Bear Meat

December 3, 2008 – 12:58 pm

I have a long history with bears that began when I was just six. Let’s just say I almost had a playdate with two bear cubs in Yosemite Valley, on my way to summit the backside of Half Dome with my Dad and a few of his friends. Yes I was six, that was not a typo, and no my Mom was not negligent. She simply trusted my Dad’s mountaineering experience and, I have to believe, really had no idea what summiting the backside of this sheer granite peak really entailed. Anyway, I digress in her defense, but my point is that when I saw the dead bear last week, it took my breath away. Tears filled my eyes and an ache filled my heart. As well, the nearby smells of other dead animals were a bit intense.

We were at my Aunt and Uncle’s house in Cornish, New Hampshire, where my Uncle trades skins for antiquities. He is also, I learned, attracting young apprentices to learn a dying trade - tanning hides. A skill that one day may, I believe, come to be quite important once again. It was quite interesting to watch my reaction as I took in the young men’s hands working feverishly across the bodies, skins, guts of deer and bear. I found myself at once repelled and enthralled. Just the day before, we had gone to visit a local farm so Corbin and my nephews could see the cows being milked. Though the farmers at this small New England dairy were gracious and generally kind with the animals, it still broke my heart to see them in the cages. To watch the methodical shuffling as these giant animals were herded and backed into milking machines . . . daily life until they turn into fillet or ground round.

The contrast to the wild animals caught the following day was stark. These animals had been roaming freely and happily (yes, I am aware of my anthropomorphism here) until the very last second. Though my stomach turned at the smells, I knew there would be no factory outbreak of e coli and no part of these animals would go unused. It is unrealistic, and certainly not desirable for most, to think that we could all go back to eating and clothing ourselves this close to the food chain, but I know too that sustainability will demand that we return to a local food diet. There’s a big part of me that hopes it will also include a return to the respect and gratitude for food that our ancestors once felt. That said, and with all due respect, I still had to decline the offer of bear paw soup.

By kimberly | Posted in Sustainabilitly Movement | Comments (0)

World Women’s Forum, Korea

November 18, 2008 – 7:43 am

Having traveled a great deal as a youngin’, I consider myself quite comfortable in regions remote, non-English speaking, under travel advisory and the like. Bring it on, I always thought. Anything in the name of exploring new cultures, traditions, adventure. That was before traveling to Korea recently with my mom and son though. I had been invited to speak at the World Women’s Forum, and we were all very excited about the shared journey. On our first morning, we ventured out to explore Seoul and I realized (duh!) that all the signs were in Korean (duh!), a non-Latin based alphabet (duh)! Obvious, had I thought about it, but clearly, I had not thought about it. Then there were the issues of interest. Mine: wandering the countryside, hiking up mountains and seeking out a taste of old Asia. Corbin’s: “Hey there in that window are some of the stuffed Lemur Dudes I collect!” I had to adjust my expectations.

Fortunately the Koreans are a beautiful, most welcoming people and Corbin soon found his own gypsy blood as he sank into the adventures of foreign travel. I watched proudly as he imitated the mid-day salutations at Bongeunsa Temple, originally built in 794 by Yeon-hoe and still used by Koreans today. He was given his first prayer beads by an admiring local who prayed beside him. I watched with amusement as he ran about the grounds of the Gyeongbok Palace, imagining the royal court of 500 years ago, going about their daily rituals. I watched with gratitude as he and my mom swam laps together in the hotel pool, and we all watched the sun come up over the Hangong River. What a gift to be able to share this with them both. Three generations together. It was a fact not missed by the familial oriented Koreans. Corbin and my mom were both quite the hit in the international crowd.

As the Forum began, my gratitude increased. The theme for 2008 was Women As Agents of Change: Building A Diverse and Sustainable Future. What an honor to be included in this tremendous group and how cool for my son to have the opportunity to listen to speech after inspiring speech. Though just seven-years old, he sat seemingly spellbound, taking in the words of Yanar Mohammed, founder of the Organization of Women’s Freedom in Iraq, who lives under constant death threat. He sat in the front row and listened to my fellow panelists, Brenda Ekwurzel, of the Union of Concerned Scientists, Gina Kolata, senior writer for the New York Times, and Helena Norbert Hodge, noted author of Bringing the Food Economy Home, and founder of the Ladakh Project. Suddenly the concepts of freedom of speech, climate change, and food transportation came alive for him and his mind opened to a whole new world. I wished later on, that the speakers could have heard his questions and known that a young life had been forever altered by their stories.

While the gifts of international travel are a privilege made even more rare due to high costs (both economically and environmentally (hello carbon offsets!), the gift of inspiring young minds is available and accessible every day and being in Korea reminded me of how precious it is to watch my son learn and grow and also, to enjoy the rediscoveries I share through his eyes.

By kimberly | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (1)

It’s History!

November 5, 2008 – 2:15 pm

I have never before considered myself much of a patriot but yesterday morning, Corbin asked me why there were people on the streets waving signs. I explained that they were out there encouraging people to vote for or against proposals and candidates, adding, “And that is what is so amazing about our country! That whether we agree or disagree, we are free to speak publicly and have opinions different than our neighbors.”

Last night, instead of doing homework, I let Corbin watch CNN. He practiced his numbers and reading as he watched the results come in for each state. Counting electoral votes; reading the names of the candidates and states. He jumped out of bed when he heard the news: History had been made! After years of partisanship and racism, it seems that race may unite our country as the phoenix rises out of the ash and Democrat or Republican comes to mean less than our collective pride in America and the power of anyone to make a dream come true.

Tears come to my eyes that in this great country of ours we need not a revolution, because every four years we have the freedom to use our voices and vote for a new tomorrow. That our youth may show up as voters in a new day. That our children see unity among people of different colors, different political views and different religious beliefs. McCain set example with his gracious concession speech - Had he spoken so eloquently throughout the campaign, the results may have been quite different - calling upon all of us to come together, support our new president, and brave a new frontier. I feel hopeful. Hopeful that the man who came from not very much but is now leader of the United States, will lead us toward a more sustainable future. As Obama spoke earnestly about votes yet to be earned, and stood arm in arm with Biden, it seemed, as my friend Sylvia said, “Like watching Luke Skywalker and ObiWan.” I agreed, and believe once again, that anything is possible, and realize that I am more patriotic than I had thought. Oh, and Corbin now wants to be President but last week it was an astronaut and a park ranger so I think we’re o.k.

By kimberly | Posted in News, Uncategorized | Comments (0)

Jumpies

October 30, 2008 – 11:32 pm

I thought I had escaped the jet lag, returning just a few days ago from a week in Korea. But no. It just hit a few days later than expected. So when I dragged myself to the pumpkin patch today with Corbin, it was with a less than enthusiastic demeanor than I would have hoped. Doesn’t it seem like Halloween came really fast this year? I still don’t even know what I’m going to be! “I think this might be the Halloween that never happened,” said my friend Liz, still trying to pull it together for her three boys. I agreed, but knew that at the least, I had to get my son a pumpkin. So there we were, a bunch of wet rags (it was starting to rain) walking into the pumpkin patch when suddenly I remembered: The Jumpies! And everything brightened. I truly can’t figure out why other parents don’t remember the joys of jumpies but for the last five years, I gaze out from the bottom of a jumpie slide, or top of a jumpie staircase, and wonder why I’m the only parent in there. Jumpies are so much fun! Plus they’re great exercise and your kids think you get a bunch of extra hugs and kisses from your kid as gratitude for bumping and sliding and crashing together. As we bounced away, other kids joined in and I hoped other parents would too. My hopes were dashed and I wondered if any of the children had the same feeling. I also thought of Corbin’s comment last week that Koreans seem to have a lot more fun. I was surprised by his comment but remembered a similar observation the first time I visited Europe as a teenager. Could it be that we Americans are so hard working and serious we forget even, the joys of jumping and playing on Halloween? How will we sustain our selves if we forget to play?

How will we sustain ourselves if we continue to hand out sugary, plastic, toxic treats? If you’re last minute as I am this year, but want some green Halloween tips, pick up Corey Colwell-Lipson and Lynn Cowell’s new book, Celebrate Green, or visit Corey’s website, Green Halloweeen. Our very own EcoMom Rachel DeMicco, has done a fabulous job of making our town’s Green Halloween a huge success (and I must add, with the support of EcoTalk’s Betsy Rosenberg, Kirsten Arpajian and Elephant Pharmacy) and I know it will continue to grow. Though my spirits lifted after the jumpie,  I just hope I’ll get a little more sleep next year so I can keep up with the kids doing flips. And I really hope some more parents will join me.

By kimberly | Posted in Holiday | Comments (0)

Children In Nature

October 28, 2008 – 9:55 am

Having just spoken on a Children In Nature panel at the Bioneers Conference, with Cheryl Charles, President of the Children and Nature Network, and Gary Paul Nabhan, author of the Geography of Childhood, I came home to my son wanting to sleep on the floor next to our dog. It was such sweet, sweet timing as someone in the audience had asked about what role animals can play in connecting people to nature. As I watched Corbin gently petting Koa’s head and shshsh’ing her to sleep, I had to smile at the beauty of it. This from a little man who just a few minutes earlier had been throwing paper airplanes around the room, yelling “I’m gonna bomb you!” Yet in his tenderness and caretaking of Koa, I, as a mother, was assured that he will not grow up to be the next uni-bomber but rather, is just a normal seven-year old boy testing, exploring, feeling his power and still, very connected to nature and all the beings that are part of the Circle of Life. “Words are just play for young kids,” offer Ba and Josette Luvmour, founders of Natural Learning Rhythms and the EnCompass Institute, and I feel so grateful that I see in my son the confidence to explore and feel his power, but at the same time, know humility and the strength of gentle nurturing that he is learning by spending time in nature. With nature. One with nature.

By kimberly | Posted in Babies & Kids, Books, Sustainabilitly Movement | Comments (0)

On the Road to Ecovery

October 3, 2008 – 3:57 pm


Day One

This is the first post on my new blog at Ecomom Alliance, one of many to come. It serves as both a diary of my personal journey, and an invitation to join me, as I stumble down the green path in search of what I call “Ecovery”. I’ve been playing with this concept for a while now, though it’s still in formation, and I know it will certainly bend and twist, deflate and expand, as I continue to explore it. What is “Ecovery”? What am I talking about?

After many spirited, inspiring discussions with Ecomom’s president and founder, Kimberly Pinkson (one of my favorite things to do, with one of my favorite people), I’ve become even more keenly aware of the challenges that we – women, mothers, humans – face when seeking to make our lives, homes, and planet cleaner, safer and more connected. So why do I feel these huge, empowering surges of optimism - as I hang my laundry on the custom line that my sweet husband built for me - that are soon followed by wracking guilt over the sobering fact that the yogurt I really, really love to eat is packaged in completely un-recyclable containers? Is that why I have a jammed-packed drawer, full of washed, clean empties? I can’t bear to send them to landfill. Did anyone say “eco-anxiety”?

If you read Kimberly’s most recent post, you’ll get an even better understanding of Ecovery. It is a process. It’s about taking steps towards a better future. I have come to think of Ecovery as my own personal step-program: day-by-day, action-by-action, step-by-step, I can make a difference. There will be days of joyous successes, and with them, days of crushing defeats. Like when I brought all recyclable/compostable plates, cups and silverware to a party. While I was occupied at another part of the event, some well-meaning person cleaned-up and threw everything away (compostable food scraps and all), tied up the garbage bag, and tossed it into the facility’s dumpster. I couldn’t even fish it out, since I was wearing a dress. I confess I actually shed quiet tears over the sheer futility of it all, in spite of my good efforts, and extra cash spent for these premium items.

Yet, as Kimberly explains, we have chosen a path of action. We chose to step instead of remaining unconscious and immobile – not hard to do considering the state of the planet and the human population. So if we do step, it goes to figure that there will be mis-steps - trials and errors, times we just shut down. But we can recover. We can crown those days with glorious achievements, like my son insisting that now, at 11, he take the city bus home from school since it will save exhaust fumes and gas. Bravo! – to him, to me, to the whole movement. So much depends on the next generation.

Thus, I have embarked on my path of Ecovery, and on it await the joys – and pains - of personal empowerment, crushing limitations, and blessed self-discovery, with saving the planet thrown in. I encourage you to walk with me, sharing your thoughts and experiences along the way, and most of all, your successes! We all can, and must, learn from each other.

(If you haven’t already taken the Ecomom Challenge, I urge you to try it. It offers 10 First Steps as a great way to get started on your own path to Ecovery. And a lot more to think - and talk - about!)

http://ecomomalliance.org/take-the-ecomom-challenge

http://ecomomalliance.org/author/kimberly

By EcoveryGirl | Posted in 10 Things You Can Do, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Rot, Sustainabilitly Movement, Wellness | Comments (1)

Two Birds

October 2, 2008 – 1:09 am

“Bird by bird,” said author and political activist Anne Lamott at a Clean Energy event Monday night, recalling childhood lessons and reading from an as yet unpublished manuscript. It is how one gets things done. Like the twelve step programs guiding every self help program, learning a new dance, getting to know a new friend or falling in love. It is all still step by step. Though at times the steps may feel harder, bigger, scarier, more awkward, or on occasion oh-so-smooth-and-graceful, the bottom line is you either step or you don’t. Much is the same in the sustainability movement and such is my response when asked (again and again) what I think about all the eco-angst out there. “You either take action or you don’t,” is my answer. Though it may sound disregarding of the emotions likely attached to said angst, the bottom line is that there is no other choice. And I choose to step.

I’ve been accused of being too open. Too bold. Too forward. Foolish. Pollyannaish. But when I overheard my son this afternoon, talking to one of his friends about how he was going to build a composting toilet and put it in his loft so he wouldn’t have to come out and use my bathroom, I saw in him the power to believe in dreams, which on some days, is all one really has after all. Now mind you, his loft is quite small, indeed our whole house is, and there is no need - or space - for a composting toilet but I was so proud that 1) he knows what that is! and 2) he doesn’t hesitate to dream big and share his dreams with his friends. I thought again of Anne’s words about parenting. We’re raising a new generation here and in light of the fear mongering and financial devastation moving across our country of late, I feel hope and faith . . . when I look at his sleeping face. Tonight.

By kimberly | Posted in Energy, Uncategorized | Comments (0)

Test

September 25, 2008 – 12:48 am

By GardenGirl | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (0)

Greenwashing Is Not Just In Your Laundry Room

September 23, 2008 – 11:19 am

On Saturday we had our 1st EcoMom Alliance Summit. An invitation only opportunity for community leaders and some special EcoMoms to share mutual visions, goals, challenges etc., the gathering reminded me of the Margaret Meade quote so commonly cited these days in all things green, about a small, thoughtful group having the power to change the world. With Supervisor Charles McGlashan sharing information about Marin Clean Energy (and by the way, if you have not yet told your City Councilmembers “YES!”, please do so today and make sure you have the option for Clean Energy tomorrow!), Cool the Earth’s Tracey Diaz and Safe Routes to School’s Wendi Kallins, there was no shortage of people walking their talk. As we all strive to do so, the challenge increases as companies realize the dollar value of green. Hence the term greenwashed to refer to that which is not quite as eco as the marketing team would like you to believe. Here are a couple of easy tips to keep in mind when looking at the veracity of a products claims to sustainability (inspired by Betsy Robinson):

1. Where was the product made? How far was it transported? The hidden energy costs of transport can render nil many an ecological claim.

2. Check manufacturing websites. Is the company’s environmental story comprehensive? Trust your gut.

3. See what happens when you google the manufacturer and the word environment. You’ll likely be surprised at some of the skeletons that sneak out of the closet with this one.

4. Don’t just trust the word Recycled on the label, find out how much of the product. When purchasing printer paper, the quality difference between made from 100% and 30% recycled paper is negligible; the number of trees saved adds up.

5. Look at all the ingredients, not just the label. Too many long ones you can’t pronounce? You get the gist.

6. Consider the longevity of the product. How long will it last? Can you pass it down? Can it be recycled or repurposed or will it end up in a landfill?

7. Look for third-party certification such as EnergyStar™, GreenGuard™, FSC™, SMaRT Certified, Marine Stewardship Council etc.

8. Find out if the company is a Certified Green Business.

In becoming a wiser green consumer, your dollar can help shift from empty rhetoric to production methods, ingredients and policies that legitimately help propel a sustainable future.

By kimberly | Posted in Sustainabilitly Movement | Comments (0)

Moms and Teenagers that Rock!

September 14, 2008 – 3:23 pm

Last night’s Search for the Cause, Just Green event, was an evening of pride, joy, tears and gratitude - and that was just inside me, a guest in the audience, so I can only imagine the fullness of founder Judi Shil’s heart. With speaker after speaker sharing  touching stories of working with Search for the Cause, the evening was a testament to Judi’s vision and passion, and the amazing work of the organization over the past six years. Founded in 2002, Search for the Cause gives voice to community concerns about the increasing rates of cancer, and seeks to bring community together to search for the cause, seek solutions, and strive to become a healthier, more sustainable citizenry. Toward that end, winner’s of the Mt. Tamalpais Award were acknolwedged with baby redwood tree awards going to Skip Berg, Jolyn Bibb, the luminescent Jane Iredale, Assemblyman Mark Leno, Jeremiah McElwee, Hilary Sturtevant, and Kris Brewer, whose acceptance speech, honoring her own children and parents, had tears rolling down my cheeks as I listened to her and looked down at my sweet son, asleep in my lap after he chose to come with me rather than play with his cousins! A large part of the Search for the Cause’s work involves teens, giving a platform to inspired young voices and helping them realize a sense of self-efficacy and power through campaigns such as the Healthy Schools Initiative and Teens for Safe Cosmetics. Illustrating just how far one person’s little idea can grow, this weeks sees Whole Foods launching Teens Turning Green, a natural and organic skin care line developed by Judi and her team including daughter Erin Schrode 17, Carly Wertheim (left), 16, and Emily Packer, 15. It was an honor to be at last night’s event and even more of an honor to share this journey with Judi. She is an inspiration and role model for many. Myself included!

By kimberly | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (0)