My attempt at organic face care

In an effort to “walk the eco-walk”, I decided a few months ago to make the switch to all natural, sustainable face care.  Being a good green citizen, this of course meant finishing up with my current products before getting new ones.  The first item to run out was eye makeup remover.  After a little research, I chose grape seed oil as the replacement, and I have to say, it was an excellent decision!

Next to go was my face lotion.  Now, in preparation for this moment, I had spent hours combing web pages and magazines for a line offering beauty products that are natural, local, packaged in recyclable materials, and affordable (i.e. committed to the triple bottom line).  My search turned up…nothing.  Now, this isn’t to say that there aren’t many great companies out there making high quality products.  I just wasn’t able to find one that meets my definition of sustainable.  And so, I decided to make my own.

Great minds think alike, they say, and Planet Green had recently featuring 50 All Natural Beauty Products You Can Make Yourself on their website.  I skimmed over the list and clicked “Make Your Own Lotion”.  The recipe sounded simple enough, so I hauled myself (on the bus, of course!) to Whole Foods to purchase distilled water and an emulsifier.  Visions of myself whipping up organic lotion à la Martha Stewart danced in my head; I was only a few steps away from being a true green goddess!

Several hours later, that glorious vision had faded into a goopy mess.  My lotion looked more like a slowly melting candle than a rejuvenating skin treatment.  “That’s okay,” I told myself.  “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again!”  And so I did…again, and again, and again.  Finally, my concoction resembled something similar to a soothing salve, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

A week later, that salve joined its predecessors (in the trash) as every part of my body that had been slathered with this oh-so-simple formula began seriously breaking out.  Not to mention that the organic shampoo and conditioner I’d started using was leaving my hair brittle and tangled.  Ugh.  Talk about the quickest way to stifle my eco-energy!

So, what was a gal to do?  Being green is incredibly important to me, but these beauty results were not encouraging.  Would I have to throw in the towel and continue to slather my body with the creamy antithesis of all that I stand for?

Amidst all this angst, I took a trip to Portland.  And there, while exploring their well-known Saturday market, I stumbled across my savior: By Our Hands Natural Products, a small, organic line of beauty products encompassing everything I believe to be green (including a great price).  After chatting with the owner for several minutes, I snapped up some shea butter lotion for my face.  Moisturizing and softening with its velvety finish, it was exactly what I was looking for.  I’ve already ordered face wash; their shampoo and conditioner is in the works.  Best of all, there’s no mess to clean up in the kitchen!

While ordering items from Portland doesn’t quite meet my local requirement, everything else By Our Hands has to offer is a giant step in the right direction.  Hope is not lost.  Sustainable beauty care does exist, and now it can be found right in my own bathroom.

Exploring ESTC 2010

Last week, I had the pleasure of volunteering at the Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference (ESTC) in Portland, OE.  Put on by The International Ecotourism Society (TIES), this three day affair featured speakers, discussion panels, an exhibit hall, and networking events.  It was an exhilarating opportunity to learn more about the current state of sustainable tourism and to see where this growing field is headed.  Green travel being my passion, I was obviously also quite thrilled to be surrounded by individuals and organizations with pursuits akin to mine.

Volunteering and trying to take advantage of all the conference’s activities proved to be a bit of a balancing act, but I managed to plant myself in a few of the sessions.  During the Global Perspectives Workshop, TribeWanted spoke about their efforts to create a sustainable village in Fiji and Sierra Leone.  At the Global Sustainable Tourism Council Workshop, eco-activists Kelly Bricker, Erika Harms, and Ronald Sanabria discussed the industry’s need for a common understanding of sustainable tourism and how their criteria will meet that need.  A more detailed agenda can be found here.

As with every event one attends, however, there are always a few moments that ‘take the cake’, as they say.  This one held three for me.  The first was Rick Ridgeway.  Vice President of Environmental Initiatives for clothing company Patagonia.  Rick is an accomplished adventurer, producer, writer, and environmentalist.  He currently chairs the company’s Freedom to Roam project and spoke on the importance of migratory corridors for animals and the value of connecting citizens with those corridors.  His passion is so readily apparent that it is a joy to listen to him.  His comments also served as a reminder that business can be successful and do good.  What a concept! (Not to mention he enhanced his speech with visuals – always stimulating and an excellent idea!)

The second highlight came from Jelina Mitrovic with Intrepid Travel.  Speaking on the “Business case for sustainability in travel and tourism”, her presentation was clear and to the point, explaining how Intrepid has made sustainability an intricate part of their core values.  While she acknowledged that there is always room for improvement in their green efforts (thank you for such honesty!), she demonstrated a thorough understanding of the advantages and challenges organizations in our industry face with respect to this topic.

My final fave event of the week was the Sustainable Culinary Showcase, a brilliant blend of local, organic, sustainably sourced fare and bluegrass tunes by Trash Can Joe.  I may have been the only one with feet a-tappin’ on the dance floor, but spending a few hours swapping green gossip and dining on delicious dishes?  How could you not love such an evening?  It also proved an excellent way to get to know one another outside the walls of the Hilton Portland (our host for the week).

“Lead. Sustain. Engage.”  That is the motto of ESTC, and it was a pleasure to be a part of this in Portland.  I met some amazing people and heard about so many incredible efforts to preserve our planet.  Thank you TIES and all of those who attended, spoke, and contributed.  I look forward to Hilton Head in 2011!

Java Jones Coffeehouse update

Awhile back, I wrote about my visit to San Diego’s Java Jones Coffeehouse and mentioned the lack of information available on their website.  I recently checked in with them and found the site has had quite a makeover (visit it here).  It is now fully functioning and provides information on both the company and its products.  It appears, however, that my first impression was correct – their mission is to provide organic and environmentally-friendly coffee (tea is actually not mentioned as a part of this) which does not necessarily spill over into the other items served in their store.

Nonetheless, the company is committed to supporting returning veterans via Coffee For a Cause as well as local artists in their shop (see original article).  I would like to see them continue their efforts by expanding their coffee mantra to the other areas of business as well as offering an all organic, locally-sourced menu.  If these measures are already in place, it would be great to have them highlighted on their website and in their store.  Sustainable coffee is a step in the right direction.  Now, let’s go all the (Green Globetrotter) way!

My Yucatan beginnings

My first visit to the Yucatan took place nine years ago, as a week-long vacation with my best friend to celebrate our recent high school graduation and entrance into the “adult” world.  We spent the entire seven days at an all-inclusive resort in Cancun, lounging on the beach during the day and club hopping at night with our newfound British entourage (a group of ten young men staying at our hotel on a lad’s holiday; oh my, were we in heaven!).  I think we managed to leave the hotel zone once to visit the park Xcaret (more on these eco-parks later), but that’s it.

My next journey to the land of Mayan mystery had a slightly different tone.  In 2003, I joined USC’s Alternative Spring Break program and traveled 45 minutes by ferry outside of Cancun to the small island of Isla Mujeres.  For two weeks, we volunteered at La Gloria English school, led beach clean-ups, and learned about turtle conservation.  Two years later, I returned as Coordinator of the trip.  Some of the best days of my life were spent on that island, and I hungered to relive those experiences in the years that followed.

Then, in 2009, that opportunity presented itself, and I found myself on a plane destined, yet again, for the land of jaguars, limestone temples, and corn tortillas.  But my mission was not to frolic carefree on the Yucatan’s white sand beaches; I was on a quest to better understand sustainability from the ground up.  For five months, I would be living in a Nature Reserve, studying marine conservation, teaching English, and finding out first-hand how smaller communities are impacted by our changing Earth.

That experience fueled the creation of The Green Globetrotter, and so, it was only natural that the Yucatan became my first destination for filming.  This time, however, was to be nothing like the first…

Good Green hunting in San Diego

Watch a video of my trip here!

While making use of my brother’s beautiful condo in downtown San Diego (he was traveling in South America, so someone had to check up on the place!), I decided to investigate this laid back city’s green side.  First stop: www.sandiegolovesgreen.com.  Although intended for locals, this site is also a great resource for travelers looking for eco-conscious businesses, farmer’s markets, and environmental events.  Adding a few of their suggestions to my own list, I set off to find Java Jones Coffeehouse, a 100% organic & fair-trade café that would provide us (Mama Davis was in tow) with some fuel for the day.  Located at 631 9^th Avenue, Java Jones welcomes the sun and guests alike with its open storefront and spacious seating.  At 9am, the place was buzzing with professionals and creatives, most of whom were taking advantage of the café’s free wifi and natural lighting.

Falling somewhere between independent coffeehouse and national chain, Java Jones brings a bustling, bohemian feel to San Diego’s East Village.  Its walls are decorated with the work of local painters (available for purchase) and every Monday night is open-mike for local singers and musicians.  Our breakfast was satisfying, consisting of a caramel macchiato, hot chocolate, and a yummy blueberry scone, but as far as I could tell, the only organic and fair-trade ingredient was the espresso.  Unfortunately, the website seems to be missing a lot of content, so I was unable to find any more information about their sustainable practices.  Still, they’ve taken a step in the right direction, and it’s nice to find a good cup of coffee for a cause that isn’t at a Starbucks.  Hopefully, I’ll be able to update this post soon with more on their efforts.

Next, we walked the one block to Hotel Indigo.  Wow!  Happy employees, rooftop garden, extensive recycling system…what a mecca of green.  In fact, this place is so high on my radar of “doing good” that I’ve dedicated an entire article to it right here.

So, we’ll just move right on to stop number 3: Hotel Solamar.  Part of the Kimpton chain, Hotel Solamar boasts environmental sustainability in a luxury setting.  While the lobby was a bit dark for my taste, it represented the sleek, stylish elegance of one who has moved on from adolescence into the finer things of life – precisely where the Kimpton program is today.  A trendsetter among boutique hotels in the early 2000s (see Kimpton Firsts), this group was one of the first to officially go green and now has it down to a science.   At Hotel Solamar, check-in/out is entirely paperless, rooms are fitted with recycle bins and low-flow showers, faucets and toilets, and unused or partially used amenities are donated to various community programs.  We did not manage to see a room, but the Sales Manager was more than helpful with our other questions, and the employee who greeted us said it was the only place she’d worked where she could truly be herself.  For The Green Globetrotter, that’s always good news.

Our visit to Hotel Solamar ended with a promise to dine at their restaurant, JSix, in the near future, and we returned to our condo for a much-needed rest.  Reminiscing over our day, I was excited at what a welcome reception we’d received in each place.  Is this the nouveau response to environmental enthusiasts, or should we chalk it up to the well-known friendliness of San Diego citizens?  With another day of eco-probing to go, perhaps we’d unearth the answer.

Hotel Indigo bleeds green

Hotel Indigo bleeds green.

No, I’m not talking about an undying commitment to the Boston Celtics or a leprechaun-like attachment to St. Paddy’s Day.  I am referring to a profound passion for the triple bottom line.  That’s right.  Hotel Indigo bleeds The Green Globetrotter’s green.  Ok, let me start at the beginning.

It was a clear blue morning, and I was on a hunt to see the green side of San Diego.  My second stop was Hotel Indigo, a boutique property with 29 locations that is managed by InterContinental Hotels Group.  Having read an article on their environmental efforts, I requested a tour to learn more, and within minutes, we were riding to the 9^th floor with Sergio, an outgoing and energetic employee eager to show us the green ropes.

“Welcome to the relaxation room and terrace,” he exclaimed, as we stepped off the elevator and through the room’s double doors.  “The floor is made entirely of recycled plastic and wood fiber by-products.”

“Pretty cool!” I thought.  “But how does that affect the design?”

Not at all, it appeared.  The patio felt like home.  The casual yet comfortable chairs invite guests to make use of the deck while the glass paneling offers a great view of Petco Park.  I could easily visualize heading this way to relax and watch the sunset after a long day traipsing about the city.  There are also heaters to keep the guests warm, which Sergio acknowledged is not the most environmentally viable option, but thanks to the San Diego climate, they aren’t needed too often.

At the end of the patio sits a small organic herb garden growing mint, cilantro, rosemary and spearmint (among other plants) that are used to flavor the locally sourced, seasonal ingredients found on the hotel’s Phi Bar and Bistro menu.  A tasting wasn’t on the day’s agenda, but Sergio gave me a sneak peek into the kitchen where the trash is sorted among 4 bins, including a compost bin that then fertilizes the herb garden.  I was definitely inspired to return for a meal!

We moved on to see a standard room. The design was simple, clean, and inviting, and all of the furniture seemed to be in excellent condition.  The rooms are all fitted with flat-screen TVs, although there is no movie rental available.  The reason for this, Sergio explained, is economic; it’s a feature that simply doesn’t make any money (and thus, if implemented, could very well increase the hotel’s rates).  In my mind, it’s also a good excuse to head outside and enjoy Southern California’s fresh ocean air!

My favorite part of the room, however, was the large mural of a flower painted on the wall.  As it turns out, these murals are a signature of Hotel Indigos across the country.  Each branch chooses local artists to create such works and then places them throughout their rooms and the lobby.  What a wonderful community touch.

I asked Sergio about the hotel’s orange and white color scheme.  “Refreshing and energizing,” he replied.  “That is how these colors make you feel.  But more importantly,” he continued, “is how the company makes us feel.”  As it turns out, Sergio is an old hand in the hospitality industry, but this is the first place where he feels the management and its staff truly walk the walk.

“In fact,” he pointed out, “all these nicks on my face are because I, myself, am trying to be more green.  I’ve gone back to old school shaving.  But you can see,” he grinned, “I’m still getting the hang of it.”

As we rode the elevator back down to the lobby, Sergio pointed out a few additional green features he hadn’t covered such as the hotel’s use of plants that need little water, its rules on purchasing environmentally-friendly cleaning supplies, and the discount on parking that it offers to any client driving a hybrid.  Oh, and if that doesn’t convince you that this chain has “eco” on the brain, it was the first LEED-certified hotel in San Diego.  Not a bad list of accolades, I’d say.

Sergio, ever the gracious host, thanked us for coming, and we thanked him for showing us around.  Walking out, it struck me that what Hotel Indigo truly offers is the complete package.  From the welcoming staff to the orange colored walls, the hotel emanates warmth, uplifts your spirits, and ensures you get the kind of rest you can feel good about.  So, next time you need a place to stay in downtown San Diego, make sure this one is at the top of your list.

Staying Green at Santiago’s EcoHostel

by Summer Davis

On my recent “trot” from La Paz to Buenos Aires, I had the opportunity to speak with many hostels about possible green practices they could put into place and the benefits of doing so. Suggestions were to use biodegradable soaps and detergents, not to change towels and sheets every day, keep a purified water tank for guests to purchase water bottle refills instead of buying plastic bottles, recycle, etc. Most hostels were incredibly receptive and willing to try some of these new ideas, which hadn’t even occurred to them before. It was promising to hear this enthusiasm on a continent where eco-living is usually reserved for jungle lodges. Although we encountered a few hotels using biodegradable detergent (a good start), it wasn’t until we arrived in Santiago, Chile that we stayed at a place more intensely involved in saving Mother Earth.

We arrived late afternoon to the EcoHostel in central Santiago, a funkily painted front door and street number the only indications of the location. Immediately upon entering, it was clear “eco-friendly” was in the air. Cloth shopping bags and natural-fiber t-shirts hung for sale in the living room and reception area, recycle bins for cardboard, paper, plastics, aluminum and others lined the patio, and solar light bulbs dotted the first floor.

Rooms are simple with bathrooms shared; towels cost just over a dollar to rent, and there is a kitchen available for cooking. A true hostel, it was the first one I’d seen with signs posted everywhere about energy saving, recycling and the like. This place is doing much more than just being cheery, communal and centrally located (although that it is, as well!).

When I had a chance to sit down with Marcelo, one of the owners, I learned that they have plans to create a compost pile and obtain more solar lighting to replace their already energy-saving bulbs in the rest of the building. I offered a few more suggestions, such as getting a water tank, and these were eagerly received. I was glad to see the owners are truly interested in the green cause and not just doing so for marketing reasons. Not only did they care about their hostel, but they spread their do-gooding around. Marcelo and Enzo (the other bird-loving owner) make a monthly donation to AvesChile, Chile’s union of ornithologists, who focus on the study and conservation of Chilean birds and run a rehabilitation center for rapacious birds such as the condor. Marcelo informed me that the rehabilitation center welcomes volunteers to assist with the daily duties of caring for the birds. Another great way to get involved!

While “green living” is not a very common concept in South America, it seems its roots are taking hold wherever possible, and our stay at the EcoHostel was an uplifting and inspiring one. Along with the lively atmosphere, central location and awesome barbecue on Wednesday, it felt good to stay somewhere we could actively contribute to the sustainability of our travels.

Rejuvenation at Eagle and Condor Retreats

Check out our scrumptiously organic breakfast with guest host, Summer Davis, here!

The journey to Calca from Ollantaytambo was a bit longer than expected, and the sun had already settled into bed when the bus dropped us off on the town’s main street.  Our hotel’s directions requested we hail a mototaxi to Barrio Piste, Tercer Puente, but every mototaxi we passed seemed uninterested in picking up passengers.  Finally, outside of an auto shop, we found a gentleman eager for a fare.  His engine sputtered to life – suggesting that perhaps he’d been outside the service shop for a reason – and we managed to putt-putt our way through the center of town and up a sloping hill to the designated drop-off point.  We paid, stepped out onto a deserted street, and walked 30 feet to the solid red gate that supposedly indicated our hotel’s front door.

Knocking lightly, we were unwarmly greeted by vicious barking.  Were we in the right place??  Or was this a trap for unsuspecting tourists to get fed to the dogs?!  The barking continued, and just as we’d turned around to seek out a shop-keeper for assistance, the gate’s door opened.

“Eagle and Condor Retreats?” we faltered.  “Yes!  Come in, come in,” said a wide-eyed South American woman, introducing herself as Theresa and embracing us with a warm hug and kiss on the cheek.  The sign “Hospedaje Ecologico” hung a few steps in (silly us, forgetting our x-ray vision to see that!).  Sighing in relief, we took in our surroundings and the attention of the previously threatening animals who were now welcoming us in a very dog-friendly way.

Theresa, animatedly explaining the mission of Eagle and Condor Retreats and showing us the set-up of all the facilities, led us to the main lodge and our room.  A native of Chile, she’s been in Peru for 10 years and now calls Calca her home.  The Retreats was originally a community of foreigners, but eventually, they disbanded.  A few of the members stuck around and have now opened their doors to ecologically-minded travelers and/or those seeking spiritual enlightenment.  All of this we learned in the space of a few minutes, until Theresa realized she was needed in the kitchen to prepare the 30 soles ($10) dinner add-on we’d pre-booked.

After settling into our simply-furnished yet comfortable room, we headed to the eating lodge.  Over a cup of home-grown mate tea, we chatted with two fellow Californians who had been working with Theresa for the past year and had lots of information to share.

As the clock struck 7:00pm then 8:00, our stomachs began to growl.  But the tea and good conversation kept us going, and a half an hour later our patience was rewarded with a delicious, home-made meal of squash soup, pasta with garlic, chard and carrots, and fresh pear, apple, and peach compote for dessert.  This was accompanied by a steaming mug of the local specialty, Chichi Morada.  It was the perfect meal to beat the countryside chill, and bellies content, we ambled back to our beds and climbed in, dreaming almost before our heads hit the pillow.

The next morning brought warm sunshine and the sounds of a waking farm.  We rose lazily, enjoying the peacefulness of the Retreats, and made our way to breakfast at an appropriate Sunday pace.  Over a feast of porridge and granola, blended pineapple, banana, and orange juice, and two mouth-watering “toast creations” of Theresa’s – one with fresh scrambled eggs, garlic, avocado, cheese, and an olive and the other with home-made (of course!) strawberry and aguymento jam – we learned even more about the mission of the Retreats, and its sustainable practices.

With a little coffee to wash everything down, we wandered the grounds for the last time and then went to pack up our things; it was time to go to Pisak, our last stop in The Sacred Valley for this trip.  We said our goodbyes, and, joined by a fellow guest from Spain, walked into town to catch the bus.

Check out our scrumptiously organic breakfast with guest host, Summer Davis, here!

Tour Boston on a quacking green DUCK

While visiting Boston for a family wedding in August, we decided to experience the city’s infamous Duck Tour.  Beginning 15 years ago with four restored World War II DUKWs – vehicles capable of driving onland or motoring in water – the Duck Tour takes passengers on a 90-minute ride around the city’s streets and its harbor.  Each DUCK (so nicknamed by the Allied soldiers who used them) is manned by a licensed Coast Guard Captain with a bit of personality and lots of great stories to tell; our resident driver referred to himself as General Lee Lost and entertained us with cheesy humor and loads of history.  Thankfully, he seemed to know his way around town quite well!  (Perhaps just luck, he’d probably say.)

The tour is a fun way to see the sights and definitely a unique means of getting out into the water!  Just make sure you know where the life vests are in case the 12-year old girl the Captain lets guest-drive the boat decides to test its WWII power (in truth, no DUKW or DUCK has ever capsized or collided in the harbor).

What I like most about the Duck Tour, though, is its incredible penchant for “greenness”.  This is definitely one of the most community-involved and environmentally-friendly sight-seeing tours I’ve come across!  While we traveled around in one of the nine older vehicles, the Tour’s fleet now consists of 15 new DUCKs running on bio-diesel fuel with plans to become entirely DUCK-dependent within the next few years.  (This is rather than DUKW-dependent, which is the term used only for the original vehicles.  The new fleet should be referred to as DUCKs, as Historian Jim Healy was kind enough to explain to me via email.)

The tour’s website on Doing Our Part reads “Quack-Quack Give Back!”, and it is obvious they are doing just that.  Focusing on clean water and education, Boston Duck Tours offers guests the option of rounding up the price of their ticket to the next dollar and will donate the extra amount to one of three organizations: Charles River Clean Up Boat, Boston Public Library Youth Programs, or Community Boating.  At the end of the season, 100% of the change raised is matched by the Tours.  On top of this fundraising, the group is active in improving the water quality and recreational potential of the Charles River, mentoring students interested in the travel industry, and supporting local teachers through the Massachusetts Teachers Association.  Can you say “involved”?

Amazingly, I haven’t even listed here everything they do, but you can find out more at www.bostonducktours.com or (even better) by hopping on a DUCK yourself when you’re in town.  What a great way to keep a low environmental impact and support such positive community interaction.  This is truly doing things The Green Globetrotter way!