Solstice Green - Fall 2017

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Fall 2017

Brain-Music Connection...page 18 Bacteria on Your Phone...page 23 The Truth About Farmed Salmon...page 44

The Central Coast Guide to Green and Healthy Living!

SEPT. 28 - 30 2017 Doors Open at 6:30pm

Pismo Beach Los Osos San Luis Obispo

8 films per location Refreshments Raffle Buy your tickets for this thought-provoking event featuring a collection of films which speak to the environmental concerns and celebrations of our planet at : centralcoastparks.org/filmfest

tickets

$15 in advanced, $20 at the door $10 youth ( under 18 ); $40 full festival pass

Fall has always been my favorite season. The time when everything bursts with its last beauty, as if nature had been saving up all year for the grand finale. ~ Lauren DeStefano

no news is

GOOD News...

I need to stop listening to the news. Especially now. Our brains become magnetized with the dominating thoughts which we hold in our minds, and, these “magnets” attract to us the forces, the people, the circumstances of life which harmonize with the nature of our dominating thoughts. In other words, the predominant thoughts affect our reality. Yikes!

Henry Ford knew this well. During World War I, he sued a Chicago newspaper for libel after they referred to him as “an ignorant pacifist.” The newspaper’s attorneys set out to prove that Ford was ignorant, by putting him on the stand and asking him general knowledge questions. Ford admitted that he couldn't answer most of them, but noted that he had the means to summon people who could supply any knowledge he desired. What then, would be the use of him cluttering up his mind with such information? Luckily for us, there’s this thing called the Internet (Google?) that levels the playing field. Most of the issues reported on TV and in the newspapers are not conducive to healthy thinking. So, I've decided to reduce my media information intake. I'm looking forward to more peace of mind and extra time for things I like to do!

Margaret Hennessy Founder/Publisher

Sophie Fauchier-Specker

Nicky Bailey

Diane Parnell, Margaret Hennessy, Madeline Palaszewski, Monte Allen

Carolyn Biedinger

Solstice Green Directory Mission: To provide information on environmental issues and ways to address concerns of residents on the Central Coast. To help educate consumers so that they can make better choices locally by providing visibility of green and healthy products and services. To develop and provide business networking opportunities to encourage relationships that will support a more sustainable community.

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Solstice Green Directory - Fall 2017

Founder/Publisher Margaret Hennessy

Marketing and Community Relations Madeline Palaszewski

Distribution

Monte Allen and Anthony Calandra

Graphic Designer Jenny Malott

Advertising Sales

Madeline Palaszewski Sophie Fauchier-Specker Nickey Bailey

Tech Support and Graphic Design Chris Maloney

Bookkeeping/Copy Editor Diane Parnell

Community Outreach Carolyn Biedinger

Reuse and Recycle Special Contributor Monte Allen

Solstice Publishing, LLC

4251 South Higuera Street, Suite 800 San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 (805) 473-5064 www.slosolstice.com info@slosolstice.com twitter.com/slosolstice facebook.com/solsticegreendirectory

This publication is printed on recycled paper with soy ink.

Solstice Green Directory provides an advertising service. We cannot warrant or guarantee any of the products or services advertised. All feedback is most welcome and will help us provide a better service for you. Solstice Green Directory reserves the right to accept or reject advertisers.

Contents The Solstice Green Directory Summer 2017

DIRECTORY 4 FEATURES Try a Little Kindness 13 Saving Energy... Six Easy Ways 14 A Message from Bill McKibbon 15 Planting Pointers for Fall 16 Brain-Music Connection 18 Enjoy Autumn Foods 19 Pasta Water... Don't Throw It Out! 20 Just the Facts: Fragrance 22 Bacteria on Your Phone?

23 Have an Eco-Friendly Fall 24 Are You a Night Owl? 25 Being Grateful... Good for Your Health?

26 Horse Radish Packs a Punch!

27 4 Spices for Your Brain 29 Microgreens 31 Want Healthier Pumpkin Pie? 34 Cheers to More Sustainable Vineyards 36 On the Road Again with Healthy Food 37 Recycle All You Can.... And Here's Why 39 The Truth About Farmed Salmon 44 Got Mice?

47 A Green Vocabulary for Green People 48 Benefits of Medicinal Marijuana 51

Directory ACCESSORIES & GIFTS Bambu Batu (805) 316-1233 The House of Bamboo 1023 Broad St., San Luis Obispo 93401 www.bambubatu.com Organic natural products for your conscious lifestyle

BARBER SHOP The Green Room (805) 473-0939 No Appointment Necessary!

110 West Branch St., Arroyo Grande thegreenroomarroyogrande.com

Please see display ad on page 15

BARTER BUSINESS GROUP Cal Coast Trade • Call Gregg (805) 975-5334 A sustainable way to do business!

Save your cash and increase your business! www.calcoasttrade.com

ASTROLOGY SLO Astrologers Contact at SLOAstrologers@aol.com On-going classes at the Gala Center, Palm St., SLO Please see display ad on page 10

Please see display ad on page 33

Please see display ad on page 7

BEAUTY SALON The Green Room (805) 473-0939 No Appointment Necessary!

110 West Branch St., Arroyo Grande thegreenroomarroyogrande.com Please see display ad on page 33

www.slosolstice.com 4

Solstice Green Directory - Fall 2017

CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT R. Barkley & Associates (800) 211-5677 Professional Business Services Taxes, Bookkeeping, Home Loans, Investment Planning www.rbarkley.com

Please see display ad on page 17

Please see display ad on page 30

SLO Green Build (805) 286-0072 Non-profit green building education and support www.slogreenbuild.org

CLEANING Coastline Cleaning Company (805) 400-5433 Commercial • General Office • Post Construction • Residential coastlinecleaning@ymail.com 3765 S. Higuera St., #140 San Luis Obispo

BUSINESS TRADING Cal Coast Trade • Call Gregg (805) 975-5334 A sustainable way to do business!

Save your cash and increase your business! www.calcoasttrade.com

DIRECTORY

BUILDING MATERIALS & RESOURCES Matt Clark Tile & Stone (805) 543-7600 181 Tank Farm Rd. Ste. 140, SLO www.mattclarktile.com We carry beautiful environmentally friendly products

Please see display ad on page 27

Please see display ad on page 7

BUS SERVICE Regional Transit Authority (RTA) (805) 541-2228 RTA buses get you around the county 7 days a week!

Talk Green. Live Green. Hop Aboard. www.SLORTA.org Please see display ad on page 52

CAFÉ SunShine Health Foods/Shine Café (805) 772-7873 Whole Food Market and Organic Cafe 415 Morro Bay Blvd., Morro Bay Please see display ad on page 15

$109 for a 3 month Directory Listing. Call today!

805.473.5064

CLOTHING & BAMBOO Bambu Batu (805) 316-1233 The House of Bamboo 1023 Broad St., San Luis Obispo 93401 www.bambubatu.com Organic natural products for your conscious lifestyle Please see display ad on page 15

Tell them you found them in Solstice! • www.slosolstice.com

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DIRECTORY

COMPUTER REPAIR & SERVICE Go! Computer Services www.go-cc.com (805) 704-0833 More Than a Tech. More Than a Tutor.

On-Site Help for Your Computer!

Repair, Refurbish, Recycle, and More!

Please see display ad on page 9

DENTAL Pacific Dental Excellence (805) 929-6814 Dentistry dedicated to protecting your total health. www.pacificdentalexcellence.com Please see display ad on page 35

DRY CLEANERS Paul’s Dry Cleaners & Laundry (805) 543-2250 State-Of-The-Art Dry Cleaning • Full Laundry Drapery & Down Specialists • Beat Competitor’s Coupons 214 Higuera St., San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 www.paulsdrycleaner.com Please see display ad on page inside back cover

CREDIT UNIONS SESLOC Federal Credit Union (805) 543-1816 A not-for-profit, depositor owned, financial institution serving all who live, work, worship or attend school on the Central Coast.

3807 Broad St., SLO; 1399 Grand Ave., Arroyo Grande; 8380 El Camino Real, Atascadero; 705 Golden Hill Road, Paso Robles; 2506 South Broadway, Santa Maria www.sesloc.org Please see display ad on back cover

CUISINE www.CasaFestiva.com “Exploring the culture of cuisine!”

Sustainability • Fun • Food & Wine Please see display ad on page 31

EMOTIONAL FREEDOM TECHNIQUES Mia Simmons, Cert. 1, ADV, Level 3 (805) 528-7586 Certified, Advanced, Level 3 EFT Practitioner Meridian tapping technique www.miasimmons.com Please see display ad on page 26

ENERGY WORK / ENERGY MEDICINE The Healing Works • Brenda Keeney (805) 478-1223 Shaman, Holistic Nutritionist, Medical Intuitive 405 E. Branch St. #107 Arroyo Grande, CA 93420 www.thehealingworks.org Please see display ad on page 33

Mia Simmons, Cert. 1, ADV, Level 3 (805) 528-7586 Certified, Advanced, Level 3 EFT Practitioner Meridian tapping technique www.miasimmons.com Please see display ad on page 26

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Solstice Green Directory - Fall 2017

DIRECTORY

EVENTS San Luis Obispo Symphony Dress Rehearsals Affordable fun for the whole family!

Five performances scheduled.

For More Information: slosymphony.org Tickets: pacslo.org • 805-756-4849 Please see display ad on page 19

FILM FESTIVALS Wild & Scenic Film Festival September 28 – 30, 2017 Pismo Beach • Los Osos • San Luis Obispo Eight Films per Location For More Information: CentralCoastParks.org/FilmFest Please see display ad on inside front cover

Wild & Scenic Film Festival September 28 – 30, 2017 Pismo Beach • Los Osos • San Luis Obispo Eight Films per Location For More Information: CentralCoastParks.org/FilmFest Please see display ad on inside front cover

GREEN FLOORING Matt Clark Tile & Stone (805) 543-7600 181 Tank Farm Rd. Ste. 140, SLO www.mattclarktile.com We carry beautiful environmentally friendly products Please see display ad on page 17

Save Your Cash, Increase Business An innovative way to do business sustainably

Call Gregg now (805) 975-5334

www.calcoasttrade.com

Tell them you found them in Solstice! • www.slosolstice.com

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DIRECTORY

working for Smart Energy Solutions...

Santa Lucia Chapter of the Sierra Club P.O. Box 15755 San Luis Obispo, CA 93406 (805)543-8717 sierraclub8@gmail.com www.sierraclub.santalucia.org

GREEN GARDENING Los Osos Green Gardeners David Hunter • (805) 400-9937 Sustainable gardening and landscaping grass roots group 1539 10th St., Los Osos, CA greengardeners@greenerlivinghomes.com

www.facebook.com/greengardeners

GREEN-REALTOR C. Green Real Estate Co. (805) 481-7700 171 N. 13th St. Suite A Grover Beach 93433 Fax: (805) 481-9338 Cell: (805) 441-7370 www.cgreenrealestate.com Please see display ad on page 39

David Hunter, Realtor-Associate (805) 400-9937 Keller Williams Realty Central Coast 815 Morro Bay Blvd., Morro Bay, CA 93442 david@greenerlivinghomes.com www.greenerlivinghomes.com Please see display ad on page 24

HAIR SALON The Green Room (805) 473-0939 No Appointment Necessary!

110 West Branch St., Arroyo Grande thegreenroomarroyogrande.com Please see display ad on page 33 8

Solstice Green Directory - Fall 2017

HEALTH / DETOX Pacific Dental Excellence (805) 929-6814 Dentistry dedicated to protecting your total health. www.pacificdentalexcellence.com Please see display ad on page 35

David Orr - Relaxationist (805) 801-7725 Restoring Relaxation & Enhancing Personal Effectiveness deorre53@yahoo.com Relished Food – Holistic Nutrition Laureen Wallravin, NTP, FDN “Feed Your Fertile Body” - A Six Week Pre-Conception Preparation and Fertility Optimization Program www.relishedfood.com 805.242.3677 HEALTH / FITNESS Avila Bay Athletic Club & Spa (805) 595-7600 Tropical paradise, tennis, ozone pools, classes incl. yoga, cafe & catering, conf. rooms, special events avilabayclub.com Please see display ad on page 17

HEALTH FOOD STORES Sunshine Health Foods/Shine Café (805) 772-7873 Whole Food Market & Organic Cafe 415 Morro Bay Blvd., Morro Bay Please see display ad on page 15

Follow Us On Twitter!

http://twitter.com/slosolstice

Please see display ad on page 27

DIRECTORY

JANITORIAL Coastline Cleaning Company (805) 400-5433 Commercial • General Office • Post Construction • Residential coastlinecleaning@ymail.com 3765 S. Higuera St., #140 San Luis Obispo JUICE BAR Sunshine Health Foods/Shine Café (805) 772-7873 Whole Food Market & Organic Cafe 415 Morro Bay Blvd., Morro Bay Please see display ad on page 15

HIKES ECOSLO (805) 544-1777 Join ECOSLO for Educational Hikes on Open Space Natural Reserves.

Upcoming Hikes Can Be Found at: www.ecoslo.org

LANDSCAPING Elationscapes (805) 400-4999 Ecological landscaping and permaculture design elationscapes.com

Please see display ad on page 17

HOLISTIC COUNSELING Laura V. Grace, Ph.D. (c) Jungian Analyst (805) 748-3878 In-person and Skype sessions available lauravgrace22@gmail.com www.lauragrace.net Please see display ad on page 28

INSURANCE BROKER Yvonne Fisher Insurance Services, Inc. (805) 586-2556 Go to YvonneFisherInsure.com for Insurance Quotes Please see display ad on page 31 Tell them you found them in Solstice! • www.slosolstice.com

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DIRECTORY

LOANS SESLOC Federal Credit Union (805) 543-1816 A not-for-profit, depositor owned, financial institution serving all who live, work, worship or attend school on the Central Coast.

3807 Broad St., SLO; 1399 Grand Ave., Arroyo Grande; 8380 El Camino Real, Atascadero; 705 Golden Hill Road, Paso Robles; 2506 South Broadway, Santa Maria www.sesloc.org Please see display ad on back cover

METABOLIC DIET Relished Food – Holistic Nutrition Laureen Wallravin, NTP, FDN “Feed Your Fertile Body” - A Six Week Pre-Conception Preparation and Fertility Optimization Program www.relishedfood.com 805.242.3677 MUSIC San Luis Obispo Symphony Dress Rehearsals Affordable fun for the whole family!

Five performances scheduled.

For More Information: slosymphony.org Tickets: pacslo.org • 805-756-4849 Please see display ad on page 19

$109 for a 3 month Directory Listing. Call today!

805.473.5064 NON-PROFIT ECOSLO (805) 544-1777 Join ECOSLO for Educational Hikes on Open Space Natural Reserves.

Upcoming Hikes Can Be Found at: www.ecoslo.org Please see display ad on page 17

Sierra Club-Santa Lucia Chapter (805) 543-8717 547-B Marsh St San Luis Obispo santalucia.sierraclub.org Please see display ad on page 8

SLO Green Build (805) 286-0072 Non-profit green bldg education & support www.slogreenbuild.org NOTARY PUBLIC/MOBILE NOTARY Yvonne Fisher Insurance Services, Inc. (805) 586-2556 Property Insurance • Notary Public • Real Estate Please see display ad on page 31

Learn Astrology...

Meeting Every 1st Wednesday of the Month 6:00-7:30pm GALA Center, located at 1060 Palm St., San Luis Obispo

Newcomers Welcomed!

sloastrologers@aol.com • sloastrologers.blogspot.com 10

Solstice Green Directory - Fall 2017

DIRECTORY

NUTRITION The Healing Works • Brenda Keeney (805) 478-1223 Shaman, Holistic Nutritionist, Medical Intuitive 405 E. Branch St. #107 Arroyo Grande, CA 93420 www.thehealingworks.org Please see display ad on page 33

ORGANIC CAFE SunShine Health Foods/Shine Café (805) 772-7873 Whole Food Market and Organic Cafe 415 Morro Bay Blvd., Morro Bay Please see display ad on page 15

OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE Kathryn A. Perry, D.O. (805) 548-8490 777 Pismo Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 816 Main Street, Suite D Cambria, CA 93428 Please see display ad on page 39

PERMACULTURE Elationscapes (805) 400-4999 Ecological landscaping and permaculture design elationscapes.com

PSYCHO-SPIRITUAL COUNSELING Laura V. Grace, Ph.D. (c) Jungian Analyst (805) 748-3878 In-person and Skype sessions available lauravgrace22@gmail.com www.lauragrace.net

PHYSICIAN Kathryn A. Perry, D.O. (805) 548-8490 777 Pismo Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 816 Main Street, Suite D Cambria, CA 93428

Please see display ad on page 28

Please see display ad on page 39

Like Us On Facebook!

facebook.com/solsticegreendirectory

RADIO BROADCASTING AGM California, Inc (805) 781-2750 The Central Coast’s leading radio group: 98.1 KJUG, 93.3 KZOZ, COAST 104.5, The KRUSH 92.5 & 920 AM KVEC Locally owned and operated for over 30 years serving this community with pride.

Please see display ad on page 46

Tell them you found them in Solstice! • www.slosolstice.com

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DIRECTORY

REALTOR C. Green Real Estate Co. (805) 481-7700 171 N. 13th St. Suite A Grover Beach 93433 Fax: (805) 481-9338 Cell: (805) 441-7370 www.cgreenrealestate.com

SPA SERVICES Avila Bay Athletic Club & Spa (805) 595-7600 Tropical paradise, tennis, ozone pools, classes incl. yoga, cafe & catering, conf. rooms, special events avilabayclub.com

Please see display ad on page 39

Please see display ad on page 17

David Hunter, Realtor-Associate (805) 400-9937 Keller Williams Realty Central Coast 815 Morro Bay Blvd., Morro Bay, CA 93442 david@greenerlivinghomes.com www.greenerlivinghomes.com

SUSTAINABLE FOOD & WINE www.CasaFestiva.com “Exploring the culture of cuisine!”

Sustainability • Fun • Food & Wine

Please see display ad on page 24

SHAMANISM The Healing Works • Brenda Keeney (805) 478-1223 Shaman, Holistic Nutritionist, Medical Intuitive 405 E. Branch St. #107 Arroyo Grande, CA 93420 www.thehealingworks.org Please see display ad on page 33

SHOES The Shoe Tree (805) 773-5571 Personalized shoe fitters featuring the most popular brands.

801 Dolliver St, Pismo Beach, CA 93449 www.shoetreeinc.com Please see display ad on page inside back cover

SKIN CARE Beautycounter • Arlan Hall (805) 503-9234 Beauty and skin care made safer, prohibiting the use of over 1,500 harmful ingredients. www.beautycounter.com/arlanhall Please see display ad on page 22 12

Solstice Green Directory - Fall 2017

Please see display ad on page 31

SUSTAINABLE SKIN CARE Beautycounter Arlan Hall (805) 503-9234 Beauty and skin care made safer, prohibiting the use of over 1,500 harmful ingredients. www.beautycounter.com/arlanhall Please see display ad on page 22

TILE Matt Clark Tile & Stone (805) 543-7600 181 Tank Farm Rd. Ste. 140, SLO www.mattclarktile.com We carry beautiful environmentally friendly products Please see display ad on page 17

TRANSPORTATION Regional Transit Authority (RTA) (805) 541-2228 RTA buses get you around the county 7 days a week!

Talk Green. Live Green. Hop Aboard. www.SLORTA.org Please see display ad on page 52

“try a little Kindness” ~Glen Campbell

By Diane Parnell “If you see your brother standing by the road With a heavy load from the seeds he's sowed And if you see your sister falling by the way Just stop and say, you're going the wrong way.

You got to try a little kindness Yes show a little kindness Just shine your light for everyone to see And if you try a little kindness Then you'll overlook the blindness Of narrow-minded people on the narrow-minded streets.” ~ Songwriters: Bobby Austin and Curt Sapaugh I was ten years old when Glen Campbell came out with this song in 1969. I remember me and my sisters, (we all had crushes on him) singing along as it played on the radio. Even as a kid, I was uplifted by the message of the song. Glen’s death last month took me back almost 50 years, and I was reminded how relevant the words to this song are today.

Everyone likes to be the recipient of acts of kindness, no matter their religion, gender, race or political position. And these acts are so easy to make. Here are a couple you can try: Let the person behind you in line at the grocery store with just a few items go ahead of you. Watch their look of pleasant surprise, listen to their thanks. You just brightened their day.

Stop and allow a car on a side street to get into traffic. Watch the driver’s wave of gratitude, their peace sign, their thumbs up, their smile. You just saved them a few minutes.

And pay attention to how you feel inside when you deliver these acts of kindness. You just made somebody’s day but you know what? I think you’ll find that you made your own day as well. Glen was right. Try a little kindness. Shine your light for everyone to see. Turn it up.

Tell them you found them in Solstice! • www.slosolstice.com

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Saving Energy ...six easy ways!

If you are serious about achieving a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly home, here are five easy ways to do so: 1) Energy efficiency: Using LED light bulbs help a lot toward conserving energy. Do your research and consider other energy efficient appliances for your home. If you are remodeling, you can install big windows that admit lots of natural light so you minimize how often you turn the lights on. Also, installing ceiling fans and leaving the windows open will give you much needed ventilation and keep you cool without sucking up electricity and energy. 2) Ditch paper towels: Using paper towels to clean up spills is both wasteful and expensive. Switch to cloth towels instead. It has more uses than paper towels and can be washed. An old t-shirt can be used as a cleaning cloth. Be creative. 3) Skip the dryer: A clothes dryer is a chief contender for energy consumption. Skip the dryer and dry clothes on a line or a clothing rack. If you can't hang your clothes out to dry, pop a fan on a stool and use it to expedite the process. Also, front-loader washing machines use less energy than a top-loader so while a top-loader is convenient, go for the frontloader to save money. 4) Unplug everything: Many appliances use up electricity even when they're turned off. Computers that are put into sleep mode also drain electricity. Practice turning things off and for appliances that are plugged into a power strip, turn that power strip off when not in use or simply unplug it. 5) Turn off the lights: Even if you're using LED lights, having them turned on all the time adds up. Switch them off when you're not in the room or when it’s not required.

Use candles or night lights when you don't need that much light (while watching a movie or hosting a small, intimate gathering) Candles add plenty of atmosphere and ambience too. 6) Recycle: Have a recycling bin nearby so it’s not difficult to make a separate trash bag for the non-perishables and toss them out on your way to work.If you're just starting to make positive changes to your home, understand that it will be a few months before the results will be seen.

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Solstice Green Directory - Fall 2017

here's a message from

Bill McKibbon We're at one of those moments in the climate fight when things could go either way. But to every action, a reaction, and states and cities are beginning to step up to fill the void. This trend will increase: politicians read poll numbers, and those show that most Americans hate what's happening to the environment. So politicians are speaking out. But at this point we need more than nice rhetoric, more than empty pledges to "live up to the Paris accords." 1) Stop new fossil fuel infrastructure.

If you're serious about Paris, that means realizing we're already overshooting the temperature targets we set there, there's literally no more room in the carbon budget for more pipelines, more frack fields, more coal ports. If France's new president can put an end to exploration for oil and gas, so can our leaders. 2) Commit to 100% renewables. Not to "more solar panels," but to powering our cities and states with sun and wind, and soon. Already cities from Atlanta to Salt Lake to San Diego have made the pledge; California's state senate has already passed such a bill. 100% is the most important number we've got. 3) Recognize that natural gas is as bad an enemy as coal or oil. This has been America's greatest climate mistake in recent years: we've driven down our carbon emissions by driving up the methane that natural gas production pours into the atmosphere, meaning we're making no progress. And all that cheap fracked gas is holding back the conversion to actual clean energy. It's got to stop.

Most of all, though, we need you spreading the word. Precisely because this is a desperate moment, we don't have the luxury of despair. It's time to fight.

Bill McKibbon (www.350.org)

M-Sat. 10-6 Sun. 11-5

Mon.-Fri. 9-6, Sat. 9-5 Sun 10-4

1023 Broad Street • SLO www.bambubatu.com

Fresh local produce, bulk foods, vegetarian café, natural remedies

415 Morro Bay Blvd. in Morro Bay

Tell them you found them in Solstice! • www.slosolstice.com

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planting pointers Many people gear up to work on their yards and gardens in the spring, but fall is actually an ideal time for yard work. Here are a few ideas for bringing your garden to life in the fall, especially on the Central Coast.

Compost the leaves: Falling leaves are beautiful to look at but may seem like an inconvenience when planning your garden. Instead of bagging the leaves and leaving them out with the trash, consider collecting them and composting them to create nutrient-rich, organic soil that will be ready for use by the spring. Fertilize organically: When preparing your soil for next year, add organic, slow-release fertilizers that will help enhance your soil over time. These fertilizers are made of natural materials, contain vital nutrients to help your plants grow, and prevent plants from getting nitrogen. Most local garden stores carry a wide variety of organic fertilizers. Plant trees: By the time autumn rolls around, summer heat waves are long past, rainfall is usually more plentiful, and new trees, bushes and flowers have a greater chance of surviving than they would if they were planted during a hotter season. Choose species native to your area as well as those that are drought and pest resistant and can grow in the kind of soil and amount of sunlight available on your property.

Plant bulbs: If you have a vegetable or fruit garden that you want to maintain throughout the winter, consider planting root bulbs and leaf crops that will continue to produce despite the cooler weather. Build a greenhouse: Building a greenhouse or a hot bed to cultivate your veggies could keep the fresh food coming throughout the winter!

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Almond Butter cookies

Ingredients: 3 cups whole wheat flour pastry flour (gluten free optional) / 1/2 tsp. sea salt / 1 lb. almond butter (unsalted, smooth) / 2/3 cup coconut oil / 3/4 cup maple syrup / 1 tsp. vanilla. Preheat oven to 350 F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper. Sift flour into mixing bowl, then add sea salt.

Cream almond butter, oil, maple syrup, and vanilla together in a separate, larger bowl, using a whisk. Cream until smooth.

Add flour to almond butter mixture and

stir to fully combine flour. Form dough into walnut-sized balls and press down, then mark with a fork.

If dough does not form easily when rolled, add a bit more flour. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown on undersides of cookies. Allow to cool on baking sheets for 10 minutes, then transfer to cooling rack until completely cooled. Serving: 30 cookies.

Club use included w/ spa service Relax by one of our pools, Or take a fitness class!

(805) 595-7600 • AvilaBayClub.com

6699 Bay Laurel Place, Avila Beach, CA

Tell them you found them in Solstice! • www.slosolstice.com

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Brain-Music connection Research at the University of North Carolina and published in the journal Scientific Reports, found that listening to a favorite song, boosted activity in the hippocampus, a region responsible for memory and socially-linked emotions.

Every 67 seconds, someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s.

The disease affects millions around the world, however, one way to help jog long lost memories is by listening to music decades old. As we all know from hearing that song associated with a first love or leaving home for good, music is profoundly linked to personal memories.

In fact, our brains are hard-wired to connect music with long-term memory.

Even for persons with severe dementia, music can tap deep emotional recall. For individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s, memory for things, names, places, facts, is compromised, but memories from our teenage years can be well-

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preserved. Favorite music or songs associated with important personal events can trigger memory of lyrics and the experience connected to the music. Music often calms chaotic brain activity and enables the listener to focus on the present moment and regain a connection to others.

Persons with dementia, Parkinson’s and other diseases that damage brain chemistry also reconnect to the world and gain improved quality of life from listening to personal music favorites.

The conclusion: An iPod and a set of earphones may do wonders for a loved one dealing with memory loss.

Enjoy

autumn foods During autumn it is great to make a few seasonal adjustments to your diet. Daikon radish, and miso soup are good additions. Try eating fewer summer vegetables, and switch to autumn vegetables like squash, broccoli, and cauliflower. More root vegetables like carrots, onions, potatoes, and beets, are beneficial.

Try parsnips, turnips, sweet potatoes, pumpkins and leeks. Add onions and garlic to your stews. Cooked seasonal fruits are also good. Add cranberries and figs. Try ginger tea. Pear juice is a nice moistening solution for a dry throat.

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Pasta Water

When cooking pasta, it’s easy to feel as if you're wasting water when you boil it and then immediately throw that water down the drain. While it may be your goal to conserve as much H2O as possible, there really isn't much use for it once it’s been filled with starch.

At least, that’s what most people think.

Thankfully, though, some people have figured out multiple ways to reuse that environmentally valuable liquid.If you're looking for nifty ways to reuse old noodle water when you're done cooking, then look no further. Here we've gathered several clever ways to reuse the starchy stuff. It’s no secret that pasta is one of the most popular dishes served around the world. While it may be delicious, an unfortunate result of our love of pasta is a lot of “wasted” water.

In truth, there are some surprising things you can do with that unsalted starchy water. Try these tricks!

1) Use it to water your garden and flowers. While experimenting, some researchers discovered that you can use the leftover water from making pasta to help grow the plants in your garden. The high mineral content helps 20

Solstice Green Directory - Fall 2017

them to grow faster.

2) Use it to make your own pesto sauce. You have to be sure to do this with warm pasta water. This way, the water acts as a bonding agent and will give you that gooey pesto sauce that you long to put on sandwiches and pasta.

3) Make pizza dough and other breads. One of the benefits of reusing the pasta water is that it keeps some flavors and starch from the original pasta. This will help give your homemade bread an entirely new and distinctive flavor. 4) Soak beans and other vegetables . You're going to thank yourself when you begin to soak your beans in noodle water overnight. That way, they become so much easier to soften up when you go to cook them the following day. 5) Use it to wash your dirty dishes. When you soak dishes in noodle water, the starch begins to dissolve and acts as an all natural cleaning agent. Yes, it even works if you use it on the most extreme of dirty dishes, so why not give it a try. 6. Use it to soak your aching feet. If you suffer from aching feet at the end of a long day standing

Don't Throw it out!

then soaking your feet in noodle water is your best bet. Just warm it up to a comfortable temperature and let the heat and minerals do the trick. 7) Use it to give your hair a new shine. If your hair has a tendency to look flat, you've come to the right place. Get your hair entirely wet with noodle water and let it soak for 10 minutes. Then, use your normal shampoo and you'll be amazed at the natural shine. 8) Use it to steam more food. If you're looking to steam some vegetables, which happens to be the most gentle way you can cook them, fill a steamer with the noodle water and let it work its magic. Now that’s a clever way to reuse the stuff. 9) Use it to make soup. It should come as no surprise that leftover noodle water will work as the perfect broth. Just think, you've already got all of that natural starchiness mixed in with all of that flavor. It can add a lot of complexity to an otherwise boring soup recipe!

10 Minute Angel Hair Pasta and Tomatoes Recipe: 1 lb. fresh, ripe Roma or grape tomatoes / 3 cloves garlic, minced /4 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil /5 sprigs fresh basil /sea salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste / 1 lb. angel hair pasta. Bring a pot of water to a boil. While the water comes to a boil, chop the tomatoes.

Halve tomatoes, squeeze excess juice from the tomatoes into a large bowl.

Chop tomatoes and add to their juices.

Mince garlic, and add to tomatoes. Add olive oil and toss to combine. Remove leaves from basil stems and cut into ribbons. Add three-quarters of the basil to tomatoes. Boil pasta until tender to the bite, drain, and quickly add to the tomatoes. Toss well and serve. Salt and pepper to taste.

Tell them you found them in Solstice! • www.slosolstice.com

21

just the facts:

Fragrance

By Arlan Hall

Fragrance” is a generic term found on the labels of the personal care products we use day in and day out: Products like shampoo, deodorant, lotion, and in our laundry detergent, dish soap, and makeup. But the term isn’t as innocuous as it seems. Each of these products may have a different scent, yet the labels simply indicate one descriptor: Fragrance.

Though companies are required by law to list the ingredients that make up their products, the word “Fragrance” is considered a trade secret, so companies aren’t legally bound to disclose what chemicals make up said scent. Often times, it can be dozens and even hundreds of chemicals.

It’s no surprise then, that “fragrance” is considered to be among the top five known allergens and can cause and trigger asthma attacks. We may have allergies to one of the hundreds of chemicals involved in a fragrance

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formulation. The hidden ingredients may trigger dermatitis, respiratory distress and potential effects on the reproductive system, too.

bacteria on your phone...

YIKES!

Your phone has 10 times more bacteria than a toilet seat, according to LiveScience.

That shouldn't be surprising, since a lot of people use their phone on the toilet.

What exactly is on your phone and how can you get it off? BuzzFeed swabbed and tested a bunch of phones for germs and found that, along with normal bacteria that's found on hands and faces, there were also a few different kinds of disease-causing bacteria. Those more insidious types of bacteria included MRSA and E. coli. Now that you're sufficiently disgusted, here are a few ways to keep your phone clean. The simplest way to keep your phone from getting yucky is

to wash your hands regularly. Whatever bacteria is on your hands will get on your phone, so the cleaner your hands, the cleaner your phone. Don't bring it into the bathroom. This one is probably going to be a little more difficult. People like to be distracted, that's why people keep magazines in their bathrooms.

But you really need to exercise some self-control and keep your phone out of the bathroom. Need more convincing?

When you flush a toilet, tiny bacteria filled droplets of water spray all over the place.

Studies show that 60% of toothbrushes kept in a communal bathroom contained bacteria. Wash your phone.

You can buy electronic wipes to keep your phone germ-free, or you could even get a special phone cleaner that sanitizes it with an ultraviolet light. You can also use some diluted rubbing alcohol and cotton swabs for a more DIY approach.

23

have an

Eco Friendly fall! “How beautifully leaves grow old. How full of light and color are their last days.� ~John Burroughs

Fall. A favorite time for many people. We begin the process of preparing for the busy holiday season, but not just yet. Here are 7 ways to have a greener season: 1) Bring in any houseplants that have spent the summer outdoors. They'll help clean the air. 2) Before packing away those summer clothes, go through them and determine which items to keep, which items to re purpose into something else (cleaning rags, craft projects, etc.) and which to donate. 3) As the autumn leaves begin to fall, consider raking them up rather than using a "blower." Once raked up, use them as mulch to protect plants throughout the winter or add them to a compost pile. 4) Right now, the local farmers' markets are overflowing with delicious, local, and in-season fruits and veggies. Take advantage of this. 5) Cleaning and adjusting your furnace annually will ensure its operating efficiently, cut back on fuel use, and save you money this winter.6) Don't forget to take some time to appreciate nature and the changing fall colors with a bike ride or walk in the crisp outdoors.

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24

are you a

“Night Owl?” Researchers have determined why some people struggle to fall asleep. A research team at The Rockefeller University has discovered that a variant of the gene CRY1 slows the internal biological clock, called the circadian clock, that normally dictates when you feel sleepy each night and when you are ready to wake up. The mutation is considered dominant, meaning that having just one copy of it can cause a sleep disorder. People with the “night owl” variant of this gene have a longer circadian cycle than most, which makes them stay awake later. According to the research, as many as one in 75 people in some populations may have the mutation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that between 50 and 70 million adults in the U.S. have a sleep or wakefulness disorder, ranging from insomnia to narcolepsy, which can predispose people to chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity and depression. People who self-categorize as night owls are often diagnosed with delayed sleep phase disorder (DSPD), meaning their 24hour sleep-wake cycle is delayed, making them energetic long after most people have fallen asleep. Most people with DSPD are forced to wake up before their bodies tell them to in order to make it to work or school on time, leading not only to insomnia early in the night but also fatigue during the day. The researchers also discovered five relatives who shared the mutation, all of which had signs of DSPD or a history of persistent sleep problems.

25

Being Grateful... is it good for your health?

Gratitude. A study from the University of Pennsylvania found that people who wrote and delivered a heartfelt thank-you letter actually felt happier for a full month after, and the same researchers discovered that writing down three positive events each day for a week kept happiness levels high for up to six months. By writing down positive things that happen to you and actively acknowledging those who have helped you, you become better at recognizing the good in your life, which naturally helps you feel more grateful and thankful more often. According to researchers at Eastern Washington University, there are four primary characteristics of grateful people, and these are the ones that thank-you notes and a gratitude journal can help tap, strengthen, and invigorate. People who experience the most gratitude and therefore the positive effects tend to: 1) Feel a sense of abundance in their lives. 2) Appreciate the contributions of others to their well-being. 3) Recognize and enjoy life's small pleasures. 4) Acknowledge the importance of experiencing and expressing gratitude. 5) Acknowledging these things on paper, with words, or even in your thoughts will help you boost happiness in your life that will last year-round.

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EFT consists of fingertip tapping on meridian points. EFT alleviates negative emotions and experiences.

Research suggests EFT is effective because it helps to balance the activity of the parasympathetic and sympathetic regions of the brain, making it a powerful healing tool.

Horseradish it packs a Punch!

A study by the University of Illinois shows that horseradish contains substantial quantities of glucosinolates compounds which are shown to increase human resistance to cancer. The power of this ‘humble hot shot’ root is created chemically when it is grated or agitated to release constituents that, when put together, produce magic! An effective daily dose of horseradish can be as little as 1 gram or less than a teaspoon.

At first glance, one would never suspect the bite of heat contained in this mild-looking root. But once the root is scraped or grated, a volatile oil called allyl is produced as its glucoside sinigrin comes into contact with its enzyme myrosin. According to renowned herbalist Maude Grieves, it is only when these two substances meet that isothiocyanate, also contained in black mustard seed, is created: this accounts for the pungent, hot, yet subtly sweet taste of horseradish. Horseradish contains antibacterial, antibiotic, antiparasitic, anti-anemic, and aperient properties.

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27

Grow or Die: Reinventing Ourselves

By Laura Grace

As I pen this article, I’m working on getting my Ph.D. After providing psycho-spiritual direction for 20 years, I am experiencing a reinvention intellectually, spiritually and emotionally—and, I’m not alone. Research shows women reinventing themselves is on the rise, particularly women going through a significant change. For many, it’s quite simply: GROW OR DIE. Science reveals that an organism at a steady state is never closer to death. Stagnation is defined as: “Showing little or no sign of activity or advancement.” Unfulfilled dreams are painful to our soul and well-being. Consider the following: Fast forward to the end of your life. As you look back, what would feel genuinely enriching? Release the opinions of others. What do you truly want? Do you need to forgive the past? Resentments weigh us down and prevent us from moving forward.

Give yourself permission to release regrets and mistakes. Accept that change is scary. Whether “good” or “bad,” change affects our nervous system. Taking a step forward alleviates anxiety. Surround yourself with supportive people. “Wet blankets” dampen our spirit and our courage.

Engage in self-care by practicing selfcompassion during the transformation process. Re-invent, Re-vitalize, Re-launch and keep going!

Laura V. Grace, Ph.D. (c) Jungian Analyst

Areas of expertise include: Relationships Women’s Issues Spiritual Direction Depression & Anxiety Feminine Empowerment Current Social Issues

In-person & Skype sessions available www.lauragrace.net lauravgrace22@gmail.com • 805-748-3878 28

here are 4 spices for

Your Brain

Turmeric: So, will a little Indian curry help your brain? The chemical curcumin that makes turmeric yellow appears to activate a key antioxidizing enzyme that reduces plaque buildup. It also is an anti-inflammatory that fights some cancers and multiple sclerosis. Saffron: fights depression in humans, as well as improving learning and memory in animals. Saffron twice daily was as effective as Prozac in treating mild to moderate depression, according to a study in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology. Sage: the aptly named herb, is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Chinese sage root contains compounds similar to Alzheimer’s disease drugs, and just 50 microliters (.001690 fl oz) of sage oil extract significantly enhanced memory, according to research in Pharmacological Biochemical Behavior.

Sage is a great addition to salads, in soups, even on pizza. It tastes and smells better fresh.

Cinnamon: A whiff of cinnamon boosts your brain. Even cinnamon-flavored gum enhances memory, visual-motor speed, recognition, attention, and focus. Cinnamon is a wonder spice: it helps to regulate sugar levels; reduces proliferation of leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells; reduces clotting of blood platelets; acts as an antimicrobial, which means it helps with yeast infections; contains the trace mineral manganese and is a very good source of dietary fiber, iron, and calcium. Try some apples and cinnamon for a snack– especially for your kids before homework.

29

Simmered Lentils good and good

for you!

Loaded with protein, teeming with fiber, and shot through with a massive dose of antioxidants, lentils are a full-blown superfood. Sadly, few people cook them, and fewer restaurants serve them, which is crazy, given how cheap, tasty, and easy to prepare they are. Use this base recipe as a side to go with just about any main dish.

Simmered Lentils Recipe: 1 1/2 cups lentils (soaked overnight) /2 tbsps olive oil /1/2 onion, chopped /2 carrots, diced /2 cloves garlic, minced /1 1/2 cups vegetable /2 bay leaves /1/2 tbsp red wine vinegar / sea salt and black pepper to taste. Rinse the lentils and pick through, discarding any stones. Heat the olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Cook the onion, carrots, and garlic until softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the lentils, broth, and bay leaves. Simmer until the lentils are just tender, about 20 minutes. Season with the vinegar, salt, and pepper. Discard the bay leaves.

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30

Solstice Green Directory - Fall 2017

Microgreens

By Katy Budge

They may be small in stature, but microgreens stand tall in delivering taste and nutrition. Flavor wise, the sprouts offer a concentrated taste of their full grown counterparts. Toss some of the spicier options – such as wasabi and radish – onto a salad for some bursts of flavor, or use them in homemade sushi or spring rolls. You can also count on microgreens to add a dash of color and dimension to any dish, from pasta to pork chops. When it comes to nutrition, microgreens really deliver -- from four to 40 times what is found in the mature plants.

For example, cilantro sprouts offer four times more Vitamin A than the leafy herb, sunflower sprouts have 30 percent more protein than the seeds, and cabbage sprouts have 40 times more beta carotene. As such

a nutrient dense food, microgreens can be an important ingredient for anyone seeking or needing such a healthy wallop. That audience might include athletes, people with dietary restrictions, or even cancer patients undergoing an appetite-suppressing round of chemotherapy. You can opt to grow your own microgreens, or check out the offerings from Gracious Greens in Grover Beach. Owners Alvin and Tammy O’Neal sell freshly cut-to-order sprouts at various farmers’ markets, as well as small (or large) trays of microgreens that you can harvest as needed at home. The O’Neals also offer tastes of whatever they’ve brought to market that day and are happy to answer any questions you have about their mini but mighty microgreens!

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31

autumn harvest

Season

By Ruth Madocks

Autumn is a great time to prepare the body for the changing seasons. We experience Indian summer here in California in early autumn which provides the opportunity for a mild cleansing to get ready for the colder weather to come. The autumn season is also the time for deeper meditation as we move from the active summer season into the time of inner reflection. An early autumn cleanse will help regulate the diet and provide enhanced elimination clearing the body of potential illness. A 5-day to a week of juice cleansing combined with herbal tea in early autumn can give the body a boost, improve organ functions and prepare for the changing seasons ahead. Grapes as juice or eaten whole are a powerful cleanser for the lungs and large intestines, the organs that correspond to the autumn in Chinese medicine. Herbs that aid in an autumn cleanse to strengthen digestion are fennel, fenugreek, burdock root, ginger root and Oregon grape root.

Beneficial herbs to improve respiratory function include coltsfoot, licorice root, wild cherry bark, slippery elm and mullein. Most of these herbs are roots which makes it more difficult to extract their constituents so a slow simmer or overnight infusion is important to get their full strength. Since autumn is the period of preparation for winter’s resting time until the rebirth of spring, try a mild cleanse this fall and feel its benefits.

32

Solstice Green Directory - Fall 2017

how to create a

Green and Clean bedroom

The bedroom should be clean, fresh, and conducive enough for sleeping, relaxing, and contemplating. One of the best ways to do this is to have a green and clean bedroom. Here are some tips: 1) Beautify your room with indoor plants: These green friends don't only add beauty to your room, but they also help create fresher and cleaner air in the environment. Plants trap carbon dioxide and other pollutants in the air as they release cleaner oxygen in the area. 2) Use eco-friendly paints: If you are the type of person, who loves to repaint the bedroom walls occasionally, make sure that you use eco-friendly paints because these do not contain high

levels of volatile organic compounds.

They can harm both the body and the environment. 3) Use eco-friendly lights: The popularity of LED lighting is rising, thanks to the fact that it is very efficient in converting its energy into light instead of heat. Though LED's are typically more expensive than other types of lighting system, the advantages are worth every penny. 4) Go for eco friendly sheets: Your bed sheets can play a role in your quest to obtain a green room.

Those made of rayon, bamboo, and cotton, are healthier because they don't contain chemical components. Following these few tips and caring about the planet might allow you to even enjoy a better nights rest. Nignty night!

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33

want healthier

Pumpkin Pie? According to the USDA’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans, we should all be eating 2 cups of orange veggies each week. Pumpkin pie can help meet these recommendations, plus it provides the antioxidants vitamin A and lutein. But when topped with whipped cream or a la mode, a slice can weigh in at close to 500 calories.

To make healthier pumpkin pie, use gingersnap cookies for a lighter crust made without partially hydrogenated oils. Serve with one heaping tablespoon of freshly made whipped cream and fresh fruit like apples, oranges and pears. Let the sweetness of the pumpkin take over. Steer clear of sugary or heavily-sweetened pumpkin pie filling.

Easy No Sugar Pumpkin Pie Recipe: 2 cups milk (or non dairy) /2 cups cooked organic pumpkin (or canned) /1 cup honey /2 organic eggs /1 teaspoon cinnamon /1/2 teaspoon ginger /1/2 teaspoon sea salt /pie crust (refrigerator or homemade) Before you begin mixing, place the pie crust into a baking dish. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix pumpkin and milk together. Add honey and mix. Add eggs and mix again. Add the cinnamon, ginger & salt. Beat well. Pour mixture into pie crust. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Test it by sticking a toothpick into the center of the pie. If it comes out clean, it is finished baking.

34

Solstice Green Directory - Fall 2017

say “yay” to

Chardonnay According to Cornell University archeologists, wine making began sometime between 6000-4000 B. C. in Mesopotamia and coastal areas of the Caspian Sea. Hippocrates even promoted wine as a part of a healthy diet. Women absorb alcohol more rapidly than men due to lower body water content and different levels of stomach enzymes.

So moderation for a man may be 2 glasses and for a woman 1 (depending on weight).

A glass of wine, each night with dinner, according to "Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010" is considered healthy. So, check out wine tasting or sip on a glass of wine with friends or family. In moderation your body and spirit will benefit. In the past, researchers didn't believe that the health benefits of white wine were as powerful as those gained from drinking red, because the white wine doesn't interact as much with the grape skins in the wine-making process. However, new evidence suggests that grape pulp also contains potent antioxidant compounds known as polyphenols, which have similar cardio-protective capabilities.

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cheers to

Sustainable vineyards!

By Blaze Elation

The wine industry on the Central Coast has grown by leaps and bounds and with that growth there are concerns about the impact to our environment. It is possible to manage a vineyard in a way that is sustainable. Organic agriculture and permaculture lend sustainable strategies for grape growers. Through sampling soils, observing and understanding wind, sun, and water patterns across the landscape, grape growers can make educated decisions about how to lay out the vineyard, what rootstock to choose and what organic amendments to add to the soil. Wildlife corridors can be designed into the vineyard to allow safe passage of wildlife through the property. Owl boxes can replace poisons for vermin control and hedgerows that provide habitat for pollinators and beneficial insects can replace pesticides. Cover cropping throughout the year negates herbicide use and adds organic matter to the soil to feed the essential underground biological ecosystem. By working with nature, grape growers can create a beautiful, diverse landscape that provides habitat, recycles organic matter, improves soils, and creates a fantastic yield of sustainably grown wine grapes. Support sustainable vineyards by purchasing wines with the SIP (Sustainability in Practice) or Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing (Certified Sustainable) certifications on their label.

36

on the road again with

Healthy Food It’s not easy to eat healthy when traveling, but with a little preparation and some simple ingredients, you can eat truly healthful food when you’re on the road. Fruit is a no-brainer. An on-the-road favorite: a juicy, delicious orange. Bananas and apples are good, too. A satisfying trail mix can be made ahead and packed in Ziploc’s: cashews, almonds, walnuts, gogi berries and raisins. The gogi berries add a nice hit of natural saltiness. A just-ripe avocado and tomato are also super nutritious foods to bring along with a couple of rice cakes or some crackers. In the car, all of the above work fine for a short trip. If you’re going to be on the road for a longer period, a small cooler and wide-mouthed mason jars are a good investment. Fill with cooked steel-cut oats, almond milk, blueberries, strawberries or raspberries. There’s breakfast!

For lunch or dinner, pack some mason jars with hearty bean-based soups or chili. Bring a big bag of organic greens. You can eat it straight from the bag or place it in a bowl and top with hummus and some cherry tomatoes. You’ll feel a big difference in your energy levels and save time and money, too!

37

Recycle All You Can Recycling can help us take an enormous step towards conserving our world’s resources and energy supplies as well as limiting the amount of greenhouse gasses and other pollutants released into the atmosphere. Although it may seem like we are just tiny parts of this vast planet, each one of us really can make a significant difference by making these small and simple changes in our day-today activities and in the disposal of our waste products. These are just a few of the many reasons why recycling can help us take an enormous step towards the preservation of our environment: PAPER: 44 million newspapers are thrown away every day in the United States. This is like throwing 500,000 trees into a landfill each week. Each ton of recycled paper can save 17 trees, 380 gallons of oil and 7000 gallons of water. If each person were to reuse a paper shopping bag for just one trip to the store, we would save 60 000 trees. ALUMINIUM: It takes about

38

Solstice Green Directory - Fall 2017

95% less energy to make aluminum from recycled aluminum than to make it from raw materials. Recycling a single aluminum can saves enough energy to power your television for three hours or to run a 100-watt light bulb for almost four hours. PLASTICS: Plastic bags made from recycled polythene rather than virgin materials save two thirds of the energy required for production and reduce the water used by almost 90%. A great option is to reduce plastic wastes by purchasing items that have less packaging. Recycling is still important however, because there are many items that can be made from recycled plastics. These items include garbage cans, picnic tables, fibre-fill for vests and jackets, traffic cones and many others. GLASS: Approximately 80% of recycled glass containers are made into new glass bottles and glass can be reused an infinite number of times. Making a glass container

...And Here's Why from a recycled container creates about 20% less air pollution, 50% less water pollution and uses only about half the energy of making it from virgin materials.

Recycling a single glass bottle can save enough energy to light a 100-watt light bulb for 4 hours. FOOD: Yard trimmings and food wastes make up approximately 23% of municipal solid waste in the United States. We could keep many of these items out of our landfills and allow them to be broken down naturally by composting. Composting enriches and regenerates poor soils which can also provide many other environmental benefits such as helping to suppress plant diseases, reducing or eliminating the need for chemical fertilizers, promoting higher crop yields, and facilitating the restoration of forests, wetlands and other important habitats.

BATTERIES: Batteries contain heavy

metals such as mercury, nickel, lead and cadmium, which can leak into the ground and contaminate the environment if improperly disposed of. Cadmium can be toxic to aquatic invertebrates and can bio accumulate in fish. Contact the battery manufacturer, appliance manufacturer or local council to find out how to properly dispose of batteries in your area or better yet use appliances that derive power from other sources such as the sun whenever possible. Another good option for appliances that require batteries is to use rechargeable ones.

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39

Earthquake plan up to date?

Here’s an earthquake update.

Have you ever heard of a slow-slip?

Not to be confused with SLO sip wine tasting. A slow-slip is what two boundary tectonic plates do when they meet up. Up until 1990 slippage was not detectable. Today, slow-slips are watched very closely as precursors to earthquakes. The March 2011 subduction 9.0 quake in Japan was preceded by a slow-slip event, as was a 2014 8.1 Chilean Is. quake. Zach Eilon is a UCSB geophysicist. He has been studying the Juan de Fuca tectonic plate interface with the Pacific and

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By Jean’ne Blackwell

North American plates and says we are in slow slip mode from Vancouver Island to Salt and Sea. You can watch it live on Real Time Tremor Map. And when the map goes all-quiet it’s time to gas up the car. For now it’s time to update and upgrade your earthquake plan.

RedCross.org can help with that. Slipa-de-doo-dah.

Eggplant

loaded with health benefits!

Eggplant is an unusual vegetable.

It has a unique range of health benefits, including an ability to help build strong bones and prevent osteoporosis, reduce symptoms of anemia, increase cognitive function, improve cardiovascular health, protect the digestive system, help lose weight, manage diabetes, reduce stress, protect infants from birth defects, and even prevent cancer. Eggplants are native to the Indian subcontinent, but are now found throughout the world in a number of different cultural cuisines. In England, the vegetable is called “aubergine,� and it also goes by the name brinjal, melongene, and guinea squash. The purple or black glossy fruit can grow more than a foot in length in wild varieties, though they are considerably smaller in normal agriculture. It reached the Middle East and the Mediterranean region approximately 800 years ago, and was being referenced in England by

the 16th century. Autumn Eggplant Appetizer Party Recipe: 1/2 cup virgin olive oil/12 garlic cloves/3 large eggplants cut into 1 inch cubes/2 teaspoons sea salt /1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper/2 tomatoes diced/1/2 cup torn fresh basil leaves. In a large heavy pot, warm olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and saute until golden. Add eggplant and cook until softened, adding more as room allows and oil as needed. Add salt and pepper; cover and remove from heat. Let stand 20 minutes. Combine tomatoes and basil in a separate bowl. When eggplant has cooled, add tomato mixture.

Serve warm or cold. Feeds 20 people.

41

when is the

Harvest Moon?

The Harvest Moon is the full Moon nearest the start of fall or the autumnal equinox.

This usually means it’s the September full Moon, though it can also fall in early October, occurring anywhere from two weeks before to two weeks after the equinox. WHY IS IT CALLED THE HARVEST MOON? The abundance of bright moonlight early in the evening was a traditional aide to farmers and crews harvesting their summer-grown crops, hence the “Harvest” Moon. WHAT MAKES THE HARVEST MOON DIFFERENT FROM OTHER FULL MOONS? There are just a little over 12 complete Moon cycles every year, on average (there being about 29.53 days in a synodic month). The Harvest Moon isn't like the other Moons. Usually, throughout the year, the Moon rises an average of about 50 minutes later each day. But near the autumnal equinox, the difference is only 30 minutes. Additionally, the Full Harvest Moon rises at sunset and then will rise very near sunset for several nights in a row because the difference is at a yearly minimum. It may almost seem as if there are full Moons multiple nights in a row!

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Chai

Tea

...a perfect fall treat!

Why have people in the West taken so long to discover what Eastern practitioners have known for centuries? A powerful blend of tea, herbs and spices, chai has been cherished for centuries in India, as a way to preserve health and increase peace of mind. But, the more we learn about chai, the more benefits we find. In addition to improving digestion, chai enhances the immune system, fights inflammation and has antioxidant properties. It has also been suggested that chai may have antibacterial and anti-cancer effects. This ancient beverage is treasured by people around the world for its delicious flavor and many health benefits.

Here is a great recipe: 2 1/2 cups water /1 whole star anise /1 whole cinnamon stick /3-4 whole cloves/4-5 whole black peppercorns /4-5 cardamom pods, cracked /2-3 thin shavings of fresh ginger root /1/4 cup turbinado sugar / 3-4 Tbs loose leaf black tea (or 4-5 tea bags).

In a medium saucepan, combine the water, whole spices, and sugar. Bring to a boil, then cover and remove from the heat. Let steep anywhere from 5-15 minutes. Return to the heat and bring to a boil. Add the tea, remove from the heat, and let steep for another 5-7 minutes.

Strain out the tea and spices. If you'd like to make a regular batch of chai, add the milk (or non dairy) and serve immediately. To make chai iced tea cubes, let the mixture cool, then pour into an ice-cube tray and freeze. To make an iced chai latte, add 2-3 ice cubes to a glass of milk (or non dairy). The tea will get stronger the longer it sits and the more the ice cubes melt. Garnish with a dash of cinnamon.

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the

Truthabout

The EPA recommends that you not eat more than one meal of farmed salmon per month. Why? Because fish were never meant to eat corn, grains, or poultry and pork for that matter. In addition, farmed fish of all species are also given a dangerous concoction of vitamins, antibiotics, and depending on the fish, and synthetic pigments. Shockingly, research finds that the most abundant source of toxic exposure is not actually the pesticides or the antibiotics, but the dry pellet feed. Pollutants found in the fish feed include dioxins, PCBs, and a number of different drugs and chemicals.

According to the International Fishmeal and Fish Oil Organization

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(IFFO), today’s farmed fillet may contain as little as half of the omega3s as it did less than a decade ago.

This is because farmed salmon are now feasting on byproducts of hog and poultry processing, soybeans and soybean oil, canola oil, corn and other grain instead of small wild fish high in omega-3s. Eating more than one meal of farm-raised salmon per month can increase your risk of developing cancer in the future due to the increased levels of chemicals and antibiotics? Farm-raised salmon contain PCB which are cancer-causing chemicals at a concentration 16 times higher than wild salmon, and the level of dioxin is also higher, by a factor of 11 fold. Additionally, farmed salmon

Farmed Salmon provides your body with higher levels of inflammation producing omega-6 fatty acids. Inflammation leads to many diseases including cancer, diabetes, arthritis, coronary artery disease and even Alzheimer’s. Farmed salmon get filled full of synthetic astaxanthin that no government has ever approved for human consumption.

The feed given to farmed fish is a dull gray color. This potentially harmful variety of astaxanthin is used to make salmon flesh look more of a pink color so humans who eat farmed salmon will be fooled into believing they are eating real wild fish. Did you know that Farmed Salmon: 1) Are fed pellets of chicken feces, corn meal, soy, genetically modifiedcanola oil and

other fish containing concentrations of toxins. 2) Have seven times the levels of PCB’s as wild salmon 3) Have 30 times the number of sea lice. 4) Are fed toxic chemicals to give them color 5) Are given antibiotics at higher levels than any other livestock. 6) Have less omega 3’s due to lack of wild diet 7) Are susceptible to more disease.

When you go to a restaurant and order salmon off the menu, make sure it says wild salmon. If the menu does not say, it is farmed. Farming salmon makes it much more affordable as wild salmon prices about as much as a high end cut of beef. When making dinner choices for your family, choose wild salmon. Your family will thank you for it later.

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Solstice Green Directory - Fall 2017

got

Mice?

By preventing pests naturally, you'll prevent the need for those nasty pesticides.

As if that's not bad enough, pesticides can kill animals that need not be killed, damage the water supply and cause other illnesses in humans. Taking a few preventative measures will reduce the amount of pests who hang out in your backyard and in your home. A lot of these tips have the added bonus of being green in and of themselves.

1) Fix Leaky Plumbing: Leaking water is an open invitation for pests. It's also a waste of water. Standing water makes a great breeding ground for insects.

2) Compost Bin: Make sure to put a lid on your compost bin. Place a layer of mulch over fresh compost. Make sure non-compostable food scraps are made unavailable to pests.

3) Pets: Pets can be a deterrent to larger pests like rats and raccoons, but don't leave pet food out overnight.

4) Reduce Clutter: Clutter makes a great place for bugs, mice and other creepy crawlies to hang out. Reuse or recycle old newspapers and boxes. Take your unused objects to the Goodwill. Get a tax break.

5) Caulking: Filling cracks with caulking removes hiding places for pests. It's good for the longevity of your house and your energy efficiency.

6) Don't Let Pests Inside: If you go camping, make sure to clean off the dirt from your equipment. Brush off objects that have been sitting in a shed or garage before bringing it in the house. Take off you shoes before entering the home.

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47

A Green vocabulary The passion to protect our planet from the ravages of pollution and to preserve our natural resources for future generations has become an everyday fact of life. Can we fully understand environmental concerns and energy implications without a working knowledge of basic green vocabulary? The following represents what is best described as a green vocabulary of definitions and commentary to help eco-oriented consumers make informed green decisions: Organic: Identifies products made under the authority of the Organic Foods Production Act. Organic production guidelines are to use organic materials and practices that improve ecological balance. Organic Agriculture: An

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Solstice Green Directory - Fall 2017

ecological farming system that promotes natural chemical and biological cycles that improve soil fertility and maintains a balanced and productive farming system. Any products introduced to this system for fertility or pest protection, are of natural composition. Natural Fibers: These are “certified� organic fibers derived from organic agriculture such as cotton, bamboo and hemp.

Certified Organic Cotton: Derived from organic agriculture, the cotton is grown without artificial pesticides or fertilizers. Conventional cotton (non organic) farming ranks about fourth in the use of pesticides in the US. Several of the top pesticides used in non organic cotton farming are EPA recognized carcinogens (Organic trade Association).

Organic Certification: It is provided by various organizations. The most widely recognized standards are GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) which is the basis for the statement “100% certified organic

for green

People

cotton” used by many green companies. Fair Trade Certification: Guarantees consumers that strict economic, social and environmental criteria were met in the production and trade of an agricultural product.

Sweatshop-free: Describes the absence of manufacturing conditions currently existing in many countries, referred to as “sweatshops”. They are production facilities or factories where goods are produced cheaply by minimizing workers’ salaries, and increasing working hours.

Proper environmental health standards are diminished. Sustainable: Conserving and preserving limited natural resources and energy supplies. It is connected with the term “recycling” when natural products are re-used like rubber or paper, trees, or wood. They are made from or made into recycled, carbon based products. Eco-fashion: General term implying organic clothing that has addressed the needs of the environment

as well as “socially responsible” working conditions.Eco-friendly: Implies a product or process than has a reduced impact on the environment. Low Impact Dyes: This term refers to dyes used in the manufacturing of goods that should have minimal impact on the environment.

Sometimes the term non-toxic is used here as well. Green: A generally positive term referring to the environment, organics or even “a green lifestyle” to be discussed shortly.Conscientious Clothing: Implies the "green" company that provides this clothing has addressed environmental, ethical and socially responsible standards. Green Lifestyle or Green Living: Describes a lifestyle reflecting a strong commitment to the environment. It means choosing a life reflecting compassion for the environment and others. Social Responsibility: Can be defined as accepting responsibility and taking action against social injustice.

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easy crock pot

Split Pea soup Peas are one of the most nutritious leguminous vegetable, rich in health benefiting phyto-nutrients, minerals, vitamins and anti-oxidants. Studies suggest that vegetables like legumes, fruits and cereals rich in plant sterols help lower cholesterol levels in the body.

Recipe: 1 tablespoons olive oil /1 medium onion, diced /2 celery stalks, diced /2 carrots, diced /1 cup split green peas (uncooked) / 1 cloves garlic, minced /1 teaspoon thyme /2 bay leaves /4 cups vegetable broth / 3 cups water /sea salt and pepper to taste /Âź cup chopped fresh parsley to garnish. In a slow cooker, add all ingredients. Cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Season with salt and pepper to taste and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

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Benefits of medical marijuana

By Hepsharat Amadi, MD There are derivatives of cannabis plants that are healing to the body. Two examples of these are CBD and THC. But these are just 2 examples of the over 400 different cannabinoids that have been identified so far, and those are probably not all that exist in these species. Different cannabinoids have somewhat different properties, but in general, these compounds are anti-oxidant and particularly protective to the nervous system.

The fact that these substances are still classified federally as being illegal has hindered much research from being done. But what has been found so far is very intruiging! There naturally exists in the human body, a system of receptors for these compounds and others like them. It is called the endocannabinoid system. CBD and THC have been found to be helpful in controlling seizures, nausea, insomnia, pain, muscle spasms, anxiety, depression, Parkinson's disease, glaucoma, PTSD and even cancer! Once more research is done, it will be possible to develop treatment protocols to use the ratios of the different compounds even more effectively to help achieve amazing results by modulating the activity of our natural endocannabinoid receptors.

Dr. Amadi is certified to refer patients for medical marijuana treatment.

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Solstice Green Directory - Fall 2017

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