OC's SoCo, Green Shopping and Living

My story here on SoCo in the Winter issue of bask Magazine... If you’re anything like me, you may have passed the oversized, towering S-O-C-O letters off the 405 countless times and heard buzz of the place from your stylish friends, but something still stopped you from exiting the 405 near the South Coast District to check it out. Could the four or more stores visible to the eye really be worth your time? And why go—what exactly is the place? Click to read the full story in the current bask Magazine.

Go green with All You Can Carry Pumpkins, Armstrong Gardens

2011 marks our 4th year for this very fun, family October tradition of ours. My husband’s “The Pumpkin Man” and always tries to beat his last year record.

The kids adore watching the silly go down, my husband gets a kick out of it and I love the idea of instant, festive, eco decor and color splash for under $20.

If you haven’t tried this endearing deal, totally give it a go. Armstrong Garden Centers offers All You Can Carry Pumpkins—the large size for $18.99. It’s at all their locations. Because I’m pregnant this year, I didn’t assist in loading so kind Kent from Laguna Niguel was our Pumpkin Assistant. We got 9 this year by the way. The pumpkins normally run about $8 each, so would have cost us $72. More valuable though are my kids’ memories of the day for life, which, yes, is priceless.

We’re fans of Armstrong year-round really, as I have a passion for plants and fountains. And I also like that Armstrong is a big community business, helping schools in the area and how they have a family-feel even though they are definitely a large-scale operation.

So pop by. You still have a few weeks to pumpkin partake in the deal. And by the way, they have a LA event going down this weekend if you’re in the area: Jamie Durie, HGTV star, will be speaking at their Torrance store (Saturday, October 15 at 9am) with a book signing from 10am to noon. Tickets are being sold in all Southern California Armstrong Garden Centers and at www.armstronggarden.com. Tickets are $25 each and include Jamie’s presentation, book The Outdoor Room and book signing.

Happy Halloween decorating. How will you display your pumpkin score? We line our sidewalk every year and everyone knows us as The Pumpkin House (I hear the happy moniker when the kids come for trick or treat).

VIDEO: Earth Day chat with Wyland

He’s all about green all month long. We caught up with Wyland to learn about how his blue planet is turning green for April.

Did you know he lives above his gallery in Laguna? That’s where we chatted in his private studio about his earth efforts, his passions to pay it forward and art and the next generation.

You can catch our chat on OC Family TV all month in April on Saturdays and Mondays on COX3. We had a great time with Wyland; he’s funny, down to earth and very generous with his time and programs. Stop by his gallery, or you may see him hanging out around town (look for the ball cap).

 

Go more green in 2001? There's an App for that.

Did you know we have an iTunes App Diva among us? The clever, crafty and multitalented Ciaran Blumenfeld of our own OC, whipped up an easy, instant green way to skip those annoying (let’s admit it) thank you letters you may be feeling guilted to get out. So I thought I’d share the simple.

iGift Thanks is a cool, brand new app that takes seconds to send your post-holiday (or any day) thank you’s.

I’ve already sent three, and it’s pretty handy. And if you have a photo of the gift, or even better is the kids with the gift, you can add it and frame it (numerous occasion frames to choose).

It’s pretty clever, really. You can give it a go for under $2 on iTunes. I used it for kids’ gifts and holiday pet sitting help.

Think it’s too impersonal? It isn’t. It’s the thought, and you can actually get it out this way. (You’ll never handwrite that card, and it’ll be Feb. soon, and then you’ll be guilted by it being too late. I’ve been there. Too many times.)

And, hey, you save trees too.

To a thankful, green 2011.

Fantastic, Not Plastic (and new)

I’ve been carrying mine everywhere. Eco, fashion and function in one—finally. If you hate the plastic unfantastic, check this new HB biz for green drinks.

I’m confident I was dehydrated because I refused to bring a plastic water bottle with me for any reason. Not in the house. Not to a picnic. No way on a bike ride. Nada. Nothing. No way. No how. I hate the suckers. Truly.

So when I heard some Huntington Beach biz was serving up a fresh alternative, I was all in. (And note: I don’t just despise the bazillion plastic bottles for littering the planet, I mostly can’t come to terms with how they are not leaching chemicals into my drinking water when they are sitting in a delivery truck in the middle of the desert in 120 degrees in transit.)

That all said, let’s talk Takeya USA if you want to know more. Takeya just introduce the “new-age” Glass Water Bottle a few months ago. It’s made from pure glass and designed to keep drinking water pure and fresh, as well as reduce the accumulation of millions of plastic bottles in landfills across the U.S.

They come in several sizes (and styles: modern or classic) with sleek, fun silicone jackets with see-through windows. The jackets protect your H20 or whatever your taste from breakage. Both the silicone jackets and water bottles are dishwasher safe.

So hydrate up in eco style with some local business love. Get ‘em online from about $25 (think I’m going for classic style next).

Sunscreen Must: Colore Science Mineral Powder

I’m not pimping this powdery mineral magic potion for any other reason that I love it, and want others to know its wonder. Really. If you sweat sunscreen these days … brands, chemicals, burning eyes, grease, get to know this natural sunmazingness from ColoreScience.

I discovered it while getting a facial at The Montage, and put it on my Mother’s Day wish list. So I’ve used it often since and it’s better than I imagined.

The gush is genuine, and I have our $63’ish receipt to prove it. I know $63 for sunscreen? Say what! It’s worth it. I hate chemical anything. I hate sunscreen burning my eyes (struggle every pool season), I don’t like the greasy number it does on my pores and I’m all for no sun aging damage on my face. That said, I just had to try this waterproof (how’s that possible, I know?) powder fabulousness for more than my one-time Montage application.

My family indulged me Mother’s Day and the ColoreScience has delivered on all my demands. But what surprised me most was that I was using it on the rest of my family too (sharing my “Mom’s only, don’t touch!” luxe treat).

Everywhere we go, I have it in my purse—with no worry that it will spill and goo my our purse paraphernalia. And I swipe the kids and hubby whenever sun hits. The close their eyes, I powder ‘em up in seconds and we’re done. No “You got it in my eyes. It burns. Ooh I don’t want any.” None of the above. Even the hubby doesn’t get burned now.

It’s changed my daily battle and life in a way. I stress less, am pampering my skin naturally and am not fighting with my kids!

Give it a go. I got mine for faces, but also have brushed it on bodies at the beach. The line also comes with a roller ball (pictured here, maybe better for bodies), and it’s available in shades (makeup shades like a foundation); if you’re going for all-family coverage, I suggest perfectly clear.

Just wanted to share the love.

You can pick it up at Spa Montage gift store, (or order online).

Organic Glam

If you’re more hipster than you are hippie, and you like cosmetics without all the chemical cocktail, there’s an OC green resource you might want to checkout.

Green4YourSoul.com has gathered some great fab finds that you’ll find more in high-fashion mag pages than on the shelves of Mother’s Market

And what’s nice about this OC e-store is that they’ve done all the green homework for you. Owner and local green girl, Christin Sheehe, searches high and low for the best organic bets.

You’ll find green gets from cosmetics, hair, bath & body to those for babies, pets and the home. Like always, I try not to reco anything that I haven’t tried, so I gave the bestseller Max Green Alchemy Shampoo and Conditioner a go and was green-happy with the scent and color-safe recipe.  (Elle ranked it a Best Pick for Green line.)

I also went all-out orange in the natural Zoya nail polish, voted longest wearing. It’s perfect for summer, but I’d probably go Raven Black for Fall.

The site is definitely breathe-easy with everything all in one place, so you don’t have to surf the web from site to site or burn the gas fumes traveling from Aveda to Lush to sample what’s new. And I dig that Christin’s finds are glam, because it’s nice to live green and still embrace style.

Green on, OC friends, as it gets easier to do so every day.

Laguna Eco Art With Heart

Imagine note cards that bloom wildflowers. Pretty wild.

If you’re over overpopulating landfills with your cards that get trashed in seconds after opening, and the evites and ecards aren’t quite cutting it, send some eco love. Local Laguna fine arts artist Brynne Cogorno of Backward Prints creates tree-free card art that you tear up and plant to bloom some green goodness. Really.

Her new OC line is made of from plant fibers, organic cotton and the skin of Daphne Bushes grown in Nepal (wow). That green recipe is then embedded with wildflower seeds to bloom poppies, snapdragons, daisies and more.  Each note print is hand drawn and hand printed using block printing.

“I wanted to make people smile and show them how easy it is to adopt a little green into their lives.” Brynne told me. Hey, I’m all for easy, creativity, sustainability—and I love the handmade heart of it all, so I’m in. Watch our recent chat in Laguna (below) for more firsthand scoop you’ll dig.

So maybe the next time an occasion calls, skip the landfill and think Backward Prints—great to give solo or as a pack. They’re fun as birthday party invites (plus make a cool kid’s craft at the party), and are great for the holidays and as green stocking stuffers.  By the way, Brynne can custom design inserts for any occasion.

Walk The Talk.

If you talk a good game about wanting cleaner OC air, drive a Prius, or maybe fashion a purifier in every room—then put your money where your Nike Air’s are. Support OC’s division of the American Lung Association.

The association partners with Ed Begley Jr., and thousands of OC families by taking steps to help clean the SoCal air (cough-cough, gag-gag) and help us and our kids breathe healthier air, as they hold annual walks like the OC Healthy Air Walk and more. 

Let’s do what we can to get OC on the green path.

Meet Your Veggies

Good green eats are on the menu at the Spectrum.

Veggie Grill is a natural, 100% plant-based restaurant found at the Spectrum. Everything on the menu is free of cholesterol, animal fat and trans fat. So, all you veggies and organic free spirits, feel free to do the Veggie Dance now.

The deal is the place is designed to appeal to the wary wholesome eater. You’ll find meaty textures, familiar dishes and kid-friendly meals like Chickin’ Nuggets or Pasta with marinara and a side of Sweet Potato Fries or Carrot Sticks. (Hey, if the kids start growing up green, they may never know they’re eating the “I hate vegetables” vegetables and stop resisting the path to more healthy choices.)

Veggie Grill is a contemporary space, far from having any hippie-loving vegan vibe; it’s at the Spectrum remember. So just keep the “eat your vegetables” wah-wah-Charlie-Brown drone on the dl and the kids may never know.

   

Sun Yourself, Smart Girls Who Surf

Sol is good for the soul.

Relax, enjoy, have fun and let your kids be kids with a new natural green eco line of love called Smart Girls Who Surf.

Smart Girl President Jennifer Taylor has put her heart and head into creating this full spectrum of sunfree goodness. She spent years with eco experts perfecting the formula and fragrance. And it shows.

The line, 100% free of unnatural ick, has an ingredient list that reads more like a trip to Trader Joe’s: Organic Sunflower Oil, Beeswax, Coco Butter, Avocado Oil, Aloe Oil, Vitamin E, Green Tea Extract, Rosemary Extract.

You can find Smart Girls Who Surf everywhere from Huntington Surf & Sport to the Montage, and nationwide from SoCal to NY. The line has all things sun from lip balm and leave-in hair protector to nondrying soap and, of course, sunblock.

Now if you’re a sunblock junkie, who goes for full coverage like a muffin tray with a can of Pam, you’re gonna be spray-outta-luck here. This clean screen is lotion based. So lather up. And that’s okay, because what’s coming outta that Coppertone aerosol can ain’t good stuff—and everyone nearby inhales your chemical coverage.

You may also want to try the new Surf-Vival Organic Face Stick from Jennifer. It’s serious stuff that goes on like the colored zinc. A bonus with the stick is that it stays, and like all in the line, it won’t sting.

So have some sun fun, and stay smart year-round with the all-green goodness.

Hats off to you, Jennifer (well, I’ll keep my wide-brim on in this case).

Mini Me Grotto

Escape with Little Landscapes—mini retreats and wild works of art.

Ever wish you could galavant off to a quaint Italian grotto? Vacay to the white sandy beaches of Maui? Zen out at a Japanese garden? Perhaps you need a little Little Landscapes—local inspiration in a 6- to 18-inch potted plant.

These small-scale greens are living plants in mini gardens. They give a kitchen counter instant inspired, work-of-art wow with mini detail and plants like dwarf mono grass, mini ferns, succulents, chamomile, China Doll and on and on.

There are over 15 different themes, including the Italian Villa Gardena, the Beach Vacation, Trailer Cactus, even a Fern Garden with a firepit to light up and breathe easy. The Japanese Koi Pond features real koi and the Kitchen Colander Herb Garden is a blend of fresh herbs in an antique colander—so you just water it right in your sink, let it drain and clip herbs to cook with. So easy.

These small wonders can’t be shipped, but they can be delivered anywhere in OC. Prices range from the simple $30 to elaborate $200. (A Mother’s Day gift that keeps on giving? New batches just made ... they’re ready and waiting.)

And if you’re up for some creativity, and you’ve got some extra time on your hands (as if), you can create your own little landscape with their line of mini accessories. The garden gurus have already done all the little shopping and research, and let you select from their mini wrought iron benches, willow rockers, picket fences, bird baths and other tiny decor.

Get green. Get a Little Landscape and add some sacred, fun space. Contact owner and green gal, Susan at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Hot Box vs. Steam Scene

Diary of a Detoxer

There’s Liberal versus Conservative. Public versus Private. Coke versus Diet Coke. And Sauna versus Steam.

Who’s right? Which is best? The debate goes on.

As the wave of organics continues with more good health in and toxins out, I’ve jumped on board, but am now sweatin’ the idea of the best sweating. Neurotic? I hear ya.

I used to adore the relaxing steam scene … breathing in, breathing out, clearing the lungs, opening the pores … then I went next door to the hot box and the “Sauna People” shared their disdain for the enemy. “Ewh, the bacteria in there! And the toxins! Yea, they get released, but then they just rise and come back down on you.”

What?! I’m trying to detox and other people’s toxins are tainting me?

And now I’ve got some telling me the infrared sauna is the only way to go. Infrared? Now my regular old sauna isn’t even good for me?

A classic case of Eco-Anxiety, now in the form of Toxin Obsession.

Wasn’t the whole idea here to sit back, relax and forget my worries?

I think I’ll continue with my old-school sauna, force myself to steam every now and then so I don’t become a toxin-free freakshow. And yeah, I’m also gonna continue with the jacuzzi, so I’ll be marinating in chlorine which will probably undo the benefits of both.

Eco in perspective. Can’t we all just get along?

 

Drink And Be Green

Get together. Get away. Go as green as you are.

If you’re an eco gal looking for easy ways to go green, meet up for a drink (or two, or three) at the informal get together known as OC Green Drinks.

Join like minded folks employed in, or involved with, environmental and sustainable work behind the Orange Curtain. OC Green Drinks is held monthly in different green spaces throughout OC. Get more info at: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Oil up and look fabulous.

Don’t hit Neiman’s for the fountain of youth, hit Olivier’s, Henry’s or Whole Foods for the most ancient Mediterranean medicinal around: olive oil. Here are six quick reasons to oil up:

1. It’s good for your heart, as it increases good HDL cholesterol, lowers bad LDL, and reduces other harmful blood fats (triglycerides).

2. It has plant antioxidants that protect against cancer-causing cell damage.

3. It keeps blood pressure down to a healthy 120/80.

4. It helps you lose weight with a fuller flavor, so less is needed for great taste (Weight Watchers swears by it).

5. It’s said to get rid of headaches: olive oil contains oleocanthal, a natural compound that, like ibuprofen, blocks pain-producing and inflammatory substances.

6. And it’s good for your skin and hair.

So skip the chemical fountains of youth, the new diet fad, the fake butters and get real with oilve oil ... on veggies, salads, breads, popped popcorn and anything else you can get creative with. 2 tablespoons daily, pure extra virgin and cold pressed.

O & Co at Fashion Island has amazing oils to sample. Flavors from everyday to those with a kick. And they have organic olive oil cosmetics for extra be-good-to-yourself.

             
                           

Green Cupcakes?

A sweet treat for kids with autism or allergies. A much-needed exhale for the Moms watch every bite.

“They’re special cupcakes, for special kids, for special families,” says cupcake extraordinaire and Green Cupcakes owner Georgina Seeck. Her handle is “The Cupcake Lady,” and her business is full of heart.

These green cakes are all-organic, gluten-free and made without many common food allergy ingredients like peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, egg, soy, wheat and casien. Additionally, there’s no trans fats, the sprinkles are dye-free, even the baking cups are 100% unbleached—“no artificial anything.”

Georgina, the mother of a child with food allergies, was constantly challenged by birthday parties, play dates and “fun” school functions. She became frustrated with the current products on the market and decided to bake a better allergen-free cupcake—with lots of eye-candy appeal, delicious taste and of course, healthy ingredients. She received such positive response that she took her recipe to the next level and altered the ingredients to exclude diet restrictions of children with autism ... and Green Cupcakes & More was born.

Cake flavors range from vanilla and chocolate to gingerbread, S’more and more. They’re available at Gloria Jeans Coffee at Mission Viejo Mall, or you can call Georgina to order your dozen green cupcakes anytime.

Georgina says, “Eating a green cupcake brings out joy, happiness, and peace.” Jenny McCarthy, Mom of son Evan agrees, as will be all Moms who hold their breath every time the cupcakes plate is passed.

Share the love. Pass the story to an OC Mom of an autistic or allergy-challenged child, and help her breathe easier for a moment, a day, a party, a celebration.

(You can join Green Cupcakes for an Orange County Valentine Decorating Party February 11th in Irvine. Contact 949.428-8878 for more details.)

 

Guys Save Face

New supergreen Shave the Planet to the rescue.

Getting guys to take care of their face is about as much fun as getting our own pore extractions. “Don’t use the Lava bar on your face! Don’t you want your hat? Why don’t you try some moisturizer?”

So maybe if the stuff comes all wrapped up in a Superman comic strip, they might bite. Lush, who makes all products from fresh, organic fruits and vegetables and fine oils, just came out with this new clever kit, including Shave the Planet shaving cream, Cosmetic Lad moisturizer to soothe, Bamboo soap to tone and a Business Time massage bar. The kit is rich with anti-aging antioxidants like acai and goji berries, rose hips, wheat germ and pumpkin see oils ... but we won’t tell them that.

Order online and have a guaranteed Valentine’s gift with no last-minute rush/out-of-stock scene, or head up to City Walk or Santa Monica this weekend with the cover story of getting away a bit, pull the “Honey, look what I just found” thing and have the cute sales girl tell him how great it is (always works when it’s not coming from us). After that, get yourself some Sonic Death Monkey Shower Gel or maybe a Happy Pill Bath Bomb and go.

(Anaheim Lush coming soon, alas. A sanity stopover post Disneyland? Perhaps.)

Eco-Anxiety. Are we green with panic?

Do you dig into other people’s trash to recycle their cans? Do you recycle bath water for the next person? Are you fighting with your husband over what light bulbs to use? Do you not see the beauty anymore in a view of city lights?

If it seems we’re a society out of balance with the eco-friendly world frenzy these days, we are. So much so that eco-therapists now that exist. Depression, anxiety, panic and feelings of hopelessness are very much alive, particularly post An Inconvenient Truth. And the largest group of eco-worriers is Moms. We pack the lunches, we do the shopping and we focus immense energy on keeping our kids healthy and their futures well. But are we making ourselves, and our families, unhappy in the process?

It’s something to think about. In “Green with Worry,” an article in San Francisco magazine, they tried to put eco-worry into perspective. And they did a great job of it; I’d highly recommend the reading. They talked about Moms pulling chocolate because cocoa bean farming is environmentally destructive, and air drying t-shirts while family members complained of wearing scratchy hairy-like shirts, and kicking their couches to the curb because of carcinogenic petrochemicals. No candy, no comfort, no couch? This can’t be good.

The article summed up the scene well by saying, “We have to put our own mood in balance before we can get the earth in balance.” Well said. Obsessing never seems healthy no matter the good intentions. Obsessing about all you must do and aren’t doing brings stress, sadness and paralyzing fear. It’s true, the sadness of polar bears drowning is real, we all have anxiety as we drive just about anywhere these days, and we worry about the future for our kids. And while that anxiety can bring awareness, it also brings with it unproductive negativity that won’t help ourselves, our families or the planet. So let’s stand back, do what we can, and remember to breathe. “If we aren’t living with joy in our lives, then we aren’t going to maintain the energy to make changes in the world,” as so well said by a therapist in the article. Ironically, it seems science’s environmentalists are the least panic stricken by what they see. They’re relieved that people are paying attention and know they can’t change the world single-handedly. Let’s follow their lead and remember that with the history of the earth and all the catastrophes, the world continues and new life is always born. A global perspective may help lessen the panic.

The Road Less Traveled

Many earth-friendly, happy-home products here at The Road Less Traveled Store, such as disposable plates—made from bagasse, the sugarcane pulp after the juice is extracted. Or try their Happy Mist for the home—peace and happiness in a bottle. Spray the home, diaper pail, trash can, any where with this mix of distilled water and 100% pure essential oils of bergamot and grapefruit.