This article by Nicole Santa Cruz on the LA Times website completely made my day!!!
Summer water use in Pasadena at its lowest level since 1994
Summer water use in Pasadena dropped to its lowest level since 1994, according to updated numbers released today.
The net water usage from July 1 to Sept. 30 was down 12% from the same period last year. Usage was 19% lower than the same period in 2007, according to the city.
City officials attribute the lower numbers to a citywide effort to conserve water, especially by large corporations and businesses such as Huntington Hospital, Parsons, Caltech and the Rose Bowl Stadium.
Some businesses have installed artificial turf, switched out sprinkler heads and replaced landscapes with drought-friendly plants.
Jess Waiters, assistant general manager of the Rose Bowl Operating Company, said the stadium is compelled to conserve water, both for financial and environmental reasons.
“It’s doing the right thing,” he said. “It’s good for our ecology and certainly helps with our financial picture going forward.”
On July 13, the council declared an official water shortage, which triggered mandatory restrictions on the outdoor watering, said Erica Rolufs, a communications manager for Pasadena Water and Power.
Outdoor watering is allowed Tuesdays, Thursday and Saturdays during the summer, and one day a week during the winter period, which runs from Nov. 1 to March 31.
The restriction also required that all sprinkler and water leaks be fixed within 72 hours.
On Aug. 1, Pasadena Water and Power raised the cost of water for the first time in 13 years, Rolufs said.
-- Nicole Santa Cruz
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/10/summer-water-use-in-pasadena-at-its-lowest-level-since-1994.html
Monday, October 26, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Gov Schwarzenegger Signs CEQA Waiver for Los Angeles Stadium
Governor Schwarzenegger signed a waiver allowing the Los Angeles stadium to bypass the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina was quoted in the LA Times as saying, "While there are many reasons to support the development of a new NFL football stadium in Los Angeles County, there are just as many reasons to ensure that the project complies with the same environmental regulations that govern virtually all projects in California. Hospitals, police stations, freeways and all sorts of valuable projects manage to be built without the necessity of CEQA exemptions."
Allowing waivers defeats the purpose of passing the law. Los Angeles already ranks #1 on the most polluted cities list. Respiratory ailments are consistently in the top 5 causes of death in Los Angeles.
Isn't it time our leaders stop paying back favors and start putting the future of our city, state and country first?
Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina was quoted in the LA Times as saying, "While there are many reasons to support the development of a new NFL football stadium in Los Angeles County, there are just as many reasons to ensure that the project complies with the same environmental regulations that govern virtually all projects in California. Hospitals, police stations, freeways and all sorts of valuable projects manage to be built without the necessity of CEQA exemptions."
Allowing waivers defeats the purpose of passing the law. Los Angeles already ranks #1 on the most polluted cities list. Respiratory ailments are consistently in the top 5 causes of death in Los Angeles.
Isn't it time our leaders stop paying back favors and start putting the future of our city, state and country first?
Friday, October 16, 2009
Organic on a Budget--Update
Two weeks ago, I set a $50 per week food and entertainment budget for myself. Well, I did it. I came in at $94 total. I had originally hoped I would be able to slip fuel in there as well, but that was pushing it just a bit. The best part of it is that I actually was able to eat healthy, nourishing meals and didn’t have to live on fattening casseroles and processed frozen dinners. A lot of it came down to eating the same thing for multiple meals and I discovered that when you like what you’re eating, you don’t mind.
Here are a few of my favorite recipes that are budget friendly and taste great!
Breakfast smoothie:
1 cup plain organic yogurt
½ cup organic frozen strawberries
1 tbsp organic blue agave syrup
Blend until smooth.
Greek Quinoa Salad (this is a simplified version of a recipe from Better Homes and Gardens):
1 cup organic quinoa
2 cups water
2 organic tomatoes (any variety) diced
Several handfuls fresh, organic spinach chopped
1 lemon
Olive Oil
Salt
Feta Cheese
Prepare the quinoa as per the directions on the box. When it is cooked, remove from the heat and add the tomatoes and spinach. In a separate bowl, juice one lemon and add equal amount of olive oil. Add salt to taste. Pour over the quinoa mixture and stir. Top with feta and serve.
Marinade:
1/3 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup brown sugar
¼ cup olive oil
¼ cup water
2 cloves garlic crushed
Mix well. I used this with frozen salmon. Simply take it out of the freezer, put it in the fridge and let it thaw and marinate at the same time. Also, I used the same marinade with tofu. Press the water out of the tofu first (I do this by wrapping it in a towel and putting my dutch oven on top of it for an hour in the fridge). Marinate for a minimum of 2 hours, but preferably overnight. With both the salmon and the tofu, I sautéed them in olive oil and served with brown rice.
*The marinade can be made organically as well, but I used what I already had in my cupboard.
Here are a few of my favorite recipes that are budget friendly and taste great!
Breakfast smoothie:
1 cup plain organic yogurt
½ cup organic frozen strawberries
1 tbsp organic blue agave syrup
Blend until smooth.
Greek Quinoa Salad (this is a simplified version of a recipe from Better Homes and Gardens):
1 cup organic quinoa
2 cups water
2 organic tomatoes (any variety) diced
Several handfuls fresh, organic spinach chopped
1 lemon
Olive Oil
Salt
Feta Cheese
Prepare the quinoa as per the directions on the box. When it is cooked, remove from the heat and add the tomatoes and spinach. In a separate bowl, juice one lemon and add equal amount of olive oil. Add salt to taste. Pour over the quinoa mixture and stir. Top with feta and serve.
Marinade:
1/3 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup brown sugar
¼ cup olive oil
¼ cup water
2 cloves garlic crushed
Mix well. I used this with frozen salmon. Simply take it out of the freezer, put it in the fridge and let it thaw and marinate at the same time. Also, I used the same marinade with tofu. Press the water out of the tofu first (I do this by wrapping it in a towel and putting my dutch oven on top of it for an hour in the fridge). Marinate for a minimum of 2 hours, but preferably overnight. With both the salmon and the tofu, I sautéed them in olive oil and served with brown rice.
*The marinade can be made organically as well, but I used what I already had in my cupboard.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Why We Are Green
Several years ago I was a director for a non-profit organization that worked to educate the public about the benefits of embryonic stem cell research. It was the highlight of my life. I loved waking up every day feeling like I was doing something that would make a difference. Juvenile diabetes has always been my particular cause and I'm still hoping that the research will result in a cure.
The president of the organization became a dear friend of mine. He is an eccentric genius with a huge heart. Every winter his mother, a sweet octogenarian who seemed to step from the pages of Noel Coward, came to visit from Chicago. She once said to me, "When you get to my age, you have to have younger friends so you don't outlive them all." Thus, she and I spent countless lunches and dinners together, took the occasional shopping excursion and lingered for hours by the pool.
How does this relate to being green? These are the children whom will live with our decisions and actions. They are the reason we are green. They are the reason we conserve and recycle. They deserve the opportunity to outlive us. I hope you will take a moment to visit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation at http://www.jdrf.org/. If I can cut my food and entertainment budget to $50 per week, I am positive you can find a way to cut a few dollars from yours to invest in our children.
The president of the organization became a dear friend of mine. He is an eccentric genius with a huge heart. Every winter his mother, a sweet octogenarian who seemed to step from the pages of Noel Coward, came to visit from Chicago. She once said to me, "When you get to my age, you have to have younger friends so you don't outlive them all." Thus, she and I spent countless lunches and dinners together, took the occasional shopping excursion and lingered for hours by the pool.
How does this relate to being green? These are the children whom will live with our decisions and actions. They are the reason we are green. They are the reason we conserve and recycle. They deserve the opportunity to outlive us. I hope you will take a moment to visit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation at http://www.jdrf.org/. If I can cut my food and entertainment budget to $50 per week, I am positive you can find a way to cut a few dollars from yours to invest in our children.
Monday, October 5, 2009
The Lipstick Effect
I have fallen to the powers of the lipstick effect. Millions of women trim budgets during recessions and yet cosmetics sales still rise. Jean Patou’s fragrance Joy was the world’s most expensive perfume and sales thrived during the depression. One would think that such purchases are particularly frivolous in times of economic hardship. However, it is now, when I am depriving myself of everything from dining out to manicures to movies, that the one gift I can give to myself is to feel beautiful.
Thus, when I found myself in Santa Monica after a meeting was cancelled at the last minute, I made my way down to the Promenade and into Sephora. It wasn’t that I actually needed anything other than a place to pass an hour until rush hour traffic calmed down, but as I perused the fall lines, I was drawn to Urban Decay cosmetics. Their packaging and advertisements captured my attention, but the vegan products inspired me to start trying makeup on. Now, to be fair, not all of their cosmetics are vegan; however, all of their products are animal cruelty free. Urban Decay uses plant derivatives everywhere they can and they are continually seeking ways to eliminate animal byproducts from the remainder.
Urban Decay’s 24/7 glide-on eye pencil in Zero is divine. It is smooth and creamy and stays on for hours without smudging and the color is the most intense, rich black I’ve discovered. The Ink for Eyes, a cream eyeliner with the versatility to do either classic and thin or smoky, is another of my favorites. I also picked up the lipstick in Confession. It is incredibly moisturizing and I love the color, but at $22 a tube I do wish it stayed on a little longer.
My mother used to tell me to put on lipstick even if I wasn’t 100% simply because it would make me feel better. I think it is wonderful advice. Carry yourself with dignity and grace during difficult times, put your best face forward and, as always, remember to smile.
*Urban Decay products are available at: http://www.urbandecay.com/
**For the record: While I do my best to make conscious decisions regarding animal products, I am not vegan.
Thus, when I found myself in Santa Monica after a meeting was cancelled at the last minute, I made my way down to the Promenade and into Sephora. It wasn’t that I actually needed anything other than a place to pass an hour until rush hour traffic calmed down, but as I perused the fall lines, I was drawn to Urban Decay cosmetics. Their packaging and advertisements captured my attention, but the vegan products inspired me to start trying makeup on. Now, to be fair, not all of their cosmetics are vegan; however, all of their products are animal cruelty free. Urban Decay uses plant derivatives everywhere they can and they are continually seeking ways to eliminate animal byproducts from the remainder.
Urban Decay’s 24/7 glide-on eye pencil in Zero is divine. It is smooth and creamy and stays on for hours without smudging and the color is the most intense, rich black I’ve discovered. The Ink for Eyes, a cream eyeliner with the versatility to do either classic and thin or smoky, is another of my favorites. I also picked up the lipstick in Confession. It is incredibly moisturizing and I love the color, but at $22 a tube I do wish it stayed on a little longer.
My mother used to tell me to put on lipstick even if I wasn’t 100% simply because it would make me feel better. I think it is wonderful advice. Carry yourself with dignity and grace during difficult times, put your best face forward and, as always, remember to smile.
*Urban Decay products are available at: http://www.urbandecay.com/
**For the record: While I do my best to make conscious decisions regarding animal products, I am not vegan.
Friday, October 2, 2009
I adore my friends. I truly do. And while I want to hear about their baby’s first steps and the first tooth and the first day of school, do I really need to know that the baby ate lunch today and the baby doesn’t like peas and the baby is sleeping? Likewise, do they really care if I’m sitting in traffic or watering my plants or standing next to Shawn Johnson at Coffee Bean? Okay, they might care about the last one.
So while all of my friends were creating Twitter accounts, I was the lone soldier who refrained. There is already so much clutter in our lives that I didn’t feel like I needed to intentionally add more. However I have finally realized how powerful Twitter is when used to your advantage. For example, I can follow Dan Schawbel and throughout the day I can read about branding and social media on my Blackberry. Or I can follow the progress being made by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Now that I am realizing the full potential of Twitter, I’ve been investigating ways to make it work for me. As I was researching companies and subjects of interest for me, I came across this amazingly comprehensive compilation of environmental organizations that are on Twitter (http://planetsave.com/blog/2009/05/12/80-environmental-organizations-to-follow-on-twitter/). I can follow the ones that are most important to me like Global Green and the National Park Foundation. It is like having my own customized news feed. I am beyond thrilled. Now I can follow news that is important to me and tune out all of the static!
So while all of my friends were creating Twitter accounts, I was the lone soldier who refrained. There is already so much clutter in our lives that I didn’t feel like I needed to intentionally add more. However I have finally realized how powerful Twitter is when used to your advantage. For example, I can follow Dan Schawbel and throughout the day I can read about branding and social media on my Blackberry. Or I can follow the progress being made by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Now that I am realizing the full potential of Twitter, I’ve been investigating ways to make it work for me. As I was researching companies and subjects of interest for me, I came across this amazingly comprehensive compilation of environmental organizations that are on Twitter (http://planetsave.com/blog/2009/05/12/80-environmental-organizations-to-follow-on-twitter/). I can follow the ones that are most important to me like Global Green and the National Park Foundation. It is like having my own customized news feed. I am beyond thrilled. Now I can follow news that is important to me and tune out all of the static!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Organic on a Budget
Let’s face it. As soon as you get over the excitement of having some time off to go to the beach in the middle of the week or getting to be one of those people sipping on coffee at Peet’s in the middle of the afternoon, being unemployed is stressful and terrifying. California’s unemployment rate rose to 12.2% in August in comparison to the national average of 9.6%. While all of this is reaffirming that I have made the correct decision in opening my job search to include Texas (8.2% in July) and New York (8.6% in July), it has also forced me to revisit my budget. According to my counselor at Lee Hecht Harrison, it is common for a job search to take 3 months. As unemployment will sadly not support me, I estimate that I have 60 days until I am painting fences on my dad’s farm.
Living in Los Angeles, I am definitely guilty of spending far too much of my salary on food and entertainment. How can one help it? Ask Irene Virbila—there are some amazing restaurants here! Even the happy hours reflect the extraordinary talents of our culinary geniuses. They don’t merely have pizza and nachos. They have bacon wrapped dates stuffed with blue cheese and shrimp po’boy sliders (my fave-The Den on Sunset). One simply can’t resist.
Unfortunately, now that I have no salary, I am going to have to make some changes. I read an article on MSN showing what families around the world eat in one week (http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/CollegeAndFamily/RaiseKids/what-the-world-eats.aspx). The Ayme family in Ecuador looks overjoyed and the entire family survives on a mere $35 per week. That makes my allocation of $50 per week seem not only exorbitant, but incredibly indulgent. To add to the challenge, I’ve decided to make everything organic. Thank goodness for Trader Joe’s!
I am definitely going to spend the next few months dreaming about having a four-star dinner at The Bazaar, but in the meantime, I’ll be de-stressing over a cup of green tea and cooking organic at home. This could be an adventure--I'll keep you posted!
Living in Los Angeles, I am definitely guilty of spending far too much of my salary on food and entertainment. How can one help it? Ask Irene Virbila—there are some amazing restaurants here! Even the happy hours reflect the extraordinary talents of our culinary geniuses. They don’t merely have pizza and nachos. They have bacon wrapped dates stuffed with blue cheese and shrimp po’boy sliders (my fave-The Den on Sunset). One simply can’t resist.
Unfortunately, now that I have no salary, I am going to have to make some changes. I read an article on MSN showing what families around the world eat in one week (http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/CollegeAndFamily/RaiseKids/what-the-world-eats.aspx). The Ayme family in Ecuador looks overjoyed and the entire family survives on a mere $35 per week. That makes my allocation of $50 per week seem not only exorbitant, but incredibly indulgent. To add to the challenge, I’ve decided to make everything organic. Thank goodness for Trader Joe’s!
I am definitely going to spend the next few months dreaming about having a four-star dinner at The Bazaar, but in the meantime, I’ll be de-stressing over a cup of green tea and cooking organic at home. This could be an adventure--I'll keep you posted!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
BeGreen and beat the heat!
Let’s discuss climate change. I live in Los Angeles in an apartment without air conditioning. In fact, I’ve never lived in an apartment with air conditioning in Los Angeles and that has been okay until about 3 years ago. All of the sudden there were rolling blackouts in May! May!!! It isn’t supposed to be that hot in May. Last week, in the middle of September, the temperature reached over 100. I was at home researching jobs and could scarcely breathe it was so hot.
This brings me to my point: obviously the climate is changing. Global warming does indeed exist. So what can we do about it?
• Conserve water and use hot water in moderation
• Cut down on your heating and air conditioning (Ha! I don’t have a heater either. I’m good on this one!)
• Use energy-efficient products
• Turn the lights off
• Recycle
• Drive Less
Now, I would love to ride a bike everywhere, but frankly, I am proof that you can indeed forget how to ride a bike so it isn’t an option for me. However, that doesn’t mean that I can’t reduce my carbon footprint. This summer I took the most amazing trip up through Hendy Woods State Park to the California Redwoods to Crater Lake in Oregon and back down through Lassen Volcanic National Park. It filled my soul with so much joy to behold the magnitude of such beauty and it is vitally important to me that I help preserve it.
BeGreen (http://www.begreennow.com/) is here to help me. Not only do they have an incredibly simple, easy to use calculator to help you measure your carbon footprint, but they allow you to choose how you will offset it. As I am captivated by the Redwoods, I will be purchasing Redwood Forest Stewardship Offsets. $19.95 equals the removal of one ton of carbon dioxide.
I’m adding up my miles from my trip and the miles I’ve been spending on my job search. I’m visiting Dallas in a few weeks, but am otherwise hoping the numbers won’t get too high! As soon as I find my job, I’m making my contribution.
I can live without air conditioning, but I can’t even fathom living without trees.
This brings me to my point: obviously the climate is changing. Global warming does indeed exist. So what can we do about it?
• Conserve water and use hot water in moderation
• Cut down on your heating and air conditioning (Ha! I don’t have a heater either. I’m good on this one!)
• Use energy-efficient products
• Turn the lights off
• Recycle
• Drive Less
Now, I would love to ride a bike everywhere, but frankly, I am proof that you can indeed forget how to ride a bike so it isn’t an option for me. However, that doesn’t mean that I can’t reduce my carbon footprint. This summer I took the most amazing trip up through Hendy Woods State Park to the California Redwoods to Crater Lake in Oregon and back down through Lassen Volcanic National Park. It filled my soul with so much joy to behold the magnitude of such beauty and it is vitally important to me that I help preserve it.
BeGreen (http://www.begreennow.com/) is here to help me. Not only do they have an incredibly simple, easy to use calculator to help you measure your carbon footprint, but they allow you to choose how you will offset it. As I am captivated by the Redwoods, I will be purchasing Redwood Forest Stewardship Offsets. $19.95 equals the removal of one ton of carbon dioxide.
I’m adding up my miles from my trip and the miles I’ve been spending on my job search. I’m visiting Dallas in a few weeks, but am otherwise hoping the numbers won’t get too high! As soon as I find my job, I’m making my contribution.
I can live without air conditioning, but I can’t even fathom living without trees.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Lucky Earth
Can I just take a second to tell you how excited I am? Those of you who know me are aware of how important water conservation is to me. I mean, I am a farmer's daughter from drought country. So you can imagine how overjoyed I was when I discovered a waterless car wash. Seriously--I wash my car twice a year for the sole reason that I hate wasting water. I would much rather use that 80 gallons (yes--80 gallons!) to hydrate my body.
Well, I finally made it to Whole Foods and picked up a bottle of Lucky Earth "Waterless" Car Wash. Now, I'm used to driving a filthy car and so I wasn't in a huge rush to use it. Well, today was the day. And it was amazing! I can't tell you how incredibly simple it was. Spray on, wipe off, buff. Dirt, grime and grease wiped away AND it didn't scratch. My car looks like it was waxed. It is that shiny! Oh, and it works on hubcaps, interiors and windows.
I swear that it is a miracle product. I actually considered using it to wash my body. I am always looking for ways to conserve... :)
I was so incredibly pleased with the result that I talked my friend into using it on her motorcycle and she's delighted too. Not only is it clean, but who really wants to get their motorcycle all wet in the first place? Another plus--you can use Lucky Earth anywhere since you don't need water so it is perfect for all of us apartment dwellers.
I implore you to give it a try. You'll love how clean your car is and I'll love you even more for conserving water.
Lucky Earth=Lucky You
Well, I finally made it to Whole Foods and picked up a bottle of Lucky Earth "Waterless" Car Wash. Now, I'm used to driving a filthy car and so I wasn't in a huge rush to use it. Well, today was the day. And it was amazing! I can't tell you how incredibly simple it was. Spray on, wipe off, buff. Dirt, grime and grease wiped away AND it didn't scratch. My car looks like it was waxed. It is that shiny! Oh, and it works on hubcaps, interiors and windows.
I swear that it is a miracle product. I actually considered using it to wash my body. I am always looking for ways to conserve... :)
I was so incredibly pleased with the result that I talked my friend into using it on her motorcycle and she's delighted too. Not only is it clean, but who really wants to get their motorcycle all wet in the first place? Another plus--you can use Lucky Earth anywhere since you don't need water so it is perfect for all of us apartment dwellers.
I implore you to give it a try. You'll love how clean your car is and I'll love you even more for conserving water.
Lucky Earth=Lucky You
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