August Newsletter

07.17.10

New Opportunities in Clean Transportation: Electric Vehicles Workshop, San Jose

07.28.10

Free Climate Action Facilitator Training, Berkeley

07.29.10

How to Grow a School Garden Book Release Party, San Francisco

07.31.10

Mid Summer’s Eve at San Francisquito Creek, Palo Alto
Greywater for a Green Garden, Palo Alto

08.1.10

Sustainable Business Alliance Annual Picnic, Berkeley
Film Night in the Park- Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, San Francisco

08.3.10

SF Green Drinks, San Francisco

08.5.10

Power Hour: Zero Waste Lunch Workshop, Green Zebra Environmental Action Center

08.8.10

Nan Chase | Eat Your Yard: Edible Trees, Shrubs, Vines, Herbs, and Flowers for Your Landscape, San Francisco
Women Changing the Way We Eat, Palo Alto

08.11.10

Bay Area Timebank Fundraiser, San Francisco
Clothing Swap for Children’s Items, Green Zebra Environmental Action Center

To find out about more great green events in the Bay Area
click here.

Summer is a great time to enjoy fresh seasonal produce grown in our own backyards and throughout the Bay Area. Visit a local Farmers’ Market to lend your support to the small family farms that are the backbone of our food system, and to taste the fullest flavors of the local harvest.

While you’re there, get to know who’s growing your food, and remember to ask if they use any pesticides when cultivating their crops. There’s growing consensus in the scientific community that exposure to pesticides can adversely affect people, especially children. So, eat a varied diet, wash all produce, and choose organic whenever possible.

When the only option available is conventionally grown produce, you can still lower your pesticide exposure almost 80% by choosing the less contaminated fruits and veggies that appear on the “Clean 15” list below. This strategy should expose you to less than two pesticides per day, vs. about 15 if all your items appear on the “Dirty Dozen” list.

The “Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides” was developed by Environmental Working Group (EWG), a Washington DC-based non-profit that specializes in providing useful resources to consumers, while pushing for national policy change around health issues. This produce ranking takes into account how people typically wash and prepare produce. Washing and peeling fresh produce may reduce pesticide levels, but can also sacrifice nutritional value. For more information, including the full list of 49 types of produce ranked by pesticide content, visit www.foodnews.org.

Let the hand-picked trainers of Spring Pilates in Noe Valley get your blood pumping this August. The studio features Yoga and Pilates programs with small, personalized classes of 6-20 people. Whether you’re in need of rehabilitation or rejuvenation, Spring Pilates can help make that happen in a bright, fun, and eco-friendly environment. Use your Green Zebra to purchase a 4-session mat Pilates and Yoga package for only $40 (save $28!).

Just around the corner from Spring Pilates lies Dolores Park, the best

place in San Francisco to spend a sunny day. The puppy-friendly park is an ideal spot to relax and take in the striking views of the San Francisco Bay and East Bay hills. Pack a picnic of organic food from 26th and Guerrero Market and you’ll be set for a day. Receive 15% off of any purchase of $100 or more when you show your Green Zebra.

End the day with a sinful, yet deliciously organic, cocktail from Elixir, the neighborhood salon since 1858. Elixir‘s selection of quality drinks won’t compromise your budget. Buy any two organic drinks and receive the next one on Green Zebra!

The sun's out, the weather's warm, and with our long summer days starting to shorten, take some time to spend with good company. Green Zebra has all you need to throw an unforgettable party the green way. We've got a handful of coupons for everything from recipe ingredients to the clean up crew. With all the cool offers in the GZ guide, why not spread the love?

Food

Want to throw a party, but are too pressed for time to spend hours at the grocery store? That's where Planet Organics comes in. Order all of your ingredients online and get your purchases delivered for free. This local, family-owned grocery store has nothing but the best selection of organic ingredients and prepared foods to feed your guests. Use your Green Zebra to save $25 on your first delivery of $60 or more.

Or perhaps you’d rather introduce your guests to the savory

soups of Split Pea Seduction. Their ever-changing menu ensures that you’ll be savoring only the freshest ingredients of the season. They offer healthy salads, hearty soups, tasty sandwiches, and mouth-watering crostatas. Use your Green Zebra for 10% off of any catering order of $150 or more.

Dessert

If love had a flavor, it would taste like a cupcake from That Takes the Cake. Full and creamy, rich and wonderful, each cupcake on their menu is a hand-frosted memory waiting to be savored. Their "yummy list" consists of cupcakes, filled cupcakes, and cocktail cupcakes in flavors such as Blonde Bombshell, Bunny Bites, and Key Lime-o-licious. Use your Green Zebra and receive 15% off your total purchase.

Cleanup

When the party’s over, hire Natural Maidens to clean up the mess. Using no chemical or toxic products whatsoever, Natural Maidens offers a topnotch green cleaning service with no environmental damage. Use your Green Zebra coupon and receive 10% off any service package.

Okay, the kids are getting ready to head back into the classroom and you want to start the school year out on the right foot, but you’re just not sure how to “green” the back to school process. No worries! The crew at the Green Zebra Environmental Action Center (EAC) is here to help. For the month of August the EAC will be your one-stop resource for greening back to school— offering everything from informational pamphlets on green school supplies to workshops teaching you how to pack a zero waste lunch. Pop in for one of our events, and you’ll also be able to pick up the green school gear you’re learning about.

Zero Waste Lunch Workshop: Thursday August 5th Noon to 1pm

Pop in any time during the hour to learn about the impact that your daily lunches have on the environment. Become informed about the amount of waste that is created by take out food and prepackaged lunches. Learn how to change your habits by finding alternative lunch and packing ideas. All attendees will receive information about how to create zero waste lunches as well as healthy kid-friendly healthy meal ideas that can be created you’re your purchases at the Farmers' Market. You will also have the opportunity to purchase the latest accessories for packing your own zero waste lunch. For more information, click here.

Clothing Swap for Children’s Items (Ages 5-10): Wednesday August 11th 6:30pm – 8:30pm

Bring the clothes your kids have outgrown to Green Zebra's first Children’s Clothing Swap. For each item you bring in, you'll receive
a voucher that can be redeemed for one item at the swap. Swap attendees will have an opportunity to mingle with other parents,
enjoy a glass of wine, and be pampered with a chair massage from
Calm Cubicle. Purchase your event ticket for $7 in advance when
you drop off your items, or pay $10 at the door. For more information, click here.

Farmers’ Market Cooking Demo
Come to the Green Zebra Environmental Action Center on Thursday August 19th from noon - 1 pm for a cooking demonstration featuring the season’s best heirloom tomatoes. Watch an expert chef whip up a delicious dish highlighting the unique qualities of heirloom tomatoes. Also, learn what the difference is between an heirloom and a conventional tomato, and why it's important to preserve these delicious varietals. For more information, click here.

Artist of the Month
Next month at the Green Zebra Environmental Action Center (EAC) we will feature the art of Talita Suassuna Brandao. Talita's artwork reflects the culture of her native country, as well as her commitment to the environment. She uses graphic and decorative elements of Brazilian culture to create folk art-inspired depictions of the luscious fauna and flora of the rainforest, as well as soothing figures inspired by the beauty of birth. Talita paints on recycled paper taken from old books, sometimes using natural dyes such as coffee and tea to create aged looking stains. Her artwork evoke a childhood feeling that is both fascinating and seductive. Stop in to see her work starting on August 2nd. For more information, click here.