Sustainable · Eco-Chick

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The Meatrix II: Revolting

Continuing the fight against factory farming and unsustainable practices is something Sustainable Table has been doing through their entertaining and informative Meatrix short film and website. Now, their sequel, The Meatrix II: Revolting is circulating on the net continuing the revolution against big agri-business. GRACE, which stands for Global Resource Action Center for the Environment, founded the Sustainable Table as a consumer campaign to inform and incite action against the horrendous conditions of factory farms, and the importance of supporting humane and ecologically sound practices. In this current online clip, the dairy industry is largely under fire for its use of rBGH. On the ‘get involved’ page readers are encouraged to solicit Starbucks to stop their use of non-organic dairy products that contain the artificial hormone. While there are many vegans who have eluded the Meatrix in their complete avoidance of animal-based products, there are still many who search for more responsible ways to satisfy their carnivorous hankerings. For those who eat dairy or meat there is the eatwell guide which is a useful resource for finding healthy food.

business, car, Dairy Products, Eco-Chick, farm, farming, farms, Food, health, Home, meat, Organic, Starbucks, sustainable, vegan

Hail to the Co-Op

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by Kimberly Jordan Allen · 04/08/06

Living in Vermont during my formative years provided me with a true education in what it means to be “green.” I had my first experience with a grease car, had my first friends who were eating almost entirely from their garden, and had my first exposure to the term co-op. The mecca for this sustainable lifestyle in Southern Vermont is the Brattleboro Food Co-op. Founded in 1975, the co-op, which was once a small buying club, is now a massive store of 16,000 square feet. Visiting the co-op is an opportunity to stock up on necessities and enjoy socializing with like-minded folk.

Being a member of a co-op means taking a direct part in where your food comes from, which in this day and age is vital to many. These democratic organizations are non-profits owned and operated by the members. Co-ops are popular because individuals actually participate in all levels of the process, from ordering produce to running the cash register. This democritization of food-buying leaves people with a strong sense of community and a powerful support for sustainable businesses. Plus, these community hubs usually provide a much more enjoyable shopping experience, with plants everywhere, painted murals on the walls, and often have a kid’s section, as well as yummy deli service.

The Brattleboro Co-op, in particular, has the best deli I have ever frequented. When you first walk into the store, you hit the deli section which is chock full of delicious homemade salads, soups and whole food dishes. Next is the fresh flowers and ready-made teas and coffees, where they have some of the best chai around. The produce section is phenomenal with an array of exotic and domestic organic fruits, an ecclectic selection of fresh locally harvested greens and all the roots and veggies one could imagine.

The commitment to whole foods has made the Brattleboro Co-op a favorite and is highly recommended for anyone travelling through Vermont (there is also the Hunger Mountain Co-op in Montpelier, which is terrific). The food is always vibrant and fresh, and the staff, being members, are always helpful and fun to talk to. My new favorite is the Berkshire Co-op. For more info on co-ops in your area check out the directory. This eco-business list is also useful.

business, car, coffee, community, eating, Eco-Chick, Food, fruit, garden, Home, homemade, local, Organic, Plants, produce, Shopping, soup, style, sustainable, Tea, travel

"Sustainability: the new self-satisfaction"

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by Summer Rayne Oakes · 03/15/06

On March 7th, 2005, Financial Times writer Richard Tomkins reports that “Sex will sell but sustainability is the new self-satisfaction.” Though he opens up the editorial on Coco De Mer, he remarks that “it is not just sex that is getting sustainable.” He mentions Ethos Water (owned by Starbucks), which donate 5 cents per every bottle sold towards water projects in underdeveloped countries; the fair trade brand launch of People Tree, Hug, and Gossypium at UK’s Topshop; and Bono’s new AMEX Red Card deal (which could have been much more integrated with SR, in my opinion).

The conclusion: “Ethical products are an obvious [purchase]. Each time you make a purchase, you get something back as well as feeling you are doing some good.” So in one sense, I am not religiously promoting consumer culture, but just letting all of you out there know that if you are going to buy something, you might as well go ethical. Good for you, good for the earth. Makes perfect sense.

“Surely you don’t want us to become an endangered species Edna?”

car, Eco-Chick, ethical, Fair Trade, opinion, Outdoors, Starbucks, sustainability, sustainable, water

The UK: Shedding Light on the Destruction of the Earth

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by Jennifer Cross · 02/01/06

Britain’s Prime Minister Tony Blair is on the ball. He is a man with his finger on the pulse. In a forward-for–the-U.K., government-commissioned report released Monday, he made the following statement:

“It is now plain that the emission of greenhouse gases, associated with industrialization and economic growth from a world population that has increased six-fold in 200 years, is causing global warming at a rate that is unsustainable.”

Really? You don’t say!

The report outlined several “day after tomorrow” doomsday predictions that would make any woman reconsider subjecting her unborn offspring to what is projected to come in the next several years as a result of industrialization and modern-day living.

According to an article published on cnn.com today, “in the British report, the head of the British Antarctic Survey, Chris Rapley, warned that the huge west Antarctic ice sheet may be starting to disintegrate, an event that could raise sea levels by 16 feet (five meters).”

Not to mention other things highlighted in the report that one could conceivably look forward to, such as intensified weather patterns, a shift in climate zones and the spread of disease.

At least he’s been somewhat consistent. Blair could be found last year at the G8 summit hugging trees while suggesting to the other seven developed nations that they all step up to the plate and get this whole climate thing under control.

Nevertheless, his efforts were met with a lukewarm response, particularly by (you’ll never guess who) the U.S., who said “nay” to Kyoto, as saving the Earth could effect the U.S. economy.

arctic, Eco-Chick, Europe, gas, Global Warming, spring, style, sustainable, trees, weather

Attention Caffeine Junkies!

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by Starre Vartan · 12/28/05

If you drink coffee (about 50% of Americans drink it every day, and 80% quaff it sometimes) you should know where it comes from. (and hey, now it’s good for you, so go ahead!)

The exhaustively researched cover story for the Nov/Dec Issue of E/The Environmental Magazine, “Grounds For Change” covers the coffee industry, from small fair trade outfits to Starbucks.

There’s three labels to be concerned with if you care about people, birds and the health of the earth: organic, fair trade and song-bird friendly. To make your life easier, if your coffee is organic, chances are it’s fair-trade and good bird habitat, so you don’t need to go nuts looking for triple-certified brew. Besides the labelling, organic coffee just tastes better. For the last few weeks I’ve been sipping on Equal Exchange’s decaf and it is the best decaf I’ve ever had! (I know, I know, decaf, I ‘m a weenie).

This is why: “Coffee grows best in tropical highlands,” explains Chris Wille, the Costa Rica-based chief of the Rainforest Alliance’s Sustainable Agriculture Program. The bushy plants are maintained at a height of six to eight feet. After the seeds are dried and hulled, they become green coffee beans. A mature coffee plant generally yields about a pound of roasted beans per year. According to Connecticut-based roaster Coffee-Tea-Etc., “Every step in the process from climate and growing conditions, genetics of the tree, to the final brewing methods affect these natural chemicals. Each of these factors affects the distinct taste of the final brew.”

‘This is what shade-grown coffee looks like. Integrated with the forest, it makes a better tasting coffee.’