SFBayStyle

The Unhealthy Truth - Book Review

 

 

It started with an egg.

One egg resulted in a complete life change for Colorado mother of four, Robyn O'Brien.

One morning Robyn fed her baby daughter, Tory her first ever egg and then put her down for a nap. A short while later Robyn checked in on Tory and found the little girl's face bright red and swollen up like a balloon. An ER visit, a dose of antihistamine and Tory recovered. Later the family found out that their daughter had an allergic reaction to the egg she ate and that's where the story beings. 

Seeking Sassy Women Biz Owners for CRAVE Guide 2009!

Girl Power indeed. Seems small businesses and mostly female entrepreneurs are going to be the ones to get us out of the economic crisis, by everything I've been reading. And what better way to not only promote small business but celebrate the sassiest, boldest and most innovative women biz owners in the Bay Area than with The CRAVE Guide 2009: An Urban Girl's Manifesto. This 2nd edition has been completely redesigned and it looks gorgeous. This book highlights the women you need to know across the Bay Area and their businesses: shops, boutiques, salons, online marketplaces, interior designers, stylists, photographers, graphic designers, B2B businesses, etc.  It's an amazing (and cost effective) way to invest in press and marketing so that you are ripe to take advantage when the economy recovers. And the book will be seen in all the most fashionable shops and businesses around town, as well as Barnes and Noble and Borders!

Here's a peek at the Seattle one that just came out - how lovely is that?!: http://craveparty.com/book/seattlepeek.htm

Frog Hollow CSA Program - Local and Delicious

My kids and I look forward to Wednesdays, because it's our Fruit Day - and today I'm reminded to spread the word about Community Supported Agriculture (CSA).  As members of the Frog Hollow Farm CSA program, we look forward to picking up a box of locally grown organic fruit from a neighbor's porch each week.  Each box brings a nice surprise, and the program has helped my family eat healthier while supporting a wonderful organic farm in the East Bay.

Community Supported Agriculture is an idea that is said to have originated in Switzerland and Japan during the 1960s.  'While it's easy to think of today's CSA as a fruit delivery service, CSA's have played an important role in helping organic growers to maintain their farmland by providing a reliable base of working capital.  In exchange, families reap the farm's bounty throughout the year, while ensuring that produce they consume is locally produced using sustainable and environmentally friendly methods.

Global Green USA - Gorgeous & Green

 

Pictured left to right: Darren Moore, Elliott Yamin, Nadine Weil, Zem Joaquin, Kate Bosworth, Daphne Zuniga, Sebastian Siegel, Matt Petersen

On December 2nd Global Green USA hosted its 4th annual San Francisco benefit party, called Gorgeous & Green. Held in the LEED certified Bently Reserve building, the event featured appearances by Kate Bosworth, Jennifer Sibel Newsom, and American Idol finalist Elliot Yamin. 

Kate Bosworth wore a zippy LBD. Designed by 3.1 Philip Lim, the dress was made from an all natural fabric blend of hemp and silk, which was hand-dyed with eco-friendly coloring. The zippers were recycled from surplus remnants.

Two Writers Review Sarah Pinto Planners

Sometimes at SF Bay Style, an idea or product will intrigue a few of us. Such was the case when the opportunity was presented to review these stylish planners by San Francisco based Sarah Pinto. Two writers looking at functionality from two very different points of view.

Samantha: I am sensory. I need to see and touch my way though the day, which is why although I begrudgingly share a Google Calendar with my husband, I need to have a datebook with me at all times. Easy as it may seem, it is actually quite difficult to find one that fits my life in an efficient and user friendly way, not to mention is aesthetically pleasing. I have no doubt that my routine, while the details may vary, is not much different than many other parents I know.

California Academy of Sciences Re-Opens in Golden Gate Park

Like many others, I have been waiting with anticipation for the California Academy of Sciences to re-open. I would occasionally drive by and catch a glimpse of the construction progress. I would check the website ever so often, and promptly joined as a charter member as soon as I could. Finally, my wait was over! I attended the preview week for members only with my two boys, excited to see what the CAS had to offer the public in science education and exposure. Unfortunately, it was mixed reviews. So I waited until the museum had opened to the public and most of the exhibits had been completed for the possibility I might feel differently. And while there was some progress made, I stand by my initial opinion: they have a bit more work to do.

Here is my caveat: having worked in museums, particularly with public programs and education. No museum is safe from my scrutiny as to whether or not it is serving its most important audience, the public, in an accessible and meaningful way. I am not looking for perfection, but I do need to sense a deep and abiding belief in the mission of giving the public information and experiences that enhance their own knowledge and world view as well as actions that support that belief. I don't feel this is too much to ask of any museum I visit. But because of this, I will also be brief in my description of CAS as to maintain the validity of everyone's experience, which may differ from mine.

Luella For Tonic

  I am helping to provide 2, 500 school children in Haiti with shoes to wear to school. You can too, or perhaps providing children with dental care in Columbia, or protecting 625 acres of endangered coral reef is your thing. If you are a sports fan, you may want to send 2, 500 soccer balls to Kenya. Thanks to Palo Alto based, Tonic Generation you can be a consumer and be a catalyst for change. As a shopper, I always welcome the chance to feel good about spending money!  At this time, the only products available on the site are T-shirts designed by Luella Bartley. These one of a kind designs are t's that you can wear out, not just to the gym. The designs are modern, and the material is a bamboo and cotton mix, and very soft to the touch. I applaud Tonic for their efforts in giving consumers a better way to consume.

Slow Food Nation

Have you already made your plans for Labor Day weekend ? If those plans do not include participating in San Francisco'sSlow Food Nation '08, you may want to cancel them. The largest celebration of one of my favorite things, food will be taking place August 29 through Sept 1st in Fort Mason and the Civic Center. As you may have guessed, "Slow Food" is pretty much the opposite of fast food for a variety of reasons. Founded by the Bay Area's very own Alice Waters, Slow Food works to connect what is on your plate to the planet.

Slow Food reminds us that there is indeed a connection between how the food is grown, those growing it, and those consuming the end product. There is also the belief that people need to" slow down and appreciate the convivial traditions of the table." I am sure you are familiar with all of the terms that come to my mind when I think of Slow Food, local, organic, sustainable, cruelty free, and fair. If you do not care about any of that, but enjoy good food, this event is for you too.

Greenloop Eco Sale Online Now

Thanks to a tip from ecofabulous, we were alerted to an incredible annual online summer eco sale at Greenloop that just began. Designers represented include Edun, Habitude, Linda Loudermilk, Del Forte, Loomstate, Pi Organic and more. Sale items are 20-70% off through Sunday.

100% Pure Cosmetics

I have a confession – I sometimes watch QVC. Wait! Don’t dismiss me just yet. Really, QVC is not all bad. There are some hip brands selling on this 20-year-old shopping channel, such as Maxx of New York handbags, Bare Escentuals cosmetics, and even designer Chloe Dao of Project Runway fame sells her gear on QVC.

Besides, a girl can learn a lot from just watching. Case in point: One Sunday afternoon I switched on the TV while I was puttering around. I did my usual QVC check and found an attractive and vibrant woman presenting her own cosmetics line called 100% Pure. I’m a sucker for lip gloss, so I kept it on. Turns out Susie Wang and her five-year old company make cosmetics and body care items from pure ingredients such as seaweed, teas, kelp, fruit oils, vitamins, and antioxidants.

Sunset Celebration Weekend

See "the pages of Sunset magazine come to life" this weekend at the Sunset Celebration Weekend. View the latest in garden and home design at the Sunset headquarters in Menlo Park. In addition to the many design and cooking exhibits, there is a new feature this year: the Eco Lounge. Hear Local and national experts, join in for a yoga stretch. The Eco Lounge will also feature a fashion show by Eco Citizen on both Saturday and Sunday at 12:30.

Sunset Headquarters are located at 80 Willow Road in Menlo Park. Tickets are twelve dollars, and free for children twelve and under. (Kids love it too!) The celebration runs June 7-8, from 10am to 5pm.

Best Of The City

I have tried to be eco conscious and cut down on my magazine subscriptions. However, I could not resist buying this month's edition of 7x7 featuring the best of the city. I always want to hear what people in the know think are the "best bets". Growing up in the Bay Area, I have my own personal list, and am always over joyed to actually discover some new gems. The June 7x7 was filled with great places to eat, drink, shop, see and enjoy. Now even a suburbanite like me can feel like an "it" girl.

Having severe food allergies restricts my ability to sample many great desserts. Thanks to Julie Supplesa,associate producer of 7X7, I am planning a visit to Holy Gelato on 1392 Ninth Ave.The vegan chocolate chip cookie dough gelato shake sounds like a taste of pure heaven. I will have to see how that compares with Bi-rite creamery sorbet.

Chic for a Cause: Stop the Spray Event Friday

Tomorrow from 6-9pm at Muse Studios (224 6th St.) is a fashion fundraiser for StopTheSpray.org in efforts to keep pesticides away from homes in the Bay Area. Models from City Model Management will be in an eco fashion show with gorgeous looks from Eco Citizen and Tela D boutiques including Kelly B Couture, Verrieres, Sako, Love, Melody Originals and Theron Nelson Deisgns.

The gallery features pastel paintings and photography and a video will be shown about how pesticides travel, get into our skin and clothing. The event also includes live music, a silent auction, organic food and beverages from Good Earth Natural Foods, Hogan's Raw Chocolates, Frey Vineyards and Butte Creek Brewery.

Reclaim - Green Home Store in Menlo Park

Menlo Park has a new green home store, Reclaim, that I checked out for ecofabulous as well as SFBayStyle. It's one of those stores that when you go in, you want to buy everything. The eco fan and design lover in me was oogling pillows, tote bags, furniture and even flooring. It's all green and refreshing.

Capsule Design Show Sunday in Hayes Valley

Etsy comes to life in Hayes Valley this Sunday, May 25th. One Hundred and sixty designers will come together in Hayes Valley Park for the  Capsule design show. Capsule has become the largest marketer of independent designers in the Bay Area. You will be able to find hand screened, hand thrown and hand made products, while enjoying an afternoon of music. The show is from 11-6, and is between Fell and Hays streets. Be sure to check out the many wonderful boutiques while you are there.

Rogan For Target Hits Stores Today

After reading the story in yesterday's New York Times about Rogan's lower priced, eco friendly Target line selling out at Barneys, I had to find out more. I can imagine the thrill of the shoppers finding Target prices at Barneys.

It turns out that Rogan Gregory for Target pieces are available today. I was about to hop into the car and scour racks until I took a peek at the collection. I fear it is a bit too edgy for me, or I am a bit too conservative for it, so I'll stick to wearing pieces from the other two lines that Gregory designs for, EDUN and Loomstate. That said, check it out - it might be perfect for you.

San Francisco's Epi Center MedSpa Goes Green

The Epi Center MedSpa opened its doors last week for tours and cocktails, not only to celebrate its 10th anniversary, but to launch the first eco-medspa. Director and founder Margaret Mitchell and partner Dr. Patrick Bitter, Sr., who developed the Photofacial procedure, have once again taken the lead by going green. Epi Center will now be combining state-of-the-art medical technology with medical grade organic treatments, all in an eco friendly environment. The spa was designed to "create a space that allows nature and commerce to co-exist in a way that supports the health of the planet." (Shown left: waiting lounge, with Mary Lee Bickford and Nancy Gamble, seated.)

Entering the new home of San Francisco’s Epi Center MedSpa was like a breath of fresh air, literally. I was told by one of the staff, that they just applied some touch up paint earlier; however, you could not detect even the faintest odor. The MedSpa uses eco-paint, which is free of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). Relaxing and therapeutic, the spa was constructed from ceiling to floor using eco materials. Laura, one of the estheticians, informed us that the ceilings boards were made from newspapers that could not be recycled any further. Marble countertops are throughout the spa. The floors were made from cork, and the carpet was processed from weeds.

Hip & Zen Online from Mill Valley

Hip & Zen is an online retailer for eco friendly fashion. They sell women's clothing, jewelry, baby & toddler items, accessories and home goods. They select products that are organic, hand made, fairly traded, recycled or natural. Based in Mill Valley, they cater to the green and comfy crowd. Everything on their site is beautifully crafted, and they even have a blog, run by one of the BlogHer founders, Elisa Camahort Page, referencing topics related to eco fashion and style. I like the artistic element of the items found at Hip and Zen, such as the vases to the left. I wish I could just put those in my home and make it zen, but that's a step in the right direction.

ecofabulous Barneys & Loomstate Recycled Tee Program

One of our favorite eco blogroll items is ecofabulous, where we have gotten to know the founder, Zem Joaquin, and some of her staff. I recently began writing for them as well, and my first post is about Barneys' new project to with Loomstate recycle t-shirts. So check out the post, check out ecofabulous, and make sure to drop off your old tees at Barneys in San Francisco for a discount and a good cause. (Unfortunately, as far as I know, the outlets are not participating, so taking tees to Napa won't work.)

Petchitecture Goes Green for PAWS Friday in Union Square

For pet lovers, foodies, and architecture fans, tomorrow night at the Westin St. Francis Hotel in Union Square (SF) from 7-11pm, the Pets Are Wonderful Support (PAWS) organization is hosting a fundraiser, "Petchitecture Goes Green," where "leading architects and designers use the best in renewable resources to create custom pet habitats that are yours for the bidding." Cool. Cocktails, live and silent auction accompany the nibbles. PAWS is a "volunteer-based organization that provides for the comprehensive needs of companion animals for low-income persons with HIV/AIDS and other disabling illnesses." Dogs on leashes are welcome at the event, and tickets start at $150/person.