Going Green Memphis 6-5-11

2 GOING GREEN | June 2011 commercialappeal.
com
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into the big day
month. Subscriptions are free to My wedding was one of the
subscribers of The Commercial
Appeal, simply follow the one-time most important days in my life —
Going Green registration process to it has given me a wonderful life
obtain access. partner and two beautiful children.
Upon registration, home delivery It was a simple ceremony under
subscribers to The Commercial a handmade arbor in my parent’s
Appeal receive access to the digital backyard at sunset. In fact, the
product at no additional cost. entire affair was simple from the
$100 dress to the shrimp boil (I’m
Raise your profile from the Gulf Coast) to the do-it-
Elevate your company’s profile yourself decorations. This was a
within the Green Community. Send neccesity of budget and it suit our
us a short article or a project outline
for consideration in Going Green,
desire to have a truly personal
explaining what you are doing to celebration — without the
“green up” your lifestyle? Include consumption of a typical wedding.
your preferred contact phone With the average cost running
number. at around $20,000, it was obvious
that a wedding would have a large
Send in your e-mail impact, both ecological and
address economical. So we did the best
We’ll share information and with what we had at the time.
resources to help readers of Going Fast forward ten years.
Green swap money-saving tips and Today, greening your wedding
information related to “green” issues doesn’t mean you have to
and events. Send to compromise on the big day. There
keplinger@commercialappeal.com. are so many creative alternatives
You can also follow Going Green
on Facebook and at out there from bridal bouquets
twitter.com/GoGreenMemphis . made out of antique brooches to
invitations made from recycled
Editor: Kim Coleman, 529-5243, paper. Today, wedding planners
goinggreen@commercialappeal.com are embracing ‘green’ practices to
help you move beyond the usual
Community Editor: Emily Adams decadence and consumption to
Keplinger, create a truly personal and
keplinger@commercialappeal.com sustainable celebration that will
be remembered for years.
The Commercial Appeal June 2011 | GOING GREEN 3
What’s in this issue ...

LOCAL NEWS
In Belgium, ‘green’
32 isn’t just a fad or a
movement but a
way of life steeped
in the culture
14 Something borrowed, 35 Green Earth helps

turn a ‘dirty’ job
something blue, into green for local
something old restaurants
but new to you
A guide on how to have the 38 Communal living
concept sees growth
perfect green, white wedding
FAITH FOOD HOME & GARDEN
Calvary Episcopal Menu choices are Vermicomposting

clergy translate their looking good for area uses the earthworm to
sermons into vegans . PAGE 56 turn waste into gold for
eco-action. PAGE 52 the garden. PAGE 64
On the cover: Photo by istockphoto.com

4 GOING GREEN | June 2011 commercialappeal.com
Micro Greens...
Before I Die: Urban anti-blight campaign

Artist and urban planner, Candy Chang, disliked the sight of one
abandoned house so much in her New Orleans neighborhood she
transformed it. The house is home to a public art project called "Before I
Die." The idea is simple: with chalk and a giant chalkboard-like wall, ask
the general public what they want to accomplish before they die. Chang
explained the project on her blog as changing "neglected spaces into
constructive ones." Chang is working on a how-to guide to help others
recreate similar projects in their city.
Live What would you do if you saw live chickens for sale in a vending machine?
Would you believe it was an educational tool? NOAH, the German version
Chicken of PETA, put real chickens temporarily in a machine they labeled 'The Egg
Machine.' Those who played with the machine however, didn't get a
Vending chicken or an egg. Instead they received a variety of coins explaining the
different types of egg farming, primarily free range versus caged. The
Machine group wanted to raise awareness of poor farming practices in Germany.
Green Snap...
Kyle Kurlick/Special to The Commercial Appeal
Fender Blender peddler

Martie Pool (center) mixes up a smoothie by peddling on a
Fender Blender, an invention by Rock the Bike that powers
a blender with pedal power, and waving hello to Karen
Lebovitz (left) during the second annual Downtown Bicycle
Expo to celebrate national Bike to Work Day. More than 200
people participated in the event by biking to work Friday.
Interested in sharing your green experiences: a bike ride on the Greenline, a

successful recycling project or a neighborhood cleanup? Do you have a
stunning nature photo? Send your green snapshots to
goinggreen@commercialappeal.com with "Green Snaps" in the subject line.
E-mail photos as JPEGs that are 1-2 MB in size and include complete
caption information, including the full names of everyone featured in the
photo. Be sure to include a contact phone number in case we have questions.
The Green Page...

at 901-452-6500.
Memphis Heritage Yard Sale

June 10-11 at 2282 Madison at
Edgewood, All day
Memphis Heritage will hold a
yard sale to help support the
organization’s preservation
efforts. Donations will be
accepted and volunteers are
needed to help organize and tag
items in preparation for the
event. If interested in helping
call 901-272-2727.
The Brown Bag Lunch

Program
June 21 at UT Extension-Tipton
Events County, 111 W. Washington,
Covington, TN, Noon
Harbor Town Secret Garden Tour
Join in the fight against
June 4 at Miss Cordelia’s on Mud Island, 10 a.m. diabetes in this bicycle ride
See the private gardens of Harbor Town via designed for all skill levels. This
golf cart at this special Spring event. Interested nation-wide event is Memphis’
parties will meet at Miss Cordelia’s on Mud Island first Tour de Cure ever and will
at 10 a.m. The tour lasts until 3 p.m. Tickets are include lengths of 12 miles, 35
$10 per person and available the day of the event. miles and 62 miles. All Tour de
Cure routes are safe and
Cycle the Greenway supported with route marshals,
mechanical support, rest stops
June 5 at 7250 Wolf River Blvd., 7:15 a.m. with water and snacks and
Sponsored by The Wolf River Conservancy, more. For more information
cyclists of all experience levels are invited to ride please contact John Carroll at
one of four available routes with other Memphis jcarroll@diabetes.org.
cyclists to learn about the Wolf River plants and Going Green Memphis is now
animals. The ride is designed to be family- on Facebook. Simply “LIKE” the
friendly and educational. There will be also be page to receive regular news
door prizes and gifts from Outdoors, Inc. anda briefs and updates about green
backyard-style cookout for all who complete the events and programs taking
ride. For more information on registration call place in and around the Greater
Lisa Stephens with The Wolf River Conservancy Memphis area.
Conservation investment pays off

The Mississippi River is a source for Stewardship Program, Environmental
jobs, wildlife, recreation and cultural Quality Incentives Program, Wetlands
icons. But agricultural pollution is Reserve Program and Conservation
wrecking our big river and creating a dead Reserve Program. The CRP alone has
zone in the Gulf of Mexico, an area in cumulatively had contracts with over
which no fish, shrimp or wildlife can 7,000 farmers in Tennessee from its
survive. With recent events of the inception through 2010. EQIP and the WRP
Mississippi River flooding even more together protected over 145,000 acres in
nitrogen- and phosphorus-filled nutrients Tennessee in 2010. The CSP brought in
will overflow into the gulf, dissolving over $2 million to Tennessee in 2010 alone.
oxygen. This pollution threatens our It's our government's job to protect our
drinking water and our economies. basic needs like clean water and jobs.
Now is the time for budget cuts, but While we need to be fiscally responsible,
they can't be haphazard. Congress must let's be realistic about it. These efficient
consider the vital importance of and effective programs not only deliver
agricultural conservation programs that cost-effective environmental benefits, but
have been developed by our government they help local farmers. Conservation
to protect water and help farmers. We funding must be protected.
need programs like the Conservation Mary Johnston, Memphis
MEET THE GOING GREEN BLOGGERS
Josephine Lisa Enderle: I am a

Alexander: I spend a lot mom of two who is
of time thinking about always trying to make
food. I look forward to sense of the current Going social
sharing my love of science and news as it For daily updates
gardening with you, as I relates to health, related to ‘green’
blog about all things lifestyle and the issues, follow Going
related to growing food. environment. I make a Green on Twitter at
While assisting great effort to sort twitter.com/gogreen
community and school through it and find all memphis and check us
gardens grow food the ways that a family out on Facebook by
searching “Going Green
together is a big part of in the suburbs in the Memphis.”
my job with Mid-South can green it
GrowMemphis, I also up.
tend my own community Read weekly posts at
garden plot with my commercialappeal.com/
husband, Randy. going green
In case you missed it...

Found sounds: Crafting recycled
materials into instruments
Published on May 10, 2011
Zach Shoe was searching curb alerts on
Craigslist when he discovered a piano soon to
be trashed. A hinge from that old piano now
adorns the front of a guitar, made with two
broomsticks, strings from other instruments
Kyle Kurlck/Special to The Commercial Appeal
and a tangerine cigar box as the body.
The other instruments Zach makes with his A pair of cigar box guitars made
brother, Josh Shoe, are part of a new business by Zach and Josh Shoe for Rockin
called Rockin Recycling. The various guitars for
sale are all playable and handcrafted from old
Recycling. “Everything has a really
materials like nails and the tops of salt shakers. distinct sound,” Josh Shoe says.
The idea behind Rockin Recycling is to reuse
old items and use the proceeds to support the an opportunity to do something with my
Center for Southern Folklore, a nonprofit hands in my spare time and also make a
organization that preserves and documents contribution to the center.”
music, art and culture born in the South.
Melody Gordon, The Commercial Appeal
All of the instruments are about a month old
and generally take an “hour or so here and Full article: commercialappeal.com/
there” to make, Josh said. “I saw it as, for me, news/2011/may/10/found-sounds/
Trashy chic: Fashions sewn from castoffs The Curb

raise awareness of recycling Couture
Published on May 24, 2011 Trashion Show
is 6 to 8 p.m.
Memphian Evelyn Reed, 18, will head to Sunday, June 5,
Carnegie Hall soon to be honored for one of her in front of the
trashy fashion designs. She and other creators of Cannon Center
fashion that is pure garbage will send pieces down for the
the runway June 5 at Memphis City Beautiful Performing Arts.
Commission’s first Curb Couture Trashion Show. Rain date is
The show will offer trashions made of old June 12. Tickets
screen doors, broken crayons, old CDs, are $50 at
furnishings and other castoffs by about 40 curbcouture-
creators, including local artists and auto.eventbrite.com,
seamstresses and tailors from stores such as or through
Oak Hall, Joseph and Kittie Kyle. Dawn’s Memphis City
Couturiere will dress opera diva Kallen Esperian Beautiful
as a royal wedding guest in an outfit made of Commission at
painter’s cloth with a lampshade hat. 522-1135.
Barbara Bradley, The Commercial Appeal
Kyle Kurlick
Full article: commercialappeal.com/news/ Special to The
2011/may/24/trashy-chic-m/ Commercial Appeal
Farm to fork
Markets cover up, freshen up In season:
farm produce offerings June
While there's certainly been Beets
enough rain to satisfy the Mid- Radishes
South, there were few complaints Baby carrots
as rain fell during the grand New
opening of the Urban Farms potatoes
Market at Broad and Tillman.
Vendors, dry under the cover of
Sweet
a former gas station , offered fresh Chris Desmond/Special to The potatoes.
produce, some grown as close by Commercial Appeal Spring
as the Urban Farm in Binghamton, Susan Comes and her onions
locally raised meats, cut flowers, daughter Diana shop at the Kohlrabi
soaps and handmade jewelry. Memphis Farmers Market. Bok choy
The market was created through Cauliflower
the larger Binghamton Squash
Development Corp. in order to bring Green living lessons shared
fresh food to the inner city, said at Millington market Zucchini
Rosalie Bouck, market manager. Tomatoes
An immediate response to (Green early
"A lot of grocery stores won't handling food scraps is usually to
come into areas like this, " Bouck throw it away. But there are in June)
said. "We're trying to make way for innovative ways to utilize scraps of Onions
a model for a nonprofit food store." food leftover after a meal. Those Lettuces
who attended the second annual Greens
opening of the 2011 Millington Beets
The Memphis Farmers Market Farmers' Market on May 7 shared Green beans
rolled out the green carpet for the many ways to reduce waste and
grand opening for its West Savoy
stay self-sufficient agriculturally.
Pavilion, a new nearly $300,000 Jennifer Thompson of Bartlett cabbage
covered market area. said that for her family, it's a regular Broccoli
"We love it , " said hydroponic activity to use food that would Banana
farmer Ami Hughes. "It protected otherwise be discarded to provide peppers
us from the rain." nutrient rich soil in her garden. Japanese
She and her husband, David "Peanut shells make great eggplant
Hughes, run Micmak Farms in compost. I also use eggshells as
Batesville, Ark., and expect to enjoy Speckled
plant food. peas
the new pavilion this summer. Larry Duncan from D & D Farms
The new space is west of the agreed with Thompson. "Anything Cucumbers
original market and has room for that doesn't have fat in it will do." Herbs
about 20 vendors. You can visit local artisans and Peaches
"I think it's awesome, " said growers at the Millington Farmers Blackberries
regular shopper Jackie Oselen. Market every Saturday, 8 a.m.-1 Blueberries.
Linda A. Moore, p.m. until Oct. 29 at 5152 Easley. Plums
lmoore@commercialappeal.com Felicia Benamon Special to My Life Nectarines
Brandon Dill /The Commercial Appeal files

"Trifle," a Jersey Giant rooster, watches over the hens while Paul Knipple
checks the chicken coop at his family's midtown home.
Yard birds fun way to go green

One chicken eats about 7 pounds of food waste a month,
according to the book “City Chicks: Keeping Micro-flocks of
Laying Hens as Garden Helpers, Compost Makers, Bio-
recyclers and Local Food Suppliers,” by Patricia Foreman.
I can vouch for that. I have eight chickens. We haven’t
thrown away much food waste in two years. Not only does
that greatly reduce trash-can odor, but it also knocks a hole in
DEANNA
our carbon footprint.
CASWELL “What if a city had 2,000 households with three hens (or
more) each? That could translate to 252 tons of food waste
Practically diverted from landfills each year,” says Foreman.
Green Some municipalities encourage chicken ownership for that
reason. The town of Mouscron, Belgium, started distributing
chickens to residents in an effort to reduce household waste
and publicize alternative methods of the chickens get in and out of the
waste management. nest quickly, then no. But sometimes
Foreman further states, and my they’ll hang out in there. That’s when
experience also supports, that you get crud on them. But no
chickens are very effective broad- worries, the eggs wash.
spectrum insecticides and weed- What do the eggs taste like?
killers. They can get a patch of ground They taste “eggier.” They don’t
completely weed-free. And they taste different as much as richer. It’s
gobble up fleas and ticks like nothing as if you took a store-bought egg and
you’ve ever seen. So, chickens could turned up the flavor a few notches. It’s
also reduce the insecticide and like the difference in store-bought and
herbicide usage per household. homegrown tomatoes. Homegrown
And in return for the privilege of doesn’t taste like a different
eating all of that food waste, bugs and vegetable, it just has more flavor.
weeds, chickens pay you back in eggs. Don’t they leave droppings
If you’ve never had a super-fresh egg everywhere?
with its delicious, rich, yellow-orange The one drawback is the manure.
yolk, you’re missing out. Store-bought Not the presence of it or the amount of
eggs taste diluted in comparison. it, just the location. If you’re a gardener
So, not only do chickens reduce your or know one, chicken manure is gold.
footprint in waste and lawn chemicals, But, chickens aren’t discriminating
they also increase our food quality and about where they deposit that gold.
reduce our reliance on factory farms.
But even with all their benefits, My husband cannot abide back
most people I meet find the idea of porch plops. So, my chickens are
backyard chickens and their eggs a contained, mostly. They have 1,800
bit intimidating. Here are some feet of my 5,000-square-foot backyard.
questions I’ve heard: They have a 5-foot fence and clipped
Aren’t you afraid you’re going to wing feathers, but apparently, several
crack a baby chick into your skillet? in the flock also have teleporters.
Unless I keep them locked up tightly
No. You have to have roosters to
in the hen house, they get out.
get baby chicks, and I don’t own any.
Do you need a rooster to get eggs? I think everyone should have a
Hens make eggs without roosters. backyard flock. The environmental
and personal benefits far outweigh
Aren’t chickens loud and stinky?
the troubles. And it’s certainly the
No. A thousand chickens would be most entertaining way I know to go
loud and stinky. But 10? Not at all. And green.
again, without roosters, the loudest
noise you hear is the hens announcing Deanna Caswell is a local writer who
to the flock that she just laid an egg. blogs at littlehouseinthesuburbs.com.
Caswell lives in Collierville, practicing eco-
Aren’t the eggs dirty? friendly living while raising four children,
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. If pygmy goats and chickens.
Hydroponic tomatoes tide us over

Here it is, the end of May, and I’m system means that diseases and pests
ready to talk tomatoes. (and weeds) are almost nonexistent.
Since in-the-ground tomatoes There is no need to spray, and that’s
won’t be ready for a few weeks, you better for the environment, the farm
might question my timing. So today worker and the consumer.
we’re going to learn MicMak Farms, out of Batesville,
to know and love the Ark., is in its second year of
local hydroponic hydroponic farming — cucumbers,
tomato. lettuce, squash and a gorgeous array
Hydroponic is a of heirloom tomatoes. Restaurants
good label. Look for like Cheffie’s Café, the Elegant
it, and don’t be afraid Farmer, Felicia Suzanne’s, Thyme
of it. It’s local; it’s Bistro and J. Alexander’s have
environmentally MicMak tomatoes on their menus,
MELISSA
PETERSEN friendly and it’s recognizing the quality and the
available nearly year- benefits of year-round, local
Eating Local, round. Bring on the availability. It’s the combination of
Eating Green summer tomato growing heirloom varieties — those
sandwiches! curvy, big-shouldered, brilliantly
Hydroponics is a system in which colored, flavorful tomatoes — in a
plants are grown in nutrient-rich hydroponic system that makes these
water instead of soil. The plants are tomatoes stand apart.
grown in close quarters in
greenhouses, requiring less land.
Nutrients, light and temperature are
tightly controlled, allowing the plants
to get what they need without
expansive root systems. The plants
grow and produce quickly, even in
the offseason. And while the
systems use plenty of water, it’s
less water overall than would
be used to irrigate a field.
Growing in a greenhouse
reduces the probability of
garden pests. Taking it one
step further, the soil-less
environment of a hydroponic
Tomatoes grown hydroponically, are rich in flavour and nutrition.

Nutrients, light and temperature are tightly controlled, allowing the
plants to get what they need without expansive root systems.
Church Health Center Wellness is crops will start rolling in. Eating local
experimenting with vertical becomes incredibly easy when you’re
hydroponic tomatoes. And this is faced with piles of richly flavored red,
where another benefit comes into purple, yellow, orange, green zebra,
play. Without the need for soil, urban and golden cherry tomatoes.
areas are a natural fit for growing However, if you’re a good “green”
food. Vertical growing tubes of water eater and have been patiently waiting
take less space and can hang over for locally grown tomatoes, the wait
concrete. While a hydroponic system is over. Embrace the hydroponic
isn’t cheap, it’s a way to grow tomato (then slice and enjoy on a
without lots of land. mayo-slathered sandwich).
What about the flavor? Surely a sun-
kissed tomato holds more flavor than Melissa Petersen is the editor of Edible
Memphis, a magazine that celebrates the
one grown in a greenhouse, in water, abundance of local food, season by season.
you think. Try one, and be amazed. It is available at various locations around
In a few weeks, the summer tomato town. Contact her at ediblememphis.com.
UNV
GREEN
Weddings are life’s most
joyous occasions. From the WE
beautiful dresses to the small details
like candles and centerpieces, it’s an
understatement to say a lot of planning goes
into the union of a husband and wife. Weddings can
also be one of the most expensive and wasteful events a
person can organize today.
The cost of a wedding gown can skyrocket into the thousands and
buying brand-new everything for a ceremony and a reception can end up
producing tons of trash that will go straight to a thrift store or a landfill
afterwards. That’s why green wedding businesses are on the rise in Memphis.
Local wedding planners and former brides are reusing and reselling
dresses, accessories and more for bridal parties looking to minimize their
carbon footprint and maximize their budget. Going Green has practical
solutions to cutting the price tag on weddings in half and being kind to the
environment at the same time.
VEIL THE
N IN YOUR
EDDING
THE GOWN THE RECEPTION & DECOR
One bride’s unwanted gown is another Recycle your way to an
bride-to-be’s dream dress. PAGE 16 environmentally safe soirée. PAGE 22
THE MAKEUP THE HONEYMOON

Mona, a local organic spa, offers the You don’t have to skimp on luxury to
perfect all-natural makeover. PAGE 19 have a greener honeymoon. PAGE 26
The
Gown
New bridal
consignment
boutique fits all
styles, budgets
The Barefoot Bride Boutique,

which opened two months
ago in the Cooper-Young
District, offers brides-to-be
great deals on reused
wedding gowns.
Story by Suzanne Thompson Photography by Ben Fant
Reminiscent of “27 Dresses” — a film about a woman who saved the

bridesmaid dress from every wedding she participated in — Joelle Scholl
once had 26 dresses.
But they weren’t bridesmaid dresses. They were all wedding gowns.
No, she didn’t get married 26 times. But last year when she was planning
her wedding, she had trouble deciding on a dress.
After buying the first one, she changed her mind and sold it on the
Internet.
She did this 25 more times before

finding the perfect gown. By that time,
she realized what started as indecision
had turned into a business.
“One thing led to another and it just
started exploding,” said Scholl, owner
of The Barefoot Bride.
The Barefoot Bride resells dresses,
some of which have never been worn
because of breakups or, like Scholl,
changes of mind.
Initially, she bought and sold dresses
online only, but in March she opened a
store in the Cooper-Young
neighborhood with an inventory of 30
dresses. By mid-May, it had grown to
550.
Scholl, who works full-time at
FedEx, usually spends her lunch hours
picking up dresses.
“I have seven dresses in my car right
now,” Scholl said on a recent weekday
afternoon.
Not only does The Barefoot Bride
help people reuse gowns, it also Joelle Scholl, owner of the Barefoot Bride
recycles clothing tags and uses the Boutique, helps brides find a new lease
Internet to share information about the for dresses worn once.
shop, as opposed to using paper.
Helping brides find a new lease for
dresses that are worn once is good for The Barefoot Bride
the environment and their budgets. Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and by
“I kind of felt like I was passing it on,” appointment only — usually Tuesday and
she said. “We spend so much money on Thursday after 5 p.m.
gowns we only wear one time.” Wedding gowns from $100 to $2,800;
Emily Gum, who was married this sizes 0-28.
month, said she didn’t buy a gown
until she found just what she wanted. Bridesmaid, formals, mother of the
“I started looking for my perfect bride/groom dresses from $10 to $150;
dress in Memphis, Nashville and online sizes 0-26.
back in January before Barefoot Bride Shoes, veils, flower girl dresses, tiaras,
had opened,” she said. jewelry, etc.
“I always knew I wanted a used Adele Amor Cosmetics; Stella and Dot
dress, because for a wedding dress Jewelry.
‘used’ usually means ‘worn once.’ ”

By May 1 she still had not purchased a
dress for her May 14 wedding, and one
of Gum’s friends told her about The
Barefoot Bride opening locally.
“I called Joelle the following Tuesday
and made an appointment for Thursday,
May 5th. Luckily, my perfect dress fit me
perfectly and didn't need to be altered,
since my wedding was nine days away
by then.”
Scholl said she has bought and sold
dresses from all over the world online,
but opened the store because customers Courtesy Barefoot Bride
usually want to try on their dresses, so
The Barefoot Bride offers more than
reselling them in person is easier.
wedding gowns for prosepective brides -
Women who bring in their unwanted shoes, jewelry and formal wear for the
gowns on consignment receive 50 percent wedding party are available.
of the sales price. And the brides who buy
the dresses at 30 percent to 80 percent off
their retail price get quite a bargain. a pair of expensive shoes with real glass
Dresses start at $100, and can get heels that she purchased for her wedding.
pricey, like one $2,800 designer dress Her friend decided that was perhaps
that didn’t stay in the inventory for long. not the best choice for a wedding, and
Tandy Lynn’s mother purchased the asked Lynn to put her in touch with The
Vera Wang dress in another city Barefoot Bride.
assuming it would fit her daughter. It’s more than just the great deals that
Unfortunately, it didn’t. draw brides to The Barefoot Bride. The
The bride-to-be tried to sell the dress service is special too, Gum said.
on her own, but couldn’t find a buyer. “In the shop during my appointment
Lynn was amazed at Scholl’s success. Joelle and Karlee made me feel so special
“She sold it super-quick, like five and beautiful. Joelle even made me a
days,” Lynn said. “When you’re getting custom crinoline for my dress in my
married, every penny counts, so it was wedding colors, and found a matching
nice to have that money back.” bracelet for me to wear,” she said.
The Barefoot Bride offers consignors Gum said she’s not sure she will resell
looking to score some green the her dress, because it has a classic cut
opportunity to sell more than just that never goes out of style, but she was
wedding gowns. more than satisfied with her shopping
The store also carries used dresses for experience for her perfect dress.
bridesmaids, flower girls and the mother “I wish I could get married over and
of the bride or groom, and even tiaras. over just so I could have an excuse to hang
One of Lynn’s friends plans to consign out at the shop. The vibe is so great there.”
The pampering
Few things are more stressful in a woman’s life than
Mona Spa delivers planning a wedding.
To make that process a little easier, Mona Sappenfield,
an organic beauty owner of Mona Spa, has designed a program for brides-
to-be that helps take the pressure off.
alternative for Chelsea Gossett took advantage of the bridal
future brides pampering package. She said she, her mother,
Story by Suzanne Thompson Photography by Dave Darnell

grandmother and her nine bridesmaids

spent a day at the spa and her
bridesmaids are still talking about it four
years later.
“It was a wonderful experience. It was
laid back and fun. It was exactly what I
needed,” she said.
The Gossett bridal party had facials
and massages and all the products used
in the services were organic.
A day at the spa for the bridesmaids is
also a good way to show that you care
about them, she said.
“They go through a stressful time, too,
helping you out with everything,” she
said.
Gossett said she began using organic
makeup from Mona Spa in 2003 when
she moved to Memphis from Michigan Mona’s Spa carries an extensive line of
and believes that organic products are organic and natural makeup from such
healthier. high-end lines as Blinc, Nvey by
“I feel like natural things are going Maquillage and La Prairie of Switzerland.
into my body and in my skin and I think
that’s always a safer and better bet for
the environment and for your body,” wide trend.
Gossett said. At a professional conference she
Naturally, every bride wants her skin attended in Las Vegas the emphasis was
to look flawless on her wedding day and on going natural, she said.
Gossett said that she believes using “It was like a page had turned in my
organics helps. industry,” Sappenfield said.
“You don’t want to adjust something, By product category, she estimates the
or get a flare-up right before your organic inventory at Mona Spa to be
wedding because you’ve used something close to 85 percent.
synthetic on your face that you’ve never One of the most well-known upscale
used before.” brands used by professional makeup
In October, Sappenfield held an open artists is Maquillage. Their latest line is
house for brides, who were given a 30- called Nvey, which Sappenfield said was
minute consultation and treated to a the first certified organic line of
complimentary facial or rain check for a cosmetics. Nvey is used and sold at
facial. Mona Spa.
Sappenfield has been an aesthetician Other natural products are available at
for 30 years, and she said the move the spa, like La Prairie of Switzerland,
toward organic products is an industry- created by the daughter of famous
Mona’s Spa
5101 Sanderlin Center, Suite 102
Services: 100% Organic Bridal Make Up;
Sweet Milk and Lavender Bud Therapy;
SpaRitual Organic Foot Facial
Bridal consultations for makeup
application and skin care treatments are
complimentary.
For more infomation: 901.683.0048 or
http://www.monaspaandlaser.com
Mona Spa offers a 100 percent organic

bridal makeup the day of the wedding,
applied by a professional makeup artist.
The charge for that service is $100 in
the spa or $150 at the wedding location,
and $35 per additional face for
bridesmaids or other bridal party
members.
Brides can even dress at the spa
immediately before the wedding.
“If you’re one of our brides and you
wanted to come here and get dressed,
we have a room dedicated for bridal
events,” Sappenfield said.
Helen McKinney, clinical aesthetician and
make up artist, applies organic eye Whether a bride wants to develop a
shadow to Meghan Heimke at Mona’s Spa. skin care protocol for better skin by a
targeted date, have hair and makeup
done the day of the wedding or unwind
ecologist Jacques Cousteau. The line’s with a day at the spa with all-natural
skin care products use marine sea life, facial ingredients, it’s an experience that
which is rich in proteins. will be remembered.
It’s not just the makeup that is eco- Gossett said that was the best part of
friendly at the luxury business. her pre-wedding experiences.
Sappenfield bought gently used furniture “It was one of the biggest joys of
and accessories when she redecorated wedding preparation and it really helped
the spa. to de-stress at a time when you feel more
“The whole place has an organic feel stressed than you’ve probably ever
to it,” Gossett said. been,” Gossett said.
The reception
By Suzanne Thompson
Special to Going Green
Discover innovative
ways to plan ahead, After the wedding ceremony, a celebration
reduce waste at your is definitely in order for the bride and groom
and their guests.
reception Planning for the reception involves many
elements, including centerpieces, food and
drinks.
Centerpieces The wedding decor

Using live flowers for centerpieces
instead of cut flowers in vases makes
a difference, in more than one way.
Centerpieces made from cut
flowers can cost a fortune, but
bundles of herbs placed in cute
containers serve the purpose nicely
and give the guests something to take
home as well.
“With a wedding, it’s really the
small things you can do that make a
difference,” said Jaime Newsom, co-
owner of Social Butterflies, LLC, a
full service Memphis wedding and
event planning company. Brides can choose a bouquet created
Using candles instead of from colorful, 100-percent recycled
fluorescent lighting cuts back on paper — which can then be recycled
energy use and also provides once the big day is over.
ambiance, she said.
Floating candles in decorative The decor at a wedding, including the
containers surrounded by greenery flowers, sets the mood. By choosing a florist
can serve the dual purpose of that uses organically grown flowers which are
providing lighting and an inexpensive in season, you can get just the look you want,
yet attractive centerpiece. while being kind to the planet.
Finding an all-organic florist in Memphis could
be tricky, but there are some choices, such as
Beverages consulting with vendors who provide organically
Environmental issues have become grown flowers at a local farmers market.
commonplace topics at wedding If cut flowers are a must, many Sam’s Clubs
planner conferences, Newsom said. offer Fair Trade flowers for weddings.
But fresh cut flowers are not the best
Serving boxed wine or beer in a choice if you want to lessen the environmental
keg instead of canned or bottled impact of your wedding.
beverages not only lessens the Decorating with silk flowers is one alternative.
environmental impact, but can also Mike Omar, who owns MorGreen Nurseries in
help brides stay within their budgets. Collierville with his wife Paige, said some of his
Boxes of wine contain the customers choose to decorate with live plants.
“One client had a tent wedding and put
equivalent of four bottles of wine, and plants in big pots all around to create a
are much easier to recycle. natural setting,” Omar said.
Ask the caterer about the practices At one garden wedding at a private home, the
used in preparing and serving the client had him transform the area into a rose
food and what happens during the garden, and had pink roses planted everywhere.
cleanup, as well. “It was something that after the wedding,
Kevin Bush, CFY

The wedding decor Catering’s director of
operations, said choosing
they had a nice vista to enjoy,” he said. to use glasses instead of
Some couples opt to rent plants. plastic cups can reduce a
Jessica Watson, bridal consultant at Pugh’s, said reception’s environmental
that’s what she has encountered most when people want impact.
live plants at their weddings. Chuck Goldstein, who
Omar said his nursery delivers and picks up the plants co-owns Heart & Soul
and the fee is about $300 to $400, depending on the Catering with his wife
number of plants .
“It’s fairly time consuming to set all that up and bring Marci, agrees.
it back again,” he said. Because glass products
Even the flowers used in the bouquets can result in can be reused, they are a
lots of floral waste. much better choice than
Watson said she once made a bouquet for a bride that paper or plastic for buffet
was made of all greenery and had herbs in it as well. lines, he said. Goldstein
“She went green, literally,” she said. has been known to lower
To decorate pews in a church or synagogue, consider
draping them with silk greenery, which can be reused. the price to discourage
Decorative bows can be made from ribbon, which can customers from using
be reused during the holidays. plastic.
If nothing but fresh cut flowers will do, check out “I very seldom use
OrganicBouquets.com, which offers many plastic. It’s not elegant
environmentally friendly grown flowers. enough,” Goldstein said.
When it comes to centerpieces at the wedding, the
options other than fresh floral arrangements are limitless. Food
With do-it-yourself projects gaining popularity,
wedding planners can help almost any bride go green Bush said he likes to use
and stick with her budget. as many locally grown food
Angela Dacus, owner of Southern Event Planners, products as much as
suggests that brides start saving coffee and soup cans. possible, and sometimes
While those might seem like odd items to collect for a
wedding reception, they can be transformed into
buys items from farmers
something lovely and useful. markets.
Spraying adhesive onto the cans and applying artificial “We want to use local
moss can turn them into candleholders, or containers for farms, so we’re not
live plants to serve as centerpieces. ordering things from
Guests can then take the plants home to enjoy, across the country,” he
eliminating waste almost entirely. said. “We’re about to kick
Place card holders can be made from a number of into tomatoes, and what
different things, from wine corks to seashells.
The place cards themselves can be made from recycled could be better than a
paper and recycled again after the reception ends. Ripley tomato?”
Check out thrift stores which often contain a trove of Raised in California
items that can be made into chic centerpieces, with a flare. before moving to Memphis
A good rule of thumb for creating eco-friendly decor is 27 years ago, Goldstein
to stick to the motto: “If you can’t reuse it, don’t buy it.” said he grew up recycling
has done several vegan receptions and

countless ones for vegetarians.
Recycling
Recycling efforts at wedding
receptions have to be planned in
advance, Bush said.
“You have to take care of it at the
beginning of the party, because you’re
not going to do it at the end. It’s all
about organization,” Bush said.
Goldstein said it’s not that hard to
make sure everything is recycled; it’s
just a matter of setting up a system.
The staff handles all the recycling
behind the scenes.
Kegs of wine and beer result in less Used alcoholic-beverage bottles are
waste than individual bottles and are boxed up and taken away. Beer bottles
budget-friendly. Choosing glassware and and aluminum cans are sorted and taken
flatware instead of plastic is not only to a recycling facility.
eco-friendly but gives a reception a more To Goldstein, recycling is a matter of
elegant feel. professional responsibility.
Change doesn’t happen quickly,
and learned about the benefits of eating Goldstein said, but helping people
local and organic foods at an early age. understand the importance of the
“When you grow up doing it, it sticks decisions they make is the first step.
with you,” he said. “You won’t change it overnight, but if
Being from that “old school” has led you plant the seed, it will grow,” he said.
him to make business decisions that
involve purchasing hand-picked produce The sendoff
and products made by hand, like cheeses At the end of the reception, remember
he buys from Whiteville, Tenn. to stay away from handing out bird seed
“A lot of our stuff is organic,” he said. or rice for guests to throw as the newly
“In the food aspects, we try to educate married couple depart.
people about what they can get.” Raw rice can be harmful to birds, and
Many hors d’oeuvres can be made bird seed of course draws birds, which
using fresh vegetables that burst with can make a mess.
flavor, such as vegetarian shish kebabs Instead, have flower girls or
on bamboo skewers, grilled artichoke bridesmaids offer guests flower petals
cups filled with corn salad or a variety of from a basket. If you have decided to use
bruschettas. cut flowers, it’s a great way to reuse
Goldstein said Heart & Soul Catering them and cut down on the flower waste.
Turtle Island, a resort in Fiji, limits the number of visitors, has an organic garden and
engages in preservation of the surrounding coral reefs.
The honeymoon
Sustainable vacations ideal for environmentally conscious
By Suzanne Thompson ecotourism concepts, so you can go
Special to Going Green to these places where they have
gourmet meals and they are doing
Planning an eco-friendly their part to preserve the
honeymoon does not mean lining environment,” according to Tamara
up a camping trip, or staying in a Whiteside, owner of Wine and Tours.
grass hut. “Ecotourism is about conserving
Ecotourism is an industry unto properties in areas and sustainable
itself and the resorts range from travel,” she said.
rustic to lavishly luxurious. The International Ecotourism
“Luxury resorts are taking on Society (TIES), a nonprofit
organization formed in 1990, promotes

“responsible tourism to natural areas
that conserves the environment and
improves the well-being of local people.”
One of the many things TIES
suggests is using bed and breakfasts
that are locally owned.
B&Bs are known as a destination for
romantic getaways , so it makes sense
that they would also be ideal for
honeymooning.
The Topia Eco Inn, featured in The B&Bs, like the Topia Eco Inn, make for
New York Times, is located in the romantic getaways, and are locally
Berkshires, and was started by two owened so travelers can go green while
women from New York City who staying in style.
wanted to prove that travelers can go
green while staying in style. Nature Resort in Kerala, South India,
Each of the inn’s 10 rooms was guests stay in tree houses built 90 feet
designed by an artist and has a theme, above ground in trees and they travel to
such as the Iroquois Room and the their rooms in bamboo hand-powered
Moroccan Room. lifts.
Guests are asked not to bring The open-air rooms feature beds
grooming products from home so they covered in mosquito netting and food is
don’t interfere with the organic, made from locally grown ingredients.
chemical-free bedding and Michael Stetson, manager of Custom
complimentary organic body and bath Travel, said many resorts are marketing
products are provided. themselves as eco-friendly and there are
The tubs are low-flowing, energy some resorts that are becoming
savers and have air jets featuring certified.
chromotherapy, a form of therapy that Honeymooners who want a little
uses lights and colors to balance a more luxury might like the Jungle Bay
person’s energy. Resort and Spa on the island of
Ecotourism resorts can be found in Dominica in the Caribbean, which has
countries from Africa to Costa Rica. cottages that were built from felled trees
“The good thing is they have them all and volcanic rock.
over the world,” she said. The resort was built on posts under
Some Caribbean resorts are accessed the forest canopy, to reduce soil
by boat only, so they are not deforesting disruption. Because the buildings have
land to build roads, Whiteside said. natural ventilation, they don’t need air
Of course, there are rustic green conditioning.
resorts if a couple wants to experience They grow 95 percent of the food
life on the wild side. served there organically, Whiteside said.
For example, at the Green Magic At Turtle Island, a resort in Fiji, they
Nana Simopoulos and Caryn Heilman, owners of The Topia Eco Inn, want guests to
have a one-of-a-kind experience with art-inspired rooms that feature linens made from
100% organic cotton and an array of natural and organic bath and body products.
limit the number of visitors with environmental management.

only 14 cottages, and they also Green Globe certification is the
have an organic garden and engage sustainability stamp of approval for
in preservation of coral reefs. the hospitality industry.
“If you can control the amount of Certification through Green Globe
people visiting, it helps limit the involves assessment of 337
impact,” she said. compliance indicators applied to 41
This resort is known for its criteria ranging from the kind of soap
privacy and seclusion, making it they provide for guests to energy
ideal for newlyweds and is a leader efficiency and water conservation.
in sustainable tourism. Options for creating the perfect
Since the resort opened in 1980, sustainable honeymoon are many
the owner has planted more than and information is readily available.
500,000 trees, has introduced Green Globe has even developed
freshwater ponds to encourage bird an app for iPhones and iPads
growth and has 21 benchmarks scheduled to launch in the summer
from Green Globe for to check green certification.
The
art of
reuse
Gently used items
can trim a lot of
Ben Fant/Special to Going Green
money from a Angela Dacus, owner of Southern
wedding budget Event Planning, shows how a common
doily can be used many different ways
to create decorative accents.
By Suzanne Thompson
In the bridal industry, it’s not uncommon for someone to purchase an

item for a wedding or reception that they probably won’t use again.
Two wedding planners are combining their expertise to put the art of
reusing smack in the middle of the wedding business.
Angela Dacus, a local wedding planner and owner of Southern Event
Planning, and Renee Maddison, a Nashville wedding planner and marketing
professional, used their combined experience to start Bridal Bargainistas.
The women use the temporary store to sell and buy items gently used in
weddings, receptions and other parties.
The “pop-up” shop will kick off with a party on July 28 from 5 p.m. to 8
Mismatched, vintage-style plates from a local thrfit store make for a charming,
eclectic table setting for the wedding reception. These plates ranged in price from 50
cents to two dollars. They are ideal for hosting a small, intimate reception or if you’re
looking to be creative within a budget. Once the reception is over, they can be
donated back or given away as fun gifts in memory of the day.
p.m. at La Pavillion at 1052 lanterns and other items.

Brookfield Rd. For a $10 fee, early The idea for Bridal Bargainistas
birds can shop while enjoying came from Maddison while she was
appetizers and “bargainista-tinis.” talking with Dacus about how many
The free three-day shopping items they had that had been used
event will be open July 29-30 from only one time.
10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and July 31 from “Especially in the wedding
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. industry, things get used once and
Brides-to-be and other party then they go to Goodwill or get
planners can browse through a thrown out,” Maddison said.
collection of votive candle holders, For instance, a bride who
candelabras, foundations for purchases 45 vases for her wedding
centerpieces, chafing dishes, paper reception may keep one or two as
mementos, but what does she do with wedding invitations, which generates
the other 43? excess material, she said.
A friend of Maddison’s picked up Invitations are often decorated with
some candelabras at a metalworks ribbons, so several spools of ribbon —
place, spray painted them and used or perhaps envelopes — may be left
them at the altar at her wedding. over. Such items may be available
They were too large to use at home, during the Bridal Bargainistas event.
so after the wedding, she sold them to Items won’t necessarily be sold in
one of her friends, who spray painted groups.
them again and used them in her “You can buy as many or as few as
wedding. you want — whatever serves your
“It’s just repurposing and needs,” Maddison said. “It will be first-
repurposing and repurposing. It really come, first-served.”
takes the green concept to the next People who are selling their things
level,” Maddison said. will receive 50 percent of the sale
Dacus said registration for the event price.
will take place at the beginning of June. Dacus and Maddison are gathering
According to the Bridal Bargainistas’ items not just from brides, but also
Facebook page, tickets for the July 28 from other wedding planners, florists,
party will be on sale soon. caterers and others in the party
They won’t start accepting the industry.
items, which will be ticketed by the Successful resales websites have
sellers, until the week before the sale. spurred the reuse of many items,
In addition to selling the items, Maddison said.
people will be on hand at the store to “Craigslist and eBay, being as big as
help out with ideas about how to they are, have really paved the way for
repurpose items for sale. repurposing,” she said. “It’s a way to
“We’re encouraging people to bring save some money in these
photographs of how things were used economically challenging times. It just
at their weddings,” Dacus said. makes sense today.”
Then she or other planners can give Though no date has been set,
buyers some ideas on how to reuse another Bridal Bargainistas event will
elements in their own weddings. be held in Nashville, and they have an
For instance, perhaps a bride who eye on other cities in which to set up
had a nature theme at her wedding shop.
used slices of tree trunks as candle The plan is to make Bridal
holders. They can easily be formed Bargainistas an annual event, but
into a cupcake tree stand with a little depending on the response, they may
tweaking, according to Dacus. not wait a year before holding another,
Maddison said repurposing is Madison said.
especially popular now that people are “If we feel like support is there and
into the do-it-yourself movement. people want to turn their stuff quickly
Many people are making their own we may do it more than once a year.”
LOCAL NEWS
Green practices
Belgium’s culture of recycling, preservation makes sustainability a reality
Photos by Emily Adams Keplinger/The Commercial Appeal

Being "green" is important in Belgium, as depicted by this sign in the Brussels
airport, where visitors are inspired to think about about sustainability.
By Emily Adams Keplinger already second nature to Belgians.

keplinger@commercialappeal.com For one thing, the Belgian people
take a genuine pride in the upkeep
When I traveled recently to of not only their businesses
Belgium for the first time, it was eye- (coming to work an hour early just
opening to see how widespread the to ensure fresh, clean window fronts
green movement was in that country. when their stores open), but also
Actually, it didn’t seem like a green their streets and their cities.
movement, but more like a green Municipalities and train stations
culture. So many green practices have sectioned recycling bins
that we are trying to adopt are located within easy access of
pedestrians, with color-coded containers

to promote as much recycling as
possible of post-consumer products. In
fact, a tour guide proudly proclaimed
that as a country, Belgium recycles 93
percent of its post-consumer household
packaging.
And just like here in Memphis,
recycling is often one of the first steps
that a person can make toward a greener
lifestyle.
As I toured Belgium, marveling at the
antiquity of its medieval buildings, I
realized that historic preservation is not
an optional process for Belgians. They
seem to fully embrace the richness of
their architectural treasures, both for
their own enjoyment, as well as for the
sake of tourism. And they don’t expect a
“quick fix.” Some restoration projects,
like those of cathedrals, have been in
progress — in stages — for more than
250 years, with plans for another 200
years. We don’t tend to think in terms of
projects that last over several lifetimes.
And antique objects, when age has
thwarted their original function, are often
repurposed into everyday, useful objects, This storefront in Brussels touts their
like turning a chair with a rotted seat into support for sustainable cotton — one
a whimsical sidewalk planter. Now that’s of the many ways that Belgium
really green! promotes green practices.
Sustainability in the hospitality sector
regularly includes energy-saving cotton grown without the use of toxic,
technology, recycling card keys and non-biodegradable pesticides and
serving fresh, local foods rather than fertilizers. As a result, not only is there
importing items. practically no groundwater
The growing interests of consumers in contamination, but the soil fertility is
ecologically produced foodstuffs is better maintained, and farmers have
spreading to other areas of ecological fewer health problems.
farming, including the production of bio- One of the most obvious aspects of
cotton products. In Belgium, entire the green culture of Belgium is the sheer
stores are dedicated to selling only number of bicycles. Not only students,
clothing made with bio-cotton, that is, but also a large number of workers use
bikes for their everyday mode of

transportation. In the inner city, there
are entire parking lots that house
thousands of bikes. There are even
multi-level parking garages just for
bicycles. Almost every city street has a
marked bike lane. Even with the busy
car and bus traffic at the Brussels
airport, there are clearly delineated bike
routes teeming with cyclists. And
cyclists have the right-of-way, not
pedestrians, in
their bikes lanes.
There are
numerous other
green practices in
place in Belgium
that contribute to
their everyday
green culture: Solar
panels on homes
and commercial
buildings; bio-
medical
technologies; Recycling is
alternative fuels; practiced in artful
and employers, ways, such as
including the turning an antique
Belgian Parliament, chair into a
that give their sidewalk planter.
employees bicycles
if they vow to use them instead of cars as
their mode of transportation to work.
I hope to incorporate some of the
green practices I witnessed during my
travels into my own lifestyle, and I’m
excited to see the green movement grow
Top: People of all ages use bicycles as here in Memphis, knowing that
a main mode of transportation in sustainability can indeed be a reality.
Belgium. Above: During a recent visit, To view a photo gallery of more green
Midtowner Jan Coleman discovered a practices in Belgium, go to
sectioned recycling bin, color-coded commercialappeal.com/photos/galleries and
for the different type of products. click on Green Belgium.
GOOD
GREASE
Good Earth takes the middle man out of the equation
By Suzanne Thompson
The next time you eat a french fry,

consider that the oil it was cooked in could
end up as fuel in someone’s gas tank.
Used cooking oil can be turned into
biodiesel, and there’s plenty of it to be had.
Almost all restaurants have fryers of some
kind. They typically store their used oil in a
container until a company that is hired to
remove it — generally at a cost of about
$100 — arrives to take it away.
Green Earth Options, LLC (GEO) has a
different approach to the business. Instead of

Richard Forthman of Green Earth Options sucks up cooking oil up at Interim
Restaurant to be turned into biodiesel fuel.
charging restaurant owners to pick it up, they pay you. It’s a better
remove the oil, Memphis-based GEO deal for restaurants,” he said.
purchases the used oil from them. Interim is a certified Project
GEO transfers the oil to a refinery, Green Fork restaurant, and Kramer
where it is converted to biofuel or said keeping the business local is
blended with petroleum diesel to important to him.
create biodiesel fuel. One hundred “My belief is to keep everything
percent of all collected oil is recycled. in the community.”
In the two years the company has Large companies that remove oil
been in operation, it has use a broker to negotiate the price
accumulated a list of clients that for a refinery to purchase it.
include the Half Shell, St. Jude GEO skips the middleman, and
Children’s Research Hospital, delivers the oil itself, dealing
Captain D’s and others. directly with the purchaser. This
Jackson Kramer, executive chef at helps save customers money.
Interim in East Memphis, said using “We’re the oil transporters,” said
GEO’s service was a no-brainer. Matt Crone, director of business
“Instead of paying for them to development.
“Instead of paying for environmental benefits of going green.

One of the few employees who is not a
them to pick it up, they former chef is general manage Chris
pay you. It’s a better deal Steinmetz, who has a background in sales.
Steinmetz said he saw an ad on
for restaurants.” Monster.com, and was immediately
interested in working with GEO.
JACKSON KRAMER, EXECUTIVE CHEF AT
INTERIM IN EAST MEMPHIS
“It was interesting, the green aspect,
in the sense that they were taking a
waste product and providing a positive
fuel source,” he said.
He means that literally. Many days Steinmetz is a former resident of
Crone and others are out at 5 a.m. Vermont, where there is a huge focus on
collecting oil. environmental conservation.
Removing the oil is a messy operation, He said living there was an eye-
so often restaurants need someone to opening experience and influenced him
come behind and power wash the area to join GEO.
— a service GEO provides to its “I saw huge potential if I could do
customers twice a year for free. what I love, selling face-to-face and help
Another big difference between GEO the earth,” Steinmetz said.
and larger companies providing oil When a salesperson from GEO visits a
removal service is that most of GEO’s potential client, one of the things they
employees have restaurant experience do is go over the contract that restaurant
and everyone has a stake in the business. has with its oil removal company. GEO
“Our core sales people are chefs,” said often finds ways to save them money.
Crone. One of GEO’s clients, a large restaurant
Crone was an instructor at L’École chain with 26 local locations, reviewed its
Culinaire before joining the new contract to discover they were being
company, and he said he had a charged $3,000 for grease removal.
reputation at the cooking school as “We’ll pay $6,000 for the oil,” Crone
being the “green chef.” said.
“I was in charge of turning the campus GEO is also committed to helping the
green,” he said. “I was steadfast in community by donating a portion of
making it green.” proceeds from each gallon of oil it
He succeeded by making changes recycles to charity.
including using different paper towels “We’re greener, cleaner, we give to
and changing their dispensers, planting charity, we’re a local business and we’re
an herb garden on the back porch, all restaurant savvy,” Crone said.
eliminating the use of Styrofoam cups While GEO’s plans include expanding
and recycling the used cooking oil. operations to other cities, for now the
“It cut our expenses by $3,500 a focus of the company is on Memphis
month,” Crone said. eateries, hospitals and residential
So he knew the economic as well as the facilities that have a kitchen.
Cohousing begins with a group of people looking to create a

communal-type housing arrangement that’s usually
intergenerational with separate units and a shared common space.
Interest in cohousing grows

Communal By Suzanne Thompson
housing
Cohousing may not be the talk around Memphis,
concept but these unique communities have gained
popularity since their U.S. introduction in the 1990s.
makes Cohousing communities usually are connected
like condominiums, but some consist of tightly
gains in clustered single-family houses, built around a
central courtyard with a common house.
current “They are individual homes, owned by
climate individuals,” said Joani Blank, a former board
member with the Cohousing Association of the
United States. Blank has lived in a

cohousing community for nearly 20
years.
She moved into one of the first two
U.S. cohousing communities in the
1990s in California. Others have
continued to spring up in many states,
including Massachusetts, Colorado,
Arizona, Washington, Oregon and
Illinois.
Two California architects are credited California architects Katie McCamant
with bringing cohousing to the United and Charles Durrett are credited with
States — Katie McCamant and Charles bringing the cohousing concept to the
Durrett. United States after studying in
They are husband and wife and Denmark.
learned about cohousing while studying
in Denmark where they met. cohousing is the lack of cars.
Their firm McCamant & Durrett is “One of the classic things about
known as The Cohousing Company and cohousing design is that there are never
has offices in Berkeley, Calif., and any cars between the housing units,”
Nevada City, Calif. Blank said.
The most attractive aspect of this Cars are parked in a lot on the
type of community is that residents are periphery or in an area behind the
more connected to each another. Thus, houses.
there are more opportunities for Aside from promoting interaction, the
interaction. no-car policy inside the community
“The main thing that keeps us provides the added bonus of safety.
together as a community is that we have “Kids can run around to every single
a lot of daily contact with each other,” house without worrying about cars,”
Blank said. “You can imagine that you she said. “So, it is for safety, but more
would know your neighbors better, importantly, I think it’s about building
because you have daily contact with
them.”
All the housing units face toward the
center of a courtyard or enclosed area “The main thing that
where there is also a common house.
Residents gather anywhere between keeps us together as a
two and five times a week for meals. community is that we have
These common dinners are a big part
of community building and the a lot of daily contact with
residents take turns teaming up to cook. each other.”
“The glue that holds us together is
our common meals,” Blank said. JOANI BLANK, FORMER BOARD MEMBER FOR
Something drastically different about COHOUSING ASSOC. OF THE UNITED STATES
Typically, cohousing members live in separate, fully equipped attached or

clustered units and share outdoor space and a common house where communal
meals are offered. In many communities, the common house also contains a
living room and guest (or caretaker’s) quarters along with other amenities like
a media or crafts room, or a studio for exercise and meditation.
community.” “We are across the street from a

Cohousing communities also are 26-story hotel. We’re literally
multigenerational, with individuals downtown.”
of all ages owning homes in them. Her community is located in a
It is particularly good for older historic building that was renovated
people, who are often, into an apartment-like complex that
“warehoused,” into retirement contains 28 units.
villages or homes. Cohousing gives The community governs itself, as
seniors the opportunity to interact every resident is a member of the
with people of all ages. homeowners’ association. One
Sarah Newstok, program member collects the membership
manager of Livable Memphis said dues and keeps the records.
it is always good for people to have The homeowners’ association has
access to a variety of different different committees, such as a
housing options. common house committee, a group
“The more choices people have process committee and a gardening
in the way they live, the more we committee, and virtually all the
can accommodate them through all work is shared by residents.
stages of their lives,” said Newstok. Conflicts between residents are
Blank lives in Oakland, Calif., in settled by consensus and nothing is
the most urban cohousing in North ever put to a vote.
America. Getting a cohousing community
going begins, like most Habitat’s new ReStore offers

successful ventures, with bargain; helps those in need
conversations among like-
minded people. Bargain hunters and people looking to unload old
toilets and tables will be able to help build homes for
“People who live in low-income families without ever swinging a hammer.
cohousing communities tend Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis is set to
to be politically progressive open the area’s only ReStore on June 9 at 7130
and environmentally Winchester Road.
conscious,” Blank said. “We’re like a second-hand Home Depot or Lowe’s,”
A cohousing community said Joe Davidson, ReStore manager.
could be built in Memphis if With discounts of 50 to 90 percent below retail , the
enormous showroom will feature gently used furniture
people want to get together and everything from claw-foot bathtubs to windows
to purchase the land and and cabinetry still in their original packaging.
build their houses. Not only does the ReStore raise money to build
“It would be up to a group local Habitat homes, but it also keeps thousands of
of motivated individuals who pounds of building material out of landfills, he said.
are interested in cohousing,” Davidson came to Memphis after running the
said Newstok. “From Livable Clarksville ReStore for three years.
Memphis’ perspective, Half the size of the Memphis shop, it has helped
recycle 780,000 pounds of material, which potentially
increasing the housing could have landed in a dump, Davidson said.
choices in general is a good “There’s really not a place in Memphis where you
idea.” can donate this stuff,” he said.
Blank said for her, it’s the Only about 20 to 30 percent of construction and
only way to live. demolition waste is presently being recycled, he said.
“I think it’s a wonderful Preparing for the grand opening, Davidson and
way to live and I want to Dwayne Spencer, executive director for the Memphis
chapter, recently scurried around the showroom.
spread the word about it,” Moving through the inventory of tables, armoires,
Blank said. doors, picture frames and even plastic Christmas trees,
For more information about Spencer predicts the ReStore will be a DIYers paradise.
cohousing, visit cohousing.org. Unsold items will drop in price each week, in order to
move new products into the showroom floor, he said.
“We don’t want to be a junk shop,” Davidson added.
Spencer estimates the store will make at least
$500,000, and after startup and overhead costs, will
be able to finance the building of roughly three homes.
Slipping through the unlocked entrance, a woman
came sailing into the ReStore, headed straight for a
cluster of living room furniture.
Davidson cut her off with an apology, ushering her
back out. But she was having a hard time leaving the
gems she’d spotted behind.
“It’s been a regular occurrence,” said Spencer. “It’s
hard to get them to leave once they see the
merchandise.”
— Lindsay Melvin: 529-2445
THE BIZ PAGE
Packed in green
Recycle Solutions’ new Ark. facility refurbishes shipping materials
By Toby Sells Ciro Damien sorts

sells@commercialappeal.com through piles of
cardboard and
One company's trash is Recycle Solutions' paper being
profit. dumped at
The Memphis-based company has, as its name Recycle Solutions'
implies, focused on recycling since it opened on Memphis facility
Kansas Street south of Crump in 2002. on Kansas Street.
But it's now branching out into the "reuse" part
of "reduce, reuse, recycle" with a new facility it Photos by Brandon Dill
Special to The
opened in Searcy, Ark., in April. Commercial Appeal
At its 25,000-square-foot warehouse,

17 employees refurbish or repair mainly
industrial packaging items, such as
pallets, shipping trays and plugs that
secure large rolls of paper.
"Why in the world would you throw
this away?" asked Mark Huber,
operations manager of Recycle
Solutions, pointing to a wooden pallet.
"Why make a brand new pallet when this
one only has one damaged board?"
That's where Huber said he saw a
market opportunity. Anwar Meyers operates an industrial
Companies that receive bulk bailer high above the main floor at the
shipments that come on pallets - or in Memphis facility. The company recently
trays or with other shipping items - pay expanded to Searcy, Ark., and is one of
for packaging materials that end up in the largest recyclers in the Mid-South.
their trash bins. They end up paying
twice - first to have the goods delivered,
then to have the trash hauled away. Recycle Solutions
Recycle Solutions offers an alternative Phone: 948-9500
by buying the unwanted materials at E-mail: info@ recyclesolutions.net
reduced cost, refurbishing them and Address: 1054 Kansas
selling them back to the original
shipping company. Online: recyclesolutions.net
"These companies are paying good
money for this and then they're just
throwing it away, " Huber said. "We can business: companies are thinking bigger
clean it up, send it back to a shipper and and longer term about sustainability, "
they can reuse it." according to the 2011 State of Green
Huber said this not only keeps a lot of Business Report from the editors of
waste out of landfills, but it also saves GreenBiz.com. "Even during these
money for companies and shippers. challenging economic times, many have
"Usually the first call I get from doubled down on their sustainability
(companies) they say, make me more activities and commitments."
green, " Huber said. "I ask, 'Which one: The report singled out rising
money green or environmentally green?' sustainability efforts among a number of
They always say, 'Both.'" consumer goods companies like Kraft,
The business landscape has certainly Procter & Gamble and Unilever. It's
gotten greener over the past few years. unlikely, though, to expect that these
Wal-Mart, for example, now has a "behemoths have suddenly become tree
director of sustainable facilities. huggers, " the report cautioned.
"A dramatic shift is occurring in - Toby Sells: 529-2742
GREEN BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
GreenDoc
Local dental practice
achieves certification
Special to My Life
Dr. Jennifer Cochran, of Evergreen

Family Dentistry, recently achieved
certification through the EcoDentistry
Association’s GreenDoc Dental Office The dental practice of Jennifer Cochran,
Certification program. Her practice is Evergreen Family Dentistry, is the first
the first in the southeast region to in the southeast region to achieve
achieve certification for GreenDoc Dental Office certification.
environmentally-sound dental practices
in various categories, including
sustainable location, waste reduction, solid surface countertops.
pollution prevention, energy Cochran began the GreenDoc
conservation, water conservation, certification process in October 2010
patient care, leadership and innovation. and achieved silver certification status in
The journey to certification began March 2011.
when Cochran was planning to renovate Evergreen is almost completely
her newly-purchased dental office. Many paperless. Patient charts are electronic,
hours of research on eco-friendly x-rays are digital and insurance claims
materials and equipment led her to the are processed electronically. Patients also
EcoDentistry Association (EDA). The have the option of receiving appointment
EDA makes recommendations for reminders, confirmations and requests as
“greening” a dental practice and certifies well as practice newsletters via email or
practices at the bronze, silver or gold text messaging. Letterhead, envelopes,
level. business cards and copy paper are all
Cochran became a member of the made from recycled paper. Evergreen has
EDA and eventually completed her reduced waste significantly by using
office renovation in April 2010, making cloth patient bibs and headrest covers as
as many eco-friendly choices as possible, well as cloth autoclave bags. Monthly,
including bamboo flooring, low-VOC the office sends paper, plastic and
paint, carpeting made from recycled cardboard to a recycling center.
materials, LED lighting and eco-friendly Harmful cold sterilization chemicals
are no longer used, and instead Program trains workers for

everything is sterilized in a surgical-grade green technical jobs
steam sterilization autoclave. The greening of energy industries
Environmentally friendly, ADA-accepted means big changes for technical
disinfecting wipes are used to clean all businesses, but locally that spells new jobs
surfaces. A device that collects silver for laid-off workers.
(mercury-containing) fillings from the Seedco, the Memphis Bioworks
vacuum lines was installed to prevent Foundation, and the Southern Energy
mercury contamination in wastewater. Dr. Training Consortium (SETC) are looking
Cochran offers metal-free dentistry, uses forward to the first graduates of technical
certificate programs updated for greater
biocompatible dental materials, and is one and greener efficiency.
of the few local dentists performing dental "It looks promising, " said Meredith
materials compatibility testing for allergy- Hennessy, vice president of Seedco, a
prone individuals with Clifford labs. nonprofit organization specializing in
Evergreen encourages patients to sign workforce development.
a pledge to “save 90 (cups) a day, “ Seedco has contracted with state and
reminding them to turn the water off federal governments, usually through
departments of labor, to provide workforce
while brushing their teeth. Cochran training and help secure employment for
performed both energy and airflow audits people on public assistance.
of her facility and learned how to read a To help, Seedco formed a partnership to
water meter to keep track of water usage. provide upgraded technical training with
“Not only have we created a safer an emphasis on green technology.
work environment for ourselves, but also The hope is that the training will
there is an added benefit of cost savings reposition graduates for new jobs.
over the long-term as well, “ Cochran About 410 people have enrolled in SETC
schools since last fall, about half of which
said. “It just makes sense.” attend Southwest. The National Electrical
Cochran plans to continue to advance Contractors Association also offers a solar
the office’s green efforts. She plans to panel installation program.
use environmentally-sound equipment Tuition and books are provided.
and supplies as they become available. Candidates must meet each school's own
For instance, she recently ordered admission prerequisites.
preserve toothbrushes to give out to our Southwest offers six programs under
the Seedco program and has recently hired
patients, which are made out of recycled two employment specialists to help place
yogurt cups and are BPA free. They graduates. The other schools offer one
include prepaid postage so that the used certificate program each.
toothbrushes can be sent back to be Seedco can help place graduates as well.
recycled again. "We have funding to provide paid
Evergreen Family Dentistry is at 1723 internships for dislocated workers, "
Kirby Parkway, near the corner of Poplar Hennessy said.
Avenue and Kirby Parkway. For more Jonathan Devin,
information about the practice call 757-9696 Special to The Commercial Appeal
or visit EvergreenFamilyDentistry.com. To
learn more about the EcoDentistry Association For the full story and photos:
and green dentistry, visit EcoDentistry.org. commercialappeal.com/news/2011/may/26/
growing-work/
TRANSPORTATION
SMALLER
GETS
BIGGER
By Dee-Ann Durbin and Tom Krisher
Increasing Associated Press
demand for DETROIT — Small cars sold briskly in the U.S. last
gas-sippers month, as gasoline prices approached $4 a gallon and
some buyers worried about shortages of Japanese-made
vehicles.
leads U.S. Analysts expected overall industry sales in the U.S. to
auto sales increase 19 percent from April of last year.
Sales last month were led by highly fuel-efficient
higher models such as Chevrolet’s Cruze, Hyundai’s Elantra
and Ford’s Focus.
Don Johnson, GM’s vice president of sales and
marketing, said consumers shifted into smaller cars
starting in March and the trend continued in April.
Unlike 2008, when a rise in gas prices caught the
industry off-guard, GM and other companies now have
good small cars and can quickly boost production of
them, he said.
“We’re probably the best prepared ever for this shift,”
he said.
The national average price of a gallon of gas this week
Chevrolet’s
fuel-efficient
Cruze,
introduced last
October, had
its best sales
month in April
as 25,000 were
sold in a
response to
rising gas
prices. Other
automakers
reported sales
led by higher-
MPG models.
Amy Sancetta
Associated Press
is $3.96, up $1.06 from last year. It has People switched to more efficient
already topped $4 in many regions. engines, which use less gasoline.
Sales of fuel-efficient models, such as Johnson said 39 percent of the vehicles
the Elantra, which gets 40 mpg on the GM sold in April had the most efficient
highway, helped boost Hyundai’s sales by four-cylinder engines, up from 27 percent
40 percent. Sales of the Elantra more last April. Thirty percent had six-
than doubled. Combined with the Sonata cylinder engines, down from 36 percent.
midsize car, the two made up 71 percent Almost half of Chevrolets sold had four-
of Hyundai’s sales. cylinder engines, Chevrolet chief Alan
At General Motors, sales of the 36- Batey said.
mpg Chevrolet Cruze soared to 25,000 in “Four-cylinder sales at Chevrolet have
April, the best month since it was frankly not been as strong as this in a
introduced in October. Ford said sales of long, long time,” he said.
its new Focus compact rose 22 percent Ford said its U.S. sales rose 13
from last year. percent, largely because of a 26 percent
GM said its U.S. car and truck sales jump in car sales. But it wasn’t only the
jumped 26 percent in April, led by the most efficient cars like the Fiesta and
shift to small cars. Johnson said the Focus that buyers demanded. Sales of the
Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain Mustang sports car rose 59 percent car
crossovers posted big sales increases. as summer driving season approached.
Crossovers look like sport utility Ford said that the impact of gas prices
vehicles, but are more fuel efficient could be felt in its largest vehicles. Half
because they are built on car platforms. of all pickup buyers chose Ford’s new V-6
engine instead of the less EDITORIAL

efficient V-8.
Other major automakers
reported sales Tuesday:
Chrysler’s sales rose 22
Biking on N. Parkway
percent to 117,225, the Citizens interested in lighting a bike-lane fire under
company’s best April in three the city administration struck a match May 23 at a
years. Sales were led by the public meeting in Buckman Hall at Rhodes College that
Jeep brand with a 65 percent discussed a proposal to add bicycle lanes to North
increase. Parkway.
Toyota sales rose by Getting city streets striped for bike lanes has been a
daunting proposition. For example, Madison Avenue
only 1.3 percent, led by a 9 seemed like a prime candidate for the lanes, but strong
percent gain from the Camry opposition from some merchants has stalled that
midsize sedan, traditionally proposal.
the most popular car in the However, North Parkway runs through what is
U.S. basically a residential area. Except for questions about
Nissan rose 12.2 percent on-street parking, no major opposition has emerged,
to 71,526. The company also so far. That gives the administration of Mayor A C
Wharton an opportunity to get a good jump on making
reported strong small-car the city more bike-friendly.
and crossover sales. Bike lanes are the kind of amenity that makes a city
Honda reported sales more livable. They encourage people to park their cars,
rose 9.8 percent, led by a 73 exercise and to see the city from a different perspective.
percent leap in sales of the
Fit subcompact. Sales of the Bike lanes supported
CR-V small crossover rose 30 Proposed bike lanes for North Parkway received
percent, while sales of the robust support from several hundred people who packed
compact Civic were up 7 the Rhodes College hall to hear details from city officials.
percent. City Councilman Reid Hedgepeth said if most
citizens favor bike lanes on North Parkway, the striping
Subaru sales were up 7 and signage work can be completed by summer's end.
percent to 24,762, led by the The plan for nearly four miles linking Overton Park to
Outback small SUV, which Downtown is divided into three segments.
rose 23 percent. The Downtown section west of Thomas, where the
Kia sales surged 57 road changes to A.W. Willis Avenue, will not have
percent, led by a 41 percent dedicated bike lanes, but signs such as "Share the Road."
increase in Sorento crossover Most of the middle and largest section, from
Thomas to McLean, will have dedicated bike lanes. The
sales. six-lane road will be reduced to four vehicle lanes. The
Mitsubishi sales jumped 14-foot-wide outside lanes on both sides will be
106 percent, the largest "repurposed" and re-lined to create on-street parking
month of sales since August against the curb and a six-foot-wide bike lane.
2008. Combined sales of the In the east section, from McLean to a service road that
Outlander and Outlander enters Overton Park, the two outside lanes are also
Sport were up more than 110 converted for bikes, but on-street parking is not included.
percent for the month. The Commercial Appeal staff
ENERGY
Mark Weber/The Commercial Appeal

Sweet sorghum is one of the new energy crops that researchers say can be readily
grown in the Mid-South and brought to market using Memphis’ logistics networks.
By Toby Sells
‘THE sells@commercialappeal.com
A hard-pounding rain made it nearly

impossible to talk inside the big metal building
NEW
and the storm had knocked out the power, but
Pete Nelson had just driven an hour in the mess
and was determined to make his presentation.
In one hand, he held a soil-caked, just-
OIL’
plucked sugar beet, and in the other, a Mason
jar full of dark sugar beet juice, or “the new oil”
as he called it.
Yes, Nelson meant oil, as in petroleum.
Anything that can be made from a barrel of oil,
Mid-South poised to lead he said, can be made from the dark brown syrup
growth of energy crops inside his Mason jar. Jet fuel, plastics, lubricants
and anything in between can be made from the
Mark Weber/The Commercial Appeal

BioDimensions operations supervisor Steven Smith prepares equipment for a
new growing season. The Memphis-based company has a pilot processing plant
in Whiteville, Tenn., that turns crops like sweet sorghum and sugar beets into
chemicals for fuel and plastic.
juice his company crushes from BioDimensions.

sugar beets and sweet sorghum. The company’s principals have
“This stuff is shippable and been working for years to bring bio-
storable, and that’s what we’re based products — or products made
making out here, “ Nelson said. from plants — to the mainstream.
“Out here” is that large metal For the past three years, they’ve
building that sits in the middle of grown sugar beets and sweet
farmland just outside of Whiteville, sorghum on 200 acres around the
about an hour west of Memphis. . Whiteville facility. Inside, they
West Tennessee farmer Willie crush the crops to produce the
German still runs grain and roasted-sweet-smelling syrup they
soybeans through the facility, but he believe will be a key to a new
now shares it with Nelson and his industry in the Mid-South.
biotech company, Memphis-based BioDimensions sees a future
where farmers here grow crops like beets tool, not an esoteric dream, said Steve
and sorghum and truck them to a local Bares, executive director of the
processing plant or bio-refinery, like the Memphis Bioworks Foundation.
pilot plant in Whiteville. The plant Processing the crops could revitalize
produces the syrup, which is then shipped unused industrial sites around Memphis,
to chemical plants or fuel refineries. creating green industrial jobs. It also
In 2009, the Memphis Bioworks gives farmers a way to cash in on the
Foundation brought in the research and green economy.
development firm Batelle Technology “This study makes it clear that we have
Partnership Practice to study and frame a dual role, “ Bares said. “One is to take
that future, to see if it was plausible and, advantage of our own underutilized
if so, how big it could be. industrial capacity, our strong business
“The first decade of the 21st century infrastructure and our unique agricultural
has driven home the realization that an assets and to develop them. The second is
economy built on finite, fossil-based to provide a regional approach that builds
resources is unsustainable and ultimately strong collaborations.”
fraught with risk, “ the report said. The 98-county region could help supply
With that, the study endeavored to the $8 billion biofuels and bio-based
find what the Mid-South had to offer to products industry without affecting the
a new, greener market and world. Based food and feed supply chain, the study said.
mostly on geography, it quickly ruled In the next 10 years, this industry could
out solar energy, wind power and tidal, support some 25,000 jobs in rural and
hydro and geothermal sources of energy. urban locations around the Mid-South.
The Mid-South and the fertile Some of this work is already being
Mississippi Delta have a history of done in the Mid-South, Nelson said.
growing crops. The region could grow FutureFuel Co. has made bio-fuels in
new energy crops like beets or sorghum. Batesville, Ark., since 2006. PMC Group
The Mid-South, especially around employs about 300 at its Memphis
Memphis, also has the industrial facility, where it develops sustainable
infrastructure needed to process the products used in making everything
crops into the building blocks of bio- from television cabinets to tires.
materials and the logistics savvy to truck But Nelson said Mid-South
the stuff all over the world, the study said. companies, farmers, industries and
The study (called the Regional Bioworks are still at the start of a
Strategy for Biobased Products in the marathon to fully realize the area’s
Mississippi Delta) encompassed 98 infrastructure to produce the materials
contiguous counties in Mississippi, for bio-based products.
Tennessee, Arkansas, Missouri and “With the original Standard Oil, it was
Kentucky — 36 million acres or 56,000 a race to see who could get to the
square miles. Farmers could grow energy wellhead, “ he said. “Now we’re in a race
crops on that land and use Memphis as to create intellectual property, learn how
the industrial and logistics hub. to grows the crops and how to get them
The plan is an economic development in the marketplace.”
FAITH
Practice what they preach

Calvary’s new ‘green team’ turns words from the pulpit into action
By Suzanne Thompson
Sally Bingham, a member of the

Episcopal clergy, believes it’s the duty
of people in her position to preach
about conservation from the pulpit.
Bingham is the founder of a
national group called Interfaith
Power & Light and president of
Project Regeneration.
To carry the message of Project
Regeneration, Bingham travels
around the country talking about
the responsibility religious leaders
have to discuss the link between
faith and ecology.
“They should all have green
teams greening up their churches,”
Bingham said.
More than 10,000 congregations
around the country are connected
to IPL.
“We have Interfaith Power &
Light affiliates in 38 states,” she
said. Currently there is one in
Tennessee — located in Nashville.
“Tennessee has been one of our
Ben Fant/Special to Going Green
more difficult state programs,”
Bingham said, ironic since this state Ellen Roberds is assisting clergy at
recently wired two of the largest Calvary Episcopal Church to "Green Up
solar fields in the country through Calvary" by beginning recycling programs
the Tennessee Solar Institute. and using more recycled materials in their
Ellen Roberds, assisting clergy at day-today church activities.
Calvary Episcopal Church, said she is fluorescent light bulbs and installing
heading up a new green team at the timers in bathroom lights, so they are off
church. Although she has never met when not in use between services.
Bingham, her talks have had an impact The congregation must be involved as
on the church’s leaders. well. Energy efficiency can be labor
“As we’ve started this new intensive because tasks like caulking
conversation of Greening Calvary, her around windows take hands-on work,
name has come up a lot, so it seems to but can result in lower power bills.
be woven into the narrative of the people “All of these things save money for the
here,” she said. church, create jobs and save creation,
Preaching about conservation is a win, win, win,” added Bingham.
powerful way to convey the church’s As they progress to bigger changes,
commitment to environmental she suggests that church leaders go to
responsibility. their kitchens and assess the energy use.
“It is significant when you put a clergy “Congregations are notorious for
person behind an idea and then that having old refrigerators that use an
person speaks about it from the pulpit. It enormous amount of energy.”
makes it clear to the church that we are It’s important for clergy to preach
trying and we are committed to this,” about energy conservation, but also to
Roberds said. lead their congregations toward that goal.
The program at Calvary is new, but “We need to practice what we preach,”
Roberds said the congregants there will Bingham said.
be hearing more about it. Roberds agrees with Bingham’s ideas.
“I have been charged by the vestry to “This gift that we’ve been given of the
begin this process,” Roberds said. “I will earth is precious. It is from God and of
be preaching about it.” God. We need to take our responsibility
Bingham started IPL in California 10 with one another and with the earth and
years ago, and has made it her life’s all its resources seriously,” Roberds said.
work to carry the message of global For more information visit
responsibility to church leaders. interfaithpowerandlight.org or call (415) 561-
“I have always thought religious 4891.
leaders should be talking about saving
creation from the pulpit,” she said.
Part of this philosophy goes back to the “They should
New Testament and Jesus’ commandment all have green
to love they neighbor as thyself.
“We have a moral responsibility to teams greening
care for our neighbors. If we love our up their
neighbors, we don’t pollute our
neighbors’ water and air,” Bingham said. churches.”
She encourages church leaders to set
an example by making small changes SALLY BINGHAM,
FOUNDER OF INTERFAITH
first, such as putting in compact POWER & LIGHT
SCHOOLS
Students rise to challenge

of preserving natural site
Mike Maple/The Commercial Appeal

Science teacher Richard Campbell (right) has led students from
Southaven Middle School including Damon McGowan (left), 14, and
Dalton Parnell, 15, in transforming a plot of land near the school into
an environmentally friendly site they call Charger Nature.
By Chris Van Tuyl activities.

vantuyl@desotoappeal.com “We’d fish, raise chickens and
stuff like that, “ he said.
In becoming a science teacher, Campbell, now at Southaven
Richard Campbell’s education had Middle School, shares his adoration
to be a priority. Time away from the of the outdoors with students, but
classroom meant refreshing his sometimes technological gadgets
mind with a lot of outdoor take precedence.
“Today’s generation, kids are “We Can Change the World

becoming more disconnected from
nature, “ he said. “They’re more
Challenge“
happy with a cell phone and a Southaven Middle School’s “Charger
computer, on Facebook.” Nature” was tops in Mississippi,
To help change that notion at the which is one of seven Southern
school — and the entire city, for that states in the running for the national
matter — Campbell and four eighth- winner. Florida, Georgia, Kentucky,
graders: Damon McGowan, Dalton Tennessee, Texas and Virginia are
Parnell, Taylor Quin and Dylan the others. The 2010 champion was
VanVolkenburg went and put their Michigan, followed by Iowa and
heads together. Since October , the Massachusetts. For more details,
group has been transforming a visit the Web at: wecanchange.com.
previously grass-covered area east of
the middle school and north of
Southaven High School on Rasco
Road into an environmentally timbers surrounding it at a discount.
friendly plot of land they call Tools and other assistance has been
“Charger Nature.” offered by SMS faculty and other
Their efforts were then entered members of the community.
into Siemens “We Can Change the Birdhouses have been built from
World Challenge.” Earlier this month scratch, as has a wooden bench,
, Southaven Middle learned it was the which allows a seat for visitors and
winning entry for the state of the possibly even squirrels.
Mississippi and is one of the nation’s “We’ve already seen turtles over
24 finalists. Also sponsored by the here and signs of a deer, “ said
National Science Teachers Campbell, “so we knew we’ve got
Association, the overall champion is some animals over here.”
expected to be announced on McGowan knows that a project like
Wednesday , with each member this wouldn’t have been undertaken
receiving a $10,000 U.S. Savings just by anybody.
Bond and more. “It shows how smart we can be as
“They’ll get to go anywhere in the students, “ he said. “It’s been a good
Continental United States to a experience to be able to make a trail
National Park of their choosing, “ and just do something good for the
Campbell said. “We hope to finish community.”
anywhere in the top three.” Parnell’s previous “green”
Southaven has benefited nicely endeavors had been furnished by his
from a number of local businesses, grandmother.
including Nature’s Earth Products “She’s very open-minded about it, “
and Lowe’s, who sold the mulch for he said. “All of this has been real
the walking trail and the landscaped fun.”
FOOD Places to dine multiplying for those

who don’t consume animal products
Vegan options
By Stacey Greenberg
Special to The Commercial Appeal
Many local vegans are

finding that it’s getting easier
to eat ethically in Memphis.
Ward Huddleston, 31, who
lives in East Memphis, defines
vegans as people who make
their best effort to avoid
supporting animal cruelty.
“Every vegan is unique, so a
specific definition is difficult,”
he says.
Vegans avoid animal
products like meat, eggs and
dairy products, but there are
some gray areas. For instance,
Huddleston doesn’t avoid
honey, because he’s OK with
the production process, but a
lot of vegans don’t buy
anything with honey in it.
“Everyone draws a line, and to
some extent it’s an arbitrary
line,” he explains.
It’s the dairy that separates
the vegans from the
vegetarians. Huddleston says, The Solar Power juice from the Cosmic
“Dairy cows have miserable Coconut includes carrots, oranges, apples and
lives.” ginger root.
With the advent of area farmers markets, Go Green Juice

Huddleston believes it’s possible to buy more 3 stalks of celery
humanely raised animal products locally. And thanks 1 Swiss chard leaf
to an increase in restaurants that cater to those who 1 apple
don’t eat meat, dining out is easier, too. 1 cucumber
1 hunk of ginger (1 inch
“As for eating in local restaurants, it’s gotten a lot square)
easier than I thought it would be at first,” says 1
/2 lemon
Stephanie Roy, who is married to a vegan and raising Place the above
her young son as a vegan. “Turns out there are a lot items in a juicer, and
of options if you know where to look.” enjoy.
Roy and her husband both love Asian food, so they
— Ashley Dunn,
frequent Pho Binh on Madison, where they say they Cosmic Coconut
can get the best tofu in town. Other favorites include
Golden India in Overton Square and Woodlands Thai Tofu Curry
Indian on Hacks Cross. 2 bricks of firm tofu
They eat falafel at the Pita Café on Park at Getwell 2 cans coconut milk (we
at least once a week. If they’re in the mood for pizza, use the Whole Foods brand
they head to the Mellow Mushroom in Germantown organic lite)
1 tbsp. red curry paste
because it has Daiya vegan cheese. For barbecue, (from Asian market)
Roy says you can’t beat the BBQ Tofu nachos at R.P. 2 tbsp. brown sugar
Tracks, and Muddy’s Bake Shop always has at least Olive oil as needed to sauté
one vegan option for a sweet treat. Salt and pepper to taste
Brittany Redmond, a 25-year-old bartender and Mix curry paste with
all-star player for the Memphis Roller Derby, touts sugar and coconut
her favorite places offering vegan dining options as milk — that’s your
the Kwik Chek on Madison for a falafel pita and the sauce. The tofu needs
tofu bi bim bop without egg; Jasmine, where diners to be cut into
can sub tofu for meat on all menu items; Trolley Stop bite-sized bits. Saute
Market for the veggie burgers and Monday night tofu in oil. Remove.
vegan specials, and Three Angels Diner, where she Pour most oil off. At
can get veggie bacon. Fuel, we include sweet
She says the only downside is that a lot of places red, yellow and orange
don’t go all the way and she sometimes has to send peppers. Saute
items back. peppers in remaining
“I recently discovered Fuel Café,” says Redmond. oil, add sauce, heat to
“They have an incredible array of vegan products, a simmer. Add tofu
and really go all the way to make sure that what they return to simmer. We
offer is not only vegan but healthy and tasty.” serve with basmati
Fuel’s co-owner and co-chef Carrie Mitchum is a rice and fresh green
vegan who went through Le Cordon Bleu with the vegetable of the day. 4
specific intention of learning classic French cooking servings.
so she could apply the method to vegan cuisine. — Carrie Mitchum,
“As Fuel is small, we can only have so many vegan Fuel Café
Photos by Kyle Kurlick/Special to The Commercial Appeal

Ashley Dunn, owner of the Cosmic Coconut off Sanderlin in East Memphis,
specializes in vegan juices, smoothies and wheatgrass-infused beverages.
“Every day someone thanks me for opening the Cosmic Coconut,” she says.
options, but the ones we do have are recipes and do their best to make
excellent. We offer vegan buns, sauce, vegan products that even the
cheese, sour cream, etc., and we are pickiest meat-eater would enjoy and
expanding our dessert menu to offer not be able to tell the difference.
vegan crème brulée in addition to the Whole Foods carries vegan
vegan ice cream all-natural floats and pastries (made without any animal
gelato,” says Mitchum. products) by local food distributors
Vegans can find sweets at the OC Vegan, makers of organic and
LadyBugg Bakery, operated by conventional vegan foods. Their
longtime vegetarian Heather Ries. products are also available at
Some of the bakery’s recipes are Otherlands and at Sean’s Café on
easily translated to vegan versions; Union. Sean’s Café also houses
however, some are tricky to change. Balewa’s Vegan Gourmet, a
Ries, along with her sister and longtime vegan standby featuring
mother who help operate the quinoa and Ezekiel sprouted bread.
bakery, like to play with different Local vegans say they are
extremely enthusiastic about Vegan Strawberry Muffins

Cooper Young’s newest restaurant, 1¾ cup unbleached all- purpose flour
Imagine Vegan Café, which is 100 1 tsp. baking soda
percent vegan. Kristie Licht, who 1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup canola oil
opened Imagine with her husband, 1 tbsp. white vinegar
says customers have been very 1 tsp. vanilla extract
responsive to the all-vegan menu. 8 oz. pureed fresh strawberries
The most popular items are the beef 4 oz strawberries, chopped
¼ cup water, if needed for smooth consistency
tips, the smoked sausage sandwich,
the French dip sandwich and the Preheat oven to 350. In a large mixing
cheese sticks — all made from vegan bowl, sift together the dry ingredients
ingredients, like soy. and set aside. In a separate bowl mix
Licht says the restaurant gets together the wet ingredients. Fold the
about 50 percent vegan customers two together until smooth. Divide
and 50 percent nonvegan customers. between lined muffin tins and bake until
“All of the vegans are bringing in browned and set in the middle.
their friends because they are tired Makes 6 large muffins or 12 small
of always going to ‘meat’ restaurants, muffins. Large muffins take 25 minutes.
so now it’s their turn,” she explains. Small muffins take 15 minutes.
Another 100 percent vegan eatery — Heather Ries, LadyBugg Bakery
has recently opened in East
Memphis. The Cosmic Coconut Tamarind Orange-Glazed Tofu
specializes in fresh juices, 1 block of extra-firm tofu, pressed well and sliced
smoothies, coffee and tea. The however you want (I like triangles)
Cosmic Coconut also offers steel- Oil for frying
For glaze:
cut oats, berry bowls and other ¾ cup orange juice
sweet treats. Owner Ashley Dunn ¼ cup agave or maple syrup
says there was definitely a demand 1½ tbsp. soy sauce
for a healthy place to relax. “Every 1 tbsp. tamarind concentrate
2 tsp. sriracha (use less if you don’t want it spicy)
day someone thanks me for opening 1 tsp. jarred minced garlic (or 2 cloves)
the Cosmic Coconut,” she says.
Dunn says Cosmic Coconut’s Heat oil in a large skillet over medium
most popular drinks are the Go heat and pan-fry sliced tofu in a single
Green juice (apple, celery, lemon, layer, until browned and crisp on both
cucumber, chard, ginger), the sides, 10-15 minutes. While tofu is frying,
Cosmic Coconut smoothie whisk together all ingredients for the
(pineapple, banana, coconut meat glaze, and set aside.
and juice) and their Coco-Nutty Once the tofu is sufficiently browned
cookies (almonds, cashews, cacao, on both sides, give your glaze mixture a
carob, agave, cinnamon, salt). stir and pour it over the top of the tofu.
Most of the people who come in Allow the liquid to reduce down and
aren’t vegan. “Everyone is welcome thicken to form a glaze, about 5 minutes.
at the Cosmic Coconut. No Makes 4 servings.
judgment from us.” — Stephanie Roy
Local berries provide inspiration for baked goods
SWEET SEASON
By Susan Snapp
Kat Gordon of Muddy’s Bake

Shop in East Memphis and
Ginger Honshell of The Trolley
Stop Market Downtown are
fans of berry season.
They love creating baked
goods and pastries with local
strawberries, blueberries and
blackberries.
“We are coming into my
favorite season because of all
the great fruit,” Gordon said.
“We’re in strawberry season,
and my favorite, blueberries, are
a little further down the road.”
Honshell, who recently took
the position of pastry chef at
The Trolley Stop on Madison,
uses mixtures of in-season
berries to bake divine galettes,
little individual pies. Berry
filling is heaped in the middle of
a pastry circle that’s folded to
make a pocket with an open top.
“My aunt, Shannon Moore,
taught me to bake,” Honshell
Photos by Kyle Kurlick/Special to The Commercial Appeal
said. “ She started baking in
high school when she worked at Kat Gordon, owner of Muddy’s Bake Shop,
the Squash Blossom in the prepares one of her seasonal fruit desserts, a
baking and deli area. After strawberry rhubarb pie. “Basically, whatever
completing an art history we can throw into a pie crust this season will
degree at Rhodes, she now be awesome,” Gordon says.
bakes in California.” Easy Blackberry

Gordon is a University of Memphis alumna Crumble
who initially worked as a Realtor, but a love for 4 cups fresh blackberries
baking persisted. ¾ cup sugar
“Baking was a little side business that kept ½ cup light brown sugar
growing, so I eventually decided to ... just do it ¼ cup flour
2 tbsp butter, very soft
for real.” ¼ cup chopped almonds
Gordon opened Muddy’s Bake Shop at 5101 ¼ cup chopped pecans
Sanderlin in 2008. Muddy was her 1 tsp. cinnamon
grandmother’s nickname, Gordon said, ½ cup quick-cook oats
describing her as “a fantastic cook and baker Preheat oven to 350.
and, more important, a really giving lady.” Mix the blackberries and
“We do a little bit of everything at Muddy’s,” the sugar together in a bowl
Gordon said. “Cakes, cupcakes, pies, cookies, and set aside for 10 minutes
brownies. ... As for our pies — which in my or so while you prepare the
opinion are what we do best — where to begin. crumble topping.
Chocolate chess pie is a favorite, as well as Combine the light brown
coconut chess. Our banana cream pies are to die sugar, flour, almonds,
for, and with the fruit season coming up, we’ll pecans, cinnamon and
have lots of peach pie, strawberry pie, tomato oats. Cut in the butter until
pie. Basically, whatever we can throw into a pie well mixed.
crust this season will be awesome.” Dump the blackberries
The Mid-South has many opportunities for into a buttered 9-by-11 pan
pick-your-own berries. The early crop of or similar baking dish and
strawberries may have suffered in some locations scatter the crumble
with the recent heavy rains, but blackberries and topping over the
blueberries should come in June. blackberries. Bake for
Call orchards or check their websites or 30-40 minutes. It will be
Facebook pages for availability. Most local bubbling.
growers also sell at area farmers markets. Note: This is a great
Jones Orchard, Memphis and Millington, recipe for children to make.
(921-1622), jonesorchard.com. No sharp tools are used,
Harris Farms, Millington, blueberries late and it’s fun to mix the
June and July (872-0696). crumble topping together
Cedar Hill Farm, Hernando, Miss., (662- with your hands. It’s also
429-2540), cedarhfarm.com. very quick and simple to
Windermere Farms, Memphis, certified assemble and forgiving of
organic farm, (386-2035), winfarms.com. alterations.
Gathering produce is the easy part. Variation: Substitute
Baking with it can be tricky for the novice — sliced peaches or other
especially when it comes to crusts and pastries. fruit of your choice for half
Gordon suggests: the blackberries.
Purchase a good oven thermometer. — Kat Gordon
Read the author’s

introduction in cookbooks.
Often, they’ll explain their
methods and detail specifics of
their recipes.
Be careful not to overwork
the crust. People get scared of
pie dough and try to make sure
it’s all rolled out perfectly, and
if it’s not, will try to start over.
The more you handle dough,
the tougher it will be.
Chill all the ingredients. “I Strawberry Rhubarb Pie
put all the ingredients in the
2 unbaked pie crusts, 9 or 2 tbsp. cornstarch
icebox for a little while,” she 10 inches 1 tsp. cinnamon
said. “Use really cold water.” 2 cups chopped rhubarb 1 tsp. lemon juice
Use a teaspoon or two of 3 cups sliced strawberries egg wash (1 egg yolk
apple cider. It adds a little ½ cup sugar mixed with
½ cup light brown sugar 2 tbsp. heavy cream or
liquid without toughening the ¼ cup flour whole milk)
dough, and this makes it easer
to roll out and shape, especially Preheat oven to 400.
for the beginner. Roll out one pie crust and fit to pie pan. (If
Honshell suggests: you want to use a premade one, it’s fine.)
If possible, use a mixer Dump strawberries and rhubarb into a large
with a dough hook to blend the bowl and gently toss with sugars, flour,
butter and flour. “This makes cornstarch, cinnamon and lemon juice. Allow to
the job so much easier when sit for 15-30 minutes. Using a slotted spoon,
the butter is really cold,” she transfer the fruit filling into the chilled pie shell.
said. Discard the leftover juice. Place pie in
Using high-quality butter refrigerator while making a second crust.
makes a real difference. For the top crust, make a lattice or use a
Do exactly what the recipe cookie cutter to cut shapes into the second
says, and carefully measure dough. When you have your topper ready to
ingredients. Baking is go, take the pie out of the refrigerator and
chemistry. Other types of place the shapes or lattice on top. Brush top
cooking allow variations of crusts with egg wash and sprinkle with sugar.
ingredients, but with baking it Freeze pie for 20 minutes.
is important to follow the Place pie on parchment-lined baking sheet
recipe. and bake 20 minutes, then reduce heat to 350,
Dust flour lightly on the and bake for another 30-40 minutes or until
hands and the surface of the crust is golden and juices are bubbling.
dough, if it is a little sticky to Cool thoroughly, at least two hours.
work with. — Kat Gordon
MEATLESS MONDAY Black Bean-Quinoa Salad

1 ½ cups black beans, canned, drained and
Quinoa, black bean salad rinsed (1 15-oz. can )
1 ½ tbsp. red wine vinegar
a winner for many reasons ¼ tsp. kosher salt
¼ tsp. freshly cracked black pepper
¾ cup quinoa
There are many reasons I like this recipe. 1 ½ cups water
First, it's a one-dish meal, or close to it. In 1 large red pepper, roasted, seeded, peeled and
one bowl, there are complex carbohydrates, diced (can be from a jar)
plus some protein and a dollop of vegetables. 1 small-medium red onion, diced (about 2/3 cup
diced)
Second, each serving provides a 2 tbsp. pickled jalapeno chiles, diced
significant amount of fiber. Black beans add ½ cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
a lot and the quinoa provides some, too. For dressing:
Third, if you need or want to eat gluten- 4½ tbsp. fresh lime juice
free, this recipe will work.Quinoa is a seed ¼ tsp. kosher salt
that kind of masquerades as a grain. ¾ tsp. ground cumin
Fourth, this dish is flavorful without being Pinch cayenne pepper
high in sodium. Quinoa is virtually sodium-free, 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
and rinsing the canned beans and using kosher In a small bowl, toss the drained
salt in the recipe help to minimizer the sodium.
Fifth, this hearty salad is nutritious. Any beans with the vinegar, salt and
dish using black beans and quinoa as core pepper. Let stand for about 30 minutes
ingredients is going to pack a nutritional before draining off any excess liquid.
punch. Quinoa is unusual for a plant food in In another bowl, wash the quinoa in
that its protein contains all the essential cold water, drain into a coffee filter or
amino acids, making it complete. fine sieve set over a bowl or pot.
When considering nutrition, you have to Bring 1½ cups of water to a boil, add
mention the black beans. This legume may quinoa. Lower heat and cover; cook for
play a role in lowering the risk of colon
disease. Like quinoa, black beans are a about 15 minutes until most of the
terrific source of folate, too. water is absorbed. Set the pot of
Last (but not least), this salad tastes quinoa off the heat, and let it stand for
really good. about 20 minutes.
Megan Murphy, The Commercial Appeal Transfer it to a large plate and allow
to come to room temperature (using a
plate spreads it out more so getting to
room temperature doesn't take as long).
Put it in abowl or container and add
drained beans, red bell pepper, red
onions, jalapenos and cilantro and toss.
Whisk together lime juice, salt, cumin
and cayenne pepper. Add the oil in a
stream, whisking continuously. Once the
oil is incorporated, add the dressing to
the quinoa/bean mixture and stir.
Makes 6 servings, about 1 cup each.
HOME & GARDEN
Vermicomposting
Worms are a gardener’s best friend
By Suzanne Thompson
Keeping worms around the house to chow down on your table scraps
may not seem like the most appealing thing to do, but it’s a great way to cut
down on your kitchen waste.
Composting with worms, known as vermicomposting, vermiculture or
vermicycling, is an easy way to convert kitchen scraps into high-quality
fertilizer.
The website journeytoforever.org says Composting with worms

vermicomposting is preferred over A home vermicomposting system
outdoor composting for disposal of consists of five parts:
kitchen waste.
That’s because adding small amounts 1. Physical structure
of kitchen waste to outdoor composting 2. Biological organisms
disrupts the decomposition process, so 3. Controlled environment: Temperature,
the compost is never finished. moisture, acidity, ventilation
Not so with vermicomposting. 4. Maintenance procedures: Bedding
Worms process large amounts of preparation, food, separation of worms
organic waste quickly. Two pounds of from castings
worms will consume one pound of 5. Production procedures: Making use of
garbage a day. the castings
Sherri McCalla, horticulture assistant
at Memphis Botanic Garden, often gives
presentations about the benefits of
composting using worms.
“If you’re wanting to do from light, keeping the container in a
vermicomposting in your home there are dimly lit place — but not in total
several reasons to do it,” she said. darkness — is a good idea.
The castings produced by the worms McCalla said they can be put in a
provide nutrient-rich fertilizer for closet, as long as there is a little light,
houseplants. such as a battery-operated votive candle,
A “tea” can be brewed through to encourage the worms to head back
cheesecloth that uses the castings to toward the center of the bin. Or the box
create a liquid fertilizer McCalla can be put into an often-used closet or
described as “super crazy food for pantry, where opening and closing the
plants.” door will provide the needed balance of
And a more obvious benefit is a light and darkness.
reduction in the amount of food waste Many people choose to store the bins
that winds up in the garbage can. in a garage, where it won’t cause a big
Starting a vermicomposting bin at hassle if some of the worms do escape.
home is easy, McCalla said. Worm bins also can be purchased
A small operation can be started using online.
a plastic shoebox with a tight-fighting lid The purchase of a worm hobby box
that prevents the worms from getting got Tim Cantrell, owner of Cantrell
out. Small holes should be punched in Worm Farm outside Murray, Ky., started.
the lid to allow oxygen to get in. Cantrell, who retired from FedEx in
Can the worms escape through the 2008, travels to Memphis to give talks at
holes? Absolutely. So precautions should Wild Birds Unlimited about raising
be taken to encourage them to remain in worms.
the bin. As people have become more
Because worms naturally withdraw interesting in cutting down kitchen
Brittney Williford/Special to The Commercial Appeal

Sherri McCalla, horticulture assistant at Memphis Botanic Garden, examines an
earthworm-filled compost bin outside the Garden's Horticulture Building.
waste, vermicomposting customers have out, Cantrell said.

picked up, he said. “It’s becoming more “If you put them in a dry place, they
and more popular.” will die,” he said.
Worm kits purchased online already The worms, Eisenia foetiea, also
contain bedding for the worms. To start known as Red Wigglers, breathe through
a worm composting box from scratch, their skin. That’s why their habitat must
though, tear pages from The Commercial be kept most but not wet — too much
Appeal (which is printed with vegetable- moisture can drown them.
based ink) into thin strips for bedding. The bedding will also provide the
Place the shreds of paper in the initial nourishment for the worms,
kitchen sink and soak them with water. which is why using paper printed with
Then squeeze out as much of the vegetable-based ink is important.
water as you can, place the paper into Worms may be purchased online for
the container and fluff up the strips to $20 to $40 a pound. A pound contains
take up most of the space inside the box. about 1,000 worms. Smaller quantities
The bedding should be about as moist as are available at bait shops.
a sponge that has had the water wrung Cantrell sells worms for $30 a pound,
mostly at farmers markets. Vertical planting not only

Bury the food scraps under the cool, but also practical
newspaper, which will also act as a A couple of years ago, I built a new entry
deodorant barrier, and then add the arbor to my garden, and topped it with a
worms. green roof — basically a wide planter
There should be no more than two stuffed with hardy cascading plants. After a
pounds of worms for every square foot heavy rain, it drains into my tomato patch.
of container. So generally, about 250 But now I’m thinking about doing a
worms should go into a three-gallon green wall on the back part of my house. I
container. already have deciduous vines covering the
front of my house to protect from heat
Worms reproduce in a three-week gain in the summer. After shedding their
period, so it won’t take long to double leaves in the fall, they allow the winter sun
the initial amount. to help warm my house.
Worms will eat almost anything, but But planting a “vertical garden” on the
McCalla advises against putting dairy back would be so cool — literally as well as
or meat products into the figuratively. Researchers have shown that
vermicomposting bin because they shading a wall with plants can cut cooling
costs by 50 percent in the summer, and by
may cause odor. cutting off wind chill in the winter, they can
Also, pickles and other items with reduce heating by up to 25 percent.
high acid or salt content are not They also intercept and trap dust and
particularly good for the worms, she pollen, and baffle noises.
said. I have seen examples all over, mostly at
Cantrell said used coffee and tea garden shows and botanic gardens. They
grounds are the No. 2 source of kitchen are specially constructed walls that hold
waste in the country, and the worms potting soil in pockets, or are durable bags
that hang together. Once planted, the
will eat them, filter and all — vines, succulents, ferns and other
“everything but the staple in the spreading plants that do well in relatively
teabag.” small containers will knit together, though I
The average home vermicomposting will also place contrasting plants in drifts
bin does not hold enough worms to and accents to create a tapestry.
consume the used grounds from a 12- I will water mine with drip irrigation.
cup pot of coffee every day. Cantrell The most common plants I have seen
are sedums, monkey grass (both mondo
said he stores used grounds outside in and Liriope), ivy, heuchera, mint, oregano
a container, where they dry out and and other spreading plants. Tropical plants
can be added later to the worms’ food. and even bulbs can be tucked in for effect.
After about a month, casting can be It’s not for everyone. But I’ve already
harvested from the worms. planted every other spot in my garden —
Spread a large piece of plastic over and even my truck; all that’s left are the
an area inside a garage or on a patio walls of the house itself.
that offers some shelter from the wind. Felder Rushing, Special to the
Remove the lid and overturn the Commercial Appeal
container onto the plastic sheet. The Horticulturist Felder Rushing is a 10th-
castings will resemble slightly moist generation Southern gardener. Contact him
brownie mix. at his website: felderrushing.net.
Brandon Dill/Special to The Commercial Appeal

Amy Stewart-Banbury shows off some of her wild-crafted herbs and homemade
tinctures. Natural alternatives to medicine are an important part of Amy's and
husband Scott Banbury's commitment to living a natural lifestyle.
Creative solutions
Producing less By Lesley Young
waste takes
Eliminating plastic from daily life has had its challenges
planning, for Amy Stewart-Banbury.
provides big “It ruled my life for a little while. At first I was depressed
over what I couldn’t buy,” said the 36-year-old mother of
payoff two. “I go out of my way not to buy anything with plastic.”
Her decision has paid off, particularly in the weekly duty
of taking out the trash.

“We don’t have very much
Leading a zero-waste life
waste. On garbage day most of the Going Green will run a monthly series to help
you start down the path of a zero-waste life. Here
time our can is nowhere near full, are some tips on getting started and changing
so we don’t even need to take it your mindset from zerowastehome.blogspot.com.
down,” she said. Get past pre-conceptions: Reading the article
Her resolution to trim waste has Zero Waste Lifestyle: Time and Money
also led to plenty of creativity in Consuming?will help answer some of the
the Banbury household. concerns associated with starting this process
Besides opting for purchasing from time involved to money spent making the
products only in recyclable transition. Don't have much time in your hands
then take it one room at time and one
containers, such as cardboard-clad day/week/month at a time. Actively working on it,
dishwashing detergent, Stewart- at your own pace, is what really matters. Any
Banbury tries to grow, make and small change makes a big difference.
repair anything else she may need. Get past the road blocks: Check out the
She uses simple soap and water options for bulk shopping in your area. Start by
for most of her household tackling your everyday disposables like coffee
cleaning, unless it’s a heavy-duty cups, grocery bags, produce bags, paper towels,
trash bags, plastic baggies, single use plates and
job or flu season, and she relies on flatware, water bottles - these are all easily
an old homemade remedy, the avoided and can be replaced by items you may
Four Thieves Vinegar solution. already have on hand.
“It’s a recipe that dates back to Don't get overwhelmed: Try to embrace the
the Black Plague. The story is excitement of trying out new things with
there were four sons and a unexpected consequences: eating healthier by
midwife. The four brothers would using less processed food; saving money with
rob graves and they would use the bulk over time; experimenting with a multitude of
crafts (paper, soap, candles, etc.); learning to
midwife’s cleaning solution to make due with what’s available in bulk at the local
keep from getting the Black grocery and what’s in season at the local market.
Plague from the graves,” said Don't let others discourage: Be prepared for
Stewart-Banbury, a certified criticism and irony. Some might say your
professional midwife. household doesn't do enough (because you eat
Come cold weather, she makes meat, travel by airplane, don’t have a garden, etc.);
her own tinctures and medicines while others might say you do too much (they call
from the herbs she grows or the this lifestyle un-realistic, extreme or obsessive).
Find what is right for your lifestyle and do it.
nearby field where she The 5 Rs: When in doubt, follow this mantra in
“wildcrafts”— harvests from the this order - Refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle and rot
wild — her purposefully planted (or better known as compost).
“weeds.”
Lucky for her, she married a Resources
handy man who repairs anything zerowastehome.blogspot.com/
broken and occasionally picks up blog.taigacompany.com/blog/sustainability-
small appliances from the business-life-environment/tips-to-living-a-zero-
roadside, which usually require waste-lifestyle
only a minimal amount of enviromom.com/join-enviromoms-one-can-a.html
tweaking. Four Thieves Vinegar

“My husband is one of those guys 2 qts. apple cider vinegar
who can read a book and then just do 2 tbs. of each:
it,” she said. “If he sees a Shop-Vac on Lavender
the side of the road, he’ll pick it up and Rosemary
Sage
fix it, and we have a new Shop-Vac.” Wormwood
Composting is a given for the reliant Rue
gardener, and she’s found a use for Mint
those pesky nonrecyclable pizza boxes Fresh garlic, chopped
— lasagna gardening. Combine dried herbs (not the garlic)
She lays down the used cardboard or and vinegar in a 1-gallon jar with a
newspapers, and wets it before she tight-fitting lid.
mulches to create a barrier for weeds. Let mixture sit in the sun for two
Ben Bradley, 39, has found his own weeks, shaking often.
alternative pizza boxes — the Strain, add garlic, and replace the lid.
GreenBox Pizza Box Let it sit for three days.
(greenboxny.com), which breaks down Strain again and store in a cool place.
into flat plates and a smaller container When diluted with water to ½
for leftovers. He carries one with him strength, it may be applied to the skin
when he orders pizza to take leftovers for minor cuts and scrapes. May be used
home. full-strength or diluted to clean and
“It’s 100-percent recycled cardboard, disinfect.
so there’s not any virgin materials in
it,” said the local courier.
He takes his own to-go containers to
local eateries if they don’t provide footprint and less packaging waste.
biodegradable ones, and also tries to He takes several of the same-size jars
take his lunch with him to work. to Whole Foods, heads straight to
Bradley tries to remain conscious of customer service to weigh one, then
how much water he uses, particularly when he checks out with them full of
when cleaning up after he cooks his his bulk items, the clerk deducts the
weekly meal plan. weight of the jar and Bradley goes
“I use the large pot I cook in as the home with less packaging to dispose
sink so I’m not filling up the entire of.
sink, and I use less water and soap,” he Local gardening enthusiast Mary
said. “After they pile up, I fill up Phillips, 24, believes in growing her
another dish pan to rinse.” own food and sharing with others to
He waits until he has a full load to do cut out landfill-bound packaging.
his laundry, and hangs all his clothes to “I think it’s important to not look
dry. through the lens of what you can buy
“I have a lot of wooden hanging to use less, but to simply not buy at all.
racks,” he said. To share and borrow instead,” she said.
Buying in bulk is a big component of “You’re saving time, money and
his efforts to have a smaller carbon building a community.”

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2 GOING GREEN | June 2011 commercialappeal.

Subscribe FROM THE EDITOR

What’s in this issue ...

14 Something borrowed, 35 Green Earth helps

FAITH FOOD HOME & GARDEN

Calvary Episcopal Menu choices are Vermicomposting

On the cover: Photo by istockphoto.com

Before I Die: Urban anti-blight campaign

Kyle Kurlick/Special to The Commercial Appeal

Fender Blender peddler

Interested in sharing your green experiences: a bike ride on the Greenline, a

The Green Page...

Memphis Heritage Yard Sale

The Brown Bag Lunch

Conservation investment pays off

MEET THE GOING GREEN BLOGGERS

Josephine Lisa Enderle: I am a

In case you missed it...

Trashy chic: Fashions sewn from castoffs The Curb

Brandon Dill /The Commercial Appeal files

Yard birds fun way to go green

Hydroponic tomatoes tide us over

Tomatoes grown hydroponically, are rich in flavour and nutrition.

THE MAKEUP THE HONEYMOON

The Barefoot Bride Boutique,

Story by Suzanne Thompson Photography by Ben Fant

Reminiscent of “27 Dresses” — a film about a woman who saved the

She did this 25 more times before

‘used’ usually means ‘worn once.’ ”

Story by Suzanne Thompson Photography by Dave Darnell

grandmother and her nine bridesmaids

Mona Spa offers a 100 percent organic

Centerpieces The wedding decor

Kevin Bush, CFY

has done several vegan receptions and

organization formed in 1990, promotes

limit the number of visitors with environmental management.

In the bridal industry, it’s not uncommon for someone to purchase an

p.m. at La Pavillion at 1052 lanterns and other items.

Photos by Emily Adams Keplinger/The Commercial Appeal

By Emily Adams Keplinger already second nature to Belgians.

pedestrians, with color-coded containers

bikes for their everyday mode of

The next time you eat a french fry,

Kyle Kurlick/Special to The Commercial Appeal

“Instead of paying for environmental benefits of going green.

Cohousing begins with a group of people looking to create a

Interest in cohousing grows

United States. Blank has lived in a

Typically, cohousing members live in separate, fully equipped attached or

community.” “We are across the street from a

going begins, like most Habitat’s new ReStore offers

THE BIZ PAGE

By Toby Sells Ciro Damien sorts

At its 25,000-square-foot warehouse,

GREEN BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Dr. Jennifer Cochran, of Evergreen

are no longer used, and instead Program trains workers for

engine instead of the less EDITORIAL

Mark Weber/The Commercial Appeal

A hard-pounding rain made it nearly

Mark Weber/The Commercial Appeal

juice his company crushes from BioDimensions.

Practice what they preach