Gettin' hitched in a green stylee!

There you have it- girl is engaged. Don't worry, it's a conflict free diamond (FI made sure of that)- I know, diamonds have an intense carbon footprint, but I didn't buy it. In fact, I'm pretty happy to have it.

SOOoooo, in order to keep up with the up-n-up, Mark and I are having a green wedding. I've been scouring the internet for all kinds of suggestions and helpful hints, but let me tell ya'- they are super few and far between. Big frown face. :-(

In the spirit of green, leading others by example, I'm going to blog about my green wedding. I hope it helps other brides that want to walk down that same path to marital bliss. Feel free to comment and let me know of your hints, tips or questions.

1) The almighty dress dilemma.

I just happen to LOVE this one in particular, that I found from Threadhead Creations- the same place my friend Katie got her lovely gown.


HOWEVER ... though the gowns are amazing, so pretty, timeless, and made with the planet in mind ... it's a little pricey (for my wallet anyway- I hear of women who can afford more than $1000 on their dress and God bless them!).

So, I'm contemplating scouring consignment places (with help from Mum) and getting something altered. I'm still unsure. More on this issue at a later juncture.

2) Reception, reception.

We've set a date (pretty much)- August 28, 2010. Where will we have it? Close to home (lowers travel, therefore CO2) at a nonprofit that is dedicated to conservation and environmental education.

The McLane Audubon Center on Silk Farm Road in Concord.

They have a great new building with reception hall that's LEED Gold. Our money will help them perpetuate their mission and give us a really unique location for our nuptials. More on the decor and things of that nature at a future date.

3) Let them ... just ... eat!

Mizuna ("Food Evolved") will be covering us on the food side of things. The owner, Tom, is super mindful about eating seasonally and plans on taking our concerns in mind. The key to finding a green foodie is being in the right place at the right time. We know Mizuna from when Mark used to live in Greenland. We seek out great places to eat that have a mindful method- so we were lucky on this end. Want to find folks in the know? Hit up your local farmers market. That's also the best place to find a florist! (More on that later, too.)

So you can see I've been working really hard on making sure we're as green as possible when we throw one of the biggest parties of our lives. This will probably be the leading topic on the blog for a while, besides the new home we're buying this week!!! EEEeeekkk! Very excited to share our green home improvements with you as time goes on.

In other news (wait, there's more?!), I'm starting my path to my Masters in Organization and Environmental Sustainability from Antioch University in Keene, NH! I've got a busy year ahead of me, huh? Wish me luck. If I plan it all correctly, there will still be time to blog.

Talk to you soon.
Smooches!
Say

The Green Guide is almost out

Hey readers. Despite the drizzle, I'm pleased with the way this week is working out. Of course, I can say that because I was out yesterday, making it a short week at work for me (all good things).

I spent the weekend at Sebec Lake visiting Mark's grandparents with his brother and sister-in-law. What an incredible place- the amount of wildlife we see each time is astounding ... even with so many lake houses on the shores and motorboats in the water.

Mark and I were swimming off a paddle boat we maneuvered to deep water and when popping our heads out of the waves we noticed we were joined by a loon not more than a few feet from us. He gave a nice hollar, which I'm sure amounted to the same thing as, "Who the hell do you think you are? Get out of mah house!" and then he dove off. It was pretty thrilling to be so close and get a yell out of him. Really fantastic stuff.

So, after several weeks of writing in my spare time and taking countless photos and conducting multiple interviews, the Green Guide I participate in is on it's way to the presses. I get so anxious when my work goes to print. I think that's because I don't get to see the paper get put together. I'm one of the rogue freelancers that has to wait for gratification. No matter, in a few days it will be available for distribution- so I certainly hope everyone snags a copy. Don't worry, it's printed on recycled paper.

My pieces for this issue focused on the community gardens in Concord and one of my new favorite places on Earth: D Acres in Dorchester, NH. The text for both of these pieces wasn't used, but I guess the D Acres piece got turned into a photo spread, so that's pretty nice. More photo credits to add to my portfolio! The whole place was a veritable photo shoot. It was hard not to take a good picture- so with that said, I've set the bar of expectations pretty high! Ha!

In other news, it's official that I will be starting my Accounting 101 requirement this fall. That puts me one step closer to starting my Green MBA. Big thanks to Caily for the sweet mention on the Face Space. You're awesome, lady friend.

Alrighty, so much for all that business. Time to get on to other things. More posting soon!!! As for those photos I mentioned, I would totally post them, but I would hate to ruin the surprise in the paper. ;-)

You can see a pdf of all that jazz at Green Guide NH.

Love,
Say

No Impact? Wow.

And how.

Click this link above and watch the movie trailer for "No Impact Man." The fella' has a blog, too- check it out. He makes me feel as if I fail even harder than I already do. Ouch.

What I think is funny about this documentary, really this gentleman's life in general, is that his wife is the antithesis of what he's trying to accomplish. But still, she goes along. Because she loves him? Because she really doesn't have a choice? Does she even believe in his plight? I admire her fortitude in going along for the ride- I feel as if both their personalities have been fighting inside my head for years.

How do you break wasteful habits? How do you make yourself better when all your life you've been taught to not worry about such things? It's a hard line to draw in the sand when half of your brain wants to follow and the other half is just not all that into it. I'd like to think that my "save the world" side is winning, but not nearly fast enough.

With that, I'm working my way toward earning my Green MBA from Antioch University. Hooray! Organization and Environmental Sustainability. Put that on a resume. I'd like to see people turn down my skills then! Ha! It's a two year program, one weekend a month. I'll be spending a lot of time in the Keene area as a result, something I'm very pleased about. I'll have to reinvest in a road-bike ...

Step after step after step. I say this every time, but I need to be more proactive about blogging as well. This is my soap-box. This is the place I can go to write entries like this ... To condemn my short-falls and pat myself on the back when I finally make a good go of things.

I'm trying to save the world. If I intend on really following through, I better light a fire under my own ass.

Have a great weekend everyone. I'm on my way to Maine for a long weekend. Thank goodness for the great outdoors!

Love,
Say

Wish for fish?

I apologize for taking so long to post. This spring has been a hectic one, but good news is on the horizon. I'm sure of it. I'm working on some pieces for the new green guide that's coming out around the end of June. Be on the lookout for the Green Guide insert in the Concord Monitor, as well as it being available at various Concord locations- like Real Green Goods and the Audubon Center.

So, while at work I got this press release in the bulk mail box:


News from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services





FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: June 3, 2009

CONTACT: Tom Niejadlik, DES, Environmental Health Program 603-271-6865

Doug Grout, NH Fish and Game Department, Marine Division 603-868-1095



DES and NH Fish and Game Issue Advisory on

Striped Bass and Bluefish Consumption

New Hampshire is One of Seven East Coast States Issuing Limits



Concord - The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, in coordination with the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department and six other east coast states, has issued a fish consumption advisory for large bluefish and striped bass caught in New Hampshire coastal and estuarine waters.



According to state health officials, large bluefish and striped bass (larger than 25 inches) contain polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at levels of potential concern to the general public. This concern is especially true for pregnant women and young children. PCBs can affect the endocrine system and brain development, and have been shown to cause cancer in animal studies.



State health officials advised that striped bass and large bluefish caught in New Hampshire coastal and estuarine waters should not be eaten by pregnant women, women of childbearing age, nursing mothers and children under the age of six. The remainder of the general population should eat no more than one meal of such fish per month.



“Fortunately there are many other marine and freshwater species that consumers can eat more frequently and that have health benefits,” stated DES Commissioner Tom Burack. In New Hampshire, commonly eaten fish that are low in PCBs and other contaminants include winter flounder, Atlantic cod, haddock, and fluke.



DES’ advisory stems from a multi-state report finalized in 2008, which documented the PCB content of striped bass and bluefish from Maine to Georgia. The report also shows that these fish are not particularly good sources of beneficial fish oils. Compared to other fish, striped bass and bluefish have lower amounts of omega-3 fatty acids relative to the amount of PCBs they contain. For a copy of the report see http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/eohp/fish/PCBSTBhome.htm



Similar advice is being issued by six other east coast states today including Maine, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Maryland, and Delaware. These states are all instructing pregnant women and young children to not eat striped bass and large bluefish, and are advising the general public to moderate consumption of these fish. These states will continue to monitor PCB levels in coastal marine species and will modify the consumption advisory as needed in the future.



For more information contact Tom Niejadlik at (603) 271-6865 or visit www.des.nh.gov and look on the A-Z list for Fish Consumption Guidelines.



# # #

For those new to this blog, I've mentioned polychlorinated biphenyls in previous post. This PR, however, begs that I readdress the issue. PCBS are, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry:

Polychlorinated biphenyls are mixtures of up to 209 individual chlorinated compounds (known as congeners). There are no known natural sources of PCBs. PCBs are either oily liquids or solids that are colorless to light yellow. Some PCBs can exist as a vapor in air. PCBs have no known smell or taste. Many commercial PCB mixtures are known in the U.S. by the trade name Aroclor.

PCBs have been used as coolants and lubricants in transformers, capacitors, and other electrical equipment because they don't burn easily and are good insulators. The manufacture of PCBs was stopped in the U.S. in 1977 because of evidence they build up in the environment and can cause harmful health effects. Products made before 1977 that may contain PCBs include old fluorescent lighting fixtures and electrical devices containing PCB capacitors, and old microscope and hydraulic oils.

Apparently, PCBs aren't made in the US anymore. So why are our fish (and bird populations, by the way) plagued by these chemicals.

We're a closed system, people. Whatever we manipulate/create/destroy sticks around. PCBs aren't going anywhere. I wish I knew what we could do to fix our problems with chemical contamination ... someday we may have answers. For now, just don't eat fish too often.

More soon.
Love,
Say

To paraphrase Colbert, "Nation, you're doing one helloffa job."

... I like that Colbert refers to his viewing audience as "Nation." Stellar. That guy cracks me up ... Clever clever.

Regardless, I wanted to post this link ... From, hahaha, The Nation.

So, our administration is doing a bang-up job trying to get the country moving forward in the right direction. In the past 100 days, a whole lot has been done, but there is still so much more to forge ahead with.

For example ... green infrastructure ... job creation ... environmental legislation ... yeah, you're catching my drift. The article is done well and it helps me segue into this next link, brought to my attention by my good friend, Mr. Casey Rollins (how'dya' like that plug, budday??).

Just look at that grid, people!

God, bless NPR, would ya'? This is an incredible example of how to visualize American consumption ... and it's interactive!! What's not to like?? This goes along with the whole concept of revamping our infrastructure ... Oh, how long we've waited for the days when sustainable practice isn't just practice any longer! Those days will come, kiddos, but in the mean time the only way to change private industry is by making noise with your wallet. Let them know how you feel by how you spend!!!

That's all for now, I'm off for a run before I work overtime tonight. Wish me luck .. this girl is having trouble getting back into shape!

God speed, ya'll. Give a tree a smooch.

Love,
Say

It's Friday ... time for a PHOTO BLOG!

So, I know it's been a while since I've been able to upload my own photos to this here bloggy-wog ... but I've come back with a vengeance!

That being said .... here are some photos of

1) planting Bok Choy in the early spring wetness.





... and 2) Some more photos of WILD NH DAY!






Mark and I will be farther north this weekend ... we're dog-sitting for a friend. We're lucky because they live on a small pond in the lakes region- my friend Katie tells me that their resident blue heron is sitting on eggs at the moment! Perhaps I can get just close enough to get some photos (but not so close that she knows I'm there). Thank goodness for zoom lenses! If anything, I'll get some beautiful spring shots during the fantastic weather we're supposed to have.

I hope all of you have a fantastic weekend!
Be good, be outside, be with nature, be wise, be happy.

Love,
Say

En Vogue

This photo has been cruising blogs across the interwebs for a while. It depicts the satellites and debris that orbit the Earth (the view is facing the North Pole).

This photo makes me want to gag. We clutter so much that even our orbit looks like a trash heap. I sigh in frustration at the sight of it. But then again, I use a cell phone that requires a few of those satellites to be there ...

Now, I'm sure you all know that today is Earth Day- the international celebration of caring for the planet, our mother ship. I was walking through a department store last night and was amazed to see a jewelry set that included the recycling symbol, a small planet and a leaf. All three were enamel set in what looked like gold. This was in a department store that prefers selling "diamond-esk" jewelry at a killer price- all of it probably imported from a third-world country whose recycling and emissions standards are not taken as seriously as poverty, the spread of disease in slums, or a lack of education in poor communities.

Was the department store in question intent on spreading the message of stewardship? Probably not.

I popped into a popular clothing store after that ... this particular retail outlet is known for up-to-date fashions at very, very low prices. Most of their clothing is made in Indonesia. There were environmental references on graphic tees, dresses, jewelry, handbags ...



Don't get me wrong, I've been rocking recycling logos since I was a pre-pubescent ... but lately this surge of retail propaganda doesn't feel right ... How often do these large companies recycle? How much waste do they create? Are they making an effort to be better companies??

I went HERE to find out.

That's Gap Inc.'s Climate Counts Score Card. Climate Counts is mentioned here a fair amount- and they're based in New Hampshire! Who knew?! Not many people, and that's the problem ... Funded in part by Stonyfield Farms, Climate Counts is based in Manchester and rates companies across the country to let consumers know just how environmentally minded these companies are.

Nike, believe it or not, is their highest ranked apparel company.

So, with an overall score of 42 (out of a possible 100), they're working on getting better, but ultimately with conglomerates like Gap Inc. the bottom line is always the bottom line. Money drives the engine.

Since I started reading Gary Hirshberg's new book, the one I mentioned in my last post, I've realized why the man is so well off. Having a leader like him in our midst makes our communities all the better.

So, in honor of Earth Day, as you pick up litter, clear beaches, finally put recycling bins in your office- whatever you may be doing- let's let this concept sink in ...

If we really want to change the consumption rate of our society, we have to speak with our wallets.

I've been victim to choosing cheap over sustainable. It's hard not to most of the time; it's a tough economy and everyone is strapped for cash. Hence Walmart's never ceasing popularity. I've bought the cheap t-shirt. I've stocked up on discount accessories. It is a daunting task to shell out more cash in favor of the greater good ... the whole effort is hard as hell.

Recently, on GreenGuideNH, I read a tid-bit that said (and I'm paraphrasing): It's too difficult to try and change every bad habit you have all at once ... so pick one at a time and stick to your new ideal until it becomes a habit itself.

Baby steps. Avoiding frustration and exhaustion is the way to go. My habit is starting at the grocery store. I garden extensively, preserve the left-over produce and compost the waste. I've gotten into the habit of baking my own bread, a money saver for sure and when you get down to it, homemade bread is just the balls! It's delicious, all warm and new ... When I can't grow it or make it myself, I make an effort to find it locally. When Hannaford or Shaws is your only option, just read your labels. Support organic where you can, bring reusable bags and when in doubt- ask for help. There are resources all around you to help you find the most local produce at the best price. You needn't sell off your first born to eat well, join a CSA ... visit your local farmers' market for bulk staples (honey, butter, meats, veggies, breads, herbs, etc.).

I've pontificated enough ... Really, I wish you the best of luck, dear reader. I wish all of us the best of luck. I'm praying for an economic rebound, for a day when green will no longer describe a fad ... it'll just be a color in the rainbow. I'm praying for the day when sustainability is the norm and functioning outside of those parameters is financial suicide.

These days are coming ... and I'm hoping all the fad fashion trends are just a sign of the changing mind set and not another effort to green-wash a business into higher profit margins.

Happy Earth Day, everyone. Thank you for reading. I'll be back with more soon.

Hug a tree for me.
Love,
Say

Photos in my mind ...

Literally, the photos I was supposed to post up here this morning are only in my head at the moment- forgot the lap-top at home in the early morning rush. I'll update when I get home late this evening (hoorah for workin' overtime ... lining my pockets the only way I know how).

But, despite the lack of visual stimulation (which I find makes blogs a whole lot easier to pay attention to), let me at least tell you about my Saturday.

Though overcast with temperatures limbo-ing between chilly and balmy, it seems like several hundred (if not up to a thousand over the course of the day) made it out to the Concord Cooperative Market for their "Earth Day" thang they do every year. We met some very in-touch folks, scored a hazelnut sapling, ate some yummy tofu, ice cream, chocolate soup (I couldn't make that up!!), and so much more.






Across the street, Real Green Goods had a huge sale going on, where Mark and I scored some very healthy, very pretty Bok Choy.



We put some in the garden the next day, splitting the plunder with my Mom's little patch in her back yard. After that we swung over to the Fish and Game's Wild New Hampshire Day. It's about the same every year, but it's still fun to go see the Falconers, wild animals, fly fishing lessons, the hatchery truck, Forever Locked ... There is so much to do for families this time of year and it's encouraging to see a majority of these options catering to environmental education. We popped down into the F&G's Discovery Room before taking off. What a cool space, very artistically done and really quite engaging. The pictures speak for themselves.





When we got home we did some re-con work on the sprouts we've got. The pepper plant's true leaves were showing, as were the Zinnias (our most successful effort thus far). We planted melons and pumpkins again, we've just seen the first few sprouts of our heirloom tomato plants and we're giving the eggplant an other go (the first ones never really did anything, we think it has something to do with the room temperature. Everything seems to be starting really well, but we're sure we're going to have to rig a shop light over the little buggers soon- we don't want them straining for light too much ... then they won't be as productive as we want them to be.

April 22 is Earth Day this year. That's a Wednesday. I have to work late that night, but should be back in Concord by 6ish. Normally I try to take a few hours every Earth Day to clean up my neighborhood- anyone can join a group who cleans up beaches (I wish I lived closer so I could) ... anyone can find a spot with a clean-up event sponsored by an organization, but if I did that, who would clean up the street I live on? It's not too shabby, don't get me wrong, but there's still trash everywhere since the snow left. Wouldn't my neighbors prefer a clean sidewalk? Another favorite Earth Day effort of mine is finding trash on the trails I frequent in town. For example, when I lived at my parent's house I had access to hundreds of miles of trails. The loop I ran on (about 4 miles) was used heavily by snowmobilers in the winter. So, on Earth Day I would take the dog for a walk on the trails with a garbage bag in hand. Sometimes I ran out of space in the bag before I was done my walk. It's so easy for people to toss beer cans and oil canisters into the trees and forget about them, but the wildlife that thrives there can't forget it's there ... it's gross and it ruins my good time. That 'aint cool.

I'm curious, readers ... what do you do for Earth Day ... any small effort you make on behalf of the planet? What suggestions do you have for other readers? Please comment and let's see what kind of fun stuff we can learn!

I'll be writing later today, to update you on my most current reading venture (courtesy of my good friend Josh Robinson), "Stirring It Up; How to make mone and save the world" by Gary Hirshberg. I want to get a good chunk of it read before I put my opinion of it on you, but so far so good. He has an interesting philosophy (I'll be it a realistic one) of how to change our society's behaviors in regards to consumption and waste. There's still so much to share! Keep checking back!

Happy Monday, ya'll. Looks like the sun is headed for an afternoon nap- here's hoping we get some sunny days this week!
Be green, my friends.
Best,
Say

I promised you sprouts!

... and that's exactly what you'll get!






Look attem! They've grown so fast! Mark is worried they're stretching too much for light, so shop lights are on our to-do list.

Our eggplant isn't cuttin' it so far. I wish I knew why. The three sprouts we got kicked the bucket while we were up north this weekend. Ahh, the great north woods. What a wonderful place to be. My parent's have a camp up there, 2 hours from Concord, and it's been a part of my life since my mom was still Prego with me. I think it's pretty fantastic. Having a space like that to grow up in is part of why the environment means so much to me. If you feel connected to it, you're more apt to want to save it for future generations. That's why I say, "Send your children into the woods! Send them to summer camp! Send them to environmental camp! Show them God's good work and they will grow to appreciate it!"


In other news ... there's a gentlemen who wrote this great book, "Hot, Flat and Crowded." His name is Thomas L. Friedman. There is also a great weekly news magazine out there called "Newsweek."

Ever heard of these two? They're great. Recently, they worked together.

And now we've got this: an article about Mr. Friedman and why we shouldn't be so proud of using the term "Green".

American's are on a green high ... (badum'ching) ... and though the goal right now is to create a level playing field for environmentally friendly products, food, etc., versus the generic, easy stuff we've been raised on, the ULTIMATE goal should be to never have to use the term green at all.

Friedman really is a brilliant voice and I recommend his work to all of you. Another great book to read, that I've mentioned several times in other postings, is "The World Without Us" by Alan Weisman. What an incredible insight into the world ... well, without us.



There are so many great minds working to end our Earthly suffering and so many of those minds are reaching out to us, begging us to change our ways. Sure, if you're reading this you're already of like mind and putting things like this in your psyche will either ...
a) give you a coronary from the sheer guilt induced stress or
b) make you feel like all is lost, since everyone around you isn't bothering to put the work in ...

Regardless of what reaction you get, these ideas are the ones that will save us.

Raise your hand if you've ever felt super overwhelmed about all of this ... like no matter what you do, it won't be worth it 'cause dammit ... no one else is trying!!! Welcome to the environmental movement. It's a hard road, but all of us have to stand together on this.

I badger the hell out of my friends and family just to get them to recycle! RECYCLE! I shouldn't have to, but such is life. It will seem like an up-hill battle, but it is a battle worth fighting. As we see Earth Day around the bend, let's put some muscle into it, shall we??

More soon. Hug them trees like yer life depends on it!
xoxo
Say

To feel green and support the efforts of local journalists!

This is Mark with one of our Mammoth Sunflowers last fall.

This Friday ... just in time for my favorite holiday (one that I think should be a national day off to pick up after ourselves), Earth Day, the Concord Monitor and the wonderful folks involved with the Green Guide have launched ...

::drum roll please::

GREEN GUIDE NH!!! HOORAY!!!

Visit, visit, visit!!! Danielle Kronk (the lady in the know)0 gave me the heads up on this great addition to New Hampshire culture a little while ago and I have to give her and her staff HUGE props for doing such a tremendous job on it.

Well done, ya'll. Gaia is beaming, I can see her ear-to-ear grin now!

Ya' see ... it's folks like Danielle and crew that help to make this state and our communities a better place. Like my friend Suzan Ware Flower, another journalist who doesn't get enough recognition, when writers utilize these spaces- when they seek out platforms for educating their friends and neighbors- we're all a lot better off. They have important things to share and we should be listening.

In another sweet gesture by Danielle- you can reach my blog via the Green Guide web site.


Now, this is super exciting for me. I've been working on this little bloggy-thingy for over a year now. There have been lulls in my postings (specifically during the election and my transition from the Hippo to non-journalistic employment), but this is the best catalyst for me to get back on the band wagon.

To new readers: Let it be known ... sometimes I cuss. Sometimes I get politically charged. Sometimes I digress and get way off topic. Overall, I hope you feel a little more informed ... sometimes get a laugh ... and above all else, I hope you keep reading. ;-)

So, what are we talking about today, with this weather that is just making me itch to put my hands into the soil at the garden plot????

Let's talk GERMINATION.



Mark and I have several plants going ... here they are in order of planting over the past few weeks:

Black Eyed Susans
Catnip
Spearmint
Peppers (New Ace- best kind EVER.)
Eggplant
Broccoli
Zinnias
Azaleas
... and of what else we have, my brain log is weak. There are plenty more along the way, including pumpkins and melons, heirloom tomatoes, and most of the rest goes seed to soil ... summer squash, zucchini, mescaline and mustard greens, rainbow chard, radishes, sunflowers (Teddy Bears, a flower introduced to me by a farm at the Concord Farmer's Market), shelling peas, pole beans ...

::whew!::

We are going to be rolling in the veggies this summer. For those that were following my gardening ventures last summer, you know what a change this kind of variety is for us. For those unaware, Mark and I had much in the way of volume, but little in the way of veggie variety.

31 Tomato plants
20 New Ace peppers
12 Jalapeno plants
Not enough sweet peas
12 Summer Squash
A few gourds (really puny butternut squash)
Some gorgeous marigolds we got from the Fisherville Road prison greenhouse.

To all gardeners who know how vital marigolds are, get the Sunshine variety from the prison greenhouse. I have yet to see a marigold that rivals their vitality and the beauty of their blooms.


This is a shot of them in September, after several frosts ... and they're still kickin' it. Word.

That's about the only greenhouse plant we'll be buying this year, the rest is sitting on a fat kitchen table in my parent's livingroom in Bow. They have huge south facing windows that have allowed us to get some light to the germinating seeds with out running out and buying shop lights to hang over them. So far so good. I'll take pictures this weekend and post them here for all to see. It's quite a set-up ... a bit amateur hour, but we're not looking for awards ... we're just looking for a healthy, vibrant garden this year.

Now, Mark and I have a plot at the Concord Community Gardens. I'm fearful of putting their exact location here because our neighbors and ourselves have had several brushes with theft from our gardens. Yes ... people drive (or walk) to our plots with plastic bags and pick whatever they want from the gardens. One of our neighbors went on a long weekend vacation and came back to find half of his corn crop completely gone ... stolen by the worst thieves of all- the two legged kind. Mark and I spend at least 10 ours a week, almost always more, in our plot and to have our eggplant and herbs stolen was heartbreaking. We put good vibes out there, what kind of Karma would get our hard labor vandalized?? Hopefully this is an issue that will be addressed thanks to the survey sent out by NH DRED with our plot renewal forms. If you happen to bump into DRED at a local farm expo or farmers' market, take the survey and let them know your thoughts on the whole affair- that's how they can make these programs better for all of us.

Well, with all that said I have to be moving on for now. In the mean time, enjoy this gorgeous spring weather!!

Thanks for reading, go hug a tree.
Best,
Say

Watch TED, get your brain fed.

A good friend of mine turned me on to www.TED.com.

And through it I found this talk about using kites to generate electricity through wind power.

I highly recommend adding this to your bookmarks ... something great to open your mind to when you've got some time to kill at the office (not that I kill time while I'm here!).

Hope all is well. It's dark and grey in the world today. I'm really aching for some sunshine and warm air. Even more so, I'm aching for some dinner.

Cheers!

There is a pulse.

Hey ya'll. I know what you're thinking:

"Welcome back ... took ya' long enough! I even stopped reading for a while! Who do you think your readers are? You think we sit by the PC all day, refreshing our browser in hopes you'd come crawling back?"

Maybe you're not thinking that, but I'm certainly feeling it. I've been at my new job for over 7 months now. What a change from the writing gig. I've been overwhelmed with work, home and family life, lots of bits of life to juggle- but spring is around the bend and with that comes gardening (Mark's and my not-so-new, but certainly dear, love).

More details will come as the seedlings start to take off. We started several last weekend and this weekend calls for more. Eventually we'll have a staggered lot of motley looking greens, begging for full sun and the wind in there ...erm ... hair.

My friend Peter Noonan (incredible artist and fairly funny guy ;-)) thought of me recently and suggested I share this link with you:

How Much Water Do You Really Use???

And in this spirit of really knowing what the hell it is we're doing, I'd like to include this link as well:

Terrapass Shall Set You Free!

It's all about knowing our impact, isn't it? I'd like to think that the age of greed, consumerism, waste and haste is on it's way to remaining behind us (but then again, who knows?). I see a more conscientious human dynamic growing around me. Mark and I got to a fair amount of Farm and Forest Expos, NHOFA gatherings and pretty much everything with the mark of green creation on it. The numbers are increasing, people's interests are peaking.

Even the Obamas are on the bandwagon- God bless them.

And we can go even deeper than that. We can go beyond just planting a garden and we can cultivate endagered (sometimes even ancient) heirloom animals and vegetables. There is so much we can do and I'm so happy to be sharing my journey with you.

Love,
Say

Can you smell what Barack is cooking?

We watched the inauguration ceremonies at the office today. Everyone sat still and took in his speech, which included mentions of environmental stewardship and responsible use of resources. On the eve of such a time of transformation, I thought I would share this hilarious caricature of the last administration, courtesy of Grist.org.

Bush as a Simpson Character.

The possibilities for our future seem endless right now- though conservatives (like my parents) are wringing their hands at the thought of a Democrat let loose on our poor (literally) society- and I'm pleased to see such a universal push for change on behalf of our planet.

I am dizzied by the potential.

Happy Inauguration Day, everyone!
Viva la revolucion!

Valentines, Mark and Mt. Washington

February is always a month of many plans for me- Mark's birthday is just four days after Hallmark's favorite holiday, but this year there is a fun new surprise that will keep me waiting by the mailbox.

National Geographic spent the past two years researching and putting together a feature about Mt. Washington and they're releasing it in their February issue.

Don't believe me? Check this out.

Some time today (Jan. 15), the article should be available on the NG web site, though at 9:30 a.m. there was no Mt. Washington feature to be seen.

Sure, this kind of thing is really exciting- the world's most renowned anthropological and environmental magazine spent two years on our little state made of Granite- but I think the real point to be taken from all of this is that our environment is important to everyone ... not just hikers and leaf peepers. If we are to further alter our state of being ... refuse to change our ways that are slowly destroying our environment ... Mt. Washington would cease to exist in the way we know and love it. What a waste of 6,288 feet!

When you get a chance, read the full article (whenever it decides to show up online), and beam with pride over the looming monster we call neighbor.

Happy Thirsty Thursday, ya'll!!!
Best,
Say

Come, fly with me ... let's fly away.

New Hampshire's most beloved raptor is at risk.



Recent studies of the falcon's unhatched eggs showed high levels of PBDEs ... flame retardants added to plastics, clothing, cars, armchairs ... just about anything Americans wear or use. PBDEs are still being created and used all over the world and little is being done to regulate their use.

Does anyone my age remember DDT? You know, the chemicals that were killing off our native Bald Eagle populations? We are surviving fine now that DDTs are subject to strict laws ... we should be doing the same for PBDEs. Sure, flame retardants save lives, but so does putting out your cigarette before you fall asleep ... Common sense is what really does the trick- but that's just my opinion.

So, how do we protect these falcons? Read our labels more carefully. Enact more severe legislation. Encourage clean-ups of our local water ways ... just be more proactive and way less passive. It's easy if we try!

Happy Tuesday!!!

Auld Lang Seign?

Do I even have that right?

2008 has been an interesting year for me, folks. It's been so busy the past few months I've been forced to put my bloggage on hold- not a good scenario if you ask me, but I'm working on changing my modus operandi for 2009.

Quite the year if you ask me and in my personal reflection I've decided to look back, not so much in the direction of all the bad things (shit-storm there certainly was), but more on my self discovery in favor of the planet. Here's a list of my top ten (in no particular order) things that I've done over the past year to better myself and/or the Earth.

1) Read ... in new ways.
All hail the local library. I still buy books for friends as gifts, but in my own right I've been frequenting the Concord Library pretty regularly. That's one less copy that has to be printed. A majority (I lied- all of these) texts were based on environmental stewardship. My best reads?? Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver ... The Great Warming (I forget the author right now) ... The Power to Change the World (a book about nuclear power and how we can use it responsibly) ... there are more, but these are the breed at the top of my thoughts.

2) THE GREEN LIVING GUIDE!
Published with the help of the Concord Monitor, Danielle Kronk (the brains behind the operation) along with me and several other writers, have established the second (and most permanent) edition of the Monitor insert, geared at tangible ways for people to live greener. Hooray!

3) I quit the gym.
I've always had a distaste for gyms ... the stink ... the rude people ... but mostly the energy waste. Besides the fact that I just couldn't afford it anymore, I'm sticking to outdoor activities from now on. Nordic skiing, here I come ... once the snow returns!

4) I greened Christmas more than previously ...
I reused all my gift wrap, recycled what I couldn't use, and stayed close to home. It was awesome.

5) I turned 25.
The day AFTER Christmas. This isn't green at all, but I felt like sharing ... with age comes wisdom? I'm hoping I'm closer to reaching my ultimate goals.

6) I ordered heirloom varietal catalogues.
Mark and I are growing heirloom vegetables this year and forever more. I'm so excited for the catalogues to come in!!! It'll be like Christmas all over again!

7) I converted a few non-believers.
And when I say converted, I mean badgered to death. There's nothing quite like persistence when you want results. Thank you to those who have finally hopped on the good foot.

8) I have suffered through the cold
Not that there's been that much of it the past week, but I've taken to keeping my heat at home to no higher than 55 degrees. We live in a mighty shit hole that leaks everything but gold coins. If our gas-fed forced-hot-air system in fact did spit out gold coins, they would slide through the cracks in the walls, windows and doors before I could get my hands on them. I will not submit to the chills. I will just put on an extra sweater.

9) I take the recycling from my office home for collection.
Elm Street in Manchester doesn't have curbside recycling. The rest of the city does. It's stupid. I will not throw out paper, plastic, glass or aluminum, so I take them all home ... with a smile.

10) I haven't quit-
Though I'm pretty sure some of you might have thought my green ramblings were on the outs ... not so! I promise! I will make a better showing. That's my New Year's resolution ... to make a better effort at everything. The least I can do is give 110% ... right? If I ever fall short, at least I was giving my all.

I love you guys, happy New Year!!!

Please, don't take your top off.

he election is tomorrow.

I know, we're all excited for the sh*t show to be over.

I'm just posting some photos today, to remind everyone of the cost of America's coal industry. Mountain Top Removal mining destroys our pristine landscapes and leaves wounds like these in it's wake. Please keep this issue in mind when contacting your elected officials involved in the new administration. It is important for our future.

Just look at the waste. This is how we harvest fossil fuels. It's time to stop.

Go vote, sucka's.






T

W ... T ... F ..?

Okay, get this ...

Heart of New Hampshire (a publisher and parent company of the Going Green Expos) are claiming bankruptcy. Oh my holy sh*t.

At the above link, the company sites lack of available credit and lack of sponsors as their main reasons for filing chapter 7.

I'm simply blown away. What kind of times are we living in? First people's homes, then their 401Ks, now their vested interests are getting flushed by our horrible economy.

What's next? Is my job next? My parent's? My sister's? My boyfriend's? It's finally hitting me, all of this bottoming-out-all-around-economic-failure.

It makes me scared. I'm afraid for all of us.

I'm a veggie, you're a veggie- who's a local-vore?

My dear, dear friends and readers, many of you know I'm not a fan of the meats. I do eat a fair amount of seafood, but I try to stick with the most sustainable options available (I've recently had to change my sushi eating habits!). I'm not one to ask people to change their lifestyles on my behalf- on behalf of the planet is one thing, but that has to come from within- but to ask my neighbors, friends and family to become more aware of how their food gets to them isn't that far out of line ... is it?

Let's start with the section of proteins I delve in the most: seafood. Too often, Americans are sold one fish and told it's another. The most common examples of this trend are Chilean Sea Bass (actually named a "Toothfish") and Orange Roughy ("Slimefish," I couldn't make that up). They're being fished into extinction- I remember eating "Roughy" when I was really young, being the fish was super popular in the early 90s. I have yet to see it in a supermarket since.

Another factor that should be paid attention to when selecting fish for your table is whether the fish was farmed or wild caught. Fish farms, more often than not, are horrible polluters. There are several that are heavily policed and remain neutral to the ocean environment. An other caution when it comes to sea life is heavy metals (not Slayer or Pantara, more like mercury). With so much to think about, it may seem impossible to find safe fish, right?

WRONG!
There are guides to help you swim(haha) through the tides(hahaha) of the changing face of the fishing industry. Look to the following online guides to reel in(hehe) the answers you've been fishing for(bahahahaha).
The Environmental Defense Fund: Check here for a comprehensive, no-doubt-about-it list of the good, the bad and the ugly when it comes to eating seafood.
The Monterey Bay Aquarium: The largest, most exquisite, most advanced aquarium in the world- this place touts an actual LIVING KELP FOREST and a seafood watch page, so we can all make healthy choices for more healthy oceans.

Now for the other meats. Have you ever driven behind a chicken truck? New Englanders: Do you have a neighbor that sports a chicken coop in the backyard? Chickens are gross animals when left to their own devices, but add humans to the mix and the poultry industry is one mess that would make you think twice about that chicken parm/chicken salad/chicken cutlet you're about to devour.

Even Oprah is fed up (not that it takes much for that to happen, she just has to have the facts smack her over the head).



So, chicken farms- the conventional ones anyway- are gross and the animals are treated like, well, food ... and not beings. This, believe it or not, is not necessarily why I perscribe to a vegetarian diet. Regardless, there are ways to get free-range chickens and free-range eggs, though sometimes they are expensive. BUT, I have investigated in my time at the grocery store. For all the people bitching and moaning about organic prices being too lofty: look at your generics ridden recepts. Everything is expensive. What this economy is really doing is creating a level playing field for all types of groceries, organic and conventional.

My favorite cage-free egg option comes from Nellie's Nest Cage-Free Eggs. At my local Hannaford supermarket, Nellie's eggs cost the same as generic large and extra large eggs. As for Hannaford as an organics producer, check out their very own Organic lines, aptly named "Nature's Place." Shaw's and Alberton's offer their "Wild Harvest" line. The options are everywhere and they encompass all manner of foods, from veggies, to meats to the things you can't eat- cleaning and personal care products, paper products, etc.

Look to this site, "Happy Meat," to really understand the delemma most humans are facing. To meat, or not to eat? That's a hefty question. Sustainability is possible and the best way to ensure it is to eat locally.




Visit the Northeast Organic Farming Association web site to find organic farms in your area. Get to know your farmer. Get to know where your meals are coming from. I bet you they'll be a lot easier to stomach once you do. I recommend the Twist of Fate Farm for all your local, organic meat needs. They're at just about every farmers' market in the area and their web site is great. Eating local isn't just about the environment, it's about your community, about the place you call home and preserving it for the future. It's common sense.

That's all for now, guys. I'm tuckered out ... and feeling kind of hungry to be honest. I'm thinking of hitting up one of my favorite local joints, The Bridge Cafe on Elm St. Their food is pretty awesome and with that chill in the air, I'm thinking a heaping portion of tomato bisque is just what I need! Be well, eat well, love often and in overwhelming portions.

Love,
Say

So ... is Bethlehem suffering from negligence- or a false alarm?

The Department of Environmental Services has their meeting with the citizens of Bethlehem last night, albeit at short notice, and said that there was no evidence that the largest landfill in the state is contributing to the large number of cancer cases in the town's small population. Here's a link to the story the Concord Monitor published on the subject today.

In the CM article, Rita Farrell is quoted relating this health investigation to that of the US's tobacco industry just a few decades ago. Farrell is convinced that something is afoot- especially considering the short time frame in which the investigation and subsequent community update was completed in.

Can you blame this community for being concerned? They're home to the largest landfill in New Hampshire and quite possibly the largest number of documented pancreatic and breast cancer cases per capita. I'm with Farrell on this one- there must be a correlation between the two and it is up to the appropriate state departments to investigate this matter in the amount of time it deserves. It all seems a bit hasty ... I wonder what kind of kick backs local and state government get from the people responsible for managing this big hole filled with waste? Whenever there's money involved, people get sneaky. That's a fact of life.

I'm still sure we haven't heard the last of this matter. More to come.

Best,
Say