Ideas Wanted for Living Art Project

I need your creative minds to help my teen with a senior art project/competition! My sweetie was selected by his peers to represent his teen chapter as outstanding senior of the year in a regional competition. He needs to showcase his interests, accomplishments and goals while using the themes of "being healthy, being green, being the change and being innovative" (was this custom designed for us or what?). He is a volunteer at the local natural history museum, a debater, a fencer and wants to pursue a career as an environmental justice attorney. He is also a very humorous person! My understanding is that teens (parents) go all out in this competition, so we are really seeking that wow factor! We have so far come up with the concept of incorporating a living, green wall using recycle materials into his presentation, but would love to take a community approach in further developing the idea. Your thoughts/ideas?!

btw here is a link for those of you interested in creating your own living art project.

Thanks!

Back to the Garden with Free People Clothing Boutique

Ahh! Spring is finally here, though for some in not such a pleasant way. I would like to extend my prayers and blessings to the families and individuals affected by the tornados recently. Some are suspecting that our warmer climate may be the culprit, but that is a topic for another post. In addition to a maddening need to get out in the dirt and plant everything that I can think of, I also get the urge to checkout warm weather fashions. Alas, the two interests merge in the Free People "Vintage Loves" collection - Back to the Garden. As most of you know, I try to spend at least 20% of my clothing budget on vintage, thrift, fair trade and/or organic fashions, so I'm always on the hunt for unique and awesome items in these categories. The two items pictured are only what I was able to save as a photo from the website, there were some really cute dresses and a cool shoe rack, if you want to see the entire collection (warning - a little pricey), then you have to click on the link here.

The good news is that you don't have to pay a million dollars for these types of finds, check out your local thrift or consignment shop for more affordable goodies like this. Your wallet and your planet will thank you.

Happy Spring!

Earth Day Action Opportunity

Happy Earth Day! Being the mom of a high school senior, hasn't allowed me much time to have much of an Earth Day celebration, so my contribution was joining the National Resource Defense Council and signing up to become an advocate of our environment and our health. Please show your support by reading this link and taking action. Raising awareness of and expanding my knowledge about the potentially cancerous effects of unsafe chemicals is what led me to blogging about environmental health some three years ago. NRDC: Protecting People from Unsafe Chemicals

Urban Swag: Urban Agriculture Innovation Zone Gets Youth Engaged

If you are an urban gardening enthusiast, youth worker, comic book lover, entrepreneur or all of the above, this story on the new Cleveland Urban Agriculture Innovation Zone, will have you swooning! It highlights one of the many urban greening and economic development initiatives happening in Cleveland, Ohio. Take two African American pest control business owners, a non-profit community development center, an African American think tank, the Ohio State University Extension Center, the USDA, other governmental entities - mix with a family history of gardening, passion, creativity and swag and bam! - you have the Cleveland version of Growing Power (that's a whole nuther story). In fact the master of urban gardening himself, Will Allen is one of the advisors to the project. So what is it? A 26 acre area of land in a very urban Cleveland neighborhood has been designated as ground zero for an intiative to train and development home grow ag entrepreneurs, with an emphasis being placed on recruiting young people in the community to lead leafy green businesses. The plan is to recruit teens and young adults in the city park across from the current greenhouse/headquarters to engage via a program called "Shoot Hoops, Not Guns". There is also a comic book called, "Brink City: Green In The Ghetto". You have to read the article to learn more.....

So stay green and stay strong, good things are poppin' in the neighborhood this spring!

Veggie U - Local food enthusiasts plant seed of healthy lifestyle idea with school kids

Local food enthusiasts plant seed of healthy lifestyle idea with school kids - Cleveland Business News - Northeast Ohio and Cleveland - Crain's Cleveland Business Cool food stuff happening in Cleveland, Ohio!

The Nature Conservancy: Engaging Urban Youth

Highlighting Employees in the Community-Brigitte Griswold The Nature Conservancy I was conducting some research on The Nature Conservancy and came across this story as part of their dialogue on diversity. If any of you have attended any community "eco" meetings, you know that the green movement is light on shades of brown and black. It's good to know that some in the environmental community are paying attention to the need to be present in the lives of folks from all backgrounds and to have persons of color present and engaged in their organizations. After all, don't scientists and environmentalists often speak to the need for bio-diversity to maintain a healthy ecology. This same principle applies in human nature and organizations, especially as our nation and world become more ethnically diverse and move from developing nation status to booming economy status. These are the last people that you want to leave behind in the conversation around the importance of balancing economy with ecology. I will continue to read and learn more about The Nature Conservancy and other environmental organizations efforts at walking the talk. In the meantime, "Kudos" for the steps taken thus far.

Shoes With A Soul

I have committed to spending 20% of my clothing purchases on thrift, fair trade or organic items, so I'm always on the hunt for cute items with a conscious. These Toms shoes definitely fit the bill. With every purchase of Toms shoes, a child in need gets a pair too! Can you imagine not feeling guilty about buying another pair of shoes? Click here to read the "Giving Report". There are plenty of wonderful and funky styles and designs for men, women and kids. Vegans will be happy with the vegan line of shoes. You can even take photos of you and your family sporting your Toms and upload then to the photo gallery. Who says going green isn't fun? I'm having a blast being black and into green! Pass it on.

Brother Gnome

How cute is this black gnome?!! I must have you little garden man!

I have got to have this little fella standing guard in my garden.

Icy Beauties: Snapshots of the Winter Garden

So often in these crazy Northeast Ohio winters, I rush right in from my car to the house. One day a few weeks ago, a confluence of factors enticed me to stay outside and survey the winter garden. The night before these photos were taken, an ice storm struck Cleveland and created beautiful icy sculptures from natures bounty. The next day everyone was commenting on how beautiful the trees and shrubs were encased in their ice frames, it also turned out to be a sunny and warmer day, thus allowing me to take in my own frozen green assets.

This honeysuckle is home to a robin family. Make a nice screen on my front patio.

This clematis features light blue flowers in May. It also adds privacy in the summer.



This yew is not as picturesque any other time of the year.



This is an upside down photo of the hydrandea "Annabelle", it is a very light green ball of fluff in the spring.

This is the hydrangea Annabelle's wintry frame. Often I use the dried flowers as Christmas tree ornaments.

Gaze into the crystal ball. This normally sits on a stand in the midst of lush green foilage.

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Jimmy Williiams: African American Organic Gardening Business

Hayground Organic Gardening - Organic nursery in Silver Lake has a growing clientele - Los Angeles Times Attracted by the colorful produce featured in this month's Martha Stewart Living, I felt compelled to pick up the issue to savor at home. To my extreme delight, I found an article profiling Jimmy Williams, an African American man with a passion for organic gardening in Los Angeles (my childhood home for a stint). Mr. Williams hales from New York and has a background as a fashion designer, but his gardening roots extend to his South Carolina great grandmother. Gardening since he was four, he now runs an organic gardening business called Hayground Organic Gardening. He sells his colorful goodies at farmer's markets and designs edible landscapes for lucky Angelenos. A man after my own heart. His twenty-something year old son has also joined the family business. It warms my heart to see how these men are taking part in the green economy. If you want to know more about Mr. Haygood and his talents, be sure to pick up a copy of his book "Seed to Skillet: A Guide to Growing, Tending, Harvesting, and Cooking Up Fresh, Healthy Food to Share with People you Love", coauthored by Susan Heeger.

Black and Into Green: Financing Your Green Business: A Banker's Perspective

Black and Into Green: Financing Your Green Business: A Banker's Perspective Thought I would re-post this article again as I often get these questions. I will update this information as I find new sources.

Dennis Haysbert (The Allstate Man)

Check out one of my favorite black and into green celebrities, Dennis Haysbert, at the annual Global Green Oscars pre-party. Need I say more?

Corporate Polluters the Big Winners in House Continuing Resolution - National Wildlife Federation

Corporate Polluters the Big Winners in House Continuing Resolution - National Wildlife Federation I understand that everyone has to take a hit in our nation's effort to balance the budget, but dang, it hurts. Review this list of targeted reductions to environmental initiatives and organizations to see how your favorite programs will be impacted and learn what you can do to voice your concerns.

"It's not nice to be a fool to mother nature!"

Healthy School Lunches / Healthy School Lunch Revolution

Healthy School Lunches / Healthy School Lunch Revolution

GOP Leaves No Stone Unturned, Much More on Chopping Block

GOP Leaves No Stone Unturned, Much More on Chopping Block A huge list of energy efficiency, sustainability and environmental programs at risk.

Great New Read: MacroWikinomics

Okay, last post of the night. I am enjoying the book, "MacroWikinomics" by Don TapScott and Anthony D. Williams. Good stuff on climate change, the environment and social justice. The premise of the book is how we can use the power of collaboration and the internet to "reboot business and the world". Off to read more of it now. Bon nuit!

A Bank That Encourages You To Be Green - Say What?!

Wow. A bank with a green conscious. Just discovered GreenChoiceBank, a bank opening soon in Chicago, Illinois. I'm green with envy. Here's why:

• 50% of senior management are LEED Accredited Professionals. Don't wake me, I'm dreaming.
• Branch to open in the Green Exchange, a sustainable economic development property
• Employees are encouraged and incented to use public transportation and purchase hybrids
• Clients are incented for making green living choices (beyond paperless statements)
• Sustainable business practices are incorporated into bank operations
• Bank will champion green practices and green jobs in the community

If you are like me and Tina Fey, you are saying "I want to go to there." No worries, GreenChoiceBank appears to have attractive deposit account terms and seems to be easy to work with even if you don't live anywhere near Chi-town.

I am going to follow the progress of this bank, as these are all initiatives that I encouraged my previous employer (a bank) to pursue in 2008. Big banks, like most large, conservative organizations are sloooow to change, so perhaps by 2020, they will have caught up with the practices of GreenChoiceBank. To be fair,some green practices were gradually starting to trickle in, but at the speed of molasses. Ask your bank about their green business practices.

H&M Unveils Recycled and Organic Fashion · Environmental Management & Energy News · Environmental Leader

H&M Unveils Recycled and Organic Fashion · Environmental Management & Energy News · Environmental Leader For you conscious fashionistas and fashionisters that don't have a fair trade store in your town, you may be in luck! H&M, which started offering low cost, organic fashions a few years ago, is expanding its offerings via its "Conscious Collections". According to the article, it may be an effort to remediate its image after it was busted throwing perfectly good new clothes in the trash, a policy it no longer it adheres to.

Fair Climate Newsletter: Social Justice, Grants and the Great Outdoors

Just got my Fair Climate Newsletter and wanted to share it with you. It's chocked full of good stuff that our folks are doing to make this a cleaner, greener, friendlier place to live. A sister from Detroit, Simone Lightfoot, is featured as the coordinator for the Regional Urban Initiative in the Great Lakes (which includes Cleveland). Rev. Yearwood of the Hip Hop Caucus, speaks at the Fair Climate Network National Summit, President Obama launches the Great Outdoors Initiative in an effort to get our kids to experience, enjoy and benefit from nature and there are multiple funding opportunities for green jobs, housing and educational projects. Here you go.

Not Soy Fast

Not Soy Fast As a survivor, I have to limit my soy intake, but this article suggests that we should all monitor our soy intake, especially processed soy found in many vegetarian soy products. I had a short-term minor neurological incident one morning last year, which I could not explain. After researching a possible cause and consulting my physician, my conclusion was that it may have been related to a reaction that I had from some soy Chikn nuggets eaten the night before. I can't confirm that, but after reading about neurotoxins found in some soy products, I felt compelled to toss that box of nuggets in the trash.

Happy Anniversary Let’s Move! FoodCorps Recruiting First Class of Service Members

Happy Anniversary Let’s Move! FoodCorps Recruiting First Class of Service Members Exciting green job opportunity for young folks in select states! Pass it on!

Chipotle Tomato Soup, Black Eyed Pea Meatballs wit...

A Profound Hatred of Meat: Chipotle Tomato Soup, Black Eyed Pea Meatballs wit...: "Soup again!? Yes! Get into it! Spicy tomato soup with chipotle peppers, garlic, black eyed peas and red onions served with tender meatballs..." This young lady has the best recipes. I'm going to try these "meatballs" next week.

Cool Thrifter Kickstarter Project

My thrifter readers will love this photography project, which seeks to document what Americans accumulate and throwaway via her visits to thrift stores in 50 states. If you like this project, you can support it financially. Check it out here.

Desperately Seeking Teen Friendly Meatless Monday Recipes

In my ongoing attempt to move towards a planet friendly and animal friendly diet, I have decided to incorporate Meatless Mondays into our lives. This is proving to be somewhat of a challenge, given the fact that I have a very tall and well built teen male in the household. In addition, he is not feeling the vegetarian argument. So I am easing into Meatless Mondays with cheese products, ie. spinach lasagna, mac and cheese. Can you share some of your most successful hearty man and teen friendly, preferably vegan recipes? My fellow is not much of a bean eater, though he is opening up to legumes as of late. The black eye pea dish with rice and cornbread, played well this New Year's. In the meantime, see the delish Allotment 2K butter bean and leek dish that I made for myself, below.

Who Needs Meat When You Have These Delish Vegan Gluten and Soy Free Burgers?



Made in Ohio and Eco-Friendly Packaging

 While not quite a vegetarian (I don't eat red meat or pork), I am learning how to incorporate more vegan and vegetarian sources of protein into my diet. Eating more raw foods, has been helpful in achieving that goal. I'm practically hooked on almonds! However, there comes a time when you want a nice, savory and fulfilling burger. Not happy with the soy filled vegetarian options that are on the market, I have been seeking a delish veggie burger alternative. Alas, I have hit the jackpot with not just one delish vegan soy and gluten free veggie burger option, but two! Oh, yeah. Check them out:

Foodies Artchoke Burger

Original Sunshine Burgers (Southwest Flavor also available)

These veggie and nut based burgers are so good. Our local raw food restaurant/grocer, Optimal Wellness Center, makes an excellent nut based spread that just adds to the taste excitement of these babies. I also like the premise taken by Original Sunshine (sunflower seeds), that they aren't trying to mimic the taste of a meat burger, but just make a good burger. I must say that they are favorful, dense and filling. The artichoke burgers are less dense, but packed with a savory goodness that I yearn for at lunch time. I enjoy these burgers with lettuce, tomato, avocado, cukes, onions and bbq sauce, mustard or the raw ranch spread I mentioned earlier. Usually I will sandwich between whole wheat pita or Ezekial bread. You could also enjoy the Artichoke burgers over a portion of brown rice and veggie gravy. Because both of these choices are soy free, I think your kids will enjoy them. My son hates the after taste associated with soy based vegetarian products. I found these burgers in the freezer section of Whole Foods, but check out the attached links to find out where can find them in your neighborhood.

Five Star Foodies - Offers a host of vegetarian products, recipes and testimonials

Original Sunshine Burgers - All organic, gmo free and lots of recipes

Bon Appetit!

Sustainability in Packaging 2011- February 22-24, 2011

Sustainability in Packaging 2011- February 22-24, 2011 This conference is a good indication of the positive momentum being gained in implementing greener business practices. Pay attention to the reduced amount of packaging that is being used in consumer goods and the marketing of that benefit "Now with 20% less packaging!". I have also seen more packaging being marketed as biodegradeable, especially as companies start to evaluate the impact of their products from cradle to grave.