ARTSCAPE!!!!!!

ARTSCAPE was awesome, as always. I mean how lucky are we as this is the country’s largest FREE outdoor art festival…and it is right in our backyard! (Well, if by backyard, you mean an hour after driving on the expressway.)

So much to see AND do at this event…the Art Cars in front of Penn Station are always a hoot, the Performance Artists along the Charles Street Bridge offer lots of self-involved, participatory, hands-on activities, and a vast array of Artists’ Booths in all mediums/categories/styles spanning for numerous city blocks…. you name it, ARTSCAPE’s got it! Several big-name Concerts, Fashion Shows and Films – all FREE!

The fact that they are also doing their best to make this event environmentally conscious & friendly with an entire ‘GREEN GARAGE’ and SUSTAINABLE/ORGANIC FOOD COURT with plenty of recycling cans scattered about makes it even better - compared to a lot of free public events I’ve been to.

(If you want a smoothie around here, you better start pedaling!)

My favorite vendors in the Green Garage would have to be Baltimore Free Store (http://www.baltimorefreestore.org/ ) where you can “take what you want & leave what you can” at one of their 60 markets around town. Their way of keeping things out of landfills is for you to donate your used clothes & household items to them. Then they literally give everything away for FREE! Genius! Another would be the Portable Gardens…(http://www.portablegardens.com/) basically a salad in a shopping cart. Also The Loading Dock (http://www.loadingdock.org/ ), a very green business whose motto is ‘Don’t Dump. DONATE!’ for all construction, remodeling and building materials. Very cool as we are connected to this area of business and plan to use this company in the future.

Gotta love Martha Rotten’s (http://www.martharotten.com/ )‘not made in China’ lead-free pewter goth-themed jewelry (yes, they are REAL bones, chicken I was told?) And Steven Malone’s Poetic Earth Designs (http://www.poeticearth.com/ ) leather bags and tree-free sketch books & journals. Clever Cat Bags (clevercatbags.com ) recycled coffee bag bags…fashionable irony - this is a real trend now (I have had mine now almost a year) and my daughter couldn't resist one of their 'organic coffee' messenger bags for about $40. Also Dan Lachman and his Sharp Shirter (shapshirter.com ) business w/tees and self-sticking laptop, ipod & phone covers…really cool for this self-proclaimed round-the-clock-video-playing-college-slacker.

But my personal ‘Best In Show’ award for the weekend would have to go to James 'Jimbo' Pollock (http://www.jimbopollocksart.com/ ) Hampden’s own ‘Hubcap Christmas Tree’ guy and his recycled mechanical parts sculptures. Makes me want to gather a bunch of junk from my husband’s shop and start welding…totally awesome!

Year after year I continue to be amazed, impressed, fascinated and inspired after a trip to ARTSCAPE… 2009 certainly was no different.

North Central Railroad Trail...Where Have You Been All My Life?

I, like many Baltimore/Harford Countians, have driven by the cute little Chakra Bikes /Hunt Valley Village sign on Paper Mill Road that marks the spot where the NCR Trail begins and meanders for FORTY MILES to York, PA. I to have said numerous times that I wanted to try biking that route one day...soon.

Well, that day never came...until today.

We, nine family members & friends, started at about 945am at the Paper Mill/Ashland entrance to the trail and off we went. The weather was gorgeous - like mostly sunny & 82...BUT the bikes, which were borrowed - they were another story: mine was waaaayy too short, my daughter's wouldn't get out of first gear so she was peddling her heart out and going nowhere, my middle son's bike was way too tall, my youngest son's tires were dry-rot, our summer vet-med students seat was a little too uncomfortable, and my best friend's daughter's chain kept popping...crazy!

Despite the problems, we made it to the Monkton store around the 8 mile mark and had a little one-hour picnic. (btw that store is fantastic - all organic, including the incredible ice cream! ) We then had to venture back the 8 miles we came from...which actually went a wee bit faster, even after a huge double-digit-point-buck (in velvet!) casually strolled across the path less than three feet in front of my best friend and I - who were so engaged in a conversation that we almost ran smack into the deer.

This was such an inspiring day that we vowed to get our own bikes and made a goal to travel the entire length of the trail. No commitment date set - I will keep you posted...

Assateague Island

As always when we go to the beach, we venture over to Assateague Island where we get our fix of 'roughing it' in the wild with their very limited facilities. It just so happened that this past weekend was one of 3 FREE SUMMER WEEKENDS they are offering this year (6/20-21, 7/18-19, 8/15-16). Yea!!!

We typically pack a cooler full of food to grill, plenty of 'beverages', a change of clothes (we always wear our bathing suits), surf boards/boogie boards, all our bikes and a guitar into the back of a pick-up truck - and we're off!

There is so much to do here...besides the obvious driving through the State Park and looking for the infamous wild ponies that reside here; we build a fire or grill, swim, surf, fish, crab, clam, kayak/canoe (which are both rented here by the hour), bike ride, etc... unlike at the other Maryland beach where there are so many no-no's.

We have yet to stay through the night here and keep saying we want to... I tent camped as a child and want my children to experience that wonderful world of self-reliance and self-efficiency...BUT by the time the sun sets and those mosquitoes are in full swing - we usually can't wait to shower and get the hell off this island.

Hopkins Spring Fair!

At the last minute on the very last day of the Johns Hopkins Spring Fair, I decided to make the trek down to the world reknowned Homewood Campus. Hopkins has always held a place in my heart - my mom worked in the Biochemistry Department of the JHU School of Medicine for 35+ years - so it always feels like going home for me.

Of course it had to be the one weekend in April where the temperature soared into the upper 90's! If that wasn't bad enough, the beer garden's entire keg supply was NOT in trucks (or even iced!) and was nothing but warm foam...this really put a damper on my day.

As I always do, I gravitate toward the student-artisits' booths...an incredible mix of creativity and genius on every level. From an Asian student that hand carves wooden frogs that make a real frog sound when the tiny stick provided is rubbed on it's back to a Jewish painter whose visits to Jerusalem's Wailing Wall inspired his latest emotional works to a self-proclaimed hippie-chick's laptop protectors/purses made from recycled coffee bags... ( http://www.labudde.etsy.com/ ) ...pure genius!
















The artwork, crafts, clothing, jewelry and food reflects this very diverse, multicultural utopia in the middle of Baltimore City...it truly is a treasure.

Happy Earth Day!

I am ALWAYS looking for ways to save time & money, while striving to raise my family in a toxic-free, all-organic home and minimally impacting the environment.

Below are some of my Favorite Things (Oprah isn't the only one with an opinion or idea)...in honor of Earth Day. I am always looking for new products to try and new ways to make a difference. Remember that every little step counts - together we can spread the (environmentally-friendly) word.

1. Klean Kanteen http://www.kleankanteen.com/
With the billions of plastic water bottles being produced and discarded, (not to mention the negative health effects of leaching chemicals from plastic material) these stainless steel reusable bottles are a great investment and the smartest solution for our on-the-go lifestyles. They come in several sizes & colors as well as baby bottles, sippy cups and even a WINE Kanteen!!!

2. PERF Go Green Biodegradable Trash Bags http://www.perfgogreen.com/products.html
Genious! If all you place into these bags is compost-able waste, you will eliminate trash sitting in landfills for thousands of years...they disintegrate in less than 2 years! PERF also makes pet waste pick-up bags & litter box liners - so cool!

3. Jane Be Pure AquaCueticals Organic Sheer Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30 http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/janecosmetics/35357/What could be better...it's a moisturizer, sunscreen and sheer makeup/bronzer all in one - and at this price (I got mine on sale for like $5 @ Walgreens) you can really slather it on.

4. Organic Hemp Bags http://www.reusablebags.com/store/organic-hemp-peasant-sack-p-1190.html
With Hemp being one of the most environmentally friendly materials, you cant go wrong with several of these (in different styles too!) for all your shopping/running errands/travel needs.

5. gDiapers FLUSHABLE & Biodegradable Diapers http://www.gdiapers.com/gdiapers101
Awesome invention for mom's on the go (and much less messy than the organic cloth ones I used...ugh). You start with the 'system' that comes with 2 colorful cloth covers and a bunch of 'liners'. The covers are washable and the liners are flushable! Again - genious!(I had to pick these since I recently purchased a bunch of 'green' baby products for a friend..although I am anxiously waiting to hear how well they work???)

6. Norma Kamali Organic Cotton Tees @ WALMART! (for like $6 each)http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?search_constraint=5438&ic=48_0&search_query=organic+cotton&Find.x=31&Find.y=11
Yes, I am still boycotting Target (a year& a half now) and although I am not a huge fan of the mega-stores (I am a Ma & Pa supporter or an online shopper 99% of the time)...it is nice to see that Walmart carries a full line of organic cotton clothing and bedding as well as recycled paper/tissue products and non-toxic cleaners. (They even carry organic milk!) Take that Target!

7. Natural Choice Environmentally Sensitive Baby Wipes http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10314680#ProductDetailWether you have a baby or not, everyone needs a portable handy-wipe in their purse, their car or their picnic basket once in a while. These are biodegradable, chlorine-free, fragrance-free and made from 100% renewable resourses.

8. Staples 100% eco-friendly office & school supplies http://www.staples.com/office/supplies/StaplesSearch?searchkey=eco+products&storeId=10001&catalogId=10051&langId=-1&fromUrl=home
The 100% post-consumer recycled printing paper, sugar cane notebooks/notepads/looseleaf and their compost-able coffee cups are just a few of my favorites here. 'that was easy'

9. BonTerra Organic Wine Out of all the organic (American) wines I have tried...their Cabernet Sauvignon is by far my favorite.

10. Seventh Generation Chlorine-Free Organic Tampons http://www.seventhgeneration.com/Organic-Tampons I am still amazed when I mention these that so many woman have never even heard of organic tampons and are still using TOXIC 'feminine' products (ugh, I HATE that expresion). No 'regular' stores even carry these unfortunately...try David's Natural Market, Trader Joes, or Whole Foods. Not only are they chlorine (poison!) free & made with organic cotton, they have no applicator (extra waste) and they work even better than the old standards. Kinda crazy that I have seen numerous studies over the last 5 years about 'bleached' white coffee filters and their toxic dangers to consumers...you can easily find 'un-bleached, natural coffee filters everywhere - yet no one seems to care what we woman put into our bodies..literally!

11. The Local Library!
Books, DVDs, CDs, video games & toys...recycling at it's best! It is one of my favorite places on earth & I go EVERY week. Best of all it's absolutely FREE!

12.PRESERVE Toothbrush by Recycline http://www.preserveproducts.com/products/toothbrush.html
Made from 100% recycled materials including plastic organic yogurt containers! (and the packaging is actually a travel case.)

13. Billabong Eco Boardshorts http://www.surfstitch.com/index.cfm/a/catalog.prodShow/vid/43105/catid/356/active/1
Made from recycled water bottles - Mr. Festival has the 'United Nations' one in the link & it is wonderfully comfortable plus it dries almost immediately.

14. Frigoverre; Glass storage bowls from Italy http://www.amazon.com/Bormioli-Rocco-Frigoverre-3-Piece-Storage/dp/B0000DDVN5
No need for wasteful storage plastic wrap, foil, or baggies and no toxic 'leakage' from plastic storage containers - go from fridge to heat/serve.

15* Books: 'Easy Green Living' by Renee Loux and 'Healthy Child, Healthy World: Creating a Cleaner Greener World' are 2 of my faves. Education is the key to 'green' (non-toxic/organic/eco-freindly) living. These books are simple and really explain why making a few important everyday changes can actually save your family's health, as well as the earth.

16. Green Box Pizza Boxes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQBjJjpkjl0 It's a pizza to-go box that becomes it's own plates AND it's made of 100% recycled materials. This could make a huge difference on college campuses around the world!

17. Organic Flowers & Gift Baskets Delivered http://www.organicbouquet.com/ Awesome idea!

18. GO NAKED! Naked Juice that is... http://www.nakedjuice.com/#Homepage Naked is one of the only earth/human/animal friendly beverages out there...and it's TERRIFIC!

btw: THINK TWICE before purchasing COKE, PEPSI or NESTLE products (READ LABELS: they make THOUSANDS of producst). They are STEALING water for profit in the US, and charging for clean water in very poor countries around the world. They have NO REGARD FOR HUMAN LIFE.

_______________________________________

**Some of the most important things you can do every day to save our planet...




-Boycott STYROFOAM products (DOW Chemical Co) and any business that uses it - it is not burnable (very toxic) or recyclable and sits in a landfill forever!

-Use all non-disposable items: cloth knapkins, cleaning rags, hand towels, dish rags...use only REAL dishes, glasses & utensils (I mean, no one really enjoys paper plates & plastic utensils/cups anyway)

-If you must use disposable items (foil, baggies, tissue, etc) use ONLY 100% recyclable products AND RECYCLE THEM. (store brands like Trader Joes & Whole Foods 365 are economical as are some big name brands such as Reynolds)

-Use only biodegradable/plant based cleaners, non-toxic paints, organic bedding/towels and high quality air/furnace filters to make your home as toxic free as possible for your family and pets.

-DON'T USE CHEMICALS on your family's farms/lawns/gardens; pesticides, herbicides & fertilizers DIRECTLY HARM OUR WATERWAYS and affect the hormone/endocrine balance & health of both animals AND humans.(*Watch Frontline's 'Poisoned Water' documentary how farming & industrial waste affect our wildlife and drinking water as well as the water-treatment business' role; featuring the Chesapeake Bay watershed & Pungent Sount in the NW......if you LOVE seafood, boating/sailing/surfing/swimming and the beach/water like I do - this is a must to see.)

-Use public transportation (if you are lucky enough to live in a foreign country or a US city that HAS great public transportation - NOT Baltimore!)

-GO ORGANIC!!! When someone 'goes organic', they eliminate MANY chemicals in EVERYONES environment...if we ALL went organic, it would send a message to farmers & govenment - there is no need for public policy when we can 'vote' with our wallet......every purchase/choice you make - matters!

- http://www.freemarketorganics.com/One of my favortie sites for just about everything.

-OH YEA...I almost forgot the obvious - RECYCLE! http://www.kaboodle.com/reviews/roll-out-four-bin-waste-and-recycling-center anything & everything that is not biodegradable (ie natural & decomposable). It's the easiest, cheapest way to make a HUGE difference......no one want's to live on a trash planet.

____________________________________________


For the future...I still have a few items I want to 'invest' in within the next few months:
(I am the type that anything over $50 is a 'bigticket' purchase - so I have to do lots of research).


a) A Worm Composter http://www.cleanairgardening.com/worm-composter.html

b) Organic Hemp Shower Curtain???

c) Electric Lawn Mower/Weed-Wacker/Leaf Blower



HAPPY EARTH DAY!!!












The Eco-Karts that are all over DC...way cool (and delicious!)