With the holiday season coming to a start and the year already coming to an end, why wait until the new year to start living a greener lifestyle? Get into the swing of the holidays by putting some eco-friendly practices to use. Bonus: They’ll help you save money as well.
Here’s a list of some sites that offer great tips and advice on how to green your holidays this year:
Read the rest of this entry »
What’s the buzz on the latest issues in the Green Community? Check out what you may have missed this last week:
Tampa joins International Day of Climate Action to take a stand for a safe climate future- On October 24, people from Tampa Bay joined Greenpeace to hear the importance of acting now for the climate and gather together to take a stand for the climate and a clean energy future as part of the largest global day of climate action ever.
Which big name food company is behind your organic food? – Did you know that some of your favorite organic food brands are owned by some of the biggest names in the food production business?
October 24 is the International Day of Climate Action (videos) – The biggest day of grassroots action on global warming ever.
The Age of Stupid showing at USF St. Pete campus (video) – The Student Environmental Awareness Society is starting their Environmental Film Series with the question, “Why didn’t we stop climate change when we had a chance?”
Read the rest of this entry »
You’re buying more organic food these days, maybe for health reasons or just because it makes you feel like you’re making a difference. But did you know that most of the organic brands you find in the grocery store, like Cascadian Farm, Kashi, and Back to Nature, are owned by some of the biggest names in the food production business? That’s right, Cascadian Farm is owned by General Mills, Kashi is produced by Kellogg’s, and the number one food producer in the US, Kraft, owns Back to Nature. (Check out this chart from GOOD to see which organic brands belong to which big food company.)
Read the rest of this entry »
Looking for something green-related to do this weekend? Look no further than our own Green Community Calendar.
4th Annual Campus and Community Sustainability Conference and Expo- Thursday & Friday, October 8-9. Presented by Tampa Electric and Peoples Gas at the University of South Florida in Tampa. This is the state’s premier forum to explore sustainability efforts in the private, public and academic sectors of Florida. This year promises to be bigger and better as the conference is joining forces with Going Green Tampa Bay Expo. The Expo is designed to focus on sustainability issues and opportunities that face the Tampa Bay region, showing the nation and the world that this is a viable place to grow a sustainable business or industry.
Tampa Bay Green Expo- Friday & Saturday, October 9-10. Check out the Going Green Tampa Bay Expo 2009 — starting at 1pm Friday Oct 9 and running all day Saturday Oct 10. Exciting exhibits and events focus on sustainability issues, showcase sustainable products and services, and show how we can each contribute to a more sustainable Tampa Bay area. Come meet Ed Begley, Jr. at the GreenSwitch booth! Nearly 80 exhibitors throughout the main exhibit hall, a kids area, and a small-business Marketplace for local vendors. Come see solar exhibits and eco-vehicles around the beautiful Marshall Student Center grounds. Attend a free workshop — including rain barreles, composting, organic certification, greening your business, and more! Fun activities, fun ways to learn about new products, and it’s all FREE! http://www.goinggreentampabay.com/
Dunedin Green Market- Every Friday; 8 am- 1 pm. The Dunedin Green Market is located in Pioneer Park at the cross streets of Douglas Avenue and Main Street in Downtown Dunedin and runs every Friday.
Operation Bon Appetit: White House State Dinners at Whole Foods- Friday, October 9; 6:00-8:00pm. $5.00. Sample delectable food and fine wine with fellow conspirators in the plot to bring conviviality (feasting and drinking) and conversation to world change. The University of Tampa will be on site with a tablescape art installation. $5.00 per person with 100% of the proceeds going to Earth Charter USA and UT. Event is limited to 125 people. Reservations are required and can be made at sherell.white@wholefoods.com or at store exit lobby. Whole Foods Market Tampa- 1548 North Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa. 813.874.9435.
Ellenton Farmers Market- Saturdays; 8 am – 1 pm. Ellenton Farmers’ Market will be the largest year-round market in florida that specializes in “green” natural, organic and environmentally friendly products that makes for a healthier lifestyle and a better environment. Located just North of the Prime Outlet Mall in Ellenton, Florida (exit 224, Old Exit 43, off I – 75).
Read the rest of this entry »
What’s the buzz on the latest issues in the Green Community? Check out what you may have missed this last week:
Finding an emotional connection with our planet- Doing so allows us to look at what our needs are in life and what is of the highest and greatest importance to us and our environment.
Best of the Bay Readers’ Poll 2009: The race for Greenest Politician has Linda Saul-Sena in the lead- Who do you think should take the title of this year’s Greenest Politician in the Bay?
Clean energy and anti-offshore drilling rally in Ybor this Thursday- Thursday, August 27th, join Sierra Club, 1Sky Florida, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy and other environmental groups for a real grassroots rally outside Big Oil’s staged gathering.
Read the rest of this entry »
It’s a tight race so far for the title of Best Organic Food Store in the Bay. So far, our leaders are Rollin’ Oats of St. Pete and Tampa, Nature’s Food Patch in Clearwater, Publix Greenwise Market in Hyde Park, and Whole Foods Market in Tampa. It looks like it’s going to be a fight between the local stores versus the big chains.
Who do you think deserves the title? You have less than a week to vote (the poll ends Aug. 31). Vote now!
[About Daily Best of the Bay: Creative Loafing is posting writers' and editors' picks for Best of the Bay 2009 each day until the BOTB issue is released on Sept. 16. Vote now for your own BOTB choices in our Readers' Poll!]
What’s the buzz on the latest issues in the Green Community? Check out what you may have missed this last week:
Living with the land: Florida’s first Earthship (video) – Eric Stewart gives a firsthand look at Florida’s first Earthship in Manatee County, and gets his hands dirty while helping out.
Not getting a million-dollar bonus this year? Think local stimulus- Scott Milinder shows us a real stimulus package that will work for us: we all commit to “Buying Local First.” According to recent economic studies, shifting your buying habits to locally owned businesses creates more circulation of money, more economic activity and more jobs in the local economy.
Eco-friendly summertime fashion accessories- Are you searching for a unique and beautiful purse to enhance your summer wardrobe? Then why not consider one of these recycled handbags that are made from recycled items that help to promote a cleaner and healthier world, reports Jen Meier.
Read the rest of this entry »
For the past year, I have read and re-read Michael Pollan’s Omnivore’s Dilemma, which is basically about where out foods comes from and how it gets to our tables. Having grown up in my parent’s grocery store – slicing lunchmeat for our customers standing next to my father’s butcher block – I have had an intimate relationship with our food choices. At the age of 16, I rebelled against veal and so began my food activism.
Pollan’s writing so well describes our dilemma. In his most recent book, In Defense of Food, he provides the simplistic of advice: eat whole foods, eat mostly plants, and don’t overeat. There are so many questions to sort out, like, ‘How slow is my own personal slow food movement?’ ’Is something labeled “organic” really organic?’ As I try to squeeze some more production from my backyard garden, I wonder how far away can a food source be to still be considered “local” and what are the conditions? What impact do my food choices have on this planet? Is raw really better than cooked? So many issues go into our choices. Can we sit down to a meal content with our decisions, and for that matter, can we afford what we philosophically know is best?
Read the rest of this entry »
What’s the buzz on the latest issues in the Green Community? Check out what you may have missed this last week:
TRA’shion Fashion and Art Show 2009 (photos) – The fabulous trashionistas were out in force for ARTpool’s annual TRA’shion Show, and photographer Chip Weiner caught all the recycled green glamour.
Letting go of addictions: Using alternative methods to release addictions of any type- Kelly Rothwell gives us alternative methods such as energetic healing, visualizations and affirmations, that can be used to not only cope with such addictions but to understand the reason behind the addiction and let it go for good.
Living sustainably in Tampa Bay: Dave Starman’s biodiesel fueled car and green lifestyle – The first in a series of profiles, by Jack B., of individuals who are living sustainably in Tampa Bay. This profiles Tampa Bay resident Dave Starman.
Read the rest of this entry »
With many people breaking out into the green movement and things like ‘recycling’ and ‘conserving’ becoming second nature, why not get your pets (or ‘kids’, if you’re like me) into your same habits?
Eco-friendly pet food, litters, etc., are more readily available than in the past, so try these few simple steps to make your cat or dog the greenest animal on the block.
Read the rest of this entry »
Looking for something green-related to do this weekend? Look no further than our own Green Community Calendar.
Guided Canoe Trip, Weedon Island- Friday, July 10, 2009; 9:00 am – 12:00 pm. Take this opportunity to explore a portion of the south canoe trail at Weedon Island Preserve. This trail offers a rare look at some of the aquatic ecosystems that make west-central Florida so special. Trained canoe guides lead you through mangrove stands and over seagrass and oyster beds, while pointing out various flora and fauna that live here. If you have never explored the Preserve from the water, this is an exciting opportunity you don’t want to miss! The cost for this unique experience is $14.02 per person plus tax ($15 total) or $28.04 per canoe plus tax ($30 total) (maximum of 3 people per canoe). Spaces fill quickly, and pre-registration is required. Minimum age: Children must be 6 years old or older and all minors must be accompanied by an adult. Weedon Island Preserve- 1800 Weedon Drive N.E. St. Petersburg, FL 33702.
The World Cafe: Connecting People Through Conversations That Matter- Every Fri. 7:30 pm promptly; Starbucks at 4th St. N. & 89th Ave N., St. Pete (just south of Gandy Blvd.); RSVP to Pat at 727.421.2746 or goodpat@tampabay.rr.com
Read the rest of this entry »
The Raw/Living Food Diet is not some new-fangled crash diet trend. It’s been on the organic food scene for awhile and seems to be growing in popularity. So what exactly is it, you ask? It doesn’t just mean eating raw veggies all day, there are some stipulations.
First of all, yes, the food is raw. The practice is very close to veganism, except that everything is uncooked or barely cooked: food cannot be heated above a certain temperature, generally between 92-118 F, or 33-48 C., thus keeping its “raw” state. Raw foodists believe this also keeps all those nutrients and enzymes in the food, enzymes that our bodies need to aid in digestion and metabolic processes. According to this article from Life Extenstion Magazine, “Cooking of food, particularly if heat is prolonged and over 118 degrees Fahrenheit, destroys enzymes in that food, leaving what is commonly consumed by the modern person – an “enzymeless” diet.” “Eating food without enzymes makes digestion more difficult, deprives the body of enzymes, and leads to toxicity in the body, and to excess consumption of food, which leads to obesity and to chronic disease.” (Green Living Ideas) Raw foodists believe that those extra nutrients and enzymes will also naturally detoxify your body, leaving you with clearer skin, lots of energy, and can even help you lose weight. Read the rest of this entry »
Before you run out and splurge on your “organic” products, there are many things you may want to understand. The marketing campaigns from the companies who provide these foods tell you the benefits, and there are benefits, but fail to share all of the facts from the scientific community.
I must admit, when I began research for this article, I was expecting to paint a more negative picture about the organic movement. I just felt like there had to be criticism since most of our knowledge about organic food production comes by way of the folks who make the most money from its consumption. That’s like the fox guarding the henhouse. Instead, however, I find a highly regulated industry with a wealth of scientific data to support organic foods but, unfortunately, an equal amount of problems with it. Therefore, I’ll highlight what I’ve learned and you be the judge. Read the rest of this entry »
(click button for feed)
(follow us on Facebook)
(follow us on Twitter)
