Summer 2012 eco-LOCAL magazine

Tech Valley

Summer 2012 • Issue 27 • FREE

Promoting sustainable communities, healthy lifestyles and local business

The Eco-Tourism Issue INSIDE:

GOING GREEN IN THE ADIRONDACKS at The Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort PLUS: The Saratoga Farmstead B&B Healing Powers – an Interview with Dr. Michael Quartararo Farm to Table at Generations Restaurant Sheldon Farms Why Raw? For you, for the planet

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The whites sands of the Adirondacks?

Actually the white limestone beach on Mirror Lake at the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort.

On the Cover Meet the Holdereid Family of Lake Placid’s Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort. That’s Stefy and Wini in the middle flanked by son Peter on the left and daughter Jenn on the right. Over the past few years, the Holdereid’s have transformed their landmark hotel on the shores of Mirror Lake to become one of the greenest lodging properties on the planet. They’ve achieved Audubon’s 5 Green Leaf certification, the highest achievement given by the organization. One of only two in all of North America. And the fact that it sits in one of the greenest places on the planet, the Adirondack Park, only adds to the accolades. A family business in every sense, the Golden Arrow stands as a testimony of what can be done when the eco-local ethic is implemented. Thank you, Holdereid Family, for setting the bar high and clearing it with ease!

DEPARTMENTS

FEATURES

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News and Views Joys of Functional Living Holistic Health Money Matters Green Designer Wellness Doc Washington County Eco-LOCAL People

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Healing Powers – an Interview with Dr. Michael Quartararo The Saratoga Farmstead B&B – Fresh, Clean, Green Why Raw? For you, For the Kids Going Green in the Adirondacks at the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort Farm to Table, Adirondack Style Sheldon Farms Healthy Homes and Sustainable Landscapes ecolocalliving.com 5

Letter from the Publisher Summer is the high point of the vacation season, and every year, the question always arises, where should we go? The options are endless, but are usually restricted by the budget. With gas prices near the four dollar range, and lodging costs continually rising every year, for many, there is a personal austerity that affects travel plans. Long distance trips are out, more localized travel is in. Glitz is out, humanscaled, low impact eco-tourism is in. Disney and Vegas fakeness are out, small towns with history, heritage, and authentic downtowns are in.

Fortunately, within a short drive of the Capital Region there are some pretty awesome eco-tourism options available to us. Places where old school tradition meets the new school ideals of adventure and discovery. Close in, the excitement of the Saratoga Springs Race Track is a huge draw for thousands of people – from around the world. The Broadway strip swells with race fans and party-goers alike. Where else can you enjoy over 50 bars and restaurants and a slew of unique one-of-a-kind locally-owned shops, all in one square mile? As the saying goes, Saratoga is the summer place to be. Often a day trip for us locals, but it’s also a perfect overnight getaway so that you can fully immerse into the excitement. One option that is close to the action, and yet far way from the crowds is The Saratoga Farmstead B n B. Innkeepers Rosemary and Marianna have integrated eco-local concepts in everything they do, so a stay there will be a full immersion into beauty and sustainability. Get a close-up look at this treasure inside these pages.

Further to our north, the entire Adirondack Park is just an hour or two drive away, depending on how deep into it you want to go. The whole Park is an eco-tourism oasis, with authentic small towns and endless options for paddling, hiking and biking. It’s also an international destination, particularly the village of Lake Placid with it’s Olympic heritage. Lake Placid, too, has a downtown strip filled with eclectic dining and shopping options. And what a setting – Lake Placid and the surrounding Adirondack High Peaks has got to be one of the most beautiful places on the planet. It has eco-tourism in it’s core. The whole town has embraced an eco-ethic, and one place in particular, The Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort has taken the idea of “going green” to the max. The owners have tweaked everything at their resort hotel and restaurant to embrace eco and local, and the result is a place that pleases people, place and planet. It’s truly fitting that the one of the greenest hotels on the planet is in one of the greenest places on the planet.

On the way to the Adirondacks, take a short detour and get off exit 18 to the city of Glens Falls.

Haven’t been to Glens Falls in awhile? It’s a real downtown with a renewed streetscape filled with wonderful independently-owned shops and restaurants. Park the car and walk around a bit. Find one of the few LEED platinum certified buildings on the planet. Grab a fair trade coffee or a locally-brewed beer. Browse unique shops or catch a show at the Wood Theater. The new Glens Falls will surprise you.

And then there is this Publisher’s personal favorite local escape and eco-tourism destination Washington County. The rural landscapes and small villages are a trip back in time to a slower pace. Cell phone coverage is spotty, and that’s a good thing. Who needs it while floating down the Battenkill in a kayak, or browsing an antique store? The back roads are home to some of the best food products to be found anywhere. The kind of stuff that cost big bucks in Manhattan, where much of it is featured at the world’s best restaurants. But you can get it direct from the producer, and build a relationship while you’re there. Premium grass-fed beef, artisan cheeses, New York State’s best milk and ice cream… it’s a foodie’s paradise. Sheldon Farms in Salem is an example of the gastronomic wonder that awaits you in Washington County. We take an up close and personal look at their enterprise within these pages.

Washington County is a travel destination in and of itself. Come see for yourself.

So whatever you do, wherever you go this summer, remember… go eco… go local… go eco-local! -David DeLozier, Publisher 6 ecolocalliving.com

eco LOCAL PUBLISHER / EDITOR / SALES David Delozier 518-858-6866 ecolocalliving.com DESIGN / PRODUCTION Centerline Design 518-883-3872 kgarriso@nycap.rr.com PRINTING Benchemark Printing of Schenectady, NY Benchemark.net PHOTOGRAPHY David Delozier, Johanna Sophia CONTRIBUTORS Dr. Jessica Davis, David Delozier, Harry Moran, Stacey Morris, Patricia Older, Dr. Michael Quartararo, Johanna Sophia, Karen Totino SUBSCRIBE The eco-LOCAL magazine is a free bi-monthly magazine for people choosing to lead more sustainable lifestyles within the greater Capital Region of New York. It can be found throughout the region at independent retailers, shops, restaurants and other high traffic locales. Visit www.ecolocalliving.com to find a location near you. If you would like to receive a subscription by mail, send $12 along with your name and address to: Eco-LOCAL Media PO Box 621, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. If you would like updates and information by email, please sign up at our website.

SUPPORT We seek to transform this special region of upstate New York into a local living economy of vibrant towns, productive farmlands and healthy open space. By reading eco-LOCAL, you become part of our team.

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Please tell them you appreciate their support of eco-LOCAL. We are all in this together, and we must support each other. Thank you!

Every effort has been made to avoid errors and misspellings; however, if you see an error, please accept our apologies. We welcome your ideas, articles, and feedback so that we can give you the best service possible. Eco-LOCAL Living does not guarantee nor warrantee any products, services of any advertisers, nor will we be party to any legal or civil claims or promises.

We expect advertisers to honor any claims or promises.

We reserve the right to revise, edit and/or reject any and all advertising with or without cause. Liability is limited to the cost of the ad space in which it first appeared for printing errors of the publisher's responsibility or if the publisher fails to print an ad or article for any reason.

We reserve the right to edit articles if needed for content, clarity and relevance. Unless otherwise noted, we use the Creative Commons License (in place of standard copyright), which allows anyone to freely copy, distribute, and transmit all content, although it must be attributed in the manner specified by the author or licensor, and no one may use it for commercial purposes, or alter, transform, or build upon it.

News and Views THANK YOU

By Kathleen Quartararo

It started today, driving past the lighted sign for SPAC that highlights upcoming performances. I thought, “I really love that - I love the lights, the flashing marquee promoting the events venue, and I wanted to thank Marcia White. I wonder how many people have contacted her to thank her for all she is doing and has done for SPAC. I haven't done it yet - Then I thought of my employees - I was on the way to the restaurant (to bake!) and I couldn't wait to see Colleen and Tom. I love coming in when they are working.

Colleen gives me the rundown on 100+ things she has completed before most people start the day, and Tom has already anticipated and done the things on the list I forgot to make! They are amazing. And I realized again, how lucky I am to have employees like that. Who care - about the restaurant, about our customers, about their own performance, about making a difference, and about me. MAN! I am so FREAKIN' LUCKY! Thank you to our customers - for not only coming in, but bringing friends and family. Talking us up, sharing our information. Asking for more, for less, for different. For caring enough to comment on all that works, and those times we drop the ball. For laughing and relaxing, for getting to know each other! For getting their own coffee (MR. VEITCH)! For all the offers to help us over the years (TONY)! And thank you for getting to know me and letting me in your lives. The friends I have made here have changed my life - really, when we take the time to dissect what makes us happy, it boils down to daily interaction with people. And my daily interaction just happens to be with many (I am seriously running out of adjectives) incredible people. Thank you to the lady from Troy, who read one of my articles in the

Eco-Local and took the time to write to me. We are now old fashioned pen pals! Jan and John from the Lyrical Ballad. Every day. Breakfast and often lunch! True fans of the restaurant, excellent business people, dedicated to the success of their city, neighbors and friends, and unbelievably madly in love best friends! Mike Veitch - good lord, I don't know if I can even begin to thank you. Your undying dedication your patience, sense of humor, your observances, your compliments, your feedback and banter, and your complete understanding of my bizarre idiosyncrasies that oddly you easily identify with!

And we certainly cannot overlook you bringing your clan to us, most notably Gail. What a balancer. Thank you to the breath of fresh air children that have grown up here! And those that have just started, those that pop in - all of you! Thank you for putting up with hugs and kisses from the Princess. You are the loves of my life, and those hugs and kisses and squeals keep me going more than you can imagine - or maybe you do ;> Thank you to Tina from Simplicity, for being a sounding board, an advocate, a true believer and promoter of Henry Street and the beauty of humanity. Thank you Michele from Scallions (my sister) who's unparalleled dedication to superb dining has made me a better business owner, baker, presenter. For teaching me the importance of every tiny detail of presentation. For always having an open kitchen for me to “borrow” ingredients from! For just listening to me vent and cry and scream and laugh at myself.

Thank you to Ed and Ron - my landlords no more, who believed in me, and offered their support and assistance in ways that really count. For treating me as family and helping us through the inevitable pains of starting and maintaining a new business.

Thank you to James - the man who adores me more than I can comprehend. Who has slaved at Virgil's for no other reason than he loves it - well, more accurately loves the customers! He has worked relentlessly before and after his regular full time work hours to help me in any way he can. He is my savior. My stable ground. My life line - my laugh line.

how to be completely in touch with yourself and do not get caught up in the crowd. I have learned much from that and I greatly appreciate it. The way you think, work and manage your life defines that amazing person you are.” That, from a 15 year old boy. When I wonder how all I do effects my children and I read that, I can relax. (except I cried first) And finally, THANK YOU DAVID DELOZIER. For your huge heart, your endless ideas, your inspirational interest and dedication to creating and living harmoniously and happily. For not only bringing communities together, but creating bonds and friendships along the way. You have offered a venue for so many to share dynamic ideas and information that helps us all to prosper.

Your attention to all that is good - all that we can do, all that we have done as individuals and as a community to create a better world, a better way to live, a better way to be. Thank you for allowing me the chance to speak - You would think I would get it all out at the restaurant, and strangely enough, I could still go on and on and on….. This magazine, ECO-LOCAL is to me that heart and soul of Saratoga. Celebrating all our desires to grow and prosper and live every day beautifully.

I truly, humbly, thank you.

Kathleen Quartararo is the owner of Virgil's House, Saratoga Springs' most eclectic café, located at 86 Henry Street.

BUY 1 GET 1 FREE Any Beverage BUY 1 GET 1 FREE Any Food Item Thank you for everything Join us in September at 35 Henry Street

Thank you to my children Zak and Noah. For running the B&B so I could get to the restaurant - for working at all times of the day, all times of the year, and for recruiting their friends! For supporting me and sharing the pains and successes. To quote my youngest, “You know ecolocalliving.com 7

Joys of Functional Living

By Mary Beth McCue RD CDN Nutritionist in Integrative and Functional Health

Destination: Heart and Soul We are living in exciting times where we all have the opportunity to travel where “harmony lies” for each of us as individuals. Some refer to this time as “quantum times”; the “conscious revolution”, or a time of “awakening”. A time where our relationship with ourselves, and everything around us is moving from what we are conditioned to understand as “right and wrong”, to what simply resonates with our heart and soul. OUR path in OUR lives is guided from where OUR answers lie for each of us in the “intuitive knowing” of OUR selves.

In my work as an integrative dietitian, I see many people in a “space” where they have come to trust their own interpretation of their health, more than that of the (Western US Conventional Medicine) “experts” . They realize that doing A, B or C does not create balance and a feeling of vitality, so they choose D on their own. For example, no matter how much they are told they need to take a medication, or that they are emotionally unstable &/or that nothing is wrong and “it is all in their head” they understand all of the above is not supportive to their well-being and creating less “dis-ease” . None of it points to cause and effect. None of it offers health -sustaining ideas. Their health continues to go nowhere but downward. So they simply stop focusing and fighting the external forces that don't work, and listen to what feels right and pay attention to what does.

“Out beyond ideas of right doing and wrong doing, there is a Field. I will meet you there.”

- Rumi

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Healthy life-style changes such as increasing your awareness to everything; eating whole foods that are tolerated; paying attention to the way they breathe or choosing to remain in and seeking only healthy relationships are common choices people start to make. Many seek health and medical guidance on line, and/or seek practitioners that resonate with what feels supportive and life sustaining. And many proceed on a path that feels more abundant to them. If they are real lucky - they remain with their western health care practitioners who are then open and supportive to work in an integrative health conversation with everyone they have rallied to help them renew themselves. It is rare for this to comes together all at once, it takes time. All that matters is that the self stays strong to what is true. By doing so, whom and what you need appear more and more in your life.

Trusting and listening to one's inner voice supports raising levels of awareness, and helps to “watch the program unfold in front of you “.

Seeing what you want to connect in your life and letting what needs to pass through you pass- rather than become affected by it - will create more peace and harmony within, which is where all answers lie and all healthy paths start. Not listening to our inner guidance causes stress.

In the world of health & healing,- it is the connection with ourselves, or what I see as our heart and soul connection- that drives our “forces” to move towards all that we seek in the moment and in the future for our health. And the result is the unraveling to or the unfolding of our own wellspring of health. The gift for the seeker and the helper.

Mary Beth McCue RD, CDN of Saratoga Nutrition is a Dietitian in Integrative and Functional Medicine, & NYS Certified Nutritionist in downtown Saratoga Springs, NY with more than 25 yrs as a professional speaker, counselor, hands on teacher and more. She has assisted many - including herself - to health and recovery. See her blog on www.Saratoga.com and visit www.saratoganutrition.com.

Holistic Health

By Dr. Jessica Davis

Cultivating a Healthy Gut (Part 2)

Review of Leaky Gut: Our gut lining is made up of a layer that is only 1 cell thick, and entirely replaces itself every few days!

This layer is lined with trillions of bacteria, and those cells and bacteria have to work together in order for a healthy gut. If the healthy bacteria are overwhelmed by “bad” bacteria, the cells do not get the right signals to regenerate, and they don't function correctly. This can lead to food sensitivities, creating extra inflammation.

The end result is that the gut lining gets “leaky” and lets bigger particles through into the body instead of digesting them properly. This causes more sensitivities and reactions, and can make the cycle worse!

Who should think about healing their gut?

• Pregnant women • Breastfeeding moms with oversupply, recurrent plugged ducts, mastitis, babies with reflux, colic, constipation, ear infections, 'high needs' • Anyone with digestive issues, food allergies, eczema, ADHD, autism spectrum, depression or anxiety, autoimmune disease, cancer, obesity and so much more...

1. Get rid of the bad stuff (bad bacteria, irritants and allergens).

Figuring out what to eliminate is the tricky part. If you have clear reactions to certain foods or categories, it is easy to start there, but many need to do a full elimination diet to figure out where the culprits are. There are so many 'diets' out there - the GAPS diet, paleo, vegan, gluten free, whole foods, localvore...I don't think there is one right answer that fits everyone. You need to figure out what your body needs and what it reacts to. In addition to an elimination diet, there are various forms of allergy testing, with varying levels of accuracy and significance.

2. Add in the good stuff (good bacteria, healing aids, and nutrient building blocks). Just taking out the bad stuff isn't always enough to allow the gut to heal. Nutrient dense foods are needed to provide the building blocks for healthy new cells to grow.

Probiotics and probiotic fermented foods help repopulate the good bacteria.

Various herbs, supplements and digestive enzymes can be used as well to support healing.

3. Work with an expert. There are many different practitioners who might be able to help with the complex process of gut healing. Find a holistic MD who is trained in integrative or functional medicine, a naturopath, a functional nutritionist, or certain chiropractors who may have extra training in this area. It is a process that can be relatively straightforward for some, and complex and frustrating for others.

Make sure you give changes enough time to see results, but also be willing to shift approaches if something isn't working.

Having help along the way is key!

My kids won't eat that! Convinced that your kids won't eat kale? Not sure how your family could survive without breakfast cereal? Stay tuned for the next Gut Healing Basics: This is a process installment... how to eat healthily with that has a few simple concepts, but it can kids! be challenging once you get into the Jessica Davis MD practices in Stillwater NY as “The New Mom’s Family Doctor”. She is board certified in Family details.

Medicine and Integrative Medicine, and also practices Medical Acupuncture. For more information call 877664-6116 or visit www.jessicadavismd.com

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Money Matters

By Harry Moran, CFP® AIF®

Notes from the Alternative Economy I’d like to build on the local business and community theme and take things to an even more grassroots level.

We live in a society of “stuff”. If you haven’t already seen it, I highly recommend watching “The Story of Stuff”. It’s a fastpaced 20 minute video that shines a light on the true impact at home and abroad of all the stuff in our lives. From extraction, production, distribution, consumption through disposal, this video makes it quite clear where all these things come from, where they end up, and the implications of this type of system.

it’s often spent watching TV and shopping so the vicious cycle continues. We work more and more to keep up with the stuff treadmill but often struggle to find fulfillment.

So, how do we break this cycle? It starts with being a conscious consumer.

Whenever we’re thinking about a purchase, we need to pause and ask ourselves whether this is something we really need. Do we already have something that’s perfectly good but perhaps have been sucked into the perceived obsolescence trap? Are we being manipulated into feeling that we need to have the latest thing in order to maintain our self-esteem and keep up with the Joneses?

When we do need to buy something new, we need to seek out items that are responsibly sourced and made to last. Most of the items that fill the shelves now are products of the planned obsolescence model. Companies intentionally design products to fail, or become unappealing, in as short a timeframe as possible, while still keeping us coming back to buy more. I’m sure most of us can remember a time when products were designed to be The “materials economy” is typically presented as a linear system but as this durable and weren’t just lightweight hunks of plastic waiting for the landfill. video so adroitly points out, a linear system in a finite world just isn’t sustainable. The reality is of course that all of the pieces in this system When we need something, is there a perfectly good, gently used item impact people and planet on many levels and the classic business school already out there that someone else no longer needs? Web communities explanation is severely lacking and is doing us a great disservice. such as The Freecycle Network™ (freecycle.org) bring together people offering such items and offer a convenient place for others to search for Let’s take a quick look at some of the aspects of the consumption and what they need. I’ve personally found this to be a great alternative and an disposal part of the cycle. We have a carefully cultivated identity as effective way to prevent a perfectly functional item from ending up in the consumers in this country. Our current economic model, with its vast landfill. Craigslist (craigslist.org) is another option that many of you are no production capacity, requires huge and ever increasing levels of doubt familiar with and is effective if you want to sell rather than give consumption to keep it all moving. In times of crisis, we’re told to go out and something away. For reasonably modest items though, Freecycle’s shop. Our personal value is tied to our level of conspicuous consumption. cooperative commerce model is really appealing. It emphasizes community We’re bombarded with ads that tell us what’s wrong with us and our stuff and relationships, rather than transactions, and uses technology in a but that luckily it can all be fixed by buying something. powerful way to recapture some of the satisfaction and efficiencies enjoyed Unfortunately, as a society we have more stuff than ever before but overall by previous generations. people are less happy. Most of us have less time for the things that actually I’d like to close by recognizing the work of the Local Economy Committee of make us happy – leisure, friends and family, etc. When we do have free time, Sustainable Saratoga (sustainablesaratoga.org) who have been doing some great work in this arena and have compiled some extremely useful resources. For full disclosure, I have recently joined this committee and am a member of Sustainable Saratoga’s Board of Directors. The alternative economy has multiple and far-reaching social, environmental and economic benefits and it’s been extremely encouraging to see several of these models gain traction.

Harry Moran helps socially conscious investors define and achieve their highest goals by aligning their money with their values. A 25-year veteran of the financial services profession, Mr. Moran has held the Certified Financial Planner® designation since 1991. He is a member of First Affirmative Financial Network, a national professional organization dedicated to meeting the needs of the socially conscious investing community, and a member of the Impact Investing Division of Portfolio Resources Advisor Group, a registered investment adviser. Mr. Moran can be reached directly at Sustainable Wealth Advisors at hmoran@prg-group.net or 518-450-1755.

Mention of specific securities, funds, or companies should not be considered an offer or a recommendation to buy or sell the security, fund, or company. To determine the suitability of any particular investment, please consult with your investment adviser. Remember, past performance is no guarantee of future results and no investment strategy can assure success. The opinions expressed are those of the author and may change without notice. Securities offered through Portfolio Resources Group, Inc., member FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, SIFMA.

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The Green Designer

By Sophie Castro & Karen Totino

Forget Your Floors‌Cork Your Walls

Sick of the same old same old when it comes to wall treatments? You may not have considered cork as an option but it has a lot of advantages. Most people may consider it for a home office, or perhaps a section of their kitchen, but I don't want you to think cork board here. Cork is an all-natural

product, harvested from the bark of the cork oak tree. Perfect for green construction, cork oak is the only tree whose bark regenerates itself after harvest, leaving the tree unharmed. The bark is harvested every 9 years as mandated by governmental agencies resulting in an all-natural, environmentally responsible product. Aside from the rich texture, numerous patterns, and beautiful colors of tiles, cork is appreciated for its thermal insulative and sound reduction qualities. Cork walls are perfect for a nursery, library, home theatre, bed room or music room. Cork now comes in a shapes, patterns and colors! You can create a colorful pattern for an accent wall or isolated design element or use the more natural palette for an entire room. Cork has some practical advantages as well including stress crack protection, rot and wear resistance, and its anti-allergen and anti microbial properties.

For installation, it is pretty easy to work with as it is light weight and cuts easily with a sharp blade. You can mount cork tile on wallboard, plywood, particle board or even concrete. Similar to when hanging wallpaper, work in small areas with the glue so that it doesn't dry out during installation. You can install in a staggered look or straight lines, depending on the effect you are trying to achieve. Paint the background of the wall a color that matches the cork tiles and let it dry thoroughly before you install. This allows for a grout-like appearance in between the tiles.

Hopefully you are inspired to try something new!

Karen Totino & Sophie Castro own Green Conscience Home & Garden, 33 Church Street in Saratoga Springs.

Green Conscience is a retail showroom that offers a variety of non-toxic and eco-friendly home improvement products.

For more information call us at 518-306-5196 or check out our website www.green-conscience.com.

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The Wellness Doc

By Dr. Michael Quartararo of Adirondack Advanced Chiropractic

Acid Reflux means Go Green!

In fact, in May of 2010, the FDA warned people taking medications like Prilosec, Protonix, and Nexium that prolonged use increases the risk of hip, wrist, and spine fracture!

Current statistics show that more than 50 million people in the United States suffer from acid reflux disease. What is acid reflux?

Basically, acid reflux (or GERD) is when hydrochloric acid backs up into your esophagus and causes burning pain, and even damage to the delicate tissue lining the windpipe. The most common signs and symptoms of this disorder are: nausea, belching, constant bloating, chest pain, difficulty swallowing, and occasional regurgitation of food. How does one get this painful disorder? The perfect formula for acid reflux disease is the combination of acid causing foods, stress, smoking, being overweight, and taking medications. Does this sound like 90% of the population? We are more stressed than ever and the average American has a diet high in acid causing foods. Combine this with the statistic that the average American, over 55, takes 6 different prescription medications per day and we have the perfect storm for acid reflux.Unfortunately, the most common (not most appropriate) treatment for acid reflux is medication, prescription and overthe-counter. This seems counter-productive when you think about it. Take a prescription drug when that is one of the potential causes?

Well, that treatment is so common that most of my patients that come in with acid reflux are prescribed drugs like Prilosec because of the other drugs they are taking. Sound familiar?

Ask your friends and family taking these drugs, many of them will tell you the same. Lets not overlook the devastating side effects of these commonly prescribed drugs. Straight from drugs.com, here are the listed side effects of Prilosec. Severe allergic reaction, tightness in the chest, bloody stools, bone pain, irregular heart beat, fever, chills, sore throat, severe stomach bleeding, swelling of the hands or feet, tiredness, vision changes, and yellowing of the skin.

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What you need to know: There is a better way!

As a wellness chiropractor my mission is to educate people that drugs are not the answer to improve body function and overall health. In fact, I contend that the more prescription medication you take, the sicker your body becomes. Drugs are toxic and always have side effects. Prescription medications are needed in many cases, but only until all other safe and natural alternatives are exhausted. That’s what we teach at AAC Family Wellness Centers. So let’s look at acid reflux and what we can do to help our bodies function better.

First, instead of looking at acid reflux as your body malfunctioning lets look at why you have it.

Back in high school chemistry class we learned about acidity and alkalinity. These are opposite ends of the spectrum and need to be in balance to create good body chemistry. Let’s suppose after getting into a heated debate with your boss you go home from work, eat five tacos, drink a six-pack of beer and then go right to sleep. You will, more than likely, end up with acid reflux symptoms.Your body responded appropriately to the environment you provided by producing

copious amounts of acid. Your body did nothing wrong,YOU DID! Instead of recognizing this, you swallow a couple of pills, which blocks your body from making the acid it needs to and you don’t feel the pain. Therefore, you can continue to make those poor choices next time knowing the pills will make you feel better.

Instead incorporate these wellness solutions to help you combat acid reflux: 1. Have some form of stress management in your life, meditate, yoga, massage, etc…

2. Exercise! This acts as a form of stress management and studies show people who exercise have a more alkaline chemistry than people who don’t.

3. Avoid prescription drugs when possible.

All drugs are toxic and many even list the side effect of acid reflux.

4. Incorporate more alkaline foods in your diet. Think Green! Green foods like kale, broccoli, spinach, sprouted seeds, and wheat grass provide an alkaline environment for better digestion.

5. Try some barley grass products like Alka-Green or Greens First. These products are superior when your body is severely acidic and you need to tip the scales from acid to alkaline.

6. Have a wellness chiropractor on your health care team. Your body can only function properly with a well functioning nervous system, that’s our specialty: Removing nerve interference so your body can function its best.

Next time, when your body alerts you with symptoms, before you reach for a pill to make the painful sign go away, ask WHY! Why is my body acting this way and what can I do to help it function better. That’s what we do at AAC; evaluate your body and how it’s functioning.

Then we can provide the proper care and coach you to make better choices so you can lead a healthier, happy, drug-free life! Until next time, Be Well!

Dr. Michael Quartararo has been a chiropractic wellness practitioner for 17 years in Saratoga. He is the CEO and founder of AAC Family Wellness Centers, a Milton family and pediatric wellness center. He is a member of the New York State Chiropractic Council, International Chiropractic Council, International Pediatric Chiropractic Council and World Chiropractic Alliance. He can be reached at aacdocs@adirondackchiropractic.com or aacfamilywellness.com.

CITIZEN NANCY The First, Best and Last Word In All Things Saratoga http://nancymuldoon.blogspot.com

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Healing Powers AN INTERVIEW WITH DOCTOR MICHAEL QUARTARARO OF ADIRONDACK ADVANCED CHIROPRACTIC INTERVIEW AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID DELOZIER

There's a lot of talk about health care in the news these days. It seems everyone wants it; some have it, others don't, or so we are told. But what is health care, really? And whose responsibility is it? We sat down with Doctor Michael Quartararo, who has been authoring the “Wellness Doc” for the eco-LOCAL magazine for the last couple of years, to get his take on the matter. Dr Q is a “wellness chiropractor,” and is helping people find their inner healing power, and more importantly, helping them achieve wellness - that elusive condition that seems to create smiles and happiness.

Eco-LOCAL Living: How long have you been practicing chiropractic care?

Dr. Michael Quartararo: 19 years ELL: How has it changed over those years?

DQ: People are much more aligned with Chiropractic and wellness principles now more than they ever have. When I first graduated college, you could tell someone about a vitamin they should take, and they'd look at you with a puzzled look; or whether it was getting adjustments for wellness purposes, it was so odd to people.

Maybe 10% of people would understand it and do that. Now, more people are aligned with what we've been doing for the last 115 of Chiropractic than ever before.

THE AVERAGE PERSON OVER SIXTY TAKES FIVE DIFFERENT MEDICATIONS A DAY.

ELL: A lot of times people think of Chiropractic as a remedy for a back ache or something like that. You refer to yourself as the Wellness Doc, and you look at it as just that - a wellness treatment.

DQ: Interestingly, when Chiropractic started in 1895, it wasn't even for a person that had a back complaint at all. There was a janitor in Iowa, Harvey Lillard, and he was talking to a doctor named Palmer, complaining that he had lost his hearing.

What happened? He explained that he was mopping the floor and then bent down to pick up something, when he felt a pop in his neck. Ever since that day he could not hear.

Now the doctor, being a student of anatomy and physiology, happened to be studying some of the old writings of Egyptians and old Chinese medicine. He learned that they

were doing manipulations of the spine to restore what the Chinese would call the 'chi,' or the Egyptians would call the 'power.' So the doctor examined the deaf fellow and found a bump in his neck, then did an adjustment to his spine, and as the story goes, the man suddenly heard the trolley cars in the streets after that. So from that, the doctor delved into these ideas a little more. It was the beginning of Chiropractic care. So the origins of Chiropractic had nothing to do with the back or pain, it had to do with improving bodily functions. And that is how it started.

People would travel from all over the world to go to this Palmer Clinic; they had these foreign ailments, and the medicine of the day had failed them. So these people would stay there, it was a kind of infirmary, where they would be treated by this new method of healing. Back then, Chiropractic was the first profession to use X-rays for diagnostic purposes and treatment. That's our roots; I happened to go to school there (Palmer College in Davenport, Iowa); that's what I learned. I didn't learn the method of what some practices do - car accident care, and neck care and headache care - it didn't make sense to me. I'm not supposed to treat symptoms, medicine treats symptoms.

They do a good job of that - they have all kinds of drugs to mask the symptoms…but it took maybe 5 years for me to straighten myself out and return to what I had learned, ecolocalliving.com 15

and it paid off, because now, that's what people want. They come in and they want that (wellness care).

ELL: You sometimes begin treatment with infants or even with pregnant mothers, while the baby is in utero.

Birth can be stressful for both mother and child.

Can Chiropractic help babies?

DQ: Infancy care is important because unfortunately we have very invasive birthing practices. 70% of the world's Caesarian sections are right here in the USA. That's a huge number. It's a form of traumatic birth syndrome, so we see a lot of kids right from the start with neck injuries and trauma, and they haven't even had a chance yet. That's a big reason why. We are seeing a lot of trouble - attention deficit disorder, ADHD, PDD, kids with severe upper cervical subluxations from a traumatic birth. Natural childbirth without drugs is not very traumatic at all. The baby does some rotation, cleans it lungs out through the birth canal, and suddenly feels gravity for the first time. It's always a good idea to have a newborn's spine checked. My daughter's spine was checked when she was 5 minutes old.

ELL: So Chiropractic really begins at birth. And you also follow children through their rapid development and growth years. I'm sure there's a lot of stress that their bodies endure that Chiropractic can help with.

DQ: We take better care of our teeth than we take car of our spine. We educate our patients that the spine houses your nervous system. The nervous system controls every single cell and tissue in your body. Any doctor knows that, we all learned it in 16 ecolocalliving.com

school. But everyday and every night we take care of our teeth; that's important, but they're teeth. Good spinal health affects the whole body. But we're not taught that.

We're not told to keep good posture, we're not taught to keep our core strong; we're not taught to see a chiropractor regularly to make sure you have proper alignment, so that your nervous system can function properly. It's not an odd concept; it's just that we're not taught these things. If you don't brush your teeth, they may end up falling out, but you're still alive. When you spine could be torqued or twisted, then you don't function at all. Period. But you don't take care of it regularly? If we explain that to a patient, and they are logical, educated people, then they can see that it makes sense. Some people think that it makes more sense to take an Aleve everyday.

'Every single day I'm going to take a drug.'

The average person over sixty takes five different medications a day. And we just think it's OK. Why? ELL: Well, we are taught that if something hurts, take a pill, right?

DQ: Treat the symptom. And as long as the symptoms are at bay, then we are “healthy.” But health isn't that. Health is your body functioning the best that it can, all the time. Regardless of symptoms, it's functioning healthy all the time.

ELL: So we know that brushing and flossing our teeth twice a day is good for oral hygiene. What are some of the things that people can do to take care of their spine?

DQ: The first thing is we need to know what we are starting with. Here we do an EMG and thermography scans which are the latest nerve testing equipment to check

your spine for nerve pressure. Then we know what we are dealing with. If it's a good structured spine, we still see those.

Then there's core strengthening exercises.

And keeping yourself nutrient dense - feed yourself properly. Exercise regularly. If someone comes in and we find a poorly structured spine, then we have to make some corrections. If we can. In some cases we can't. Depending on what the patient brings to us, and the health of their spine, will dictate how often we need to get in there and work with it. For some people it's once a week and for others it's once a month. What did you bring me, and what do with it?

ELL: And you do a lot of workshops to educated and bring people to have better knowledge about this holistic approach to health and wellness.

DQ: Yes we do. Every month we share new information with our members - so whether it's meditation, or yoga, nutrition, massage therapy, acupuncture - we have all these practitioners that come in and introduce these concepts and more. When you leave this building, we know that you're going to watch TV and listen to the radio. And you're going to hear the messages that breast augmentation, plastic surgery, and drugs are all good; so I want this to be a place where people can come and learn healthful things. So they can really practice a wellness lifestyle.

ELL: I saw on a wall in the waiting room a sign that reads “the power that made the body heals the body.” Is that what you are trying to harness here - the energy of God to achieve wellness?

DQ: Yes, with the right tools and eliminating interference; the body is meant to take care

of itself. It should not be an odd concept.

Another quote by Doctor Palmer who started Chiropractic, is “the Creator did not leave you masterless.” He's with you all the time. We can't overlook that. We all started as two cells getting together, unbelievably, and we still don't know how to do that in a lab or with our fancy computers or Macbook Pros…we can take two cells and make a person. We can't do it. So man and woman come together and each share a cell to create a new one, and it goes through all kinds of obstacles of development and replication, and fights back disorders, and when it's born it has ten fingers and ten toes, and it breathes on its own, - WOW! And it grows all by itself, and we didn't even tell it what to do. We take it for granted, but it is this power that made the body that can heal itself. It heals cuts; it heals broken bones. Believe it or not, if you get sick, and you don't take an antibiotic, you'll probably get better anyway. We've been doing that for thousands of years, and we're not all dead yet.

ELL: So you have a different idea of what health care is. Right now we are having a national discussion of the need to “health care” for everyone, and that the current form is in a crisis. But if we all gave our bodies a good maintenance schedule, like how we do for our cars - like changing the oil and the tires, getting the timing belt changed every so often, giving it good fuel, etc., or in the case of the body, good nutrition, exercise, and some regular chiropractic care, we'd be in much better shape, yes?

DQ: We try to teach that there is sick care and there is health care. We need sick care for the times when accidents happen, or when something suddenly comes on that needs immediate attention. Sick care is important, and that is what the Administration is talking about. They want to

provide sick care for everybody. They're terming it “health care,” but they're not paying for your gym membership. They're not paying for you to go to the chiropractor regularly. They're not buying your vitamins for you. They're providing for you when your health fails, and then they're going to pay to make you just healthy enough to not be sick.

Not really healthy, but not quite sick either.

So there's sick care and there's heath care.

You brush your teeth everyday, that's health care. You need a root canal, that's sick care.

That's fine. Sometimes we need those kinds of things. But if we rely on sick care to maintain our health, then that where the problem lies.

When a patient comes into our initial consultation, that is what we try to drive home. We do not provide sick care, but we do provide health care. Let's not confuse it. You need health care in your life. There's plenty of sick care, and it's easy to get.

ELL: So health care is really a personal responsibility. And it helps to have the consult of a good professional to get you back on the horse should you fall of it.

DQ: What people need now more than ever is a health coach. We are being bombarded with tons of information out there, much of it misleading. So having someone you can trust and ask questions, like, what about this thing, what about that pill I heard about, how can I eat better, where can I get better food. I see myself and my team of doctors here as health coaches. Someone you can turn to, to get some answers. We've been doing this a long time, and we are studious with learning new information that comes along. Some people may be relying on a medical doctor as their health coach. A medical doctor gets his information from the drug companies that visit him everyday. And so if you ask him “what should I do about the acid reflux in my

stomach?” He's going to say that there's this great pill that just came out, because that's what he's learned. So you take the pill every day and the problem subsides.

But is that why you got acid reflux, because you didn't have enough of that pill in your system? There's a reason why you got it, and that's what wellness chiropractors look for. What's the cause?

It's probably because your diet is to acidic.

And that's the topic of my latest column in this issue of eco-local!

ELL: Are people getting the message?

DQ: As I said in the beginning, People are really aligned with what we do and what wellness chiropractic is all about. We opened a new office in Rotterdam about a year and a half ago, and the response has been tremendous. It's really the population that is informing themselves. And they're finding that it works for them.

AAC Family Wellness Centers are located at 402 Rowland Street in Ballston Spa and 834 Duanesburg Road in Rotterdam. Visit adirondackchiropractic.com for more information.

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Fresh, Clean, Green THE SARATOGA FARMSTEAD BED & BREAKFAST STORY BY PATRICIA OLDER I PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID DELOZIER

Looking to downsize after running a popular hotel in the Catskills for many years, partners Mariana DiToro and Rosemary Jensen rolled the dice and decided to purchase an aging farm in Saratoga Springs.

“We came to see [the Lombardi Farm] in the dead of winter and it immediately felt 'right',” said Mariana of the property, renamed The Saratoga Farmstead B&B. Now, 10 years later, the bed & breakfast is well known for the owners' culinary expertise, the home's warm, eclectic furnishings and the property's friendly country “feel”. And, this successful business is attracting guests from around the world.

“Many of our guests feel like friends when they leave,” said Rosemary, pointing out that not only do visitors arrive from all across the United States, but from far away spots like Spain, Guatemala, Bangkok, Turkey, Italy, Australia and The British Isles.

“Most people find us initially on the Internet or by word of mouth,” she continued, noting that their very first guests arrived the same week they took ownership of the 1860's farmhouse.

“MANY OF OUR GUESTS FEEL LIKE FRIENDS WHEN THEY LEAVE”

“We closed on the property in 2002 - on Martin Luther King Day - and we had our first guests that weekend.” said Rosemary.

The Saratoga Farmstead, according to Rosemary, is the only certified green bed & breakfast in Saratoga County, having passed rigorous inspections from both Audubon International and New York Environmental Conservation. “We are earth-friendly in every way.” said Rosemary, “And we offer peace and quiet with genuine hospitality just a few minutes from downtown Saratoga Springs. Plus, our breakfasts are second to none!” ecolocalliving.com 19

Pointing out an herb garden planted near the home, Rosemary said they use environmental-friendly practices to run the B&B and maintain the gardens and acreage.

Herbs and vegetables are grown on the Farmstead, which, along with other locally made or grown foods, are turned into creative breakfasts. “We are fortunate to have the skill set needed to create delicious, healthy meals.” said Rosemary, “We can cook for anyone but when guests have allergies, need gluten-free meals, are vegans or vegetarians, we take special care to provide a delicious and memorable breakfast for them.” She noted that both she and Mariana are trained professional chefs and owned a highly rated restaurant for more than 20 years.

But the women do not limit their local-use mantra to just food goods - they also utilize locally brewed beverages for their guests' pleasure, purchase locally sold furnishings, use recycled Saratoga water bottles as glassware and seek out the skills of local craftsmen. Pointing to six-panel wooden doors with wrought iron hardware at the entrance of each guest room, Rosemary said a local craftsman custom made the doors. “This is an old house and everything is crooked or off-kilter,” explained Rosemary, “And the doors had to be to made to fit each doorway. They did a careful and caring job.”

“Each of the seven guest rooms”, continued Rosemary, “has its own theme representative the area. We have The Garden Room, The Sewing Room, The Adirondack Room, The Artist's Room and The Victorian Room in addition to The Saratoga Room and The Hayloft.”

The Saratoga Room has French doors opening onto the renovated front porch. The room's furniture was handcrafted by Mariana's father and decor consists of items representative of Saratoga including equestrian paintings, ballet slippers and books on the area's history.

In the large family room, the Hayloft, comfortable beds allow families of 5 or 6 to stay together in a single room. One wall is decorated with artifacts reflecting the home's history as a working farm. “These items came from the carriage house,” said Rosemary pointing to an old lumber saw, hay hooks and cast iron pans hung as a display.

In the kitchen, the women took out an exterior wall of the house to create an expanded kitchen/ dining area. “We feel the guests should be able to interact with the person preparing their meal and vice versa.” said Rosemary.

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But one of the most wonderful finds during renovations was when a 1960's “Florida room” was dismantled to expose the original woodwork from the 1860's front porch. It had all been perfectly preserved between the walls. Now, the newly renovated porch looks exactly as it did in photos taken in 1860.

On the 10 acres of land surrounding the home, the women have created numerous perennial beds and rock gardens, all full of flowering plants. Former hay fields have been left to grow wild,

with 4-foot pathways mowed weekly, allowing guests to wander and get a little closer to nature. Rabbits, woodchucks, deer, turkey and many birds roam the acreage as well.

As for that original roll of the dice, it seems it has turned into a full house for Marina and Rosemary. “We have a unique cliental who stay at the Farmstead, each looking for something different.

We appreciate this and try to make each visit their perfect B&B experience.”

For more information on The Saratoga Farmstead Bed & Breakfast, call 518-587-2047 or visit their website at http://www.saratogafarmstead.com

THE SARATOGA FARMSTEAD BED & BREAKFAST Saratoga County's Only Certified Green B&B “We enjoyed every moment of our time at the Farmstead.

The location, the meals, the Innkeepers and nature, simply perfect!”

-Guest Review

Lovingly Restored 1860's Farmhouse 41 Locust Grove Road Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 518.587.2074 • www.saratogafarmstead.com ecolocalliving.com 21

WHY RAW? WHY EATING MORE LOCAL RAW FOODS IS GOOD FOR US AND FOR OUR KIDS STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY PROF. JOHANNA SOPHIA

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Raw fresh-from-the garden, organic vegetables, berries, fruits, nuts, seeds, and wild foraged foods such as dandelions, daylilies, daisies, nettles, lambs quarters, wood sorrel, among others, are the most nutritious and healing foods we can find on our planet. Here in the hills of our northern hemisphere, we can get them all summer long at farmers' markets, in CSA's, in health food stores, in supermarkets, in forests, fields or by the roadside.

It's Time to Grasp the Power of Fresh Plant Foods In Saratoga Springs, Mrs. Gomez stands among her leafy greens and purples and bright red radishes and picks up the prepackaged bag I point to. “This one I pick this morning,” she says and hands me the bag with a sparkling smile. A young woman tries to translate for her even though this is not necessary. I communicate well with Mrs. Gomez while buying my greens and arranging an interview about veggie farming. As I look back and forth between the two women, I notice that the younger one has acne, dry and ashy skin, and looks tired while the older one has beautiful, even-colored, shiny skin, clear eyes and that very bright smile. The women see me looking back and forth and Mrs. Gomez says: she's my daughter. “ Yes,” I nod, “but why the different skin condition?” Mrs. Gomes smiles shyly and tells me her secret: “I don't eat anything else, only this,” she says, pointing to her veggies. “You are a vegetarian?” I want to know - “Yeah, she only eats fruits and the veggies. She doesn't even cook them!” reveals her daughter and mockingly raises her eyebrows. “That's why she has such beautiful skin,” I suggest. “And you'll get it too, if you do what she does,” I say with a wink to the young woman. “Yes, I know, I know, I should; but everybody at college eats bad food, so, you know…” and we both shrug and laugh with resignation.

Why is Mom Healthier than Child?

So why is the mother healthier than her daughter? Or is she? Quite apparently, she is. From early childhood on, back home in Mexico she was working in her parents' vegetable fields, picking cabbages, beans, and peas and tomatoes in the back yard.

She was told that these are the foods that will keep her happy. Cakes with sugar icing were a rarity when she was a child and for some reason, she never liked the thought of eating dead animals. To this day, she says,

veggies have kept her happy and loving her life. No head-aches, back-aches, bellyaches, while daughter fights the usual college student blues of feeling groggy after burgers and pizza.

In many families where one family member, the mother, father, or sometimes a teenager, awakens to the fact that we can get a whole lot healthier when we turn to, or stick with, fresh veggies and fruits, the newly conscious parent may live a wonderfully healthy example but the rest of the family cannot or does not want to follow suit. It's like they are stuck in another era even though they see the clear and present evidence of better health and greater happiness in their veggie-family member every day.

Why do the others stay on their mainstream path of pain, facing severe degenerative diseases, cancers and dementia without even trying to change? Why don't we just apply the logic of healthy vitamins, enzymes, minerals, phytonutrients, photons, essential fatty acids, and the myriad of benefits that fresh, raw, LIVE foods bring to our body? Why is it so hard to realize that it is so easy to heal ourselves? I've been asking this question for decades…

Who's To Blame?

We may blame mainstream advertising or convenience; we may blame our budget or the lack thereof; we may blame our taste buds or peer pressure; we may just claim it is our choice - really?? we choose to be sick?? - but when we turn to science we find that all these societal influences in

adult life on our food choices and behavior are not as significant as one other factor: the early IMPRINT on our brain. Our early childhood brain patterning has physically disabled us to really take charge of our choices now. It determined our habitual behavior. And now most of us cannot override these patterns by sheer willpower.

The impressions imprinted in our brains by the environment, both in our family - bacon & eggs for breakfast, drumsticks for lunch, roast beef for dinner - and in society at large - turn that into pizza and a big mac are holding us hostage. How do we repattern ourselves and our children?

Let's Take Our Children to the Farmer's Market Let's start by taking our children to the farmers markets and the health food stores everywhere we go and let them see the abundance of fresh produce. Let's give our children the imprint of eating and loving greens. Let's connect plant foods that are colorful, flavorful and fresh to growing into strong and healthy individuals. Farmer's markets, veggie fests, vegan and raw potlucks, beautifully prepared vegan foods at beautifully decorated tables will all contribute to the healthier patterning of our children and to the re-patterning of participating adults.

And the Local Economy?

The local economy benefits every time that we switch to more plant foods. We can grow 20 to 70 times more (easily digestible) plant protein than (hard to digest) animal -Continued on Page 40

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THE GOLDEN ARROW LAKESIDE RESORT

the Place to “Be” Green in Lake Placid THE GOLDEN ARROW LAKESIDE RESORT PROVES THAT GREEN IS THE NEW BLACK

STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID DELOZIER

The wild and beautiful Adirondack Park has called adventurers and wilderness seekers into its interior for over 200 years. It's also drawn top athletes from around the world to test their metal against the vertical world of the mountains in the High Peaks region. Lake Placid, in Essex County, smack dab in the center of the wild ruggedness, has hosted two Winter Olympics, thus acquiring the nick name “The Olympic Village.” Today, athletes still throng to this small hamlet in the heart of the wilderness, to compete in triathlons, bike races and hockey tournaments and whatever else extreme sports organizers can come up with.

LAKE PLACID - BE ECO, BE LOCAL But Lake Placid is not just for the hard core; it has also become a top destination for anybody who wants to get away to a really unique setting that is like no place else. With its natural setting surrounded by lakes and mountains, Lake Placid seems to have embraced a very eco-friendly, holistic ethic.

On any given day, the streets are filled with bicyclists and runners. The calm surface Mirror Lake in the center of town is often broken by the steady strokes of a swimmer, or the soft wake of a kayaker. 4,000 foot peaks

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are but a stone's throw away; majestic Whiteface Mountain provides a perfect backdrop, showing itself proudly just north of the village. She and her family of 45 other high summits beckon the hiking enthusiast to come and explore. For the less adventurous, the compact downtown is the perfect place to browse and shop, or dine in some of the finest restaurants between New York City and Montreal. And it's all within easy walking distance from the many hotels and inns around town. Take a walk on the green side - the downtown sidewalks extend around the entirety of Mirror Lake, so an evening stroll could lead you into the wonderland that surrounds the lake. Human power reigns in Lake Placid, so upon your arrival, park the car, and like the locals say, “be” Lake Placid.

THE HOLDEREID FAMILY AND THE GOLDEN ARROW RESORT If anybody were to exemplify what it is to “be” Lake Placid, it would be the members of the Holdereid family. Anyone who has visited Lake Placid is familiar with the Holdereid's dream come true - the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort and their adjacent Alpine Mall complex. Strategically located at the entrance to the Main Street “strip,” and set

upon the shores of Mirror Lake, the Holdereid enterprise has grown and expanded along with their beloved town of Lake Placid.

Owners Stefy and Wini Holdereid purchased the place in 1974, when it was just a small 36 room drive-in motel. The setting reminded the couple of their home in Germany whence they emigrated. The Holdereids immediately set about transforming the place to reflect their Alpine heritage. The adjacent property was acquired, which became the Alpine Mall, and the home of the popular Roomers nightclub. Stefy and Wini set about building the business, and raising a family, too. Oldest daughter Heidi would groom to become the manager, and son Peter would help dad tear down the old and rebuild the new. And do it again.

Now a 165 unit hotel with over 20 different room configurations, the Golden Arrow has something for everybody. The attached restaurant has been aptly named Generations, as the second generation of Holdereid's are now putting their own signature onto the enterprise. Under the tutelage of youngest daughter, Jenn, and the creative genius of son Peter, The Golden Arrow has embraced it's inner green, and has

achieved Audubon's 5 Green Leaf certification for hotels, which is the organization's highest ranking award. The Golden Arrow is just one of two hotels in all of North America to have received 5 Green Leaves. And in Lake Placid, a town that is embracing its own inner green - it's the perfect complement.

GOING GREEN,

BY SIMPLY DOING THE RIGHT THING Throughout their history of the Golden Arrow, the Holdereid's have always strived to do what's best for their guests. They took a bold step in 2002 by choosing to become a nonsmoking property. The first to do so in the area, it was a huge hit with their guests, many who are health conscious and appreciated the new policy. By 2005, it became pretty commonplace in the lodging industry to offer non-smoking rooms. Most of the properties in Lake Placid followed suit.

“As a marketer, I began looking for a differentiator,” said Jenn. “One day I was looking out the window and the green idea came to me,” she recalled. “My parents grew up in war-time Germany, so they had a habit of saving and recycling everything. So we were already doing many of the things that

would be considered green.” At a family meeting, Jenn pitched her idea. “Let's just bring it to the forefront and make a conscious effort,” she suggested, and they all agreed.

The green ethic that was always a part of the Holdereid family culture would now be reflected in the culture of the hotel. Jenn set out to research the concept of “going green” for a hotel. Problem was, there wasn't much out there to use as a basis. “One of the first things I realized in that we needed to benchmark to know where we are now so that we know what direction to go in,” Jenn recalled. “How do you do that, and what does that even mean?” It took months to find a green hotel certifier. Jenn finally found the Audubon Society which was had just started up its Green Leaf program. They had a forty page questionnaire that took her three months to complete. She began to learn about things in the hotel that she had no idea about while living there - things like, the temperature of the laundry water, what kind of fabric are the staff uniforms made out of, where do you buy food for your restaurant, when you procure a new vendor, do you ask them these questions… It covered everything.

The Holdereid Family went with the Audubon program because of their legitimacy. An actual auditor came and visited the hotel in person, to make sure that the owners are doing what they say they are doing, but more importantly, to see the place in the context of its surroundings. Jenn explained that the questionnaire had some questions that did not apply to their location in the Adirondacks like 'do you have awnings to block the sun, or is your roof painted white.' “Here, it's cold most of the time, so those things don't apply.

We want as much heat from the sun as wee can get!” said Jenn.

After the initial consultation and analysis, Audubon came back with a road map of what to improve, and what could be done moving forward. “The Golden Arrow has been audited now three times; each time Jenn has used the feed back to decide what to do next.

“It was so great because when we first got audited in '06, we got a rating of three leaves out of five, which already put us ahead most other hotels,” Jenn exclaimed. “The things we had already implemented and were doing got us off to a great start. Low flow toilets and showerheads - we already had those installed. Do you know how much water a ecolocalliving.com 25

hotel uses? It was really an economic decision for us, but it turns out to be a green action as well.”

So much of what they were already doing had given them a jump start. One on the low-hanging fruit that Audubon suggested was to replace incandescent light bulbs with more efficient ones. Each room has between ten and twenty light bulbs, so replacing them all at once would be daunting, and expensive, as the cost per bulb at the time was about nine dollars each. The math was insane - 165 rooms times nine dollars…it was way too costly to do all at once. Audubon agreed that replacing working light bulbs is not green just replace them when they burn out, which was what Jenn did. So in the course of the last four years, practically every light fixture has received a high efficiency lamp.

Jenn had a little help in offsetting the price of acquisition by a stroke of luck. The local Boy Scout Troop was selling CFL light bulbs for a fundraiser, for just a dollar each. One of the Scouts made the good fortune of calling on the Golden Arrow, just as Jenn was contemplating how to get her hands on a supply of CFL's. “Would you like any energy efficient light bulbs?” the young man shyly 26 ecolocalliving.com

asked. Jenn replied, ”Oh yes I do!” “How many?” “All of them!” Jenn exclaimed. The order was enough to win the young man a first prize in the sales contest. The low price program was subsidized by the Lake Placid power company. It was in their best interest to have their customers conserve energy, so it was a win-win for everybody.

TURNING ON THE TAP - TO THE SUN The pool at the Golden Arrow Lodge had been heated by a fuel oil boiler. Jenn's brother, Peter, decided that the next big thing they should do is to offset the rather large fuel oil bill with radiant solar panels to help heat the pool water. Half way into their first year of operation, the solar panels were working so well that the oil consumption went down significantly. So much so, that Peter got a call from his fuel oil supplier, wondering why he hadn't ordered in awhile.

The supplier feared that the Golden Arrow had switched dealers; Peter explained that a switch had been made, not to a competitor, but to the sun (which could be considered a competitor after all, because every Btu provided by the sun is one less Btu needed by burning oil). The savings were so beneficial

that the Holdereid's decided to expand the system to include supplying hot water for the laundry.

Going solar for their hot water needs was not only good for the budget, it was also the right thing to do for the Adirondack Park. Many of the lakes in the Park are suffering from acid rain that blows in from the west. The thin soils of the Adirondacks can't buffer the acids that the westerly winds carry in from the coal-fired power generators in the mid west.

Even local pollution has an effect, so the Holdereid's are doing everything they can to improve the air and water quality in the Adirondacks.

LIMESTONE AS A BEACH, AND A BUFFER Another example of the stewardship that the Holdereid's take personally is their lakefront.

Mirror Lake does not have a sandy shoreline.

The Holdereid's wanted to optimize their guests experience at the lakefront, while also minimizing erosion and human impact upon the lake. They found a finely crushed limestone that fit the bill, and built a beach with the material. Its beautiful white color makes the Golden Arrow shoreline stand out from any other on the lake. And, as an added

benefit, the alkaline characteristics of the lime help to buffer the acidity of Mirror Lake.

“We started doing this twenty years ago, explained Jenn. “Our first priority is the guest experience. And it's nice to know that some of our decisions that help the guests also benefit the environment.”

BETTER BEDDING FOR A BETTER BEDDIE-BYE The most ubiquitous thing in any hotel establishment is the bedding. Evdery room has at least one. It also is the one thing that can either make or break your stay.

And everybody has a different idea of what the perfect mattress is. Again, in an effort to accentuate the guest experience, the Holdereid Family deliberated over all the options, and their choices reflect the feedback they've received from their many guests over the years, but also are green in terms of longevity and impact to the environment. “A typical hotel mattress lasts only two years,” explained Jenn. “The parts in our mattresses are completely replaceable - the pillowtop, the springs and other internal components can all be removed without having to replace the

whole unit.” This means that their mattresses can have a ten year life overall, instead of just two. That's a huge savings for a hotel. Another unique feature is that the pillowtops are interchangeable to firm or soft, so that a guest can request a style of comfort that is to their favor. So while the goal is to obtain an optimal guest experience, the long-lasting mattresses are making for less land-fill fodder.

The Golden Arrow even has a dedicated allergen free wing. Guests that have high sensitivity have a refuge. The rooms include a high efficiency Hepa-silent air filter, dust mite covers on the beds & pillows, hypoallergenic blankets, & chlorine filters on the shower heads. The cleaning products contain all natural, mild ingredients. The furniture is leather upholstered to reduce the dust buildup. Again, guest comfort, but also green!

GOING GREEN GROWS BUSINESS The Holdereid's green initiatives are paying off in spades. The up-front costs have paid for themselves over and over again. The guest experience has been enhanced, and the popularity of the resort has grown to

the point that for much of the year it's at full capacity. And it's the repeat business that is most flattering. Regular visitors Christine and Larry Powers of Loudonville, New York had this to say about the Golden Arrow: “We've made a personal commitment in our lives to be as green, local and organic as possible. So the Golden Arrow is where we consciously choose to invest our money in Lake Placid because they are leaders in the same commitment. We always stay in a specialty room and find the value fantastic. It's fair to say that we enjoy the hotel so much that often we choose Lake Placid over other weekend destinations just because of the Golden Arrow.”

With these kind of accolades, it is obvious that the Holdereid's made the right move by making the green living culture an integral part of their enterprise. Lake Placid, the Adirondacks, and the tourism industry are all better for it. It proves once again that doing the right thing is always the right thing to do!

For more information about the Golden Arrow, call 800-582-5540, or find them online at goldenarrow.com

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FARM TO TABLE AT THE GENERATIONS RESTAURANT IN LAKE PLACID STORY AND PHOTOS BY DAVID DELOZIER

A lot of restaurants are experimenting with the Farm to Table concept, where the kitchen seeks to add locally grown vegetables, meats and cheeses to complement it's menu offerings. This growing trend is great for all concerned. The restaurant patrons get the freshest possible food from nearby farms; the farms have a place to sell their products that are nearby to them, and the restaurant itself gets kudos for showing its love for local food. This helps keep the local farming scene vibrant and alive.

The chefs who prepare the delicious Farm to Table entrees really love the opportunity to showcase the local flavors. But what if the farms themselves were part of the dining experience? That opportunity came to fruition in June when I had the opportunity to join a Family Farm Tour being hosted by Chef Dave Hunt of the Generations Restaurant and the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort in Lake Placid.

Chef Hunt has been working to integrate as much local sourcing as possible into his kitchen. In the process, he's established a strong bond to the local farmers who provide such wonderful ingredients.

So he thought, why offer a special opportunity to showcase the farmers and the food. Chef Hunt discussed the idea with Jenn Holdereid whose family owns Generations and the Golden Arrow next door. Jenn was thrilled with the idea. So they made the arrangements with the farmers, and set about promoting the event for the weekend of June 15-17.

OF HORSES, AND HORS D'OUREVES The tour began on Friday evening, with a gathering at the hotel lobby.

Carpool arrangements were made, and the caravan was off to the first stop - the Snowslip Farm on Riverside Road, just outside of town near the Olympic Ski Jumps. The Snowslip Farm was hit hard by the flooding of the Ausable River from Hurricane Irene. Because of this, they are in rebuilding mode. Instead of seeing fields of veggies, the group was treated to an equestrian show featuring American Saddle bred and Friesian Horse Riding exhibition. The horses and riders

danced in the long shadows of the late evening light. It was quite a spectacle - an unexpected treat. Speaking of treats, an hors d'oureves table was set up with an amazing array flavorful snacks, all crafted from nearby ingredients. Chef Dave Hunt proudly described the different ingredients and their source, paying homage to the farmers whose labor produced the products featured. A quiche made from Asgaard Farm cheeses and Fledging Crow veggies; Kilcoyne Beef Tenderloin with mustard greens on Conroy Bakery Crustini; Atlas Farm sweet and sour meatballs. There was a display of North County Salmon and trout, as well as a wonderful cheese array provided by the Clovermead Farm in Westport. The combination of great food and beautiful horses on display had everyone chatting up a storm. The waning light of the evening created a tapestry of color over the nearby High Peaks; it was one of those “pinch me am I dreaming?� moments.

The second part of the Farm Tour began the next morning at 9:00 with a gathering at the Generations Restaurant. Chef Hunt gave a brief description of the farms we were to visit - The Asgaard Farm in Ausable Forks and Fledging Crow Farm in Keeseville. The third Farm on the schedule, Clovermead, had to cancel, so there would just be the two. No problem, there was still plenty to see. Again, carpool arrangements were made, and off we went, this time to the north and east. The drive to Ausable Forks took us through the Wilmington Notch and past Whiteface Mountain. I was awestruck by the beauty - the Adirondack mountain slopes plunging down in to the churning West Branch of the Ausable River; but not a good place for farming, I thought.

ASGAARD FARM PASTURED PERFECTION IN THE AUSABLE VALLEY The hill bottomed out in the town of Jay, where we crossed an old rustic bridge over the East Branch of the Ausable. Here the landscape relaxed into a gentle roll of hill and dale. A large field opened up and there it was, the Asgaard Farm, a large expanse pasture with a tree

Chef Hunt has been working to integrate as much local sourcing as possible into his kitchen. ecolocalliving.com 29

and are then followed by the goats, which will eat the browse that the cattle leave behind. The chickens follow the goats and eat what's left, and fertilize the ground some more. The pigs are sent to areas that need clearing and tilling, and they seem to do a fine job of removing weeds and other undesirables. Everybody is happy, living the life they were meant to live. And the view is breathtaking. Dave explains that he and Rhonda are in their “semi-retirement.� And he noted, it's the hardest work they've ever loved. They've found a way to bring back to life this beautiful farm in Adirondacks, and to supply restaurants like Generations with some outstanding food. What's not to like. The tour ends with a trip the store, where we sample some chevre and a special treat, homemade caramels made with the goats' milk. OMG! Talk about a taste sensation. Those things are to die for. They, like the Asgaard farm, are a slice of heaven.

lined entrance road. We see cattle and goats grazing in the open fields; the High Peaks off to the West providing a majestic backdrop to the scene. I have to pinch myself again. We are greeted by co-owner Dave Brunner. He is in the middle of chores, finishing up cleaning the cheese making equipment. Dave walks us into the cheese room and continues his task, while explaining the process to the eager group.

Asgaard, Dave tells us, means "farm of the gods" in Norse mythology, and is the name given this beautiful place by Rockwell Kent, renowned and controversial artist, writer, adventurer, political activist and farmer. Asgaard was established as his home in the early 1900's.

He and his wife Rhonda arrived in 1988. It was a defunct dairy farm, and somehow they knew they would be called to bring it back to life.

It started with a couple of goats, and that's all it took for the Brunners to get smitten by the farm life. They now operate a fully integrated animal farm with each species working synergistically with each other. Dave walks us through the various fields and describes what is going on. Their primary product is goat cheese, but they also raise cattle, pigs and poultry, both for eggs and meat. All animals are pasture raised, and assist each other. The cattle eat the tall grasses,

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FLEDGING CROW FARM OBSESSION WITH VEGGIE PERFECTION The next stop on the tour was a little further down the valley to Keeseville, home of the Fledging Crow Farm. A rather unpretentious piece of real estate from the road, but like a box of Cracker Jacks, the surprise is inside. We are greeted enthusiastically by Ian Ater, co owner and ambassador for the Fledging Crow Farm. He and his partner, Lucas Christenson are leasing this 6 or so acres of land in their first solo venture as a vegetable farm. It was basically a fallow dirt patch that they've converted into an organic veggie oasis. Using old fashioned grit and determination, and a little help from friends and foodies, the two young men produce enough high quality tomatoes and salad greens to supply a local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) and a growing list of the areas top restaurants, including Generations. Ian's enthusiasm is infectious as he takes us through the hoop houses and fields. The tomatoes are well on there way, and should be ready to harvest in a few weeks. Rolling out in front of us are rows and rows of veggies; mixed salad greens, kale, chard, and huge balls of cabbage. These boys have the green thumb, no doubt.

Ian walks up through the rows, explaining the watering and weeding process. They do not use chemicals; all weeding is done mechanically or by hand. They use cover crops such as buckwheat to regenerate the soil. And they've expanded the fields using pigs as the roto-tillers. The pigs fatten up on all the great forage, and become winter food for the

farm when their job is done. Ian points to the bee hives in the rear; again, dual purpose animals. The bees do a great job pollinating the cover crops and the veggies, and the honey is harvested as a crop as well. It's another symbiotic relationship. The tour ends with a lunch of Panini sandwiches that Chef Dave has brought along. Ian is joined by his daughter, Amaya, and the two of them charm and entertain the group. Who new that farming could make young people so happy?

FANTASTIC FINALE - THE FARM TABLE DINNER The Farm Tour finished back at Generations Restaurant with Chef Hunt and his team going all out to prepare a multi-course meal of all local ingredients and flavor infusions. The first course was a chive blossom tempura with homemade Adirondack Kimchi. The chives were harvested from the Green Roof that adorns the Golden Arrow Lodge. Then came the Salad Course - featuring arugala from the Fledging Crow Farm that we had visited earlier, adorned with apples from nearby Peru, and the delicious Asgaard chevre, and local strawberries. Crazy good! Then came the main entrĂŠe, a choice of Atlas Hoofed It Farm Braicola beef over locally made fettuccini and vegetables, or a Long Island Black Bass served with braised green and local Tucker Farms mashed potatoes. Or a Coleman Farm chicken breast with wilted spinach and red flannel hash. Just when you thought it couldn't get any better, the dessert of Strawberry Shortcake on a buttermilk biscuit with whipped cream hit it out of the park.

Each course was introduced with great fanfare and enthusiasm by Chef Hunt. He proudly noted the sourcing of each ingredient, and it made the already fantastic meal all the better. The group of strangers that had joined together earlier in the morning were now chatting like best friends, sharing the joy of great food, great people and great times. Seeing the farms first hand, meeting the farmers, and then savoring the food produced by them and other in the Adirondacks, it all made for a memorable day. It's what happens when you make the effort to go local!

The Golden Arrow and Generations Restaurant are planning another Farm Tour for September 7-9, 2012. You won't want to miss it. Call (518)523-3353.

Generations Restaurant is located at 2559 Main Street, Lake Placid NY 12946 www.golden-arrow.com

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SHELDON FARMS A LOCAVORE’S OASIS STORY BY STACEY MORRIS I PHOTOS BY DAVID DELOZIER

Driving along Route 22 across the undulating hills of Washington County, farm stands are a common site, especially during corn season.

But there's one roadside establishment that tends to stand out, and not just because it operates June through Columbus Day Weekend.

Sheldon Farms is a six-generation farm that has been feeding area residents a bounty of potatoes, corn, string beans, pumpkins, and maple syrup for decades. In recent years, however, current owners Pat and Albert Sheldon have brought both the stand and produce fields into modern times.

The simple wooden structure just a few miles south of the village of Salem may look like just another produce emporium, but a walk 34 ecolocalliving.com

through the doors tells another story entirely. There are tables and display cases piled high with alluring edibles: from jars of homemade pesto and salsa to peach pies, specialty crackers, imported olive oils, and giant chocolate chip cookies. In the coolers are displays of local chevres and cheddars, as well as butter and cheese from as far away as Greece and Italy.

"I approached the idea of running the farm stand with the question, 'OK, what's really good quality food available and what's good to cook with?" said Pat, who has run the stand for 11 years. "People are surprised at what they see in here. We have customers from New York City stop in and say they can't believe what we sell and they don't

have to shop in the city on their way up here anymore." The Sheldon's also began selling their own ham, pork, and bacon. "We raise the pigs ourselves and they only eat sweet corn," she said. "The meat is very sweet and cooks deliciously because of the layer of fat on it."

Sheldon is passionate about food being locally sourced but says she sees a niche for imports too. "I keep my eyes open when I travel and have a lot of friends in the restaurant and food industries," she explained. "I stock things like Coca-Cola from Mexico because it's made from sugar and not high fructose corn syrup, and mineral water from Germany because it's top quality."

Aside from the exotic and local offerings at their farm stand, Pat and Albert have also made a mark on the local restaurant scene, with their signature potatoes (they grow regular and heirloom varieties), string beans, tomatoes, squash, and pumpkins being heralded on menu's from Vermont to Albany. "We do a lot of business in the Saratoga Springs region, including Max London's, Hattie's, 1 Caroline Bistro, and 50 South," said Pat. “Kim Klopstock at 50 South is all about sourcing food locally and goes to great lengths to do so." For the past five years, the Saratoga Springs School District has served Sheldon Farms potatoes.

Stretched out beyond the farm stand is the raison d' ĂŞtre for Sheldon Farms: 40 acres of corn, 40 acres of potatoes, and an additional 25 acres of mixed vegetables.

Jasper Alexander, the chef-owner of Hattie's in Saratoga Springs and Wilton, said the freshness of the Sheldon's produce makes a significant difference in the quality of the dishes on his menu.

"We've been doing business Sheldon Farms for about seven years and get a large percentage of our produce from them throughout the year.

They provide all of our potatoes for the both restaurants and as well as cucumbers, corn, maple syrup and a variety of other items based on what they are growing for the season," he said. "People continually ask me what we do to make our mashed potatoes and french fries so good and my stock answer is that its the potatoes themselves not what we do the them that make the difference. They grow a variety of heirloom potatoes which have not been genetically modified in any way and contain the proper balance of starch to sugar. In addition, their farm stand is without peer in the area and is a place where people can truly come to understand the connection between the farm and the dinner table."

Sheldon Farms also provides produce and meat to a number of Albany restaurants, including 677 Prime (and other restaurants within The Mazzone Group), and the award-winning Yono's Restaurant on Chapel Street.

pulled pork, pork belly, rack loin chops," he said. "We even took a leg and are currently curing it in a wine room to make our own prosciutto which we'll serve this summer and fall." Purnomo said outstanding quality is only part of the reason he and his family buy from Sheldon Farms. "To be honest, it's more time and money to get locally sourced food. I can make a phone call to Sysco and they'd get it here faster and cheaper," he said. "But if I don't buy from Pat, it will affect her family directly. I can put a face with where we get our potatoes and that's a big part of it. As much as we love food, it's the people behind the food that matters more to us."

As the Sheldon's gear up for another busy season, Pat knows the work will be non-stop until mid-October. There will be farm stand duties, tending the crops, going to farmers markets, the weekly food events at the market (they're big on fish-frys and Slow Food luncheons), and of course, the weekly deliveries to the restaurants. It's a whirlwind pace that they gladly accept.

"We're passionate about what we do," said Pat. "And when you put your passion into it, people get it."

Sheldon Farms is located at 4363 Route 22 in Salem, N.Y. For more information call (518) 854-9252, or visit www.sheldonfarmsny.com

"We use their potatoes in everything," said Dominick Purnomo, who owns the restaurant with his parents, Donna and Yono. "We mash or puree the fingerlings and use the purple potatoes as french fries or simple roasted potatoes. In the fall we use the squash for ravioli stuffing and for soup, and my mother makes a great pumpkin cheesecake. We also have gallons of Sheldon Farms Maple Syrup in the back and use it for event-breakfasts at the hotel (Yono's is n the same building as The Hampton Inn), and to sweeten squash and parsnip purees and foi gras dishes."

Purnomo said they've recently begun experimenting with the savory wonders of the Sheldon's farm-raised pork. "We bought an entire pig from them last fall and used the entire thing for different dishes: ecolocalliving.com 35

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-Continued from Page 23

protein on the same acreage of land. We also use 20 times less water and create 100% less waste product. Upstate farmers can earn a better living when replacing meat and dairy production with organic leafy greens which are in ever increasing demand especially since our good old KALE has been declared a “superfood.” - If you want to know more about all these statistics, please ask me - see info below.

But Really? Kale Every Day?!

But really? Bacon every day?! Eggs every day? Gluten every day?

Fried oils and aspartame coke every day? We've accepted the tradition of those boring diets for centuries. Let's learn how to prepare kale in a hundred different ways, in green smoothies and in pestos, in marinated salads and dehydrated kale chips, in raw lasagna fillings and in raw veggie burritos, even in sweet green

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banana pudding - the possibilities are endless. And all these possibilities are good for us. There is simply no, zero, zilch, and I mean really not a single logical argument against organic raw plant foods. They will only make us healthier. Science is very, very clear on the fact that enzymes and essential fatty acids only exist in RAW, untreated foods. Science is equally clear on the fact that we need enzymes and essential fatty acids for healthy cell reproduction. Unhealthy or defective cell reproduction means that we become unhealthy, we can neither rebuild our bodies nor stop the unfettered expansion of faulty cells forming tumors and that means that we become sick, sicker and sicker. There are some basic truths on Planet Earth that are just so: for example, we parents get very worried when our children's fevers rise to 104, right? Because of what? Because if it rises to 106 degrees, life ends.

Let's Get Help - Summertime Is Ideal for Change Yes, because we recognize how difficult it is to re-pattern, to change our lifestyle, or even to raise our children differently, we need to seek help from those who came before us and dared to be different. Luckily, there are always a few forerunners who can show us the basics or guide us on our new path. Here are some local events that can help us change: “WHY RAW?” workshops at Honest Weight Co-op (ask for dates); a Gourmet Raw Food Dinner at Fifty South Restaurant on July 12; Dr. Brian Clement, director of the acclaimed Hippocrates Health Institute, speaks on “Creating a Disease-Free Future” at The Linda in Albany on July 17; in-home private and group raw food prep classes while singing, dancing and talking ;-)) - well, some… For more information call the locations or call Prof. Johanna Sophia at 518-795-5030, www.greenconsciouskids.com - don't be shy, we always have fun and soon you too will have no more headaches ;-O

Get some LOCAL LOVE in Lake Placid!

Text LakePlacid to 72727 for your chance to win a $10 GIFT CERTIFICATE redeemable at one of the fine establishments listed below! Plus receive additional offers throughout the summer.

Whether diving into one of the endless opportunities for outdoor adventure, or kicking back during the dog days of summer, Lake Placid is the ideal vacation destination for families, couples and backpackers looking for an escape. Lake Placid is a four-season destination, offering diverse experiences, outdoor adventures, unique events and an ever-changing backdrop to complement your favorite activities.

Enjoy the natural beauty, and embrace the timeless atmosphere in the heart of the Adirondacks.

The Farmhouse Restaurant & Crowing Cock Saloon Lake Placid's Newest Farm-to-Table Dining Experience NEW AMERICAN FARE • LOCAL FARM FRESH 2126 Saranac Avenue, Lake Placid Call 518-523-5371 for reservations

Alegria Garden Café Global Cuisine.

Locally Sourced.

2375 Saranac Avenue Lake Placid 518-523-0342 for reservations

Alegriacafe.com

Villla Vespa Pasta & Sauce Co. Take home our famous pasta sauce and quality food - share our family tradition with your family.

Locally made with love in small batches.

2250 Saranac Avenue, Lake Placid

518-523-9789 • Villavespa.net

GENERATIONS RESTAURANT at the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort Showcasing the Best of the Adirondack Harvest. Serving Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

2559 Main Street, Lake Placid 518-837-5052 for reservations GOLDEN-ARROW.COM ecolocalliving.com 41

Healthy Homes & Sustainable Landscapes: A HOME CONSULTATION AND SUSTAINABLE LIVING SERVICE STORY BY MICHELLE PRZEDWIECKI AND BILL SPRENGNETHER PHOTOGRAPHY BY CAROLINE SPRENGNETHER AND BILL SPRENGNETHER

When Bill Sprengnether and his wife Caroline moved into their first home they were full of excitement. They had found a historic Colonial that was in walking and biking distance to downtown, and it had a double lot for a large garden. This was important to Bill who is a landscape architect. After moving in and getting organized, they started to make the home their own with small changes and personal touches. However, the very first winter they had to take a break from their projects since they were both sick with respiratory infections. This seemed odd to them since they were generally healthy, and now they were both sick at the same time. Even more concerning, their young daughter was also sick. They started to notice a pattern and looked into what aspect of the new house was affecting their health. Since they had been fine until they turned on the heat that winter, they had someone come and clean out the air ducts. The company pulled out 5 pounds of dog hair, mold, dust and other particulates that were filling the ducts and being distributed through their home. When they addressed the underlying problem, their symptoms went away, to their relief.

This was the story that Bill told Michelle Przedwiecki of Sustainable Solutions for Healthy Homes when they met at a local coffee shop to talk about ways to help homeowners live more sustainably in both their homes and their yards. Bill was looking for a way to move Cardinal Direction, his landscape architecture business, towards working with individuals who are interested in improving their health and lives by changing how people interact with and relate to their outdoor environment, while ultimately reducing their cost of living.

When he met Michelle, who helps people to create healthier indoor environments and save money in the process, it was the perfect opportunity to create a consultation service that addresses both the interior and the exterior spaces of a property and works to create synergy between the two. The creation of Healthy Homes and Sustainable Landscapes combines the expertise of both Bill Sprengnether and Michelle Przedwiecki and allows homeowners to evaluate the overall health of their entire property.

Healthy Homes and Sustainable Landscapes is a service that combines traditional design consultation with the style and approach of a “Green� lifestyle coach. At our initial consultation we complete a walkthrough analysis of your property and work with you to establish your goals. We then identify which issues you are interested in addressing, help you to put them in order of priority, feasibility, and convenience.

We identify some things to try this week, this month, this year, or even help make a ten-year plan for larger renovation projects. We work with you and your household to propose strategies, which will improve your health and limit your expenses. Together we can reach your long-term goals. It is important to remember that you cannot do everything, but everyone can do something and we can lead and coach you through the prioritization and decision making process.

There has been a lot of talk about Green Homes. But what does it all mean? A Green Home begins with responsible lot and site development and is also designed for efficient use of energy, water, natural resources, and indoor environmental quality. Michelle Przedwiecki is a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty Saratoga Springs, and she has earned the National Association of Realtors GREEN designation.

Michelle is trained in understanding what makes a property green, helping clients evaluate the cost/benefits of environmentally friendly and energy efficient building features and practices, and helping consumers see a property's potential for sustainability. Before becoming a Realtor, she worked in Public Health and Science Education

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and realized that one of the most important environmental factors affecting people's health is their home.

Although housing conditions have long been seen as factors that affect personal health, many people do not realize that about 24% of all disease is caused by avoidable environmental exposures (according to the Environmental Protection Agency). The key word here is “Avoidable”. This is actually very empowering in that when you pay attention to symptoms and patterns, there are things that you can do, and choices that you can make to improve your environment, and your own health.

The good news is that making these changes is not only good for the environment, it also saves you money. The Sprengnether's story about their first winter in their new home is only one example of how your interior environment can affect your health. How many people in this situation would have started to self-medicate to relieve the symptoms and not pay attention to the underlying causes? How many people are living with chronic fatigue, respiratory symptoms, headaches, earaches, behavioral challenges and other symptoms?

Many people are concerned about the cost of making changes to their home, but how much are they paying for medications and copays, not to mention lost productivity, and missed days at work and school? How can you put a price on your health?

Changing your landscape can also have a significant return on investment. Proper stewardship of your land, growing your own food, designing your outdoor space to encourage interaction with nature, and using your landscape to mitigate energy use all help to reduce your monthly expenses. Changes to the property on both the interior and the exterior can help to reduce your utility bills as well as make you happier and healthier.

One of Bill Sprengnether's primary tasks in establishing a backyard habitat suited to your sustainability goals is to work with a client is to reduce lawn by creating habitat or transforming it into a working landscape that reduces energy use and produces food. This is accomplished through the use of native plantings and edible food products in creative arrangements with natural and existing features like walls and rocks. This creates outdoor living spaces for people and our wild animal neighbors that provide us with increased opportunities to appreciate nature. Similarly, Michelle Przedwiecki likes to help people find ways to reduce stress by finding ways to live more harmoniously with their existing floorplan, as well as choosing healthy home furnishings and finishes such as wall and floor coverings that improve indoor air quality. She can even show you some simple changes that you can make on your weekly shopping trip that will start to have an impact on how you feel.

Even if you have already made the choice to live a greener, more sustainable lifestyle, there is a lot of information out there, and it can be overwhelming. There is also a lot of misinformation and misleading marketing, to the point where almost everything is now labeled “Green”. This is where it is ideal to have a team of experienced professionals who can look at the big picture and help you to break it down into Action Steps that you can use that fit into both your lifestyle and your budget.

Give us a call and let us know how Healthy Homes and Sustainable Landscapes can help you to make your home healthier, both inside and outside. For more Information go to www.myhealthyhomesolutions.com

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Eco-LOCAL People

The Frank Family of Saratoga Springs Richard Frank has owned and operated Four Seasons Natural Foods in downtown Saratoga Springs since 1990

Meet the Frank Family of Saratoga Springs. Richard Frank has owned and operated Four Seasons Natural Foods in downtown Saratoga Springs since 1990. He and wife Katie married in 1997 and have two children Quinn, 8 and Molly 4. Richard has been on the Board of the Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs for 5 years and a supporter for many more.

Four Seasons Natural Foods is the go-to spot in Saratoga Springs to find natural and organic foods. It’s also a great meeting place, where you can bump into other foodie friends in the bulk isle or in the café while feasting on their legendary vegetarian buffet. Under the leadership of the Franks, Four Seasons has been able to make small but important steps towards sustainability: composting/ recycling 90% of its waste stream, using 100% green power, thermal solar panels for hot water production, using a ultra high efficiency boiler, auditing its energy consumption and efficiency, and offering more choices in local ingredients, produce and merchandise. Richard and Katie have lived near Congress Park for 20 years, renting, renovating and building in three homes over the years. In 2010, the new home they built on an infill city lot, receiving LEED Platinum certification.

Eco-LOCAL Living: How long have you been in business and what inspired you to get started?

RF: A friend of mine's father was macrobiotic when I was in High School. The idea that what we eat can truly effect our health and our world was a new concept to me. I started to change my diet. After college, I began to further explore this relationship when I met the owners of Four Seasons, Bob and Isabelle Landes. I joined them in 1990 as a partner and bought them out in 1991.

ELL: What's the best part about your job?

RF: Being part of our community, knowing my customers and staff, and believing in the products and the service we offer. I care about our city and our downtown and I enjoy playing a small role in life here.

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ELL: Why do you choose to operate your business in Saratoga Springs as opposed to somewhere else?

RF: I grew up spending summers in the area and loved it here. The close proximity to the Adirondacks and the small city with a vibrant downtown and nice architecture made it attractive.

ELL: Why do you think it’s important to keep it local?

RF: We all do the best we can--our world is interconnected and its nearly impossible to do everything 100% local. However, generally, local businesses are smaller and more personal. If you shop and support a place, you get to know the staff and the owner. It gives you a feeling of connection and the ability to have your voice heard at the business in good times and bad. These acquaintance and friendships that you make over time add up to give you a feeling of place and connection in the world. Plus, the money you spend has a good chance of being re-spent nearby--this has to be beneficial to a local area. Sometimes a good Target run hits the spot, but a world of only that would be a bit sad and lonely.

ELL: What locally owned business (other than your own) could you not live without?

RF: Many--Allerdice and Quality Hardware, Encounter Boutique (Of course, I could live without it, but Katie couldn't), McCormick Carpentry, Saratoga Restaurant Equipment Sales, Black Iris, Garden of Eve Plants to name a few.

ELL: What are some of the things you do to help make the world a little bit better?

RF: Work on my inner self to be a better person (at least I try), bike to work, eat less processed foods, support local businesses, volunteer with non-profits in which I believe ELL: What do you like to do in your free time?

DD: What is free time? (House, business, kids, wife, volunteering, exercising) ELL: What's the best advice you've ever received?

RF: My grandmother had Reinhold Niebuhr's Serenity Prayer on her wall. She began by reading it to me as a child, then I would read it on my own. It's simple to understand, harder to practice. God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, And wisdom to know the difference.

ELL: Our Facebook fans want to know: What is it that sets you apart and promotes loyal, repeat business?

RF: We try to treat people fairly and offer a good selection of products at a reasonable price. We serve (and know many) our customers and respond to them in a humanistic way.

ELL: Our Twitter followers want to know: What drives you to keep doing what you do?

RF: Believing in the products we make and sell and enjoying most of the day.

Four Seasons Natural Foods is located at 33 Phila Street in Saratoga Springs, and online at fourseasonsnaturalfoods.com

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