Solstice Green Directory Spring 2023

Meet one of our local farmers, Frank Martinon. Frank has been growing organically for SLO Veg since 2015. He, along with all of our farmers, are continuing to supply produce and support the community, in spite of this unprecedented cold and rainy weather. As a family owned and operated produce delivery service on the Central Coast since 2009, it is SLO Veg’s mission to support local farmers as well as create a sustainable system for local residents. Enjoy a harvest box full of spring fruits and vegetables, picked at peak freshness, and packed with essential nutrients delivered to your doorstep within 24 hours of harvesting! In addition to home delivery, SLO Veg offers convenient pick-up locations from Paso Robles to Santa Maria. Our harvest boxes come in a variety of sizes and options and can be customized. We’ve also partnered with local artisans to offer you gourmet crafted foods. Buying from local farmers also produces a much smaller carbon footprint, so the Earth will thank you too!

Frank

(farmer)

~ The Dalai Lama

It is our collective and individual responsibility to protect and nurture the global family, to support its weaker members and to preserve and tend to the environment in which we all live.

accentuate the Positive!

Unfortunately, many of us get caught up in an “all or nothing” mindset when it comes to dealing with climate change. The truth is, that it’s our everyday actions, along with of course systemic, governmental change on a global level, that will hopefully make a difference. For one thing, it's important not to get caught up in replacing still usable possessions immediately. The reality is, every purchase we make is adding more stuff into the world, which takes resources to create and eventually break down. When it comes to sustainability, the less we buy, the better. We can make it a point to care for the belongings we have. We’ve all been in the scenario where we’re on the way to the supermarket, having forgotten to bring a reusable. But does that plastic bag we forgot undermine the bags you actually remembered to bring? We can focus on what more we could do, instead of berating ourselves for the ‘mistakes’ we've made. The lesson: Our journey towards sustainability should not make us feel bad about ourselves. Instead, every small, little green action we do should empower us to continue to do better.

Margaret Hennessy Founder/Publisher

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.

The Green Team: John Karp, Diane Parnell, Margaret Hennessy, Madeline Palaszewski, and Monte Allen

Photo by Jenny Malott

ANIMAL RESCUE

Pacific Wildlife Care

(805) 543-WILD (9453)

On Call 365 Days per Year

PacificWildlifeCare.org

ASTROLOGY

SLO Astrologers

Contact at SLOAstrologers@aol.com

On-going classes at the Gala Center, Palm St., SLO

BUILDING – ENERGY CONSULTANTS

Carstairs Energy • (805) 904-9048

Residential & Commercial Title 24

Energy Compliance

title24@yahoo.com

www.carstairsenergy.com

Please see display ad on page 17

CAFÉ

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

CBD PRODUCTS

Life Elements

(805) 460 – 4102

Handcrafted CBD Topicals

8778 Plata Lane, Ste. A, Atascadero

www.lifeelements.com

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

CLEANING

Coastline Cleaning Company

(805) 400-5433

Commercial • General Office • Post

Construction • Residential coastlinecleaning@ymail.com

3765 S. Higuera St., #140 San Luis Obispo

Please see display ad on page 19

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 27

CUISINE

www.CasaFestiva.com

“Exploring the culture of cuisine!”

Sustainability • Fun • Food & Wine

Please see display ad on page 21

ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

Solarponics

Atascadero: (805) 466-5595

San Luis Obispo: (805) 543-3436

Santa Maria: (805) 922-3774

Serving California’s Central Coast since 1975.

4700 El Camino Real, Atascadero, CA

Solarponics.com

Please see display ad on back page

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Carstairs Energy

(805) 904-9048

Residential & Commercial Title 24

Energy Compliance

title24@yahoo.com

www.carstairsenergy.com

Please see display ad on page 17

GREEN-REALTOR

C. Green Real Estate Co.

(805) 481-7700

226 Front Street

Grover Beach 93433

Fax: (805) 481-9338

Cell: (805) 441-7370

www.cgreenrealestate.com

Please see display ad on page 11

HARVEST BOX DELIVERY

SLO Veg Local Harvest Delivery

(805) 709 -2780

Fresh and local produce boxes delivered to your home or business. www.sloveg.com

Please see display ad on inside front cover

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 15

HEALTH FOOD STORES

Paso Robles Health Food (805) 238-3987

Vitamins/Supplements – Organic Grocery

1191 Creston Rd., #113, Paso Robles, CA

Please see display ad on page 11

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

JANITORIAL

Coastline Cleaning Company

(805) 400-5433

Commercial • General Office • Post Construction • Residential coastlinecleaning@ymail.com

3765 S. Higuera St., #140 San Luis Obispo

Please see display ad on page 19

$109 for a 3 month

Directory Listing. Call today! 805.473.5064

JUICE BAR

California Fresh

Coffee, Organics Juice Bar, Deli, Bakery, Fresh Seafood and Meat Department

San Luis Obispo, CA (805) 250-1425

71 E. Foothill Blvd.

Hours: 6:00am – 10:00pm

Pismo Beach, CA (805) 295-7162

555 Five Cities Dr.

Hours: 6:00am – 10:00pm

Solvang, CA (805) 688-4300

El Ranch Marketplace

2886 Mission Dr.

Hours: 6:00am – 10:00pmc

californiafreshmarket.com

Please see display ad on inside back cover

Five Cities Detox Juice Bars

A collection of great local businesses to help you feel your best!

Please see display ads on page 16

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

NON-PROFIT

Central Coast State Parks Association

(805) 548-0390

CCSPA supports interpretation, education, and volunteer efforts in local state parks.

1124 Nipomo Street, Suite B, SLO centralcoastparks.org

ECOSLO: Environmental Center of San Luis Obispo

Protecting & preserving SLO County's natural beauty through education, advocacy, and action since 1971!

Contact us to get involved!

805-544-1777

@ecoslo on Facebook & Instagram

www.ECOSLO.org

Gay and Lesbian Alliance

(805) 541-4252

1060 Palm Street, SLO

Through education, support, recreation, advocacy, and partnerships, we promote the well-being of our LGBT community.

www.GALACC.org

Los Osos Cares • (805) 592-2701

We partner with other groups to help community members find resources and services.

Open Tues, Wed & Thurs - 1-3pm

Sunnyside School

800 Manzanita Dr. Room 18 in Los Osos losososcares.com

Pacific Wildlife Care

(805) 543-WILD (9453) On Call 365 Days per Year PacificWildlifeCare.org

Sierra Club-Santa Lucia Chapter (805) 543-8717

547-B Marsh St • San Luis Obispo santalucia.sierraclub.org

ORGANIC CAFE

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

ORGANIC GROCERY

Paso Robles Health Food

(805) 238-3987

Vitamins/Supplements – Organic Grocery

1191 Creston Rd., #113, Paso Robles, CA

Please see display ad on page 11

@solsticegreen

OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE

Kathryn A. Perry, D.O.

(805) 548-8490

1495 Palm Street

San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

816 Main Street, Suite D

Cambria, CA 93428

Please see display ad on page 19

PARKS & RECREATION

Central Coast State Parks Association

(805) 548-0390

CCSPA supports interpretation, education, and volunteer efforts in local state parks.

1124 Nipomo Street, Suite B, SLO centralcoastparks.org

PHYSICIAN

Kathryn A. Perry, D.O.

(805) 548-8490

1495 Palm Street

San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

816 Main Street, Suite D

Cambria, CA 93428

Please see display ad on page 19

PRODUCE BOXES

SLO Veg Local Harvest Delivery

(805) 709 -2780

Fresh and local produce boxes delivered to your home or business.

www.sloveg.com

Please see display ad on inside front cover

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 24

KCBX FM Public Radio

(805) 549-8855

Symphonies, jazz, daily news & transforming stories

Streaming live on the Internet at www.KCBX.org

Please see display ad on page 23

REALTOR

C. Green Real Estate Co.

(805) 481-7700

226 Front Street

Grover Beach 93433

Fax: (805) 481-9338 Cell: (805) 441-7370

www.cgreenrealestate.com

Please see display ad on page 11

RECYCLING

Eco Club Five Cities

(805) 489-9696

Find out how to “zero waste” your event! Items recycled • Food stuff composted anita@missetiquette.com

Please see display ad on page 11

SKIN & BODY CARE

Life Elements

(805) 460 – 4102

Natural products designed to bring incredible results to your body and skin. 8778 Plata Lane, Ste. A, Atascadero

www.lifeelements.com

SOLAR ENERGY

Solarponics

Atascadero: (805) 466-5595

San Luis Obispo: (805) 543-3436

Santa Maria: (805) 922-3774

Serving California’s Central Coast since 1975.

4700 El Camino Real, Atascadero, CA

Solarponics.com

Please see display ad on back cover

www.slosolstice.com

SPA SERVICES

Avila Bay Athletic Club & Spa

(805) 595-7600 ex.0

Use of club included on day of service! Full service spa including massage, mani & pedi, organic facials, and more!

6699 Bay Laurel Plc, Avila Beach

avilabayclub.com

Please see display ad on page 15

SUPERMARKET/ORGANIC FOODS

California Fresh Coffee, Organics Juice Bar, Deli, Bakery, Fresh Seafood and Meat Department

San Luis Obispo, CA (805) 250-1425

71 E. Foothill Blvd.

Hours: 6:00am – 10:00pm

Pismo Beach, CA (805) 295-7162

555 Five Cities Dr.

Hours: 6:00am – 10:00pm

Solvang, CA (805) 688-4300

El Ranch Marketplace

2886 Mission Dr.

Hours: 6:00am – 10:00pmc

californiafreshmarket.com

Please see display ad on inside back cover

SUSTAINABLE FOOD & WINE

www.CasaFestiva.com

“Exploring the culture of cuisine!”

Sustainability • Fun • Food & Wine

Please see display ad on page 21

ZERO WASTE

Eco Club Five Cities

(805) 489-9696

Find out how to “zero waste” your event!

Items recycled • Food stuff composted

anita@missetiquette.com

Please see display ad on page 11

why not Walk?

Spring is a great time to start walking. This activity does not require any special skills. It also does not require a gym membership or expensive equipment. A single bout of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity can improve sleep, memory, and the ability to think and learn. It also reduces anxiety symptoms.

You can use a variety of reasons to enjoy this beneficial way to stay healthy. For example, if you live near a grocery store and only need a few items, walk instead of drive. If you have school age kids, pick a day a week to walk with them to school. How about including your pet in your regimen. If you have a dog, walk your pet a few extra blocks on your leisurely stroll, and instead of heading to the sofa after dinner, head outside for a evening jaunt. It’s good for you and your furry buddy too!

don't toss it,

Repair It!

Wondering what to do with that broken lamp, bicycle, or vacuum cleaner? Don’t throw it in the landfill! Bring it to the Repair Café Five Cities for a free repair.

The Repair Café Five Cities hosts events several times a year in various locations on the Central Coast, offering the public an opportunity to bring their broken items to be worked on by an amazing community of volunteer fixers who are generous with their time and talent.

by Diane Parnell

Originally founded in the Netherlands, Repair Cafés now have over 2,000 locations worldwide. The Five Cities branch was established in 2019, and since its inception has saved hundreds of repairable household items from landfills. Items that can be fixed include but are not limited to: toys, small electronics, lamps, clothing, bicycles, computers and printers, and cell phones. Free knife and tool sharpening services are also offered.

Next Repair Café will be held on Sunday, April 30th @ iFixit World HQ 1130 Monterey St., SLO

For opening times and future dates: www.RepairCafe5Cities.org

Canine Charity Rebounds after burglary

by Madeline Palaszewski

You cannot keep a good dog down. That is certainly true at Meade Canine Rescue and Sanctuary. Known for rescuing dogs, especially seniors and special needs dogs, Meade’s thrift store was burglarized in January. The store located in Atascadero brings in funds that helps pay for the operation, vet bills, and spay and neuter procedures at the 12-acre ranch in Creston founded by owner, Charlotte Meade.

Store manager, Linda Williams says Meade had vet bills of over $75,000 last year. The resale store featuring gently used clothing, goods and jewelry brings in a good portion of those funds. After the burglary, Meade has received overwhelming support from the community. Donations of goods and money came pouring in to the nonprofit. Individuals and community

groups have come together to replenish the shelves in the store. With animal shelters filling up, the services Meade provides are critical to the community.

If you are interested in adopting a dog from Meade Canine Rescue, call (805) 239-4004 for an appointment. You can support Meade’s animal rescue operation by shopping or donating to the resale store at 4303 El Camino Real in Atascadero. It is open for shopping and donations Monday through Saturday, 11:00 – 4:30 and Sundays, 9:00 to 3:00. For more information go to www.meadecaninerescue.net

You are not alone. A new Mintel report shows that consumer concerns about the environment are rapidly accelerating. Soaring temperatures, extreme weather events, and disruptions to food, water, and energy supply chains have given consumers a harsh reality check. New research shows that consumers are taking more actions to become sustainable at home, including recycling and cutting food waste. The amount of consumers who recycle packaging has gone up to 60%, while more than half (53%) of survey respondents say that they are doing additional meal planning to avoid food waste. On the opposite side of ecoanxiety, consumers are positive about impactful change. A strong majority of 68% of consumers say that doing things that benefit the environment make them feel happy.

Golden Milk

a great alternative to a latte!

If a mid-afternoon latte is your go-to, but you struggle with sleep later in the evening, try golden milk instead. You’ll get the same cozy feeling and boost, but without the over stimulation from caffeine.

Recipe: 1½ cups plant-based milk / 1 tbsp maple syrup / ½ tsp vanilla extract / 1 tsp ground turmeric / ⅛ tsp ground ginger / a pinch of black pepper / ¼ tsp ground cinnamon / In a medium saucepan, heat the plant-based milk, maple syrup, vanilla extract, ground turmeric, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, and a pinch of black pepper, and whisk regularly for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and serve when it’s hot to drink. Add honey (optional) to taste.

Birds on the wing...

Birds may be the most welcome harbingers of spring. Colorful to see, a delight to hear, birds lend grace and beauty to our surroundings and provide natural insect control. To make your residence or neighborhood an inviting sanctuary for birds, create places for them to nest, feed, drink, and wash. Here's some advice on birdhouses, feeders, and birdbaths:

Birdhouses. If suitable natural nesting habitats such as old trees are in short supply, build or buy a birdhouse and install it out of reach of cats, squirrels, and other predators.

Feeders. Commercial bird feeders are available in most hardware stores, but you can also make feeders out of plastic bottles or milk cartons that can be hung from safe places such as a clothesline. If you prefer to grow

by Margaret DeStefano

bird food, consider planting native wildflowers, shrubs, and sunflowers.

Cultivated flowers also are especially attractive to some birds, particularly goldfinches, house finches, juncos, white-throated sparrows, and hummingbirds.

Bird Baths. Birds are most comfortable with a rough-surfaced source of water about 2 feet wide, no more than 2 inches deep. A shallow dish or gently-sloping bowl placed right on the ground will do, as will a plastic or terra cotta plant dish or inverted metal trash lid. Put the bath out in the open, not close to shrubs or places where cats can hide. A thorny bush or protective brush pile may make the birds feel more secure.

10 minute

Roasted Cauliflower

Recipe: 1 large head cauliflower, cut into florets / 3 tbsp olive oil / 1 tsp garlic powder / 1 tsp chili powder / ½ tsp sea salt / ¼ tsp black pepper / ½ tsp paprika / pinch of cayenne. Preheat oven to 400º. Line baking sheet with parchment paper then coat with a little olive oil. Wash cauliflower florets and drain excess water. Transfer dry florets to a large bowl then drizzle with olive oil. Toss to coat each. Sprinkle garlic powder, chili powder, salt, pepper and paprika over the florets, tossing frequently. Place on prepared baking sheet and bake anywhere from 15–25 minutes. Serve warm.

EFT consists of fingertip tapping on meridian end-points. Research shows EFT influences positive Neuroplasticity and supports the healing of PTSD, anxiety, stress, fear, phobias and depression, and reduces cortisol levels. EFT balances the activity of the parasympathetic and sympathetic regions of the brain, making EFT a powerful healing tool.

love those Strawberries

by Margaret DeStefano

Is there anything better than biting into a fresh, ripe, fragrant, and delicious strawberry in the spring? This decadent and sexy food is a healthy indulgence because it is among the top five sources of antioxidant-rich fruit in the U.S. Despite being a fruit and containing fructose, strawberries can actually help balance blood sugar, and the polyphenols they contain will support immunity, healthy cell renewal, and many other functions... and only 50 calories per cup! Aside from eating them raw, you can freeze them (just cut the stems off before freezing) and add them to smoothies, you can melt dark chocolate over a double-boiler to dip them into and then freeze with a chocolate coating for dessert. You can also put them on your chia pudding or oatmeal, or make a quick jam by chopping them up and simmering in a bit of water with a cinnamon stick and then adding some vanilla extract and maple syrup at the end.

traditional Fry Bread

Recipe: 4 cups all purpose flour / 1 tbsp baking powder / 1 tsp sea salt / 1½ cups warm nut milk / 1 cup your choice shortening or oil. Put flour in bowl, add baking powder and salt. Mix in warm milk to form dough. Cover hands in flour. Knead dough by hand until soft but not sticky. Cover with a cloth and let stand for 15 minutes. Shape dough into balls about 2 inches across then flatten by patting and stretching the dough. Melt shortening about an inch deep in frying pan. When hot put dough in pan. Fry one side till golden brown, then turn and fry the other. Can be topped with honey, powdered sugar, etc.

Quick Fact!

Throwing away an aluminum can wastes as much energy as if you filled the can half full of gasoline and poured it on the ground.

Now Accepting New Patients

Traditional Os teopathy

Rational integration of conventional and alternative healthcare approaches.

Kathryn A. Perry, DO

spring Gardening tips!

Grow native plants! Many are beautiful flowering plants and are an excellent source of pollen for birds (for example, hummingbirds, bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects). Caterpillars, like the Monarch and swallowtail butterflies, depend on the leaves of native plants as a food source as they grow. Leaving the seed pods on perennial plants also provides a source of food for birds in the winter.

Something a gardener might not think of in going organic is that the non-use of pesticides will save many bees

by Margaret DeStefano

and other beneficial insects. One of the most important is our honey bees and other native bees. They are so important to pollinating our fruits and vegetables. Buying organic honey also supports natural beekeeping practices. If you’re not planting a garden or if you want to supplement what you grow, buy locally. Check out local farmers markets, as there are many health and environmental benefits from buying from local farms and orchards. Check to see if they are organically produced. Buying locally also means fresher produce and a reduction of air-polluting fossil fuels.

Farro

really isn't far out...

It’s possible you’ve never heard of farro, an umbrella term for the wheat varieties of spelt, emmer, and einkorn. As such, it’s not appropriate for those with gluten sensitivities. But if you don’t have such issues, this versatile ingredient definitely deserves a place in your pantry.

Farro is considered an “ancient grain”, and not just because it’s been found in the tombs of Egyptian kings. Ancient grains – including quinoa, amaranth, and chia – are so named because they are essentially the same as they were hundreds of years ago. Unlike big commodity crops such as corn, rice, and contemporary wheat varieties, ancient grains have remained unchanged by modern agriculture. They are non-GMO, and usually produced with very little processing. Because of that minimal processing, farro retains a lot of its innate nutritional benefits. It’s a good source of fiber, protein, and several nutrients such as zinc and B vitamins. Akin to rice and barley, farro makes the perfect side dish, whether on its own or cooked as a pilaf. It also works in risotto, salads, and is very

by Katy Budge

good as a hot breakfast grain – serve it sweet or savory depending on your tastes. Unlike rice, cooking farro is a pretty forgiving process. You can lift the lid during cooking, set it and forget it in the slow cooker, and even add more liquid without it becoming mushy. The biggest challenge in cooking farro is knowing which kind you have. The whole grain type is the most nutritious, but needs to be soaked overnight. That’s not necessary with the semi-pearled and pearled farros, which are still packed with nutrition. And, if you’re interested in buying local products, farro can also check that box. Kandarian Organic Farms grows that and many other ancient grains right here on the Central Coast!

tall, dark, and Green?

by Margaret DeStefano

Times are changing. It now seems that In addition to the typical things people seek when dating, it appears that it’s very attractive to be green.

According to a recent survey, environmental consciousness is a highly desirable trait for prospective daters, especially among Gen Z. The poll of over 1,000 Americans revealed which ecofriendly habits were the top red and green flags, and how likely people were to break up (or be dumped) by someone over their lack of eco-friendly habits. Do you bike to work?

Fifty-seven percent of respondents reported this as their top green flag, followed by driving an electric car, being a nature lover, carrying reusable grocery bags. Having a reusable water bottle was also on the green flag list. Red flag number one was being a global warming denier, with 45 percent of participants saying that was their top red flag. Traits disliked in addition to littering, were wasting food and not recycling. Interestingly 52 percent shared that they’ve broken up with someone over their unsustainable habits. Sixty percent said they were the one who had been dumped. Apparently tree huggers are really popular!

Monarch Butterflies rebound!

The efforts to re-wild and protect landscapes for monarch butterflies are producing great results. The numbers show promise from the troubling count of less than 2,000 in 2020, and larger than the 250,000 counted last year, according to the Xerces Society, which leads the western monarch count. Over 130,000 butterflies were reported in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties alone. For the second year in a row, the annual Western monarch

count has shown a significant increase in population. That said, the storms that hit California after the count will certainly affect the total. At some sites, butterflies were blown out of their clusters, making them more vulnerable to cold. Here are some ways to help: 1) Plant and Grow indigenous milkweed. 2) Cultivate an assortment of nectar plants, preferably those native to your region. 3) Refrain from using pesticides.

time for Spring Greening!

Here are some ways to create a greener spring:

De-clutter: You don't have to get rid of everything, but think how often you use it. If it has been more than a year you may want to fix it up, donate or recycle it. Clean naturally: 2 cups of water, ¼ cup of white vinegar, ¼ tsp. of tea tree oil and ¼ teaspoon of lavender oil makes a great natural disinfectant. A lemon cut in half and baking soda poured on the fruit makes a great natural scrubber for dishes and stains. Use commercial car washes: This is actually a more efficient way to preserve our water. Hand washing at home uses 80–140

gallons of water yet, at your local car wash only an average of 45 gallons are used. Shade your windows: Simple and much more effective and cost effective than blasting your heater or air-conditioner. Compost: Not only will your garden appreciate it but you will be contributing less to landfills. Grass clippings, fruit and veggie scraps, even cardboard and newspaper can all be thrown into your compost. Grow your own: Not only will you save money on fresh veggies and fruit but you will also know exactly what went into the soil and on your plants since you grew them yourself. If you don't have a garden look into a community plot.

meyer lemon raspberry Tea Cookies with vanilla glaze

by Jennifer Bennett /SLO Veg recipe creator instagram @bennettpartyoffour

Ingredients: 1 cup butter, softened / 1 cup sugar / 1 tsp vanilla bean paste or extract / 1 tsp lemon extract / 2 tsp baking powder/ 1 egg / zest and juice from 1 Meyer lemon / ½ tsp salt / 3 cups flour, plus more if needed and for rolling out the dough / 1 cup fresh raspberries. Glaze:1 cup powdered sugar / 2-4 tbsp milk / 1 tsp vanilla

tough a light pink) 5) Add in more flour by tablespoon if needed to combine dough. Dough will be somewhat sticky. 6) Place dough onto a floured work surface and roll until ¼ inch high. Use cookie cutter of choice and place onto a large cookie sheet. You may need to add in more flour and mix with your hands if dough gets too sticky, but the

try an eco-friendly Wash Cycle...

According to research, a standard washing machine uses around 20 gallons of water for each load, while electric dryers, on average, can use anywhere from 1,800 to 5,000 watts of energy, or about 1.8 to 5 kilowatt hours of electricity per cycle. Water heating consumes about 90 per cent of the energy it takes to operate a washing machine. By changing your washer’s temperature setting from hot to warm, or even better cold, you can cut energy use in half. When using a dryer, regularly cleaning the lint screen, moisture sensors, and dryer duct will ensure efficiency. Avoiding the dryer and line drying instead when possible is another way of making a huge difference.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

Join the team of volunteers that provide portable showers to SLO's homeless population. All it takes is a 3-hour commitment to make a difference in others' lives.

Shower Locations:

Sun: SLO Library (12:30a - 3:30p)

T/Th: UUSLO by Meadow Park (10a - 1p)

W: Grover Beach People's Kitchen (10:30a - 1:30p)

Contact our Volunteer Coordinator at: ccgrether@gmail.com

Visit website for more info: www.showerthepeopleslo.org

Getting Over Getting Older... the upside of aging!

by Margaret DeStefano

Yes Ashleigh, it sure does. Also noted, wrinkles mean you laughed, grey hair means you cared, and scars mean you lived. But that's not the message we see so frequently on the news, commercials, and magazines. It's as if getting older is a disease. Curiously, getting older may be the first chance many of us get to actually slow down and enjoy the gift of life. We get to devote less time to our careers, raising children, and most of the time can be more present in the moment.

Precious time. We now have it. We can use everything we’ve learned so far to appreciate the world, enjoy nature, a hobby, and the people we choose to surround us. “For the unlearned, old age is winter; for the learned, it is the season of the harvest.” Hasidic quote.

According to Dr. Christiane Northrup, "The experience of aging as we know it is largely determined by beliefs that need updating. Though many people do decline with age in this culture, this decline is not a natural consequence of age. It is a consequence of our collective beliefs about aging. Researchers from Yale and Miami

University determined that people who saw growing older as something positive lived a whopping seven and a half years longer than those who didn’t. A lot of what makes us sad about aging is also connected with our concept of beauty, especially for women, in a culture that revers the young. I personally love the wonder of silver and gray hair, and wish mine would turn this magical color.

We finally realize that we’re only wasting time by holding grudges. We can let go of people who deplete our energy, we ignore the criticism of those who don’t matter, and we choose carefully who we want to spend time with. Growing old is a privilege, and every scar, and wrinkle tells of your amazing journey. Let’s enjoy the beauty of slower rhythms that we fall into as we age which allows us to take better notice, and appreciate the wonders of this amazing life. Aging gracefully means holding onto passion and always preserving a sense of humor. We now have more of the tools, wisdom, and knowledge to create the life that actually makes us happy.

"Babies can be made in a few moments but it takes seventy years to make a seventy year old."

~ Ashleigh Brilliant

Spaghetti aglio e olio

If you're looking for the easiest Italian pasta dish ever, here it is, spaghetti aglio e olio (spaghetti with garlic and oil)

Recipe: 1 lb spaghetti / 10 tbsp extra virgin olive oil / 7 cloves chopped garlic (add chopped red pepper flakes for a spicier taste) / 3 tbsp of freshly chopped Italian parsley / sea salt and black pepper. Cook ½ lb of spaghetti

until al dente. At the same time, pour the olive oil into a small frying pan, add chopped garlic and cook over low heat until it turns golden brown but does not burn. The longer you cook the garlic, the more flavor the oil will have. Once the spaghetti is cooked, drain, transfer to a serving dish and add salt and pepper to taste. Pour over the olive oil and garlic. Toss well and sprinkle with chopped parsley.

rise and shine with the south county Chambers of Commerce

South County Chambers of Commerce, the regional Chamber of Commerce for South San Luis Obispo County, added some new programming for 2023. The newly launched “Rise & Shine, South County” Chamber event is a regional business meeting open to the local community. There is no charge to attend.

Rise & Shine is a perfect opportunity to network with other business owners and hear relevant updates from local government officials: San Luis Obispo County Supervisors and the City Managers for Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach, and Pismo Beach. The Chamber’s “Business of the Month” is also celebrated at this event.

Rise & Shine is scheduled for the first Wednesday of every month from 7:30 am to 9 am at the South County Regional Center in Arroyo Grande. Coffee and pastries are provided. To RSVP, please visit southcountychambers.com. Click on the “Events” tab at the top of the page to view the calendar.

Reach over Readers for only

30,000 30,000 $$109 109

celebrating Earth Day with the kids...

by Margaret DeStefano

What began in 1970 has evolved into the largest civic observance in the world. Celebrated annually on April 22, Earth Day is a friendly reminder to take better care of this planet we call home. Here are a few ideas to turn it into teachable moments for kids:

1) Backyard Camping: Try spending a night in nature. Take in the night sky and stargaze with your little ones before they head to bed. 2) Recyclable Art: Try making a picture of a tree out of egg cartons by cutting and painting the individual egg cups green and gluing them onto a canvas. 3) Nature Scavenger Hunt: Search for natural wonders in your own backyard (think: a flower, squirrel, moss and so on).

4) Ground Yourself: Kick off your shoes and give grounding a try. The practice, documented on TikTok with the hashtag #grounding, has almost 300 million views.

5) Try Your Green Thumb: There are endless ways to create an eco-friendly space that will extend long past Earth Day itself. Plant a tree, assemble indoor herb container or designate part of your yard as a pollinator or butterfly garden.

6) Homemade Bird Feeder: Simply fill empty milk cartons or plastic water bottles with bird seed. Watching feathered friends flock to the yard is bound to make your little ones smile.

7) Thought-Provoking Books: Head to the library with your little environmentalists. Try classics like “The Lorax” by Dr. Seuss or “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein. Pick up a bunch of planet-friendly books for kids of all ages.

an award winning Shopping experience!

Take a trip to the California Fresh grocery store in Pismo Beach and you’ll see why so many Grocer awards line the walls. As you begin your tour, you’ll notice a wide selection of freshly prepared hot or cold deli offerings, a sushi bar, bakery department, full service butcher shop, full selection of health and fitness products (including an in-house consultant to help answer any questions), fresh wild caught seafood, bulk bins and a lot more. While there, you can also choose from a wide variety of fresh local produce. Like fresh

by Kathleen Stout, M.A.

roasted coffee? Select your favorite at the in-house coffee bar. If you’re in the mood for a freshly squeezed organic juice, the juice bar has just what you need. Enjoy lunch at one of their restaurant-style booths, offering a comfortable spot to indulge in the many hot or cold choices available at the deli. Stop by any one of their store locations in Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo, or El Rancho Marketplace in Solvang and enjoy an award winning shopping experience.

Coffee and Organic Juice Bar, Deli and Bakery Department, and Full Service Butcher Shop plus Fresh Wild Caught Seafood