Greeneroo

Esalen Institute in the Big Sur Area is hosting a series of sustainable agriculture, ecological concepts and in a Permaculture classes, the next is: The Permaculture Connection Healing our Ecological and Social Relationships

This class is running February 28 to March 5 taught by Benjamin Fahrer.  I feel that I want to drop everything and sign up now. You can, for this class and dozens of others. You’ll be enjoying one of the most amazing resources that we have in California. Esalen continues to provide top-notch training in so many subjects that it’ll make your head spin. The environment is supportive, inspiring and one of a kind.
This particular permaculture class has an enticing class description that includes, “Dig your hands into the earth every day and feel the rich and amazing soil in the gardens at Esalen.”… Doesn’t it sound great?

This is a great site, book, explanation….The Story of Stuff is a 20 minute discussion of consumerism, waste, environmental and encouragement for all of us to do more.

Watch it at: http://www.storyofstuff.com/about.php

Annie comes to town….

March 17, 2010

7:00pm, Books, Inc. in Berkeley, California
www.booksinc.net/Berkeley

Have you had a great idea lately and would like to share it? You can see how your idea has an affect on the world around you by detailing it in Kismet… the app will show you who has adopted your idea in the world. You can also view other ideas and learn from creative people around the world. Craig Lie Njie has put a lot of thought into this concept and has a knack for networking people with ideas.  Kismet World Wide are specialists in mobile applicaitons and consulting.

Contact: info@kismetworldwide.com

Do you have all kinds of tools but not the right one?

Have your kids grown out of their portable crib but you don’t want to get rid of it just yet?

You are a potential happy customer for RENTALIC. The idea is –borrow rather than own. You don’t need to “buy and store” … after all your garage is already full. (I’m guessing!?)
What else? It is easy to sign up, the database is well-done and simple to use. Gavin Newsome has signed up… and this local company has won an award from the Maker Fair for its well thought out concept. Many people have signed up, I did. What are you waiting for? There is a big variety of things to rent.

So next time your friends come to town with two kids, you can say no problem!,we have a crib, swimming toys and a bouncing chair for you, all from Rentalic.   Who wants to rent my bin of Legos? or my electric piano? List it on Rentalic.

CONTACT: www.rentalic.com  650-274-1606

Update: here is the link for a great green housing post, that I think you’d like: http://agreenliving.net/green-communities-on-the-rise/#comment-1996

CoHousing is growing, and they have come up with a great idea. Would you like to see CoHousing “in action” but don’t want to drive all over? There is now a bus tour, were you can go in a group and check out several of the amazing residential communities. Each one is different — this is not a “one size fits all” idea. The communities are based on common goals and philosophies and the base their goals on inclusion and integration. It is a fascinating concept and if you have ever lived in a “nameless and faceless” anonymous condo complex you would really enjoy this startling difference. Community, that is what it is all about.  This concept is expanding there are CoHousing communities all over, in Oakland, Portland, Davis, Grass Valley to name just a few areas.

So check out the web site on CoHousing and give Neil Planchon a call at 510-465-7241 (or email tours@cohousing.org) to learn more about the tour or visiting a local association.

There are many other ways to experience cohousing, besides the tours, there are homes available for rent and there is a 2010 National Cohousing Conference in Boulder, CO.  Check the site for more information.

Beautiful high quality business cards, you can even get them embossed. And this is a local company, in Berkeley, CA. They do all kinds of cards – even round – and they have a template to make it easier. 250 / $30. Greener Printer also does brochures and many other printed materials with the same high quality.

GreenerPrinter produces beautiful business cards that have all the right credentials– and this makes a green statement all by itself. What you need to know:

• 100% recycled
• 50% post-consumer content
• processed chlorine-free
• Using Soy Inks
• Sustainable
• Local — 2800 7th Street in Berkeley, CA (Go Bears!)
• Phone 510-898-0000 or FAX 510-898-011  www.greenerprinter,com

We picked up some vegan dog food at SF Green Fest…. VEGAN? Well she LOVES broccoli and cooked carrots and rice, so we were willing to give it a try. And after the Melamine scare in pet food…. we wanted to check out food that was made fresh in the USA. So Rosie enjoyed it. We asked her to comment on her opinion in this blog, however, happy hounds show there pleasure one way:

Rosie has made a “nest” in our bed and is napping with a smile. She usually naps in her bed, but this was a special occasion. While not conclusive scientific testing, you can take a look at V-Dog’s website and make your own conclusion about their high quality product.

The V-dog representative’s are local in California and offer free shipping on their complete vegetarian dog food.

Questions? contact info@v-dogfood.com 

or 1-888-280-8364

And if you don’t know about the Melamine scare, you can read more about it on Marion Nestle’s blog or her book,  Pet Food Politics.

I was walking through the vast array of good smelling, tasty, organic, artisan crafted items at the Green Fest and Pangea Organicslured me in. Not only was their booth the most delicious smelling blend but the boxes in kraft paper were so understated I really liked their display.

The Nose KNOWS. The products are carefully made in Boulder, CO and full of all the good stuff and none of the bad. I loved the lip balm in its over-sized tubes and fantastic flavors. I can’t decide which I like best: Italian Red Mandarin with Rose or Pyrenees Lavender with Cardamom, but both are “knock out”. And there is so much more. I will have to try them too. Lotions, bar soap… what a great company.

But back to PACKAGING. They “get it” …. their packages are compostable and have seeds embedded so would you like to plant basil with your leftover box- that can happen. Just put it in the ground. Isn’t that cool?  What a forward thinking Company!

I stated off my day at the SF Green Festival with Napa grape juice- so full of flavor it knocks my socks off!! This juice is so fresh and lively, a pleasure to sip. Napa VinJus is made locally with care. They also produce amazing grapeseed oil – non GMO, kosher, healthy– it tastes great, I loved the Lemon but it comes in garlic, rosemary, basil and others. They are a green company and will be announcing the use of local grapeseed coming from Napa very soon. They are committed to the finest product. If you want to know more about thier gourmet oil contact the Salute Sante team at nanette@grapseedoil.com  707-251-3900.

Table Nectar Catering was amazing, and quite appropriately, next to the slide show given by Marion Nestle. They are a company that works to bring us the VERY BEST in raw, organic and locally sourced foods. They are carefully producing all their raw items and safety first is part of their stringent standards in bringing us the delicious meals. Artisana Organic Raw Nut butters is one of their best – I love cashew.  They are on Facebook and Yelp!

Learned something about green certification – Certified B Corporations is helping companies go from good to great with sustainable business practices. The currently have helped 220 companies in 54 industries support their business through better practices.

One more day on Sunday, there is so much to enjoy, come check it out!!

Then I got stirred up by Marion Nestle’s discussion of food safety and why we are in this mess between the FDS and the USDA and importing “foodstuffs” that aren’t food at all but just “stuff”. She is a prolific author and a great speaker, bringing clarity and detailed information at a time when we need it.

Kaia Foods does it right, they say “live simply”. They walk the talk. With organic fresh ingredients their food is simply amazing and satisfying. The Buckwheat Granola in the Dates and Spices flavor made me want to jump up and shout YES! It smells so good and my first bite confirmed…. fresh, not too sweet, chewy and great out of the package. I never made it to the bowls or the milk – it didn’t need anythng.  It has such good ingredients too (I knew what everything was – what a relief!) and nectar, walnuts, coconut pumpkin seeds, dates and buckwheat seemed “just right” together. But it gets even better, and maybe this is partly why it is SO GOOD, made in Oakland. Fresh and local.

They also make fruit leather, and it is gluten-free and raw. I wish I had had these for my kid’s lunches, they are a perfect snack.

I tried the sunflowers (Sweet Curry is fantastic) there are many enticing flavors. All the tastes had great combinations of spices, textures and flavors and all were different. I could have spent a few hours sampling. They are exhibitors at the SF Green Fest. Check them out – they are worth spending some time to sample. Oh and for those of you that can’t make it to enjoy their great products…. their website: www.kaiafoods.com  510-238-0128