Solstice Winter 2017

Free

Winter 2017/2018

9 Mistakes to Avoid at Farmers Markets page 18 The Perils of Plastic page 30

The Central Coast Guide to Green and Healthy Living!

If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men. ~ St. Francis of Assisi

I’m Trying...

what about you?

"Be like water. It fights nothing or no one. It flows from and back to its source, and in the flowing smooths and wears away all resistance." ~Taoist Proverb I have heard it said that a cynic is a disappointed idealist. When I hear myself whine and complain about the news, I think of that definition. No one ever promised that the world would be perfect. I need to remind myself that mankind has always been flawed, has always committed atrocities at home and abroad. Love and kindness have continued to exist anyway. Good news doesn’t get much press. The media can make it easy to forget the light created by the millions of loving souls who do exist. The news should simply inspire me to do what I can to sway the scales towards doing good, instead of lapsing into apathy and despair. Today I resolve to balance every dose of darkness I receive with an equal, if not greater, dose of light, and check that balance daily. How about you?

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 - Winter 2017/2018

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 Winter 2017/2018

DIRECTORY 4 FEATURES The Season of Giving

13

An Apple a Day

14

Healing Herbs for the Winter Season

16

Are You Gaining Weight in the Shower?

17

9 Mistakes to Avoid at Farmers Markets

18

Mercury Toxicity

20

In What Cities Do People Exercise the Most?

22

Showers of Hope

23

The Perils of Plastic

30

Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining

32

What do New York, Philadelphia, Boston and SLO have in Common?

36

A Message of Peace From the Past

38

Green Pet Litter...Just Purrr-fect!

40

So What About Astrology?

42

Drink Your Onion and Garlic Skins...Say What?

44

Are You Tired of All the Junk Mail?

45

Germs in Your Home...Oh No!

46

Vegan Goes Mainstream 2018

48

Directory

ACCESSORIES & GIFTS Active Chick • (805) 541-2445 Products and Experiences that Celebrate Women and the Planet Vitality • Transformation • Nature Connection activechick.com Please see display ad on page 29

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 27

RONS • (805) 489-4747 Succulents, house plants and unique home accessories 850 W. Grand Ave. Grover Beach www.ronsingroverbeach.com Please see display ad on page 27

ALTERATIONS Grateful Threads (805) 709-6861 Fashion Exchange & Alterations 957 W. Grand Ave., Grover Beach Check us out on Facebook!

Please see display ad on page 25

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE Central Coast Medical Recommendations (805) 481-1181 Medical Marijuana Evaluations by a licensed physician.

See ad for more information and coupon.

Please see display ad on page 39

AROMATHERAPY Luanne Jespersen, LMP (805) 674-7455 Aromatouch Technique - experience this gentle, natural approach to total health. luannecares@gmail.com Please see display ad on page 27

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELING Christopher Cyr (956) 821-9028 Over a Decade of Experience Located in San Luis Obispo Please see display ad on page 11

www.slosolstice.com

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Solstice Green Directory - Winter 2017/2018

Please see display ad on page 10

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELING Christopher Cyr (956) 821-9028 Over a Decade of Experience Located in 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 Please see display ad on page 7

DIRECTORY

ASTROLOGY SLO Astrologers Contact at SLOAstrologers@aol.com On-going classes at the Gala Center, Palm St., SLO

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 11

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

Please see display ad on page 52

Please see display ad on page 7

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 28

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 37

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

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 37

CAREGIVERS Julie Belmonte (805) 215-3153 Providing expert care for seniors in SLO, north coast and north county.

Companionship, hospice care, daily needs. Reliable, affordable and flexible with excellent references.

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

Like Us On Facebook!

facebook.com/solsticegreendirectory

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

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DIRECTORY

CLASSES IN ASTROLOGY Christopher Cyr (956) 821-9028 Over a Decade of Experience Located in San Luis Obispo Please see display ad on page 11

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 28

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 27

COMPUTER CONSULTING/TRAINING KCBX.net (805) 781-2580 Microsoft Office, Photoshop, Quickbooks and more.

4100 Vachell Lane San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 www.kcbx.net 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

Follow Us On Twitter!

http://twitter.com/slosolstice 6

Solstice Green Directory - Winter 2017/2018

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 15

DENTAL Pacific Dental Excellence (805) 929-6814 Dentistry dedicated to protecting your total health. www.pacificdentalexcellence.com Please see display ad on page 21

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 inside back cover

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 22

Please see display ad on inside front cover

Please see display ad on page 28

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 37

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 22

FAMILY HEALTH Luanne Jespersen, LMP (805) 674-7455 Aromatouch Technique - experience this gentle, natural approach to total health. luannecares@gmail.com

DIRECTORY

Inspired Health & Fitness Expo (805) 772-4600 March 17 & 18, 2018 • 10 – 4pm Free Admission and Parking Alex Madonna Expo Center San Luis Obispo www.inspiredexpos.com

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 27

FURNITURE Cedar and Cloth Furniture and Clothing (805) 668-7177 Quality Solid Wood Furniture Antiques and Custom Made Pieces 866 W. Grand Ave., Grover Beach Please see display ad on page 25

ENVIRONMENT Active Chick (805) 541-2445 Products and Experiences that Celebrate Women and the Planet Vitality • Transformation • Nature Connection activechick.com Please see display ad on page 29

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 37

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 37

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 17

HEALTH / DETOX Pacific Dental Excellence (805) 929-6814 Dentistry dedicated to protecting your total health. www.pacificdentalexcellence.com Please see display ad on page 21 8

Solstice Green Directory - Winter 2017/2018

Relished Food – Holistic Nutrition 805.242.3677 Laureen Wallravin, NTP, FDN “Feed Your Fertile Body” - A Six Week Pre-Conception Preparation and Fertility Optimization Program www.relishedfood.com 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 27

Inspired Health & Fitness Expo (805) 772-4600 March 17 & 18, 2018 • 10 – 4pm Free Admission and Parking Alex Madonna Expo Center San Luis Obispo www.inspiredexpos.com Please see display ad on inside front cover

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 37

HOME ENERGY RATING SYSTEM TESTING Carstairs Energy (805) 904-9048 HERS I & II Ratings title24@yahoo.com www.carstairsenergy.com Please see display ad on page 28

HOME DÉCOR & GARDENING RONS • (805) 489-4747 Succulents, house plants and unique home accessories 850 W. Grand Ave. Grover Beach www.ronsingroverbeach.com Please see display ad on page 27

MASSAGE Carol Dawn’s Reflexology & Massage (805) 546-8660 Aromatherapy, too!

1171 Toro St., Suite B, San Luis Obispo www.caroldawnsreflexology.com Please see display ad on page 27

MEDICAL CANNABIS Central Coast Medical Recommendations • (805) 481-1181 Medical Marijuana Evaluations by a licensed physician.

See ad for more information and coupon.

Please see display ad on page 26

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

DIRECTORY

HOTELS Sycamore Mineral Springs (805) 595-7302 Local Specials Hotel • Spa • Restaurant 1215 Avila Beach Drive San Luis Obispo, CA www.sycamoresprings.com

Please see display ad on page 39

Please see display ad on page 28

JUICE BAR Sunshine Health Foods/Shine Café (805) 772-7873 Whole Food Market & Organic Cafe 415 Morro Bay Blvd., Morro Bay

METABOLIC DIET Relished Food – Holistic Nutrition 805.242.3677 Laureen Wallravin, NTP, FDN “Feed Your Fertile Body” - A Six Week Pre-Conception. Preparation and Fertility Optimization Program www.relishedfood.com

Please see display ad on page 37

LANDSCAPING Elationscapes • (805) 400-4999 Ecological landscaping and permaculture design elationscapes.com Please see display ad on page 35

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

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DIRECTORY

MINERAL SPRINGS Sycamore Mineral Springs (805) 595-7302 Local Specials – Hotel • Spa • Restaurant 1215 Avila Beach Drive San Luis Obispo, CA www.sycamoresprings.com

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

Please see display ad on page 26

Please see display ad on page 37

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, San Luis Obispo centralcoastparks.org

ORGANIC CAFE SunShine Health Foods/Shine Café (805) 772-7873 Whole Food Market & Organic Cafe 415 Morro Bay Blvd., Morro Bay

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 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

Please see display ad on page 37

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 43

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, San Luis Obispo centralcoastparks.org

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

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Solstice Green Directory - Winter 2017/2018

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 35

Please see display ad on page 37

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

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 43

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 50

KCBX FM Public Radio (805) 549-8855 Symphonies, jazz, daily news & transforming stories Streaming live on the Internet at www.KCBX.org

DIRECTORY

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

Please see display ad on page 17

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 37

REFLEXOLOGY Carol Dawn’s Reflexology & Massage (805) 546-8660 Aromatherapy, too!

1171 Toro St., Suite B, San Luis Obispo www.caroldawnsreflexology.com Please see display ad on page 27

Please see display ad on page 49

Natal & Relationship

Astrological Analysis

Synastry Specialist

Christopher Cyr • Over 15 Years Experience • (956) 821-9028 • San Luis Obispo Tell them you found them in Solstice! • www.slosolstice.com

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DIRECTORY

RESALE/CONSIGNMENT Grateful Threads (805) 709-6861 Fashion Exchange & Alterations 957 W. Grand Ave. Grover Beach Check us out on Facebook!

Please see display ad on page 25

Cedar and Cloth Furniture and Clothing • (805) 668 –7177 Quality Solid Wood Furniture Antiques and Custom Made Pieces 866 W. Grand Ave. Grover Beach Please see display ad on page 25

Please see display ad on page 26

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

Sustainability • Fun • Food & Wine Please see display ad on page 15

SENIOR CARE Julie Belmonte • (805) 215-3153 Providing expert care for seniors in SLO, north coast and north county.

Companionship, hospice care, daily needs. Reliable, affordable and flexible with excellent references.

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

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 37

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 37

Please see display ad on page 52

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

WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT Active Chick • (805) 541-2445 Products and Experiences that Celebrate Women and the Planet Vitality • Transformation • Nature Connection activechick.com

Please see display ad on inside back cover

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Sycamore Mineral Springs (805) 595-7302 Local Specials Hotel • Spa • Restaurant 1215 Avila Beach Drive San Luis Obispo, CA www.sycamoresprings.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 29

Please see display ad on page 27

Please see display ad on page 37

Solstice Green Directory - Winter 2017/2018

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

the season of

Giving

By Diane Parnell

“For it is in giving that we receive.” ~ Francis of Assisi

Well, it’s upon us again: the hustle, the bustle, and the crowds. Searching for deals, and fretting about finding the perfect gift. Losing our patience, our money, and our time. Feeling crushed by the pressure of it all.

The Holidays are supposed to be a time of giving, and of remembering the importance of how much we gain when we give.

But often, the giving is more work than fun, and the gain is hard to see. Here are two easy things you can do this year to reignite the sense of kindness and compassion that the Season of Giving is meant to evoke.

Organize a Caroling Group at Your Local Nursing Home. Elderly people are often left alone during the holidays. Gather friends & family (don’t forget the kids!), print out the lyrics to some holiday songs, and visit your local nursing home to serenade these forgotten folks. The smiles you put on their faces are sure to warm your own heart.

Invite Outsiders to Your Family Holiday Dinner. Do you have a neighbor who lives alone? A co-worker without local family? An international student at your child’s college who can’t get home? Invite them to your holiday table. You might save them from an otherwise lonely day, and who knows? Maybe they will bring humor, or a tasty pie, or a good story. Or maybe they will simply encircle you in a hug of gratitude.

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

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An Apple a day?

By Katy Budge Does an apple a day really keep the doctor away? Given all of apples’ purported health benefits, this is one proverb that might be true to its very core. Apples pack a lot of phytonutrients and antioxidants – both of which are powerful allies in maintaining health. Studies have shown that eating apples may reduce LDL cholesterol levels and high blood pressure, lower the risk of developing heart disease and diabetes, and guard against cancer.

Apples are also delicious, but steer clear of the Red Delicious variety; they’ve been bred to travel well and look pretty once they get there, but are often lacking in taste. Instead, seek out sweeter varieties such as Fuji and Honeycrisp, or tarter options like Pink Lady and Granny Smith. Pies and crisps are the to-go dishes for cooking with apples, but many more culinary options abound.

Grate an unpeeled apple into coleslaw – it will add color and crunch, and using a vinaigrette dressing will keep the apple from turning brown. Use diced apple in quick breads as you would raisins, and combine it with raisins for a compote to accompany roast pork or chicken. Use either diced or pureed apple in soup for a slightly sweet component.

And don’t forget about apples in beverages. For a festive holiday treat, serve a white wine sangria with green and red apple slices, or any mulled wine with apple slices. There’s also a bushel of hard apple ciders being crafted here on the Central Coast. These are dry ciders, not cloyingly sweet, and they offer a gluten-free option to beer. With so many ways to enjoy apples, you’re bound to find some that a-peel to you!

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Solstice Green Directory - Winter 2017/2018

Winter Treat

no sugar crock pot applesauce

Recipe: 10 apples, cored and sliced (without peels) /1 tbsp cinnamon / 3/4 cup apple juice, / 1/2 tsp sea salt (organic ingredients recommended). Pour apples and apple juice into the base of a slow cooker. Sprinkle brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt over apples. Stir. Set slow cooker on high, and cook for about four-five hours. Stir occasionally. Mashing may be required and can be done with a fork or potato masher.

EASY Cinnamon baked apple chips

Recipe: 2 large apples, cored /1 tsp. cinnamon. Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Thinly slice apples crosswise about 1/8-inch thick with a mandoline slicer or sharp knife. Arrange apple slices in a single layer on baking sheets, that have been wiped with coconut oil. Combine apples in a small bowl and mix with cinnamon. Bake until apples are dry and crisp, about 2 hours. Remove from oven and let ‘chips’ cool completely before transferring to a sealed container. Makes about 2 cups.

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Healing Herbs

for the winter season

By Ruth Madocks The winter season corresponds to the Water element in Chinese medicine.

The bladder and kidneys, which deal with the body’s water, are associated with the winter season. Winter is a yin time to conserve and rejuvenate our energy. Illness is a sign that our bodies are out of balance. The flu and colds of winter indicate that it’s time to take special care of ourselves in the form of nutrition, warmth and rest. During this season, plants put their energy into their roots. Following this natural cycle, it’s a time to put our focus on our roots as well. Roots of herbs are very useful for winter. Marshmallow root is particularly beneficial for the bladder and kidneys. Made into a tea, the herb acts as a diuretic to increase the flow of urine and cleanse the bladder and kidneys. Other herbs like ginger root heat the body and help with circulation. Ginger is also a stimulating tonic for the stomach and digestive system.

Other bladder and kidney herbs include juniper berries, flax seeds, fenugreek seeds, cleavers and nettle leaves. Fennugreek seeds are a staple in Indian cuisine and are an excellent kidney and adrenal tonic. A good winter tea combination is made with ginger root, marshmallow root, fenugreek seeds, juniper berries, cleavers and nettle leaves.

Simmer the roots for at least 20-30 minutes. Then add the seeds and berries for another 10-15 minutes.

Finally add the leaves of the cleavers and nettles and simmer very lightly. Steep the whole concoction for at least 20 minutes more. Strain with cheesecloth and serve with honey. Drinking a ¼ of a cup twice a day during the winter will bring great benefits for our Water element organs. Enjoy and welcome the respite of winter to slow down and pay attention to what our bodies and emotions are telling us.

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Solstice Green Directory - Winter 2017/2018

are you

Gaining Weight in the shower?

It may be fun to have pink strawberry scented shampoo, but scented beauty products actually make you snack more.

New research from the journal Food Quality and Preference, shows that exposure to food fragrances may awaken cravings in your brain. Just another temptation in our "obesogenic" landscape.

So on your next hair-care shopping trip, buy unscented.

R. Barkley & Associates

Business Back Office Accounting & Taxes IRS & Government Representation Financial Services Home Mortgages

Robert C. Barkley Certified Public Accountant

Bring More Green into Your Life Ph: 800.211.5677 / 805.929.0070 eM: rbarkley@rbarkley.com www.rbarkley.com P.O. Box 1590, Nipomo, CA 93444-1590

Greener Living Starts at Home DAVID HUNTER Realtor Associate

CalBRE# 01970040

815 Morro Bay Blvd.

Morro Bay, CA 93442 805-400-9937 david@greenerlivinghomes.com greenerlivinghomes.com Each Keller Williams office is independently owned and operated.

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

17

9 Mistakes

to avoid at

If you love fresh fruits and veggies, but haven’t spent much time at farmers’ markets, you may not know that they can be a bit intimidating. Locals always know exactly where to go and what to buy, and seem to possess some kind of secret knowledge of seasonal favorites and exclusive deals. No worries. Avoiding these nine mistakes will help you fit in at the market and get the most out of the experience: 1. Arriving Too Late: Showing up in the late morning means big crowds and picked over produce. Beat the rush by going early and getting the best of the season. Morning light is also best for snapping pictures, if you’re into that sort of thing. 2. Forgetting to Bring Your Own Bags: Most farmers’

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markets provide small plastic bags for your purchases, but you definitely want to have a larger bag to carry your bounty or you’ll be heading home prematurely. 3. Buying Only What You Know: One of the advantages of shopping at a farmers’ market is that you get the best of the season from local farmers, which is likely to be different from your normal grocery store purchases. There’s nothing wrong with buying foods you know you like, but try to be adventurous with new produce. You may be pleasantly surprised. 4. Not Asking Questions: You may not know everything there is to know about seasonal vegetables, but the farmers who grow them certainly do. Walk up to each vendor with a smile and ask them what their favorites are this week. If you’ve never

Farmers

markets

cooked with them before, ask for a sample recipe or serving suggestions.

You can always search recipes online when you get home, so don’t feel like you need to know exactly how you’re going to prepare something before buying it. 5. Forgetting Cash: Farmers’ market veterans know better than to show up at the market without cash in our wallets. Most farmers do not accept credit cards and the line at the local ATM machine is a wait you could live without. Pick up some cash on your way to avoid the headache.

6. Focus on Fruit: Fruit is great, but it will also put a hefty dent in your wallet. If you fear farmers’ markets because of the price, focus your attention on vegetables. Veggies are cheaper and when picked fresh and in season, they can be really sweet.

7. Bringing Pets: It’s illegal to bring

dogs to farmers’ markets in California, but each state has its own policies.

Check your local market rules before bringing your furry friend along on your shopping trip. 8. Trying to Negotiate: Farmers’ markets are not flea markets, and haggling is generally not part of the etiquette. Sometimes very late in the day, farmers will offer discounts, but it’s generally best practice to respect the set prices.

Farmers work harder than most of us can imagine, and their asking prices are more than fair. 9. Not Shopping Around: Samples are commonplace at farmers’ markets and allow you to find the best produce to match your taste.

Nothing is worse than buying a basket of strawberries, then finding better ones two stands away. Shop around a bit before deciding on the best purchases. You know you’ve picked the right stuff if you can barely get it home without eating it all.

19

mercury

Toxicity

from dental amalgams

by Hepsharat Amadi, MD One of the most frequent contributing causes to illness that I see on the quantum bio-feedback machine at my office is mercury toxicity. The machine can detect toxins electromagnetically. From using this machine, I have learned that mercury primarily affects the kidneys, the adrenals, the brain and the nerves. It causes a hormonal imbalance from deficiency of adrenal hormones like cortisol. Cortisol is anti-inflammatory, and the lack of adequate cortisol secretion causes increased inflammation. Mercury is one of the most deadly toxins. And yet, it was allowed to be combined with other metals and materials to form mercury amalgam fillings.

Although it is less widely used now than it once was, there are still dentists putting this stuff in people's mouths. Yet when the fillings need to be replaced, the waste mercury gets removed in red bio-hazard bags. How come it only became hazardous when it was OUT of the mouth? The American Dental Association has still not stated that there ever was a problem in using mercury in dental fillings to begin with. They do not teach their graduates the safer procedures for replacing mercury fillings.

Dentists who do so in the safest way possible are dentists who call themselves "mercury free," "holistic," or "biological." All dental amalgams should be replaced by ones that don't contain mercury. These are white and are called "composite."Doing so might reduce the development of all sorts of chronic, degenerative diseases, including cancer, in which mercury is frequently sited as one of the contributing factors.

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Solstice Green Directory - Winter 2017/2018

gone to the press and meeting the

New Standard At the age of twelve, Ben Franklin first began to learn the business of printing the truth. By the time Ben was seventeen, he was a fully skilled printer able to work in any print shop.

Ben wanted to use his printing press to help people understand the world around them.

Today, we have a whole new set of standards for printing. RECYCLED PAPER and SOY INK are the expectations of informed readers who care about the environment. We are happy to say that this edition of Solstice Green Directory you are reading, DOES meet your printing expectations! You can also read it online at: http://www.slosolstice.com/ebook

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in what cities do people

Exercise the Most?

SLO made the list!

According to a Gallup-Sharecare poll, the amount we exercise is tied to where we live. The report, titled the State of American WellBeing: 2016 Community Rankings for Exercise, ranked the U.S. communities where people worked out the most “regularly” (defined as 30 minutes a day, three or more days a week). The research was based on 354,473 phone interviews conducted across all 50 states between January 2015 and December 30, 2016. Of the 189 communities included in the list, Boulder, Colorado came in at #1. Almost 70 percent of residents reporting a regular exercise habit. The top five included Fort Collins and Greeley, Colorado, San Luis Obispo - Paso Robles, and Santa Rosa California. The findings reiterated the correlation between exercise and well being, with the top 10 highest ranked cities reporting 30 percent less obesity, diabetes, depression, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and incidences of heart attack. Additionally, the top communities reflected a more positive outlook and sense of community involvement, lower rates of smoking and higher instances of healthy eating, such as consumption of fresh produce.

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805.528.7586 • www.miasimmons.com 22

Solstice Green Directory - Winter 2017/2018

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.

local business and non-profit partner to

Help the Homeless

Hope’s Village “Showers of Hope” and Paul’s Dry Cleaners are making life a little easier for our homeless community. “Showers of Hope” is run by volunteers and offers showers to homeless veterans, men, women and children with no access to showers in San Luis Obispo.

Paul’s Dry Cleaners in San Luis Obispo donates its services and launders the towels for “Showers of Hope”. According to Tim Waag, with “Showers of Hope”, “the owner and staff at Paul’s Dry Cleaners are grateful for what “Showers of Hope” is doing and happily launder the towels.” They know that providing clean bodies and clean clothes to the many chronically homeless in San Luis Obispo makes for a better community. Together Hope’s Village “Showers of Hope” and Paul’s Dry Cleaners are making a positive difference in our community. For more information on Hope’s Village “Showers of Hope” go to www.hopesvillageofslo.com/showers.

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23

saving the earth Piece by

Peace

Eric and Sarah Beresford believe in quality. Timeless quality that you get with solid wood furniture and unique well made clothing. Sarah has provided lovely second hand fashions at Grateful Threads Fashion Exchange in Grover Beach for eight years. Eric recently opened Cedar and Cloth, a home decor store, across the street, featuring antiques and custom solid wood furniture. The furniture is one of a kind solid wood with many pieces designed by Eric with reclaimed wood.

is painted wood because it can’t be recycled and will end up in the landfill if I don’t rescue it,” he said. Both have a passion for upcycling and restoring vintage clothing and furniture. They also hope to encourage consumers to break away from a disposable society.

“I love to rescue old lumber so people can enjoy good furniture. The best

“Most of the new discount clothing and furniture available today will soon fall apart because they aren’t made well with quality materials,” Sarah said.

Their passion for quality is partnered with their desire to help save the planet by recycling and using ecoconscious materials. Cedar and Cloth and Grateful Threads on West Grand Avenue in Grover Beach – saving the Earth piece by peace.

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Solstice Green Directory - Winter 2017/2018

Sweet potato soup

Recipe: About 2 pounds cooked sweet potatoes/2 teaspoons olive oil/1 cup chopped onion/1/2 teaspoon ground cumin/1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper/4 cups vegetable stock. Heat saucepan over medium-high heat. Add oil and swirl to coat. Add onion, saute 1 minute or until translucent. Stir in cumin and red pepper. Add stock to pan; bring to a boil. Place half of sweet potatoes and half of stock mixture in a blender. Blend until smooth. Pour pureed soup into a large bowl. Repeat procedure with remaining sweet potato and stock mixture. Add sea salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste.

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Resolve...

As we enter the new year, what's your "green" resolution? Will you join a local crusade to save open space? Begin taking public transportation, walking or biking to work more? Checkout consignment or resale shopping for your clothes? Plant a vegetable garden come spring?

Swear off bottled water and plastic bags forever? Try composting kitchen scraps? How about "Meatless Monday?" We can all make a difference. We can all resolve to take another step

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4 Tips for

Conscious weight loss...

Healthy eating is a lifelong commitment not a sprint to the finish line. Try these tips: 1) Sit down for meals and snacks, express appreciation for the nourishment, savor each bite and chew your food well. 2) Eat whole, fresh food as much as possible and avoid canned, processed, frozen, or prepackaged foods. 3) One change example: Instead of chemical-laden microwave popcorn, make it from scratch on your stove and season with sea salt, a pinch of cayenne pepper and a squeeze of lime. 4) Focus on small steps and incremental progress. Just drinking more water, adding a green vegetable to each meal, and walking around the block once a day can make a big difference!

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the

Perils of Plastic

By Judes Kingsbury

You are likely familiar with the insurmountable nightmare of singleuse plastic. We have become a society accustomed to convenience, and we are creating a disaster. It is time we prioritize CONSCIENCE over CONVENIENCE. Here are five of the hundreds of statistics about plastics: 1) Plastic takes more than 400 years to degrade! Most of it still exists in some form. Tragically, huge numbers of sea life have been found with plastic in their stomachs, sea turtles found with plastic straws up their noses. 2) 91% of ALL plastic is NOT recyclable and ends up in landfills or sloughing off in the environment as litter. Our oceans are a “plastics dumping ground”.

3) Only 9% of the entire world’s population recycle anything. 4) One half of all of the 300 million tons of plastic produced each year is for single-use, averaging about 15 minutes of use

30

Solstice Green Directory - Winter 2017/2018

followed by 400 years to degrade.

5) Chemicals leached from plastics in our food, drinks, and in cooking, affect us in seriously negative ways, including links to cancer and other degenerative diseases.

Like lead in its heyday, plastic was originally regarded as an ingenious invention. Go to any large modern market, and look at the aisles filled with everything imaginable packaged in plastic of all types. We are saddled with a plastics nightmare and only WE have the power to do something about it. WHAT can you do? A lot! Carry reusable, non-disposable items in your car. Here are a few tips: • A stainless steel travel mug for hot and cold beverages • A stainless steel or glass straw • Non-disposable cutlery made of metal or bamboo • Organic

what You can do to say No to disposables cotton/bamboo towels that are naturally anti-microbial and hygienic rather than paper towels, napkins or wipes • A reusable grocery bag to replace plastic and paper bags • Reusable produce bags for grocery stores and Farmer’s Markets • Beeswax covers to replace plastic wrap and “baggies” • Collapsible silicone containers for to-go and leftover food • Reduce the items you buy in plastic packaging. Try to buy in bulk and refill • Make your own (DIY) personal care items from natural ingredients like baking soda and vinegar, citrus and essential oils • Buy foods you use a lot of in larger quantities and freeze some to eliminate some of the packaging (packaging is the #1 most wasteful use of single-use plastics including

styrofoam) • Don’t shop at stores that sell cheap, shoddy made-from-plastic items including toys and specialty items • Buy from garage sales and thrift stores for some of your needs • Pay it forward by donating and giving away whatever items you are ready to part with • Think of the environment when you make a choice to spend money.

Choose CONSCIENCE over CONVENIENCE. It will make a big difference to life on our precious Planet Earth. Together we CAN replace disposables with sustainable products.

I dream of a day when beaches are free of plastic debris.

Judes Kingsbury is founder of www.ActiveChick.com

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

31

every

Cloud has

There is no more denying it. While Mother Nature’s wrath can be unpredictable and random, there is so much research, including Climate.gov, suggesting that humankind is ultimately responsible for much of the destruction caused by “natural disasters.” In the past few months extreme weather events have nearly drowned coastal US cities, including parts of Texas, wiped out several iconic Caribbean islands, not to mention Puerto Rico and Florida Keys. It's also left thousands of people without homes in Mumbai.

Here are 3 lessons we are learning from our planet’s catastrophic weather, including our inadequate actions in dealing with it: 1) The Important Need for More Regulation of Coastal Areas: Scientists studying disaster impacts warn that our increasing and expanding development is placing more people and their possessions in the potential

32

Solstice Green Directory - Winter 2017/2018

path of tornadoes. As more people choose to live by the water, the coastal development increases, leading to the destruction of estuaries and marshes, which act as storm protectors. Recent surveys note that almost half of the U.S. population now lives in coastal areas. If humans continue putting construction before caution, we will lay the foundation for more catastrophes.

De-regulation and lack of oversight will only worsen the natural disasters’ effects and aftermath. 2) More Attention to Weather Changes and Climate Research: When the United States began its atmospheric nuclear bomb testing in the early 1950's, farmers protested. They were convinced that the explosions were intensifying hurricanes and tornadoes and triggering torrential rains and hailstorms as well as one

a

Silver

lining

of the worst droughts in the country’s history. The farmers petitioned the government to cease testing because of “atom weather.” An investigation was launched to examine the possibility of atomic explosions causing the drastic weather flukes. But while the “atom weather” theory wasn't proven, it navigated scientists towards modernday climate research.

3) Exploring New Engineering Ideas and Technology for Building Structures and Emergency Bridges: According to the New York Times, Houston residents had yet another environmental hazard to watch out for: fire ants. Called so for their painful and dangerous sting, which can cause a lethal allergic reaction in some people, the ants had evolved in Brazilian wetlands and are much better at dealing with deluges than humans.Fire ants arrived in North America on cargo ships in the early 20th century.

Since then they have pretty much conquered the American South and are now moving north because of warmer winters. The ants are a health hazard and environmental pests, but their unique flotation abilities have attracted many curious minds. When their colonies flood, the ants secrete a sticky discharge that helps them cling together and form rafts that can float on the water for days and miles. When researchers studied the physics, forces, and materials that hold the ant rafts together, they found certain similarities to human-built flotation devices. And engineers observed the ants’ teamwork in hopes to design small robots that can work in concert, building structures such as emergency bridges.

As people are recovering from recent catastrophes all around the globe, a look into a few lessons we are learning from our planet’s weather and our own actions may be one of the good things that comes out of it all.

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

33

leaves

Leaves

By Blaze Elation

everywhere

If your yard, like mine, is covered in leaves, lucky you! Leaves are a fantastic winter resource for the home gardener. Gather your leaves with a rake, and use them to mulch your entire garden. Mulch protects the soil from wind and rain erosion and discourages crusting. Mulch helps insulate plant roots and hold in both moisture and nutrients. Earthworms and microbes will love this soil blanket; over winter, they will consume some of the mulch and transform it into usable plant nutrients.

While moving through the ground,

34

Solstice Green Directory - Winter 2017/2018

earthworms and other soil creatures aerate soil. Mulch blocks light to the soil surface thus inhibiting weed germination. But if you are still not convinced, or just don’t have the time to spread leaves over your garden, all you have to do is pile the leaves up, nature will do the rest. Leaf piles are a great way to create fungal compost.

While a hot compost pile with a mix of green and brown material creates bacterial compost great for vegetables and herbs, a leaf pile (brown material) decomposes slowly to create fungal compost that your shrubs and trees will love! This is what forests are doing every day. Have you ever walked through a forest and smelled the sweet scent of decomposing leaves under your feet? That is called forest humus, it is a fungal compost material that is feeding the trees and maintaining the health of the forest. We can mimic this process for the long-term health of our garden.

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35

What

do New York, Philadelphia, Boston, and SLO have

in common?

What do New York, Philadelphia, Boston, and San Luis Obispo have in common? They’re all now recycling food waste! Food waste generates methane, which is 87 times more potent, in regard to global warming, than carbon dioxide. Food waste also represents about 18% of the current volume of the solid waste stream in California. Americans alone throw away a mind boggling 14 million tons of food per year or 30% to 50% of the food they buy! Try explaining that to people in third world countries who spend their days starving, just wondering where their next meal is coming from. In San Luis Obispo, recycling food waste supports reduced greenhouse gas emissions, extends the life of our Cold Canyon landfill and is used to create valuable soil amendment materials for local farms

36

and other applications. You can help ensure the success of our community food waste recycling program by setting aside food waste and adding it to your green waste bin on solid waste pick-up day. Food scraps and yard waste will be most efficiently composted into soil amendments when contamination is minimized, in other words, keep the items that don’t belong out of the green waste bin. Here are three easy steps for success: 1) Use a food waste pail in your kitchen. During food preparation and after eating a meal, throw food waste in the pail and place it in the refrigerator for storage. 2) Empty the pail into your green waste container on your solid waste pick-up day, and place the green waste container out on the curb for collection. 3) Care for your food waste pail by hand washing or

putting in the dishwasher for cleaning between uses. Teach your family to reach a point of zero food wastage.

Some tips to achieve this include meal planning and serving smaller portions.

Be creative when you have leftover fruit and vegetables. For example, throw your spare vegetables in with an egg and cheese to make a healthy omelette. There are plenty of great cookbooks around that can help you with this. For questions regarding the food waste program, please contact San Luis Garbage Company at (805) 543-0875

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37

a message of

Peace

from the

He was ill that night, and he could barely speak, but the message he wanted to give to the country was important. He also wanted to stress the importance of the press, which is why he made his historic speech in front of the American Society of Newspaper Editors: “Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and not clothed. This world in arms is not spending money alone. It is spending the sweat of its laborers, the genius of its scientists, the hopes of its children.”

That speech was spoken by Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th President of

38

Past

the United States, who was born in 1890. Eisenhower was a Republican, a five-star general in the United States Army during World War II, who served as Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe. He knew the horrors of war, saying, “I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, only as one who has seen its brutality, its stupidity.”

Eisenhower also said in a separate speech: “I like to believe that people in the long run are going to do more to promote peace than our governments. Indeed, I think that people want peace so much that one of these days governments had better get out of the way and let them have it.” What great words to remember him by.

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39

green

Pet Litter...

Recently, with environmental awareness on the rise, there have been some concerns about the environmental impact of animal waste and pet litter. The quandaries that pet owners face include, what type of pet litter they should use, whether they in fact need pet litter, and what is the best way to dispose of it. Let's examine some of the issues surrounding choosing and disposing of pet litter: Commercial Pet Litters: There are a variety of pet litters available to buy in supermarkets and pet shops and the sheer range can make it difficult to know which to choose. Two of the main types of commercial litter are: Clay-Based Pet Litters; and‘Green’ Pet Litters: Clay-based pet litter is usually made from an absorbent clay called sodium bentonite. It’s clumping

40

Solstice Green Directory - Winter 2017/2018

abilities mean that soiled clumps can easily be lifted out by pet owners, without them having to change all the litter in the tray. The only way to dispose of this type of cat litter is to send it to landfill. It can’t be flushed away. Another ethical problem with the clay-based cat litters is that the claymining processes used can be quite damaging.

There are now a wide range of green pet litters available on the market.

They are made of natural or recycled materials such as corn kernels, recycled paper and sawdust. Most green pet litter choices are either biodegradable or can be safely flushed down the toilet. This is a preferable choice for many pet owners who don’t want to contribute to landfill waste.

Many environmentally conscious pet

just

‘‘Purrr-fect!’’ owners prefer to reuse some of their own household waste as litter for pets such as cats, rather than paying for ‘green’ pet litter or, worse, paying for commercial pet litter which is made from harmful chemicals and can only be sent to landfill. Useful household waste and natural pet litters include sawdust, sand, soil, shredded newspaper, and pine leaves. Some pet owners limit their use of pet litter as much as possible. For instance, many cat owners have ‘trained’ their cats to mainly go outside when they need to go! Cats will usually bury their own waste, so do not need to be monitored or cleaned up after in the same way as dogs.

some pet feces, such as cat and dog droppings, can contain organisms which are dangerous to humans. A lot of pet owners would prefer to err on the side of caution and do not compost their litter.

Composting Pet Litter: There is much argument over whether it is safe to compost biodegradable cat and pet litters.

The arguments center around the fact that

41

so what about

Astrology?

By Margaret Hennessy

Astrology is the ancient system that correlates life on Earth with the ever-changing patterns of the sky. It evolved over centuries as a key element in the development of human civilization. Observing the rising and setting of the star Sirius enabled the Egyptians to develop agriculture, while transits of Mercury and Venus were key market indicators for Babylonian commerce. Monarchs relied on astrology to guide affairs of state, generals to plan battles, physicians to cure the sick and philosophers to weigh the soul. Astrology is humanity's most enduring psychological tool, defining personality and delineating the shifting cycles of individual lives. Modern astrologers counsel people, providing insights into life purpose and personality, as well as a better understanding of current cycles and trends. Compatibility analysis for couples, families and co-workers is another valuable service of modern astrology. Today, individuals have access to computerized astrology reports that provide detailed personality analyses, compatibility reports and forecasts that can be delivered online. As the world's oldest and most detailed language for describing energy, Astrology continues to thrive and serve as a guide to self-awareness and an inspiring reminder of the connection between the cosmos and human consciousness.

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Solstice Green Directory - Winter 2017/2018

Wood Pulp in your cereal?

Wood pulp brings “plant-based diet” to a whole new level. Cellulose is usually made from nontoxic wood pulp or cotton, and the cheap filler is stuffed into shredded cheese, salad dressing, and ice cream to thicken it without adding calories or fat. Cellulose is fibrous, which is why it appears in so many high-fiber “healthy” snacks and breakfast cereals and it’s even in organic products, according to an investigation by the Wall Street Journal.

How to avoid it: Checking your food labels is crucial and steer clear of terms like microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), cellulose gel, and cellulose gum, and carboxymethyl cellulose.

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43

drink your onion and garlic skins...

Say What?

Do you save your onion skins? Like most of us, I will bet that the answer is "no."

Recent research confirms that the outer skins of onions and garlic provide an exceptionally rich source of vitamins A, C and E, and antioxidants which protect the skin cells from free radical damage. The most common mistake is throwing away garlic and onions skins, thinking that the skins are useless. However, the reality is, the skins contain more nutrients and fiber than the flesh of the vegetable. Garlic Skin: According to research from Japan, garlic skins contain six separate antioxidant compounds. Peeling garlic removes phenylpropanoid antioxidants, which protect the heart and help fight the aging process. Like the garlic cloves, the skin is also very beneficial for boosting immunity and lowering cholesterol. Onion Skin: While onions are a good source for antioxidants, the skin actually has more antioxidants than the onion itself. Dr Marilyn Glenville, a nutritional therapist in both Britain and the United States, was reported as saying in the London Daily Mail newspaper that peeling garlic cloves removes the phenylpropanoid antioxidants which help fight the ageing process and protect the heart. It’s rich in quercetin, a pigment found within the skin, which fights free radicals in the blood and is highly anti-inflammatory. According to the research, nutrients from onion skin can be a healthy addition to your diet.

The phenolic compounds in onion may help prevent coronary diseases.

Here's how to add onion or garlic skins to your diet: Use ONLY the skins of organic garlic and onions. Conventional skins are loaded with pesticides. Fill a glass with onion or garlic skin and top up with hot water.

Let it steep for 10 minutes.

Strain and drink.

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Solstice Green Directory - Winter 2017/2018

are you tired of all the

Junk Mail?

We all receive it. It litters our mailboxes and kitchen counters. Most of it goes unread and is thrown into the trash.

Junk mail accounts for 1/3 of all mail sent in the United States, adding up to over 800 pieces of junk mail delivered each year to each household. The average American receives 40 pounds of junk mail each year, destroying 100 million trees. This is equivalent to clear cutting all of Rocky Mountain National Park every four months. The emissions created from junk mail each year, according to DoNotMail.org, is the equivalent of the emissions created by more than 9,377,000 passenger cars. So much advertising is printed on virgin paper (made directly from trees), and so much of it is never even looked at before being pitched in the recycling, or possibly even the trash.

What a waste! You too can eliminate junk mail from your life, and help save the trees and other resources wasted through the distribution and disposal of such materials. The key

to stopping unwanted advertising mail being delivered to your home is to get your name off of the mailing lists. But there are so many lists!

Where to start? The best way to get started, ironically, is to add your name to one very important list: the National Do Not Mail List. Doing this will reduce your junk mail by half almost immediately. If you just do this you have made a huge difference. It takes two minutes on the computer.

For free removal from all national lists, visit www.directmail.com. This list is really handy, because you can choose to not receive any special offers in the mail, or you can pick and choose what categories of mail you might still want. Opt Out of Phone Books: www. yellowpagesoptout.com. Stop Catalog Mailings: www.catalogchoice.org.

Also keep in mind when filling out forms: Write “no paper mail” next to your home address.

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45

Germs...

Germs. We are in a constant battle with them. From the hand sanitizer at supermarket front doors, to mom's mantra, “wash your hands.”

You're probably writing a cleaning to-do list right now. Read on if you would like to prioritize these spots to a cleaner, safer home.

Kitchen: Sink: It’s where all your kitchen dirt goes (we hope). In fact, it’s home to as many as 500,000 bacteria per square inch. Spray it down often, clean out your food trap, and scrub with scouring powder at least once a week Cutting boards: Prevent crosscontamination by dedicating one board to meats and another to produce.

And always wash your board ASAP after using it, especially if you were working with raw meat. It turns out, when it comes to preventing growth of bacteria, wood is superior to plastic cutting surfaces. Countertops: Cut the clutter to give crumbs and germs fewer

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Solstice Green Directory - Winter 2017/2018

places to hide. Then wipe them with a damp microfiber cloth after every meal.

Fridge shelves and drawers: Your refrigerator is home to both raw and cooked foods, and if it’s disorganized, they probably come in contact now and then. Store raw meat in a plastic bag to serve as an extra barrier, and stop spoiled food from turning into science experiments by throwing it away as soon as you notice it.

Sponges: They've been banned from commercial kitchens, ban them from yours, too. But if you must use a sponge, rinse it with hot water after every swipe. At the end of every day, get it wet and nuke it in the microwave for a minute. Dish towels: If you rush through washing your hands, some germs may still be hanging out on them and you’ll transfer those germs to the dish towel. Change dish towels a few times a week, and wash them with hot water when you do the laundry.

Bathroom: Towels: Like dish towels,

in your home...

Oh No!

they pick up any germs left after a shower. Wash them in hot water at least once a week. Makeup brushes: They touch your face every day, coming in contact with oils, bacteria and dead skin cells. Wash them with mild soap whenever you notice makeup buildup.

Tub: Wipe it down with a microfiber cloth every day and get rid of mold spots with baking soda or vinegar.

Floor around the toilet: Make sure to put the lid down every time you flush.

Clean up noticeable spots right away and scrub with bathroom cleaner at least once a week. Faucet handles: You touch these before your hands are clean. Wipe them down with a damp microfiber cloth. Toothbrush holder: Rinse it out daily, Sanitize your toothbrush holder in the dishwasher (if it can take it) or give it a good scrub with soap and water.

Everywhere Else: Electronics: Smartphones, keyboards, mice, the remote control. The National Institute of Health recently found that cellphones are 10 times dirtier than

toilet seats. Wipe them with a damp microfiber cloth as often as possible.

Don’t forget to remove any cases so you can clean underneath. Doorknobs, handles and light switches: Even if your hand only touches these items for a fraction of a second, that’s enough time to transfer bacteria. A quick wipe-down with a damp microfiber cloth will do. Shoe rack: Footwear is a huge culprit for bringing germs into your home. You never know what somebody stepped in. Carpets: Vacuum weekly and spritz high-traffic areas with a carpet sanitizer. If you can toss rugs into the laundry, do it. Bags: Your purse holds money (super dirty!) and your kid’s lunch bag holds food. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on cleaning these to keep them in the best shape.Toys: No matter whose toys they are, your kid’s or the dog’s, they probably spend a lot of time in somebody’s mouth.

Consider what they're made of, then clean accordingly, tossing them in the laundry, dishwasher, or wiping with a cloth.

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47

Vegan

goes mainstream

2018

poised to be “the year of the vegan’’

By Skye Pratt and Veronica Dailey The vegan diet has increased 600-percent in the last 3 years in the US, according to Plant Based News, and 2018 is predicted to be the biggest year yet! Leading hospitality consulting firm Baum + Whiteman recently published its 2018 Food & Beverage Forecast, which states that vegan food will be a “megatrend” of the coming year. The choice is particularly compelling to young people, “Millennials and Gen Xers are embracing "plant-based" food while still young ...and likely sticking with it” the report states. The availability to new information, such as the massive documented environmental impact of animal agriculture, and leaked footage of the conditions inside of factory farms and slaughterhouses, along with compelling research about the positive impact of a vegan diet on disease prevention and longevity have begun to compel more people to make the change. Veganism has also gone mainstream in the movies, with films such as “What The Health” and “Okja” topping the list of most-watched films on Netflix.

Skye Pratt and Veronica Dailey are Co-Founders of SLOVegan.com, a new guide site and news outlet for all things vegan in San Luis Obispo County. Check out upcoming events.

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Solstice Green Directory - Winter 2017/2018

please

Stop Idling...

Every moment you spend idling your car's engine means needlessly wasting gas, as well as rougher wear on your vehicle. Idling for more than 10 seconds wastes more gas than is needed for startup.

Idling for just 30 seconds burns more fuel than turning off the car and restarting it. Turn the ignition off at long stoplights and other lengthy holdups. And rather than using the drive-through, just park and go in.

Overall, Americans idle away 2.9 billion gallons of gas a year, worth around $78.2 billion.

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Solstice Green Directory - Winter 2017

vegan

Pumpkin Bread Recipe: 3 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour (or gluten free)/1 cup old-fashioned oats /1 tablespoon baking powder /2 teaspoons each: ground ginger and cinnamon /1 teaspoon each: baking soda and salt /1/2 teaspoon ground cloves /1 cup coconut milk /1 can (15 ounces) pure pumpkin (or fresh cooked) /1/2 cup coconut oil /1/2 cup applesauce /1/2 cup brown sugar. Grease two 9 x 5 inch loaf pans with coconut oil and preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix flour, oats, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, and cloves in a large bowl.

Meanwhile, whisk the coconut milk, pumpkin, coconut oil, and brown sugar in a medium bowl. Gently beat wet ingredients into dry ingredients until smooth; divide evenly between prepared pans and bake until golden brown and a cake taster comes out clean, about 45 minutes (if after 45 minutes, bread is still not cooked through, turn heat down to 325 and continue to check ever 5-7 minutes).

Remove from oven, let cool for 5-10 minutes. Run a knife around the pan to loosen the bread and then turn onto a wire rack to cool. Slice and serve warm or room temperature.

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Solstice Green Directory - Winter 2017/2018

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