Stonehouse California Olive Oil Receives Earth-Watcher's Earth Saver Award

Stonehouse California Olive Oil, 223 Front Street, near Peck Slip, South Street Seaport, offers discounts to customers who re-use olive oil bottles for refills. They offer a wide selection of dipping oils. Free samples are available when visiting the store. In addition, Stonehouse offers a wide selection of locally produced cheeses and other dairy products. They have also partnered with a local farmer to bring Community Supported Agriculture to the Seaport area.
(For more info on CSAs in NYC visit, the NYC guide to local and organic food.)

For adopting each of these practices, Earth-Watchers is very happy to present Stonehouse with an Earth-Saver Award.

Please stop by Stonehouse for some free samples of their amazingly delicious olive oils!

Jack's Stir Brew Receives Earth-Watcher's Earth-Saver Award

Jacks's Stir Brew, on 222 Front Street was awarded an Earth-Watcher's Earth-Saver Award for serving coffee that is organic, fair trade and shade grown. Their milk comes from Ronnybrook Farms, a local dairy producing milk that is antibiotic and hormone free.

You can visit their other locations throughout Manhattan or order online, by visiting www.jacksstirbrew.com.

To learn more about the importance of organic, shade-grown and fair trade, check out our living lightly guide to coffee here.

Tribeca Treats Receives Earth-Watcher's Earth-Saver Award

Tribeca Treats, on 95 Reade Street, in Tribeca has been awarded the Earth Watchers "Earth Saver Award," for carrying Ronnybrook Ice Cream and Five Boroughs Ice Cream.

Ronnybrook ice cream comes from cows grazing on pesticide free pastures in the Hudson Valley. Their milk products are also free of antibiotics and hormones. To learn more visit Ronnybrook Dairy.

5 Boroughs ice cream is manufactured in Astoria Queens with milk from a family owned farm in upstate New York. The cows are not given growth hormones or antibiotics unless an individual cows health is at risk. Most of their inclusions such as baklava and biscotti are locally made.

Not only are the treats delectable, I personally rate the cupcakes as the best in the city, but all of their dairy products are from local dairies and antibiotic and hormone free! Yumm!

Heather's July Goal

Goal: Replace personal care products(shampoo, soap, lotions, deodorant, toothpaste, sunscreen, etc.) with natural products that are paraben and phthlate free.

The Pay-Off: By choosing more natural products I will improve my overall health, as well as my daughter's (my breast milk will be cleaner too!). The change will positively impact the environment since 1)my purchasing dollars will be used toward natural rather than conventional products 2) it will reduce waste since many natural products use less packaging and 3) there will be fewer toxins going down my drains and into the water system.

Earth-Watchers Related Posts
Just One Word: Phthlates
Pervasive Parabens
Baby Product Alert

Products I Have Switched To :
For Baby: Weleda and California Baby, I feel they are the most natural and I like their scents.
For Me: California Baby's Calendula Cream
Thera Neem from Organix South
Spectrum Unrefined Coconut Oil available at Bell Bates
Dr. Hauschka shampoo, conditioner, and Neem hair lotion and sunscreen.
available online at www.saffronrouge.com (free samples come with the order!)

Over the past few years I have been interested in using more natural products in my daily routine. For my daughter, I made sure to select all natural products to use from the moment she was born. I scrutinized over different shampoos, soaps and diaper rash creams to find a brand without chemicals and toxins. After attending Alexandra Zissu's discussionon toxins in our home, I decided I needed to look at my daily routine and the products I use with a higher level of scrutiny.

I recently revamped my facial products and body lotions after starting regular Ayurvedic consultations. Since I am Pitta(summer), I need products that cool and soothe sensitive skin.
My Ayurvedic practitioner also recommended using unrefined coconut oil on my skin and it has been very hydrating and moisturizing.

Beware Hidden Toxins
When I went through all of my beauty products, I was surprised at what I found. Modern Organic Products(MOP) shampoos and conditioners and many Alba products contain parabens! I always thought the Alba line was all natural! I used to use Ling skin care because I would get facials there. I discovered that not all of their products contain ingredient lists, but I finally found one on the facial cleanser bottle and found it had a lot of bad things in it! Since swithching to TheraNeem I have found my skin feels more nourished and healthier.

Seeking Advice:
What are some good deodorants? What should I do with all of the toxin-laden products I no longer use?

These new natural products are more expensive than their conventinal counterparts, but I find they often last longer and are so much better for your body and the environment.

Denise's July Goal: Drinking Only Shade Grown and/or Organic Coffee and Tea

Goal: To abstain from drinking coffee that is neither shade grown nor organic.
I'm really excited about this month's endeavor since it is something I've wanted to do for a long time, in fact since I posted last summer, The Decadence of Coffee. Since then I've found two new breakfast places, which we love, where we can enjoy a delicious cup of organic coffee(Le Pain Quotidien on Warren and Church) and shade grown organic(Pan Latin Cafe on North End Avenue and Chambers in BPC). So, on the weekends our breakfast options will be limited to these two places, unless I forego my morning cup of Joe, or I'll have to brew my cup of ambition at home. For this, I prefer national wildlife federation's blend from Green Mountain Roasters. I'm looking for more places to get locally ground coffee. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

CJ's July Goals

My goals revolve around food choices this month in a double effort to eat healthier and more environmentally friendly:

1) Consume more local produce by taking advantage of easy access to the Green Market:

Do I really need to buy bagged salad when I can support the local farmer? So far, I'm learning that this requires planning ahead and becoming more familiar with what produce is carried by specific markets. I also found this helpful map and schedule that I can keep in my wallet for reference:
http://www.cenyc.org/files/gmkt/map.pdf

2)Eat less meat by increasing fish dinners and preparing one vegetarian dinner a week.

I am a carnivore. I'm NOT ashamed; but I am open to expanding my diet and offering more choices for my family. When dining out, I passed up my regular steak frites for mussels and I prepared shrimp paella for the first time(admission-not all my veggies were from the green market). So far, the newest vegetarian dishes added to my menu include black bean tacos and falafel filled pitas.

Meet the Team

Denise: Founding Director
I founded Earth-Watchers a few years ago during my pregnancy. The prospect of raising my child "green" and safe from harmful chemicals, was incredibly daunting and overwhelming. I knew I needed help. I would often make a commitment to do something and then slip up as soon as temptation arrived. I am grateful to have a support group who not only "gently" hold me accountable for my actions but provide me with countless helpful suggestions.

July goal: Drink only organic and shade grown coffee READ MORE:

Heather: Outreach Director
July goal: Replace all personal care products(shampoos, soaps, sunscreen, make-up, etc.) with natural products that are paraben and phthlate free READ MORE:

CJ: Marketing Director
I live in lower Manhattan and recently retired from the office to full-time
CEO of the household.  Although my new boss(son) is very good to me,
my more familiar self is challenged daily.  All priorities indeed change
-go figure.  Or, is it now go green?
Lately, I rethink every-day choices in an effort to support a healthier
environment for my son to thrive and contribute.  Ultimately, my goal is
to lead by example.  The Earth-Watchers group is my resource for
support and practical alternatives.
July Goal:
1)Consume more local produce and eat less meat
2)Save and re-use my to-go sleeves on my take-out coffee cups
READ MORE:

AB: Financial Director
July Goal: 
Reduce My Use of Disposable Diapers by Using G-diapers Instead

RG
July Goal:
Reduce My Use of Paper

RM
July Goal:
Shorten the Length of My Showers

Ellen:
July Goal:
Save All My Scrap Paper and Turn Them into Notebooks

Eliminating Paper and Plastic

Goal: Eliminating paper and plastic when shopping and dining
out

While running my daily errands around the neighborhood I have noticed
that I am still taking a lot of paper and plastic when making
purchases. When I buy arugula or spinach at the Greenmarket they put it
in a plastic bag. I might stop and buy a bottle of water or get a latte
to go. I always carry a canvas bag but oftentimes buy too much and then
need to use the paper or plastic bags that are offered to me. My goal
is to eliminate all of this paper and plastic.

Here are some steps I have taken to help reach my goal:

• Always carry a canvas bag
• Use my stroller bag to hold purchases if my canvas bag is full
• Buy smaller quantities of food and make more frequent visits to the
market
• Carry my Sigg cup filled with water
• Carry a stainless steel coffee cup just in case I want my latte to go
(although sitting at Jack’s drinking a latte in a ceramic cup is more
enjoyable!)

In the first week I feel like I refused a lot of plastic and paper
bags. I put my Greenmarket purchases directly in my canvas bag. I went
to Bell Bates and Bed, Bath and Beyond and put my purchases directly in
my stroller bag.

One item that has been a little tricky is buying roasted chickens at
Bouley Market. The containers are filled with juice so I want to have
them wrap it in a paper bag before I put it in my canvas bag.

I also found it challenging when we went out of town for the weekend. I
brought a canvas bag but found it more difficult to use it for all of
our purchases. I need to think creatively in the moment, i.e., carry
things back to the car without bagging them.

******

Denise's June Goal: Kicking the Take-Out Habit

My goal: Giving up take-out containers
My quest: To develop a plan we can approach restaurant owners with so that we might be able to indulge in take-out without all of the throw-aways. Any insights on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

6/1
There are often times when I really crave certain foods and would like to have someone else do the cooking and clean-up. Last Saturday my husband and I ordered burgers from a local diner and picnicked outside. Not only were the burgers encased in a styrofoam container, the lettuce and tomatoes were in a small ziplock bag, the utensils in another and of course, the ketchup, mustard and mayonaise, (not that we asked for all this), were also in separate containers. In addition, all of this was in a bleached white paper bag, placed inside a plastic bag. I wish I could go back to the care-free days when I could enjoy a meal like this, but of course I couldn't, thinking about the enormity of the environmental impact of this meal, and that is not even including the burger itself! So, for this month, I intend to forego take-out.

I think the hardest part about this for me will be giving up the take-out ice tea. I usually make my coffee or tea at home, but every once in awhile, particularly when the weather is warm, I really enjoy a large ice tea from AuBonPain. This large ice tea usually involves a large cup, with a plastic lid and plastic straw wrapped in bleached white paper-ugh! In addition, my daughter, when seeing my large up with the plastic straw has been crying for her own. I confess to allowing her, her own cup and straw so that I can drink my caffeinated drink in peace without sharing.

Denise
6/5
Discovery!
Did you know that if you re-use your disposable cup at Starbucks, regardless of how many times, you only get charged for a re-fill? I've had my cup since long before I made this committment and get charged 50 cents for a Venti Ice Tea! On the contrary, when you bring your own re-usable mug you save a measly 10 cents. Go figure!

6/8
Seriously craving pizza today. Want to bring my own plate and get a slice but feel silly, so we end up eating out. My husband and I share a small personal pie and have 2 pieces leftover. I slip them in my re-usable take out container in which I carried a meal for my daughter(she ate it while we ate our pizza).

6/10
Confession:
So today, I went to a work-related function and we were honored as guests and given a wonderful lunch. I had my re-usable containers with me and could have helped myself without using a styrofoam plate but was afraid of making my hosts uncomfortable and sounding "I'm better than you since I don't use styrofoam," so I used the plate. I did re-use it for desert! Does this count as take-out?

6/12
Looking for a lunch option and not wanting to get take-out so check out the grocery store. Anything I can get is already packaged. Does this count as take-out? I think so, so I opt for leftovers in my fridge, but really wished I could have had the sushi!

6/13
I can't take it anymore! I want an ice-tea. So I go to AuBonPain and get one and put it in my stainless steel water bottle. Shouldn't I get some kind of discount? Got charged for a small but am pretty sure I got short-changed on that deal.

A new use for old shoes?

Here are some alternatives to letting
your old shoes take up landfill space:

Heart and Sole, a project run by Michigan State University's College of Osteopathic Medicine, will accept small donations of gently used shoes that will be donated to those in need in the U.S. and Africa. Donations must be shipped or delivered to them. To make a donation email Anne Cook at cooka@msu.edu

Gently worn footwear can be sent to one of soles4souls warehouses. To find one near you click here.

Used crocs can be sent to Soles United where they will be recycled, turned into new shoes and sent to those in need. You may either mail them or find a participating retailer drop-off location.

Through Nike's Let Me Play campaign you can donate your used athletic shoes(any brand) to be turned into sport surfaces around the world. Click here to find a drop-off location or mail your used shoes to:
Nike Recycling Center
c/o Reuse-A-Shoe
26755 SW 95th Ave.
Wilsonville, OR 97070

The Earth-Watchers Action Plan

Earth-Watchers is not about feeling guilty or passing judgment. Earth-Watchers is about finding your comfort zone, then stretching it until the stretched area begins to feel comfortable. When it does, stretch again.

Each month earth-watchers members choose to incorporate a more eco-friendly habit into their daily lives. At the end of the month we discuss our successes and failures. We brainstorm how we can make our efforts toward sustainability more practical for everyone.

In addition, we take a look at what changes can be done in our community to help others to adapt some eco-friendly habits. For example, it is much easier to eat local when your community has a farmer's market or CSA. It is also much easier to stick to a local diet when your neighborhood restaurant serves local produce and you can reduce your waste when they allow you to to use re-usable carry-out containers.

Would you like to try the Earth-Watchers action plan?
Below you will find a list of eco-friendly actions. Choose one and when it becomes a habit and not a struggle, (only you can determine when that is), choose another. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.

1. Purchase only shade grown, organic fair-trade coffee(August article and guide)
2. Reduce your exposure to toxins(May)
3.Say no to paper and plastic bags at the supermarket.(April)
4.Make one in 10 food items organic and avoid the dirty dozen.(March)
5.Choose sustainably harvested seafood.(March)
6. Stop using chemicals to clean your home.(March)
7. Stop sending conventional flowers. Send plants, or organically grown instead.(February)
8. Commit to choosing vintage and recycled jewelry(February)
9. Choose locally grown fruits and vegetables. To find a CSA visit www.localharvest.org

Downtown Manhattan's Local Business Recognition

Earth-Watchers are honoring businesses that are helping its customers shrink our environmental footprints. They may be serving local and organic food, or generating less waste by allowing us to re-use our containers. By publicizing local businesses who have adopted eco-friendly practices, we hope to communicate to others that becoming greener, can be not only practical but profitable. Our mission is to lead by example.

If you are a business owner or a frequent customer of one that you feel deserves recognition, please email us at earthwatchers@yahoo.com.


Congratulations to the following businesses have received an Earth-Watcher's
Earth-Saver Award:

Jack's Stir Brew 222 Front Street, South Street Seaport
Tribeca Treats, 95 Reade Street, Tribeca
Stonehouse California Olive Oil, 223 Front Street, near Peck Slip, South Street Seaport

Guides to Living Lightly in New York City

Coffee: Sellers of Shade Grown and Organic Coffee
Energy: Conservation and Alternative Sources
Food: Local and Organic
Shopping:Environmentally Friendly Businesses

The Living Lightly Guide to:

Baby ProductsBeauty Products(shampoos, soaps, lotions etc.)
Coffee
Dry Cleaning
Energy Use
Cleaning Products
Organics
Plastics
Recycling Old Shoes
Seafood

Book Reviews

Books:
Jane Goodall, "Harvest of Hope"
This is a fantastic book from one of my personal heroes. It will change the way you look at food. The word "hope" in the title gives you the right idea that the overall tone is an optimistic one, although some of the realities of our food industry are quite disturbing. I highly recommend this book for anyone who eats food.

Better Off, Flipping the Switch on Technology by Eric Brende
This is a fun read about a couple who decide to live "off the grid," for the purpose of research. They calculate how much time they spend "working" and compare it to the hours the rest of us, living with modern conveniences, spend. The author does not suggest or promote a lifestyle without electricity, however he does offer a fresh perspective on how we view our modern "conveniences."

Our Mission

Our mission is two-fold. First, we believe that changes on the individual level do make a difference. Therefore, we strive to challenge ourselves to live lighter and lighter. In doing so, we hope our efforts will inspire others to do the same. In addition, we work within our communities putting systems into place, which we hope will ultimately make it easier for others to shrink their footprint too!