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Go Green
Anne Ross, Wedding Coordinator for the Martine Inn, shares five tips for saving money on a truly authentic green wedding. The Martine Inn is a palacial estate that looks over the rocky coastline of the Monterey Bay in Pacific Grove, the perfect wedding venue for a green, Victorian, or your choice of an elegant wedding. The furniture is museum quality antiques. Weddings are held in the salon or outside in the courtyard and can also be by the ocean.
Five tips on saving money
l. Flowers, people usually spend a lot of money on flowers but you don't have to. Flowers are naturally blooming inside and outside on our property, plus, there's a fresh rose in each room, each table is set with a rose, so you don't need to spend money on flowers except for bouquet and boutiniers... We have a recommended vendors list of local florists for those.
2. A professional photographer doesn't have to be there all day. They can come and shoot a couple of nice photos for keepsakes. On each table, you can have instant or disposable cameras and let the guests take photos. Then gather the photos that your friends and family take, which have a lot of life to them and you will find that these photos are ones that a photographer would not know to take.
3. Music, as nice as having live music is, when people are mingling, they're not paying attention to the music, so if you just have an ipod station set up to your favorite tunes, it's background music. For the processional hymn, delegate to a friend or family member to punch in the tune when cued, and for the recessional and the rest of the tunes, can play throughout the afternoon... or get a harpist before the ceremony for an hour or two.
4. Attire, you can find vintage dresses at vintage or consignment shops. There are some local shops that specialize in attire for both the bride and groom, simple dresses and top hats and ascots.
5. Save time. We do weddings between the hours of 1 and 5 pm so that one aspect of the day flows naturally from one to the other. There is a victorian chime for the parlor to invite people into the meal. Then the champagne toast and meal service begins. Continue with wine, takes about an hour and a half, once finished eating, go back outside for cake and coffee. Service starts elegantly and ends elegantly.
You might consider doing an authentic Victorian wedding at a Victorian venue like the Martine Inn. Brides used to wear simple black dresses and served spice cake and punch.
For more info on how to do an authentic victorian wedding, contact Anne Ross at the Martine Inn
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Customs and traditions of a victorian wedding
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Disorganization can lead to crisis purchasing and unnecessary spending. How much money are you wasting by not having an organization system in place in your car?
Linda Hecht estimates that she has wasted the cost of almost a tank full of gas on crisis purchasing. “One week without my organizer, I found that I spent an extra $35.36 on crisis purchases. Money spent unnecessarily,” Hecht explains.
Spending five or more hours per day in her car, her car has become her mobile portable office. Hecht created the Hecht of an Organizer? for use in her vehicle in 2004. The Hecht of an Organizer? is the winner of a 2008 Los Angeles Organizing Award “The Green Award for Most Eco-friendly Organizing Product.”
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By selecting this reusable material and combining it with the specially designed slip-covers, the Hecht of an Organizer? has outstanding features of: durability, flexibility, eco-friendly, and low-cost savings. What's more, the company offers free box replacements for an extra added value.
Cardboard corrugated boxes are strong, durable, and made from a natural renewable resource—having a way to convert and re-use these boxes is an eco-friendly and low-cost organizing solution.
“Having a car organizer reduces duplicate purchases. With receipts in the car, you can return purchases. With stamps in your car organizer, you don’t have to buy extra stamps when you go to the post office. Keeping coupons in the car, you can save money with discounts on products.
“By applying the three tips of organizing and using a versatile and flexible organizer, you can create an organization system that works specifically for you and your lifestyle,” she explains.
Three organizing tips:
Group like items together
Give items a home
Make the items you use most often easy and accessible
In addition, she suggests ten ways to save money through keeping an organizer filled with files and supplies in your car.
1) Emergency kit including disposable camera, gloves and first aid kit. In case of an accident, you can provide on scene photos as proof for claims.
2) Spare keys. Lost keys can cost money and time. Why spend money for a locksmith. AAA provides an extra plastic key for members.
3) Consolidate shopping trips.
4) Keep a contact list with you (perhaps the list of numbers on your cell phone) in your organizer which reduces fees for calling information, 411 calls. You can call 1-800-goog-411 to retrieve phone numbers, but this can take time if you want to call a few people and not everyone is listed. Have a phone card, batteries and an extra charger in case of loss of power to electronic gadgets.
5) Reduce and/or eliminate crisis purchases by keeping items in your organizer.
6) Keep receipts so you can return purchased items and for tax purposes.
7) Families who share cars can prevent extra trips retrieving articles left in their spouse’s car.
8) Turn wasted time into productive time. Keep letterhead, postcards, notebooks, and stamps in the car so you can catch up on reading, letter writing, and writing thank you notes while waiting to pick up kids from practice or classes or waiting for the vet.
9) Have coupons on hand for the car wash, bottled water, and restaurants
10) Keep spare change just in case.
what to look for in a truly authentic green inn (rather than a greenwashed inn)... soon I will talk to Kit Cassingham about this, stay tuned...
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what is a green inn (definition)? (see my info below)
what is green washing? (definition)
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corporations that put more money, time and energy into slick PR campaigns aimed at promoting their eco-friendly images, than they do to actually protecting the environment.
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The term is generally used when significantly more money or time has been spent advertising being green (that is, operating with consideration for the environment), rather than spending resources on environmentally sound practices. This is often portrayed by changing the name or label of a product, to give the feeling of nature, for example putting an image of a forest on a bottle of harmful chemicals.
Environmentalists often use greenwashing to describe the actions of energy companies, which are traditionally the largest polluters.
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A term merging the concepts of "green" (environmentally sound) and "whitewashing" (to conceal or gloss over wrongdoing). Greenwashing is any form of marketing or public relations that links a corporate, political, religious or nonprofit organization to a positive association with environmental issues for an unsustainable product, service, or practice.
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Examples:
Tyson Chicken, for promoting its products as “all natural,” even though the company treats its chickens with antibiotics.
Kellogg’s brand Morningstar Farms which is promoted as an all natural product but in fact, uses genetically modified and genetically engineered ingredients such as GMO and GE corn in their corndogs.
if the place looks green, smells green, walks its talk green, then it is green by my standards... if it only pretends to be green, then people should know that the company is not 100% committed, whether it is an inn, b and b, farm, hotel, lodge or motel or a chocolate company. For instance, would you let your dog stay at a doggie daycare center or go to a vet when they will not meet with you for five minutes? I think not. would you buy a fake tomato to eat or buy a bakery good for your children that can last forever on a shelf?
for me, as a travel writer, what I look for is a real commitment to sustainable living. are the innkeepers living energy/environmentally-aware lives, or are they just wanting it to appear that their inn is green to hop on the green train? is the green aspect of the inn another photo op to make them look good or how they live their lives when no one is watching?
No one is perfect and we all make mistakes... but if check-in is consistently a hassle, the staff is rude, the rooms are musty and dusty, and smell like smoke or chemicals, people are not going to want to return again and again and are not going to believe that you are eco friendly nor friendly period.
Personally, I look for freshness, no chemical smells from toxic cleaners or lead paint on the walls, no smoke or dog odors, soy candles, soaps and lotions that are made from essential oils, herbs, plant and flower based products with no chemicals, organic cotton sheets, natural fiber blankets, organic and herbal teas and coffees.
Is the inn a certified organic farm, historic or known in the community for its sustainable and socially-responsible practices? Do they support (financially and otherwise) community activities that keep the oceans clean, trees growing, pets homed, and wildlife safe? Are they energy efficient? Is the art on the walls handcrafted from local artists? Were the buildings built in an eco friendly way with eco building standards? Are they a member of “Green” Hotels Association? Do they utilize environmentally friendly cleaning products such as plain old vinegar?
Composting, recycling, renewable energy are good too as is food made from organic gardens with healthy and hearty portions and servings... plus personal touches that show the staff and owners care above and beyond what is expected...
are there wildflowers in the room, treats for my dog (wheat free and organic), chocolates (fair trade and organic) left on my pillow or night stand, a hot tub heated by the sun, and something unique that makes the inn stand out from others... a gorgeous view, free tickets to a local attraction such as a whale watching trip or organic wine tour, gas savings ($50-100 off the stay or cash back), and so on...
Some inns that fit these standards in my humble opinion:
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it also helps if the owners have invented an electric car and scooters and use them on property
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Innkeepers are welcome to this information on how to promote their inns for a year...
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Strut your Mother Earth activism... in the streets... and honor your mother every day...
MOTHER'S DAY FOR PEACE - by Ruth Rosen
Honor Mother with Rallies in the Streets. The holiday began in activism; it needs rescuing from commercialism and platitudes.
...In 1872, Julia Ward Howe, author of the “Battle Hymn of the Republic“, proposed an annual Mother’s Day for Peace. Committed to abolishing war, Howe wrote: “Our husbands shall not come to us reeking with carnage... Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn all that we have been able to teach them of charity, mercy and patience. We women of one country will be too tender of those of another country to allow our sons to be trained to injure theirs“.
For the next 30 years, Americans celebrated Mothers’ Day for Peace on June 2.
Many middle-class women in the 19th century believed that they bore a special responsibility as actual or potential mothers to care for the casualties of society and to turn America into a more civilized nation. They played a leading role in the abolitionist movement to end slavery. In the following decades, they launched successful campaigns against lynching and consumer fraud and battled for improved working conditions for women and protection for children, public health services and social welfare assistance to the poor. To the activists, the connection between motherhood and the fight for social and economic justice seemed self-evident.
In 1913, Congress declared the second Sunday in May to be Mother’s Day. By then, the growing consumer culture had successfully redefined women as consumers for their families. As the Florists’ Review, the industry’s trade journal, bluntly put it, “This was a holiday that could be exploited.”
The new advertising industry quickly taught Americans how to honor their mothers - by buying flowers...
Imagine a Mother’s Day filled with voices demanding social and economic justice and a sustainable future, rather than speeches studded with syrupy platitudes.
Some will think it insulting to alter our current way of celebrating Mother’s Day. But public activism does not preclude private expressions of love and gratitude. (Nor does it prevent people from expressing their appreciation all year round.)
Nineteenth century women dared to dream of a day that honored women’s civil activism. We can do no less. We should honor their vision with civic activism.
Ruth Rosen is a professor of history at UC Davis.
For mother’s day, this Sunday, May 11, two more days, why not splurge and go green ? below are some ideas of Mother Earth friendly gifts you can make or get for mom... from your local health food store or online... show mom, you care and it’s easy to be green...
l. organic flowers
send your mom an organic bouquet
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2. organic and fair trade chocolates
if your mom is a chocoholic, send her favorites, mix up a few different kinds and voila... chocolate is good for the
heart, soul and earth
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3. massage and spa treatments
book mom a fabulous massage and spa treatment at a local spa like this one that exudes relaxation and tranquility
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or make an at home delightful potion and administer gently
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Rose Potion Facial
A good facial uses steam to unclog pores, loosen impurities, and eliminate blackheads and whiteheads. Just make sure the water is not too hot, or you risk burning your face. This Rose Potion Facial also comes from Sharon Mathieu at Soothe Your Senses.
We recommend using organic rose petals to avoid exposure to pesticides and chemical sprays. You may purchase organic flowers and petals at Organic Bouquet.
Ingredients and Supplies
1 bowl
1 bath towel
1 spray bottle
1 cup fresh rose petals
1 gallon almost-boiling water
Directions
1. Place rose petals in the bowl.
2. Pour the water over them.
3. Cover your head with the towel.
4. Lean over the bowl to absorb vapors.
5. Steam your skin for approximately 15 minutes. Be sure to keep your face at least 12 inches away from the water.
6. Pat your face dry.
7. Apply a light moisturizer of your choice.
8. Allow the rose-infused water to cool, and pour it into a spray bottle.
“You can use the leftover mist to spray the rest of your body or as a room spray,” Mathieu says.
4. dinner and night on the town
take mom out for dinner at a fabulous local vegetarian restaurant... afterwards, watch her favorite movie, or cap the night off with dancing or a concert
5. breakfast in bed
make mom a fabulous breakfast in bed
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Ole’s Swedish Hotcakes
(This recipe serves four. Best when mixed the night before and kept in refrigerator overnight.)
-1 cup flour
-1 teaspoon sugar
-1/4 teaspoon salt
-1 teaspoon baking powder
Mix the above ingredients together.
1 1/2 cup milk & 1/2 cup half-and-half
Combine with above ingredients.
3 eggs
Separate whites from yolks and beat whites until stiff.
Beat yolks and add to batter. Then fold in whites of eggs.
Add 3/4 cube (6 tablespoons) butter, melted. Stir in gently.
or run don’t walk and whisk her away for a beach weekend at a relaxing inn with fabulous breakfasts such as the Little River Inn, Pacific Mist Inn or Stanford Inn in Little River, California...
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6.* jewelry, make your own heartfelt bracelet and necklace, with beads, charms and other items*
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7. clothing, check out organic cotton wear...
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8. gift basket
gather together mom’s favorite items (be creative) and things that are pampering and that smell good such as chocolate, coffee, tea, wine, cheese, fruit, apple cider, body lotion, aromatherapy oils, bath gels (for bubble baths), cookies, scones or crackers, yoga cotton t-shirt, all organic, and put together in a lovely basket or big purse (that she can utilize afterwards)...
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*Green Clean Your Home Easily *
We all live hectic lives and it sometimes seems that it ain’t so easy being green. We think that it takes too much time, expense and energy to recycle, compost, and other things to help the environment. Green Goddess Candita Clayton, author of Clean Your Home Healthy: Green Cleaning Made Easy (Morgan James Publishing, March, 2008) and a professional organizer focused on eco-friendly products and services, shares the following tips on how to easily green your home. As you can see, it can be easier becoming green than you once believed. And anything that you believe, you can achieve. Take a small step today for the planet. Mother Earth will thank you and you will feel better, too.
Five Ways to give your home a healthy boost right now.
Take off your shoes and eliminate the bacteria, pesticides and dirt that sneak inside on your shoes
Add a plant or two. Plants naturally purify the air by absorbing toxins. The best plants are English Ivy, philodendrons, palms and ferns.
Hang newly dry cleaned clothes outside to air out before putting them away in order to eliminate toxic fumes.
For furniture cleaning, use hydrostatic dust cloths instead of furniture cleaner.
Cover your mattress and pillows with high quality organic cotton dust mite covers. Your respiratory system will thank you.
Five Cleaners to Eliminate Right Now
Chlorine Bleach is the number one household chemical involved in poisonings. Bleach also reacts with other chemicals to create
Glass cleaners containing ammonia: The odors linger in the air, irritating the respiratory system and affecting overall air quality in your home.
Moth Balls contain substances such as naphthalene, which is a registered carcinogen (a cancer causing agent).
Traditional Surface and Countertop Cleaners contain chemicals that claim to kill 99.9% of germs and can be absorbed into food when placed on “clean” countertops.
Switch to the Fab Five Natural Cleaners
Vinegar, Peroxide, Castile Soap, Lemon and Baking Soda
You can clean just about anything using these five natural products.
Laundry, dilute hydrogen peroxide in water as an alternative to bleach
Create a surface cleaner in a spray bottle using 1/2 vinegar 1/2 water and some great smelling essential oils like lemongrass, tea tree, or lavender.
Toss a cup of vinegar in the toilet, let stand for 10 minutes and flush. Kills germs in a flash and is really cheap too!
Create a scrub with baking soda and lemon juice.
For more Green living tips, visit:
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