your conscious life
GREEN LIVING NOVEMBER 2023
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A Life-Changing Soaking Experience
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CONTENTS
November 2023 GOOD
12 Rebel With a Cause
Jewelry designer Stephen Webster’s sustainability journey
HEALTH & WELLNESS
16 Live Long and Prosper
How to stay active and healthy as you age
STYLE
18 Glowing and Growing
Arizona skincare brand TreCeuticals is expanding
HOME
20 Green From the Ground Up
Your best “green” bets to implement when remodeling or building a new home
SAVOR
44 Raising the Bar
Bean-to-bar chocolate is having a moment
RECIPES
46 The Grill at Quail Creek's Butternut Squash Soup + Butternut Squash Tacos
44 FEATURES
22
TRAVEL
48 Native Voices
Indigenous tourism allows Native populations to claim their history, culture and voice
TECHNOLOGY
50 In It For The Long Haul
Nikola’s Class 8 hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks promise new standard of sustainability and growth
Green Living’s 2023 Best of Arizona Awards
28 of the state’s people and companies leading the way to a greener and healthier Arizona
IN EVERY ISSUE
ABOUT THE COVER: We're excited to reveal the winners of the 2nd Annual Best of Arizona, voted by our eco-conscious readers.
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Editor’s Letter Contributors On the Web Trending Green Cool Outrageous Stuff She's Green/He's Green Green Scenes
EDITOR'S
Letter
Contributors
Dear Readers, What a month it’s been! Producing our sophomore effort for the 2023 Best of Arizona awards has been nothing short of inspiring. Last year, our inaugural issue recognized 16 of the state’s most eco-conscious companies and leaders. This year, we’ve expanded the field to include even more green goodness — 12 additional categories to recognize more of our favorite people and places who contribute to the good of the planet and those who inhabit it. We are both humbled and gratified that as readers, you embraced these new categories with such fervor and excitement, rising up to support your favorites across Arizona. To everyone who was nominated, to those who made the final voting round, and of course, to our winners: we salute you and we thank you. The work that you do does not go unrecognized — we see you and hope that being a part of this process was gratifying in some small way.
Sean Lynam, writer Sean Lynam is a fitness enthusiast and personal trainer by profession and a freelance writer by passion. Sean writes for a range of fitness publications and nutrition brands.
We hope that you’ll join us to celebrate these individuals and companies at our 2023 Best of Arizona Awards on November 28 at the Southwest Experience Center. An open-house style event beginning at 5 p.m., you’ll be able to indulge in an impressive array of delectable food and drink, connect with the winners and finalists, and immerse yourself in a unique community that celebrates sustainability, health and wellbeing. Get on the list at www.greenlivingmag.com/awards-night. See you there,
Shelby Tuttle Managing Editor
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Steven G. Zylstra, writer Since 2007, Steven G. Zylstra has served as president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council and SciTech Institute. Zylstra is a vocal spokesman for the value that technology can provide in raising social and economic standards in Arizona. He was named “Leader of the Year, Technology,” by the Arizona Capitol Times, “Most Admired Leader” by the Phoenix Business Journal, and participated in the year-long Greater Phoenix Leadership Workforce Academy, coordinated by the Center for the Future of Arizona and the Aspen Institute.
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Dorie Morales Shelby Tuttle Rebecca Rhoades Jordan Gerard Sly Panda Design Erin Wilson Brett Prince
CONTRIBUTORS David M. Brown Jennifer Burkhart John Burkhart
Misty Milioto James Weber Steven G. Zylstra
INTERNS Melat Alebachew Yula Armstrong Lizbett Menjivar
ADVERTISING SALES Dorie Morales - sales@greenlivingmag.com
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NOVEMBER 2023
| GREEN LI V I NG 5
ON THE
Web
This month on greenlivingmag.com and social media. /greenlivingazmag
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GOOD
GOOD
DESIGN
Embrace Sustainability this Halloween
STEAM Experiment for Kids: Jack o’ Lantern in a Jar!
Copenhagen Living
Halloween, the season of spookiness and fun, often comes with a flurry of plastic decorations, disposable costumes, and single-use candy containers. However, there’s a growing movement towards making this beloved holiday more sustainable by incorporating eco-friendly practices into your Halloween festivities.
Ready to embrace the Halloween spirit? Explore decomposition and composting in this pumpkinpacked STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) experiment the whole family can enjoy!
It’s more important than ever to reduce our environmental impact, and it starts with what’s in our home. Choosing furniture that’s both comfortable and sustainably made is one way to take care of the planet and ourselves. Copenhagen is proud to carry a range of furniture pieces that are designed to be elegant, relaxing, and environmentally conscious.
As National Drive Electric Week came to a close, Green Living attended the Drive Electric Week Event at Blink. In conjunction with Tempe Mayor Corey Woods, Blink presented a full tour of its Tempe distribution and testing facility and provided media interviews on the state of EV driving today.
Green Living attended the Phoenix Ride and Drive event and had the chance to meet some of our lovely readers and learn more about the wide variety of electric vehicles that are on the market.
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Ready to go GREEN? Looking for a more sustainable home? Energy-efficient upgrades? We’ve got the home loan solution for you.
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| GREEN LI V I NG 7
TRENDING
Green
VLS Environmental Solutions in Quartzsite, Arizona On September 21, VLS Environmental Solutions unveiled its waste-to-energy processing facility in Quartzsite, Ariz. John Magee, CEO of VLS Environmental Solutions, stated, "The opening of our new Quartzsite facility marks an important milestone in our mission to provide innovative solutions for clients to meet their sustainability goals."
Fat Joe Teams Brings EcoConsciousness to Gaming Community GRAMMY-nominated recording artist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Fat Joe has teamed up with PlanetPlay – the first-ever climate-conscious game marketplace – and Lockwood Publishing – creator of Avakin Life – to promote eco-consciousness within the gaming community. The collaboration provides a series of exclusive in-game and physical merchandise with a portion of proceeds donated to PlanetPlay, which funds global climate projects.
2023 George Tallman Ladd Research Award Dr. Destenie Nock won the George Tallman Ladd Research Award for her outstanding work in the fields of energy poverty, energy transition, and social sustainability. Her work is based on the premise that an energy system dependent on fossil fuels poses a severe threat to both human health and the environment. A central result of her research has been the development of a comprehensive framework for assessing parity in air pollution distribution.
Arizona Farm to School Network Hosts Annual Gathering Last month, Arizona Farm to School network hosted its annual gathering with Fry’s Food Stores to share the farmto-school movement with the community. The event was an immersive experience that included a tour of local farms, as well as a presentation by Dr. Kathleen Merrigan, former United States Deputy Secretary of Agriculture and current Executive Director of ASU’s Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems.
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Village Health Clubs & Spas Debuts Sustainable Clothing Line Village Health Clubs & Spas recently debuted its environmentally conscious men’s and women’s clothing line, Village Sustainable Threads. The clothing line is made in Arizona, using fabrics sourced from post-consumer recycled plastic bottles.
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CoolOUTRAGEOUS Stuff A Variety of Eco-Conscious Goodies
So many products in our world have an element of sustainability today — it’s hard to choose just one! For November, we present a “variety pack” of Cool, Outrageous Stuff to get you thinking about how to incorporate green products into more aspects of your life.
Lilixir Skincare Lilixir’s skincare products are just as good for the environment as they are for your skin. The serums use plant-based, ethically sourced ingredients that work together to improve your skin’s firmness, tone, and hydration. A blend of organic bio-nutrients, botanical actives, and zero-waste cold-pressed plant-based oils helps guard against dry skin. Familiar plant ingredients include safflower, papaya seed, rosehip, chia seed, baobab, jojoba, and hemp seed. Beyond skincare, Lilixir’s Golden Gua Sha acupressure tool promotes blood circulation, lymphatic drainage, and provides a gentle facial massage. It’s also designed with hypoallergenic stainless steel. The company is committed to sustainable beauty, which means products are made and packaged to minimize impact on the environment. For every bottle of product sold, Lilixir pledges to plant a tree. Products are also cruelty-free, vegan, and free from harmful chemicals. www.lilixir.com/en-us
Allbirds Shoes A shoe company that’s good for your feet and the environment! Allbirds features women’s, men’s and children’s shoes including sneakers, hiking shoes, flats, slip ons, and apparel. We’re crushing on the Tree Runner styles, which are made with lightweight, breathable eucalyptus fiber that’s perfect for hot days. Looking for something a little warmer? Check out Allbird’s Wool Runners made with Merino wool and bio-based water repellent technology to keep your feet warm on rainy days. Other materials used include tree fiber, sugar cane, and Trino, Allbird’s own blend of wool and tree fibers. Shoelaces are made from recycled plastic bottles. Want more? Allbirds goes all out on transparency and sustainability, making the carbon footprint for each shoe available on each product page. The company holds a high standard for sourcing materials ethically, plus it’s over halfway to the goal of cutting its carbon footprint in half by 2025 and getting to near zero by 2030. Allbirds also features a resale market called ReRun, where you can find slightly imperfect and gently used shoes. www.allbirds.com
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Grayl Water Bottles Having a reusable water bottle is one thing, but consider Grayl’s GeoPress Water Filter and Purifier to keep your adventures safe and to reduce the need for plastic water bottles. The BPAfree bottle removes waterborne pathogens such as Rotavirus, Norovirus, and other contaminants, and makes 24 fluid ounces of clean drinking water in just eight seconds. The activated carbon absorbs many chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals, flavors, and odors. Additionally, the cartridge design and OneWay Drink Mix Valve allows electrolytes and sport drink mixes to be added without compromising the integrity of the filter. Grayl is a member of 1% for the Planet, The Conservation Alliance, All Hands and Helpers, and many more programs that benefit people and the environment. www.grayl.com
Aurorae Yoga Mats Yoga time is relaxing and with Aurorae’s Yoga Mats, it can be even better. These yoga mats are lightweight, non-slip, foldable, and machine washable. Beautiful designs go hand-in-hand with sustainability, as the mats are made with an eco-friendly patented Polymer Environmental Resin (PER) free from toxins, phthalates, phenols, PAHS, latex, silicone, and rubber. Mats come in the traditional size, but Aurorae also offers a supersized mat over six feet long. Aurorae offers a natural cork and rubber mat that is made from 100% natural Portugal Oak Cork. It’s free of PVC, TPE, and chemical plastics, making it biodegradable and recyclable. www.auroraeyoga.com
Leaf Shave Razors Nicks, cuts, painful shaves, and pesky plastic razors are a thing of the past with Leaf Shave’s stainless steel razors. Offered in single blade, triple blade, and a dermaplaning tool, these razors offer a close shave for all. Standard safety razor blades can be replaced on the pivoting head, which also offers magnetic load assist. Replacing razor blades on a single stainless steel razor could save over three million disposable plastic razors from entering the landfill each year. In addition to packaging and shipping its razors without the use of plastic, Leaf Shave supports climate action nonprofits. www.leafshave.com
Black Diamond Headlamps If you’re starting your adventure before the sun rises, you need a reliable headlamp that doesn’t require extra luggage. Consider Black Diamond’s R-Series or Dual Fuel Rechargeable Headlamps. Both offer easy-to-adjust brightness, water protection, and multiple beam pattern options. The R-series is appealing for its lithium-ion batteries that can be charged from the car, a portable power source, solar panel, or wall charger. The Dual Fuel offers rechargeable lithium ion battery backs or three Triple A alkaline batteries. This allows you to go off-grid but still recharge with the next USB port. Both series are waterproof up to one meter underwater for 30 minutes. Black Diamond practices sustainability by recycling scrap metal and excess cardboard. The company has already recycled 11,157 pounds of glass, and its recycling efforts have conserved 1.67 metric tons of CO2. The company is a founding member of the Outdoor Industry Association’s Fair Labor Working Group. www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en_US
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GOOD
Rebel With a Cause
Stephen Webster and his internal Green Team.
Designer Stephen Webster creates fine jewels that are both eye-catching and ethical BY REBECCA L. RHOADES
J
Jewelry is a universal form of embellishment. For as long as humans have existed, we have been adorning our bodies and outfits with shiny metals, colorful stones, and sparkling gems. No matter who you are, jewelry has the ability to add beauty to whatever you’re wearing.
The jewelry business, however, has a reputation for being anything but beautiful. From blood diamonds and poor working conditions for miners across the globe, to damage to the ecosystem, all that glitters is not (sustainable) gold. For Stephen Webster, eco-responsibility has been a key element of his business for the past decade. The British designer, often referred to as the “jeweler to the stars” and the “bad boy of jewelry design,” is renowned for his edgy, avant-garde creations that mix elegant gems and gold with unexpected stones, wood, and even brightly colored enamel.
Webster had already built a loyal following thanks to his mix of classical training and rock ’n’ roll attitude,
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when in 2000, Madonna was photographed wearing one of his signature rings. The press went crazy. A few months later, Webster designed the singer’s wedding ring for her marriage to Guy Ritchie. Since then, just about every A-List celebrity has sported his creations, from Ozzy Osbourne and Steven Tyler to Jennifer Lopez and Taylor Swift. His rebellious punk-inspired designs are unmistakable: skulls, thorns, serpents, insects, and sea creatures, all rendered with wit and elegance in precious metals and gemstones. But even though Webster has received praise from his clients and industry peers and numerous professional accolades, he believes that jewelry should be more than impeccably crafted — it should also stand for something good.
“For several years, we have focused on being as sustainable and responsible as possible across all our business practices,” he explains. In 2010, Webster visited gold mines in Peru with Dutch NGO Solidaridad, whose main objective is facilitating “the development of socially responsible, ecologically sound, and profitable supply chains.” Webster was the first jeweler to visit the mines with the group. “I went down into the mines and saw what they did every day, and it had a big impact on me,” he recalls. “I’d been working with gold my whole life, but that made me really want to champion the best way that we could work in practice, because I saw things that were just awful. I’d be chatting to women miners and their kids would be playing outside next to open mercury pits. It was terrible.”
Stephen Webster Team litter-picking at Margate Beach in 2021. Photos courtesy of Stephen Webster
The trips were part of Solidaridad’s “On Our Way to Good Gold” campaign, the goal of which was to raise awareness of the need for better practices in the mining sector and to help the mines become certified Fairtrade. Webster became the first jewelry maker to introduce Fairtrade Fairmined gold — a designation created by the Alliance for Responsible Mining and Fairtrade International — to the market. “I’ve met these miners, I’ve been to their villages, and I’ve really connected to them. So I was really keen to work with products that were Fairmined,” he says, noting that he was one of the first jewelers in the world to receive a Fairtrade Fairmined gold license. “I felt really good about that, and quite rightly, because that was the start of the journey,” he adds.
Stephen Webster at the Peru Mines with brother David Webster in association with Solidaridad Fairtrade Gold.
SUSTAINABLE SPARKLE
Stephen Webster operates a no single-use plastic bottles policy and provides each of his employees with a reusable bottle and filtered water.
From the materials he sources to the way he runs his business, Webster is committed to embracing socially responsible and ethical practices. “It’s one thing to apply these standards to your materials and suppliers, but to complete the picture, you’ve got to apply them to yourself,” he explains. His brand has an in-house Green Team whose goal is to identify and implement solutions to help the business become more environmentally sustainable — including developing a target to halve carbon emissions by 2030. In 2018, the company launched RESET, a recycling design service that allows customers to bring in old jewelry and have it redesigned and repurposed into NOVEMBER 2023
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something new, reusing as many elements of the original as possible. Webster also saw success with his Last Straw initiative. Each summer, Webster and his team take part in beach cleaning or clean ocean activities, and one of the top things they would find were straws. In an effort to raise awareness of the problem, Webster created a sterling silver straw. A portion of the $175 sales price goes to Plastic Oceans, a charity that’s working to end plastic pollution. So far, the initiative has raised more than $10,000.
run a business, let alone run a business that wants to become sustainable. But in the last five years, I feel that we’ve become a bit of an authority on that in the jewelry industry. I’ve been very happy to share my experience, and I’m very proud of our team and the way we run our business to not be wasteful.”
Webster is now on a quest to eliminate single-use plastics from his business’s supply chain by 2025. This includes using only recycled and biodegradable paper and shipping products. He’s also issued a no single-use plastic bottle policy throughout all of his facilities. “It’s really, really important to us,” he says. In 2021, Webster was honored with the inaugural Grosvenor Sustainability Award. The award recognizes environmental and social leadership and rewards brands that are working toward better, more sustainable practices. And in 2023, he received the Friend of the Earth Award from Mayfair Times Community Awards, which recognizes people and businesses in one of London’s toniest neighborhoods. “When we started this journey, it felt like an uphill battle,” Webster recalls. “It’s bad enough trying to
The Last Straw initiative donated 10% of all sales proceeds to Plastic Oceans International.
Stephen Webster jewelry is available in some of the most exclusive galleries and department stores in the world, including Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus. In Arizona, his work can be seen exclusively at Grace Renee Gallery in Cave Creek. It can also be purchased online at www.stephenwebster.com.
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NOVEMBER 2023
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HEALTH &
Wellness
Tips on Sustaining an Active & Healthy Lifestyle as You Age BY SEAN LYNAM
A
As we advance through life's journey, growing old is inevitable. It can also come with some ups and downs — both mentally and physically — along the way.
At times, you might struggle with staying active and maintaining healthy habits as you age. However, it's crucial for you to stay physically and mentally engaged, keeping those energy levels up! In today's world, many seniors face various chronic diseases on a daily basis. Nevertheless, you can take measures to reduce these risks or slow the effects of aging. EXERCISE REGULARLY
Your physical health is important, and you should make physical activity a daily priority. You can do this through walking, jogging, strength training, or other enjoyable exercises. Staying fit improves balance
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and stability, prevents chronic diseases like heart disease and osteoporosis, and boosts energy levels. While growing older can mean less frequent visits to the gym, this doesn’t mean you should quit being physically active. If you want to reach your fitness goals without leaving the house, you may consider investing in gym equipment for your home. It's a convenient way to stay active! WATCH YOUR DIET Limit unhealthy foods, such as sweets, excess sodium, and trans fats. These things can seriously impact your
health, increasing the chances of heart disease, weight gain, and diabetes — all of which are killer diseases! Instead, make an effort to consume delicious and nutritious veggies, fruits, whole grains, fish, lean meats, and nuts. These foods are packed with nourishment to help prevent disease and other agerelated problems like lost muscle mass. In addition to eating healthy, proper hydration is key. As you age, this becomes even more crucial because your body fluid levels decrease. Being well-hydrated helps you stay mobile by replacing lost fluids and regulates your body temperature during exercise. ENGAGE YOUR BRAIN According to the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), 1 in 10 older people suffer from dementia. Challenge your mind daily through reading, puzzles, learning new skills, or other mentally stimulating activities. Engaging in social interactions like chatting with friends, joining clubs, or participating in group activities are also fantastic ideas. These help to boost memory and cognitive abilities. MANAGE STRESS
habitatcaz.org
Stress-reducing techniques such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, and yoga are helpful as we get older. These techniques are also great ways to relax and can even assist in navigating midlife crises. As you advance in age, spend more time with loved ones and make meaningful memories. Sometimes, a good laugh and some fun time together are all you need. GET ENOUGH SLEEP Sleep is vital for recharging your body and mind. Aim for seven to nine hours per night for optimal results. Being well-rested gives your physical and mental health a boost. Stress levels go down, your memory gets a supercharge, and your heart’s health improves! SUMMARY Maintaining an active lifestyle as you age is vital for your physical, mental, and emotional health. As you embrace the aging process, focus on staying active in ways that you enjoy and that suit your physical abilities. The benefits are priceless. Combine exercise with a healthy diet, sufficient water intake, ample sleep, and regular stress management, and you’ll be on track to living a vibrant and healthy life.
Together we can build, repair, renovate and revitalize homes for those in Arizona who need an affordable place to call home. If you’re looking to make longlasting, sustainable community impact, you can shop, donate or volunteer at habitatcaz.org Let’s give Arizona a hand up!
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STYLE
Beauty
Glowing and Growing Arizona-based CBD skincare line expands with new products BY SHELBY TUTTLE
T
TreCeuticals, an Arizona-based women-owned skincare line has launched three new product categories to complement its already robust collection of facial care products.
The brand — which features products made with pharmaceutical grade retinol, hydroxy acids, antioxidants, and full-spectrum CBD — has expanded to include a men’s skincare line, in addition to lip care and hair care.
“When we created the TreCeuticals brand, we wanted to reach beyond gender, as well as beyond skin care,” said Dodd. “By pushing the boundaries, we’ve become more inclusive to everyone’s needs whether its skin, hair, or men’s care.”
Owners Sharon Skarr and Erin Dodd say the company has grown 800% since its launch in 2020.
For hair, the More Hair Please! Kit includes a daily shampoo, conditioner, and leave-in serum. The easy three step system is infused with biotin, amino acids, antioxidants, full-spectrum CBD, and hyaluronic acid. These key ingredients promote healthy hair, stimulate hair follicles, control oil, and increase moisture retention.
“The expansion of our product line is a direct result of our growth,” said Sharon Skaar, CEO of TreCeuticals. “We believe these products will not only improve and elevate our customer’s skin and hair, but will drive real results in their self-care journey with the power of CBD.” Lip Love, the company’s introduction to lip care, keeps lips nourished, hydrated, and smooth with the addition of CBD, while the new men’s line, TreMen, is a great way for males to get started on a skin care program. The TreMen 30 Day Kit creates an easy three step routine for day and nighttime use. The kit includes a 30 milliliter Priming Cleanser, 30 milliliter Infusing Hydrator, 30 Everyday But Sunday retinol pads, and four Sunday Peel pads to rejuvenate the skin's appearance. Full-size products can also be purchased on the website.
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TreCeuticals also happens to be crueltyfree and Leaping Bunny certified. Skaar notes, "Everything in the products is responsibly sourced, cruelty-free, and vegan. It's based on combining proven science with nature," Skaar said. "With the addition of fullspectrum CBD oil, we're the only pharmaceutical grade skincare infusing CBD into all our products." To learn more, visit www.treceuticals.com.
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These tax credits are you not can loans or anything like that. They are keeping them on your payroll during the pandemic. These tax credits are not loans or anything like that. They are monies that can be used for any purpose as a thank you from the federal government for keeping members of your monies that canduring be used for enduring any purpose as a thank you from the federal government for keeping members of your team employed those times. team employed during those enduring times. A common problem with this new opportunity is that most accountants, especially small business CPA’s, do not fully business CPA’s, fully A common problem withworkings this new of opportunity is that most accountants, especially small understand all the inner the legislation available to you and your business. Most are simply far do toonot busy to understand all the inner workings of the legislation available to you and your business. Most are simply far too busy to take the time to become familiar with the part of the law that created this tax reimbursement program. That’s where take the time to become familiar with the part of the law that created this tax reimbursement program. That’s where we come in. We know all the nuances of the legislation and have actually saved businesses thousands of dollars even we come Weor know allspecialists the nuances of told the legislation actually businesses thousands of dollars even other have them that and theyhave do not qualifysaved – when actually they did qualify but simply after theirin. CPA after their CPA did not know it. or other specialists have told them that they do not qualify – when actually they did qualify but simply did not know it. ERC Junction is an entity formed solely for the task of determining your qualification status and making all the IRS ERC Junction an entity formed solelyif for task of get determining yoursafe qualification all thewith IRS filings on your is behalf. We only get paid andthe when you paid. It’s that and that status simple!and Our making relationships filings on your behalf. We only get paid if and when you get paid. It’s that safe and that simple! Our relationships with our ERC clients have resulted in tens of thousands of dollars in savings for dozensof businesses. If you own a dollars for dozensof If you own or a our ERC clients have in tens of thousands business, this could be resulted a fundamental game changer forofyou. And in thesavings good news is there is businesses. no up-front investment business, this could be a fundamental game changer for you. And the good news is there is no up-front investment or cost to you at all. Just spend a few minutes with one of our experts and we’ll determine if you qualify. If you do, we will cost to youyou at all. a few minutes one of our we’ll the determine if you qualify.and If you do,we weboth will then work with andJust yourspend CPA to complete thewith appropriate IRSexperts forms, and perform filing tasks required and then we both work with you and your CPA to complete the appropriate IRS forms, perform the filing tasks required wait for the check from the IRS to come in. wait for the check from the IRS to come in. Additionally, we at the ERC Junction offer an INCREDIBLE REFERRAL PROGRAM. So even if you do not personally own Additionally, wewill at the offer an INCREDIBLE PROGRAM. even ifowners you do that not personally own a business, we payERC you Junction a handsome amount of moneyREFERRAL for introducing us to So business you happen to a business, will pay you a handsome amount of or money introducing us to business owners that you happen to know, eitherwe through your professional associations your for personal contacts. know, either through your professional associations or your personal contacts. Once again folks, DO NOT MAKE THE MISTAKE of assuming that you do not qualify for the Employee Retention Credit. of assuming do not Employee Once again MAKE MISTAKE There couldfolks, easilyDO be NOT a check in THE Washington D.C. with your that nameyou already onqualify it. Youfor justthe have to reachRetention out to usCredit. so we There could easily a check D.C. with your alreadyus onNOW! it. 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HOME
Green From the Ground Up DAVID M. BROWN
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If you’re building a new home or renovating an existing one, consider building green, as you weigh initial costs against long-time energy and lifestyle benefits. The design concepts and components that you select in our beautiful but often brutal Sonoran Desert will depend on various factors, including our Southwest location, your style, and your budget. DRAWING BOARDS First, communicate your dreams and vision with your architect, interior designer, and landscape architect. Chat with each to envision the design of your new abode, making sure to outline your commitment to eco-conscious building and how much you are willing to spend.
Think about including passive components up front that are integral to the residence and that can be added without considerable expense, says architect Douglas B. Sydnor, FAIA, who opened Scottsdalebased firm Douglas Sydnor Architect and Associates Inc. in 1993. In 45 years of local practice, the awardwinning architect has completed approximately 225 projects, including custom single-family and multifamily residential homes. First and foremost, Sydnor recommends optimizing the orientation of the home with respect to the sun. In Arizona, north/south facing homes are more energy efficient. Here are some of his other thoughts: • Maximize opportunities to utilize natural light
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Cummings Residence, Paradise Valley. This view shows the north facing dualpane glazing, which is appropropriate for this exposure. Photo courtesy of Doug Sydnor
during the day to reduce energy consumption from interior lighting. • Shade window areas with large overhangs or trees. • Minimize windows on the west side of the home. • Specify light-colored roofing systems to minimize heat absorption. • Employ adequate insulation within the walls and roof — preferably using foam. “A modern, energy-efficient heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system consumes less energy while maintaining comfort,” explains interior designer Tanya Shively of Sesshu Designs, whose firm has been eco-consciously serving the Valley for 20 years. Tim Larson is principal of La Casa Builders, a 32-year Scottsdale-based luxury home builder and renovator. He suggests installing solar arrays or at least the conduit for future solar power; high-efficiency doublepane low-E windows with thermal breaks; HVAC units of 20 to 26 SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio); a smart thermostat; a natural gas-powered tankless water-heating system; and spray foam exterior
insulation on most wood-framed structures. Larson notes that exterior solar paint may be the next big thing to generate electricity for your home, as well. Shively also shares that eco-friendly building materials, although a little more expensive upfront, promote healthier indoor air quality and reduce the carbon footprint associated with manufacturing and transportation. Consider sustainable and non-toxic materials. Look for options such as reclaimed wood, bamboo, recycled metal or other materials, and lowVOC paints to reduce environmental impact. Syndor adds that when possible, preference should be given to local and natural building companies and products located within a maximum of 500 miles of the project site. THINKING INSIDE THE BOX Energy-efficient lighting, a moderate initial investment, includes LED fixtures. “LED lighting consumes less electricity, lasts longer, and can be designed for various lighting needs in your home,” Shively explains, noting that a handy automation system can control lighting, as well as window shades and HVAC.
heads that will help conserve and reduce water use, which is a precious commodity in the desert,” he says. Also consider rainwater harvesting systems, which are relatively inexpensive. Plan your layout and the water needs. “Point-source irrigation systems are a very effective way of getting the correct amount of water to vegetation to help ensure it will thrive,” Robison adds. Include low maintenance in the plan. “There are beautiful landscapes in the Phoenix metro area that are very nice and lavish and lush,” he says. “But these can cost a fair amount of money and water.” Frank Aazami, principal and founder of the Private Client Group at Russ Lyon | Sotheby’s International Realty in Scottsdale notes that these types of ecoadditions to your home can be rewarding in the long run, potentially making it more valuable for potential buyers in the future. “[Buyers] will pay a premium when they are installed and positioned correctly,” says. “They value efficiency and operating costs.” Robison mixes modern desert and traditional styles of landscaping at this custom built home in Scottsdale's Whisper Rock neighborhood. Photo courtesy of Sustain Scape.
Sydnor suggests low-flow plumbing fixtures; operable windows for natural ventilation; and interior ceiling and exterior soffit fans for air movement. Shively notes that an easy way to reduce electricity consumption is through the use of ENERGY STAR rated appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers, washers, and dryers, which can be found through the energystar.gov website. Consider indoor plants to improve indoor air quality, and use materials like jute or organic fabrics for rugs, blankets, and other decor items, she says. PLANT ECO-FRIENDLY LANDSCAPING Mike Robison has owned Sustain Scape LLC since 2009, a design-build landscape architecture company that focuses on custom residential and smaller commercial projects. His priority: Plant the right trees for shading the home. “This will also help offset the heat island effect from all of the concrete and asphalt in our Valley,” says Robison, an ASU graduate. An efficient water-conscious irrigation system is also important, especially when you’re beginning. “We now have controllers and sensors and even sprinkler
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BEST VEGA N OR VEGE TA RI A N RESTAUR A N T
Dos Pink In 2022, Brittany and Shayna Lawber decided to redefine the world of dining by making plant-based cuisine accessible and irresistible. They did so by opening Dos Pink (formerly Dos Pink Tacos), offering a new perspective on Mexican cuisine. Popular dishes include the Crunchwrap, the Not Your Avo Taco, the Cheezy Gordita Crunchie, and the house-made churro doughnuts. “At the heart of Dos Pink’s philosophy lies the belief that plant-based food should never be underestimated,” Brittany says. “All of our tacos are served on our famous, freshly prepared tortilla shells, which are distinctively colored pink through the use of beets. Dos Pink is a gastronomic playground where creativity knows no bounds. With a 100% plant-based menu, it brilliantly reimagines, reinvents, and revitalizes a new type of Mexican cuisine. Every dish is a testament to the incredible power of plants to transform the culinary landscape and, in turn, change the world.” Sustainability efforts include sourcing local ingredients, using eco-friendly takeout packaging (no plastics), and using recycled materials. “We live by a simple yet transformative mantra: ‘Doing More for the Planet by Using Less,’” Brittany says. “It's a testament to our unwavering commitment to pave the way for a sustainable future, free from the burden of plastic pollution.” www.dospink.com
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Best of Arizona Awards BY MISTY MILIOTO & SHELBY TUTTLE
Welcome to our special feature on Green Living magazine's 2023 Best of Arizona Awards, a prestigious event that spotlights the exemplary efforts of individuals and companies making strides in the realm of eco-conscious living in Arizona. This annual accolade salutes those who have seamlessly incorporated sustainable practices into their craft. From innovative businesses that are redefining norms to passionate individuals leading the charge towards a greener tomorrow, we’re diving into what makes these people, products, and services stand out with their contributions to a more sustainable Arizona. Whether you're an ardent environmentalist, a curious reader, or just someone looking for inspiration to make more sustainable choices, this feature promises to be a treasure trove of information and inspiration. Join us as we celebrate sustainability, innovation, and the unwavering spirit of Arizona’s eco-conscious community.
BEST SUSTA IN A BLY MINDED RESTAUR A N T
Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. Created in 2013 by Jon Buford and Pat Ware, Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. has become known for fun, experimental beers born from the wilderness (think pale ales made with spruce tips foraged from the Mogollon Rim). Some of the brewery’s most popular beers include Don't F*** It Up (a light, crushable blonde ale) and La Ciudad (a hazy IPA). The company now has three locations, and it will open a new restaurant and brewery in Phoenix's Miracle Mile neighborhood next year. While the conservation-driven company practices many sustainability efforts, its most impactful is through its use of Sinagua Malt (based in Arizona’s Verde Valley). Sinagua works with local farmers to shift from traditional summer crops like corn and alfalfa to barley, thereby diverting less water from the Verde River and leaving more water for people and wildlife. Through its use of Sinagua Malt, every pint of Wilderness beer offsets more than 50 gallons of water for Arizona’s waterways. In 2022, the company saved 38.4 million gallons of water, sent 204,800 pounds of grain to local farms, kept 148,520 pounds of trash out of landfills, recycled 33,000 pairs of nitrile gloves, turned 3,096 water bottles into hiking shirts, and donated more than $20,000 to organizations making a difference. www.azwbeer.com
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BEST OR GA NIC A LC OHOL IC BE V ER AGE
Wild Tonic Wild Tonic began with an artist and her passion for innovation and creativity. Painter Holly Skaggs worked with beeswax for many years until she discovered the art of fermentation. When her love of painting with beeswax transformed into working with honey (yet another labor of love created by bees), Skaggs found herself fascinated with a rare ferment known as Jun. She began brewing with this living culture, and after several years of experimentation, in 2015 Wild Tonic Sparkling Jun was born. In 2019, the company released Wild Tonic Hard Jun. Produced by an all-natural secondary fermentation process, the alcohol content is brought up to 5.6% ABV using sustainably sourced, fresh ingredients to create a bright and delicate flavor. Each serving contains 1 billion+ probiotics at the time of production and has zero gluten, added sulfites or artificial flavorings. However, beyond being a delicious and gut-healthy drink, Wild Tonic is dedicated to bee conservation, sustainability and making the world a better place. “We compost our teas, herbs, flowers and fruit,” Skaggs says. “Cardboard, paper products, cans, metal and plastic are recycled. Systems are used to reduce water consumption. The Wild Tonic signature blue bottles are reusable and recyclable, and all sample cups used for demos and events are compostable.” www.wildtonic.com
BEST SMO OT HIE OR JUICE JOIN T
Local Juicery In 2014, Summer Sanders started doing small pop-ups in Sedona and pressing juice with a classic Norwalk cold-press machine. As she shared her passion for cleansing and plant-based food with the Sedona community, her pop-ups sold out within minutes. Meanwhile, she dreamed of opening a small plant-inspired cafe for years. After giving birth to her first child, she felt the confidence — with the support of her husband, Mike — to follow the calling. “I wanted to create a place that would bring together families and friends, even if they all ate in different ways,” Sanders says. Customers return to Local Juicery (now with an additional location in Flagstaff ) for the raw, cold-pressed juice; the superfood-infused smoothies; and the high vibrational foods made from quality organic ingredients. Popular offerings include the Works Waffle, the Pure Passion Cold Pressed Juice, the Humble Warrior Smoothie, and the organic salads, bowls, hot tonics, and wellness products. On the sustainability front, Local Juicery uses only compostable and recyclable to-go products and provides kitchen waste daily to a local farmer for composting. The company also uses 99.9% organic products and was awarded the Environmental Stewardship award by Keep Sedona Beautiful. www.localjuicery.com
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FAVORI T E FA RMER S M A RK E T OR N AT UR A L GR O CER
Uptown Phoenix Farmers Market Uptown Phoenix Farmers Market, a dedicated gathering space for nearly 200 local Arizona producers, is currently open on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The food-based market is dedicated to inspiring and educating home cooks through Arizona local produce, handmade foods, and handcrafted goods. Vendors include Absolutely Delightful Honey, Arizona Bread Co., Fond du Lac Farms, ITALAmerican Specialties, Moon River Beef & Eggs, No Harm No Cow, and many more. A small crew operates the market year-round in the heart of Phoenix, which allows customers to have frequent face-to-face connections with Arizona producers. Additionally, the group that runs the market has personally met and directly corresponded with every local grower, farmer, baker, creator, and producer featured at the market. Uptown Phoenix Farmers Market also operates an online marketplace, offering refrigerated home delivery every Saturday. As such, every item is harvested, baked, or produced only a day or two before arriving at customers’ homes. The market credits North Phoenix Baptist Church for being a supportive community partner. www.uptownmarketaz.com
BEST A LT ERN AT IVE WEL L NES S C OACH OR PR ACT I T IONER
Sam Harper Sound healer and conscious leadership coach Sam Harper began her journey into sound in 2018, following a transformative sound bath experience at an International Yoga Day event. A therapist at the time, Harper enjoyed helping others and realized that sound would be the modality to allow her to reach others on a deeper level. Her sessions are a 60-minute, deeply meditative journey that begin with a guided connection to breath, followed by a symphony of frequencies and tones that reverberate from several crystal quartz and Tibetan sound bowls that surround her on the floor. The vibrations work to induce a Theta wave state in the receiver, allowing them to receive the many benefits of sound healing, which include relaxation, increased circulation, movement of energy blocks, and even rewiring of neural pathways for somatic trauma healing. “You may feel very heavy or light as a feather. The frequency of the bowls brings you back into order within yourself,” says Harper. “The amazing thing is that your experience is different every time depending on your energy in that moment.” Those wishing to work with Harper can join her group sound bath sessions on Mondays and Thursdays at The Portal in Scottsdale, or inquire about her six-month RISE spiritual mentorship at www.samanthaharper.com.
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BEST GREEN WEL L NES S OR SEL F-C A RE BR A ND
Arizona Soapbar Since 2015, family-owned Arizona Soapbar has been crafting eco-conscious soap and body care products that are safe for the whole family. The company’s products are free from fragrances and dyes, using only natural clays and botanicals for color. Meanwhile, Arizona Soapbar’s essential oils are independently tested in a local lab for purity, and the company sources its ingredients as close to home as possible. The studio is located on a small family farm in Gilbert, where some of the ingredients used in the products are grown. There are even milk-based bar soaps available seasonally, made with milk from the farm. Arizona Soapbar’s all-time best-selling product is the menthol eucalyptus shower steamer. Loaded with real menthol and eucalyptus essential oil, the shower steamers are perfect for anyone with sinus and allergy trouble, a cold or even migraines. The company also offers bar soaps, sugar scrubs, lotions, lip balms, facial masks, hydrating oils and more. Be sure to check out the unscented body lotion, the tea tree charcoal sugar scrub and the rose clay facial mask. The company also offers a seasonal soap subscription (when available). www.azsoapbar.com
BEST EC O-C ONS CIOUS OR ZER O-WA ST E STORE
Desert Refillery Husband and wife team Kyle Walters and Tiffany Skoyen started Desert Refillery after the pandemic in 2021, born from a desire to shop at a zero-waste refill store. “As we were stuck at home, we came face-to-face with how much trash we produced, and we knew we had to find a better way,” Skoyen says. “We started at a mobile shop and at farmers markets. As our community grew and joined the mission of saying ‘no’ to single-use plastic, we grew bolder and decided it was time to open our first brick-and-mortar location.” Today, Desert Refillery has more than 100 refillable products and sources more than 50% of those products locally. Popular products include liquid laundry detergent, eco-friendly dish soap, and a skincare line from Flagstaff. “We source quality eco-friendly and family-friendly products, and we choose close to home as often as we can,” Skoyen says. “Another key element is that the products are closed-looped, meaning we get the products in bulk and can return the containers to be sanitized and used again. If every household in the Phoenix Metro area refilled their dish soap only, that would keep nine million bottles from the landfill annually.” www.desertrefillery.com
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BEST CLOT HING C ONSIGNMEN T B OU T IQUE
Buffalo Exchange Started in 1974 in a 450-square-foot space in Tucson, Ariz., Buffalo Exchange is the brainchild of Kerstin Block. Her love of thrift store shopping prompted her to develop a business model where consumers could find well-loved, second-hand treasures in a more organized and curated fashion. Clothing would be sourced directly from the public, purchased from sellers who could earn either cash or trade for their items. The company became a leader in sustainable style, helping to cut down on clothing that goes to waste in landfills. Initially, Block and her husband, Spencer, filled the store with items from her closet. Over the next five years, the couple opened an additional store in Tucson and one in Tempe, and throughout the 90s, opened 19 more locations across California, the Southwest, and the Northwest. Buffalo Exchange has continued to grow and evolve, offering contemporary clothing that keeps pace with trends and has also become known for its vintage finds. Today, Buffalo Exchange remains a leader in sustainable style and is owned and operated by Kerstin and her daughter, Rebecca. The company estimates that more than 5.5 million pieces of clothing are given a second life through their stores each year. www.buffaloexchange.com
BEST N AT UR A L PE T STORE
Pet Food Depot Pet Food Depot, a multi-generational, family-owned and -operated pet supplies and feed chain, opened in 1990 as a single store. Since then, it has grown to three locations covering the Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Paradise Valley areas. In addition to offering high-quality products, the staff is incredibly knowledgeable about pet nutrition, especially natural food. “We carry the best pet supply options for your pet, including raw nutrition, both frozen and freeze-dried,” says Addie Schuhle, buyer for the company. “We also sell a vast selection of unique toys, vaccines, grooming supplies, natural dog treats, and trendy fashion. We are also crazy about chickens. We feed all animals from A to Z.” Popular products include Nutrisource, Fromm, Victor, Champion Pet Foods, and Stella and Chewy’s, plus Charlee Bear Treats, Tuesday's Natural Dog Company, and Naturvet. As for green living, Pet Food Depot recycles boxes and uses smaller ones for baby chicks and other animals to go home with their new families. The company also uses reusable cloths for cleaning and only buys refillable products. “We are also part of the Terra Cycle program with dog food companies, where customers can return the empty bags to be recycled,” Schuhle says. www.pfdepot.com
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BEST P R ODUCT TO IMPR OVE YOUR HE A LT H AT HOME
Exceptional Water Systems Exceptional Water Systems, co-owned by Michael and Allie Geyer, are committed to providing water that is above and beyond industry standards in terms of quality. As such, the company helps design, build, and engineer filtration and chemical feed systems that use natural elements to provide the highest quality water imaginable. In order to do so, the team at EWS researches water down to the quantum physics level to provide systems that utilize water before it becomes captive to hostile environments. The company’s number-one priority is to understand and educate its customers on water quality. Among its popular residential products, the Genesis Series tubs use oxygen-rich nanobubbles to provide similar therapeutic benefits as that of a hyperbaric oxygen chamber. Each Genesis Series tub is equipped with its own heater or chiller, ensuring that the water is always at the perfect temperature, while a skimmer keeps the water’s surface pristine. Meanwhile, Aqua Fuzion injects millions of ultrafine oxygenated bubbles into a pool or spa to increase the oxidation and disinfection of the water. By using natural elements to balance small to large bodies of water, EWS greatly reduces or eliminates chemical byproducts from pool and spa systems that are backwashed into sewer systems, fields, streams, lakes, forests, and streets. exwsystems.com
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Healthy Water for Humanity Visit EXWSYSTEMS.COM to learn more! Call today at 480-694-4709 451 East Juanita Avenue, Suite 20, Mesa, AZ 85204
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BEST S OL A R C OMPA N Y
FOR Energy When Sean McGraw and his father, Brian, founded FOR Energy (previously Affordable Energy Solutions) in 2010, it was to make a brighter future for the community. They started offering energy audits and installing solar panels. As it turns out, the community responded, and the company has been helping Arizona residents maximize the energy-efficiency of their homes ever since. FOR Energy has even grown to help residents in 17 other states, thereby continuing to increase its energy-saving footprint. Today, McGraw runs the company with his partner, Tyler Nay, who also serves as vice president of solar sales. “Our company is a sustainability company,” McGraw says. “We are a holistic home energy company that helps the community to lower their bills, increase their efficiency, and live more sustainably. We offer complimentary home energy check ups. We also help consumers understand the efficiency rebates available to them through the local utility, and federal and state government.” Popular products and services include solar panel installation, energy-efficient window replacement, home battery banks (to store solar energy), duct sealing, and insulation installation. The company also installs home charging stations for electric vehicles. www.forenergy.com
BEST SUSTA IN A BL E L A ND S C A PE DESIGN
WERK | Urban Design WERK | Urban Design is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business that specializes in sustainable place-making through planning for all user groups. As such, the firm provides creative, efficient, and highly personalized professional services in the art and practice of urban design, planning, and landscape architecture. The firm’s knowledge of native plants and natural systems ensures that each design is appropriate for its location. Through this experience, the firm continually demonstrates to clients the benefits of green infrastructure. Additionally, many of the firm’s projects involve extensive public participation, including collaborations with community and neighborhood groups and public presentations. WERK | Urban Design boasts a diverse portfolio covering federal, municipal, and private development, shepherding projects through design phases in order to reach an environmentally responsible product. Furthermore, WERK | Urban Design has been at the forefront of green infrastructure techniques and outreach and is part of one of the largest Green Stormwater Infrastructure/Low Impact Development projects in Arizona through the Flood Control District of Maricopa County’s Durango Campus Retrofit. The firm also pushes the boundaries of graphic and modeling innovation to bring projects to life prior to construction, thereby ensuring design team quality control and community buy-in. www.werkurbandesign.com
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BEST SUSTA IN A BL E IN T ERIOR DESIGNER
Sesshu Design Associates Tanya Shively not only founded Sesshu Design Associates in 2005, but she also is the creator of WELL Designed Homes. As such, she promotes healthy and sustainable design practices to help bring much needed change to the construction and design industries. Her WELL Designed Homes are sustainable, and they encourage clients to live well through aesthetic appeal and functionality. Her designs enhance well-being, all while being rooted in eco-conscious design, luxury, and livability. Her mission is to source beautifully crafted pieces that are not only gorgeous but that also support good health. At Sesshu Design Associates, every project is uniquely designed to suit each homeowner's taste and preferences. Shively believes that surroundings are reflections of those who inhabit the space, and that those surroundings also have the ability to support who the inhabitants want to become. Just as importantly, she believes that style and luxury can and should be environmentally responsible. Services include providing furnishings and decor (including proposal of new items, storage, delivery, and installation) for new construction projects and individual rooms or areas. And because Shively believes that success comes with the responsibility to give back, Sesshu Design Associates supports the ASPCA, Habitat for Humanity, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Earthjustice, and the National Park Foundation. www.sesshudesign.com
BEST EC O-FRIENDLY EN T ERTA INMEN T E VEN T
Sedona Yoga Festival With its first event held in February 2013, the Sedona Yoga festival hosts an annual roster of presenters from all over the world. SYF has grown to be an internationally recognized destination event, known as a consciousness evolution conference that draws thousands annually to immerse themselves in deep study and celebration in Sedona, Ariz. — long considered a haven of spiritual energy and metaphysical mystery due to its several energy vortices. Event producer Heather Sanders has not only committed to growing this spiritual community of gatherers, she also works closely with vendors and attendees to manage composting and recycling for landfill diversion and to minimize the waste created in preparation for the event. “SYF has led the way in sustainability efforts, diversity, and programming. We source our merchandise locally in Arizona and avoid packaging. We partner with organizations that are giving back to the environment and the community and highlight nonprofits for our attendees to donate to or volunteer with [that] focus on sustainability and environmental issues.” Sanders also notes that Zero Waste efforts will be in full swing for the 2024 event. She adds, “We believe that having a practice of yoga aids in awakening the realization of our interconnectedness to everyone and everything, and naturally enlivens care for the natural world.” www.sedonayogafestival.com
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BRING WELLNESS INTO THE DESIGN Livable Luxury that Enriches Your Healthy Lifestyle
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SesshuDesign.com | 480-275-2968
We Design Luxury Homes that Cultivate Wellness
BEST SUSTA IN A BL E A R CHI T ECT S
The Ranch Mine In 2009, Cavin Costello received his Masters degree in architecture and drove cross country to Phoenix, inspired by the complexities and opportunities to be had in the rapidly urbanizing Southwest. He had not yet been a full day in Phoenix when he met Claire, a Phoenix native looking to make the most of her recent move back home. The two bonded over their ideals of the built environment, how to improve upon it, and its ability to influence people and communities. With this enthusiasm, the duo started The Ranch Mine. The now husband-and-wife team developed the first-ever Phoenix Green Construction Code project, designing for visionary real estate developers and creating inspired homes for pioneering homeowners. The Ranch Mine is now a six-time national award-winning global architecture firm. The Costellos believe that a sustainable home should connect residents with the natural world. “Our mission is to design homes that connect you with nature, provoke curiosity and exploration, and embolden you to do more of what you love,” Claire says. “Our design inspiration comes from people and place, climate and culture. Beyond connecting with nature, we focus on energy and water efficiency and material selection.” www.theranchmine.com
RUNNER-UP
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BEST EL ECT RIC T R A NSP OR TAT ION BR A ND
Lectric Bikes Founded by childhood friends Levi Conlow and Robby Deziel, Lectric Bikes was founded when Conlow’s dad was in the market for a quality electric bike but couldn’t afford the hefty price tag. With degrees in business entrepreneurship and mechanical engineering, Conlow and Deziel set out to revolutionize the electric bike industry. After perfecting an initial prototype, the pair released the Lectric XP, which became a hit with consumers due to its foldability, comfort, and – perhaps most importantly — affordability. Lectric has since released two additional iterations of the XP, along with models like the XP Trike and the upgraded XPremium, packed with features like shift sensor technology and an LCD display. “We wanted the higher speed of the XPremium to provide our riders with comfort and safety when traveling alongside traffic, and further encourage people to make the easy switch from a car to an eBike for short to medium distances,” says Conlow. The company strives to “Lectrify the world” by giving back to various communities at home and abroad. It has worked with St. Mary’s Food Bank, St. Vincent de Paul, and Touch of Hope Haiti. Lectric has also helped to provide internet access and solar power to a remote island community in Colombia, clothing to a Hopi tribe in Arizona, and shoes to an impoverished community in Africa. www.lectricebikes.com
BEST GE TAWAY IN A N E V
Sedona Just 117 miles north of the Valley, Sedona’s beautiful red rocks beckon to Phoenicians, inviting us to explore the town’s pristine landscapes, mesmerizing metaphysical mysteries, vibrant art scene, and world-class accommodations. In under two hours, Phoenicians can indulge their desire to be a world away from the fervor of freeway traffic and city life — safe among the slower, peaceful pace of the Sedona Verde Valley. Those looking to charge up their EV on the way to Sedona can stop in Cordes Lakes to power up, though most leaving from the Valley should be able to go the distance. More than three million people visit Sedona annually, and tourism can take a toll on the natural environment. Whether traversing one of the town’s many trails or relaxing creekside with a glass of local wine, it’s important to do our part to keep Sedona sustainable for decades to come. When exploring the natural environment, remember to pack out your trash, stay on the trails, and honor the natural silence of the environment around you. www.visitsedona.com
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BEST SUSTA IN A BL E HOME BUIL DER
Blue Sky Homes When Nick Blue started Blue Sky Homes in 2009, he was mostly doing renovation projects. As the market stabilized, and he was able to take on additions and new construction jobs, Blue began to consider the effect that his construction projects had on the environment. “This really came to light when my wife, Adralyn, and I had our daughter in 2013,” he says. “As typical health-conscious, first-time parents, we found ourselves researching the materials used in the things she put in her mouth. That prompted me to start thinking in terms of how the construction materials we used in our homes would impact our clients' health.” Since then, Blue has been on a mission to eliminate the use of volatile organic compounds in his projects, changing out various cabinet materials, paints, and glues used for wood floors. He also aims for Indoor airPLUS certifications in his new builds, adding outdoor intake valves, and higher SEER ratings on HVAC units. “We also voluntarily have all of our homes audited by third party firms to confirm the execution of our sustainable vision,” Blue says. “At the end of the day, a Blue Sky Home is on average 50% more efficient than a standard new build.” blueskybuilt.com
BEST RES OR T HE A LT H & WEL L NES S PR OGR A M
L’Auberge de Sedona Visitors to Sedona seeking respite, retreat, and even personal and spiritual growth need look no further than L’Auberge de Sedona. Guests of the resort can indulge in a host of activities designed to feed the spirit and nurture the soul, including curated art experiences, stargazing, yoga, breathwork, sound healing, Qigong, and metaphysically immersive classes taught by local experts. A menu of holistic, private experiences at L’Auberge allows guests to further maximize the magic of the location, with the ability to receive instruction and healing among the forest landscape. These nourishing experiences include soul medicine healing sessions, an intention setting masterclass, Human Design reading, vibrational therapy sound healing, and more. The resort’s L’Apothecary Spa offers a “Paths of Possibility” program, in which guests may choose one of five “paths” designed to help them heal, transform, revive, reconnect, or surround (retreat), each ultimately culminating in a renewed sense of balance and enlightenment. L’Apothecary also offers traditional treatments like massages and facials using organic products. www.lauberge.com
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RO LUXURY GROUP
blue sky L U X E
CASA AZUL Coming to market December 2023 Contact:
Robin Orscheln 602-380-8735 roluxurygroup.com/area/16517
Congratulations to
Blue Sky Homes Best Sustainable Home Builder
BEST GREEN RE A LTOR
Tammy Bosse Tammy Bosse of Boss Properties not only provides professional and attentive service to help her clients achieve their residential real estate goals, but she also is extremely knowledgeable about green building, energy efficiency, high performance and home health considerations, construction quality assessments, and due diligence. Bosse believes that clients should receive the professional and focused attention they deserve, and she delivers on that promise. Specialized areas of expertise include working with residential buyers and sellers, as well as investors, with a focus in the Phoenix (particularly the Arcadia Area), Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, East Valley, and Tempe areas. Additionally, Bosse and her team can help clients power their homes with solar energy. Her credentials and memberships include solar broker and independent solar energy consultant; NAR Green certified; EcoBroker certified; Certified Sustainable Building Advisor certified; City of Scottsdale Environmental Advisory Commission; Arizona Green Chamber of Commerce; U.S. Green Building Council Arizona Chapter; USGBC Residential Green Building Committee; GREEN Resource Council; SAAR Sustainability Committee; and many more. www.bossproperties.com
BEST GREEN L E A DER
Mayor Kate Gallego Mayor Kate Gallego is the two-time winner of Green Living’s “Best Green Leader” category. A long-time champion of environmental awareness, Gallego says that growing up with asthma is what first sparked her interest in environmental issues and is the reason that she is focused on air-quality issues in the Valley. “While Maricopa County has achieved significant success in pollution reduction over the last many decades, air quality challenges remain a serious threat. Though our desert environment is naturally dusty and there is pollution coming from outside our county, there is a lot we can do to clean our air.” As a “transit mayor” who has fought for the expansion of public transportation options, she’s excited for the significant light rail expansions set to open in the next two years. “Beyond the benefits of reduced congestion and cleaner air to breathe, transit-oriented development is denser and creates more shade, which in turn fosters healthier mobility options like walking and biking.” For Gallego, working towards a sustainable future isn’t about politics — it’s personal. “For our desert city, energy and water management are at the forefront. I’m lucky that our voters have time and again demanded change and investments in these areas, even approving a mandate to make Phoenix the most sustainable desert city in the world. As a mom to a six-year-old, this vision is personal to me. I want to do my part to create a city where my son, and all children, can live and thrive for generations to come.” www.phoenix.gov/mayor
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BEST R OA D T RIP DEST IN AT ION
San Diego With 70 miles of sunny coastline, unbeatable weather, a vibrant culinary scene, and activities aplenty that appeal to all ages — San Diego has it all. Annually, America’s Finest City welcomes over 28 million visitors to its various hotels, restaurants, retail stores, businesses, and beaches — nearly two million of which are from Arizona — and brings in over $13 billion from tourism. As Arizonans, we can’t get enough of San Diego, and for good reason. Want one more reason we can feel good about supporting our sister city to the west? Sustainability. Long recognized as one of the greenest cities in the country, in 2005, San Diego was the first major U.S. city to pass a climate action plan. The city’s “Our Climate, Our Future” campaign summarizes a comprehensive approach to climate action that aims to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions citywide by 2035. Among numerous initiatives outlined in the plan, integration of renewable microgrids will allow buildings to operate during power outages and reduce stress on the electric grid. Access to safe routes for walking and biking is also taken into account in the plan, as is conservation of the city’s more than 150 urban canyons. Impressively, a Coastal Resilience Master Plan was announced in 2023 to identify nature-based solutions to improve resilience to rising sea levels while also benefiting wildlife, habitat, and natural coastal resources. www.sandiego.org
BEST IC ONIC OU T DO OR LO C A L E
The Grand Canyon Consistently voted one of the top attractions in the U.S., the Grand Canyon is an outdoor enthusiast’s playground — home to 16 marked hiking trails, guided Jeep and off-road tours, horseback riding, biking, helicopter tours, rafting, and even skydiving. Birding is also a favored activity at the canyon. In addition to being named one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Grand Canyon is also designated as a Globally Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society. The canyon has recorded 379 species of birds, 48 of which have been protected through this designation. Culturally, the Grand Canyon is a colossal and iconic landscape that serves as a living record for some of history’s most important time periods. Not surprisingly, the Grand Canyon is one of Earth’s few natural landmarks that is visible from space, covering 277 miles from Northern Arizona to the California border. Although the expanse averages 10 miles wide, at certain places, the massive chasm carved by the Colorado River spans up to 15 miles wide. The river’s depth reaches a mile below the surface, cutting through rock formed two billion years ago. www.grandcanyon.org
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BEST SUSTA IN A BIL I T Y CURRICULUM
Arizona State University In 2006, Arizona State University launched the nation’s first School of Sustainability, which is leading the way with various programs and curricula to help students re-envision the future of a planet at risk. The school’s Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science programs integrate real-world challenges into areas of study – focusing on the three guiding principles of people, planet, and profit – and challenge students to collaborate on practical solutions to local, regional, and global problems while following these principles.
Photo by Kevin Dooley
Undergraduate students involved in ASU’s Sustainability Undergraduate Research Experience are provided with research opportunities to help build career skills and enhance competitiveness for jobs and graduate school. Barrett Honors College students seeking a degree in sustainability have the opportunity to enroll in Global Development Agenda and Beyond — taught by former United Nations Ambassador Amanda Ellis — where the curriculum includes a deep dive into the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the final project works to shape the post-2030 global development agenda. https://schoolofsustainability.asu.edu
Grades 8-12 • admissions@ormeschool.org www.ormeschool.org
RUNNER UP
Best Sustainability Curriculum in Arizona Congratulations to Natasha Diamond, The Orme School’s Director of Sustainability! We are especially proud of this achievement as Orme was the only high school competing among colleges and universities.
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BEST SUSTA IN A BLY MINDED NON-PR OFI T
Desert Botanical Garden Started in 1939 by a small group of Phoenix-area residents with a passion for conserving the alluring desert landscape, the Desert Botanical Garden has become a living museum for visitors and residents alike to enjoy and learn about more than 4,000 species of plants. DBG’s research and conservation staff collaborates with multiple conservation organizations and academic research groups across nine countries and four continents. Their collaborative efforts have led to the discoveries of new plant species, in addition to identifying emerging threats to desert health and sustainability around the world. The Garden recently broke ground on phase two of the Hazel Hare Center for Plant Science, which aims to position DBG as the most sophisticated center in the Southwest for cactus and agave horticulture, conservation, and research. This initiative may be more important than many understand, as the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) identified cactus as one of the most threatened groups of living organisms in 2015. The $17 million-project is expected to be completed in 2025. In addition to its daily operating hours, DBG also hosts a wide variety of exhibitions and educational photography, cooking, gardening, conservation, and wellness workshops. www.dbg.org
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BEST C OMPA N Y DOING G O OD FOR T HE PL A NE T (UNDER 200 EMPLOYEES)
Atlasta Catering Owned by Kristine and Steve Short, Phoenix’s Atlasta Catering is a proven leader in sustainable hospitality and food service management. The company has been focused on sustainability since 2008 and achieved zero-landfill status in 2015. As one might imagine, this is no small feat for a catering company — it means that their facilities and all of their events are 100% zero-landfill as part of the company’s ongoing mission. To achieve this, the company implements tactics like local sourcing, proper waste elimination, pre-cycling, and recycling into their daily endeavors. “We employ a full-time sustainability director,” says COO and Chief Culinary Officer Steve Short. “There is always ‘more’ when talking about sustainable practices — more effort, more ways to improve, there is no finish line — and that is the best part about it, the constant pursuit.” The company’s long-term relationship with Waste Not has allowed the company to divert the equivalent of 600,000 meals to those in need, keeping leftover food from events out of the landfill. Additionally, the company provides two local farms with food excess that can’t be donated for human meals, in addition to food waste scraped from plates that becomes feed for their not-for-slaughter animals. This month, Kristine Short will serve as a panelist at the Leading Caterers Association Executive Summit in Seattle to discuss Atlasta’s approach to sustainability. www.atlastacatering.com
BEST C OMPA N Y DOING G O OD FOR T HE PL A NE T (OVER 200 EMPLOYEES)
Footprint Since its inception in 2014, Footprint has been on a mission to develop the process technologies and materials needed to create a healthier planet. The first step? Eliminating single-use plastics. Partnering with Fortune 100 companies and their respective industries, Footprint has cultivated a diverse team of scientists, engineers, and tooling and manufacturing experts from various industries with a passion for sustainability. “We innovate, design, manufacture, and deliver breakthrough sustainable packaging materials, helping our customers and their consumers get out of plastic,” says Footprint VP of Communications Robert Dekker. According to him, Footprint’s materials science experts work around the clock to continually innovate, design, and manufacture plant-based packaging solutions to reduce CO2 and keep harmful chemicals found in plastics out of our bodies, waterways, and landfills for a healthier future. Footprint’s product offerings include highquality, sustainable alternatives to plastic and polystyrene foam for produce, frozen products, ready-to-eat products, supermarket trays, and shelf-stable cups, in addition to straws, cups, and lids. Footprint is also the official sustainability partner of the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury. www.footprintus.com NOVEMBER 2023
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RUNNERS-UP
Best Vegan or Vegetarian Restaurant: ChocolaTree Organic Eatery Best Sustainably Minded Restaurant: Tryst Café Best Organic Alcoholic Beverage From Arizona: Puro Tequila Best Smoothie or Juice Joint: Nekter Juice Bar Best Farmer's Market or Natural Grocer: Sprouts Farmers Market Best Product To Improve Your Health At Home: Wild Tonic Jun Kombucha Best Green Wellness Or Self-Care Brand: Peak Scents Best Eco-Conscious Or Zero Waste Store: Cero Best Natural Pet Store: Ok Feed & Supply Best Sustainable Interior Designer: Shannon Harris | Fuse Living Best Sustainable Architect: Clint Miller Best Sustainable Home Builder: Vali Homes Best Green Realtor: Jan Green | HomeSmart Best Sustainable Landscape Design: Dig Studio Best Solar Company: Powur Best Electric Transportation Brand: Tesla Best Sustainably Minded Nonprofit: Friends Of The Verde River Best Sustainability Curriculum: Orme School Best Clothing Consignment Boutique: My Sister’s Closet / Well Suited Best Iconic Arizona Outdoor Locale: Oak Creek Canyon Best Arizona Getaway In An EV: Flagstaff Best Road Trip Destination: Rocky Point Best Alternative Wellness Practitioner Or Coach: Mel Finnerty |The Vibrancy Code Best Resort Health & Wellness Program: Mii amo Best Eco-Friendly Entertainment Event: McDowell Mountain Music Festival Best Company Doing Good For The Planet (Small/Medium): Sedona Water Works Best Company Doing Good For The Planet (Large): GoodLeap Best Green Leader: Marc Campbell | ASU Department of University Sustainability Practices
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Congrats to our good "Friends of the Verde River!" Runner-up winner Best Non-Profit
Nightly and extended stays. Near Sedona, Jerome, Camp Verde and Old Town Cottonwood. Certified sustainable and green. Tour the nearby beautiful Verde Valley AVA wine country. 920 South Camino Real, Cottonwood, AZ
info@pinesinnandsuites.com
928-634-9975
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SAVOR
Raising the Bar
Three bean-to-bar craft chocolate-makers to know BY REBECCA L. RHOADES
C
Chocolate is having a moment. Sales are expected to hit record highs in 2023, according to industry reports. Consumers are seeking out — and willing to spend more on — quality small-batch products. While the big industrialized corporations such as Hershey’s and Nestle still control the majority of the market, artisan chocolates have been growing over the past five years. Today, there are about 700 craft chocolate makers in the U.S. Here are three chocolate makers whose love for the cacao bean is the main ingredient.
ZAK’S CHOCOLATE Scottsdale, Arizona
What started as a home-based hobby for Jim and Maureen Elitzak nearly 20 years ago has turned into an award-winning chocolate shop. Maureen, a self-taught chocolatier, would make sweet treats at home using store-bought chocolate. Finding organic chocolate proved difficult, so the couple began researching how to make their own, taking classes, and even purchasing their own tabletop processing equipment. “During that time, we learned more than we ever thought we could know about chocolate — where it comes from, its history, all the things that led to industrial chocolate,” Jim says. “And that got us thinking, ‘We can do this. We like it, and we think it’s pretty good stuff.’” In 2015, the couple opened Zak’s Chocolate inside Scottsdale’s Agua Caliente Shopping Mall. They offer a selection of ethically-sourced small-batch bars, bonbons, barks, and other delights, all crafted from beans organically grown by smallholder farmers around the world. Maureen says, “Supporting the farmers [means] making sure they’re paid a living wage, and that their kids are going to school. And we don’t buy from anyone who is doing cut and burn farming, which leads to deforestation.” All of Zak’s 70% dark chocolates are made with three simple ingredients: cocoa bean, house-pressed cocoa butter, and organic cane sugar. Organic whole
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milk powder is added for milk chocolate, while white chocolate features housed-pressed cocoa butter, organic whole milk powder, and organic cane sugar. The bars are mostly plain to highlight each origin’s terroir. A few snack bars have added cactus seeds, pepitas, cacao nibs, or crystallized ginger. The bonbons, though, showcase a wide range of local flavors, from prickly pear and Arizona honey to ganache made with regional craft beers. Since its opening, Zak’s Chocolate has garnered worldwide acclaim, winning multiple International Chocolate Awards and being named one of the best chocolate shops in America by Food & Wine magazine.
Albuquerque, New Mexico
didn’t go exactly as planned. “We started with 3,000 cacao plants, and all of them died,” Vélez says.
Like the Elitzaks, Steve Prickett began making chocolate as a hobby. “I’ve been a dark chocolate eater my entire life,” he says. “Then about eight years ago, my wife set us up on a tour of a facility in Hawaii. That started me on a journey to want to make chocolate.”
The couple learned from their failed experiment and developed an agriculture business that grows cacao trees. They make their own chocolates under the Cacao 360 brand and incorporate the confection into Puerto Rican cuisine.
At the time, Prickett was working as a private wealth advisor for Merrill Lynch. When he retired in 2016, he decided to turn his hobby into a business. In 2018, he opened Eldora Craft Chocolate in Albuquerque’s Northeast Valley — the state’s first bean-to-bar chocolate shop.
Now, they run Semila Farm, a 43-acre farm and nature reserve. In a large greenhouse, Vega takes stock root that is resistant to diseases and grafts it to highly productive, high-yield cacao plants, resulting in trees that will produce cacao within a single year. Banana and papaya plants provide shade for saplings and deter pests. The cacao plants are then sold to other farms across the island.
ELDORA CRAFT CHOCOLATE
“The whole idea is that by creating a production, we optimize the opportunity of participating in a specialty niche called Cacao Fino de Aroma,” Vélez explains. This high-quality cocoa, which has a high cacao content, is renowned for its fruity, flowery and nutty malt notes. “The genetics of the product have been chosen by experts from the 50 best cacaos in the world,” Vega adds. Puerto Rico and Hawaii are the only regions in America to produce it.
Today, not only have Eldora’s truffles and 70% dark bars become a favorite of chocoholics across the country, the tiny shop is a popular tourist destination. The homey storefront was designed by Prickett’s wife, Andrea, an interior designer. Glass cases are filled with delicate truffles wrapped in brightly colored foil, filled with classic flavors like caramel, peanut butter, and cookie dough. Locally inspired tastes include blood orange and green chile biscochito (New Mexico’s state cookie). A selection of single-origin bars showcases the distinct terroirs of places like Uganda, Belize, and Madagascar.
In addition to the farm, the couple own and operate Cacaú Chocolate Bistro. The small restaurant in downtown Aricebo features a chocolate-forward menu. Almost every dish features the confection. Vélez is the chef. “Using chocolate in food has been culturally done for a long time,” he says. “I see chocolate as an ingredient that has the power to create a whole new experience.”
A one-hour tour, available for $12 per person, takes guests into the store’s industrial kitchen, where they can view each step of the production process, from roasting and grinding the beans to pouring the melted chocolate into molds, before sitting down for a guided tasting of three single-original chocolates. SEMILA FARM & CACAÚ CHOCOLATE BISTRO Aricebo, Puerto Rico
When Abel Vélez and his wife, Decenia Vega, began growing cacao plants at their home in their small coastal town about an hour east of San Juan, things NOVEMBER 2023
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SAVOR
Recipes
While it may officially be pumpkin spice season, it’s also that time of year where the menus of your favorite restaurants begin to incorporate that other of most famous fall ingredients — butternut squash. Chef Aris Cabrera uses the delightfully sweet, nutty winter gourd in various preparations at The Grill at Quail Creek in Green Valley, Arizona.
Butternut Squash Soup with Toasted Pistachios and Bacon Ingredients Soup 1 butternut squash peeled and diced 2 russet potatoes, peeled and chopped 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled and chopped 2 medium yellow onions, diced 3 quarts chicken broth 4 celery stalks, diced ¼ cup fresh thyme leaves 4 garlic cloves, minced 3 cups heavy cream Garnish Toasted pistachios Diced cooked bacon Crème fraiche – optional Directions Add all ingredients to a pot except heavy cream and boil until the potatoes are tender. Once tender, blend until you reach a silky consistency and then add the heavy cream. Blend again until the cream is incorporated and then season with salt and pepper. Garnish with toasted pistachios, bacon, and crème fraiche, if desired.
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Roasted Butternut Squash Tacos MAKES 6-8 TACOS
Ingredients Tacos 1 butternut squash, peeled and small diced 2 ounces olive oil Salt and pepper to taste Black bean salsa (recipe below) 1 avocado, diced 1 cup shredded cabbage 3 ounces toasted pepitas 6-8 flour or corn tortillas of your choice (taco size) Black Bean Salsa 8 ounces drained and cooked black beans 1 green onion, diced 4 tablespoons grilled corn 1 teaspoon lime juice ¼ teaspoon chili flakes 1 jalapeño, diced 2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped Salt and pepper to taste Mix all ingredients together in a bowl and set aside. Directions Preheat your oven to 350ºF. Toss the squash with the olive oil, salt and pepper. Place it in a roasting tray and cook for 10 minutes. Remove tray from oven and allow to cool. Warm tortillas, then top with squash, avocados, black bean salsa, cabbage, and pepitas.
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TRAVEL
Native Voices Indigenous tribes across the U.S. and Canada are claiming their role in the travel industry BY REBECCA L. RHOADES
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When the Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza opens in November, it will share the history, traditions, and modern life of southern California’s Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. The 5.8-acre complex in downtown Palm Springs will include a museum, 360-degree animation theater, walking trails, an education garden, and a luxurious spa fed by ancient hot springs. This new world-class destination will be a welcoming environment for tribal members and the public at large.
But unlike other renowned Native-focused cultural centers, such as the Heard Museum in Phoenix or the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., which showcase multiple Native American cultures and are operated by corporate boards or government entities, this cultural plaza was created by and for the Agua Caliente tribal community. It is one of a growing number of attractions run by Native Americans to promote their own cultural heritage. “For so long, our history, our stories, have been written for us,” says Sherri Rupert, CEO of the American Indian Alaskan Native Tourism Association. “So we want to reclaim that narrative and tell our own stories.”
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AIANTA was founded in 1998 to serve as a united voice for tribes to address inequities in the travel industry and promote Indigenous tourism and hospitality. It is governed by an all-Native board of directors. Rupert is of Paiute and Washoe heritage. UNIQUE EXPERIENCES There are 574 federally recognized tribes in the U.S. Two hundred and twenty-nine are based in Alaska; the others are located among 35 additional states, including Hawaii. The largest is the Navajo Nation, which is spread across 16 million acres in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. Each tribe has its own culture, language and unique history.
“I often hear, ‘If you’ve visited one tribal community, you’ve seen them all.’ And that is so far from the truth,” Rupert explains. “Each one of our tribes is sovereign.” In Albuquerque, New Mexico, the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center celebrates the culture of the state’s 19 Pueblo tribes. It was founded in 1976 on nearly 80 acres owned by the Pueblos and comprises a museum and gallery, a library, Native American arts store, and an acclaimed restaurant. Pueblo people received their name from the structures in which they lived — multi-story adobe structures, often nestled into cliffs, that would house entire clans. Davida Bacenti (Diné) is the executive chef at IPCC’s Indian Pueblo Kitchen. She uses food rooted in tradition to connect visitors with Native culture. “What we eat comes from Mother Earth. We have to try at least once to taste the berries, to taste where it really came from, and to give you that story,” she says.
According to Rogers, Indigenous tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors in the industry in Canada, with more than 1,800 Indigenous tourism businesses in the country. “All of the businesses that we represent are at least 51% Indigenous owned or controlled,” he says. He notes that they must be able to demonstrate a responsibility to their local Indigenous community. One way to learn about a multitude of Native cultures is the powwow. Hundreds of powwows are held throughout the U.S. and Canada each year, showcasing the diversity in tribal traditions. The Wendake International Pow Wow, held each summer in Quebec, is one of the most important gatherings of First Nation tribes in Canada. Guests can watch dance and drum competitions, discover Native crafts, and sample Indigenous cuisines. In the U.S., the largest event is The Gathering of Nations, which attracts more than 3,000 dancers
To help foster economic growth and food sovereignty within the Pueblo communities, IPCC is building a makerspace facility. Scheduled to open in mid-2024, the three-acre complex will include a commercial kitchen/incubator in which entrepreneurs can develop food businesses, a hoop house, and an expanded farm and garden space. “This makerspace, with a food and farm focus, is an outstanding example of the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center’s mission: to perpetuate Pueblo culture, along with creating opportunities for economic development amongst Pueblo and local communities,” says IPCC COO Monique Fragua, a member of the Jemez Pueblo. FIRST NATION GROWTH Canada also has a thriving Indigenous culture. It is home to more than 600 First Nation, Inuit, and Métis communities. Some, such as the Ojibwe, Mohawk, and Gwitchen, straddle the border between the U.S. and its northern neighbor. The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada supports the growth of tourism and the development of authentic experiences for its Indigenous people. “It wasn’t always cool to be Indigenous, and a lot of people were ashamed of who they are,” says Ryan Rogers, communications manager for ITAC. Rogers is from the Musqueam First Nation in Vancouver, British Columbia. “Indigenous tourism really creates a space for people to be proud of who they are and to share who they are with visitors.
Zuni dance at Indian Pueblo Cultural Center.
and singers from more than 500 tribes from North America. Held in Albuquerque on the fourth weekend in April, the festival is a way for tribes to commemorate and preserve their culture. “We are the first people of this nation. And Indigenous tourism not only provides for our economies in the tribal communities, but even more important is the perpetuation of our culture,” Rupert says. “We have something to share that nobody else has. We have our stories, we have our people, we have our culture, we have our art. We are not only teaching you all, but we're also teaching our next generations. For our Indigenous nations in this country, that is the most important thing.” NOVEMBER 2023
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TECHNOLOGY
Empowering the Green Revolution
Nikola Harnesses the Power of Incentives BY STEVEN G. ZYLSTRA
I
It’s not often that you get to tag along when history is being made. Nikola Corporation marked a historic milestone in the clean transportation space when the company launched the commercial production of its Class 8 hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle, a revolutionary electric semi-truck powered by hydrogen. I was thrilled to be on hand in late September when the company showcased this achievement at its Coolidge manufacturing facility. I not only witnessed this feat of clean technology, I was also able to ride in the advanced-technology truck. To date, Nikola and its dealers have received 223 non-binding orders for its hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks from 23 customers. The event marked a significant leap forward for Nikola, a global leader in zero-emissions transportation with its unique energy supply and infrastructure solutions. The latest state and federal incentives nationwide
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make it even more economically viable to be a Nikola customer. Nikola trucks are eligible for the California Air Resources Board Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project, opening up access to incentives starting at $120,000 and ranging up to $288,000 per truck. Additionally, the recently reopened Innovative Small e-Fleet program in California offers incentives to small fleets starting at $240,000 and ranging up to $408,000 per vehicle. Furthermore, the New York Truck Voucher Incentive Program, the federal Incentives for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicles Program (iMHZEV) in Canada, and the Clean BC Go Electric Rebates in the province of British Columbia, which is stackable with the iMHZEV federal incentive, all offer additional incentives for Nikola Class 8 zeroemission vehicles.
Recent reports expect that in the first decade of operation, a “green” hydrogen producer may receive a production tax credit of $3 per kilogram, or roughly $1.30 per pound. Nikola customers may also benefit from a $40,000 clean commercial vehicle tax credit per vehicle from the federal government due to the 2022 passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
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To apply, visit
www.greenlivingmag.com/careers The Act is expected to revolutionize the transportation landscape by providing invaluable incentives that accelerate the adoption of clean technologies. Poised to be a game-changer for Nikola, the IRA is expected to enhance its low-carbon, hydrogen energy business strategy. By potentially enabling a lower-cost hydrogen supply and dispensing infrastructure, the IRA is intended to pave the way for Nikola to achieve a network of up to 60 stations that customers can access for fueling over the next several years. These plans may include mobile and permanent HYLA branded stations, customer-owned stations on their properties, and new and established public truck stops. These developments align seamlessly with Nikola’s mission to create sustainable transportation solutions that redefine industry standards. Nikola’s endeavors, coupled with the transformative power of IRA incentives and support from state and federal incentives, are helping to position the company as a pioneer in the EV revolution and exemplify the strides being made toward a greener future.
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She’s GREEN He’s GREEN BY JENNIFER & JOHN BURKHART
Just Add Water Hydromassage for the win I think it's so easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of fall – with all the fun activities and holidays – that we forget to take a moment to breathe. When was the last time you took time out for selfcare? You took too long to answer that — time to get out of the house and take time for you! Or maybe you're shopping already (December will be here before you know it), and you'd like to give a gift certificate to someone in need of some stress relief. With all the choices out there for relaxation and rejuvenation, how do you choose? Let us narrow it down for you. Read on for our experience with hydromassage.
She
She Said: A local sauna studio near us offers hydromassage, and since we knew nothing about it, we had to check it out. The massage tables were in quiet, private rooms with soft lighting. Good start! I proceeded to lie down in my rubber pillow canoe and got cozy. Surprisingly, it was more comfortable than it looked — like a coffin without a lid. I was able to customize the settings and chose “full body” and a pretty high pressure, because it's water, not someone's knuckles and elbows (ouch). The massage started, and I got blasted with what felt like a fire hose behind a rubber sheet. It was a little weird but still smooth, and more relaxing than elbows digging into those knots in my shoulders. The warm water jets felt nice as they moved slowly up and down my body, and I zoned out. This type of massage is ideal if you just want to relax without changing your clothes or have any human contact. This is sort of an introverts' playground, really — get your spa day while hardly talking to anyone. Oh, and that high-tech, science fiction, facehugger contraption over our faces in the photos? That was an included bonus of “red light” therapy for wrinkles, acne, and pain relief. No idea if it worked, but hey, why not?
He
He Said: I had concerns and questions after first hearing about hydromassage. How much water are we talking about? Do I have to wear a swimsuit? A scuba tank? Thankfully, you can do these massages without getting wet. The jets of water were contained inside a machine and sprayed up under a plastic sheet. The jets had three different speeds: Low pressure was like someone tickling my back with a squirt-gun, while medium was a nice garden hose-like pressure. I stayed on medium the longest, because high pressure was like going through the car wash without the car. It was quite noisy, as you could imagine, but I still walked away feeling relaxed and loose. It didn't work out all the kinks like a real hands-on massage, but it was far better than a massage chair for sure. Great for a 30-minute relaxation session on a busy day, and the price per session is usually very reasonable.
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Your Key to the Community
Community, Philanthropy & Lifestyle
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| GREEN L IV I NG 53
GREEN
Scenes
November Events Throughout Arizona CENTRAL ARIZONA November 18-19 Thanksgiving Workshop: Plant Your Pumpkin The plant experts at Dig It Gardens will show you how to create a perfect pumpkin succulent arrangement for a festive holiday centerpiece. You’ll enjoy small eats and beverages as you get your hands dirty. Cost is $45/person and includes pumpkins, soil, plants, and decorative accents. Attendees are encouraged to bring nonperishable food items for donation to St. Mary’s Food Bank. Reserve your spot for either Saturday or Sunday at www.digphx.com.
November 11
November 13
Hawk Salvage Found Artists Showcase
The 19th Explores: Climate Stories and Sustainable Solutions
Looking for that special piece to display above the fireplace? This carefully curated exhibit at Hawk Salvage on Grand Avenue spotlights artists who create one-of-a-kind works from reclaimed, repurposed, remnant, and scrap items. Mingle with the artists and shop for eye-catching creations while enjoying food and beverage, musical performances, and artist demonstrations. You never know what you’ll find. Admission is $40. Find out more at www.hawksalvage.com.
Independent news organization 19th News has partnered with Arizona State University for this free, interactive, solutionsfocused afternoon that highlights the work of those at the frontlines of the climate emergency. Hear from leaders in the Southwest who are working to protect their communities and land from the changing climate and find out how storytellers are using their work to educate and empower audiences. A discussion session will follow. RSVP at www.19thnews.org.
November 28 Best of Arizona Awards Night
November 11-12
Join us for a night to remember at Green Living magazine’s annual Best of Arizona Awards, in partnership with the Southwest Experience Center. This is not just an event, it’s a celebration of sustainability and community spirit, where we honor the winners chosen by you, our devoted readers! Tickets are $35 and available at www.greenlivingmag.com.
Plants & People of the Sonoran Desert Celebration
November 18
Desert Botanical Garden celebrates Arizona’s Native American communities with a festival of storytelling, music, dance, food, and culture. And, with the official opening of the redesigned Plants & People of the Sonoran Desert Trail, guests can discover how Native people used desert plants for food, textiles, medicine, and shelter. This event is included with Garden admission. To learn more or purchase tickets, visit www.dbg.org.
Celebrate the ingenuity of the Sonoran Desert’s indigenous people at S’edav Va’aki Museum (formerly the Pueblo Grande Museum). This annual festival includes cultural performances of dance, music, and storytelling; artist demonstrations; tours; and talks that explore the history and importance of water in the desert. Admission is free. Visit www.culturalcoalition.com.
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5th Annual Portal to the Past Festival
NORTHERN ARIZONA
SOUTHERN ARIZONA
November 10
November 11
Easton Collection Center Tour
Rainwater Harvesting Tour
Enhance your understanding of the Native cultures of the Colorado Plateau and learn about the Museum of Northern Arizona’s role in research and conservation during this behindthe-scenes tour of MNA’s collections. Located inside the Platinum LEED-certified Easton Collection Center, the MNA is home to more than 800,000 objects. For more information or to purchase tickets, go to www.musnaz.org.
With Arizona’s water reserves reaching dangerously low levels and use restrictions being implemented, wouldn’t it be great if water just fell from the sky? Well, it does! Rainwater is an excellent alternative for landscaping, gardening, and other non-potable uses. The experts at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum will show you how to collect, store, and use this free source of H2O during this three-hour outdoor course. $30/museum members; $33 nonmembers. Register at www.desertmuseum.org.
November 14 Science Speakers Series: Sun and Climate Did you know that dark spots on the sun increase its luminosity? And if the sun’s luminosity changes, so does the earth’s climate. Join Dr. Christoph Keller, director of science at Lowell Observatory, for a discussion about sunspots and how they affect the Earth in various ways. Held at the Jim and Linda Lee Planetarium in Prescott. Admission is $5. Learn more at https://prescott.erau.edu.
November 16 The Intersection of Art and Conservation: Artist Talk with Walt Anderson Walt Anderson, a professor emeritus of environmental studies at Prescott College, is a painter, photographer, and passionate advocate for conservation. In this presentation – part of the Natural History Institute’s Speaker Series – he’ll share how he integrates his love for painting and his commitment to conservation. Registration is free, but space is limited. Reserve your spot at www.naturalhistoryinstitute.org.
November 11-12 Tucson Modernism Week With all the development occurring throughout the state, it’s nice to step back and appreciate our historic architecture. Brought to you by the Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation, this twoday event includes lectures about the buildings and architects that shaped Tucson’s midcentury landscape. A cocktail party on Saturday offers a rare glimpse into a remarkable Arthur B. Darton home, while Sunday brings the popular self-guided home tour. Ticket purchases contribute to the foundation’s ongoing preservation efforts. Learn more at www.preservationtucson.org.
November 25 Family Behind the Scenes Tour
December 2 Sustainable Holiday Gift Making Get into the holiday spirit as you delve into the art of creating quirky gifts from eco-friendly material. You’ll learn how to create pine cone ornaments, turn T-shirts into bags, transform magazines into jewelry, and much more. This free activity takes place at the Willow Bend Environmental Education Center. For more information, go to www.willowbendcenter.org.
See what it takes to care for more than 250 animals every day, learn why zoos are important, and find out what Reid Park Zoo is doing to protect wild animals and wild places. This hour-long adventure takes you into the zoo’s kitchen and health center and includes a behind-the-scenes visit with a rhino and giraffe during feeding time. Ticket prices of $20 for zoo members and $25 for non-members include general zoo admission. Advance registration is required at www.reidparkzoo.org.
For a calendar of more green events in AZ, visit www.greenlivingmag.com/events
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An Evening of
Inspiration and Celebration!
BEST OF
ARIZONA
AWARDS NIGHT Join the eco-conscious community in honoring our champions of sustainability. November 28, 2023 | 5PM-9PM Southwest Experience Center 8399 E Hartford Rd, Scottsdale AZ 85255
Secure your tickets now and be part of an unforgettable evening.
Scan the QR code or visit www.greenlivingmag.com/awards-night for tickets and the latest details.
Plan your perfect event, conference, or business meeting at Avondale’s Visitor and Conference Center. Be treated to beautiful views of the Estrella Mountains and enjoy the site’s many sustainability features. Conveniently located near 500+ hotel rooms, several delicious dining options, and a variety of sports and entertainment venues.