Green Living April 2019

APRIL 2019

Happy Earth Day WE’RE HANDING THIS PLANET OFF TO OUR CHILDREN. LET’S SHOW THEM HOW TO TAKE CARE OF IT.

ECO-ACTIVISM / Tips for getting involved CLIMATE CHANGE / Who’s the culprit, man or nature?

TREES MATTER / Growing a local tree canopy US $5.95

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CONTENTS

APRIL 2019

LIVE

WORK

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SO YOU WANT TO BE AN ECO-ACTIVIST? THINK LOCAL!

CHALLENGES OF CLIMATE CHANGE 24 THE Who’s the culprit – man or nature?

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WITH LOVE (IN HONOR OF AUTISM MONTH)

OR PRINT MEDIA? THAT IS THE 27 DIGITAL QUESTION

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WEAVING EMPOWERMENT

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THROWING SHADE

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FASHION: IT’S TIME FOR A REVOLUTION

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KEEPING YOUR PET FROM BEING SICK AS A DOG

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RIC COGGINS’ CANCER RECOVERY JOURNEY

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MY PERSONAL JOURNEY IN ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY

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SUSTAINABLE YOU… ONE THING YOU CAN DO It is possible to create a plastic-free kitchen

36 RECIPES Food from the earth

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THE FUTURE OF FOOD: TECHNOLOGIES THAT FEED US

RESTAURANTS ACROSS 38 VEGAN/VEGETARIAN THE STATE

Tips for aspiring eco-activists

One family’s journey in health and sustainability

Social entrepreneurship empowers Guatemalan women Trees Matter builds Phoenix’s tree canopy The relationship between environment and fashion

The answer may be “both”

LOCALLY TO BUILD A STRONGER 28 BANK ARIZONA ECONOMY

Find out how and why to consider making the switch

31

THE RISE OF NET-ZERO HOMES IN AMERICA Why energy-efficient homes are all the rage

IMPACT OF ENVIRONMENTAL TOXINS 32 THE ON FERTILITY

Could air pollution be causing declining global birth rates?

Understanding your pet’s symptoms

Healing and health through a whole food, plant-based diet

Tips for greening your trip to the grocery store

Hydroponics, Aquaponics, Aeroponics

PLAY ABOUT WILDLIFE MAKES BIG 34 CARING IMPACT

Liberty Wildlife combines compassion and conservation

Treat yourself on Earth Day

SCHOOLS, HEALTHY KIDS 20 HEALTHY Pueblo Nutrition Initiative brings healthy lunches to school

GREEN, SHE’S GREEN 40 HE’S Guilt-free Earth Day snacks

THE ARIZONA-SONORAN DESERT 22 GREENING MUSEUM

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A beautiful museum enjoys a sustainability makeover

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SPECIES PROTECTION CAMPAIGN HERALDS 2019 EARTH DAY Fighting to protect the birds and bees

ON THE COVER

2

Products that are good for you, good for the Earth

KIDS (WRITTEN FOR KIDS, BY KIDS) 42 GREEN Pilot dogs to the rescue NEW COOK IN THE KITCHEN 43 A9-year-old wins Kids Cooking Challenge YOU KNOW? 44 DID Fun green facts you should know

APRIL 2019

US $5.95

COOL OUTRAGEOUS STUFF

The things we do now (good or bad) have a greater impact on future generations than on us. We are handing this planet off to our children. What are we teaching them about how to take care of it?

greenliving | April 2019

SCENES 45 GREEN Earth Day events and what’s happening around Arizona CHAMPION 48 GREEN Manish Shah of the Maya Tea Company

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Yours in practicing a greener lifestyle PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF EDITOR COPY EDITOR ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR DESIGN

Dorie Morales Aimee Welch Michael Ziffer Kait Spielmaker Sly Panda Design

ADVISORY BOARD Ric Coggins Valerie Crosby Lori Diab Ken Edwins William Janhonen

Jon Kitchell John Martinson Mary McCormick Eric Olsen Thomas Williams

CONTRIBUTORS Abduraafi “Raafi” Andrian Thomas Barr David M. Brown Jennifer and John Burkhart Erna Carter Ric Coggins Hailey Colbrunn Debra Colodner Lindsey Dempsey Jordan Diab Grace Eiselstein Michelle Glicksman Dr. Rebekka Goodman

Corey Hawk David Hill William Janhonen Karen Langston Laura Madden David A. Schaller Kait Spielmaker Nikcole Thompson Sema Topin Emelina Vigier John Waechter Barbi Walker-Walsh Aimee Welch

MEDIA CONSULTANTS Daniel Liguori Lisa Racz John Waechter EDITORIAL INTERNS Abduraafi “Raafi” Andrian Sema Topin Nikcole Thompson

What makes you choose one dealership over another?

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GRAPHIC DESIGN INTERN Matthew Fisk PHOTOGRAPHY INTERNS Mavisu Kose Olaff Lopez SOCIAL MEDIA INTERN Corey Hawk

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Green Living magazine is a monthly publication by Traditional Media Group, LLC. Periodical rate postage paid at Scottsdale, AZ. Publisher assumes no responsibility for contributed manuscripts, editorial content, claims, reviews, photographs, artwork or advertisements. The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the company or official policies. Entire contents © 2019 Traditional Media Group. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of content in any manner without permission by the publisher is strictly prohibited. Opinions expressed in signed columns and articles do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. Submissions will not be returned unless arranged to do so in writing. One print subscription is $39 per year or digital subscription is $12 per year. Canadian orders please add $13 per year for shipping and handling. International orders add $22 per year for shipping and handling. Bulk and/or corporate rates available. No representation is made as to the accuracy hereof and is printed subject to errors and omissions. Green Living magazine is printed on recycled paper.

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April 2019 | greenliving

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Letter from the Editor Happy Earth Month!

You probably already know that April 22 is Earth Day. This year marks the 49th anniversary of the “birth of the modern environmental movement” inspired by former Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson after witnessing the aftermath of the 1969 oil spill in California. The first Earth Day in 1970 was the catalyst for change, soon followed by the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species Acts. The last Friday in April is also when we celebrate Arbor Day. So, in honor and celebration of our Earth, air, water, animals and trees, we are excited to share this issue with you!

One of our articles this month is about Liberty Wildlife, a Phoenix organization dedicated to wildlife rehabilitation. This one is close to my heart because Liberty Wildlife volunteers have been to my house on four different occasions to rescue adolescent owls who have unsuccessfully fledged from the nest and stranded themselves under our grapefruit tree in the hottest part of summer. My kids and I delivered another owl to their beautiful facility and watched as they examined him in preparation for his rehabilitation. Happy endings for all of the owls!

You’ll also find articles on climate change, the importance of trees, eating green, living green, and people and businesses dedicated to protecting our Earth and its creatures through thoughtful, selfless actions. I learned so much as I read through these stories and felt surprised, enlightened and inspired along the way. Like so many of us, I wholeheartedly believe in doing whatever I can, whatever we can, to take better care of our planet. But even the best intentions are stifled by life’s hectic pace. This issue inspired me to take action… to find ways to reduce my own footprint and to give more of my time. There are lots of Earth Day events to choose from in this month’s Green Scenes, making it easy to walk the walk. I hope it inspires you too!

Happy Earth Month and Arbor Day! Best,

Aimee Welch

Aimee Welch, Editor

Whoops, we all make mistakes! Please note the following corrections from the March issue.

All of the photos from the Eco Event Recap on page 24 were taken by Roberto Daniele.

You can view them here: https://tinyurl.com/ GLEcoEvent The photo from A Place for Everything and Everything in its Place on page 12 was shot by Nathan Dumlao.

Tim from Liberty Wildlife came to rescue this owl who had a rough landing from his nest in our backyard. He took the time to educate and reassure my daughter and her friend about “Barney”.

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greenliving | April 2019

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SO YOU WANT TO BE AN ECO-ACTIVIST?

THINK LOCAL!

BY DAVID R HILL

F

rom the Oxford English Dictionary: Eco-activist. A person engaged in vigorous social or political campaigns whose aim is to prevent damage to the environment.

I get it. Social awareness oftentimes brings pangs of anxiety or guilt, leading to a call to action. Perhaps you read online that yours is the first generation to see and feel the direct impacts of global climate change, as well as the last generation to be able to do anything to possibly forestall the certainty of its cataclysmic effects. You’re thinking about becoming an eco-activist.

In a broad sense, eco-activism involves not only an awareness of the need to safeguard the environment but also the human social justice issues at play. For example, while some eco-activists work to bring attention to the worsening effects of global climate change, others seek to give voice to those people (usually the poor and disenfranchised) who are most severely affected by the consequences of climate change.

My own personal journey with eco-activism began during college when I studied world food, population, and poverty issues. I had recently joined the local organic gardening club and persuaded the city council to let me establish a community model garden on a vacant lot. I amended the soil and cultivated enough food to feed a family of eight. I worked in the garden most days and answered questions from visitors about how to grow food at home. Better for the family budget; better for the planet. It was there that I first experienced the benefits of local eco-activism.

I understand why people want to save the rainforests, but I’ve found that my efforts generally have the greatest impact when I’m able to influence others, as well as the environment, closer to home. I recommend that you consider working as a local ecoactivist, contributing your individual talents and skills to a nearby community of like-minded folk.

And it’s not as if the greater Phoenix area isn’t in need of an entire legion of eco-activists! Whether or not you subscribe to the notion that Phoenix is in the throes of a slowly developing environmental catastrophe, I think we can agree that the Valley of the Sun is long overdue for concentrated strategies and efforts in order to develop a more sustainable living environment for its large and rapidly growing population.

Moreover, there already exist plenty of opportunities to partner with established eco-friendly groups and organizations that are dedicated to just that effort!

David Hill is the Coordinator for the On-Site Community Garden at Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, AZ. He is a founding member of Community Gardeners of Maricopa County and serves on the national board of directors for the American Community Gardening Association.

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4 TIPS FOR ASPIRING ECO-ACTIVISTS

1. Start small. Frequent farmers markets to support local, organic, sustainable food production, or join a community garden. Bike to work or use the light rail or Valley Metro. Landscape with plants adapted to our low desert climate to reduce water use. Compost kitchen scraps.

2. Do some research. There are so many causes that need advocates. Think about what really matters to you, and focus on that issue to get started.

3. Get involved. Find a local organization that feeds your eco-activist appetite and dive in! Maricopa County Food System Coalition works to support and grow a food system that is equitable, healthy, sustainable and thriving.

Several Meetup groups focus on environmental causes.

Local First Arizona Green Team and GreenDesert.org are great organizations for volunteering.

4. Share your passion. Use your voice, in person and on social media, to share your experiences, educate people on important issues, and inspire others to get involved.

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5

WITH LOVE

THE KITCHELLS ON FAMILY AND LIVING A CONSCIENTIOUS LIFESTYLE

BY MICHELLE GLICKSMAN

I

n Central Phoenix sits an older home, redeveloped and expanded in 1998, where a garden flourishes in the backyard and love emanates from the interior. The home is a testament to many things – a blended family, a daughter with special needs, a homebuilder who would later be inspired to save buildings and redevelop historic Valley locales, and a place to welcome the future. It’s also a place where the values of health, sustainability and community are at the heart of every decision.

FROM A HOUSE TO A HOME Leatrice and Jon Kitchell, who have known each other for 45 years and have now been married for 20, bought the home in 1998. At the time, Jon was a custom home builder. Today, he and Leatrice, along with partner Lorenzo Perez, own Venue Projects, a company that saves and redevelops historic buildings throughout the Valley, such as those at The Orchard and The Newton. Already conscious about saving locations and materials, the couple purchased an 800-square-foot, two-bedroom home on the property and turned it into a 2,400-squarefoot, five-bedroom home. They handled the demolition and redevelopment of the property themselves. Part of their goal was to create a space where both they and their daughter Lisanne could live indefinitely.

FIGHTING FOR FAMILY Both Leatrice and Jon came into their relationship with children from prior marriages. Leatrice’s daughter Lisanne

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greenliving | April 2019

Murray is now 39 and son Ryan Murray is 35. Jon’s son Towner Kitchell is also 35. When Lisanne was born, she suffered trauma at birth which caused her to have hydrocephalus. This led to autistic characteristics, which were then labeled autism.

Leatrice quickly became an advocate for her daughter, both medically and for appropriate placements. She worked tirelessly to find therapies, schools and programs that would address Lisanne’s challenges and help her to thrive as she grew up, giving her the best chance at a productive life.

When Lisanne had difficulty with verbal communication, she was taught sign language. She then progressed to speech. Lisanne continued to make strides, and as she got older, was placed in a program called High Star, where she stayed until she was 15.

By the time Lisanne was ready for high school, she was able to attend the Community Skills Program at North High School. “It was a very well contained program, but my daughter was scoring very high on tests and they wanted to mainstream her,” Leatrice shares. “She took Spanish, P.E., economics, and more. She was Student of the Month in Spanish class.”

Always brainstorming ways to help her daughter be independent, Leatrice created a buddy system program. “We started a buddy system so that she had someone who would accompany her to her classes until she wanted to do it on her own,” she explains. “That program has since allowed so many children with special needs to be on mainstream campuses.”

At 19, Lisanne was approached to join a new program at Metro greenlivingaz.com

Tech, a vocational high school. It was called START (Students Training for Achievable and Realistic Transitions) and provided training for those with special needs to learn a trade. Lisanne picked the food services program. She gained the necessary trade skills working in the Student Union, and when she graduated at age 22, the school offered her a job, her mom shares proudly.

THE FAMILY TODAY For 16 years, until the location underwent changes, Lisanne worked at the Student Union.

Today she is taking some time off, enjoying days spent at Arizona Recreation Center for the Handicapped (ARCH), where she continues to take academic classes. Towner lives in Phoenix, and Ryan lives in Portland, Ore., with his wife and two children.

The Kitchells have since welcomed another person into their home – Sia, a student from Pamela Young demonstrates a plank with Lisanne at Pamela Young Fitness.

Africa who came to the U.S. to attend college, currently lives with them. “We met this young woman when she LIVING A CONSCIENTIOUS LIFE was about 11 or 12 in Tanzania when we hiked Kilimanjaro. We know her father well,” Leatrice shares, explaining that they are In addition to saving historic buildings and choosing their on the board of K2 Adventures Foundation and that the couple diets carefully, both Leatrice and Jon work out four times a week worked with the organization to bring Sia here for school. with Pamela Young Fitness, and Lisanne joins them twice a week. Pam has focused on helping Lisanne with connecting brain The Kitchells’ home is still a haven, and in the years since, to motor skills, which is important for those with autism. they’ve purchased the property next door, turning it into a guest home. The garden they planted in the backyard is still the source The family also tries to live a sustainable lifestyle in every way of many of the family’s vegetables. In fact, everyone in the family possible, says Leatrice. “We are conscientious about the way we has been very intentional with their diets for many years. When live... not just the way we eat, but also the home that we’ve created Lisanne was about 8 years old, Leatrice had switched their diets for us to live in, and [what we do] in our business.” to mostly dairy-free, gluten-free and grain-free when she read studies indicating it could help her health. It did, and the family Michelle Glicksman is a writer and editor who specializes in has continued to eat that way ever since. Jon, inspired by his lifestyle, travel, community, business and environmental stories and own father’s health issues, is a longtime vegetarian and had been publications. She can be found on instagram at @michelleglicksman. vegan, as well.

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April 2019 | greenliving

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WEAVING EMPOWERMENT

SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND TOURISM IN GUATEMALA

BY DR. REBEKKA GOODMAN

T

he speed at which she pulled the thread through the loom was hypnotizing. She was an older woman, but life in this part of Guatemala meant that she could have been 55 or 75 and it would have been hard to tell. She sat with her legs under her, the back strap low across her as she created the huipil (traditional woven blouse) that represented her town.

This fantastic creation, however, was not going to be worn by any of her family or other community members. Instead, it would be sold by the co-operative of which she was a part to a tourist who, like myself, would probably frame it and mount it on a wall; a souvenir of their trip to Guatemala. The huipil, along with other beautiful textiles created by the women in this co-op, serves as so much more than just a souvenir. It is a symbol of empowerment and the new role tourism plays in solving global problems, rather than contributing to them.

In the last decade, female-run co-ops like this one in San Juan la Laguna have been popping up all over Guatemala Learning to weave and supporting women’s co-operatives in San Juan la Laguna, Guatemala. Photo by Dr. Rebekka Goodman.

through what has proven to be a beautiful synthesis between non-governmental organizations (NGOs), local communities, and tourism. Tourism used to be a top-down development strategy offered up by foreign investment with little input from local communities and even less economic gain. After the civil war officially ended in Guatemala in 1996, tourism grew, with Mayan cultural sites and UNESCO cities bringing in modest backpackers to the area.

As the tourism industry continued to grow, technology and a strong demand for the colorful textiles created an industry of cheap knockoffs. Predatory websites facilitated sales but returned only small gains to local people. This is where the local NGOs came in. Equipping women with micro credit loans, community co-ops set up shops, selling their wares to tourists, and cutting out the middleman. Making their own profits allowed these women to use that money to educate their children and provide health care in a country that still struggles with high poverty, illiteracy, and low life expectancy.

My first visit to Guatemala was in the summer of 1993.

Now, as faculty at ASU’s School of Community Resources and Development, I have taken five groups of students to visit and study the co-operatives over summers and spring breaks.

Working with both local NGOs and international non-profits, we are able to see firsthand how social entrepreneurship is empowering women to be a part of the tourism economy rather than victims of it.

It is no secret that tourism plays a vital role in our journey toward a more sustainable and just world. Through cultural exchanges, we begin to recognize how intertwined our fates are and how important it is to support each other, our communities, and the environment through our everyday choices. As I tried to talk myself out of buying yet another beautiful huipil, I watched the students and my daughter, who accompanied me on this most recent trip, learn from the woman weaving, all the while explaining how locals dyed their cotton organically and spun it before it finally made its way to the loom. I noticed the similarities between us. As mothers and teachers, we are both passionate about what we do, as we see the value of travel and tourism in changing lives – her, through her weaving, and me, through my teaching.

Special thanks goes to Via International and the Center for Sustainable Tourism. Learn more at www.viainternational.org and www.scrd.asu.edu/sustainabletourism.

Dr. Rebekka Goodman is a lecturer at ASU’s School of Community Resources and Development and Director of the Master of Sustainable Tourism degree. She also creates and runs diverse study abroad programs for the school that focus on sustainable tourism and community development.

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greenliving | April 2019

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Water

Waste

Travel

Transportation

Health

Food

Fashion

Energy

Education

Building

Air

11 Pillars of Sustainability

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April 2019 | greenliving

9

THROWING SHADE

Photos courtesy of Trees Matter

TREES MATTER PLANTS SEEDS OF CHANGE ACROSS THE VALLEY

BY AIMEE WELCH

T

he weather is warming up, flowers are blooming, trees are sprouting brand new leaves – April is the perfect month to celebrate Earth Day… and Arbor Day! Trees provide shade, help reduce pollution and dust, and provide food and shelter for animals. Trees help us reduce stress, lowering blood pressure and releasing muscle tension. They increase property values, absorb carbon dioxide and other gases, and release oxygen into the air. One large tree can provide a day’s supply of oxygen for up to four people. Aimee Esposito is the executive director of Trees Matter, a Phoenix-based environmental education nonprofit dedicated to finding ways to increase the tree canopy in the Valley to provide shade, especially to the most vulnerable, and educate people so generations to come can enjoy the benefits of trees.

Aimee Welch (AW): One of the goals of Trees Matter is to

promote an increased tree canopy in the Valley. Why is that so important?

Aimee Esposito (AE): As trees grow and age, they get stronger, unlike other forms of infrastructure like roads or buildings.

Planting new trees and maintaining trees we already have provides a better future for the Valley of the Sun. When we invest in trees, we invest in better health and richer communities.

Trees reduce pollution, reduce stress, and encourage people to go outside and enjoy the world while also getting some exercise.

More importantly, trees combat our excessive heat issues by

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greenliving | April 2019

providing shade and putting out water into the air through transpiration. Unfortunately, in some areas of the Valley there is a disparity of trees. These communities tend to be lower-income and are more susceptible to the dangers of heat. We prioritize these areas when looking at increasing trees in the community.

AW: What role does Trees Matter play in helping to promote

this cause?

AE: We have multiple programs that help shade the Valley.

One of our programs is with the Salt River Project (SRP) where thousands of homeowners and renters come to a class to learn the importance of strategically planting and caring for trees to reduce the need for energy use. One of our newer programs, Trees for Schools, focuses on the equity issue of trees by prioritizing schools in lower-income areas lacking shade. This is a fun and engaging experience for students, who gain the hands-on learning experience of both planting a tree and investing in their community and school campus. On the tastier side, our Urban Food Forest program provides classes and events on local trees that provide food, including native trees like Mesquite. It’s a fun and flavorful way to learn about another benefit our trees provide. We also provide an “Ask an Arborist” Facebook group where anyone can ask a question about their trees and get a response from a volunteer arborist.

To aid in this, we have a tree database with a list of tree species that grow in the Valley. Finally, we are working on an advocacy greenlivingaz.com

resource page where citizens can learn how to help advocate on tree issues with their local government.

AW: Are you ever surprised by the reactions you get from people

as you educate them about the current situation with regards to trees?

AE: Our community intuitively knows we need more trees. Our challenge is that we have a great deal of people who moved here from somewhere else and may think trees don’t grow here or have trouble knowing how to plant and grow trees in an urban desert area. One of the most surprising aspects of our work for people is that trees provide food they never realized. For instance, when Palo Verdes have green pods around late March to April, you can eat them right off the tree, throw them in a salad, or steam them like edamame. The more mindful we are about the trees around us, the more likely we will value them. That’s where our Urban Food Forest program excels.

where for now and the future, all generations have lifelong access to the benefits of trees. If we want to have this vision, we need to maintain and protect the trees we have now and plant even more for our future.

AW: What do you feel is the biggest threat to the tree canopy in

the Valley?

AE: Our biggest threat to trees is systematic. It’s the disappearing green spaces and land for trees. It’s also a lack of understanding of what a tree needs to thrive, and the lack of funding for tree maintenance and plantings. For developers, many times trees are the last aspect of a plan, and their roots or canopies are not considered when planted. For cities, capacity to plant and maintain trees is a challenge. For residential areas, there is an educational need on how to plant and properly care for a tree. For landscapers, many are not arborists and are not trained to prune trees, and a badly pruned tree may die or never meet its full potential.

AW: In a perfect world, what does the tree canopy in the Valley

look like 20 years from now?

AE: It is tree-lined streets, especially at bus stops and major pedestrian areas. It is trees planted at homes where they will help beautify and cool their houses. It is clusters of trees in pocket parks and more tree areas in our larger parks. It is a diversity of tree species that people are excited to engage with, whether it is to sit under, walk by, climb, or eat from. Our vision is a Valley greenlivingaz.com

AW: What is one key takeaway you can give readers who want to

do something good to help trees this Earth Day? AE: We love April because it has both Earth Day and Arbor Day [last Friday in April]. We recommend planting a tree in your yard, let your council person know you care about trees, or you can sign up to volunteer with us! Visit us at www.treesmatter.org.

Aimee Welch is a freelance writer and the editor of Green Living Magazine. She lives in Chandler, Arizona with her family.

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April 2019 | greenliving

11

FASHION: IT’S TIME FOR A REVOLUTION

BY LAURA MADDEN

WHAT YOU CAN DO AT HOME:

1. Shop your own closet; restyle and repurpose the clothing you already have.

2. Host or attend a clothing swap.

3. Shop secondhand (the most sustainable means of shopping).

4. Repair what you already own.

5. Sell, consign or donate unwanted items.

6. Wash your clothing in cold water, only when needed, and air dry.

7. Shop local.

8. Shop from sustainable and ethically produced brands. (www.remake.world) 9. Purchase natural fabrics such as cotton, wool, linen, silk, hemp, cashmere, alpaca, which use fewer chemicals and less energy to produce.

Photo courtesy of Goodwill AZ. Clothing provided by Goodwill AZ, styled by Laura Madden.

F

or most of us sustainability lovers, April is a month to celebrate our planet Earth; it’s Earth Month! But if you are new to the sustainable fashion movement, you might not be aware that April marks a significant turning point in fashion too: Fashion Revolution Week.

On April 24, 2013, Rana Plaza factory in Bangladesh collapsed, killing over 1,000 garment workers and injuring many more. The following year, Fashion Revolution Week became a global movement held on the anniversary of this horrific tragedy to demand greater transparency, sustainability and ethics in the fashion industry.

Fashion Revolution Week 2019 takes place from April 22 to April 28. This month there are two global commemorative events, Earth Day and Fashion Revolution, that coincide, shining a spotlight on how intimately the environment and fashion industry are interwoven. All garments essentially originate from the Earth’s resources – soil, water, crops and energy.

Unfortunately, at this time, the fashion industry demands more resources than the planet is able to provide. Something must change. The industry must slow down. The good news is that it starts with us; there is a lot we can do to revolutionize how fashion is fashioned.

For starters, we all can take part in joining the Fashion Revolution. This can be as simple as making small changes in our everyday choices and our purchases. Every small step we take creates a ripple effect that contributes to a massive global movement over time.

Join the Fashion Revolution Week #whomademyclothes campaign and reach out to clothing brands on social media using the hashtag; brands and producers are encouraged to respond with the

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greenliving | April 2019

10. Rent or borrow instead of purchasing to slow down the demand on the fashion industry to produce faster, cheaper clothing.

hashtag #imadeyourclothes sharing who and where your clothes were made to demonstrate transparency in their supply chain.

Fashion Revolution was developed to create lasting change, raise awareness, and unite consumers and brands to work together to change the way our clothes are sourced, produced and consumed. If we as consumers demand transparency, brands will be forced to adopt environmentally and ethically fair practices to protect both the planet and the people who make our clothes.

It’s time for a revolution. It starts with you and me – all of us can contribute to the making of a more fair and just fashion industry.

Unfortunately, there is a tremendous human and environmental cost to fashion that this industry does not want you to know about.

Many garment workers are not only treated unfairly, but they are often forced to work in inhumane working conditions and are even abused. The fashion industry is still one of the largest polluters of the Earth. I first became aware of these environmental and ethical injustices through the documentary The True Cost. If you have not seen it, please do. I will also be holding a webinar this month (April 10, 12 pm at http://bit.ly/REFASH) sharing my own personal CliffsNotes version of curating a sustainable wardrobe.

Laura Madden is a sustainable fashion advocate, influencer, stylist and model who reports on the intersection of style, sustainability and selfesteem on both her blog, the ReFashion Report, and various conscious lifestyle publications. Laura also serves as a global ambassador for nonprofit Remake, a board member with San Francisco Fashion Community Week, and is a co-founder of AZ Sustainable Fashion. For more sustainable style and shopping tips, check out www.iamlauramadden.com and follow her on instagram @iamlauramadden.

greenlivingaz.com

PETS GET COLDS, TOO

KEEPING YOUR PET FROM BEING “SICK AS A DOG”

BY ABDURAAFI ANDRIAN

I

s your dog acting a bit sluggish after a weekend trip to Flagstaff? It might not just be a side effect of the snowy hike or sledding adventure – your dog might be coming down with a cold or even the flu.

Pets, just like humans, are susceptible to different types of illnesses. Dr. Matthew Goetz, medical director for the Arizona Animal Welfare League, shares with us his expertise on the subject.

Green Living (GL): How you can tell if your pet has developed

a cold?

Dr. Goetz (MG): Because pets cannot verbalize that they are

not feeling well to us, owners need to be aware of symptoms to look for. This can include things such as decreased appetite or activity level, coughing/sneezing, runny eyes or nasal discharge.

One of the most common illnesses we see in our pets is an upper respiratory infection.

dogs and cats with upper respiratory infections at any time during the year.

GL: If a pet catches a cold, are they in more danger of other illnesses?

MG: Just like humans, if a pet does catch a “cold,” it could weaken

their immune systems and set them up for other diseases. Dogs and cats can develop pneumonia from an upper respiratory infection.

GL: When is the right time to go to the vet?

MG: You know your pet best, so if your pet seems off or is acting

abnormally, it is always best to take your pet to the vet to get checked out. To you it might just have a cough, but it could be something more serious such as a heart condition or Valley fever.

Abduraafi Andrian is an international student from Indonesia studying journalism and literature at Scottsdale Community College.

GL: What are the main symptoms you see?

MG: Symptoms include sneezing or coughing, nasal discharge,

runny eyes and maybe warm to the touch (fever).

GL: Is there anything you can do to help prevent it?

MG: As with humans, getting your pet vaccinated against

common diseases is one of the best ways to prevent them from getting sick. Bordetella is a vaccine that is available at any vet office and may help prevent some upper respiratory infections. If you think about it, humans tend to develop colds after traveling or other activities that can weaken our immune system. It is also common for a dog or cat to develop an illness after experiencing a high level of stress, as this can weaken their immune systems and predispose them to developing colds.

GL: What should we do if they do get sick?

MG: If you suspect your pet has developed a “cold” or other

illness, it is best to take them to your veterinarian, as they have the knowledge to correctly diagnose and treat the illness. Avoid using Dr. Google, as you could miss something that might be important to help in the treatment of your pet. Until the illness has been addressed, you should avoid places like dog parks or doggie daycare, as it may be contagious to other animals.

GL: When is the common cold season for pets?

MG: There isn’t really a cold season for pets. I frequently see greenlivingaz.com

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April 2019 | greenliving

13

THE WHOLE FOOD, PLANT-BASED DIET

Photos by Don Crossland

PART 4 OF RIC COGGINS’ JOURNEY INTO CANCER RECOVERY

T

he topic of the “ideal diet” has long been highly debated. I learned this quickly when I was confronted with a cancer diagnosis and the realization that my diet may have contributed to the state I was in.

Looking at the numbers alone, diet is a huge factor! Eating the obligatory three meals a day, not including snacks, RIC COGGINS amounts to 1,095 meals per year… over a thousand “doses” of whatever it is you put in your mouth. The question to ask yourself is… will you have taken a thousand steps closer to health, or a thousand steps in a different direction?

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greenliving | April 2019

I was raised, pretty much, as an omnivore. I had access to great organic vegetables from my Dad’s one-acre garden, but I gravitated to the heavy meat-based diet of the Midwest. Meat and eggs for breakfast; hamburger for lunch; steak, chicken or fish for dinner… vegetables were for ornamentation. I continued that lifestyle until the ’90s when I heard what my itching ears desired to hear – eat meat, not carbs. I heard it from Dr. Perricone, but Dr. Atkins had been touting the same thing for years. YES! Mom was wrong, I did NOT need to eat my vegetables! From there, I embraced eating mainly animal protein. I didn’t know that animal fats and proteins take more effort to digest, and tax the immune system. And that’s with “clean” meat. Most of the meat we eat today is full of antibiotics, growth hormones and other concentrated toxins which take even more bandwidth in your immune system. greenlivingaz.com

By the time I was diagnosed with cancer, my preceding 60some years had afforded me no less than 65,000 “doses” of animal protein! I believe this lifestyle was a contributor to my contracting cancer. That eating animal fat and protein actually causes cancer is not a connection I am trying to make. That’s a different article. But a number of recent studies show that diets which avoid animal fats and proteins are actually helping people reverse cancer and other chronic diseases. Within days of learning I had cancer, I converted to a whole food, plant-based diet with the goal of freeing up my immune system bandwidth. I wanted my immune system free to fight cancer, not hamburger!

There’s a great deal of overlap between whole food, plantbased diets and vegetarian and vegan diets. While a whole food, plant-based diet does exclude meat, dairy and eggs, it’s not the same as a vegan diet, which is defined only by what it eliminates. A whole food, plant-based diet is defined also by what it emphasizes: a large variety of whole foods. The term “whole” describes foods that are minimally processed. This includes as many whole grains, fruits, vegetables and legumes as you want.

It also includes, in moderation, nuts, seeds, avocados, natural sweeteners, and certain soy or wheat products that don’t contain added fat.

Vegan diets, on the other hand, do not need to include “whole” foods. Grocery stores are full of highly processed vegan “equivalents” like vegan cheese, vegan burgers and sausage. When Steve Jobs, an avowed vegan for much of his life, died of cancer, many immediately pointed out that his avoidance of animal protein did not protect him. To be fair, Steve Jobs was known to dine heavily on the highly processed vegan “fake” hot dogs, hamburgers and cheeses, as prepared by his private chef. Some think these foods did not help his cancer and could have in part caused it.

Heavily processed foods are not part of a whole food, plantbased diet. This means avoiding highly refined grain products (e.g., white rice, white flour), foods containing added sugars or artificial sweeteners (e.g., confectioners’ sugar and high fructose corn syrup), and foods containing additional fat. greenlivingaz.com

I learned a great deal about how to develop and maintain my diet from Forks over Knives (www. forksoverknives.com). The organization has a great deal of free information, recipes and general instruction on how to successfully incorporate plant-based whole foods. Stores like Natural Grocers, Whole Foods and Sprouts cater to people following similar diets.

If you are currently fighting cancer, heart disease or any of a number of autoimmune disorders, you might want to consider taking the load off your digestion and immune system by switching to a whole food, plant-based regimen, even if only until after you are healed. But remember that it makes no sense to completely return to what got you sick in the first place. Moderation is the key!

If you haven’t had a cancer diagnosis (remember, cancer exists years before it can be diagnosed), the chances are one in two that you will. Just remember, this month you will have 93 opportunities to move closer to health or away from it.

Ric Coggins is a University of Arizona Master Gardener who grew up on a one-acre garden tended by his father, who was a regular contributor to Mother Earth News and Organic Gardening and Farming magazines.

Ric continues his father’s “green” traditions on a one-acre organic garden urban homestead in Mesa he calls The Fool on the Hill Farm.

Oxidizing (Lyme, Cancer): High dose vitamin C Ozone autohemotherapy Peroxide IPTLD℠ therapy Antixoxidants (Detox): Glutathione Lipoic acid B vitamin infusions (Myers cocktail) Poly-MVA Curcumin

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April 2019 | greenliving

15

MY PERSONAL JOURNEY IN ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY PART 3: NAVIGATING THE GROCERY STORE

BY KAIT SPIELMAKER

F

ood packaging is one of the toughest obstacles to overcome when going zero waste. As much as I would love to be my own Martha Stewart, our kitchen is smaller than your average cubicle. I also work and go to school full-time, which poses a challenge for the part of me that wants to spend all day making my own bread and yogurt. So I have to rely on my local grocery options.

I’m fortunate to live in a big city with an abundance of grocery stores and farmers markets. Over the last few months, I have adopted many mason jars and reusable plastic containers to use in the bulk section at Sprouts or when I hit the Phoenix Public Market on Saturday mornings. They’ll even weigh them for you in advance and deduct that amount at checkout, so you only pay for the product, not your containers. Buying in bulk has become my new best friend. My coffee beans, grains, produce, nuts, cooking supplies like flour, and even honey now come to my apartment without the plastic packaging.

This is great progress, but I’m not perfect. I bought one of those plastic packs of lettuce yesterday. Even if you have found a way to get a product using a non-plastic substitute, sometimes convenience wins. These little setbacks are going to happen and it’s easy to feel frustrated. Try not to be too hard on yourself.

Sometimes you will be too tired or too busy to take lettuce home and cut it up for lunch tomorrow. It’s ok. The goal is to swap as much plastic for reusables as possible, and every month I’m learning new life hacks and pro tips. It isn’t about being perfect.

This journey is about making a conscious effort to be better for your future self and the future of those around you. If every person could commit to omitting even a small portion of their plastic consumption, it would have a monumental impact.

ESSENTIALS FOR GOING WASTE-FREE (OR CLOSE TO IT) AT THE GROCERY STORE

• Reusable grocery bags • Produce bags • Reusable plastic or glass containers for grains, coffee, nuts, flour, granola, etc.

• Time

TIPS FOR GREENING YOUR GROCERY TRIP Whether you reside in a big city or small town, you can cut down your plastic packaging at the grocery store.

• Buy in bulk when possible (coffee, flour, etc.) or the biggest containers available. This way you’re buying less frequently and creating less waste.

• DON’T PUT YOUR PRODUCE IN PLASTIC BAGS OR BUY PREPACKAGED PRODUCE. Instead, purchase cost effective cotton produce bags that are 100% reusable.

As a disclaimer, these ideas are not unique. There are tons of articles and blogs on zero waste and finding ways to live more efficiently. Everyone does it their own way; this is my way. I research for recipes and low-waste tips to fit into my routine.

There are websites like Litterless that list all the zero-waste grocery stores by state.

Do your own research for things that are best suited for you.

This rapidly growing waste problem can only be solved when people come together, learn from one another, and ultimately grow into a new lifestyle together.

LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD If you have a grocery store that you love (for me it’s Trader Joe’s) that’s not being responsible, tell them. I used to shop primarily at Trader Joe’s because their selection is, in my opinion, unmatched. But when I decided to make the switch to mininmal waste, Trader Joe’s became basically impossible because of their packaging. I wrote to them and told them I was disappointed in their packaging and indifference toward their impact. Within two months, they released a statement saying they were phasing out all their plastic packaging over the next year and committing to a more conscious way of doing business. I know that my strongly worded email wasn’t what made them change, but I like to think it helped.

Kait is a Michigan native who relocated to Phoenix, Arizona and is the administrative coordinator at Green Living Magazine. She is an avid hiker and is working on her master’s degree in Sustainable Tourism at Arizona State University.

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greenliving | April 2019

greenlivingaz.com

SUSTAINABLEYOU One thing you can do...

CREATE A PLASTIC-FREE KITCHEN

BY KAREN LANGSTON

W

hen my daughter was younger, taking her lunch to school garnered excitement from her friends who wondered what would be on the menu clad in strange bottles and containers. Her food was always hot in a stainless steel thermos, with everything else stored in little jars.

Her lunch was an almost litterless and plastic-free affair, long before we were conscious of being eco-friendly.

THE HEALTH RAMIFICATIONS OF PLASTIC The real reason for this was for her health. The evidence is mounting on the negative health effects of plastic. Some plastic still contains bisphenol A (BPA), which studies prove is harmful to our endocrine and reproductive systems. Most manufacturers have replaced BPA with bisphenol S (BPS), which is just as toxic.

Other problems with “BPA free” and “safe” plastics include the use of anti-bacterial agents, additives and coatings manufactured into plastics, which studies from ScienceDaily and Brevia show migrate into foods stored in the containers. Even more frustrating is that manufacturers are not required to disclose what chemicals are used in plastic. Not only is this hazardous to our endocrine system, but it also negatively impacts our precious gut bacteria and our immune system.

GOING PLASTIC-FREE IS EASIER THAN YOU THINK We hear a lot about the environmental impact plastic is having on animals, birds and oceans. But we hear little about the health ramifications on humans. Going plastic-free in your kitchen is a good way to protect your family’s health and the environment.

Instead of using plastic wrap to wrap food, use jars with tight-fitting lids, bowls with a plate on top to keep the air out, or canning jars. Canning jars come in numerous shapes and sizes with universal lids. You can also use canning jars in the freezer.

Leave an inch or two of space for expansion so the glass doesn’t break. Write the date and contents on the glass with a permanent marker. It washes easily with soap and water.

For glass containers with plastic lids, use non-bleached parchment paper as a barrier between the lid and food to help stop the leaching of chemicals. Once the lid has worn and cracked, properly dispose of it and purchase non-toxic fabric bees wax cloths (available on Amazon) or make your own.

Using paper bags for trash is still an option. Here in the Valley, Recycled City (www.recycledcity.com) has a weekly service for picking up food scraps and leftovers. The food is composted to help create rich soil for local farms to grow fruits and vegetables.

If we are having our food scraps picked up and recycling greenlivingaz.com

Instead of using produce bags, reuse the mesh that comes with oranges and other products. Simply remove the paper tag and tie a knot.

everything else, what is truly garbage can fit into a paper bag.

Another win-win for the environment and our health.

Lunch packs from companies like Kid Basix (kid-basix. com) and New Wave (newwaveenviro.com) offer water bottles and food-grade stainless steel containers with clamp lids for a litterless and plastic-free lunch.

For carry-out food, restaurant leftovers, and drive-through coffee runs, bring your own mug and containers. Restaurant containers are usually plastic or worse, non-recyclable chemically laden styrofoam… not cool. Talk to the owner of your favorite restaurant and ask if they’re willing to change to environmentally friendly containers, or just bring your own. You could start a movement!

You can have a plastic-free kitchen! The more we say no to plastic, the more powerful our voice becomes, forcing manufacturers to make changes. And less plastic is a win-win situation for the health of your family and the environment.

Happy Earth Day! Karen Langston is a Certified Holistic Nutritionist working with clients on how to have three healthy poops a day. Poop well, be well.

HealthyGutAdvisor.com

April 2019 | greenliving

17

THE FUTURE OF FOOD: TECHNOLOGIES THAT FEED US

BY NIKCOLE THOMPSON

F

or the first time in U.S. history, urban agriculture was recognized in the legislation of the 2018 Farm Bill. This is fantastic news, as climate change and generations of overfarming have left our soils ravaged. Soil degradation, coupled with population density and water scarcity, is the perfect storm for a global food crisis. According to the United Nations, there will be more than 9 billion mouths to feed by 2050. Traditional agriculture, while flawed, does one thing well; it produces large quantities of food.

In the last 20 years, innovations like hydroponics, aquaponics and aeroponics have emerged. Using less space, less water and little-to-no natural sunlight, these methods of producing food have redefined agriculture. Moreover, the recent farm bill legislation will provide funding to ensure that the players in these systems have a fighting chance at proving their worth. These systems can produce an impressive amount of produce in small spaces, urban spaces, and even in outer space!

HYDROPONICS Hydroponics is a system which uses growing mediums in place of large plots of soil. The root system of the plant emerges in an oxygen-rich nutrient solution. While it can be technology- and capital-intensive, it provides a high yield when used in addition to or in conjunction with a greenhouse. Because it accounts for both the root and the aerial environment, production must take place inside a regulated or controlled structure. Because hydroponics is water-intensive, Arizona may not offer the ideal climate for this system. Brendan Woltman, owner of EcoGro, a one-stop supply shop for sustainable growing systems in Tucson, says that because of the high evaporation rate of hydroponics systems, EcoGro instead recommends aquaponics systems for Arizona backyards.

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greenliving | April 2019

AQUAPONICS Aquaponics takes hydroponics one step further. Aquaponics is a closed-loop system that uses fish, prawns, snails, or crayfish as a symbiotic addition to the hydroponic cycle. The aquatic animals supply nitrogen for the plants and, in return, the plants feed the aquatic animals. Jon Vitton, owner of Harvest 480 in Chandler, Arizona, uses aquaponics to grow some of his herbs and romaine lettuce. While he still supplements with necessary minerals, he feels the aquaponics system is very stable once it gets started. “I see the water in this system very much like pond water. In Arizona, I have found goldfish to be very good for my system,” says Vitton. “I started with tilapia, but found it much easier to source the goldfish and easier to keep up with nutrient production over the winter months because tilapia’s metabolism slows way down in the winter. I use a combination system of vertical towers and ebb and flow beds. I find benefits in both types,” Vitton says. Woltman is a proponent of aquaponic systems because they use 90 percent less water than hydroponics, they are lower input – not requiring synthetic nutrients – and beyond growing your greens, you are also growing your protein.

AEROPONICS Aeroponics is a system that grows plants without the use of a growing medium and with very little water – instead it essentially relies on oxygen, mist and LED light to produce plants. This system has been utilized by NASA scientists in space since the mid-’90s, and here on Earth, AeroFarms is making serious gains in the aeroponics industry. AeroFarms, a 69,000-square-foot operation based in Newark, New Jersey, is currently the world’s largest aeroponic farm and produces 2 million pounds of greens a year. Their greens are free of pesticides, and their patented greenlivingaz.com

technology uses 95 percent less water and 50 percent less fertilizer than traditional vegetable farming. They even employ the use of sensors on their growing trays, which collect data to track growth. The data is analyzed by scientists at MIT and Harvard, allowing improvements to be made with ease.

A NEW ERA IN FOOD An impending food crisis is a real concern, but these technological feats in agriculture give us tangible hope. It’s true that we have reached a critical point, but we can take solace in the fact that humans are doing remarkable work in the agricultural industry – locally and beyond. In Tucson, EcoGro is heavily involved with the community. They have partnered with the Fred G. Acosta Job Corps Center, the VA, Biosphere 2, local school districts and reservations to educate and empower the community to grow their own food using aquaponics.

On the first Tuesday of every month, EcoGro organizes a meetup at the University of Arizona called Tucson AquaPonics Project. For more information, visit www.meetup.com/ Tucson-AquaPonics-Project. To learn more about Harvest 480, visit www.harvest480.com. Visit www.aerofarms.com for information on aeroponics and AeroFarms.

f l e S t s e B Your Uncensored #bestselfuncensored

Photos courtesy of AeroFarms

Nikcole Thompson is a writer, mixed-media artist and editorial intern for Green Living Magazine based in Phoenix, Arizona. When she is not writing, she can be found among plants at the local nursery she works for or working on her Bachelor of Science at Arizona State University.

Follow her on Instagram @nlt.artworks.

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April 2019 | greenliving

19

HEALTHY SCHOOLS, HEALTHY KIDS PUEBLO NUTRITION INITIATIVE BRINGS HEALTHIER LUNCH OPTIONS TO SCOTTSDALE SCHOOLS

BY COREY HAWK

S

hea Wenk hushes two barking dogs, both adopted Pitbull-American Bulldog mixes, as she picks up the phone. “They’re old,” she explains. She saved them from euthanization. Wenk’s work with the Pueblo Nutrition Initiative, a group that works with Pueblo Elementary and the Scottsdale Unified School District to ensure all kids have healthy options at school, is indicative of the same passion that convinced her to rescue her dogs. She and other concerned parents were able to persuade their school’s nutrition department to get rid of almost all foods with MSG and high fructose corn syrup. No more Pop-Tarts, no more Doritos, and no more Cheetos.

During nutrition lessons with kids, Wenk learned that an average school lunch at Pueblo Elementary could contain as much sugar as three McDonald’s ice cream cones. “Why do I have to protect my kid from school and school lunches?” she asked.

But it wasn’t enough for Wenk to protect only her own kids. A previous foster mother, she felt an obligation to kids throughout the whole school district. “I don’t believe there’s such a thing as other people’s kids,” Wenk said. She explained that packing her own kids’ lunches solves only a small part of the problem. Many

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greenliving | April 2019

students don’t get exposure to healthy food at home, and that’s the bigger issue. Besides, Wenk says, if the students who struggle the most with reading are supposed to get the most attention from the teacher, why shouldn’t it be that way for nutrition?

Starting in January of this year, Pueblo Elementary started serving only what Wenk calls “power lunches” on Mondays and Wednesdays. These are lunches that the Pueblo Nutrition Initiative determined to be healthy. She said exclusively offering healthy food is important because healthy food initiatives in the past fell flat due to lack of interest from students.“They may offer this dinky-looking salad, but who’s going to take that when the other options are a corn dog, a hot dog and a Pop-Tart?” Wenk said.

Unfortunately, Wenk said getting rid of snacks entirely was off the table. “Every time a kid gets a school lunch, it brings a decent amount of money into the school,” she said. “And schools in Arizona need the money desperately.”

Wenk said her inspiration for teaching others to live a healthy lifestyle comes from her mother, who died of colon cancer when Wenk was only 26. “It blew my mind that someone who looked so healthy could be so ill,” she said. Her mother ate a diet that Wenk described as typical of modern Americans: lots of red meat and fast food. From then on, Wenk made it one of her life’s goals to educate people on living healthy.

Wenk said she’s excited to continue making progress with the Scottsdale Unified School District, now aiming at changing policy instead of tackling one school at a time. Still, her main focus now is marketing what she’s already created. “If we lose money because the kids don’t want healthier snacks, then it might go back to the way it was.”

Corey Hawk is a student of journalism at Arizona State University.

greenlivingaz.com

Celebrate Earth Day with Green Living Magazine and Keep Phoenix Beautiful 10-year Earth Day Event We love to celebrate Earth Day with our readers, partners and community members, and hope to see you on April 22! Come and visit us at the Simple Solutions Summit and our Upcycle Fashion Design Happy Hour to have fun, grow your network, and learn ways to come together as a community to take action and foster change. We hope to see you there!

Simple Solutions Summit

Upcycle Design Challenge and Happy Hour

In partnership with Keep Phoenix Beautiful, Alliance Bank, SRP, Venue Projects and Vitalyst, Green Living Magazine is proud to again host the annual Simple Solutions Summit – our flagship event for bringing Arizona’s green community together. Panelists from Plant Solutions, Waste Management, Valley Metro, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and more will share ways we can work together to minimize our impact on Mother Earth. The panelists won’t just cover water, waste and gardening, though. Jon Ford, the strategic missions director for Vitalyst, says most people think of sustainability through a narrow lens. “Our push as an organization is to help the invisible become visible,” he said. “A lot of the things about sustainability are pigeon-holed… whereas what we want to talk about is overall community well being.”

This event puts the FUN in fundraiser! Support five different nonprofits and have a good time, too! This happy hour, hosted in partnership with the City of Phoenix, Sister Power, Maricopa Air Quality Department, Ecosa and VeggiDome, concludes our Upcycle Fashion Design Challenge, which culminated in 10 creative costumes made from reused clothing by local designers.

Come vote for your favorite costume – the two winning designers will be featured in our magazine next month! This fundraiser supports Keep Phoenix Beautiful, Trees Matter, the Arizona Recycling Coalition, the Arizona Green Chamber, and the Arizona Sustainability Alliance.

Phoenix City Council Chambers, 10 am - 2 pm, 9:30 am check-in

10-11am 11am-12pm 12-1pm 1-2pm

Fashion Panel Connection of Education Between Air, Food and Health Sustainable Tourism and the Built Environment Eco-tank Start-up Faceoff Event

Enjoy great conversations and watch eco-conscious start-ups pitch their ideas to a panel of judges for their chance to shake up the green industry!

greenlivingaz.com

Irish Cultural Center, 4 - 7 pm

Here in Phoenix we have a goal of converting 40 percent of our waste by 2020, so the more people know about this, the easier it will be to attain this goal.

- Lucas Mariacher, City of Phoenix Zero-Waste Coordinator

Going and attending (the Summit) is important to keep relevant.

- Tina Wesoloskie, 2016 Summit panelist from the Maricopa County Travel Reduction Program

April 2019 | greenliving

21

GREENING THE DESERT MUSEUM

BY DEBRA COLODNER

T

he Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a zoo, botanical garden, natural history museum and art institute all rolled into one. Its mission is to inspire people to live in harmony with the natural world, a goal the Museum is striving for as well. This year the Museum took some important steps toward sustainability.

SOLAR ENERGY Thanks to help from Tucson Electric Power, NextEra Energy Resources and Trico Electric Cooperative, the Museum is now getting power from 667 solar panels at the Trico Community Sun Farm in Marana, AZ. These provide about 13 percent of the Museum’s annual demand, and as much as 30 percent of its power draw on a warm sunny day. Tucson Electric Power also helped install 42 new solar panels on site, which provide about 10 kW of electricity.

WATER CONSERVATION Water is one of the not-so-secret ingredients of the beauty of the Desert Museum’s gardens. Water conservation is one of our highest priorities. Of all the water used for irrigation, 96 percent is reclaimed! Water from aquatic exhibits flows into constructed wetlands on the Museum’s property, where the natural functions of plants, soils and microbes remove pollutants. A computerdriven Rainbird Maxicom system regulates irrigation and adjusts schedules in response to the weather. It also detects leaks and notifies staff of problems.

Rain water cistern on the new Art Classroom Building. Photo courtesy Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

The Museum’s new Art Institute classroom building (opened 2018) captures roof rainwater in a 700-gallon cistern as well as in a shallow detention and recharge basin. When the basin overflows, the water moves into a series of planters that spill into each other. The planters have the potential to collect 1,300 gallons annually. It may not sound like a lot of water, but to desert plants, this is a feast!

WASTE REDUCTION Museum staff members are expert “reducers, reusers and recyclers,” however the Mammalogy and Ornithology (M&O) staff are the recycling heroes for 2019! Many animal supplies come in Styrofoam coolers. M&O keepers hated to see these go to the landfill, so when the two facilities that were recycling Styrofoam stopped taking it this year, they got creative. One of our keepers reached out to Sam Levitz Furniture, and they agreed to recycle the Museum’s Styrofoam waste. M&O collected and delivered 323 lbs. of Styrofoam for recycling in the last year!

Keepers also collect plastic bags and deliver them to recycling stations at local grocery stores–approximately 2 lbs. of plastic bags a week. In the animal kitchen, they use empty grain bags for trash. When cleaning exhibits, keepers also use reusable buckets instead of plastic trash bags. Since their trash must be disposed of daily, they have avoided using more than 300 large plastic bags each year.

FOOD AND CATERING The Museum’s food service provider, Craft Culinary Concepts, is also a partner in greening the Museum. Over the last year, they reduced plastic waste by 80 percent by eliminating single-use plastic water bottles, plastic straws, lids and condiment cups. All packaging for on-site consumption is now compostable. They also installed new dishwashers, reducing water consumption by more than 65 percent, and source many products locally to reduce the carbon footprint from transportation. Craft Culinary Concepts is also a partner with Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch Program, with a 100 percent commitment to serving only sustainably sourced seafood products.

IT’S NOT ALWAYS EASY BEING GREEN Many of these sustainability actions are accomplished due to the dedication of staff and volunteers. Some, like reducing and reusing, happen naturally as the result of budget limitations.

Others happen only with help from our community. Special thanks go to the local businesses mentioned above!

Debra Colodner is Director of Conservation Education and Science at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Formerly an oceanographer, she’s now found solid ground leading science and education programs focused on controlling invasive species, promoting pollinator and other wild habitats, and generally fostering love, appreciation and understanding of the Sonoran Desert.

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greenlivingaz.com

SPECIES PROTECTION CAMPAIGN HERALDS 2019 EARTH DAY:

CITIZENS AIM TO STOP ROLLBACKS OF SPECIES PROTECTION LAWS

BY DAVID A. SCHALLER

I

f you are younger than 49 years old, you have never known a world without an Earth Day. Organizers of that first event in 1970 initially called it a “National Teach-in on the Environment,” but it quickly became known as Earth Day. Nationwide rallies drew 20 million people and helped galvanize support for a nascent environmental movement that will soon be a half-century old.

A smorgasbord of student volunteers from universities around the country made that first Earth Day a success. Soon a more permanent structure was needed to support the movement as it matured and went global in its reach.

Today, the Earth Day Network (EDN) provides that organizing nexus. It works year-round with tens of thousands of partners across the globe, 192 countries in all, to build a diverse, educated and active environmental movement.

EDN recently launched its 2019 Earth Day Campaign, Protect Our Species, focused on the protection of species threatened with extinction due to a myriad of human activities. The campaign has identified 2019 as a crucial year to advance and protect laws, policies, regulations, and international cooperation agreements for species protection that are now being threatened by governmental rollbacks.

Protect Our Species aims to educate and raise awareness of the accelerating rate of extinction of millions of species along with the causes and consequences of this phenomenon. It seeks policy victories to better protect broad groups of species as well as individual species and habitats.

Earth Day Network is especially focusing on species whose numbers are being obliterated by human activities such as climate change, deforestation, habitat loss, poaching, unsustainable agriculture, pollution and pesticides.

Human activities, of the type targeted by EDN, have systematically chipped away at the biological underpinnings of healthy ecosystems. How much species loss an ecosystem can withstand before unintended consequences occur, we can’t say for sure.

As with rivets popping off an airplane in flight, a few losses may be tolerable. At some point, a threshold is reached. When too many rivets pop away, catastrophic damage can occur. In an ecosystem, when species diminishment or extinction exceeds a certain point, the entire fabric of life can tear apart.

The inevitability of climate change is now acting as a multiplier of all the more conventional threats to biodiversity. On this, the occasion of Earth Day 49, climate change may well be the final frontier of the environmental movement – if we don’t quickly and decisively respond to climate, other species threats greenlivingaz.com

like poaching and pesticides may not matter as much. EDN President Kathleen Rogers remains hopeful, yet cautious: “We must educate and mobilize on a global level if we are to protect our species.”

David Schaller is a retired environmental scientist living in Tucson, where he writes on climate, water and energy security.

Learn more about

EARTH DAY 2019’s ‘PROTECT OUR SPECIES’ CAMPAIGN: Visit: www.earthday.org/campaigns Email: communications@earthday.org Call: (202) 518-0044

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EARTH DAY 2019

THE CHALLENGES OF CLIMATE CHANGE

BY DAVID M. BROWN

‘Climate change creates new risks and exacerbates existing vulnerabilities in communities across the United States, presenting growing challenges to human health and safety, quality of life, and the rate of economic growth.’ –Fourth National Climate Assessment, November 2018 CLIMATE CHANGE CHANGES ALL OF US n New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio proposes extending the $10 billion South Street Seaport project by two city blocks into the East River at the lowest-lying area of Manhattan. The land would primarily protect infrastructure such as subway line tunnels from flooding.

Along the Eastern seaboard, “sunny day flooding” in coastal Charleston and Miami breaches sea walls into city streets about 20 to 30 times annually. Near Nebraska’s Offutt Air Force Base in March, the flooding Missouri River inundated 80 buildings.

With glaciers melting in the Arctic, land mass that previously reflected heat from the Earth is reduced and sea levels rise.

In Brazil, denuded rainforest intensifies ecological imbalance, affecting temperatures and changing precipitation patterns.

Coral reefs continue dying around the world. On the low-lying Marshall Islands, near Australia, residents report corpses being washed away from their graves because of flooding. On islands worldwide, inhabitants plan Noah-like evacuations as their homelands are threatened with extinction. They fear becoming climate refugees.

And, in the desert Southwest, peaking summer temperatures have canceled small-jet takeoffs as tarmacs fail to provide the air density required for safe ascent. Will large commercial jets be grounded next – and the multibillion-dollar tourism economies of states such as Arizona threatened?

“The latest reports from the hundreds of distinguished

I

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scientists who contribute to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and to the U.S. National Climate Assessment conclude with high confidence that the Earth has warmed by about 1 degree Centigrade (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit) over the last century and that human activities, especially emissions of greenhouse gases, are responsible,” says Diana Liverman, Regents’ Professor in the School of Geography and Development at the University of Arizona.

WARMING UP THE GREENHOUSE The greenhouse effect occurs when the natural balance between the Earth’s retaining solar energy and reflecting it is altered; temperatures increase, sea levels rise and heavy rainfall events occur more frequently, including storms as intense as hurricanes.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) is the world’s largest archive of weather and climate information. Global data from millions of years are archived and used to describe the climate of the U.S. and the world, including how it has changed during the last century.

Climate refers to long-term averages of various measurements such as temperature, precipitation and air pressure. “Climate change refers to changes in the long-term average values,” explains David R. Easterling, Ph.D., a climate scientist at NOAA/NCEI in Asheville, North Carolina. Easterling directs the National Climate Assessment Technical Support Unit in the greenlivingaz.com

Center for Weather and Climate at NOAA, a part of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Long-term climate changes, occurring across thousands of years, depend on Earth/sun relations; these change the distribution of the solar energy onto the planet’s surface. For example, ice ages and interglacials, such as the one we are living in, result from Milankovitch Cycles. These are changes in the tilt of the Earth’s axis of rotation, from about 20 degrees to 24 degrees; how circular or elliptical our solar orbit is; and in what heavenly direction the axis points, such as currently toward the North Star.

Climate change during the last and this century, however, is caused by human activities including burning fossil fuels that emit carbon dioxide, methane and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Land-use change such as deforestation and the use of aerosols intensify the greenhouse effect. Ozone is another factor.

The Earth’s climate continues a long-term warming trend from increases in greenhouse gases. The past four years (2015– 2018) are the warmest since meteorological records started about 1880, Easterling says.

Year-to-year natural variability also occurs in response to events such as volcanic eruptions; these inject large amounts of aerosols into the atmosphere, slightly cooling the climate for about two years. “Because of this natural variability, each year is not always warmer than the previous year, but the long-term trend is warming,” he explains.

“These changes can be very rapid and are much more of an issue since the human civilization and the natural environment are tuned to the current climate,” he adds. “The climate changes in response to forcing factors, and there are no natural forcing factors that work on time scales such as the last 100 years and coming 100 years.”

Easterling is an editor of and contributor to the 2018 Fourth National Climate Assessment (NCA4). Mandated by the Global Change Research Act of 1990 and developed by the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP), NCA4 documents

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climate knowledge, impacts and trends across the U.S. to inform policy-making and build adaptation and resilience activities.

Approximately 300 authors and 13 federal agencies participated in the 1,600-page study, which discusses climate change issues such as health, economic performance, safety, transportation and infrastructure, food production and distribution, national security and military planning, and disaster risk management. (science2017.globalchange.gov and nca2018.globalchange.gov.)

THE WEATHER TOLLS FOR THEE In a February 2016 article for weather.com, James Crugnale identified “The 9 Most Endangered Islands in the World.”

These islands and atolls are meters or less above sea level, and some are imminently at risk. They are Antigua and Nevis in the Caribbean Sea; the Maldives in the Indian Ocean; and, in the Pacific Ocean, the Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Tonga, the Federated States of Micronesia and the Cook Islands.

Off the northeast coast of New Zealand, the 15 Cook Islands are variously threatened by sea level rise, causing coastal erosion; invasive pests, diseases and plants; increased drought and flooding events; coral bleaching; ocean acidification; and reduced food and water security because of salinization of groundwater and droughts, explains John Hay, an adjunct professor at the University of the South Pacific campus on Rarotonga, the capital island, where he lives.

Diseases like dengue, zika, chikungunya and other arboviruses are transmitted to humans through the bites of infected Aedes mosquitoes, the primary vector in the Pacific islands. While these diseases are not endemic to the Cook Islands, they arrive through tourism, and hotter, more humid and rainy weather favors the insects’ propagation, he explains. The government is working to identify and treat mosquito breeding sites, but a current outbreak of dengue threatens the tourism-centric economy: “A major outbreak of disease would decimate this industry overnight. The risks are real and high.”

A signatory to many international and regional agreements, the Cook Islands is working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in particular, converting fossil-fuel generated electricity to solar

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Built between 1905 and 1911, the Theodore Roosevelt Dam controls the once erratic flow of the Salt River and harnesses water for irrigation; it is the largest reservoir in the storage system for water and electricity provider, Salt River Project (SRP). Photo Courtesy of SRP.

energy. A goal of 100-percent renewable power by 2020 has been set. This is achievable – Costa Rica, for example, is reportedly at 99 percent of renewable energy sources.

The danger is every day. “We are not talking about possible effects in the future,” Hay says. “The effects are apparent now.”

IN ARIZONA’S BACKYARD The National Climate Assessment provides regional reports, too. For the Southwest, the possibilities include drought, reduced surface water to supply a growing population, reduction in agricultural yields, and the impact on rural economies, insect outbreaks, wildfires and disruptions to urban electricity, resulting in higher energy costs.

Tourism, a $22 billion industry in Arizona, could also suffer.

“Our travel brand is synonymous with natural beauty, freedom and outdoor living. So Arizonans who care about the long-term health of the state’s economy should also care about preserving the experience visitors currently enjoy here, especially as it relates to our parks and other public lands,” says Debbie Johnson, director, Arizona Office of Tourism. “That means being conscientious about water supply, wildfires, air quality, light pollution and other environmental factors that have the potential to negatively impact tourism.”

That conscientiousness must extend from individuals through businesses, utilities and government. The Tempe-based not-forprofit water and power utility, Salt River Project (SRP), plans to store another million acre-feet of water for future use, adding to the current storage of a million acre-feet of water underground as part of its 2035 sustainability goals, says Jeff Lane, SRP media relations.

The company is the largest provider of electricity in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area, serving more than one million

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customers, and the largest supplier of water, delivering about 800,000 acre-feet annually to municipal, urban and agricultural water users.

“As a community-based leader, SRP is committed to helping our customers achieve their clean-energy goals and reduce the risks of climate change on Arizona communities and our region,” says Kathleen Mascareñas, SRP media relations. “We will significantly and steadily reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while maintaining a sustainable, reliable and affordable supply of power and water.”

Think globally, act locally was an early mantra of the environmental movement. “Our responsibility is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the burning of fossil fuels,” Easterling says. “Everyone must do their part.”

Regardless, the Earth will remain. But our choices will impact the kind of life we live here.

“As a fast-growing desert community, we have a responsibility to combat climate change and take action to reverse its effects.

Rising temperatures threaten to further stress the Colorado River and our water supplies, impose prolonged drought and fuel more dangerous wildfires,” says Rep. Greg Stanton, D, Ariz. 9, who formerly served as a councilman and mayor of Phoenix.

During his mayoral tenure, the country’s fifth most populous city invested in 32 megawatts of solar energy projects, expanded public transportation options and planted thousands of trees to improve air quality and increase shade, Stanton says. “We set ambitious goals to become a zero-waste, carbon-neutral city by 2050. We’ll get there by working together.”

David M. Brown is a Valley-based writer (www.azwriter.com).

greenlivingaz.com

PRINT VERSUS DIGITAL? WHY THAT IS THE WRONG QUESTION

BY JOHN WAECHTER

A

s an independent media consultant, I hear from all kinds of people regarding their approach to marketing campaigns in this new digital world. The style of comment that startles me the most is one that digital is the future, the only place to be, and print has gone by the way of the dinosaur and will be extinct before you know it. I can easily understand why that conclusion may exist in people’s minds, but nothing could be further from the truth. No marketing campaign should be completely dependent on one medium or the other. Rather, research shows that a combination of both print and digital will provide a marketer the most effective return on investment available.

DIGITAL ATTRIBUTES Among the top reasons why digital is so popular is cost considerations. Budgets can be smaller with digital, and the testing can be more targeted, more informative and timelier.

With the advent of the “cost per click” business model, for example, a marketer only pays when someone clicks on the ad.

If the clicks are not coming your way, you will know that quickly and be able to make swift adjustments to the campaign. If managed properly, this will lower your overall costs and increase your effectiveness.

There are additional attributes such as the storytelling capabilities of video and the potential for global reach, among many others.

PRINT ATTRIBUTES Generally, response rates are significantly higher with print mediums than with digital. This includes all print – newspapers, magazines, direct mail, flyers et al. A key influencer of this condition is trust. Surveys have consistently indicated that

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readers trust their print sources of information significantly more than they trust digital content. Interestingly, the trust factor spans the various generations and does not seem to gravitate to a specific age group.

Surveys also indicate that the cognitive load factor is much less in print. Simply put, our brains process print messaging much more easily than digital. Additionally, print is more experiential and private than digital, which can include countless distractions when attempting to focus on digital content.

PRINT AND DIGITAL IS THE RIGHT ANSWER Print and digital should be viewed as complementary media, not as adversaries. It should not be considered one or the other.

They each have positive attributes that need to be incorporated into comprehensive long-term marketing plans. Digital has a multitude of tools that when combined appropriately can quickly expand reach, lower costs and accurately target your audience in a timely way, complete with measurable results.

Print media brings to the readers a sense of trust and privacy that results in higher response rates than digital. Consequently, the most effective marketing campaigns will include both digital and print, and I believe it will remain that way for a long time to come.

John Waechter, MBA, is an independent business, media and behavioral assessment consultant. He is a certified Predictive Index Practitioner assisting organizations solve operational problems through workforce analytics and other data-driven and human solutions. Please contact him at jwwaechter@comcast.net with questions or comments.

Connect on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/john-waechter-909b8627/

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BANK LOCALLY TO BUILD A STRONGER ARIZONA ECONOMY MOVE YOUR MONEY WHERE IT MATTERS!

BY THOMAS BARR

A

rizona is the most underserved state in the country in terms of community banks per capita, with only 15 institutions located in the state and eight total counties with no locally controlled banks at all. Local First Arizona is gearing up for Community Banking Month in April, during which time we will continue our efforts to encourage Arizonans to move their money to community banks to increase local lending and improve our state’s resiliency before the next major economic downturn strikes. The lack of locally controlled deposits limits the availability of capital for local businesses, particularly small and start-up businesses, which account for the majority of jobs in Arizona.

Community banks provide a traditional approach to banking, with a focus on using local deposits to reinvest in the local community through lending. As such, they are also strong supporters of entrepreneurship and take a relationship-based approach to customer service characterized by local ownership and local decision-making.

“We bank with OneAZ because we love to keep money local.

So when it came time to make the decision between whether or

not we would bank with a local credit union or one of the larger national financial institutions, it was an easy decision,” says Rand Jenkins, CEO of Mountain Mojo Group.

Fundamentally, community banks focus on providing traditional banking services in their local communities. They obtain most of their deposits locally and primarily make loans to local businesses. Community banks are built on long-term personal relationships with their customers.

“I’ve spent most of life working with large commercial banks, and it wasn’t until I found Gateway Commercial Bank that I discovered how competitive, responsive, and how much easier it is to work with a local bank,” says Mark Schnepf of Schnepf Farms.

Given their smaller size and local focus, they have detailed knowledge of their communities and their customers. Because of this, community banks tend to be more open to basing credit decisions on nonstandard data obtained through longterm relationships, as opposed to formula-based underwriting criteria used by larger banks. On average, 47 percent of loans at community banks in Arizona in 2016 were to small businesses versus only 14 percent at large banks.

3 EASY STEPS TO MAKING THE SWITCH STEP 1: Define Your Needs & Do Your Research There is a diverse array of local banks and credit unions in Arizona. Determine what your banking needs are (personal banking, business banking, investing, loans) and do your research to find a few options that might be the best fit for you.

Local First Arizona’s directory has a great selection of local banks and credit unions to choose from.

Visit www.localfirstaz.com/banking.

STEP 2: Contact & Meet with a Representative Once you’ve decided on the banks or credit unions you think will be the best fit for your banking needs, contact them to set up a meeting with a representative. A face-toface conversation is really the best way to determine what will ultimately be the right decision for you.

STEP 3: Make a Decision and Move Your Money!

After meeting with all the potential banks or credit unions, now it’s time to make a decision on where to put your money. Contact that bank or credit union to let them know that you’ve decided to move your money, and they’ll let you know the next steps to completing the switch.

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IMPORTANT THINGS TO CONSIDER

What direct deposits go into your account?

• Employers/Payroll • Retirement/Pension • Social Security • Rent payments • Others?

What automatic payments come out of your account?

• Rent/Mortgage Payments • Insurance Payments • Credit Card Payments • Utility Payments • Phone/Internet/Cable Payments • Loan Payments • Others?

Does the bank or credit union provide...

• Free online banking and statements?

• Free checking account?

• Shared branching/accessible locations?

• Surcharge-free ATMs? • My required level of technology?

When closing your old account: • Verify that all of your checks have cleared.

• Destroy all the old check/card/deposit slips, etc.

• Request that any remaining balance be sent to you.

greenlivingaz.com

“

We’ve been members for over 10 years because of the fantastic and friendly staff. We switched from [a non-local] bank because it feels like Credit Union West offers a better selection of products and services for lower rates and fees. They seem to actually care about customers and I can’t see us ever switching back. – Lindsay C., a local resident

The lack of community banks in Arizona is evidenced by the share of deposits held by large national banks in this market.

Although 92 percent of banks in the U.S. are community banks, four large national banks hold 43 percent of deposits. In Arizona, where three of these large national banks operate (Chase, Wells Fargo and Bank of America), the largest national banks hold 70 percent of deposits, other non-community banks hold 23 percent, and locally controlled banks account for only 7 percent of deposits statewide. This creates a gap in local capital markets that may be limiting the expansion potential for small businesses in Arizona and creating a drag on overall economic growth in the state. The good news is the market share for the locally controlled banks has increased by 3 percent over the past 3 years, thanks to individuals and businesses moving their money into local banks.

Consolidation has had the greatest effect on the largest and smallest banking institutions. Over the past 20 years, consolidations, in concert with policies that favor the biggest banks, have caused significant growth of the largest banks and a decline in the number of locally controlled community banks.

But there is something we residents can do: we can grow the size of the community banks’ share by moving our money to them.

A defining characteristic of community banks is their focus on traditional deposit and lending activities. One of the major trends in community bank lending over the past 20 years has been the shift away from mortgages and credit cards toward commercial lending, and in particular toward secured commercial real estate loans. At the same time, big banks were shifting in the opposite direction, away from commercial lending toward credit cards and mortgages. Of the largest banks in Arizona, Chase lends the most to small businesses, but those loans amount to just 6 percent of their overall portfolio here.

If you love your state, the smartest thing you can do is move your money to a locally controlled bank so you can be sure you’re supporting the growth of new businesses and jobs here in Arizona.

At Local First, we know the task can be daunting, so we’ve created

a checklist to help when you decide to find a new home for your hard-earned dollars. Make your money work to build a better state by keeping it in the hands of Arizona’s local banks!

Thomas Barr is the Executive Director for Local First Arizona, the largest coalition of local businesses in North America, representing over 3,000 local companies. A proud Arizona native and graduate of Arizona State University, Thomas leads the business coalition of Local First Arizona by advocating for the economic and cultural benefits provided by building strong local economies. Outside of Local First Arizona, Thomas participates in volunteering his time to many causes and organizations including Young Nonprofit Professionals - Phoenix, Equality Arizona, Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits, Arizona Commission on the Arts, Heritage Square Foundation and Phoenix Legal Action Network.

ARIZONA’S COMMUNITY BANKS 1st Bank Yuma

BNC National Bank

Canyon Community Bank

Commerce Bank of Arizona Foothills Bank

Gateway Commercial Bank Goldwater Bank

Horizon Community Bank Metro Phoenix Bank Mission Bank

Mohave State Bank Pinnacle Bank

Republic Bank Arizona

West Valley National Bank Western Alliance Bank

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April 2019 | greenliving

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THE RISE OF NET ZERO HOMES IN AMERICA

BY BILL JANHONEN

The DOE Zero Energy Ready Home represents a whole new level of home performance, with rigorous requirements that ensure outstanding levels of energy savings, comfort, health and durability.

T

his is the opening line of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Zero Energy Ready Home website, and it is accurate and well-stated. Having worked on many Net Zero projects, I can tell you they are the product of commonsense building science requirements using a holistic view while paying intimate attention to detail. The results are homes that are designed and built to reach unparalleled levels of performance lasting hundreds of years.

With increased efforts to control energy costs, reduce carbon footprint and increase efficiency, many builders in America have turned to building homes that are known as zero-energy buildings, meaning the total amount of energy used by the building on an annual basis is roughly equal to the amount of renewable energy created on the site.

Phoenix recently adopted the ERI (Energy Rating Index) as part of the new 2018 Building Code, which makes it easier for Net Zero builders to use their advanced building methods in zero energy homes. The innovations in building methods and

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products have brought the cost of building a Net Zero home into the range of most new home buyers, especially when you consider the initial cost of building a zero energy-ready home will bring a higher resale value, will last longer than any conventional home, and ultimately pay for itself in zero energy costs.

SOME KEYS TO BUILDING YOUR OWN NET ZERO HOME ARE: 1. Choose an architect and builder who have experience in building “net zero homes.” Those who advertise “eco-friendly” or “green” are usually not in the same category.

2. Hire a builder who is committed to the full ride; someone who will be on site from start to finish and who uses third-party testing services of a HERS (Home Energy Rating System) rater to verify performance.

3. RESEARCH AND COMPARE OFFERS! The website at the bottom of the article is one of the best sources for finding builders, answering questions, outlining requirements and detailing what to expect from building a Net Zero home. greenlivingaz.com

The components that make up any home are common to building, but they are viewed as parts of a whole when building a Net Zero home since they rely upon each other to achieve maximum efficiency. Building envelope, air flow, ventilation, appliances, HVAC efficiency and even the orientation of the house itself are important.

The building envelope is everything between the inside of your home and the world outside. It includes doors and windows, insulation and exterior walls, the foundation, and the roof. Net Zero energy-efficient building envelopes are a huge factor in keeping energy costs down by limiting the amount of air and heat lost through leakage: a house that is properly and thoroughly sealed keeps the air and heat inside for longer, which means that your heating and cooling systems don’t need to work as hard to keep your home comfortable.

Controlling heat flow is another important factor of the envelope. The laws of physics state that hot goes to cold. You can’t change it, but you can control it by installing materials that are poor conductors of heat, so in the winter the warmth will stay inside, and in the summer the heat will stay outside instead of passing through your walls, roof and floors. To maintain comfort, the heat lost in the winter must be replaced by your heating system, and the heat gained in the summer must be removed by your cooling system. Properly insulating your home will decrease this heat flow by providing an effective resistance to the flow of heat.

Ventilation or air flow through the home is vital to

air quality and comfort, but it also increases your energy efficiency. We are all human beings, and as walking 98.6 degree engines, we feel most comfortable between 68 and 72 degrees – 4 degrees lower we start to feel cold, and 4 degrees higher we start to feel hot. Maintaining the most comfortable atmosphere can be accomplished in large part by moving the air in a manner that achieves a balance between humidity, air movement and fresh air intake without turning on the air conditioner or heating source in the house, thus saving energy usage.

Controlling water away from the home and managing moisture within the home are also key factors, as the passage of water and water vapor through to the interior of the envelope structure is a significant factor in the leakage of thermal energy.

Using the right methods and products in a holistic manner results in an energy-efficient home that is affordable, comfortable, durable and a home your family will enjoy for years to come.

For more information, visit www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/ zero-energy-ready-home.

Bill Janhonen is a Building Science instructor, HERS rater, Energy Star verifier and longtime writer of several articles on Sustainable Building.

He holds a Brokers license in three states (NY, CT and NC), and is an approved instructor for the National Association of Home Builders – oh, and he is an advisor to Green Living Magazine. For questions, contact William Janhonen at wjanhonen@wsjenterprises.com.

SEPTEMBER 2018 VOLUME 16, ISSUE 9

DECEMBER 2018 VOLUME 16, ISSUE 12

NOVEMBER 2018 VOLUME 16, ISSUE 11

DRESS FOR SUCCESS + 10 QUESTIONS WITH DIANA YAZZIE DEVINE + ONE•N•TEN

OCTOBER 2018 VOLUME 16, ISSUE 10

COOL TO BE KIND

WHEN IT COMES TO CHARITY, THE ARIZONA COYOTES FOUNDATION HAS GOALS

THE BE KIND PEOPLE PROJECT

A MATTRESS Debbie Gaby is Beginning a New Chapter of Her Fairy-Tale Life

FIESTA BOWL CHARITIES + VETERANS MEDICAL LEADERSHIP COUNCIL + ARIZONA SISTER CITIES

GOMPERS + 5 ARTS CIRCLE + GIFTS THAT GIVE BACK FAMILY PROMISE + LOCAL FIRST ARIZONA FOUNDATION + IMPACT ONE

Celebrating the people and groups who give generously and work to build the future of our community.

FRONTDOORS MAGAZINE + THE KNOCK + FRONTDOORS TV WITH CAREY PEÑA frontdoorsmedia.com

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THE IMPACT OF ENVIRONMENTAL TOXINS ON FERTILITY AIR POLLUTION MAY BE A KEY FACTOR IN DECLINING GLOBAL BIRTH RATES

BY EMELINA VIGIER

O

n a global scale, air pollution causes severe illness and millions of deaths every year, making it the single worst environmental health risk, according to the World Health Organization. Scientists are also seeing, among these health concerns, proof of a connection between air pollution and declining fertility rates.

CALIFORNIA’S POWER PLANT CLOSURES REVEAL HEALTH RISKS In California, eight coal- and oil-burning power plants closed down over a 10-year period in the early 2000s. These power plants released large quantities of particle matter into the atmosphere, exposing locals to lead, sulfur dioxide (SO2), and other harmful compounds.

These closures provided researchers with a unique opportunity to measure how air pollution impacts human populations.

Fertility rates in the surrounding areas began to increase approximately 12 months after the power plants closed, as levels of PM 2.5 pollutants — particles that measure less than 2.5 micrometers, which is 29 times smaller than a human hair — decreased significantly.

According to a study by the School of Public Health at the University of California at Berkeley, this connection and other findings clearly demonstrate the link between poor air quality and various health concerns, including reproductive health.

“Residential proximity to power plants has been linked to health outcomes such as cardiovascular and respiratory disease and adverse birth outcomes,” scientists concluded.

IN-VITRO FERTILIZATION AND SPERM QUALITY AFFECTED BY AIR QUALITY Recent studies conducted by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health have found that air pollution may also have a negative impact on women undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures.

These studies followed 423 women and 725 IVF cycles.

The timeline associated with a pregnancy following IVF is closely monitored, making it possible to evaluate each treatment and determine how environmental factors may have affected their outcome.

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Using residential proximity to major roadways and traffic as proxies for traffic-related air pollution, researchers found that closer residential proximity to major roadways was related to reduced likelihood of live birth following IVF. Other studies assess the impact of environmental toxins on male fertility rates. A study conducted in Taiwan found that environmental exposure to chemicals contributes to deteriorated semen quality. One study published by the National Institutes of Health indicates that air pollution can actually alter sperm DNA, resulting in miscarriages or even infertility.

Similar tests have been carried out on animals, further demonstrating that various forms of air pollution have harmful effects on sperm quality. “Numerous studies have shown that heavy metals and hydrocarbons affect the sperm of animals under laboratory conditions,” confirms Dr. Ross Lemoine, DVM, veterinary epidemiologist and medical editor at Dispomed Veterinary Equipment.

AIR QUALITY NARRATIVES Researchers are still working to determine why airborne pollutants impact fertility. Studies conducted at the Boston University School of Medicine show that there could be many different mechanisms involved, but chronic and systemic inflammation caused by pollutants may be a key factor.

As science uncovers further evidence of these biological mechanisms, fertility and women’s health issues are becoming increasingly common in public narratives concerning air quality. Furthermore, research suggests that air pollution disproportionately impacts underprivileged populations. This includes communities of color and developing countries, where there are fewer fertility treatments and specialists available to help women conceive and carry to term.

In recent years, a mounting body of scientific evidence has shown the link between environmental toxins and declining fertility rates, bringing this topic to the forefront of public health discourse.

Emelina Vigier is a health and eco-friendly lifestyle writer. Visit her website at www.awearnessblog.com

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April 2019 | greenliving

33

CARING ABOUT WILDLIFE MAKES A BIG IMPACT

HOW LIBERTY WILDLIFE LEADS THE WAY IN LOCAL CONSERVATION

BY BARBI WALKER-WALSH

L

iberty Wildlife is a local non-profit organization whose mission is to solve conflict between humans and wildlife through the rescue and rehabilitation of injured wildlife, education of the public and conservation. From humble roots, they are now a shining example of what true conservation can be.

The organization was housed initially on founder and lead veterinarian Dr. Kathy Orr’s property in Scottsdale, AZ. She was one of the few local veterinarians qualified to care for wounded wild animals. Word spread and soon Dr. Orr was the go-to veterinarian for these animals, with many locals dropping off or helping transport the animals to new homes.

One local was Megan Mosby, now the foundation’s executive director, who also had a passion for raptors. The other was America West Airlines pilot Terry Stevens, currently director of operations for Liberty Wildlife. Working as a volunteer, Stevens convinced the airline to let him transport a wayward pelican back to San Diego. Between Orr’s and Mosby’s efforts, and the publicity of birds literally flying on the airline’s jets, Liberty Wildlife was born.

Since then, solely through donations and volunteerism, Liberty Wildlife’s wings have spread far and wide in the world of rehabilitation, education, research, conservation, sustainability, and community outreach.

In 1981, their first year, they saw 85 animals, according to company archives. “They treated nearly 10,000 animals last year,” Stevens says of 2018, with a historical release rate of over 50 percent. The primary goal is to rehabilitate and release. When an animal is healthy but unable to return to the wild, they are placed

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with zoos, nature centers, breeding facilities or become foster parents for their species. According to records, the organization has had a profound impact on over 65,000 animals.

“It’s important because these animals are part of our ecosystem, and they don’t have the luxury of being taken to the vet when they’ve been hurt or injured. So Liberty Wildlife fulfills that need and allows animals a safe haven to recover and hopefully return to their natural environment,” Stevens says.

Others are given a unique role as an educational ambassador.

EDUCATION IMPROVES THE HEALTH OF HUMANS AND WILDLIFE Part of the educational program is teaching children to live in harmony with nature. Liberty Wildlife’s commitment to environmental education provides over 700 programs a year to students throughout Arizona. The program follows the model of the No Child Left Inside Act of 2008 and works to give children raised in urban environments the chance to interact with wildlife and thus learn to respect nature and wildlife.

Numerous studies link obesity and behavioral issues to a sedentary lifestyle. As the lack of access to nature areas in urban areas grows, so does the sedentary lifestyle. The barriers to experiencing nature also increase the fear of it, which leads to a lack of respect for wildlife and their habitats. “Learn as much as possible, and respect it,” says Mosby of nature and its inhabitants.

Stevens agrees. “Most of the damage we see is humanrelated,” he says of the wild animals brought to the facility.

“Teaching others how to care for these wild animals when they can’t care for themselves and helping people learn to change the greenlivingaz.com

Opposite: Shawn Jenkins and Tara Wadlington (who up until recently went by Tara Dactyl on her Facebook page) release a kestrel from Liberty Wildlife back into the wild on their wedding day. The two are avid outdoor fans who love being in nature. Photo by Daniel Venter

behaviors that cause the animals harm is extremely rewarding,” he continues. Although Stevens has retired from flying, he says he’s working now more than he ever did as a pilot and loves his role as an educator, helping kids learn about the importance of these wild animals and having compassion for animals and the world we all share.

CONSERVATION IS EVERYONE’S JOB Organizations such as ADOT, APS, Freeport McMoRan, MCDOT, and SRP are among the many that interact with wildlife and work with Liberty Wildlife to preserve and protect Arizona’s natural habitats.

Liberty Wildlife assists in wildlife protection plans to help reduce human and wildlife conflicts, and importantly to utilities, reduce the occurrence of accidental electrocution of avians and other animals by contact with overhead electrical wires.

The impact Liberty Wildlife has made on the utility world in Arizona over the last few decades is profound. Liberty Wildlife has been a crucial partner in APS’s conservation efforts, says Nicole Rodriguez, Natural Resource Specialist for APS. “It’s not just APS that benefits from their expertise; they assist many other utilities in Arizona as well.”

In October of 2010, Liberty Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service began a feather repository and distribution program to collect, store, catalog and disseminate feathers and other bird parts to legally recognized tribal members for

use in tribal ceremonies. According to Mosby, it was once illegal for Native Americans to obtain these items for their cultural and religious practices, and oftentimes they would go to the black market to get them.

Liberty Wildlife’s new facility in south Phoenix is a far cry from its early days in Dr. Orr’s backyard, but still completely in line with its conservation mission. The facility was built to operate in as small a footprint as possible, from reclaiming a former gravel pit, to achieving a LEED Platinum rating.

“I’m very proud of not just the work we do, but the impact we have on the property,” Mosby says. The property uses a water catchment system for runoff water for the desert landscape.

Solar panels allow them to make nearly 90 percent of their power, and charging stations are available for electric cars. “We tried very, very, very hard to make a small footprint on the environment and the property. It all works together; you can’t take any piece out of it,” Mosby adds.

For more information about Liberty Wildlife and how to help, visit www.libertywildlife.org.

Barbi Walker-Walsh is a freelance journalist and veteran flight attendant with a serious case of wanderlust. When she’s not globetrotting her family around the world, she can be found geeking out over food, fitness and fashion at home.

Groot is a coatimundi who was raised illegally as a pet in Indiana. Since Arizona is his native area, he was confiscated and brought to Liberty Wildlife. He’s been imprinted to people and his experience with human interaction means he cannot be released into the wild. He’s now an educational animal at Liberty Wildlife, his permanent home. Photo by Robert Conrad

greenlivingaz.com

April 2019 | greenliving

35

RECIPES POTATOES AU GRATIN (DAIRYFREE, GLUTEN-FREE, SOY-FREE) Recipe courtesy of Beyond Better www.beyond-better.com

SAVORY FALAFEL WAFFLES Recipe courtesy of Cedar’s Chickpea Kitchen www.cedarfoods.com

INGREDIENTS: 1 can of chickpeas, drained 1 large onion, diced 4 cloves of garlic ½ cup fresh parsley ½ cup fresh cilantro ¼ tsp. chili powder 2 tsp. baking powder ½ cup flour 1 tsp. salt Cooking oil spray Cedar’s Organic Roasted Red Pepper Hommus

INGREDIENTS: 2/3 cup of Beyond Better Cashew Cheese Sauce powder or Sunflower Cheese Sauce powder 4 cups water 4-6 medium potatoes, sliced thinly, ¼ inch thick 4-5 chard leaves, veined and chopped into ½-inch pieces Note: You can substitute 1/4 head of cabbage, chopped, for the chard.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350℉ and cover 13x 9 x2 casserole dish in oil. Steadily sprinkle cheese sauce powder into 3 cups water in a bowl while stirring with a fork. Spread chard (or cabbage) evenly in oiled casserole dish. Spread potatoes evenly on top and pour cheese sauce mix evenly over the potatoes. Liquid should reach the top layer of potatoes. If not, pour up to one cup more water over potatoes. Sprinkle with salt and ground black pepper. Bake for 90 minutes. After one hour, check for doneness, and flip or otherwise submerge the top layer of sliced potatoes so they don’t get too dry or brown. Half recipe will take less time.

GARNISH: Heirloom tomatoes, chopped INSTRUCTIONS:

Pulse all ingredients except for the hommus in a food processor until they are coarsely blended; be careful not to puree. Refrigerate batter for an hour. Preheat waffle iron and spray with cooking spray. Scoop batter into waffle iron and cook until crispy. Serve hot with Cedar’s Organic Roasted Red Pepper Hommus and garnish with chopped heirloom tomatoes.

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greenlivingaz.com

CAULIFLOWER POLENTA Recipe courtesy of True Food Kitchen www.truefoodkitchen.com

INGREDIENTS FOR THE CASHEW BUTTER: 1 cup cashews, salted 3½ oz. white miso INSTRUCTIONS:

Soak the cashews in water overnight. Strain out the water. In a blender, add the white miso and cashews; blend until smooth.

Reserve mixture for later use (Note: this can be made a day or two ahead of time).

INGREDIENTS FOR THE GARLIC PUREĖ: 2 cups garlic 1 cup grapeseed oil ½ cup water ½ Tbsp. kosher salt INSTRUCTIONS:

INGREDIENTS FOR THE SPRING VEGETABLES: 2 cups grilled asparagus 1 cup blanched snow peas 1 cup blanched snap peas 1 cup blanched edamame 1 cup roasted yellow squash 4 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil 2 Tbsp. chopped scallion 1 tsp. chili flakes 1 tsp. kosher salt INSTRUCTIONS:

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, mix all ingredients together until vegetables are evenly coated with olive oil and seasoning.

Place vegetables is a medium-heat sauté pan; gently heat vegetables without getting any color on them.

In a medium-sized sauce pot, combine the garlic and the grapeseed oil. Heat the oil/garlic mixture and cook on low heat until the cloves are soft and tender. Cool garlic and oil mixture.

Once cool, puree mixture with blender; slowly add in the water followed by the kosher salt. Continue to pureė until completely smooth (Note: this can be made a day or two ahead of time).

TO ASSEMBLE THE DISH:

INGREDIENTS FOR THE CAULIFLOWER POLENTA: 1 small piece fresh turmeric, peeled 1 medium-sized head of cauliflower 1½ cups water ¼ cup garlic pureė ½ Tbsp. kosher salt ¼ cup cashew butter 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

Guests can also look forward to True Food Kitchen’s spring menu, rolling out Wednesday, April 3, featuring a variety of new dishes and beverages made with fresh, seasonal flavors.

Heat cauliflower polenta in a medium-size sauce pot. Spoon cauliflower polenta into the middle of plate or serving platter.

Spoon spring vegetables on top of, or on the side of cauliflower polenta. Serve hot. (Note that any combination of vegetables can be served)

INSTRUCTIONS:

Peel the turmeric, unwrap the cauliflower and cut off the stem and any green leaves. You should have about 17-18 ounces of cauliflower after the trimming. Using a fine box grater or food processor, grate the cauliflower and the turmeric. Put grated cauliflower and turmeric into medium-sized sauce pot with water, garlic pureė and kosher salt. Bring mixture to a boil and cook for approximately 10 minutes; stir often with a rubber spatula until cauliflower is soft with no visible water remaining.

Once cauliflower has finished cooking, fold in cashew butter and extra virgin olive oil. Serve immediately or cool and reserve for later.

greenlivingaz.com

April 2019 | greenliving

37

VEGAN AND VEGETARIAN RESTAURANTS

ARIZONA’S CULINARY SPOTLIGHT OF A MEAT-FREE LIFESTYLE

BY LINDSEY DEMPSEY

P

opularity for a meat-free lifestyle is on the rise. Since 2014, the percentage of United States consumers who identify as vegan has risen from 1 percent to 6 percent, according to www.ReportBuyer. com. This proves that the vegan and vegetarian lifestyle is becoming more of a mainstream way of life and nothing short of a long-term commitment.

Arizona joins this shift, and we are seeing more and more new restaurants pop up that aren’t just providing vegan and vegetarian options, but focusing their entire restaurant on meat-free cuisine. Not only do these restaurants showcase options for those choosing a plant-based diet, but some of our state’s best chefs are behind the scenes creating menu items that would tempt just about everyone’s taste buds! Here we share some of Arizona’s best vegan and vegetarian restaurants.

MORE VEGAN/VEGETARIAN RESTAURANTS AROUND ARIZONA

PHOENIX

Veggie Village www.vegvillage888.com Vegan House www.veganhouseaz.com Pomegranate Cafe www.pomegranatecafe.com

EAST VALLEY

Seed Shack, Gilbert www.seedshacks.com Desert Roots Kitchen, Tempe www.desertrootskitchen.com Fresh Mint, Scottsdale www.freshmint.us.com Ruchi Vegetarian South Indian Cuisine, Chandler www.ruchiaz.com The Cutting Board Cafe, Mesa www.facebook.com/cuttingboardcafe

WEST VALLEY

Loving Hut, Litchfield Park www.lovinghutlitchfieldpark.com Mi Vegana Madre, Glendale www.facebook.com/MiVeganaMadre

CASA TERRA Glendale, Arizona www.casaterra.com Casa Terra is the very first fine dining vegan restaurant to grace the Arizona culinary scene. This new concept focuses on plant-forward cuisine with influences from Mexico and the Mediterranean, as well as unique fusion dishes from these areas. Casa Terra’s founder and executive chef, Jason Wyrick, is a New York Times best-selling author and internationally renowned chef. “I have been vegan for 18 years and a vegan chef professionally for 14 years. The increase in demand in just the last year alone has blown me away,” Wyrick says. “Ultimately, I decided to

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FLAGSTAFF

Morning Glory Cafe www.morningglorycafeflagstaff.com

TUCSON

Govindas Natural Foods Buffet www.govindasoftucson.com Lovin’ Spoonfuls Vegan Restaurant www.lovinspoonfuls.com Tumerico Vegetarian Food www.tumerico.com

greenlivingaz.com

open Casa Terra because I got tired of traveling to other cities that had fine dining vegan restaurants.” Guests can enjoy a variety of options in this intimate 2,800-square-foot atmosphere, including small plates, pizzas and hearty entrées such as Smoked Mushroom Cazuela and Saffron Chorizo Risotto.

TASTEFUL KITCHEN Tucson, Arizona www.thetastefulkitchen.com The Tasteful Kitchen creates modern vegetarian cuisine in an atmosphere designed to create the feeling of dining in your own home. The space is very cozy and includes two small dining rooms, each seating approximately 24 people. Decorated with warm colors and art from local artists (Bonus: it’s for sale!), you’ll feel right at home. Providing fresh meat-free choices, Tasteful Kitchen creates a menu featuring seasonal fruits and vegetables and focuses on sourcing organic and locally grown produce.

Their menu features everything from Sushi and Spring Rolls to Portobello Wellington and Herb Crusted Cauliflower Steak.

RED CURRY VEGAN KITCHEN Flagstaff, Arizona www.redcurryflagstaff.com The Red Curry Vegan Kitchen caters to the meat-free foodies who enjoy authentic Thai food with a plant-based twist! This fully vegan restaurant features a variety of Thai cuisine including

several vegan curries, Pad Thai and noodle dishes. Red Curry’s website says, “A seasoned Flagstaff restaurateur, Red Curry founder and chef Suchhada Tirakul knows both good food and how to make you feel right at home.” Menu highlights include Samosa Wontons, Grand Tempura, Crispy Tofu, Pineapple Red Curry and Lemongrass Curry.

THE UPROOTED KITCHEN Gilbert, Arizona www.theuprootedkitchen.com East Valley residents who choose a meat-free lifestyle are welcomed by culinary delights at The Uprooted Kitchen in Gilbert. This plant-based restaurant is locally owned and uses only certified organic produce and no GMOs, and has a BYOB license after noon. What started as a beloved vegetarian food truck grew into a restaurant embraced by the vegetarian community. The Uprooted Kitchen is in the Agritopia neighborhood, which is built around an organic farm. Guests can enjoy Baked French Toast, Chickpea Cauliflower Scramble and a Buckwheat Crepe!

Lindsey Dempsey is the founder of Elite Market Savvy, with over 13 years of experience in marketing. She is a former U of A Wildcat who now lives in Scottsdale, Arizona, with her husband and their two daughters. Lindsey loves to discover great local business and shares her discoveries on her Instagram (@localsavvyazfamily).

FIND YOUR CREATIVITY.

CRAFT NIGHTS

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CRAFTNIGHTS.COM April 2019 | greenliving

39

SHE’S GREEN JOHN BURKHART

HE’S GREEN

GUILT-FREE EARTH DAY SNACKS

Product reviews from our eco-conscious couple John & Jennifer Burkhart

JENNIFER BURKHART

When was the last time you took a good hard look at your snack habits? I’ll bet that’s one of the harder things to give up on the quest for healthier, more eco-friendly alternatives. In honor of Earth Day, this month you could try new snacks that just might replace that tub ‘o cheez balls in your pantry. I think we may have found a few winners in this month’s reviews.

MANITOBA HARVEST

HEMP HEART BITES, ORIGINAL, VEGAN HE SAID: Oh wow! These little guys pack a flavor wallop. Super sweet vanilla flavor up front that flows into a nutty hemp seed and sea salt finish. Delish!

SHE SAID: I was super surprised at how tasty these were.

Crunchy but soft, sweet with a hint of vanilla – yum! What a tasty and convenient way to get your omegas and protein.

The only downside was that a 4-ounce bag was not nearly enough for our family of four.

VEGAN ROB’S

PROBIOTIC DRAGON PUFFS, VEGAN, GLUTEN-FREE HE SAID: It always makes me laugh when companies overhype their products. Rob’s “fire breathing” dragon puffs were pretty far from face-melters. These were more like stale Cheetos that bumped up against some chili powder during shipping. Not much taste and not much heat... don’t believe the hype. That being said, I would still rather eat these than Cheetos.

SHE SAID: Normally, I’d shy away from snacks with fire

printed on the bag. I’m just not into “ouchy in the mouthy” type foods. Well, lemme tell you, these were GOOD! No idea what sorghum is, but it made a killer crunchy puff with just enough heat to keep a jug of water nearby. Love that they snuck in probiotics too!

GARDEN OF EATIN’

CORN TORTILLA CHIPS, RANCH, USDA ORGANIC HE SAID: I can’t help turning into Doug Ingle whenever I talk about

this brand of snacks. These In-a-gadda-da-vida (In the Garden of Eden) chips... don’t you know that I’m loving them! These chips would be nice to snack on after performing on stage with my band Iron Butterfly. The ranch garlic flavor really rocked my taste buds, but they were a little denser than regular corn chips.

SHE SAID: I used to love cool ranch Doritos, but gave those

up long ago… sigh. I was hoping these could replace them, so we gave them a shot. They were great tortilla chips – light and crunchy, with a rich corn taste. I just wish the ranch flavor was more intense.

GORAW

SPROUTED COOKIE CRISPS, LEMON PIE, USDA ORGANIC, VEGAN, GLUTEN-FREE HE SAID: I’m learning to translate the term “superfood” into the

phrase “tastes like dirt.” Thankfully, these only had a mild dirt taste that was masked well by a nice sweet lemon flavor. Masked well enough that our boys would eat them, and that’s saying a lot because they’re picky eaters. On the other hand, I appreciate that these are made organic and simply with just four ingredients. Healthy treats that my kids will eat will get you four stars every time.

SHE SAID: These had a satisfying crunch (dried, not baked,

and made with dates!), and were just sweet enough. Even though I wish they had a more intense lemon flavor, I’d still snack on them. Not to mention, I appreciate a healthy snack that says “cookie,” so I can fool my kids into eating them. Hey kids, want a cookie?

KOUKLA DELIGHTS

VANILLA MACAROONS, USDA ORGANIC, VEGAN, GLUTEN-FREE HE SAID: I don’t know why, but the word Koukla sounds like a cuss

word to me. “Out of my way, you Koukla!” Apparently, it’s the Greek word for doll. Anyway, these Koukla (hehe) Delights vanilla macaroons were sweet little dehydrated balls of coconut and almond sweetened with maple syrup and vanilla. They were tasty with a strong coconut flavor. Slightly dry though, so I’d recommend eating them with a cup of tea or coffee.

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SHE SAID: With all the processed “food” nowadays, it’s easy

to forget how delicious simple ingredients can be. This treat only has five, and all organic. With how dense they were, you definitely won’t overdo it – one was just enough for me. Sweet and soft with lots of vanilla and coconut flavor – yum!

greenlivingaz.com

COOLOUTRAGEOUSSTUFF UNIQUE AND ALL NATURAL BAR SOAPS

All VERVAN Skin Essentials products are handmade in Guadalajara, Mexico, in small batches using all-natural ingredients. Natural bar soaps are just one of the many face and body care products founder Adriana Ruano started making in her kitchen four years ago. Every bar of soap is unique, made slowly, carefully and without heat to ensure the ingredients maintain their properties and are safe for people and the environment. VERVAN also created and supports a foundation to empower Mexican women in their professional development. Lavender Rosemary, Rosemary & Volcanic Clay, and Exfoliating/ Seaweed are some of the most popular scents, and all are suitable for all ages and all parts of your body.

Order yours on Amazon and learn more at www.vervan.com.

ECO-FRIENDLY WEEKLY PLANNER

Plan your busy week without impacting the environment. Wisdom Supply Co.’s waste-free weekly planner is made from post-consumer recycled material (100% cover, 10% interior pages) and is “100% authentically recyclable.” No spiral binding, no plastic tabs, no lamination, no waste. When you’re done, separate the cover from the interior pages and drop it all in a paper recycling bin. At 8.5” x 11”, this planner includes two pages for every week – one for scheduling and one for notes. The manufacturers understand the Internet now exists, so they leave out useless pages like conversions and maps, which saves paper too. Purchase at www.wisdomsupplyco.com/products/zero-waste-2019-weekly-planner.

COMPOSTABLE TRASH BAGS

Ditch your non-Earth-friendly plastic bags once and for all! Unni biodegradable trash bags are made from plant starches and NO polyethylene. They are ASTM D6400 certified, meaning they compost like most naturally occurring compostable materials.

According to the Pacific Regional Environment Program, plastic bags can take up to 500 years to biodegrade, and when they do so, they still release toxins into the Earth. Unni biodegradable trash bags take much less time to biodegrade and don’t affect the quality of the compost. They come in 2.6, 3, 8 and 13-gallon sizes. Purchase at www.unni.world/ compostable-trash-bags or on Amazon.

SPRING GREENING PRODUCTS

Get your spring cleaning done without all the harmful chemicals found in most traditional cleaning solutions. Inspired by Iowa homemaker and mother of nine Thelma A. Meyer, Mrs. Meyer’s household cleaning supplies are made primarily from plants, essential oils and other eco-conscious materials, and never tested on animals. Even without the chlorine bleach, ammonia, petroleum distillates, parabens, phosphates and phthalates, Mrs. Meyer’s products still make your surfaces clean, sparkling and smelling great! Try unique fragrances like Peony, Rain Water, Radish, Lemon Verbena, Rhubarb and more. Available at www.mrsmeyers.com/ product or at Sprouts, Whole Foods and other local grocery stores.

HAPPY HIPPY CHICKPEAS ORGANIC PUFFS

Made from chickpeas, Hippeas are a delightful, crunchy snack. Best of all, they are completely vegan! Even the white cheddar flavor contains no animal products. This makes it a perfect Earth Day snack because cheese is the fifth most climate-damaging food we commonly eat, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council. And… bonus: chickpea plants are good for the planet, releasing nitrogen back into the earth as they grow! Hippeas are also certified organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, and contain four grams of protein per serving. Purchase at your local Fry’s, Whole Foods, CVS or Sprouts.

Visit www.hippeas.com for more information. greenlivingaz.com

April 2019 | greenliving

41

GREENKIDS ”

PILOT DOGS

ADOPTED DOGS MAKE THE BEST FRIENDS

BY GRACE EISELSTEIN, AGE 10

P

ilot Dogs, Inc. is an organization for people who are legally blind to gain a companion dog to guide them. These people live their lives without sight, so when they gain a pilot dog, it gives them hope again. Pilot dogs go through so much training to help guide someone down the street. These dogs make people’s lives different. This important job isn’t the right fit for all dogs. There are dogs who fail this training, but they don’t get sent to a shelter. They go to a family ready for a dog. These dogs all have a very special personality, but they are always ready to help.

Noah and Grace Eiselstein and their rescue dog Samson.

The dogs that are able to become pilot dogs are Golden Retrievers, Doberman Pinschers, German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Poodles, Boxers, and Vizslas. The steps of the training start with raising the puppy. When the puppies are about one year old, the formal training starts. Last, they train the team. Blind students who applied for a guide dog spend four weeks training with Pilot Dog and their new dog and learn to take care of them.

Dogs who don’t make it through the program go up for adoption. The only months you are allowed to apply for a dog are June and December. You can apply for a dog that flunked the training. That could take six months to a year. These dogs are always ready for a family. They don’t cost as much as a dog you would get from a breeder or pet store. All you have to do is make a generous donation. Please sign up to adopt one. They adapt to your family, and are always ready to protect you. They are also pre-trained. These dogs are going to be your best friend. Even if they failed at becoming a pilot dog, they don’t shut down. They are excited for their new family.

I decided to write about Pilot Dogs because my family adopted a Pilot Dog. He was one who flunked the training. We applied in June, and got our Boxer in three days! His name is Samson. He is the sweetest thing. If you live in Ohio, I think Pilot Dogs is the best place to get your family dog, but there are good rescues everywhere!

I’m Grace Eiselstein, and I’m a fifth-grader. I live in New Albany, Ohio.

I love my flunked Pilot Dog. He is my best friend. I don’t know what I would do without him. He is the best dog ever.

ADOPTED DOGS ARE THE BEST KIND!

Pilot Dogs, Inc.

www.pilotdogs.org

Friends for Life Animal Rescue

www.azfriends.org

One Dog Arizona

Arizona Animal Welfare League & SPCA Lost Our Home Pet Rescue

Maricopa County Animal Care Pittie Me Rescue

Pima County Animal Care Center

Pinal County Animal Care and Control

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www.facebook.com/onedogaz www.aawl.org

www.lostourhome.org

www.maricopa.gov/214/Adopt-a-Pet www.pittiemerescue.org webcms.pima.gov/cms

www.pinalcountyaz.gov/AnimalControl

greenlivingaz.com

A NEW CHILD IN THE KITCHEN

9-YEAR-OLD DAVID HUMMERT WINS KIDS COOKING CHALLENGE

BY JORDAN DIAB

W

e all know at least one famous Child in the kitchen: Julia Child, that is. But what about an actual child chef? Move over, Julia, as more and more children are stepping up to the stove. In January, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ*) held its 9th Walk On! Kids Cooking Challenge in which kids from across the Valley were asked to create recipes that are not only good for you but also taste good.

“The purpose of this challenge is to encourage children to think creatively about eating healthy and have fun doing it,” says Myrna Collins, BCBSAZ representative. “Many of our community’s health issues can be traced back to poor eating. This is why Blue Cross Blue Shield is interested in providing resources to help people eat better.”

The competition generated a plethora of diverse and creative recipes that showcased a colorful cuisine from salads and veggie

David Hummert showing off his winning dish.

Finalists in Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona’s 9th Walk On! Kids Cooking Challenge: David Hummert – a 9-year-old from Sonoran Sky Elementary School in Scottsdale who combined pasta with green vegetables like broccolini and zucchini to concoct Broccolini Pasta.

Katherine Tirrito – a 10-year-old from St. Michael’s School in Tucson who created the imaginative Portobello Pizza.

Hannah White – a 12-year-old from Abeka Academy in Wittman who invented the protein-rich, Hannah’s Deviled-guac Eggs.

Nate Walker – a 10-year-old from Imagine Rosefield in Surprise for his creation, Carrots Galore, complete with flavorful ingredients like carrots, green onions and dill.

Marion Colum – a 10-year-old from Paseo Pointe Elementary School in Laveen for his Healthy Salad, chock-full of delicious and nutrition-packed veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes and carrots.

medleys to deviled eggs and pizza. In February, a winner was announced: David Hummert of Scottsdale, Arizona. David is a 9-year-old at Sonoran Sky Elementary who has been cooking since before he could even see over the kitchen counter. David said his culinary journey began baking cookies with his mom when he was just 3 years old. He adds that he has been packing his own school lunch since first grade. His winning recipe?

Broccolini pasta. David’s (now award-winning) dish featured pasta with green vegetables like broccolini and zucchini. “I want people to know that if kids try my recipe, they will eat broccoli,” says David.

Collins believes that kids should learn the art of cooking because it inspires health, provides an opportunity to build self-esteem, and promotes valuable family time. “Plus, kids who cook are more likely to eat more diverse foods because they are involved in the preparation,” she says. “This is an important factor in preventing childhood obesity.”

Collins believes that cooking can teach us about life. She says, “Cooking is a great activity that teaches so many skills like the importance of following directions for a good outcome and the exposure to different cultural flavors.” When asked what his future dreams are, David says, “I want to be a multimillionaire and retire to live in a mansion on the beach… eating nachos.” I think I speak for all of us when I say, me too, David, me too.

Jordan Diab is a Phoenix native who is currently studying Psychology at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California.

* BCBSAZ is a not-for-profit company and independent licensee of the BCBS Association that employs nearly 1,500 people in the greater Phoenix area.

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April 2019 | greenliving

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DID YOU KNOW GREEN FACTS FOR GREEN LIVING YOUR GREEN THUMB CAN SAVE MONEY AND CARBON EMISSIONS

Unleash the power that comes from creating your own veggie patch! Not only will you be reducing carbon emissions, but you’ll also be able to enjoy fresh, organic produce while saving money – right from your own backyard. According to The University of Arizona College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, when considering which seeds to plant in Arizona, one should keep in mind that there are cool-season crops and warm-season crops. Cool-season crops include carrots, onions, lettuce, potatoes, and peas, and warm-season crops include cucumbers, melons, tomatoes, squash, and sweet potatoes. Roll up those sleeves and get ready to get your hands dirty! You will be sure to reap the fruits (and veggies) of your labor.

E-BILLS COULD SAVE 18.5 MILLION TREES A YEAR

Just like there’s a way to drive green, there’s a way to pay green. If every American household switched to e-bills and online invoices, our country could save more than 18 million trees every year, according to estimates by Javelin Strategy and Research. This is one example of a small change you can make that could have a significant impact on our planet.

Switch and pay it forward!

APPROXIMATELY 58 BILLION PAPER CUPS ARE THROWN AWAY EVERY DAY IN THE U.S. ALONE

That’s alarming, right? Well, here’s more. About 20 million trees are cut down every year to make paper cups, and 12 billion gallons of water are used. Also, most disposable coffee cups are coated with plastic and can’t be recycled. So… if you buy a cup of joe daily, think about the big-picture impact of that one habit over the course of a year. Not to mention the money you could be saving.

Instead, purchase a reusable coffee thermos and take that to the coffee shop or make your own brew at home! Not only will you save money and time, but you’ll also be saving trees and water for the planet, and the greater good.

PHOENIX IS ONE OF THE MOST POLLUTED CITIES IN THE NATION

According to the American Lung Association and other sources, Phoenix, Arizona, ranks as one of the most polluted cities in America. This is an environmental concern and a health concern. While high temperatures, wildfires and weather patterns have an impact, there are factors we can control. For one, drive a hybrid or electric car or take public transportation. Better yet, leave your car at home and walk or bike. Not only will you be helping to improve air quality, but you’ll also be improving your own health.

YOU CAN MAKE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON EARTH DAY

Every effort, every person, every little thing… together, it all makes a difference on Earth Day and every day. Whether it’s unplugging your TV, shopping with reusable grocery bags, giving up plastic water bottles, leaving the car at home, or eating vegetarian for a day, there is no effort too small when celebrating Earth Day! Challenge yourself, family, and friends to try something new this month to honor our Mother Earth.

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GREEN SCENES

APRIL CALENDAR OF EVENTS CENTRAL ARIZONA

April 13

EARTH DAY AND ARBOR DAY CELEBRATION

Experience hands-on activities and live animal presentations, and discover ways to live an eco-friendlier lifestyle from onsite vendors and exhibitors. Admission is free and the event will be held from 9am until noon at the Environmental Education Center at Veterans Oasis Park, 4050 E. Chandler Heights Rd., Chandler, AZ 85249.

For more info, please visit www.chandleraz. gov/earth-day

April 13

April 16

The Phoenix Zoo is hosting a “Party for the Planet” Earth Day Celebration from 9am to 4pm. All activities are included with general zoo admission. Sheep-shearing lessons, Egg-tastic demonstrations about raising eggs, and Shakti Drum Circle Dancers who use recycled material to make music and dance are just a few features. Kids can win prizes by exploring the zoo and collecting stamps on an Earth Day passport. Shakti performances will be at 10:30am, noon, 1:30pm and 3pm. The event will take place at 455 N. Galvin Parkway Phoenix, AZ 85008. For more information, please visit www.phoenixzoo.org

Calling all dogs and the people they love! This event will transform Downtown Glendale’s Murphy Park into a playground for dogs and their people. Pet owners and their furry friends will enjoy more than 50 pet-related exhibitors, low-cost pet immunizations, pet blessings, pet adoptions, dog-friendly interactive activities including free Doga (dog yoga) classes and frozen doggie treats.

Admission and parking are free. For more information, please visit www.phoenix. carpe-diem.events/calendar/9965728dog-days-of-glendale-at-murphy-park

EARTH DAY AT THE PHOENIX ZOO

ANNUAL DOG DAYS OF GLENDALE

THANK YOU to our partners WE APPRECIATE OUR READERS SUPPORTING OUR ADVERTISERS!

A Team Accounting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Don Zavis Sales Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Honor Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Agave Festival . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Earth X . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IFC

Jan Green . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Arizona Center for Nature Conservation . . . . 7

East Valley Women . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Jeannie in a Bottle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Arizona Center for Advanced Medicine . . . . 15

Eutopia Fitness & Dance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Lifelong Home Renovations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Arizona Pool Water Recycling . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Events by Danielle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Organic Hair Lab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Bauman’s Xtreme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

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Phoenix Zoo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

City of Phoenix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Friendly Pines Camp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Pur Maid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Copenhagen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Frontdoor Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Simple Solutions Summit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Courtesy Chevrolet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Going Green House Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

VeggiDome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

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April 2019 | greenliving

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GREEN SCENES

APRIL CALENDAR OF EVENTS CENTRAL ARIZONA

BUSINESS

April 10

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES BREAKFAST

April 20 – 21

April 22

Visit the amazing Kartchner Caverns for an Earth Day celebration, featuring live animals, an owl pellet dissection activity, crafts, presentations, and interactive activities to showcase and celebrate the beauty of our planet and to foster good stewardship of our natural resources. The event is from 10am to 4pm at Kartchner Caverns State Park, located at 2980 S Hwy 90 in Benson, AZ. For more information, please visit www.azstateparks.com/ kartchner/events/earth-day-at-kartchnercaverns

This event aims to bring together the community to learn about 11 pillars of sustainability: air, building, education, energy, fashion, food, health, transportation, travel, water, and waste.

What a great way to celebrate Earth Day! There will be a variety of exhibitors, local experts on energy and the environment, and fun prize giveaways. The event will be held from 9:30am to 2pm at City of Phoenix Council Chambers, 200 W Jefferson Street.

For more information, please visit www. greenlivingaz.com/arizona-events/ecoevents

April 22

April 27

EARTH DAY AT KARTCHNER CAVERNS

KEEP PHOENIX BEAUTIFUL, EARTH DAY PHOENIX 2019 This is the 10th annual Earth Day Phoenix Exhibitor Fair presented by Republic Services, featuring food trucks, a wide variety of exhibitors, local experts and more. The event will be held from 10:30am to 2pm at Cesar Chavez Plaza in Downtown Phoenix at Washington Street and 2nd Avenue. For more information, please visit www.keepphxbeautiful.org/earth-dayphoenix-festival

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SIMPLE SOLUTIONS SUMMIT

ACT FOR EARTH DAY 2019

Contribute to the world’s largest environmental movement this year by volunteering at McDowell Mountain Park in Fountain Hills. This volunteer service is in celebration of Earth Day and is open to all. Primary tasks in the park will include invasive plant species mapping and removal along with trail maintenance.

Volunteers will meet at 7:30am to check in and receive assignments, and projects will be completed between 8am and 10am, followed by a social gathering. Training, materials and snacks will be provided. Sign up at www.signup.com/go/QuPLdEo

The Arizona Chamber of Commerce spotlights the issue of exposure to arsenic, which are common from various industrial and natural resources. Dr. Joyce Tsuji, boardcertified toxicologist and a Fellow of the Academy of Toxicological Sciences, will lead the discussion, “A Serving of Arsenic and New Lace: Scientific Developments Related to Arsenic Risk Assessment,” explaining recent scientific developments. Registration and breakfast start at 7am at The Mission Possible Cafe, 1516 W. Van Buren St. in Phoenix. Admission is $20 for members and $25 for non-members. For more info, please visit http://azchamber.chambermaster. com/events/details/environmental-issuesbreakfast-april-10-2019-235557

April 23

HEALTHY COMMUNITIES AND SUSTAINABLE GROWTH

This is the successful model for bringing business and civic leaders together for thoughtful public dialogue and quality-oflife issues and to improve the sustainability of local communities. Arizona Forward is uniting strong values and a mission of balance between environmental quality and economic growth. This event will be held from 9am to 10:30am at Arizona Forward, 3800 N. Central Ave, Suite 1030, Phoenix. For more information, please visit www.arizonaforward.org/event-3211564

April 27

AZ ECO FASHION WEEK FINALE FASHION SHOW

This event marks the finale of AZ Eco Fashion Week and will feature sustainable designers and brands including reFABRICate, Laura Tanzer, ANYMYSTIK, runzwithscissors and more. The Fashion Show will take place from 6pm to 9pm at FABRIC, 132 E. 6th St. in Tempe. Tickets range from $12 to $50.

Designs will be available for purchase after the show. All proceeds benefit AZ Apparel Foundation. Please visit www.eventbrite. com/e/az-eco-fashion-week-refabricatefashion-show-tickets-56855727010

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GREEN SCENES

APRIL CALENDAR OF EVENTS SOUTHERN ARIZONA

April 20

TUCSON EARTH DAY FESTIVAL AT CHILDREN’S MUSEUM TUCSON

This is a free, family-oriented festival emphasizing children’s activities, special events and information booths at the Children’s Museum Tucson from 10am to 2pm. Discover all the ways to help make your world a healthier, greener place to live. Learn about recycling and composting, the joy of gardening and the fun of getting out and enjoying nature. You can also learn how to bring nature to your backyard with exhibits from local wildlife groups. Children’s Museum Tucson is located at 200 S. 6th Ave in Tucson. Please visit www.childrensmuseumtucson.org/ earthday

April 20

PARTY FOR THE PLANET AT THE REID PARK ZOO

Free admission for every person who bikes to the zoo before noon! Cool Earth Day activities include nature play, animal encounters, and conservation activities highlighting anteaters, climate change, squirrel monkeys and more, all free once you’re inside. This event will be held from 9am until noon at Reid Park Zoo, 3400 E. Zoo Ct. in Tucson. Please visit www. reidparkzoo.org

April 23 – May 5

AGAVE HERITAGE FESTIVAL

Celebrating the unique importance of agave plants, the Agave Heritage Festival celebrates the food, history and spirits reflecting Tucson’s status as America’s first UNESCO City of Gastronomy. Recognized as one of the world’s best small festivals,

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NORTHERN ARIZONA

this 21-day event features guest chefs, collaborative menus, music, arts and foods, all centered around the unique history of current uses of the agave plant. For more information, please visit www.visittucson. org/visit/events/agave-heritage-festival

NORTHERN ARIZONA

April 6 – May 5

RECYCLED ART EXHIBITION IN FLAGSTAFF

The City of Flagstaff is hosting the 17th annual recycled art exhibition, including a free opening reception, as well as announcements for awards presented to local artists from 6pm to 8pm on April 6.

The exhibition will be on display at the Flagstaff Mall between April 6 and May 5.

For more information, please visit www. flagstaff-arts.org/2019-recycled-artexhibition.html

April 19 – 22

EARTH DAY GRANDMOTHER CELEBRATION IN SEDONA

Celebrate Earth Day with four members of the International Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers. Enjoy an intimate dinner with the Grandmothers, a two-day presentation at the Creative Life Center, and an Earth Day ceremony at Montezuma’s Well. For more info, please visit www.grandmotherscouncil.org/earthday-grandmother-celebration-in-sedona-az

April 20

CITY OF FLAGSTAFF EARTH DAY CELEBRATION 2019

Enjoy a day out at Bushmaster Park celebrating Earth Day. The event kicks off with a community clean-up held from 9am to 10:30am, complete with food trucks!

The event will take place from 11am to 2pm, and will feature local entertainment, organizations and vendors hosting interactive and engaging tabling events to help educate the public about sustainability and other Earth-friendly practices. Visit www.flagstaff.az.gov/1439/Earth-Day

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April 2019 | greenliving

47

EACH MONTH WE FEATURE A GREEN CHAMPION WHO IS MAKING STRIDES IN THE GREEN COMMUNITY

MANISH SHAH

A GREEN EXPLORER AND A GREEN CHAMPION

BY HAILEY COLBRUNN

B

eing recognized as a “green champion” is not an accolade given as recognition for a single green act. Rather, it’s a way to shine the spotlight on people throughout our communities who are not only changing their own lifestyles, but also finding ways to educate and inspire change in others.

Founder of the Maya Tea Company, Manish Shah, is doing just that by taking his Tucson-based tea business and expanding it into a project that will implement and draw on different notions of what it means to be green. “It seems more like I’m a green explorer,” says Shah. “I’m looking at what can be done.”

Shah is in the planning stages for the building of drive-thrus Manish Shah is founder of the Maya Tea Company in Tucson, AZ.

that will sell tea, soda and coffee. Every drive-thru will be made out of repurposed shipping containers, giving them a second life. These containers will include solar panel roofs and other sustainable features. “I have some strategies that are really specific that I know we’re applying,” says Shah. “On the other hand, there are some unknowns.”

Shah is also looking into programs to manage the compost that comes from the tea and coffee grounds left over from production, while also seeking ways he can reuse excess water through different filtration systems. The company also plans to integrate compostable cups and refillable containers. When it comes to being green and bringing sustainable elements into a business, Shah is considering that those unknowns will be what drives the company to continue pursuing and developing a sustainable business. However, sustainability to Shah is more than reusable shipping containers and compostable cups.

Shah’s family derives from Jain lineage. Jainism as a religion upholds the central teaching of ahimsa, which is the practice of nonviolence. “I was raised in that environment, around ahimsa,” says Shah. “I have a heightened awareness about how my actions affect others. I’ve always been sensitive to that.”

For that reason, Shah’s vision for sustainability is a comprehensive one. “My original approach to sustainability was not based on the actual tangibles but more the intangibles. Things like having better relationships within the workplace, being mindful of things like workload... it was more driven by people than product,” says Shah. “True sustainability begins because we look out for each other, we care for each other, we are mindful of each other. Creating a work environment that fosters that [sustainability] feels like it leads to the rest of the story.”

The rest of the story for Shah and the Maya Tea Company is something that will continue to grow and spread its roots, bringing sustainability to not just a business but to the impact that business has on the community and its people.

“Sustainability is not the end result; it’s a practice,” says Shah.

Hailey Colbrunn moved to Arizona from Minnesota two years ago and finds continuous inspiration from the eclectic landscape and the opportunities for exploration.

If you want to nominate a Green Champion, please email editor@greenlivingaz.com

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greenliving | April 2019

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