Good Mom
Mother, Ma, Mommy, Momma… No matter what you call her, her title implies a woman who raises you in a loving and generous manner.

Mother’s Day is a day of celebration and dedication as motherhood itself has been deemed one of the world’s most difficult jobs. And certainly, at no other time in history, has it been more important than it is today.

Green Parenting
Being a parent who is conscious of sustainable lifestyle practices is becoming more common as Global environmental events are emerging closer to home.

Understanding how our lifestyles affect the environment is important however, practicing sustainability is of even greater importance. This is especially true for families where our everyday actions are often mimicked by our children.

While we want to give our children everything, or “every thing”, we need to define what that is, and how our choices affect our children’s future.

With global degradation and extinction occurring at exponential rates, bringing a child into the world today, holds with it an astonishing amount of responsibilities.

In every manner of how we raise a child - from feeding and dressing them, to transporting and educating them - we have an immediate impact on the outcome of the planet they are inheriting. When our purchases are green, or sustainable, we help, directly, the well being of the planet and everything which resides therein.

Gifts for the Green Mom
If you are giving a gift this Mother’s Day, and your wife or mother is an Earthy, lovable, intrinsically-motivated, dedicated woman…and even if she’s not, think about greener alternatives.

Organic and Earth Friendly options range from flowers and chocolates, to jewelry, gift boxes, baskets, and more.

Shop Locally
One of the primary ingredients in the practice of sustainable living is supporting local communities and businesses whenever possible.

Organic and Fair Trade Gifts
Purchasing organic, fair trade gifts as well as those which are and locally made and sold, help support the community and the environment in a variety of ways.

By purchasing organics, you are ensuring that the products you are receiving are environmentally friendly. By purchasing Fair Trade (certified), you are helping to ensure that the producers/workers are receiving a fair wage, better working conditions, and the opportunity to advance socio-economically. And finally, by shopping locally through individually owned and co-op businesses, you help support you own community ensuring economic well being.

Organic Flowers
Every aspect of organic flower production is superior to those of industrialized. Organic flowers are gorgeous, fragrant, long-lasting blooms, which are as good for the spirit as they are for the environment.

Organic flowers which are Veriflora certified embrace the following practices as stated on their site… •Sustainable Crop (Practices) •Ecosystem Protection •Resource Conservation and Energy Efficiency •Integrated Waste Management •Fair Labor Practices •Community Benefits •Product Quality

Websites:

Organic Flowers
organicbouquet.com
californiaorganicfloers.com
organicstyle.com

Sustainable and Fair Trade Jewelry
Brilliantearth.com
Greenkarat.com

Fair Trade and Hand Made Products
Organicstyle.com
Globalexchange.org
Ecoexpress.com
Dagobachocolate.com
Bonterra.com
Brighthope.com
Ecobeauty.com

Green Love
Green Love

Utilizing local businesses for Mother’s Day gifts plays a vital part in supporting the Greening of the Economy, please enjoy visiting the following:

S. Lake Tahoe

•Tahoe Hemp Company , Gaialicious , Grass Roots

North Shore and Truckee

•New Moon Natural Foods, Fair and Green, Lisa’s Central Market •Cedar House Sports Hotel: Green Slumber Party…for Mom and Dad

Reno/Sparks/Carson

•Trader Joes, Wild Oats, Whole Foods, Patagonia

An Organic Evening
When it comes to dining choices this Mother’s Day, you could take your mother or wife to a black-tie non-organic restaurant with beautiful ambiance, mediocre food, and a high price tag.

A “finer” dining decision would be to utilize your local organic options. There are many delectable (regional) choices where you can be engulfed in gorgeous ambiance, experiencing delicious, body-friendly food, wines and spirits …with a comparable price tag.

In the Reno Tahoe area, organic and wild options are becoming pleasingly, more available. I have listed a few restaurants which include a variety of organic, fair trade, wild, and CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) options. (C = Casual, F = Fine Dining)

South Lake Tahoe/Meyers, CA

The Blue Water Bistro (F) Sprouts (C) Wide Awake Café (C) (breakfast/lunch) The Divided Sky (C)

Incline Village, NV

Fredrick’s Fusion Bistro (F) (Organic and Wild Options) Big Water Grille (F) (Organic and Wild Options)

Tahoe City, CA Christi Hill (F)

Truckee, CA Moody’s Bistro and Lounge (F)(C)

Reno Caio Pizzeria and Wine Bar (F) Pneumatic Diner (C)

O’ Skeptics

It is likely there are readers looming out there who may be skeptical of Organics. Many times misconceptions keep people from purchasing organic and visiting organic restaurants.

The two leading misconceptions of organic are that people feel: 1) “Organic” translates into “tree-hugger/hippy/tasteless/vegetarian” food 2) It is “too expensive”

Skeptics may find it interesting that Organic foods, whether they are grown (plant) or raised (animal) are delicious, aromatic, colorful foods which, due to their method of production are higher in vitamins and minerals. You do not even have to hug a tree to know this.

Nutritional benefits are wonderful, but within organic production, it is also what you’re not getting that makes this food so outstanding.

In certified organic agriculture there are no •Pesticides •Fungicides •Herbicides •Inorganic Fertilizers •GMO’s •Irradiation •rBGH

If you take money out of your wallet and compare the price of conventional foods to organics at the check stand, the organic is more commonly than not, greater.

However, when you factor in the environmental costs (pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, factory farming, GMO soil degradation and biological contamination, loss of habitat, inorganic fertilizer contamination, toxic runoff, etc) and physical costs (cancers, greater problems with food allergies related to GMO’s, learning disabilities in children, greater BMI due to ingested hormones, decreased ability to concentrate, etc), related to industrialized agriculture, you will find that in every manner, organic food is the better investment.

Happy Mother’s Day

Like the Earth, we often take our Mothers for granted. Doing small things, each day, is how we let her know we love her. It is how we can help keep her happy and healthy.

Live Good. Live Green.