Seeds Magazine: Sustainable, Environmentally Efficient Discourse Source

seeds sustainable, environmentally efficient, discourse source

responses to those buzzing words

Critical Mass: A Trendy Revolution San Diego activists whiz through heavy traffic to reclaim the streets for bicyclists.

Green Legislation Briefing How green is Obama’s stimulus package?

Local: The New Organic

Ditching the buzzword “organic” and shopping with a worldview.

Green to the Core How one man is looking to change the surfing industry and the world. May 2009

Beauty Local

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Local: The New Organic

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Ditching the buzzword “organic” and finding a way to shop with a worldview. STORY BY:

Amy Berkhoudt

Editor’s Spotlight: Origins

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May’sThis month’s spotlight is on an environmentally conscious product line which includes bath, body, and beauty products for men and women of all ages. STORY BY:

Nicole Gagne

Crafts

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Planting Memories

How to recycle a peanut butter jar into a planter, personalized with memories from your travels.

STORY and photos BY:

Travel

Lisa Reynolds

Sustainable Travel Ripens in Green Market Hostels respond to the growing demand of travelers looking to go-green. STORY and photos BY:

Ashly McGlone

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Green Legislation Briefing How green is Obama’s stimulus package? We take a look at some of the bills, passed and pending, helping make “green living” easier.

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STORY BY:

Ashly McGlone

Cover and story photos by Ryan Fernandez

Cover Story

Critical Mass: A Trendy Revolution

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San Diego activists whiz through heavy traffic to reclaim the streets for bicyclists. STORY BY:

Amy Berkhoudt

Home

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Living Every Day Sustainably

Home improvements that benefit homeowners and the environment. story and PHOTOS BY:

Emily Atkins

Sports

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Green to the Core

How one man is looking to change the surfing industry and the world. story and PHOTOS BY:

Emily Atkins

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In Season, In Style

A look at fruits and vegetables that are in season, and some healthy and delicious ways to prepare them. STORY BY:

Nicole Gagne Shopping

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Green for less Green

A personal quest for affordable, sustainable business suits at thrift stores. PHOTOS AND STORY BY:

Lisa Reynolds

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Dear Reader, Green

living is riding a new wave of popularity in our culture. You see signs of it everywhere from grocery stores to bank papers and even your tax refund. In a way, Seeds Magazine is a response to that rising trend, but what we set out to do, be, and accomplish extends far beyond the goals of a passing trend. We are Seeds, your sustainable and environmentally efficient discourse source. Seeds Magazine exists to disburse easy and useful tips for authentic green living, while also providing a venue for meaningful discourse. From growing your own veggies to reducing your energy bill, we set out to provide a model of sustainable living in contrast to today’s consumerist-focused society. The “green” industry is rapidly growing and changing, offering a consistent stream of new content and new knowledge. Knowledge is power, as we well know, and “green” power reaches far beyond self-interest into the realm of communal interest. In other words, Seeds Magazine looks to plant seeds of essential knowledge into the hearts and minds of its readers with the hope of extending the “green” wave beyond the shores of today and into our choices of tomorrow. Are you along for the ride?

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Sincerely,

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Ashly McGlone Editor-in-Chief Seeds Magazine

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meet the staff

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Managing Editor

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Head Editor

Circulation Manager

1. Emily Atkins is a senior at Point Loma Nazarene University. She believes that the conservation of finite resources will always be an important global topic. After graduation, Emily looks forward to working in the green industry in hopes of making sustainable living a viable option for everyone.

3. Amy Berkhoudt prides herself in being a Renaissance woman. An avid crocheter, flannel-sewer, rasp-voice singer, strawberry picker, art maker, dew drop drinker, loose tooth puller, and Hawaiian wave surfer, Amy does not sleep. But when she does get a chance to close her eyes, Amy’s dreams are where the wild things are. Her life is merely lived in between dreams. She simply waits to sleep forever. 8 | May 2009

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Arts Director

Ads Manager

2. After nearly a decade of magazine reporting, Ashly has won numerous accolades from the Society of Professional Journalists including Journalist of the Year three years in a row for her in-depth reporting on teachers in Iraq, the drug cartel deep in the jungles of Central America and her investigative piece into the illegal bidding for President Barack Obama’s vacant Senate seat. As editor-in-chief of Seeds Magazine, Ashly enjoys delving into stories of national and international importance, while also conveying their local application for “green” living. 4. Nicole Gagne is a San Diego local who loves the culture and the climate, and there’s nowhere else in the world she would rather be. She is a Senior at Point Loma Nazarene University, majoring in Journalism with a concentration in Creative Writing. Aside from writing, she also enjoys reading, drawing, photography, collecting music, and being in the moment. She hopes to some day be the senior editor and owner of her own local arts and entertainment magazine. Nicole also hopes to travel when she graduates.

5. As a double major in Literature and Creative Writing, Lisa is, appropriately, a lover of books. She is the type of person who will buy a book because it’s pretty. For example, she has on her bookshelf The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire vol. 3 merely for the sake of its plum-colored cover. Lisa’s weakness is purple books, especially purple books for 25 cents and less. Because of her love of books (purple in particular), Lisa’s favorite places are used book stores, book fairs, and garage sales with book bins. seeds

In The Know

75%

The percentage of cocoa in a bar of chocolate that provides high amounts of antioxidants. For even braver tongues, try the bitter taste of 85% and 99% chocolate.

Santa Monica

The city with the largest farmer’s market on the west coast. Check out the delicious recipes found in The Santa Monica Farmers’ Market Cookbook.

1817

The year Baron Von Drais invented the Draisienne, a predecessor to the modern bicycle.

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The number of colors available in The Freshaire Choice paint line. These paints are VOC (volatile organic comound) free, making them a smart choice for the environment.

Minthe

The name of the nymph who was turned into mint, according to Greek mythology.

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The New Local:Organic B

uzzwords like “organic” and “go green” can be deconstructed through a global lens when people ask why they should care about how their food made its way to their fork. The “organic” craze seems to be more of a marketing scheme than an actual nutritional investment. Because produce is usually shipped from foreign markets, the likelihood of vineripened nutrition is slim. “They say ‘local’ is the new ‘organic’,” said Ellee Igoe from San Diego’s International Rescue Committee. Local fruits and vegetables have more nutrients because they vine-ripened rather than picked when green, she said. The word ‘organic’ has recently been slapped over an increasingly large amount of groceries and food marketing campaigns. But even organic foods are part of the global free trade market, where farmers are only paid 19 cents for every dollar spent on their produce; the other 81 cents goes into marketing and processing. Even seemingly “go green” foods labels such as Odwalla and Boca Burgers are owned by billion dollar corporations Coca-cola and the cigarette company Phillip Morris, respectively. New studies from a US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report shows our current population is simultaneously the most malnour-

ished and the most obese in history. One in three Caucasian children, and one half of children of color, born in 2000 will develop diabetes in their lifetime. However, there are possible solutions to these problems. Students that qualify for any financial aid, including Federal Work Study, also qualify for food stamps. The government gives about $150 worth of food stamps per student a month. Igoe stated she is looking into creating a farmers market that accepts food stamps. This should encourage students to buy healthier foods. No more Top Ramen. Though San Diego county is ranked second highest in the nation for the amount of farmland it has, 68 percent of the land is used for nurseries and flower crops. “This really pissed me off… palm trees don’t even give shade,” said Igoe. She promoted the Ocean Beach farmer’s market, held every Wednesday from 4 p.m. until dark, saying the quality of food is better and the community can build better relationships with local farmers.

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Local

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Consider the tomato, rich in vitamin A and C and minerals calcium and potassium, a household friend that usually endures a long journey from farms in Mexico in order to get on to the lunch plate. They have been an import from the 1880s but received high demand as Sinaloa, a produce brand, grew in the 1920s, according to Deborah Brandt in Women, Work and Globalization on the Tomato Trail. In their green house, tomatoes are usually sprayed with a variety of agrochemicals: pesticides, herbicides and fungicides. These keep the tomatoes growing faster, stronger, more uniform, and in greater quantities. Not to mention, blemish-free. Then the young tomato plants are watched, pruned, and tied to sticks by Sinaloa workers who are usually young campesino women. Tomato picking requires tedious work and is known to be one of the most labor-intensive crops. The best tomatoes are then chosen to be packed, stickered, and boxed (the rejects go to local farms or are used as animal feed) and then are carried north and sealed, stacked, wrapped, and moved to the packing plant. Mexico ships 700 thousand tons of tomatoes annually to the United States and Canada, according to Linda Tons of The Toronto Star newspaper. From a few days to a week, the tomatoes are kept until they are ripe enough to export, sometimes being sprayed with ethylene to speed up the ripening process. This gas is dangerous for humans to inhale.

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The tomatoes are then packed onto trucks for their two-day journey north, to a supermarket near you. Sound appetizing? Locally grown food skips the chemicals allowing the tomato to maintain its natural nutrients all the while supporting local farmers.

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Travel

Sustainable travel ripens in

Green market Story and photos by ashly mcglone

Travellers are ditching the glitz and glam in favor of the sustainable and eco-friendly. Hostels are responding with innovative ways to go-green.

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pon entering the hostel, a dirty-blonde dread-locked, waif of a girl, donning tattered blue-jeans two sizes too big, and a wife beater tank-top greets you. After receiving and swiping your key card, the door opens and you hear the sounds of Portuguese, Hindi, Dutch, Italian and English voices blending together to fill the dining area. It is an international affair. The barn-red exterior of the building, coupled with an unsuspecting residential location, conceals the hostel’s identity from the street. Inside, local and international visitors gather to share a meal, but not just any meal. On the menu: a vegetarian lasagna, salad and berry-cobbler, all made with locally grown produce and grain provided by Ocean Beach People’s Cooperative. Indie tunes reverberate off the walls of the patio as local 12

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The newly remodeled lounge at the HI- Point Loma hostel hosts political movie nights, followed by poker, every Friday, as just one of many activities offered to its guests. artist Stasia Conger sings and strums the acoustic guitar while a band mate plays the bongos. Visitors discuss the food and memorable cultural experiences. “The word red-neck is so silly sounding. Reddd-necckk,” the British woman says, enunciating the vowels. Giggling ensues from the Brit, as well as the French woman and the Italian woman with whom she is conversing. “How do you say that in French?” the Italian woman asks. “I guess it would be ‘cou rouge,’” says the French woman. “Well that’s not as funny as red-neck,” the British woman snickers. In addition to enjoying music and conversations, overnight visitors to the hostel rest easy knowing their carbon footprint has been reduced on this vacation. As sustainable travel continues to 14

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‘Hostels are increasing in revenue and popularity as the tourism industry crashes.’ Jared McCannell, Hostelling International volunteer and activities coordinator

ripen in the green market, hostels have become an essential part of the process for travelers worldwide. Travelers are no longer purely thinking about staying in the biggest and the best while increasing consumption. For some, the best now entails being a conscientious consumer by staying in ecofriendly hostels. With locally-grown food, low-flow shower heads and energy efficient light bulbs, Hostelling International’s [HI] Point Loma Hostel exemplifies this shift in priorities. Jared McCannell, HI-San Diego’s volunteer and activities coordinator, defines a hostel as “budget accommodations for sustainable tourism.” That’s the buzzword nowadays, he said. “Hostels are increasing in revenue and popularity as the tourism industry crashes.” HI enjoyed more than 40 percent anseeds

nual revenue increases in both 2007 and 2008, while San Diego tourism as a whole suffered a drop of 4.7 percent from 2007 to 2008, according to the California Travel and Tourism Commission. Hotel occupancy in the United States fell just below 4 percent in 2008, while California tourism decreased 4.5 percent. Billed on their Web site as a “quiet, relaxing, laid back hostel in a big city,” and “only minutes away from the beach,” HI’s Point Loma Hostel is currently ranked second among HI’s 4,000 hostels located in more than 75 countries. In 2007 the hostel also earned the title of “friendliest HI hostel in the world,” according to a poll by the International Youth Hostel Federation Boasting 16,000 overnight stays per year and a capacity of 53 people that rarely dips below 75 percent full, the Point Loma hostel has come a long way since the property was purchased in 1979. The building has even earlier roots dating to the late 1930s as a bicycle club. Recent renovations of the kitchen and TV room have only added to the hostel’s appeal, as well as a mattress donation from Tempur-Pedic for every bed at the HI Point Loma and downtown San Diego locations. They are the only hostels in the world to have them according to Jenny Wise, HI- Point Loma’s general manager. Other amenities include a free all-youcan-eat pancake breakfast, no curfew, and weekly events like Fridays’ political movie night and Saturday evening s’mores. Free walking tours of Balboa Park and Tijuana, Mexico are also big hits among travelers, Wise said. Annual events are also held to celebrate the holidays and to promote causes. The second annual HI-USA Peace Building Conference was held in April 2009 with young leaders focusing on the expansion of peace building efforts on local and global levels. Global organizations and hostels alike are finding ways to set standards in sustainable tourism. The Global Partnership for Sustainable Tourism Criteria, launched in October 2008, is a coalition of 32 organizations including the United Nation World Tourism Organization, who have created a model for what it means to be “sustainable.” There are four key points listed in the criteria: Demonstrate effective sustainseeds

The HI-Point Loma Hostel offers both communal rooms with bunk beds and private rooms like the ones pictured above.

able management; maximize social and economic benefits to the local community and minimize negative impacts; maximize benefits to cultural heritage and minimize negative impacts; and finally, to maximize benefits to the environment and minimize negative impacts. Symbols unique to specific countries have also been adopted as a means of identifying green hostels. For Europe it is the EU Eco-Flower label and for Australia it is the Eco Certification Program label. In the United States, hostellers should look for the Sustainable Travel International 5-step certification ranging from a one-star self-assessment to a five-star professionally audited certification. From non-toxic cleaning products and compost, to tree house hostels in the Philippines, the options are endless for the green hosteller. The crowd who shares the “green” spirit is growing and you don’t have to break the bank to share in the spirit either. At the HI Point Loma Hostel, comfortable prices range from $17 to $28 per night for communal rooms and $42 to $69 for private rooms. More than 50 percent of the hostel consists of private rooms. Room offerings, optional communal dinners and locale lend itself to being a “very family-friendly hostel,” and “is more of a hybrid of a hostel and a bed and breakfast. I think it has that higher standard,” said Wise. She added that their “mission is to help all, especially the young, gain a special understanding of the world, learning about each other and becoming comfortable with other people.” With sustainability at the forefront of people’s minds, volunteers with HI are advocating the construction of a new 400-bed “purpose built hostel,” downtown near San Diego Bay. Purpose built hostels are a rarity, as most hostels take up business in former hotels or homes. The new hostel would provide a “model for sustainability” from the start, according to McCannell, with solar panels and other eco-conscious features which he believes will be a sure-fire hit among travelers young and old. This year commemorates the 50-year anniversary of HI San Diego, the 75-year anniversary of HI-USA and the 100-year anniversary of Hostelling International [HI].

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From Used Peanut Butter Jar to Personalized Planter

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Planting

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tuffed in a bag between my desk and bookcase, I keep my collection of pack-rat souvenirs from travels abroad: stamps, receipts, theater tickets, etc. Instead of letting my travel treasures rot in a bag, or (gulp) throwing them away, I used them to help recycle a peanut butter jar into a personalized planter. To transform an ordinary peanut butter jar into a planter, first find paper scraps from your trips abroad, (plane tickets, theater tickets, receipts with interesting graphics, etc.). Not as much of a pack rat as I am, or haven’t traveled anywhere yet? Don’t worry, many materials will work as planter decor; try old family photos, old birthday cards or comic strips. For this craft, you will also need a 15oz plastic or glass peanut butter jar washed thoroughly, with outside label removed; a tall, thin soda can, like those used for Rockstar energy drinks (the can I used was a 10.5 fl oz. Hansen sparkling water); masking tape or painter’s tape, scissors, and a plant or herb. Set can, scissors and herb aside for now. Fit travel pieces into peanut butter jar, pushing them tight against plastic (or glass) facing outward, so they’re visible through the jar. Arrange pieces into a collage. Many will stay in place without tape, but occasionally use tape to secure smaller pieces. Do not tape pieces directly to the jar; you shouldn’t be able to see the tape when looking at the outside of the jar. After you’ve finished decorating your jar, set it aside and use scissors to cut the top off of soda can. Be careful! Aluminum can be sharp. Cut the soda can down so that it fits

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1) Decorating inside of jar with receipts, tickets and stamps from travels 2) Use tape to secure collage, but do not tape directly to jar 3) Cut top off the soda can 4) Plant mint in the soda can 5) Slip the soda can into decorated jar. Right: Completed planter personalized with remnants from travels. into the peanut butter jar without exceeding the height of the rim. Once you’ve cut it to the correct height, fold masking tape or painter’s tape over cut edges to protect your fingers. Then plant your herb in the soda can. Begin by putting a handful of dirt (dirt from your back yard will do) in the bottom of the can, then pack your herb into the can. Set soda can with herb inside decorated peanut butter jar. Note: when watering, be sure to water directly into the soda can and not into the jar, so that your paper collage does not get wet. If you’ve done all your collage-ing and cutting, but can’t decide which herb to plant, I suggest you try mint. According to GardeningGuides.com, all varieties of mint are fragrant and work well as potted indoor plants. Two common varieties of mint, peppermint and pennyroyal, have medicinal properties. Peppermint is thought to have a soothing effect on nerves, and when added to a hot cup of tea, can clear sinus congestion. Pennyroyal, a non-edible variety of mint, can be rubbed on skin as a natural bug repellent (GardenGuides.com suggests you test on small area of skin first to make sure you are not allergic). Your peanut butter planter is not only a way to add a fragrant herb to your home, but a unique display case for the keepsakes you’ve collected from around the world, and a creative way to recycle. Enjoy!

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BRIEFING

Green legislation: Passed and Pending story by ashly mcglone, illustrations by amy berkhoudt

At a time when money is tight and the country is thick in a recession, thinning our consumption and waste is crucial for the masses. Government officials have not only taken notice of the green movement, but have helped spearhead projects and legislation that will make “going green” easier and cheaper for years to come. Though not comprehensive, here are some recent highlights of the green legislative battle, both nationally and on the state-level.

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News

National

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Energy Independence and Security Act (2007)

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The law sets a target of 35 miles per gallon for cars manufactured by model year 2020. Higher renewable fuel standards and appliance and lighting efficiency standards were also included. Source: Congressional Research Service

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Oceans Act (2000)

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Establishes U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy who was tasked with creating reccommendations for a “more comprehensive national ocean policy.” The commission was disbanded as scheduled in 2004 after making 212 reccommendations. Included were suggestions to partner with developing countries, sharing technology and expertise to achieve sustainable ocean management. Source US Commission on Ocean Policy.

HR 1337 America’s Energy Security Trust Fund Act (2009)

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This bill would impose a per-unit tax on the carbon dioxide content of fossil fuels beginning at a rate of $15 per metric ton of CO2 and increasing by 10 percent each year, also accounting for inflation. The tax would be assessed on the CO2 content of these fuels when they enter the economy: at oil refineries, coal processing plants and points of import. Source: The Online Office of Congressman John B. Larson

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Local

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Green Building Initiative and Action Plan (2004)

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The plan aims to reduce energy use in state-owned buildings by 20 percent by 2015. This order affects schools who now must obtain a minimum silver rating on the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design scale provided by the U.S. Green Building Council. Source: California Energy Commission

AB 32 Global Warming Solutions Act (2006)

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Requires California to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. In 1990 California’s emissions totaled 426 million metric tons of CO2 based on 2004 data, that’s a reduction of 25% or 11 tons per person. Source: California Air Resources Board

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Local

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AB 3056 Bottle Bill (2006)

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Provides increased incentives for beverage producers to promote recycling and use container types with high recycling rates. In 2007 the amended bill increased the refund value of bottles from 4 to 5 cents. Beverage container recycling in 2007 reached a recent high of 71%, diverting one million tons of litter from disposal. Source: California Department of Conservation

AB 1358 Non-Recyclable Food Packaging Ban (Proposed 2009-2010)

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Bans the use of non-recyclable plastic food packaging. Typical polystyrene food packaging is not recyclable and is one of the largest components of marine debris pollution. Source: Californians Against Waste

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Legislation Spotlight American Recovery and Reinvestment Act d e s aka. Obama’s Stimulus Package (2009) s a P

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Local California Green Corps (est. March 2009) Using $10 million from the stimulus and another $10 million from public-private partnerships, the corps establishes a work training program for high-risk youth between the ages of 16 and 24 for jobs in the emerging green economy. Source: Office of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger

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National Renewable Energy Projects The $789 billion stimulus package provides increased funding, extended tax incentives and grants to encourage renewable energy projects, energy savings and green jobs. More than $54 billion is going toward investment renewable technology, public transportation and developing an energy-efficient electricity grid. Also included is $500 million for green job training Source: House of Representatives, Committee on Appropriations

News

Obama’s Stimulus Package Breakdown Spending by Sector $317.2 billion Total*

Transportation, housing and urban development Federal and state government Commerce, justice and science Defense and security

Agriculture and rural development

Energy and environment

Labor, health and education

“The $789 billion stimulus package provides increased funding, extended tax incentives and grants to encourage renewable energy projects, energy savings and green jobs.”

Energy and Environment

Total: $98.234 billion (31% of spending)

Department of the Interior Atomic energy defense activities Corps of Engineers

Other Agencies Department of Energy

Bureau of Reclamation

Department of Energy $74.701 billion

Energy efficiency and renewable energy (building energy codes) Uranium plan decommissioning Electricity delivery and energy reliability (new electricity grid)

Fossil energy research and development Innovative Technology Loan Guarantee Program

Non-defense environmental cleanup

* Not including tax cuts and tax incentives. For more information on the $20 billion in green tax incentives for purchases like solar panels, hybrid electric cars and even mass transit tickets, please visit our blog at seedsmagazine.blogspot.com. seeds

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CRITICAL MASS A Trendy Revolution T

“When you are on the road with hundreds of cyclists, you feel connected. Everyone has a face. You can converse with people and really feel like you are doing something together. It’s an empowering feeling.” Greg Weise, Critical Mass Participant

he essence of “Critical Mass” is put in motion the last Friday of every month as hundreds of thousands of bike riders nationwide join forces— about 1000 strong in each city—to take the scenic route through busy streets, all in the name of energy conservation and cyclist’s rights. “What makes it really exciting is that there’s so many different kinds of people all together and you talk to random people and become friends throughout the night. I’ve only been twice but I saw people from the last time I went,” said Ashley Johnston, Point Loma

Nazarene University [PLNU] student and San Diego Critical Mass participant. “It’s great because we all come together for a night.” In San Diego, the cyclists congregate at Balboa Park’s fountain at 7 p.m. to begin their uncharted journey. The route changes every week and the night’s plot is just as unpredictable. Riding through traffic with such strength in numbers, cars (usually) halt as cyclist whiz through red lights. A few riders act as traffic control, planting their bike in front of the cars—whether the motorists have the right of way or not—as Critical Mass creates

story by amy berkhoudt

Cover Story a 15-minute-to-one-hour pause in traffic flow. Frustration, impatience, and awe are displayed on the faces of motorists as this modern-day revolt causes both drivers and cyclist to consider the effects of routine driving. Originally, Critical Mass started in 1992 in San Francisco to “celebrate cycling and to assert cyclists’ right to the road,” according to critical-mass.info. The event was referred to as “Commute Clot” at the time. Today, magazines have described Critical Mass as “monthly political-protest rides,” according to The New Yorker, and in the United Kingdom e-zine Urban75 it is described as “the monthly protest by cyclists reclaiming the streets of London.” Either way, a mass this size is considered “potentially oppressive” and illegal in most cities. On the biker’s end, Critical Mass becomes more than “granola” activism as it builds community among the cyclists. “When you are on a freeway with hundreds of cars, you don’t feel anything, except maybe frustration,” said Greg Wiese, PLNU student and avid cyclist. “When you are on the road with hundreds of cyclists, you feel connected. Everyone has a face. You can converse with people and really feel

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like you are doing something together. It’s an empowering feeling.” Cyclists of various ages attend the event and they are usually informed by word-of-mouth. There have recently been Facebook groups and MySpace bulletins that spread the word as well. The Critical Mass bike rides run from 30 to 50 miles. Cyclists make sure to select a course through the city’s busiest streets. The September 2008 Critical Mass in San Diego lasted from 7 p.m. to midnight as cyclists followed-the-leader from Balboa Park through North Park, Hillcrest, University Heights, Normal Heights, and then down to San Diego State University. From there, the mass backtracked to Balboa Park, but did not finish there. For the next two hours, Critical Mass made its way downtown and eventually to Ocean Beach. For participants, there is no guarantee that you will end where you started. “Critical Mass is also an opportunity to take action for something I believe in, albeit, a chaotic, often misdirected action,” said Weise. Most of the time, the motorists do not feel the harmony and community the cyclist experience. Interactions can become hostile. “I saw a girl get run over,” said Brittney Thompson, PLNU senior

A diagram of bicyclist turn signals illustrate road safety. However, Critical Mass riders rarely use these signals with their power in numbers.

who attended Critical Mass Sept. 26. “Her bike flew up in the air… [Then a few hours] later this guy got out of his car and mauled a cyclist. He wasn’t a teenage hipster or anything; he was an ordinary man.” Brawls between motorists and cyclists are not surprising during the rides. Some busy motorists find their fists and their cars can be used as a weapon. Others shout profanities or honk uncontrollably. Joey Bess, a student at PLNU, was stopped by Critical Mass on his way home from a Padres game. “…I [saw] a bunch of “trendy hipsters” on their oh-so-cool “fixies”. [A driving route that] would normally take less than 10 minutes … took me more like an hour. I was cursing up a storm (in my head).” Critical Mass dominated the street with its strength in numbers. “I got super sketched out when we lost the group,” said Johnston. During the ride, Johnston and a group of 10 cyclists strayed from the mass in street-grid of downtown San Diego. Weakened in numbers, Johnston realized how defenseless she was in the midst of the heavy traffic flow. The confidence she and her friends started the night with quickly diminished as Johnston saw the danger of her situation. They recovered, though, and found the mass again. “It’s just too fun to get scared,”

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Critical Mass riders congregate under the 5 Freeway to discuss the group’s next destination.

Balboa Park, home of the San Diego Zoo and once home to the 1915 World Fair, Critical Mass riders have called it home every 3rd Friday of the month at 7 p.m.

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said Thompson, a friend accompanying Johnston. The hipster scene is becoming more than a trend, according to Douglas Haddow in his article “Hipster: The Dead End of Western Civilization,” in Adbusters Magazine. “[C]ounterculture has mutated into a self-obsessed aesthetic vacuum,” said Haddow, “[I]t’s been stripped of its subversion and originality… This obsession with “street-cred” reaches its apex of absurdity as hipsters have recently and wholeheartedly adopted the fixed-gear bike as the only acceptable form of transportation.” Slick road bikes are seen careening through town more frequently as the “Go Green” trend continues to grow in popularity among delayed adolescents, the “18-to-34-year-olds called hipsters,” according to Christian Lorentzen’s article “Why the Hipster Must Die” in Time Out New York. Not everyone is a fan of what Critical Mass represents. “[Critical Mass] is a fake statement,” said Joseph Volk, senior Lit-

erature and Philosophy major, “It’s an image fest… It’s this total sense of rich white kids expressing their individualism. A community can never be a community of individuals. They are the ultimate consumers, consuming all these different cultures and saying, ‘I’m just doing my thing… if you’re not a beautiful snowflake, get out of here.’” Kaley Hearnsberger, a student at PLNU, recently purchased a sparkly, light blue Regal road bike. “It’s a 10-speed. I searched on Craigslist for over a month and finally found it for $75,” said Hearnsberger. “Now realizing it’s becoming a trend to have a road bike, I feel like a poser riding it around… but I get over it seeing how much I save on gas.” Hearnsberger fills her gas tank once a month on average. Besides riding her bike, Hearnsberger only shops at thrift stores and makes money recycling her clothes at secondhand stores. She plans on attending the next Critical Mass. Wiese has been participating in Critical Mass since the beginning of this year. The event serves as an opportunity to live out his philosophy of everyday eco-awareness. “I don’t like driving a car…It’s just no fun, it costs a good chunk of money, and it’s a bad for the environment,” said Wiese. “I ride my bike most places nearby, and take public transit for places farther away. Doing this, I can go for about a week without using my car.” Whether for energy conservation, cyclist’s rights, or hipster image, Critical Mass has continued to grow in number since first hitting the scene in 1992. What once started as a group of 45 riders in San Francisco, has now grown up to 3,000 participants per city, according to the ncbikeclub.org. As the mass grows so does the length of jammed traffic; eventually someone will win the battle of the streets. The next Critical Mass will land on March 27. s

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Living Every Day Sustainably story and photos by Emily atkins

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on and Susan Rodriguez were not happy with their continuously climbing utility bills. Trying to raise three kids in a 3,000 square foot house in an energy-challenged southern California was becoming impossible. Instead of accepting their energy plight, Jon and Susan turned to a solution that is quickly becoming a trend among homeowners throughout the country: solar panels. “The panels were the best investment we’ve ever made,” said Jon. “The rebates reduced the cost of solar panels to something affordable. Our energy bill last year was only $60.” Alternative energy sources are just a few of the green

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Friends of the environment: The Rodriguez family.

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Home technologies now being used in a residential setting. People searching for ways to save money are looking no further than their dishwashers, the insulation in their attics or the windows in their homes. Retrofitting a home requires money, but the benefits soon outweigh initial costs, especially in the case of utilities. “It’s a standard misconception that going green is too expensive,” said David LeCours, the Marketing Committee Chair for the San Diego chapter of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). “It doesn’t have to be expensive, especially if you plan well and take on small projects that will have the most impact.” Jon Rodriguez started small with his home by installing two solar panels over his garage. The panels heat the water for the entire house, saving the Rodriguez family about $800 a year in propane costs. Jon also invested in a low-flow washing machine, dishwasher and toilets. With the rapid growth of the green technology sector, knowing where to start can be difficult for many homeowners. The best approach is to start small by replacing inefficient appliances. Energy Star appliances use up

Above: The solar panel system in the Rodriguez’ backyard. Below: Jon checking the energy output for the day on the control panel. The control panel also monitors the amount of CO2 saved using solar energy.

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‘The panels were the best investment we ever made.’ Jon Rodriguez, Homeowner

to 50 percent less energy and water than the average dishwashers, refrigerators and air conditioners. Tankless water heaters, also called point-of-use water heaters, heat only the water being used immediately, rather than consistently warming 30 to 40 gallons of water. Insulation can also cut energy costs by better regulating temperatures within the home. The Department of Energy recommends using insulation with a grade of R-38 to R-49. Windows are a form of insulation, and play a large role in regulating temperature. There are two main values, the U-factor and the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC), for window grades. The U-Factor measures the amount of heat that moves through a window, while the SHGC describes the amount of sun energy that penetrates a window. For both grades, lower numbers are best. Bigger steps, such as alternative energy solutions, also have huge potential for saving money. Solar panels are especially beneficial for California homeowners, both because of consistent sunny weather and government tax incentives. “Our panel system would have cost about $42,000 to put in without rebates,” said Susan Rodriguez. “The government gave us about $16,000, and we have produced extra energy that we sell back to the energy companies.” Jon and Susan installed their solar panels in their backyard. They financed the project through a credit line; the monthly payments they make for their panels are cheaper than what they used to send to SDG&E.

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Above: The Rodriguez home. Left: The Rodriguez’ front door, which was made of reclaimed pine by a local artisan.

In 2007, the average utility bill in San Diego was about $85 per month. Using the solar calculator on findsolar. com, a panel system that offset 50 percent of the energy used would cost just over $10,000. The average monthly savings would be just under $50, with a 25-year-savings of over $21,000. In addition to saving money, green improvements increase the value of a home, making the initial cost of retrofitting even more beneficial. Also, as Jon and Susan see it, green technologies will soon be the standard for more reasons than financial potential. “It’s becoming a values thing, where if you’re not aware of your impact, you’re being wasteful,” said Jon. “And more than that, we all need to realize we can take control of big things like energy use by creating a market for these alternatives.”

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green to the

Core

How one surfer is shaping the industry and the world

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story and photos by emily atkins May 2009 | 37

Wes shapes the rails of a short board.

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he surfboard: a shapely piece of foam, fiberglass and resin that allows mere men to ride the ocean. There’s a certain purity to surfing that comes from stepping into a liquid world and harnessing a natural power. Surfers are known for being in tune with the environment and having earth-friendly lifestyles. Ironically, a surfboard is full of toxic chemicals that cause cancer, respiratory failure and are very harmful to the environment. In 2005, Gordon Clark, the tycoon of the surfboard foam industry, shocked the surfing world when he closed his business. “For owning and operating Clark Foam, I may be looking at very large fines, civil lawsuits and even time in prison,” wrote Clark in a fax to his distributors. “The main concern of the state and the county government is a toxic chemical we used called Toluene Di Isocyanate, commonly called TDI.” The Environmental Protection Agency lists TDI as a carcinogen that

is extremely toxic, even in short-term exposures. The EPA website writes, “Acute exposure to high levels of Toluene Di Isocyanate in humans, via inhalation, results in severe irritation of the skin and eyes and affects the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and central nervous system. Chronic inhalation exposure…has resulted in significant decreases in lung function in workers, an asthma-like reaction characterized by wheezing, dyspnea and bronchial constriction.” When making surfboard blanks, which are the foam core of a surfboard, workers mix the chemicals and hand-pour them into molds. “TDI absorbs through your skin,” said Ned McMahon, co-founder of HomeBlown US, a blank manufacturing company in San Diego. “Protection doesn’t do anything.” In Clark’s fax, he wrote that three ex-employees were on full Workman’s Compensation for life. Maria Teresa Barriga, the widow of ex-employee Martin Barriga, was also suing Clark

at the time of his closing; Mr. Barriga had died of cardiac arrest and respiratory failure caused by the chemicals used to make blanks. Ned McMahon thinks it’s time the surfing world lived up to its environmental reputation. Clark’s closing gave the surfing industry a chance to market new and safer technologies for making blanks. McMahon, a surfer and shaper for over 30 years, has taken major steps toward an ecologically aware surfing industry. “So, Clark closed in 2005 and through my travel and expertise, I knew about HomeBlown UK. They were using MDI, which was the first step to doing things cleaner,” said McMahon. MDI, or methylene diphenyl diisocyanate, doesn’t emit harmful volatile compounds and results in stronger blanks with more flex, which is a plus in the surf industry. McMahon’s use of MDI instead of TDI is also the main reason he is allowed to operate in the United States, as MDI does not emit harmful compounds. Most blank companies have moved their factories to Mexico, where environmental restrictions are less stringent and labor is cheap. These companies continue to use TDI to make their boards, as well as toxic resins. “We have a social responsibility; we don’t poison workers in the US, so we shouldn’t poison Mexicans,” said McMahon. In 2007, Chuck Menzel, a surfer and shaper from Ventura, approached McMahon with an idea for blanks made from agriculturally based polyols. Menzel had come up with a recipe for blanks that were 50 percent plantbased and was looking for a partner. “Chuck called up one day and said, ‘I’ve been working on this project, do you want to look at it?’ When he came down with the soy polyols and stuff, it was a no-brainer not to continue down that road,” said McMahon. HomeBlown US began offering blanks made with MDI, as well as Biofoam blanks made with Menzel’s recipe. The technology is constantly evolving to meet the performance standards of boards made with TDI. A good surfboard is strong, without being heavy, and has good flex, but maintains the ability to snap back.

Sports Surfboards are forever evolving as shapers look for different combinations that will make the perfect board. Surfers are characteristically picky not only about how their boards perform, but also how they look. The blanks McMahon is pouring are actually stronger than boards made with the classic chemical cocktails. The cell structure of the foam is finer and more uniform, resulting in a stronger, smoother blank with superior hardness. The boards are also offering more flex, allowing surfers a greater sense of the wave through their boards. McMahon has also been experimenting with natural cloths, such as hemp and silk, to replace the unsustainable fiberglass cloths traditionally used in surfboards. Turns out the alternative cloths are stronger than fiberglass. Also, boards made with plant-based materials take longer to discolor under the stress of UV rays. “It’s always been my opinion that you can’t do green things for green’s sake; it has to match performance,” said McMahon. Unfortunately, McMahon’s boards are not pure white like the classic blanks. Also, colored resins don’t work well with the soy-based blanks; the colors tend to crystallize, turning the boards brownish red. The use of alternative cloths has also presented an aesthetic challenge. This has been a surprising obstacle for the marketing of HomeBlown boards. “There’s always the fine balance between what you want to do and what you can do commercially,” said McMahon. “The ship of surfing is a slow ship to turn.” In 2008, McMahon moved out from under Menzel’s Biofoam product to continue developing surfboards that were completely environmentally friendly. In his pursuit of better foam, McMahon realized he could influence more than just the surfing industry. McMahon also founded Malama Composites last year, a company that specializes in replacing bad foam with foam developed from renewable hydrocarbon sources. Now, surfboard seeds

blanks are being stacked next to windmill blades, which will be used to generate energy. McMahon is also working on spy plane, or drone, models for the Department of Defense. “I just sent in the prototype yesterday,” he said. “When a drone falls out of the sky, people have to go collect it, but some of the pieces always get left behind. Now, those pieces won’t degrade the environment.” The project McMahon is most excited about is building low-income housing using his foam composites for walls. He said the houses would be extremely durable and inexpensive. “There’s a need for low cost housing all over the world,” said McMahon. “Security is a big issue, and these houses can be built really strongly.” McMahon believes that it takes little steps to accomplish an overall change. Perseverance is another necessity for McMahon, as he is looking to impact more than the surfing industry. “At some point, we have to educate people to make them realize what the situation is,” he said. “The only thing that makes sense is to do something.”

Above: A local surfer shreds on his Biofoam board. Below: Foam blanks wait their turn to be shaped and glassed.

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Beauty

Editor’s Spotlight personal beauty and skin care, the natural way Written by Nicole Gagné

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hether you’re a woman looking for a line of beauty products using naturally derived ingredients and no animal testing, or a man searching for a shaving gel straight from nature, chances are Origins has something for you. That’s why the product line is my pick for our May spotlight. Founded in 1990, the company now has over 500 locations in retail and department stores, across the Uunited States and in 26 other countries. The health and beauty line has a fairly broad variety of products, including cosmetics, bath and body products, skin care products, and aroma therapy candles. Need confirmation that Origins is certifiably nature-friendly? Here’s some good news for concerned consumers: the company uses animalfree ingredients (except cruelty-free products like beeswax and honey), no dyes or synthetic fragrances, and no harsh chemicals. In addition, all of their printed materials are produced using soy-based inks and recycled paper products. Origins is so committed to conserving our resources that they even have wind and solar powered plants that produce these printed products! Origins’ mission statement sums up their purpose nicely: “to promote beauty and wellness through good-for-you products and feelgood experiences. We do this by celebrating the connection between Mother Nature and Human Nature.” Of course, there are other important issues to consider than just the fact that the company is environmentally involved. A major question

is: do the products work? I won’t pretend to have tried every one of their products, but as a consumer I can admit to being a satisfied customer for more than four years. I have used several of their face washes, shower gels, lotions, and cosmetics, and have not been disappointed in any of them. My personal favorite is their “Make A Difference” hand lotion, which was the only successful product I could find for reversing the results of sadly mistreated and cracked hands. Other great products include “Skin Diver,” their pore-cleansing charcoal body wash; “Clear Improvement” charcoal mask for men and women; “Stay Tuned” balancing makeup… the list goes on and on! In fact, I’ve recommended their lotions to friends and family members, who have all had similarly pleasant things to say about the success of Origins’ products. You don’t need a feminine side to appreciate their product line either— Origins has just as many skin and grooming products for men as they do for women. That being said, the next question in your mind: pricing. Most of their lotions range from between 20 and 50 dollars, depending on the size and type. All I can say is that you are paying for quality, which means a slightly higher price than something you might buy at your local drugstores. However, most of their products tend to come in fairly generous quantities, so you aren’t having to stock up once a month. The smallest container of hand lotion comes in 2.5 fluid ounces,

which can last between three and five months, since you only need a pea-sized drop at a time. And if you want further values and savings, you can always sign up to be a registered Origins customer. By giving them some simple contact information, you’ll receive special offers online and in the mail. Personally, I always enjoy getting a $10 off coupon every year for my birthday! Overall, Origins is a friendly, hip,

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“Skin Diver” Charcoal Body Wash “Make A Difference” Rejuvinating Hand Cream

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3 and environmentally conscious place to shop. By dishing out a few extra bucks, you’re getting products you can count on and the assurance that no animals have been harmed in either production or testing. I recommend checking it out today! You can shop online and find out more about Origins at www.Origins.com.

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“Stay Tuned” Balancing Face Makeup;

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Shopping

Green

for less

Green The search for affordable, sustainable business suits

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was desperate for a matching business suit. The night before my formal presentation in my business course, I tried on the “business suit” I was planning to wear—black jeans and a black suit jacket with a fake pink rose pinned to it. Looking at myself in the mirror, I realized I needed something that looked more professional. Months earlier I had taken from my mother’s closet a pinstripe suit from her early-work days. The suit’s skirt was two sizes smaller than I was, but I took the suit anyway thinking I might eventually shrink into it. I now grabbed that pinstripe, hoping I had shrunk or it had magically grown in the few months since I’d moved it from Mom’s closet to mine at school. Alas, neither had happened. The skirt was still too tiny. But I had to have a suit for my business presentation, so I sucked in my stomach and I forced the zipper up, imagining I had a vague idea how it must feel to wear a corset. The next day, I wore my mother’s too-small pinstripe skirt to give my presentation; I had to make a conscious effort to take smaller breathes so I wouldn’t be in danger of popping the zipper. I decided for my next business presentation, I needed a suit that fit. So that weekend

Story and photos by lisa reynolds

“Goodwill had clothing organized by type and color...I thought of my OCD roommate who color-codes her closet—Goodwill would be Heaven to her. And as far as shopping green for less, Goodwill seemed heavenly to me too.”

Opposite: Pants suit from Goodwill, $20.00; dress shirt from Salvation Army, $11.50. Above: Suit jacket from Salvation Army, $ 7.50. I went looking for green, affordable business wear. Shopping green doesn’t necessarily mean shopping for clothes made out of potato skins and corn husks; think of it as shopping for clothes that support a sustainable lifestyle. According to Sustainablemeasures.com, sustainability is a community effort that addresses issues relating to the environment, economy and society. One of the practices sustainable communities work together to check is overconsumption. How can shopping help the community check overconsumption? Answer: thrift stores. Instead of using up resources to produce new consumer goods, thrift stores allow the community to recycle their goods and participate in their local economy as buyers and suppliers. My search for a suit began at The Salvation Army on Sports Arena Boulevard in Point Loma. Clothing at The Salvation Army I went to was organized by type—blouses, pants, etc. I didn’t find a full suit together, so I matched separate suit pieces. I stuck with black because, it’s easier to match a solid than a pattern, and because the location I was at had a lot of black suit-wear to choose from. I soon discovered sizes on labels don’t necessarily correspond to the garment’s actual size. I took my finds three at a time (the posted limit) to a dressing room.

A dressing room at Salvation Army consisted of a pair of large mauve curtains that Velcro-ed shut. The communal mirror was just a step outside my curtain room. Stepping from behind my curtain to the mirror, then back behind my curtain became a kind of fluid movement: step forward, front to mirror, side to mirror, spin around, then back. Front, side, spin—just like a Dosey-Doe. It took some spinning, but I was able to find a pair of black trousers, a black jacket and a blue striped blouse for a grand total of $ 31.00. Compare that price to the $ 79.00 I would have paid if I had bought a two piece suit from JC Penny’s online. I saved money shopping green at The Salvation Army (and learned a new dressing-room dance move). I spent even less money on a suit shopping at Goodwill on Rosencrans, a few blocks away from The Salvation Army. As opposed to The Salvation Army, Goodwill had clothing organized by type and color. As soon as I noticed those neat clusters of color, I thought of my OCD roommate who color-codes her closet—Goodwill would be Heaven to her. And as far as shopping green for less, Goodwill seemed heavenly to me too. Goodwill had a separate rack for suit sets. I found two pants suits that seemed particularly promising, one grey and one brown with a belted waist. I took my finds to the dressing room, which, sadly I

Shopping

Left to Right: Black suit jacket from Salvation Army, grey suit jacket from Goodwill. Not pictured: Black pants from Salvation Army, $12.00; brown shell from Goodwill, $3.99.

could not Dosey-Doe in and out of since they were of a more traditional design with partitions and in-room mirrors. The grey I liked better than the brown, but did find a brown shell to go with my grey suit in, yes, the brown shell-and-shirt section. The grey pants suit and brown shell together cost me $23.99, $7 and one cent less than the suit I bought at The Salvation Army, and $55 and one cent less than a similar suit at JC Penny’s online.

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o implement more sustainable practices in my thrifty shopping experience, I could have also looked for apparel from Fair Labor Association (FLA) affiliates. Companies that participate in FLA agree to follow the FLA Workplace Code of Conduct, according to fairlabor.org. The Code of Conduct prohibits forced labor and child labor at manufacturing locations around the world, and includes guidelines relating to fair wages, work hours and plant safety conditions. Participating companies include Liz Claiborne, Inc., Hanesbrands, Nordstrom, Inc and H&M. I didn’t know about the FLA when I went

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on my suit search, but next time I’ll be sure to check clothing labels, looking for clothing that is not only sustainable when purchased from a thrift store, but manufactured under a sustainable labor conditions. I started with a too-tight pinstripe and ended up with two affordable, sustainable pants-suits. Though certainly raiding my mother’s closet is also a cheap, green way to find clothing, when all I can find is a suit-skirt two sizes too small, then it’s time for me to raid the collective closet of the community. Though large merchants, The Salvation Army and Goodwill stores I went to had their own personal style, the first with its mauve dressing room curtains, and the second with its aisles arranged by color, like a new box of crayons. Choosing thrift stores

over department stores, besides being green, also saved me money on my purchases; the money I spent total on my two suits—six suit pieces in all—is still less then the cost of the average two piece suit on JC Penny’s website. For a college student,.that makes a big difference. I am now prepared so that the next time time I need to wear a business suit I can breathe easy—literally.

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Everyday Exotic

Incorporating the Year’s Best Into Your Everyday (Healthy) Cooking

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t’s the end of the work day, and aside from heating up soup, your meal agenda is somewhat blasé. Let’s face it. By the end of the day, the last thing you want to do is plan a nutritiously balanced meal when there’s so little variety to choose from, right?But you’re wrong there. It may require stepping out of your comfort zone a bit, but there’s plenty of fruits and vegetables that are just waiting to be added to your recipe book. So get ready to impress your friends and family with your culinary know-how! Here’s the skinny on some flavorful fruits and veggies, and ideas on how to prepare them. Who knows? You might just find a new favorite.

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Food Fab Fruit

Valued Veggie

Pomegranates are typically available in North America from October through the winter season. According to the California Pomegranate Council, the fruit is only picked when ripe. So if you see them in your grocery store, they’re ready to eat! Note: The heavier the fruit is, the more juice there is inside.

Beets are more than just your Grandma’s side dish of choice. Although the youngest beet season is from June to October, beets are available throughout the year, which makes them readily available. Because both the greens and the root part of the plant are edible, they can be prepared in a variety of ways.

Why They’re Good For You

Why They’re Good For You

Pomegranates contain unusually high amounts of beneficial antioxidants, and “are credited with helping in the prevention of cancer and heart disease,” according to the California Pomegranate Council. They are also an excellent source of fiber, are high in Vitamin C, and low on calories.

According to whfoods.org, beets have many nutritional benefits: “These colorful root vegetables contain powerful nutrient compounds that help protect against heart disease, birth defects and certain cancers, especially colon cancer.” They are also high in carbohydrates and incredibly low on calories.

Typical Preparation Methods

Typical Preparation Methods

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Pomegranate

Simmer Bake Blend/Puree Grill Roast

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Food

Other Fruits and Veggies to Consider: Bitter Melon Despite its name, the Bitter Melon is actually a member of the squash family. It closely resembles a cucumber with bumpy skin, and is yellowish-green when picked. “Bitter melon is commonly stuffed, curried or pickled. It can also be used in stir-fry’s and soups and may be steamed. Garlic or chili peppers are often added to recipes with bitter melon to offset the bitter taste.” (fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov)

Tangerine Tangerines are a rich source of Vitamins A and C, and can also help in the prevention of cancer. They are also an excellent source of beta-carotene. Tangerines are a cross between a mandarin orange and a bitter orange, and can help prevent the occurrence of kidney ulcers, according to MotherNature.com. Although they are available throughout the world, a large portion of tangerines are grown in the United States. They are available in the winter season.

Cauliflower The Cauliflower is at its best between December and March, and can be easily found at all grocery stores. It is an excellent source of Vitamin C and other antioxidants, and contains moderate amounts of carbohydrates. Whfoods.org lists cauliflower as a proven source in helping to prevent colon cancer, along with other cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli and kale. It can be enjoyed raw or cooked.

Kiwano Melon The Kiwano Melon is a winter fruit that has recently begun to be grown in California. It has a orange and yellow skin with distinctive “horns” on the peel, and a yellowish-green pulp in the center. As there is no way to peel the skin, the pulp must be scooped out. According to fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov, “The pulp may be eaten by itself, used as a topping for a sweet dessert or added to a fruit or green salad.”

Pictured above: Tangerine; trufffle and tangerine rind; vanilla stalk

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Chopped Apple Salad with Toasted Walnuts, Blue Cheese and Pomegranate Vinaigrette

Recipe courtesy Bobby Flay, 2007. Source: FoodNetwork.com Ingredients Pomegranate Vinaigrette: •1/4 cup pomegranate molasses •2 tablespoons red wine vinegar •1 heaping tablespoon Dijon mustard •1 tablespoon honey, or more to taste •Salt •Freshly ground black pepper •3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Salad: •6 apples (Granny Smith, Gala, Fuji) any or a combination of all, skin left on, core removed and cut into 1/2-inch dice •2 cups baby spinach •2 heads endive, thinly sliced •1 cup toasted coarsely chopped walnuts •3/4 pound blue cheese, crumbled (recommended: Maytag, Danish, Cabrales) •Salt •Freshly ground black pepper Directions For the vinaigrette: Whisk together the pomegranate molasses, vinegar, mustard, honey and salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Slowly whisk in the olive oil until emulsified. For the salad: Combine the apples, spinach, endive, walnuts and blue cheese in a large bowl. Add the vinaigrette and toss to coat, season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Roasted Beets and Sauteed Beet Greens Source: Allrecipes.com Ingredients •1 bunch beets with greens •1/4 cup olive oil, divided •2 cloves garlic, minced •2 tablespoons chopped onion (optional) •salt and pepper to taste •1 tablespoon red wine vinegar (optional Directions 1.Preheat the oven to 350 degrees (175 degrees C). Wash the beets thoroughly, leaving the skins on, and remove the greens. Rinse greens, removing any large stems, and set aside. Place the beets in a small baking dish or roasting pan, and toss with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. If you wish to peel the beets, it is easier to do so once they have been roasted. 2.Cover, and bake for 45 to 60 minutes, or until a knife can slide easily through the largest beet. 3.When the roasted beets are almost done, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and onion, and cook for a minute. Tear the beet greens into 2 to 3 inch pieces, and add them to the skillet. Cook and stir until greens are wilted and tender. Season with salt and pepper. Serve the greens as is, and the roasted beets sliced with either red-wine vinegar, or butter and salt and pepper.

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