More thoughts on Summer

I'm not really a summer person, at least not where I live.  As I mentioned in an earlier post it is very hot and humid here.  I used to love summers when I lived in upstate New York.  I had an amazing organic vegetable garden and a beautiful flower garden. Not in this city; I feel I am always fighting a losing battle between the heat, drought and bugs.  But one of the things I do love about summer is the fruits and vegetables.  Peaches, plums, berries, melons and of course tomatoes.  So instead of trying to win a losing battle, several years ago I embraced the local Farmer's Market.  I head over early Sat. mornings before going to work.   I particularly love this market.  It is held in a parking lot that they close off for a few hours but they have planted beautiful flowers all around.  There are musicians serenading us along with delicious smells of people cooking Thai food, Indian, Ethiopian and good ole Biscuits with different toppings.  I have my favorite stands of organic veggies and fruits and a local bakery where I treat myself to a scone to take to work with me.  Peaches are plentiful right now and today I purchased some and I am about to bake my husband's favorite peach dessert.  A crust that is more shortbread like than pie or cake, topped with peaches and baked to a bubbling sweetness.  I also purchased some heirloom tomatoes and I'm thinking of using that same crust but making it savory with some rosemary and topping with the tomatoes and some caramelized onions and a little cheese.

What are your favorite summer fruits and vegetables? 

Summertime and the livin is easy

We always have hot and humid summers where I live but this summer, like most of the country, we seem to be hitting all kinds of records.  I've been very busy with facials and making new products.  So busy that I was behind in making some essential oil blends for a Wellness Studio that requested some.  When I contacted the owner to say I hadn't forgotten and I would get them to her soon, her response was priceless.  "I did not feel forgotten.  It's summer!  One should never rush in the summer! "  Perfect advice.  So now I'm slowing down a bit.  Sipping some lemonade, listening to my husband play his guitar with my cat on my lap.  

I just received the most awesome review from Eye on Green Magazine.  Check it out.http://terryseyeongreenmag.blogspot.com/2012/07/eye-on-green-magazine-rising-up-green_17.html?spref=bl

Greenwashing

Here we are approaching August and I am in need of a pedicure.  I wanted to find a Green Spa for my little tootsies.  A few spas have opened in and around town stating they were green.  I was so excited.  That is until I went to their websites.  Low and behold they use paraffin.  Yes, paraffin.  Now if you are familiar with what it means to be green, you know that green and paraffin wax do not belong together.  It is petroleum based.  Either these business are just jumping on the green bandwagon or they do not understand that being green is a lifetime commitment.  It doesn't just mean you recycle, or you buy some eco-friendly fixtures. 

So what do I consider a green product or a green business?  In a green the ingredients should be as natural as possible. But more importantly they should not contain any ingredients that are harmful to us or to the planet. Secondly, the packaging should be recyclable using glass or safe plastic.  If it is in a box the box should be made from recycled paper.  A spa or any business shouldn’t go green just because it’s popular. They have to believe in what they are doing, and if they don't know they should educate themselves or hire an environmental consultant.

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 All products used should be either green as just described; the furnishings should be from eco-friendly materials such as bamboo, cork, salvaged or from some sustainable source.  All stationery and paper goods should be from recycled paper and using soy ink.  Light should be compact fluorescent. It can be taken even further by choosing a wind powered electric company, filtered water and air.  I think you get my drift.  

So until I find a truly green spa these feet will have to wait.