The best thing about running outside is that you get to see all the wonderful things that nature has to offer. And, what better time to do it than in the warm weather days of August and September.
Whether you’re running through a park or taking in a trail run, running improperly can lead to injuries and sideline you for a good long while. I personally love to run! Not being able to do it would just be heartbreaking. That’s why I think my friend, ultra-marathon runner, Danny Dreyer has hit the nail on the head with his innovative ChiRunning technique. Danny has merged the philosophies of Tai Chi, Yoga and Pilates with the power of running. The technique is all about aligning your body, engaging your core and propelling yourself with the force of gravity. He preaches a neutral footstrike. The method creates for a more fluid style where your legs don’t take a beating with each stride. Genius, right???
ChiRunning is endorsed by everyone from professional athletes to physicians but you need not be in an elite crew to learn the technique. Danny will be in Pasadena on September 5th teaching an all day clinic. The class is perfect for anyone for trying to run their first race, prevent needless pain or even recover from an injury.
Other workshops are offered all year long in various locations check out the ChiRunning web site for more information: www.chirunning.com
New Dental Association Provides a Full Week of Earth-friendly Dental Tips for Eco-conscious Patients
The Eco-Dentistry Association™ (EDA), an international association of dental professionals who encourage eco-friendly practices, is inviting everyone to celebrate Dental Awareness with a week of earth-friendly dental tips to use beginning July 10th, National Dental Awareness Day!
Day 1: Choose clean green tooth care products. Your home care routine (brushing, flossing, rinsing), works in conjunction with a professional teeth cleaning program to manage bacteria levels in your mouth. But certain brands of products contain chemicals that can upset the oral pH balance and lead to canker sores or other problems. Pick a paste that doesn’t contain sodium lauryl sulfate, and make sure your mouth rinse is alcohol-free.
Day 2: Turn off the Tap! Did you know the average person wastes approximately 90 glasses of water every day by leaving the tap running while they brush their teeth? That means in the United States alone, we’re literally pouring down the drain 27 Billion Glasses of clean, drinkable water every day, just brushing our teeth.
Day 3: Find a dental practice you love. Dentistry is a healing profession. It’s important to have a satisfying relationship with your dental wellness team, and to know they share your values for wellness of people and planet. Go to www.ecodentistry.org and click on “Find an EDA Member” to search for a dental professional in your area that incorporates eco-friendly practices.
Day 4: Already love your dentist? If you’ve got a dentist you love, but don’t love all the plastic and paper waste you see in the practice, visit www.ecodentistry.org and click on “Green My Dentist.” You can print a letter to your dentist with compelling reasons to incorporate simple, cost-saving green methods into their business.
Day 5: Paper or Plastic? Neither. Ask for cloth. Ask your dentist to use cloth products such as patient bibs rather than paper or plastic. Studies show that using cloth sterilization methods diverts nearly 5000 pieces of paper and 5000 pieces of plastic from the average dental practice in just one year. Using fabric patient “bibs” instead of 2-ply paper, 1-ply plastic bibs diverts 10,200 pieces of paper and 5,100 pieces of plastic from landfill annually.
Day 6: Go Digital! Ask your dental office if they offer digital x-rays. Digital x-rays offer have 75-90% less radiation than the traditional ones while eliminating the need for toxic x-ray fixer solutions and lead foils.
Day 7: Get Informed! Many dentists go the extra mile to protect the health of people and planet. Amalgam separators keep toxic dental materials from entering the water stream, but aren’t required in every state; digital radiography replaces the outdated traditional x-rays, decreasing patient exposure to radiation, and eliminating waste and pollution. Find more ways that hi-tech and green dentistry are helping both people and planet, and download a list of questions to ask your dental practitioner, at www.ecodentistry.org.
The Eco-Dentistry Association offers dental professionals practical tips on reducing waste and pollution and conserving resources, like using cloth wrappers instead of disposables to sterilize dental instruments, installing energy efficient lighting, properly disposing of mercury-containing dental waste, and planet-friendly building and office methods, like non-toxic paint and recycled copy paper.
It provides the public with information about digital x-ray systems which reduce radiation exposure by up to 90%, dental appliances free from the hormone-disrupting chemical, bisphenol-A, found in many plastics, and questions to ask their dentists about environmental stewardship.
To date the new planet-friendly organization has registered eco-conscious members in the United States, Canada, Guam, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. The group’s members hail from all over including unexpected places like Waxahachie, Texas, Beachwood, Ohio and Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
The organization is the brainchild of Dr. Fred Pockrass, a dentist, and his lawyer turned entrepreneur wife, Ina Pockrass. Six years ago, the couple created the model for eco-friendly dentistry, and operates their own successful dental practice in Berkeley, California, the first in the country to be certified as a green business. They formed the organization to stimulate a movement in the dental industry to employ environmentally-sound practices.
Avedon was a revolutionary figure in the genre of portraiture with his ability to exquisitely capture both motion and emotion. The presence of his models and the intensity of raw human emotion that he was able to encapsulate in his photographs is absolutely mystifying. His signature minimalist style with his sheer white backgrounds and black edging allows all the focus to be on the subject of the portrait. His evocative images make me understand the fear of having one’s soul captured in a photograph.
As I walked through the exhibit my world disappeared around me and I was completely immersed in the beauty and significance of Avedon’s work. His iconic celebrity images were stunning, but so too were the poignant images of his In the American West collection which called attention to social issues of the time. He brought forth the faces of humble Americans that might otherwise have never been seen, and whose stories might never have been told and treated those people with the same attention and respect that typically is reserved for those in political power or of celebrity status.
To miss this exhibit would be to do yourself an incredible disservice. Take the time to head over to the MOMA and soak yourself in the exquisite artistry of Avedon’s work. Whether you are a muesuem-o-phile, like myself, matters not; the incredible beauty of this exhibit will touch your life in a such a way that you will walk out of the museum a little different than you walked in. Great art has that kind of power and Avedon’s work has an overflowing abundance of it.
The exhibit will be at the MOMA from July 11-November 29, 2009. For more information and tickets visit their website at http://www.sfmoma.org/
Project Successfully Reduces Overall Nitrogen Oxide Emissions by an Unprecedented 22 Tons per Year
In 2001, before the green movement was on the radar of most local businesses, San Diego Harbor Excursion voluntarily initiated a series of eco-friendly engine modifications on six of its vessels to dramatically reduce the fleet’s environmental impact. In addition, the company added two new vessels to the fleet built with the same eco-friendly specifications. Now, with the engine overhaul project complete, San Diego’s oldest and most established touring company is pleased to announce that in the past seven years it has successfully reduced overall nitrogen oxide emissions, or NOx, by an average of 22 tons per year.
San Diego Harbor Excursion has already removed 240 tons of dangerous, smog-producing NOx from the San Diego Air Basin. That is the equivalent of thousands of daily vehicle trips.
San Diego Harbor Excursion invested over $600,000 in order to install the lowest emission technology available in its six heaviest operating vessels . Such a costly undertaking was certainly not the company’s only option for greening its fleet. One less expensive option would have been to switch from fossil fuel to bio-diesel fuel, or bio-organic fuel made of plant and animal substances, as a means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, several reports, including a 2007 study by Nobel Laureate Paul Crutzen, found that the use of biodiesel fuel may actually emit more NOx than the fossil fuel it replaces.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), nitrogen oxide forms when fuel is burned at high temperatures, such as in the use of motor vehicles, electric utilities and other industrial, commercial and residential sources that require the burning of fuels to operate. The NOx emitted by these sources has been linked to serious environmental impacts, such as increased smog levels, water quality deterioration, acid rain formation and added greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, causing a gradual rise in the earth’s temperature. All of these effects lead to increased health risks, a rise in the sea level and other adverse changes to plant and animal habitats.
As a leading tenant of the San Diego Unified Port District, San Diego Harbor Excursion has taken a lead role in maintaining San Diego Bay’s water quality. The eco-friendly engine renovation project has not only had a significant impact on the county’s air resources, but has also had a large impact on the bay’s aquatic life. Greener engines help decrease nitrogen levels in the ocean allowing aquatic plants and animals to get the nutrients and oxygen they need to sustain life.
San Diego Harbor Excursion has been in operation since 1915, making it San Diego’s oldest and most established touring company. The company provides numerous services including, private and corporate charters, harbor tours, ferry and water taxi transportation, nature cruises, whale watching excursions and gourmet dinner and brunch cruises. For more information, please call (800)442-7847 or visit www.sdhe.com.
Want a culinary experience that is good for the earth? Of course ya do. Well then, make your way over to San Francisco’s Panhandle neighborhood. Three little gems have opened up within blocks of each other and are giving us all delicious, healthy organic, Latin-inspired food choices. Not only are these spots earth-friendly but they’re kid-friendly too! All are perfect for a casual night out or try them for brunch or lunch! Visit the links below to learn more and visit all of the restaurants for a sustainably savory treat!
The Hotel Monaco Portland is one of only two downtown Portland hotels, the other being its sister property the Hotel Vintage Plaza, that have qualified for the City of Portland’s Recycle at Work Business Recycling Certification. Businesses are required to recycle 50 percent of their waste in the City of Portland. However, businesses who go beyond by joining Recycle at Work are recognized for their accomplishments.?? And as part of Kimpton EarthCare’s nationally recognized eco-program, the Hotel Monaco Portland has committed to recycling all paper, newspaper, glass, cardboard and compost.??
Here are just some of the ings that make the Hotel Monaco earth-friendly… Cleaning Supplies: All rooms cleaned with environmentally friendly cleaning products. Soy Inks: All corporate collateral is printed on recycled paper using soy-based ink. Recycled Paper: Property wide printing on recycled paper. Organic Beverages: All complimentary lobby coffee is organic. They also encourage the use of coffee mugs during morning coffee service, discourage paper cups (but are available). Towel/Linen Reuse: Guests have the opportunity to do their part to reduce energy, water and detergents required for daily washings. Recycling: Back of house recycling programs addressing gass, bottles, paper, cardboard, etc. They have also replaced paper products with washable dishware for all internal meetings and events. Energy Conservation: Back of house lighting retrofitted and audited to ensure energy efficient bulbs are in place. Water Conservation: Implementation and auditing of low flow systems for faucets, toilets, and showers.
The Hotel even offers a “Carless Vacation” package that promotes reducing emissions by using public transportation.
Along with being earth-friendly the hotel is also pet-friendly. Pet services include a ‘pet-kit’ with bowls/mats, dog bed, and a dispose-a-scoop. They even offer pet massage, psychic readings, or walking services. For more information or to book a room for you and Fido, visit: http://www.monaco-portland.com/
On the heels of a successful Earth Hour event on Saturday, March 28, Sofitel Los Angeles has announced plans to extend the practice of turning the lights off each night for the rest of the year. This “lights out” ritual will be done as a continuation of the effort to raise awareness of the importance of energy conservation and environmental protection.
Each night at dusk, guests at Sofitel Los Angeles will have the opportunity to experience the “lights out” ritual as hotel staff illuminate candles in public areas for the duration of one hour. Guests are encouraged to do their part by turning off the lights in their rooms and enjoy the candle-lit lobby. Additional candles will be placed in the restaurant and bar; Simon LA and Stone Rose Lounge, as a reminder of Earth’s valuable resources.
Sofitel Los Angeles has been a long-time supporter of the “go-green” movement introducing many practices into the hotel’s day-to-day operations. Some of these include:
- Operating on wind-generated power provided by Community Energy Inc. As a result, Sofitel Los Angeles is recognized as an EPA Green Power Partner
- Reducing water and energy through the use of an ozone laundry system
- Complimentary valet parking for any Electric, Hydrogen or battery-powered vehicle for the duration of guest’s stay
- The availability of charging stations for Hybrid or battery-powered vehicles
- The use of local and organic ingredients in the dishes prepared by Sofitel’s Simon LA restaurant
- The implementation of the only green, cleaning solution approved for spa use in Sofitel’s LeSpa
Project Successfully Reduces Overall Nitrogen Oxide Emissions by an Unprecedented 22 Tons per Year
In 2001, before the green movement was on the radar of most local businesses, San Diego Harbor Excursion voluntarily initiated a series of eco-friendly engine modifications on six of its vessels to dramatically reduce the fleet’s environmental impact. In addition, the company added two new vessels to the fleet built with the same eco-friendly specifications. Now, with the engine overhaul project complete, San Diego’s oldest and most established touring company is pleased to announce that in the past seven years it has successfully reduced overall nitrogen oxide emissions, or NOx, by an average of 22 tons per year.
San Diego Harbor Excursion has already removed 240 tons of dangerous, smog-producing NOx from the San Diego Air Basin. That is the equivalent of thousands of daily vehicle trips.
San Diego Harbor Excursion invested over $600,000 in order to install the lowest emission technology available in its six heaviest operating vessels . Such a costly undertaking was certainly not the company’s only option for greening its fleet. One less expensive option would have been to switch from fossil fuel to bio-diesel fuel, or bio-organic fuel made of plant and animal substances, as a means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, several reports, including a 2007 study by Nobel Laureate Paul Crutzen, found that the use of biodiesel fuel may actually emit more NOx than the fossil fuel it replaces.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), nitrogen oxide forms when fuel is burned at high temperatures, such as in the use of motor vehicles, electric utilities and other industrial, commercial and residential sources that require the burning of fuels to operate. The NOx emitted by these sources has been linked to serious environmental impacts, such as increased smog levels, water quality deterioration, acid rain formation and added greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, causing a gradual rise in the earth’s temperature. All of these effects lead to increased health risks, a rise in the sea level and other adverse changes to plant and animal habitats.
As a leading tenant of the San Diego Unified Port District, San Diego Harbor Excursion has taken a lead role in maintaining San Diego Bay’s water quality. The eco-friendly engine renovation project has not only had a significant impact on the county’s air resources, but has also had a large impact on the bay’s aquatic life. Greener engines help decrease nitrogen levels in the ocean allowing aquatic plants and animals to get the nutrients and oxygen they need to sustain life.
San Diego Harbor Excursion has been in operation since 1915, making it San Diego’s oldest and most established touring company. The company provides numerous services including, private and corporate charters, harbor tours, ferry and water taxi transportation, nature cruises, whale watching excursions and gourmet dinner and brunch cruises. For more information, please call (800)442-7847 or visit www.sdhe.com.
PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, FL – the legendary golf and resort destination recently completed a multi-million dollar ‘green’ revamp and became a member of the Florida Green Lodging Program, a voluntary state initiative that provides assistance and encouragement to lodging facilities to adopt ‘green’ practice. PGA National Resort is currently one of only 3 in Palm Beach County, and one of just 66 in the state.
The sweeping renovations created a unique opportunity for the resort to make luxurious upgrades to the property while at the same time, enhancing conservation efforts. Debris from the construction site was recycled, unused furnitures and fixtures left from the project were donated to Habitat for Humanity, electronic and technology products were recycled and donated, and high-efficiency air filters were installed.
Part of the multi-million dollar revamp includes keeping the fairways dryer to conserve water, switching to chemicals on the greens that are more environmentally-friendly, posting recycling containers throughout the resort and using reclaimed water from its lakes. The hotel implemented an energy management system that shuts off lights in unused guestrooms and ballrooms and the resort as a whole has implemented numerous environmental carbon conserving practices including: use of electronic communication vehicles; linen reuse programs; installation of low-flow aerators, sensor water faucets, low-flow toilets, compact fluorescent light bulbs and computerized air conditioning management; use of environmentally-friendly cleaning and pest-control products; and extensive recycling.
Travel Portland’s web site lists hospitality and retail members who have a certification on file from one of several organizations that certify businesses as “green.” This page will give you a link to the member listing and the name of the certifying organization.
