Labels, labels, labels

All natural means nothing

Disclaimer:  I believe it’s all connected.

I ran into a former colleague recently in the line of parents shipping holiday packages to our children who couldn’t fly home with gifts.  As we waited I learned she is a breast cancer survivor and has come to share my passion for reading and interpreting product labels.

On the drive back to the farm our conversation continued in my head and I speculated how long the list of family, friends and colleagues - either honored or memorialized - would be on my 2012 Susan Komen Race for the Cure application. And, I remembered how many had incorporated research into food and diet as part of their treatment.

The encounter with my colleague inspired me to follow-up on something I’ve intended to do for a while, but I’ll explain that in a bit.

Labels (talking only about food today) tell us much more than nutrition facts.  If you look into definitions formulated and standardized by federal agencies you can learn the difference, for example, between 100% organic, organic, and made with organic ingredients.  You’ll also learn that “natural” has very little meaning from a food safety perspective. For those who link quality of their food to the quality of their health, this information is critical.  Note: If organic vs. conventionally grown foods is a question you’d like to answer, you may find this Mayo Clinic  article helpful.

Two nonprofit organizations are providing valuable tools for interpreting labels and learning what you’re eating: The Pesticide Action Network (PAN) and Environmental Working Group (EWG).

·      PAN’s online tool “What’s on My Food” provides an easy-to-follow database that shows pesticide concentrations in each food listed based on testing completed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). 

·      EWG analyzes USDA data each year to rank foods with the highest and lowest concentration of pesticides, aka The Dirty Dozen and The Clean Fifteen.  These lists are helpful for budget-conscious shoppers who can choose organic foods when it matters and purchase conventionally grown foods from the safer list.  Take this link to download the pdf for The Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen.

Eating organic when I can is important to me for several reasons and my health is one of them.  Each time I wheel through Kroger’s organic produce section, I sigh when I realize there is no organic kale (see The Dirty Dozen). I’ve asked at the local store level to add this product without success but conventionally grown kale is always available.  This will be the year I persist in reaching decision-makers at my grocery store to implement a simple marketing strategy: make certain the Organic Produce Section includes alternatives to The Dirty Dozen.  If you’re a Kroger shopper, here’s a link  or call 1-800-576-4377 to add your voice.  Just paste in the Dirty Dozen and ask for organic alternatives.  Share this with your friends.  Please share your efforts and experiences for other grocery stores and food outlets.

Love you Aunt Jane, Granny Vip, the Lauras, Kathy, She Who is Appreciated, my Colleague . . .

Living the blur, on to 2012

I looked up again, the leaves were gone and Red Tail hawk were hunting from power lines in the bright, winter light as they watched for prey and as I zipped east and west on I-40. After September and the Hummingbird Festival, life has been an action-packed blur. More on that later . . .

One of the rules of blogging is don’t start if you aren’t going to be consistent. I haven’t been, which I regret but know that it will probably happen again. I ask for your patience.

First, the catch-up: Thanks to our speakers and each of you who contributed your voice and experiences at the Sustainability Tent round table discussions during the Strawberry Plains Audubon Center Hummingbird Festival.  If you weren’t able to join us, click here for a few helpful resources.  Glad to meet several new leaders in sustainable practices including a representative of a Houston boutique specializing in selling recycled and 100% recyclable products who wanted to know more about Bon Ami, and an instructor who focuses on sustainability at a Dallas school.

One of our visitors was Marion Sansing, Executive Director for Gaining Ground Sustainability Institute of Mississippi. For residents of Mississippi, there are chapters for The Pinebelt, North Central and the Golden Triangle Area.

On to 2012: As you build your calendar for 2012, consider participating in Gaining Ground’s third conference on “Living Sustainably Within Your Community” February 25 at the Eagle Ridge Conference Center in Raymond, MS. 

And while we’re talking planning, don’t forget the Great Backyard Bird Count on President’s Day Weekend, February 17-20.  For the past four years, our small community of Hudsonville  has met at one farm and then moved on to at least one more farm, sometimes two to check species and enjoy a great day of walking. We’ve already spotted the Northern Harrier and we’re hoping the Bald Eagle will show up during the count this year.

One last 2012 calendar entry for you, the Native Plant Sale at Strawberry Plains Audubon Center May 18 and 19.  This is your chance to visit the beautiful grounds of the center, but also the opportunity to learn more about the critical connection between native plants and bird and insect species.  If you’re interested in a little reading beforehand, read Dr. Doug Tallamy’s book “Bringing Nature Home.” Also read “Mindful Gardening,” my article in Arkansas Wild last March including a helpful calendar.

 I resolve to share more great opportunities in the mid-South during the next 12 months, and, yes, post more regularly. Forward your events and I’ll include in a future post.

More on that later . . . The blur consisted of helping out with a few nonprofit events including The Wrecking Ball, but has mostly been spent in renovating a late ‘60s duplex and attempting to complete the project with a focus on retaining and repurposing.  It hasn’t been easy, but I’ll share more about the professionals who have helped me reach as many of the goals as possible.  Happy New Year!

Under the Sustainability Tent

The 2011 Hummingbird Migration & Nature Festival

The weekend after Labor Day, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds migrating south aren’t the only ones drawn to Strawberry Plains Audubon Center in Northeast Mississippi nearest Memphis.  Last year, 9000 visitors attended the annual festival during the height of migration to see, and sometimes touch, the small wonders, and, enjoy three-days of programming led by nationally recognized authors and specialists.

Near the center of the festival grounds, one tent looks a little different.  The Low Impact Living Tent (or Sustainability Tent on the festival map) includes a large round table that looks like one you might find in your grandmother’s kitchen along with self-guided displays and lists of regional resources.  Topic leaders talk with participants on a one-to-one basis about subjects ranging from Lasagna Gardening to native plants in urban landscapes. That's Dr. Heineke talking about the steps in establishing your Lasagna Garden during the 2010 Hummingbird Migration & Nature Festival.

It’s my pleasure to host the tent for the third year beginning this Friday, September 9^th through Sunday, September 11^th.  Now that SeineLiving.blogspot.com is up and running, I hope to provide updates on our:

∙        Focus on Pets

∙        Focus on Home, and

∙        DIY Focus

Once again, we welcome Dr. Tom Heineke,  botanist, who will share his experience with Lasagna Gardening.  Kristin Lamberson, interpretive gardener at Strawberry Plains Audubon Center will provide great tips on incorporating native plants in urban landscapes. Chelius Carter and Jennifer Eggleston, president and board member of, respectively, of Preserve Marshall County and Holly Springs, will share the basics of sustaining historic structures and sites. We’ll introduce you to MyLittleBuddy Pet Shampoo and bring new meaning to mixology by putting together DIY cleaning products in addition to other activities. We always have surprise guests so check by the tent for updates.

The tent schedule follows.  Feel free to send along your questions in advance for the the round table discussion you’re interested in and look for your answer in the daily blog post.

Speaker led discussions:

Friday (Focus on pets)

10 a.m.            Incorporating pets in lower impact lifestyle

Noon               Native plants in urban yards including pet-friendly designs

2 p.m.              Safe, clean homes for pets and family

Saturday (Focus on home)

10 a.m.            Are you a Localvore? Resources for locally produced food

11 a.m.            Lasagna Gardening

1 p.m.              How Low Can you Go? Reducing Waste to Landfill

3 p.m.              ABCs of historic home and site preservation

Sunday (DIY focus)

9 a.m.              Make your own cleaning products

10 a.m.            Calculating, managing your carbon footprint

11 a.m.            Online resources for low impact living

Materials shared by speakers will be posted on www.seinecommunications.com.

SPECIAL NOTE: Congratulations to Gaining Ground Sustainability Institute of Mississippi for their new online resource directory.

My that's a large footprint you have (continued)

Part Two of Two

At least every other year I head west during the month of October.  Somehow I never make it past the Santa Fe/Albuquerque area, in large part because there are almost limitless opportunities to be outdoors*.  And, because of other reasons including that in the heart of one of the country’s most impoverished states, you can fly into Albuquerque, step off the plane and step onto a train to Santa Fe (http://nmrailrunner.com/route_map.asp).

Two years ago, I drove west with my sister in crime and conservation (we specialize in laughing) for a week.  We tested Starbuck’s discount for providing your own cup, sought out fast food options that did not include Styrofoam and stopped for recycling opportunities.  Some retailers offer recycling for most routine waste generated during travel: Target offers bins near store entrances for aluminum, glass and plastic beverage containers, plastic bags, MP3 players, cell phones and ink cartridges; some WalMart stores may collect more than plastic bags at the entrance in a partnership with Terracycle. And, some communities have easily accessible recycle stations like the one pictured here in Amarillo, Texas.

There are resources to assist you in understanding your impact through travel and specifically on locations you visit.  A UK-based company, Responsible Travel offers destination guides to venues.  Sustainable Travel International offers information on a mindful approach in your travel and by location.  One of my longtime favorites, National Geographic lists sustainable travel destinations.  Look for true sustainable travel opportunities and avoid “greenwashing.” A recent visit to Tennesee’s Sustainable Travel web page was filled with great marketing copy, but digging deeper I was able to find that Chattanooga is actually walking the walk through a certification program that includes long term goals.

Travel is one of my favorite topics, so we’ll talk more.  But before closing, let me introduce you to another way of travel.  It’s so easy to rent a room and check off a destination that’s been on your top 100 places that I believe we have lost the sense of adventure and relaxation that created the travel industry.  John Ruskey of Quapaw Canoe Company reminds us that below that massive bridge we’re driving over and down the riverbank we’re walking beside flows one of our forgotten natural treasures.  John specializes in the Lower Mississippi River and is part of a small network of river guides in the U.S. who can lead you on truly life-changing travel experiences.  Now that’s the way to go!

*Beginning in 1981 the Santa Fe Group of The Sierra Club has published a very thorough guide "Day Hikes in the Santa Fe Area."  Last time I spoke with the author, he was close to retirement.  Hopefully someone in the organization has picked up this project and continued the updates.

My that's a large footprint you have

Part One of Two

Some days all I need to be recharged is to see my daughter laugh until she snorts over the silliest of things.  Now that she’s at least one plane change or two solid days of driving away, it’s not as often as I selfishly would like. Keeping a small carbon footprint in check when your family and friends or work take you around the world is a challenge to state the obvious.

The close of summer is just a few days away, and with it ends one of the busiest travel seasons in the U.S.  Increasing fuel and travel costs have curtailed some of our shuttling from location to location, but is that a bad thing? It’s certainly diminished a small portion of our very large carbon footprint associated with travel.

If you’ve never calculated your carbon footprint, it’s an eye-opener (for a quick look, try www.terrapass.com for their carbon footprint calculator or for a more comprehensive look try The Nature Conservancy's calculator at http://www.nature.org/greenliving/carboncalculator/index.htm).  I made a decision several years ago to limit my air travel and rediscover road trips with my high mileage, low emission diesel Jettawagen. (And, don’t even get me started on how I would prefer to travel by rail service in the U.S as I have in Europe.) Even with reducing air travel my footprint is still larger than I like, so what are my options?  Mitigate my travel by supporting projects through carbon offsets (http://www.carboncatalog.org/), travel less or travel smarter.  For me, it’s a little of all three.

The hospitality and travel industries include many options for smarter travel.  On a global scale, travelers and hospitality professionals can learn much from organizations like Sustainable Travel International (http://www.sustainabletravelinternational.org/documents/au.html).  On a domestic level, we have the choice to support businesses incorporating sustainable practices like one of my favorite B&Bs, Rosemont Inn and Cottages, whose owner supports Farm to Table  by purchasing and serving local foods. Your travel can be greatly enriched with a little research in advance on locally-owned restaurants, businesses and recreational opportunities located along your route.

Shared travel with family and friends as well as regional staycations have my photo album full and ready for viewing next time I’m snowed in!

Part Two: Helpful guides, practicing the RRRs on the road, and a different way to travel

The F words

Feathers, flip-flops and fads

I love fashion.  My admiration for design, creativity and fabric began as a teenager when Mom made my clothes to stretch the budget and accommodate my taller than usual frame. Great advertising campaigns and celebrities grabbed my imagination early on, fueled “trendy” fires and I was off to the consumers’ races just as soon as I began earning a paycheck and learned to drive. That's me in the photo on the rear of our scooter in the floral tunic with slim white shorts.

Fashion is still one of my loves but the fads that accompany this industry are disturbing when product success is completely disconnected from impact and the concept of cradle to cradle*. 

This brings me to feathers and flip-flops.

To the dismay of many fly fisher-men and -women, the trend of feather hair-extensions has exhausted the limited supply of “hackles” (http://www.backyardchickens.com/LC-anatomy.html) or delicate and exotic feathers that require a year to grow and generally the life of the rooster growing them. Celebrities helped fuel the trend that began with Twenty- and Thirty-Something’s and has now spread to throngs of pre-teens, some of whom were getting feathers weaved into their hair during my recent salon visit.  I was reminded of the origin of National Audubon Society, a century-old nonprofit that began with the goal of protecting bird species decimated by the hat industry and the trend of grand plumage.

I was thinking about this while taking the stairs and experienced a flip-flip blowout halfway down the flight.  No way to fix it, so how to dispose of it? I checked online to see if the manufacturer recycled and perhaps offered an incentive for continuing to support their product. No luck. Earth911.com sent me to Nike Reuse-A-Shoe (only for Nike or Converse shoes), Soles4Souls (for usable shoes repurposed to those in need) and College Hunks Hauling Junk (pick-up and recycling service). All great programs, but nothing for flip-flops.

At that moment it occurred to me that unusable flips flops fall into the same category as plastic bags –mostly a cradle to grave product with one recyclable life.

Search “how to recycle flip flops” and you’ll find some interesting recycling and repurposing options, and you can also take a look at what many flip flops are made of (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jennifer-grayson/eco-etiquette-how-can-i-r_b_637415.html).  A partial congratulations to trend-machine Old Navy for offering a Flip-Flop recycling campaign this year, a full one when you make it a permanent program. My favorite solutions were producers who accepted recycled sandals or used recycled and natural materials and rubber versus latex.

It is possible to value the art of fashion and value our resources equally. Conscious consuming can drive profit and production as much as trends.

*http://storyofstuff.org

A degree in mattering

Welcome to SeineLiving – a snapshot of efforts toward sustainable living. Granted, “sustainability” has been so misrepresented in the marketplace that I find myself in search of a new word to describe low impact living and an economy that values success and resources equally. It’s a challenge.

Four years ago, I moved for a job to a small home on 42 isolated acres.  How isolated?  Functional Internet access is limited to those who invest in personal hotspots. The nearest large retail center and airport are 45 minutes away. Thunderstorms block satellite at pivotal points in movies and games. And, speaking of weather, I rely on a landline-phone call to alert me of severe conditions and not a siren because there isn’t one.

Now you get a sense of how the remoteness has come to feel like a degree program in what matters.  The curriculum has included: planning; investing in housing, services and products that are durable and renewable; alternatives to traditional energy and communications services; local industry and food; native plants and wildlife; efficient transportation; limiting waste; the three Rs - reduce, recycle, repeat; happiness in solitude; and, building community.

That’s what I’m thinking sustainability is. Colleagues, clients, neighbors and friends are expanding that definition for me daily.

Join me as I work toward my advanced degree in “mattering” and share stories of organizations, communities and individuals who are great case studies. (P.S. There may also be the occasional DIY post.)

Suzanne

Seine Marketing Communications