though I’ve done all these things in my life, people sometimes still don’t treat me like I deserve to be in a kitchen. I run my own line when I appear at food festivals and cook dishes for hundreds of people at a time, yet people often assume that the guy helping me prep the dish is the chef — and I have to tell them that it’s my food he’s making.”
Although she’s got a jam-packed schedule, Carlo also finds time to create social media content that teaches her followers how to avoid food waste by making the
“People throw out that last little bit of ice cream because it’s got freezer burn, but you can make a beautiful cake out of it,” she notes.
Carlo believes that her goal for a greener future not only relies on reducing food waste but often starts with people getting back into the kitchen.
“I’m showing people how to do simple, delicious meals with one minute of cooking time where you don’t have to labor over a stove and you don’t have to rely on food delivery. The packaging alone for all of these delivery services is terrible for the planet,” she says. “I get it, sometimes we’re all busy, and we just don’t have the energy — but with super simple recipes, we all have one minute. You know what I mean?”
The videos are gaining traction with Carlo’s majority following of busy moms who frequently leave comments on her feed, which she appreciates and finds satisfaction in.
“You know what I love about women? We are hardcore. I think about all that most women do in a day, you know? We’re resilient.” She continues, “I’m very proud of the fact that I'm a woman. Some of it has sucked, and the battle has been uphill — but I wouldn't trade it.”
The weekend’s favorite meal is front and center on menus across the Valley
BY ALISON BAILIN BATZ
HULA'S Modern Tiki offers brunch Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. featuring fresh-cracked island-style eats, such as the Hawaiian specialty Loco Moco – a burger patty and rice covered in succulent brown mushroom gravy and topped with sunny-side-up eggs – or the HULA'S Hangover Hash. Brunch also features happy hour drink specials featuring $8 Signature Tiki Drinks; $3 bottled beers; and a selection of decadent $12 brunch cocktails, including the breakfast mai tai, Jamaican coffee, chocolate piña colada, and espresso martini.
This vibrant Mexican Cantina tucked away in Downtown Chandler offers weekend brunch Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., serving handcrafted brunch offerings with a tasty Mexican flair, including favorites like the huevos con carne, chilaquiles, breakfast bowl, and breakfast burrito. Enjoy brunch on Recreo Cantina’s expansive 6,000-square-foot patio, complete with bar swings, games, and even whimsical elements like a school bus.
Carcara has launched a Boozy Brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Sonoraninspired menu uses locally sourced ingredients to commemorate the heritage and history of the local community and is influenced by the rich traditions of the Southwest and the five C’s of Arizona (copper, cattle, cotton, citrus, and climate), which are celebrated in the dishes, handcrafted cocktails, and spirits, including a savory take on a pop tart, shareable brunch boards, and more.
The Mission offers brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., highlighted by the all-youcan-eat Whole Roasted Pig Out, as well as a gorgeous assortment of Latin American delicacies including Salsa Roja Pork Carnitas Chilaquiles, Cinnamon Pecan Waffles, and an all-new Mission Double Smash Burger. A bonus: the award-winning Christiaan Rollich – author of Bar Chef – leads the morning cocktail menu with classic margaritas, mojitos, mules, sangria, and an out-of-this-world Michoacan Caipirinha.
Each of The VIG locations across Arizona offers brunch Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The menu includes a build-your-own mimosa by the glass or bottle as well as steak and eggs, buttermilk pancakes, a breakfast sandwich, stuffed French toast, harvest veggie quiche, and pork belly benedict. They also do a Sunday Funday program every Sunday, which includes half off all bottles of wine all day long.
The Scottsdale bar with throwback vibes has brunch every Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. served with a side of a good times! Guests can get their fried chicken fix with popular brunch items including The Hot Chick’s Biscuits and Gravy, and the fan favorite Nugs and Waffles with a choice of original or hot chick chicken. On Sundays, The Hot Chick gets down with their Peace, Love & Bubbles Drag Brunch hosted by Barbra
Seville and friends, where guests can get a bottle of champagne for just $5 with the purchase of a brunch entrée during brunch hours!
Founded in 2008, Over Easy quickly became recognized as one of the best brunch spots in Arizona. Its menu – available daily from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. – is full of made-from-scratch dishes that have led to features on the Food Network, in Bon Appétit magazine, and Travel + Leisure, where it received recognition as one of America’s best breakfast and brunch restaurants. With 13 locations across the Valley, Over Easy continues to be a favorite for all things breakfast.
This Southern-inspired hotspot offers brunch every Wednesday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Expect everything from shrimp and grits to fried chicken and waffles, as well as breakfast sandwiches, omelets, sea-based dishes, and more. Its cocktail menu is full of traditional and Southern-inspired drinks, craft margaritas, nectar-infused mimosas, shooters, wine, beer, and a 96-ounce Mimosa Tower for big group celebrations. In addition to its extensive food, cocktail, and bakery items, SugarJam is also known for its Brunch N’ Vibes weekend experience that takes place Friday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Featuring a live DJ starting at 10 a.m. the vibes are a can’t-miss experience that invites guests to get up and dance to all their favorite tunes.
Stop by Z’Tejas on Saturdays and Sundays for a brunch buffet. For $25 (or $15 for kids), the buffet offers bottomless green chile pork benedict tamales, buttermilk biscuits with chorizo gravy, French toast, and more. Z’Tejas favorites like capitol beef barbacoa
omelets and huevos rancheros are also available a la carte. Bottomless mimosas or Bloody Mary’s are available for an additional $25. The brunch buffet is available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Z’Tejas’ two locations in Chandler and Scottsdale.
Why, yes — yes, we would! This cheeky Sunday-only spot features a six-course prix-fixe brunch for the ages. Think fine dining-meets-approachability with nostalgia taking center stage. Chef Cory Oppold curates a festive atmosphere that transports guests to the carefree days of the 80s and 90s, promising a culinary journey that resonates with everyone, regardless of age. Every Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., a sampling of current menu items include: Monterey jack cheese biscuit and chorizo gravy, green eggs and ham, eggs benedict with smoked salmon mousse, milk and cereal, and a pumpkin spice panna cotta with white chocolate mousse.
Breakfast classics are remixed and reimagined at Hash Kitchen, which currently has six locations across the Valley. Home of the original build-yourown bloody mary bar, Hash Kitchen was founded in 2015 by The Maggiore Group with Instagrammable, creative daytime dishes and breakfast cocktails. The interactive build-your-own bloody mary bar, where guests can customize their cocktail from start to finish, is stacked with house-made bloody mary mixes, house-infused spirits, and never-ending combinations with over 60 craft toppings. The innovative daytime concept – with brunch from Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on weekdays until 3 p.m. –combines chef-driven food and an elevated cocktail program with a next-level, brunch-centric atmosphere complete with social-media-worthy wall art and rotating guest DJs and turntables on the weekends.
The Spot’s new brunch menu, available Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., showcases unique items ranging from a Lobster Benedict served with hash and a distinctive Monte Cristo sandwich. The Monte Cristo sandwich features two slices of battered sourdough with ham, fried eggs, gruyere cheese, and a dusting of powdered sugar. Beyond food options, The Spot at Arcadia is a total vibe thanks to more than 40 TVs, live DJs, and Jell-O shots that always keep the brunch crowd lively. The Spot at Arcadia also offers bottomless drinks for a penny after purchasing the first one at full price, ranging from mimosas to bloody marys.
Do anything BUT hit the Snooze button when someone invites you to Snooze for brunch. Big, bold, and bright inside and out, if the vibe doesn’t wake you up, the morning mixology surely will. From coffee-infused cocktails to bold takes on bloody marys, each of Snooze’s nine locations across Arizona offer brunch from open to close seven days a week and brings it when it comes to pre-lunch libations. Among its most popular cocktails are the Abricalavra, which is a twist on a traditional mimosa featuring Snooze’s own proprietary sparkling wine, apricot liqueur, fresh lavender, honey, and lemon juice; and the Orange Snoozius, an amped up vodka and orange juice that adds in a healthy dose of orange liqueur and layers of whipped cream. The food is similarly spectacular, especially the Benny Duo, which gives guests the chance to mix and match any two iterations of eggs benedict on their menu – there are seven – together with crispy hashbrowns.
us for Sundays at Kaya, our educational event series offered to engage the community. Learn from local experts representing various modalities to support a holistic lifestyle:
botanical wellness
energy healing
artists & artisans
2 ½ lbs of potatoes
2 ¼ cups of semolina flour
10 ounces fresh cherry tomatoes
3 cloves of garlic
1 egg, lightly beaten
6 fresh basil leaves
1 ounce of extra virgin olive oil
1 ounce of butter
8 ounces fresh burrata
Salt
Directions
Arrange the potatoes in a large pot and cover them with plenty of cold water, then bring to a boil on the stove. Reduce heat and let cook for about 30-40 minutes or until fully cooked. While the potatoes are boiling, sift your semolina flour onto your clean counter. When the potatoes are fork tender, drain and mash the potatoes while still hot into the sifted flour.
Add the egg and a pinch of salt to the mixture, then combine the ingredients with your hands until all ingredients are incorporated evenly and you get a soft but compact dough. Do not over knead the dough, as it will become hard during cooking. Separate the dough and roll it out with your fingertips to form loaves about ¾ of an inch thick. Sprinkle additional semolina flour on the work surface periodically to help you form the loaves. Cover the dough with a towel as you complete the loaves to prevent it from drying out. Cut the loaves into small ¾ inch pieces and press them down lightly with your thumb. Use additional semolina flour to prevent them from sticking together. As you prepare the potato gnocchi, arrange them on a tray with a lightly floured cloth. Add the gnocchi a few at a time into boiling salted water. As soon as they come to the surface, the gnocchi are cooked and ready to be drained and seasoned.
To make the sauce, add your extra virgin olive oil to a heated pan and follow with chopped shallot and cherry tomatoes. Cook these for about one minute, or until aromatic, and add a ladle of pasta water until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
Add your cooked gnocchi, butter, and parmesan cheese to the pan and continue to sauté for an additional minute or so. Finally, plate the gnocchi into your favorite pasta bowl, and garnish with fresh torn burrata, basil leaves, and additional extra virgin olive oil.
TIME: 5-10 MINUTES, SERVES 6,
VEGETARIANIngredients
Lemon Ricotta
1 1/2 cup whole milk ricotta
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon olive blossom honey or any local honey of your choice
Juice of one lemon
Zest of one lemon
Crostini
1 small loaf of French bread, sliced into 12 1/2 inch thick slices
2 tablespoons Meyer lemon olive oil or very balanced extra virgin olive oil
Assembly & Serving
25-35 fresh blueberries
12 fresh basil leaves, chiffonade
Queen Creek Olive Mill Blueberry White Balsamic Reduction or your favorite substitute for drizzling
Directions
For the lemon ricotta: Add the ricotta, heavy cream, lemon zest, juice, salt, and honey to the bowl of a food processor. Mix until the ricotta is smooth and fluffy, one to two minutes.
For the crostini: Heat a griddle (or large cast-iron skillet) over medium-high heat. Brush each side of the sliced bread with Meyer lemon olive oil and toast the bread on both sides until crisp and golden, one to two minutes per side. Allow the bread to cool slightly.
For assembly and serving: Smear a heaping tablespoon of the lemon-ricotta mixture onto a piece of toasted bread. Top with three to four fresh blueberries and garnish with the chiffonade basil.
Transfer the bruschetta to a platter and drizzle with the Blueberry White Balsamic Reduction.
SSpring Break season is upon us and whether single or attached, with kiddos or without, an opportunity for escape is often just what we need at this time of year. Travel can be transformational, but our urge to explore Mother Earth in all her beauty can be costly in more ways than one. If you’re in need of a last-minute getaway, consider these destinations that are closer to home (and offer more ecofriendly non-stop flights from Phoenix) to reduce your carbon footprint.
It’s tough to outshine Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon. Yet somehow, the sweeping vistas of Monterey County managed to do it scene after scene in HBO’s critically acclaimed Big Little Lies. And while Monterey’s rugged coastal beauty, wildlife, and opulent pursuits may seem a dreamy land made up for the small screen, the region is very real and ultraaccessible from Arizona.
Outside of its notoriety from the television series and countless John Steinbeck novels, the area is well-known for both the Monterey Bay and Monterey Bay Aquarium, as well as for its culinary prowess and golf courses.
The waters of Monterey Bay just off Fisherman’s Wharf are home to more than 34 species of marine mammals, 180 species of birds, and 525 species of fish, so an eco-tour with Princess Monterey Whale Watching is a must. Expect to see everything from blue whales and dolphins to sea lions, porpoises, and
even orcas. For a deeper dive (pun intended), pair a tour with a visit to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, which boasts 35,000 creatures and more than 550 types of sea life including sea otters, sharks, seahorses, tuna, and penguins. It even has a three-story kelp forest and million-gallon Open Sea exhibit.
Both the Wharf and Aquarium are just steps from a plethora of dining and drinking options — notably Pearl Hour, Old Fisherman’s Grotto, The Wine Experience, and Lalla Grill Oceanside — and just a short walk to Monterey Plaza Hotel and Spa. A certified green business by the Bay Area Green Business Program and a Forbes Travel Guide recommended luxury resort, the European-style stunner is located directly along the Bay shoreline, offering rooms and suites that feel as if they are floating above the water. The resort is also a particularly good option for those looking for a little pampering thanks to the 11,000-square-foot Vista Blue Spa and is fantastic for foodies given its lauded Coastal Kitchen that highlights ingredients grown within 100 miles of the restaurant.
The resort is also the perfect starting point for those who wish to traverse the area’s iconic 17-Mile-Drive. One of the most breathtaking stretches of waterfront highways ever constructed, the drive ends at Pebble Beach, home to several of the most renowned golf courses worldwide, including Pebble Beach Golf
Links, Spyglass Hill Golf Course, The Links at Spanish Bay, and Del Monte Golf Course.
For more information, visit www.seemonterey.com.
Just three hours north of Monterey via car — and just a two-hour flight from Phoenix to Santa Rosa Airport — is a hidden gem of wine country in northern California. No, not Napa. Healdsburg.
A devastatingly delicious American Viticultural Area (AVA) within northern Sonoma County along the famed Wine Road, Healdsburg is the ultimate destination for wine lovers, especially those enamored with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, and red blends.
If visiting for the first time, consider a boutique lodging option, of which there are many. Of note is The Ruse, a luxury inn that seamlessly blends Victorian charm and mid-century modern flair with just 11 rooms — seven in its main mansion and four suites off the main property near the putting green and heated pool. Here, team members focus on providing an immersive, custom experience for every guest. The inn, which also boasts bocce ball, pickleball, badminton, and an indoor-outdoor entertainment pavilion, is walking distance from the entirety of downtown Healdsburg, which features more than two dozen urban tasting rooms representing many of the most fabulous vineyards in the area, including Williamson Wines, Jeff Cohn Cellars, the Alpha Omega Collective, Banshee Wines, Longboard Vineyards, Portalupi Wines, and Pezzi King Vineyards. Also notable are the many eateries that have put Sonoma County on the map,
Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa.including Vallette, The Matheson, Dry Creek Kitchen, Chalkboard, Bravas Bar de Tapas, and more.
Of course, The Ruse is also just a short drive from some of the most extraordinary full-scale vineyard experiences on earth. Among them are KendallJackson Wine Estate & Gardens, Flowers Vineyards & Winery, Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery, and Capo Creek Winery.
At Kendall-Jackson, explore the extensive estate grounds, which includes seven distinct garden spaces, including both red and white wine sensory gardens, before indulging in a five-course wine pairing lunch. Like Kendall-Jackson, The Bubble Room is out to pair food and wine in a way unlike anywhere else. Rather than a full-scale vineyard tour, The Bubble Room at J Vineyards welcomes guests into a glass-enclosed dining room with bubble-themed chandeliers. The posh experience pairs J’s award-winning wines with seasonal selections from the in-house chef. Flowers offers a bit more rugged – but still opulent –experience at its House of Flowers, which is nestled so deep within lush gardens and towering redwood groves, it feels as though you’re being transported to another world. And finally, Capo Creek, which towers high on the hillside of Healdsburg’s rural countryside, offers Midwestern hospitality and a multitude of mind-bending varietals. The founders of the winery are doctors from Illinois who cultivated their own wine to pair with hearty bites based on a shared passion for wine growing, imbibing, and dining.
Hungry for more? Other musts include FerrariCarano (especially for Sunday brunch), Gary Farrell, Comstock Wines, Cast Wines, and Trattore Farms.
For more information, visit www.wineroad.com.
Over the past 10 years, Cabo San Lucas has become a mecca for Arizonans seeking some of the best sun, sea, and surf in Mexico. The fact that traveling to the Baja California Sur gem is only a two-hour flight from Sky Harbor International Airport certainly helps, too. As Cabo gets bigger and busier, however, many locals are seeking alternatives to the oceanfront hotspot. Enter Loreto.
Like Cabo, Loreto is located in Baja California Sur. Loreto is also just a two-hour flight from Sky Harbor. The city is considered an official “Pueblo Magico” or “Magic City” by Mexico's Secretariat of Tourism for its breadth and depth of beauty. Located 300 miles north of Cabo along the Sea of Cortez, it is completely safe to swim, snorkel, paddle board, and kayak from virtually anywhere along the shoreline. Anyone who has visited Cabo knows that because it straddles both the Pacific Ocean and Sea of Cortez, directly entering the water along much of the coast is prohibited due to the danger of the dueling currents.
Loreto’s swimmable waters are all the more exciting given that much of the region is also a nationally protected park and UNESCO World Heritage Site, including the entirety of the area’s most exclusive resort, Villa del Palmar at Danzante Bay. The sprawling, all-inclusive luxury resort not only boasts five pools, a fine dining steakhouse, grand Italian bistro, and oceanfront beach bar just steps from the water; it is also home to TPC Danzante Bay (Mexico’s only TPC golf course), a 39,000-square-foot
Oceanfront Suite at Villa del Palmar at Dazante Bay.
spa, pickleball and tennis courts, and an adventure concierge team who can arrange everything from intimate whale watching excursions, sport fishing day tours, and ATV adventures, to historic tours of downtown, hikes on a nearby volcanic island, and pursuits of culinary exploration.
For more, visit www.loretobcstourism.com and www.villadelpalmarloreto.com.
Just a two-hour flight from Phoenix in the Mexican state of Sinaloa, lies Mazatlán. Those who have visited the region are likely familiar with the Zona Dorada, or Golden Zone. The main “tourist section” in the region, it’s packed with resorts of all shapes and sizes up and down the shoreline, as well as bold bars and restaurants, and lots of people nearly every day of the year.
Many, however, are not yet familiar with Emerald Bay, widely called New Mazatlán. The pristine waterfront enclave is north of both the Golden Zone and its sister residential communities. A beachfront wonder
kissed with greenery in every direction, Emerald Bay is the biggest up-and-coming “must” for visitors to the region in decades. Secluded by design, Emerald Bay’s aim is to merge Mazatlan’s rich history and neoclassical architecture with modern elegance. The jewel in the crown of New Mazatlán is Pueblo Bonito Emerald Bay, an all-inclusive property that sprawls across 20 acres along the Pacific Ocean. When approaching Pueblo Bonito, ample gardens, towering palm trees, and natural waterways slowly come into view, as if a mirage.
All resort guests are treated to suites, meaning even the smallest lodging option across the property is nearly 500 square feet, and each has its own balcony or terrace with ocean views. A sanctuary for the soul, the private beach is accessible via a short walk beyond the resort’s four crystal-blue pools along a serpentine trail frequented by inquisitive pink flamingos. Thanks to the talented entertainment team, everything from eco-tours and boating to kite surfing and fishing are easily arranged, as are golf, tennis, spa days, and other land-lover pursuits. The culinary offerings are many at the resort as well, including a French eatery, and a grill serving Mexican and international fare.
Guests of the resort also have exclusive access to the newly opened Gran Acuario Mazatlán, which is the largest aquarium in Latin American, and Casa 46. Famed for its authenticity and tribute to the founders of the city, Casa 46 is equal parts interactive museum, art exhibit, and vibrant mixology bar, with Michelinlevel cuisine.
For more information, visit www.pueblobonito.com.
TPC Danzante Bay. Emerald Bay Beach Cabanas.
This month, as the weather begins to warm up and nature finds herself in bloom once more, why not take a walk out in nature? We did just that at the Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch in Gilbert and were not disappointed!
She Said: This place was huge, and so full of life! Not only is this preserve dedicated to conserving valuable natural resources, it has been home to over 300 species of birds. I loved the biodiversity, especially the saguaros, hummingbirds, bunnies, and quail! The quail made me giggle every time they ran across the path. So dang cute! We explored just part of the four-plus miles of trails winding around the seven ponds (and one lake), and found lots of fun nooks and crannies to explore. And the sunset – OH, the sunset!! Find a park bench, put down a blanket, or heck, just stand there, but definitely stop to enjoy the sight. Try to find a spot overlooking the water for extra “oohs and ahhs.” Be sure to take lots of photos, because you'll get stellar shots even if you’re the most unskilled shutterbug. Once you visit, you'll want to come back again and again. The wildlife you see will likely be different. And if you're lucky, you may even see a bald eagle! If you'd prefer more structured activities, you can go fishing, join a free bird walk with an expert birder, or visit on a night that the observatory is open. But honestly, with just a little prep, you really can have a fun evening with the family or a romantic evening with your partner with just a picnic basket, favorite beverage, and a blanket — nature will fill in the rest.
He Said: We've had this tradition of visiting Arizona in the winter for the last couple years, but don't call us snowbirds, it's not like that. Our visits are usually just a week or two in January for a little break from the Pacific Northwest weather. When we trade 32º and rainy for 72º and sunny, we like to be outside as much as possible. Luckily there are places like the Riparian Preserve that are perfect to go for a stroll in and soak up some free vitamin D. We really enjoyed feeding the ducks, and seeing all the cottontail rabbits, quail, and various other desert creatures. We stayed long enough to take in one of the unbeatable Arizona sunsets. There are a million different ways to enjoy this space, but I think next time the wife and I are here, it'll be with a box of wine, some cheese and crackers, and a nice quiet bench by one of the ponds.
Common Ground is the highly anticipated cinematic follow up to 2020’s Kiss the Ground documentary, which reached over 1 billion viewers around the world and inspired the USDA to direct $20 billion toward soil health. The new film focuses on the unjust practices behind our broken food system, and features a cast of who’s who in Hollywood. It will premiere in Arizona during a limited engagement at Harkins Shea 14 from March 1-7. Green Living is proud to host a special screening on March 4 at 7:35 p.m. , which will feature a special panel discussion with local and national experts in agriculture and environmental awareness following the movie.
The West Valley's most anticipated event for women is back at the Glendale Civic Center! Explore a wide range of exhibits, workshops, and activities that will inspire you to live your best life. This expo brings together local businesses, artisans, and health experts where you can discover new products and services and gain valuable insights to improve your well-being. Featuring fitness, nutrition, mental health, or holistic approaches, they’ve got something for everyone.
The Chandler Senior Center brings together an extensive collection of exhibitors who provide products, resources, and valuable services to Chandler's 50+ community at the annual Senior Expo. Join them at the Chandler Community Center for a fun-filled morning of information gathering, giveaways, and free health screenings. Screenings include blood pressure checks, cholesterol, and glucose tests and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Slow Flow Yoga is a gentle and introspective practice that focuses on deep stretching, mindful movement, and breath
awareness. During the session you will be guided through a series of gentle poses and transitions. Whether you’re a seasoned yogi or new to yoga, it’s all about self-care and rejuvenation. Don’t forget to bring your mat and wear comfortable clothing. A sound bath is offered at the very beginning and end of the session. The class is held at the Valley of the Sun JCC in Scottsdale and is donation based.
This prestigious formal awards program has served as Arizona’s signature sustainability recognition event for over 40 years. Initiated in 1980, the environmental excellence awards program is a benchmark for economic and environmental accomplishments. Across Arizona, leaders and teams are taking their vision for a better Arizona and turning it into action. RSVP by Wednesday, March 13, 2024.
Relax in an anti-gravity chair in the Salt Room at the West Valley Wellness Center in Sun City for a guided meditation for detoxification, including digital sound remedies to inspire action at emotional and physical levels. Each $60 session lasts 60-90 minutes. The price includes a digital copy of the detoxification sounds and an email file with instructions for frequency and duration of listening to further the detoxification process. Class size is limited.
Located on Jordan Road in the heart of Sedona, this in-person event is perfect for those seeking inner peace and physical well-being. Join in for a rejuvenating Tai Chi experience amidst Sedona's breathtaking beauty, where tranquility and inner peace await. The event begins at 10:00am at Sedona Wellness Café. Tickets are $25.
For a family fun event, have a blast exploring interesting parts of Flagstaff. Find clues, solve fun puzzles, see the sights, and explore at your own pace. Tickets are $49 for up to six players to complete the scavenger hunt together on one smartphone.
Mark your calendars for the Tucson Festival of Books, a community-wide celebration of literature. Founded in 2009, TFOB is the third-largest book festival in the USA and draws visitors from all over the country. The fest features more than 300 presentations, 250+ authors, and 200 exhibitors. There are book signings, panel discussions, food vendors, children's and Science City programming, and dozens of free activities for all ages on the University of Arizona Mall. The festival takes place at the University of Arizona Campus and is free to attend.
Venture down to the Healing Hive to shop the local vendors and heal with your community. Try a juice or ginger shot; take a cold plunge; or join like-minded friends in mindful meditation or Zumba at the base of a mountain. Tarot cards, sound baths with reiki, and angelic healing are all available. Ticket purchase includes access to events, one plate for the brunch buffet, and a fresh pressed juice from Shots de Salud. The event is child and pet friendly. Shopping with local vendors is free to the public. 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Families will help plant shade trees at Tucson’s popular Purple Heart Park. This hands-on volunteer work will benefit Tucson Clean & Beautiful, a non-profit organization whose mission is to preserve and improve our environment, conserve natural resources, and enhance the quality of life in the City of Tucson and eastern Pima County. Kid-size gardening gloves, shovels, and tools will also be provided. Please bring water, wear a hat and/or sunscreen.
For a calendar of more green events in AZ, visit www.greenlivingmag.com/events
Electric performance has never looked so good, or gone this far. With up to 320 miles of range, Polestar 2 is ready to take the scenic route home with you.1 Not to be outdone, Polestar 3 offers 300 miles on a single charge. 2 Experience why it’s called the SUV for the electric age.
Polestar 2 is available now, with lease offers starting at $349/mo. 3 Polestar 3 is available to configure now, with lease offers starting at $995/mo.4
Come experience Polestar at our space located in Fashion Square Mall. Visit polestarscottsdale.com