The Greener Way to Buy Your Magazines.

Let’s say you’re hosting a party.

Oh wait- you are. 

So, Miss Planner Extraordinaire, isn’t it helpful to know exactly how many people to expect?  You wouldn’t want to waste money or time because you over-estimated, right?

Well, magazines are no different.  And if they know you like theirs, let them know so they can reduce their impact on the environment!

The stack of magazines that face you as you stand in the grocery line certainly present a temptation.  While you wait, why not browse the “Top 20 Bridal Dresses of the Year” or the “Bridesmaids Behaving Badly.”  (True story— I just read an article with that title.  I’m sure I have nothing to worry about though.... right, ladies?? ;-) )

Interestingly enough, buying that magazine on that newsstand (even if you will recycle it after) is not the most eco of choices. And here’s why:

Even if a newsstand sells the majority of its magazines (6 out of 10, let’s say) that means 52 million magazines per month are tossed.  According to the Magazine Publishers of America (MPA), that’s 600,000 tons of paper in a year that was completely wasted (source: E: the Environmental Magazine).

Even if they do get recycled, that’s a considerable amount of resources that were used for no reason other than to entertain your curiosities as you stand in the checkout line.

To be more economical (both in cost and for the environment), signing up for magazine subscriptions is the better solution!

Or, use the Internet.  In addition to some fantastic blogs (nudge, nudge... ;-) ), you can find many wedding tips on magazine’s websites. Eco-Beautiful Weddings (that I blogged about in a previous bost) is also a great e-resource.  

Or maybe just splurge and get yourself that iPad or Nook or Kindle so you can subscribe to any magazine you’d like.  It is for your wedding planning research afterall...

P.S., a Happy Birthday shout-out to my dear friend (and fellow bride-to-be) Becky!!  

Enjoy your day!  :-)

Sustainable... 'til death do us part.

And to conclude our discussion of eco-food terms... drum roll please...

Sustainable:
-the capacity to endure (Wikipedia.com).

When you think about it, the concept of sustainability translates perfectly to your future marriage, too.  Ok, ok... it's a bit cheesy (the organic kind).  But when you're making a commitment to endure a lifetime, you want to ensure its long term well-being.

So, here’s a bit of what you can do to endorse sustainable practices for the day that marks your sustainable union.

Companies that practice sustainability use natural resources wisely.  For businesses new to being green, or those that aren't well-versed in what it means to be sustainable, feel free to ask them to be!

Hey, if you’re making a heavy investment in this wedding of yours, you might as well tell them exactly what you want.  I have a feeling they’ll do their best to accommodate. 

Here are some sample sustainable questions to ask a caterer
(source: The Green Bride Guide by Kate Harrison):

• Is your produce from a local source?   Where exactly is it from?

• Is it possible to get local ingredients—if so, is there an extra cost?

• Can you serve free-range, grass-fed, or organic meat?

• Are there kosher options?

• Could we serve free-trade organic teas and coffee, milk, and sugar?

• Do you use local/organic wines or beer?

• When you wash the linens, will you use an earth-friendly detergent?  (I know you may feel a bit silly about asking this one, but the amount of chemical run-off going into our rivers is staggering... why not get people to start thinking about it?  For a fantastic eco detergent, I recommend Shaklee's Get Clean laundry line.

And for your weekly “green goodie,” treat yourself (and fiancée, family, and friends) this weekend to a suggestion from this website:

Dinegreen.com:
a directory for local restaurants that are committed to satisfying your hunger while sustaining our planet’s well-being!

Local-- it just tastes better when it's close to home.

And we continue our journey of food...

but this time, we'll stay in your neighborhood.

Have you ever noticed how people mention how great the food in Italy is?  How it just doesn’t compare to any Italian restaurant in the U.S.?

The reason is because Italians typically use local produce.  Food tastes best when it’s ready and ripe... usually 24 hours before it’s eaten... not a week prior so it can be shipped 1,000 miles to the grocery store.

Local food has eco-benefits too since it greatly reduces the emissions from transport and supports small, community-based businesses.

Unfortunately, according to Foodroutes.org, the U.S. has lost 4.7 million farms since 1935.

The message needs to be sent that we support our farmers!

Farmers Markets are an excellent choice for supporting local produce and meat.  Feel free to ask them if their products are organic.   If they’re not, you’re planting the seed that one of their potential customers would support organic.  Also, they might utilize organic practices even if they don’t have “Organic certification” due to the lengthy process (see the post below about organic foods).

If you’re living in a city, or if your wedding/event is in the city, check with your chamber of commerce to see if it has a “Green City Market" (such as the one my caterer is using in Chicago).  Yes, there are farmers who will venture into the city.  

For a Farmers Market in your area, you can check out localharvest.org (from the previous post) or you can also do a quick search-by-city on the USDA website.

And if you're looking for new recipes to showcase your farmer's market goods, try a few from this cookbook--- guaranteed to help you whip up delicious seasonal meals!

Why Organic is Just Better

Organic.  Does the word make your pocketbook shutter?

Well, here's a bit about what you're paying for, 

why it's better for you, 

and what makes it the more Eco choice:

The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) doesn’t take their organic certifications lightly, and rightfully so.  Their quality standards are based on a number of factors. 

Each product has a different “grade” or rating system.  Meat and dairy have eight (in descending order): Prime, Choice, Select, Standard, Commercial, Utility, Cutter and Canner.  And there are more than 312 grades for produce.  (Source: USDA.com)

 Search Amazon.com for organic

The reason why organic is the more “Eco” choice is because organic farmers adhere to standards that are better for the soil and better for the Earth.  They also work to ensure the ecosystem remains intact (ie: no pesticides that would damage other wildlife and tamper with the food chain).  

Organic certification has to be applied for annually which also requires an inspection each year of the farm or company.  When a company is certifiably organic, you know it had to jump through a lot of hoops.

Organic farmers have a difficult job.  Sure, it would be easier to just spray some chemicals and ensure more of a crop and more of a profit.  But, thanks to their commitment to the Earth and our wellbeing, they’ve chosen the tougher path.

This is what we pay for.  Why not support those who are literally in the trenches, fighting for better food.  The more we support these farmers’ efforts, the more affordable and prominent organic will become.

For an organic farmer’s market near you, check out:

The Local Harvest.