Want to learn more about green and sustainable living? Here are some upcoming events in the Phoenix area!

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

via www.GreenLivingAZ.com

2011 Summer Saturday Evenings: June to August
On Saturday nights between 6:00 p.m. and 9:45 p.m., you may find museum docents and junior docents interpreting live animals, celestial wonders, fluorescent minerals, night pollinators, animal eye shine, Sonoran Desert insects, night sounds, and bat, scorpion, or rattlesnake kits.

Admissions after 4:00 p.m.: $7.00, $2.25 for 6 to 12, free for 5 and under.

www.desertmuseum.org

Sustainability and Green Jobs Discussion with the Phoenix Mayoral Candidates

via www.arizonagreenchamber.org

August 3rd
The Green Chamber of Commerce – focused on providing resources and solutions that enable businesses and organizations to advance a sustainable economy – is hosting a unique opportunity to hear from the Mayoral candidates, first hand, on their thoughts and plans to further advance Phoenix’s sustainable economy.
Moderated by Kristin Mayes, former Chairwoman for the Arizona Corporation Commission, we will explore – in depth – how the next potential mayors will plan to enable positive change in the Valley of the Sun.

For more information, visit the event page.

Global Change Music presents: The Be Aware Tour

via www.GreenLivingAZ.com

August 26
Gabriel of Urantia TaliasVan of Tora and The 11-Piece Bright & Morning Star Band. CosmoPop music of the future for minds of the future. Event is held at Tempe Center for the Arts Theater.

Box Office: 480.350.2822

$20 Advance/$25 Door

1/2 Price Ages 6-11 years-old

www.beawaretour.org

Sometimes you just want to step off the beaten path and in busy Old Town Scottsdale that can be a challenge at times.  The Mission provides a culinary refuge tucked next to a small historic church in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale.  It boasts a swanky bar that is softly lit by a wall built with warm colored, salt bricks and the posh dining room is reminiscent of the quietly elegant charm of the 1920’s.  Whether you are in the mood for a killer margarita or some delicious, Latin inspired cuisine, The Mission is sure to delight.

 If you choose to dine in the bar area, you have the option of the common table to casually seat yourself or sit at the bar for a top notch view of all your tequila options.  The bar features premium cocktails and margaritas that are created with organic and hand pressed juices.  They are famous for their Red or White Sangria that isn’t too sweet but full of fruity flavor. Don’t forget to order their fresh, fabulous guacamole and house made chips while you decide on your entrée.  The bowl will be gone before you know it!
The Mission is perfect for sharing.  The appetizers can be ordered and shared because they are all so unique.  With options like Crispy Cola Pork ($12) (pork belly + cola + lime + chiltepin + peanut + pickled red onion + gem lettuce) or the Roast Corn Gordita  ($9) (squash + zucchini + gordita + huitlacoche + crema) it can be hard to choose, but they definitely get you inspired for your entrée.

A variety of boutique style tacos are offered with options from Mahi Mahi ($12-14) to sizzling skirt steak.  Fresh toppings and corn tortillas round out this dish.  If you are feeling a bit more culinary adventurous, try the Chorizo Porchetta ($24) (pork shoulder + chorizo + rosemary + cotija + white bean puree + sweet garlic crema).  On a date?  Why not share the Pork Shoulder ($ 32 serves two) pork shoulder + pineapple glaze + cilantro + red onions + 10 hand made corn tortillas make having a good time easy!
My favorite items on the menu have to be the white bean puree and the Espresso Churros.  I always order a side of the white bean puree with their smoky hint of cumin.  The Espresso Churros are delightful and served with an Espresso milkshake, perfect for dipping or sipping, which ever you prefer.

Please visit their website for lunch, dinner and brunch hours.

Bon Appetit!

The crowds of the cities, congestion of the highways, and lines at airports and hotels can make travel downright miserable. It is not uncommon to find someone who says they are happier just taking a couple of days off from work and staying home. Yet, travel deals are cropping up that make it easier than ever to explore another part of the world. Vast tracts of nature still abound and environmental sustainability is the focus of many hotels and resorts in remote parts of the globe. Central and South America as well as Southeast Asia, Africa, and the isolated Galapagos Islands in the Pacific are just a few such places.

South America has a wide range of climates, but the mountain vistas of Argentina and Chile are some of the most spectacular in the world. There are big cities not far away from vast expanses of nature, such as Buenos Aires and Santiago, and you can certainly start out at one of these places. Treks out to the rugged terrain on a four-wheel drive or on horseback begin not far away. You can explore huge national parks or sip your way through Argentina’s wine country. This is a well-rounded trip because it is possible to get lost in the wonders of nature, and experience cosmopolitan cultures whenever you desire to get back to civilization.

On a trip to Belize and Guatemala, there are dense rainforests to explore. The beaches are spectacular as well, so after hiking the jungle you can relax on white sand beaches and even explore the immense coral reefs around Belize. A vacation package can include small hotels in different spots, to which you can travel to in small planes and all-terrain vehicles. It is also easy to get immersed in the local culture, explore the ruins of Mayan civilization, and just slow the pace a bit and catch up on relaxation.

India is also a top destination for an eco tour. It’s a large country and it would take a long time to explore all of it, though there are more than enough natural wonders, historical sites, and cultural elements to be seen. Safaris offer up close sights of tigers and elephants in their natural surroundings, and long rivers provide slow-paced journeys. In between, you can explore dense, modern cities like Delhi and Mumbai and, on a tour, the lodging can range from modern hotels to small guesthouses. Dense crowds and environmental concerns have been seen in India, so it is one of the best places to take an environmentally sustainable trip. Preserving the environment has become one of the country’s top priorities.

If cities and civilization are far from your mind, an eco tour to the Galapagos Islands will keep the sight of big crowds away from your thoughts. The Galapagos are all nature, and have been the subject of various scientific studies, including those of Charles Darwin himself. You can visit 13 islands with plant life that is seen nowhere else, and landscapes that have been uniquely created by the volcanoes that constructed the islands. Cruise on small ships, take a walking trip through the wilderness, and stay at small, eco-friendly lodging right on the islands. Here, you know the lodging and transportation are built to protect the local ecology. The Galapagos Islands are one of the most protected areas in the world.

A fifth destination for an eco tour is Tanzania. The natural wonders of Africa rank among the top unspoiled areas in the world. This is a place for adventures like climbing up Kilimanjaro or hiking the hills above the Great Rift Valley. You can also witness wildlife conservation at its best at Serengeti and Lake Manyara. It is also possible to observe wildebeest migrations, and see plant and bird life that can’t be seen anywhere else.

Vacation packages for eco tours abound, and all of your lodging, transportation, and food needs are included. At any of these top locations, you’ll feel like the rest of the world is a universe away. Who doesn’t need to slow down the pace in the most natural surroundings there are?

Kara Taylor is a freelance writer and has been published on several topics including eco tours.

Yes, it’s summer, and who wants to think about making chili? Well, you should, as this one is really quick and chock-full of veggies. Use the vegetables listed in the recipe (from The Everything Soup Cookbook) or throw other ones in that you have on hand. Maybe having a big bowl will remind you of a cold winter evening…..brrr.

• 1 green bell pepper
• 1 stalk celery
• 1/2 onion
• 1 carrot
• 1 zucchini
• 1 clove garlic
• 2 tablespoons vegetable or nut oil
• 1 (18oz.) can chopped tomatoes
• 1 (15oz.) can cooked kidney beans
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
• 1 teaspoon basil
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 3/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 can Mexicorn
• Shredded cheddar cheese and/or chopped cashews for garnich (optional)

Chop the green bell pepper, celery, and onion. Shred the carrot and zucchini. Mince the garlic.

In a large saucepan or soup pot, heat the oil. Saute all the fresh vegetables on medium for 3 minutes. Add all the remaining ingredients, except the garnishes. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook for 10 more minutes.

Garnish and serve.

Serves 4

Many people only drink bottled water - convinced that it is better than the stuff that comes out of the tap.  Unfortunately, that’s just not true in many cases.  Also, drinking bottled water is not very green - as only one in five water bottles are recycled.  Take a look at this infographic for more stats:

Presented by Online Education

Who would have thought that drinking water could be so bad for the environment?  What was the most staggering statistic in your eyes? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!

This recipe is from Heidi Swanson’s newest cookbook, Super Natural Every Day. Your kitchen fills with a wonderful aroma when roasting the kale and the coconut. It’s hard not to eat it right off the pan and just forget about putting it in the salad!

• 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce (I use reduced sodium)
• 3 ½ cups lightly packed chopped kale, large ribs removed and stems trimmed
• 1 ½ cups unsweetened large-flake coconut*
• 2 cups cooked farro or other whole grain

*If using finely shredded unsweetened coconut (it’s easier to find), reduce amount to ½ cup.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees with two racks in the top third of the oven.

In a large bowl, whisk the olive oil, sesame oil and soy sauce.  Reserve 1/3 of the sauce. Put the kale and coconut in the bowl with the sauce and toss well.

Spread the kale and coconut mixture evenly across two baking sheets. Bake for 12 to 18 minutes, until the coconut is deeply golden brown, tossing once or twice along the way. If the kale mixture on the top baking sheet begins to get too browned, move it to the lower rack.

Remove from the oven and transfer the kale mixture into a medium bowl. Add the cooked farro and toss. Add some of the reserved sauce to taste. Serve warm.

Serves 4