Counting Down 5 Great Ideas for a Green New Year’s Eve!

With 2010 fast approaching, there is no better way to celebrate the New Year than the Green Connoisseur way! Wherever your plans may take you, here is a countdown of 5 ways to usher in a green 2010. 5) Keep it Close to Home While many cities become major destinations for New Year’s Eve, a wonderful time can still be had at home by flexing your eco-conscious muscles. Cooking ahead of time or even catering a sit-down dinner can be as classy as going out without as much hassle for your guests or gas, paper, or waste that going out can entail. Hosting people to sleep over or enlisting designated driver carpools can also ensure that a safe time is has by all. 4) Carpool or Use Public Transit If you are planning to go out, however, how you get there can make a big difference for how green your evening ends up. Taking a look at the public transit available to get you to your destination ahead of time will make things much easier for you the night of the 31st. If you are driving, carpooling is both the greenest and the safest way for both you and your loved ones. Beyond driving from point A to B, navigating the traffic as well as finding a place to park all add up to much more gas spent than on an average night out. As such, the fewer cars on the road, the better for us all. 3) Green your Food and Beverages Wherever you do eat your last meal of 2009, try to keep it green. When choosing a special restaurant, try for one that offers local or organic fare. When it comes to beverages, there are many great organic sparking wine varieties, such as those from Diamond Organics. If you don’t have time to order online, call your local liquor store and ask what organic wines they have in stock. If you are going out, it can sometimes be hard to ensure that you’re ordering a green drink. A good bet, however, is to order things produced locally, as well as those on tap. The rationale being that, while hopefully all beer bottles and cans are recycled, skipping that step all together will ensure that you’re doing your part to keep your waste down. 2) Dress up Something Old Instead of rushing out to get a festive new outfit, comb through your closet and see what you can think of with what you already have. Revitalizing a garment long since forgotten with your favorite accessories will not only save you money, but also save you carbon emissions. Reuse is one of the three R’s of sustainability (the other two being reduce and recycle), and this is a great way to reuse. If you can't find what you want in your own closet, try raiding a friend's for their old outfits and inviting them over to return the favor. You’re sure to come up with something fabulous and chic without spending a dime! 1) Make Green Resolutions for a Sustainable 2010! As the ball drops in time square, you can be setting goals for making 2010 the best year yet. Taking a quick inventory on your daily life and then setting goals for making those actions more sustainable will give you a great orientation for the new year. So, cheers to these tips sending you towards a greener New Year’s Eve and into a happy, and sustainable, 2010! Image Credit: Relax It’s Done, New Year In, The Wine Riot, University of Manchester, Sign Industry

Become an Organic, Eco-Friendly Bartender

With annual office parties, Christmas get-togethers and birthday bashes, the holidays and any other special occasion often call for a festive cocktail or celebratory toast. Answering the call of changing times, the market is seeing an increase in the availability of organic and eco-friendly liquor options. From using recycled materials to sustainable energy, more liquor companies are also embracing environmentally friendly practices. Today, you can easily tweak the way you party and unwind to fit your eco-friendly lifestyle. Become an earth-conscious bartender by stocking your liquor cabinet with the following selections: Juniper Green Gin – Comprised of organic grain and organic botanical herbs, Juniper Green Gin claims the honor of becoming the first organic London dry gin in the world. Since no chemical fertilizers are used in the growing process of the gin – chemical fungicides do not compromise the taste during grain storage. The unique flavor of the gin comes from a mouth-watering blend of organic juniper berries, savory, Angelica root, and coriander. Reyka Vodka – With a reputation for being the first vodka distilled and bottled in Iceland, Reyka Vodka utilizes a geothermal production facility to transform wheat and barley into an 80 proof (40% alc/vol) liquor that heightens the taste of any Appletini, Gibson or Black Russian. Outfit your bar with this clean, 'green' vodka and you'll support a company that embraces sustainable energy. 4Copas Tequila – Bottled in hand-blown glass from local Peruvian artisans, 4Copas Organic Tequila adds a decorative touch to the eco-friendly bartender's setup. The La Quemada 'Green' Distillery produces 100% organic blue agave in four different styles (reposado, anejo, blanco, and extra-anejo). The tequila not only serves as the first certified organic tequila in the world, but also markets a special-edition bottle that supports the works of seaturtles.org. Orange V Vodka – Speaking to the taste buds of citrus fans, Orange V Vodka uses a blend of Mandarin, Tangerine and Valencia Florida oranges to elevate its flavor. Thanks to farmers in the United States, the vodka is comprised of 100% organic neutral grains made in small batches – charcoal filtered after a four-column distillation process to eliminate lingering impurities. Square One Vodka – The packaging and process of making the vodka distilled from organically grown North Dakota rye involves a host of eco-friendly practices. For instance, choosing not to frost their bottles avoids the use of harmful chemicals. The company instead uses sustainably grown and renewable fiber sources (bamboo, bagasse and cotton) for the creation of easy-to-peel labels. The organic rye grain also creates minimally processed byproducts that supply organic dairy farm feed for farmers. Maker's Mark – Anyone for an eco-friendly Manhattan? Taking a page from the book of the Slow Food movement, Maker's Mark has been making strides in the world of sustainable alcoholic beverages. With a distillery located on a state-certified nature preserve, the company has implemented cutting-edge recycling and wastewater treatment practices. Most recently, the use of anaerobic digestion, which transforms waste into bio-gas for energy, means the distillery offsets up to 30% of their natural gas use. Papaguyo Rum – When making your next daiquiri, choose rum originating from organically farmed sugarcane that embraces organic, pesticide-free farming practices that ultimately help preserve the land. Earning organic certification from CCOF and the Soil Association, you can add Papaguyo Rum to your favorite fruit juice or cola in complete confidence. Available in Organic Rum and Organic Spiced Rum. Upgrade Your Barware Opt for an earth-conscious upgrade for your barware by making small changes to the way you prepare and serve alcoholic beverages during get-togethers. The ultimate arrangement for an eco-friendly bartender is Renewable Cork Barware – complete with fully cork wrapped mixer, ice bucket, wine cooler, serving tray, bartender utensils, bottle opener, and other accessories. Additional suggestions include:

• Using cotton bar towels instead of paper
• Use bamboo coasters or ones made from recycled materials
• Choose glass swizzle sticks
• Opt for bamboo or stainless steel olive picks
• Slice lemons and limes on a bamboo cutting board
• Purchase linen cocktail napkins over paper products

Image Credits: Juniper Green, Kim Seybert (cork barware)

Coffee, Tea, or Something New?

If you’re an eco-conscious consumer looking for something new, look no further then your morning routine. While coffee is a delightful treat, and tea can be soothing and delicious, there are other natural drinks to be investigated. These luxurious alternatives are exotic and exciting. Yerba Mate: the What This hot drink is a delectable alternative to coffee or tea. While traditional in South America, yerba mate is a relative newcomer to American markets. The online Yerba Mate Café has a wealth of information about yerba mate and is a very helpful resource. Mate is made in a similar way to tea, by soaking the mate herb leaves in hot water. Traditionally, the mate is served in a hollowed out gourd with a special metal straw that acts as a filter. The gourd is what gives it the name mate, and the straw is called a bombilla. Yerba mate is easily made at home with the appropriate supplies. Yerba Mate: the Why Yerba mate has a wonderful bitter flavor, but beyond that, there are many health benefits to drinking it. According to the Yerba Mate Café, yerba mate is very high in antioxidants, even higher than the famed green tea. Mate is also a source of caffeine, with levels equivalent to that of coffee. Minerals, such as potassium, zinc, and many more are abundant in yerba mate, and it has even been shown to act as an anti-inflammatory due to the saponin compounds present in the yerba mate leaf. Available in some grocery stores, especially those with a well-stocked South American section, or online at many online retailers, yerba mate is a natural treat that will shake up your routine while still providing you with the health and wellness that you seek. So, look for a mate and a bombilla (gourd and special straw) and find out for yourself what yerba mate is really all about. Kombucha: the What According to Kombucha.org, kombucha, which is also served in the form of a beverage, refers to a colony of good yeast and bacteria which is both probiotic and symbiotic. Kombucha tea mixes this colony with sugar and black or green tea and is fermented for about a week. According to Gunther Frank, a German kombucha expert, the historical roots of kombucha are in East Asia. It spread to Europe around the turn of the century, and has since made its way to the United States. Kombucha: the Why The process of creating kombucha releases many important substances such as lactic acid, amino acids, antibiotic substances, and vitamins. While the official jury is still out on whether kombucha can be considered a “remedy for everything,” thousands of testimonials suggest that the interesting substance is doing something positive for the consumer. While the technology exists to make the culture at home or to have a pre-made kombucha culture mailed to your home, I would recommend trying a bottle bought from a store first. There are several brands of kombucha drinks (think bottles of iced-tea with a kick), and my personal favorite is the Wonder Drink brand, available in some gourmet grocery stores or by order online. So when it comes to a beverage that will rejuvenate and energize, look beyond coffee and tea to the wide world of other natural options and kick start your day with something new. Image Credits: Wonder Drink, Diamond Organics, Kay's Deli Winnipeg, Pura Vida Buenos Aires

Zocalo Cafe: Community, Earth-Minded Coffeehouse

Here’s a concept – build a planet-friendly coffee shop that strengthens community ties and serves up in-house roasted brews and specialty teas. You might say it's been done before, but does it compare to the Zocalo Coffeehouse – the only certified green café in San Leandro, California? This independent, locally owned establishment and roastery is open 365 days a year, standing by a commitment that the people and planet come before the product. Green Efforts The green efforts of Zocalo begin with choices to reduce the coffeehouse's impact on the environment. Beyond embracing recycled-content paper goods, coffeehouse employees take great strides to recycle their organic, plastic, glass, metal, and paper waste. In the bathroom, motion-detection lighting saves energy, while low-flow toilets and faucet aerators conserve water. The home-office runs on solar power and the coffeehouse gets from point A to point B using a hybrid vehicle. Additionally, the "walkable" location of the coffeehouse encourages less congestion and pollution, as it is situated in a convenient downtown setting. To reduce the use of plastic bottled water, tap water is offered to patrons for free. Order a serving of organically grown, fair trade coffee and it's served in organically recyclable corn-based "plastic" cups. You may also take advantage of a 10-cent discount offered to coffee drinkers who use their own or reuse a Zocalo cup. Exotic Edibles and Drinkables While the majority of coffeeshops offer muffins, bagels and exotic pastries to accompany their Mocha Javas and Double Shot Espressos, Zocalo Café additionally presents a selection of healthier options, such as ginger drinks, Moroccan hummus, and plantain chips from Soleil's African Kitchen. With an SFGate Drink of the Week already under the belt, you'll enjoy the Mango Ginger, Passionfruit Ginger, Hibiscus, and Ginger Lemonade offered at Zocalo. Rent the Coffeehouse When planning an evening event, Zocalo Coffeehouse offers their space for your festivities and special occasions. Providing safe and clean surroundings, plan your next surprise birthday party, formal dinner, or company fundraiser at Zocalo. Events start as early as 7pm and can run as late as 11pm with complimentary brewed coffee. For the Community Stepping inside Zocalo is like visiting a relative. The atmosphere produces a positive energy with plenty of inviting features to take advantage of. The family-friendly kids play area allows parents to unwind, while their kiddies unwind. The baby changing station in the restroom is prepared for life's natural interruptions. Check your email or conduct research surrounded by the scent of fresh coffee with the complimentary wireless Internet access. Stay competitive at the game table or simply browse the selection of magazines available for reading. Zocalo also hosts and participates in annual community events, such as the Halloween Safe Streets Safe Treat; local author book signings; the yearly Annual Arts & Crafts Fundraiser; and the San Leandro Cherry Festival. The coffeehouse also presents the San Leandro Community Action Network's Monthly Film Series. And last but not least, what coffeehouse provides their patrons with a JavaGym? This space offers classes for the community, ranging from Spinning, Pilates and Kickboxing to the Spanish Language for Kids. No wonder the café earned SFGate Best Coffee Shop in Bay Area in 2008. If you live in the region or plan on stopping by the neighborhood, don't forget to indulge in the luxury of community-centered brews at: Zocalo Coffeehouse 645 Bancroft Ave (at Dutton Ave) San Leandro CA 94577 (510) 569-0102 Hours Monday-Friday (6am to 6pm) Saturdays (7am to 6pm) Sundays (8am to 6pm) Image Credits: Zocalo

Brews for the Eco-Minded Drinker

The next time you call the boys over for a friendly game of poker or host a chip-and-dip fest with the ladies, Full Sail and New Belgium Breweries are hoping you grab one of their sustainable beverages. Respected in the nation for green business practices and tasty beers, these two microbreweries are leading the way in energy efficiency, recycling, reuse, and sustainability. Full Sail Brewing From their American Pale Ale to the Brewmaster's Reserve, Full Sail Brewing masterfully creates handcrafted ales and lagers in Hood River, Oregon. In the sustainable business world, Full Sail has certainly earned their ranking as one of the leading 100 green companies in Oregon – an honor bestowed upon the microbrewery by the Oregon Business Magazine. Besides using sustainable ingredients and embracing renewable energy, the brewhouse itself is an efficient wonder – built with reclaimed and recycled building materials. Other green business practices include:

• An on-site wastewater treatment facility
• Utilizing hops and barley from Northwest farms
• Recycling grain and yeast waste into cattle feed
• 100% recycled paperboard for packaging
• Energy-efficient lighting and air compressors throughout brewhouse
• Adopting a 4-day workweek (four 10-hour shifts) to reduce water and energy consumption by 20%.

The brewery has also achieved reduced water consumption in regards to their beer making process. While most breweries use 6 to 8 gallons of water to make just one gallon of beer – Full Sail accomplishes the same task with only 3.45 gallons of water. New Belgium Brewing Social and environmental causes have always figured into the plan for New Belgium Brewing, as they've continued to push the envelope with their own green business practices. In addition to the sustainable brewery features listed below, the company has also set goals to further reduce their carbon footprint by 25% and water usage by 10%.

• Exceeding the expectations of the Clean Water Act of 1973, New Belgium Brewing implemented their own process for treating wastewater. As a result, they also learned how to harness the methane produced by the process to create a fuel used to generate electricity and heat for the brewery.
• In 1999, New Belgium became recognized as the largest private consumer of wind-power electricity at that time. They also earned the honor of being the first wind-powered brewery.
• UV blocking windows, sun-tubes, and light shelves assist the brewhouse in taking advantage of more than 360 days of sunrays decorating the Fort Collins, Colorado skies.
• Measuring 55,000 square foot, evaporative coolers result in decreased energy use for the compressor-free packaging hall. The interior wood used to construct this newer facility is beetle kill pine, which New Belgium Brewing says give "fallen trees another life."

Photo Credits: Environmental Leader, New Belgium

Spill the Beans – An Eco-Friendly Coffee Approach

When you're looking for an eco-friendly jolt of java, don't become intimidated by the assortment of labels attached to the fresh scent of caffeine found at your local retailers and specialty shops. What exactly does Fair Trade mean? And, what makes a coffee bean organic? Hopefully, I can shed a bit of light on how to take an eco-friendly approach towards your next cup of coffee. Fair Trade Certified Have you ever come across the International Fairtrade Certification Mark when purchasing a product? Fair Trade products mean that the workers providing the beans for your next mocha chocolate latte have been paid a living wage of at least $1.26 per pound. You're probably wondering how fair pay is eco-friendly, but if workers are able to make sustainable wages, then farmers are not forced to follow practices that cause harm to the environment. If you don’t see a "Fair Trade Certified" logo, then you're more than likely not buying Fair Trade coffee beans. USDA-Certified Organic Thanks to the United States Department of Agriculture, the certifications of coffee beans under this category are monitored, as well as grown without the aid of chemical-ridden pesticides, fertilizers, and herbicides. When following organic farming practices, the local ecosystem benefits. Farmers, workers, and residents aren’t exposed to hazardous chemicals. Most importantly, you do not consume any chemicals when sipping on a fresh cup of organic coffee. Shade Grown Sadly, some coffee producers destroy rainforests and other pieces of land in order to provide direct sunlight for the growth of their beans. In the process, a great deal of natural habitat for many migratory birds and other native species is lost. To make matters worse, coffee crops suffer attacks from pests that enjoy the open invitation of shadeless plants. As a result, farmers resort to harmful fertilizers and pesticides. If you purchase shade-grown coffee beans, the surrounding forest was left intact, which does not threaten rainforest conservation or species preservation. Shade-grown coffee is also identified with certified seals and labels from the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center (SMBC) or the Rainforest Alliance. Rainforest Alliance Certified Purchasing coffee that carries the Rainforest Alliance seal of approval means that the coffee was grown in the shade with the use of low to zero pesticides. Workers were also cared for under the standards of the International Labor Organization. Sustainable practices are verified when farms meet requirements, including the presence and maintenance of diverse species. Where to Get Eco-Friendly Coffee? National chains, such as Safeway and Trader Joes, carry fair trade coffee. You can find organic and fair-trade selections at health food stores and specialty shops. If you still need help locating fair trade coffee in your neck of the woods, contact Transfair USA at 510-663-5260 or visit www.transfairusa.org. Mail order and online retailers are also excellent sources of eco-friendly coffee, including the following businesses:

• Peace Coffee – Organic and Shade Grown (888) 324-7872
• Organic Coffee Co. – Organic (800) 829-1300
• Sacred Grounds – Organic (800) 425-2532
• Green Mountain Coffee – Fair Trade and Organic (800) 223-6768
• Global Exchange – Fair Trade (800) 497-1994, ext. 237
• Café Mam – Organic & Fair Trade (888) 223-3626