1. Avoid disposable plates and forks at your barbecue. Bonus points if your dinnerware and silverware is made of sustainable or recycled materials, like the bamboo dinnerware and recycled glass wine glasses from this Uncommon Goods Picnic Basket. Or, if you must use disposables, consider biodegradable dinnerware from companies like Biocorp or Earth Shell.
2. Wonder which cooking method is greener?  Natural gas is cleaner and more energy-efficient than burning wood or charcoal, which generates tiny soot particles that pollute the air and cause lung and heart health problems.
3. If you insist on grilling with charcoal, there are a few that are environmentally-certified - look for Rainforest Alliance Smartwood sustainably-harvested charcoal.  Or check out the Baja BBQ Fire Pack from Mike and Maaike.  It uses 100% biodegradable paper pulp packaging that contains 2 lbs of natural lump charcoal.
4. Wood ash can be used sparingly as fertilizer - but be aware that it is very alkaline. Charcoal ash, however, contains dangerous trace elements and should be carefully disposed of in the garbage.
5. Always grill your meats at proper temperatures and check with a thermometer to reduce the risk of E. coli, salmonella, campylobacter, and Listeria, found in undercooked ground beef and poultry.  Better yet, you can limit your over all exposure to these risks by cooking more veggies than meat.  Not only do veggies have a lower carbon footprint than meat, they are less likely to be infected with these bacterias.  If you do go with meat on your menu, be sure you buy from organic and local farms.  Wash your hands and surfaces often.
6. Buy local produce from a farmer’s market or co-op, instead of buying chemically-treated packaged vegetables from the supermarket. Make sure to clean veggies thoroughly to remove any traces of dirt or manure.
7. This is a no-brainer, but recycle! If you serve bottled or canned beverages, try to purchase family-size drinks instead of multiple individual-size cans or bottles.
8. When you’re done grilling, scrape the grill while it’s still hot and clean the grate with baking soda and a wire brush, rather than harsh chemicals.  Use our DIY cleaning tips for any other messes you might have.

See Grist.org and AOL Food for more eco-grilling tips!  Happy Fourth of July.

ydt

Now you’re ready to start celebrating July 4th in true patriotic red, white, blue - and green - spirit! To make this Independence Day holiday even better, we’re giving away an Eco Picnic Basket valued at $150 from Uncommon Goods to 1 lucky reader - complete with bamboo plates, a bamboo cutting board, bamboo silverware, recycled glass wine glasses, and natural cotton napkins! Simply share an eco barbecue or picnic tip in our comments section below by July 12, 2009 to enter to win.

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Celebrate Cycling, Santa Monica Critical Mass

Every Friday of the month, celebrate cycling and assert your “right to the road.” On July 3^rd, wheel it up at the Santa Monica pier and support Critical Mass. As the website Critical-Mass.org states, “This is not an organization, it’s an unorganized coincidence. It’s a movement … of bicycles, in the streets.” Bike into the night from 6:30-10pm.

Location: Santa Monica Pier (at top of pier ramp), Colorado Blvd. and Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, Website:http://santamonicacriticalmass.ning.com/

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March with Greenpeace

Join Greenpeace Saturday July 4^th at 9:30 am and start your Independence Day off with a morning march down Main Street for the Santa Monica parade. Bring your crew, family and friends are invited to march along too. We will advise you in advance that your eyes won’t be playing tricks on you-some participants will be dressed as polar bears and Uncle Sam. This event will surely be some festive 4^th of July fun.

Location: Main Street, Santa Monica, CA, Website: http://greenpeace.org, Phone: (323) 953-1366, for more info email: pallay@usc.edu

Greenovate Home Tour

Julie Solomon cordially invites you to the Green Beacon Foundation home tour schedule for 3pm on July 4^th. Check out the 94 year old home that has been “Greenovated” with ecologically sound products and processes. Julie has recently established a non-profit organization called The Green Beacon Foundation (GBF) to serve as a community resource for the public. Learn how you can enhance your ability to go green by participating in on-going workshops, lectures, and so forth. Reserve your space for the tour by emailing Julie at contactgbf@gmail.com

Tel (323) 717-9636, web: www.greenbeacon.org

83^rd Annual Americafest at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena

This years Americafest will feature a tribute to the men and women who serve and have given their lives for our country. In Fourth of July Fashion, there will be food, fun and fireworks. The festival and food court open at 2pm, the stadium will open up at 6pm for seating. Experience five drum corps performances and the anticipated grand finale-the fireworks, which are set to start at 9:05 pm. The thirty-minute show is choreographed and produced by Pyrospectaculars, known throughout the world for extraordinary fireworks displays in New

York, Boston, Thailand, and the Philippines, and at Super Bowls and Olympic Games. For more information including ticket prices, visit the website: http://www.rosebowlstadium.com/RoseBowl_Americafest.htm,

Location: The Rose Bowl, 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena, CA 91103, Tel (626) 577-3101, Pryospectaculars website: www.PyroSpectaculars.com

Yoga Nidra Class-Change Your Consciousness

On Sunday July 5th, Urban Remedy will introduce a new, 10 week Yoga Nidra class series that will run through September. From 11:00am-12:15pm, you can clarify, focus, and specify your intentions for a better work environment, home environment, and sure footed-ness. Yoga Nidra is a guided visualization, relaxation technique from the Tantric tradition. Sign up for the course at http://www.LAnidra.com

Location: Urban Remedy, 1509 B, Abbott Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291. Tel (323) 930-0491, email: LAnidra@gmail.com

Show Me The Movies:  Tommy Boy at the W Hotel

On July 5^th, get a good laugh with the movie Tommy Boy. The Sunday Cinema Series at the W in Westwood has returned. Watch movies under the stars, nibble on some sustainable treats, sip some refreshing summer cocktails. Doors open at 7pm and the flicks begin at sunset. Best of all, admission is FREE.

Location: The WET pool at the W Los Angeles Westwood, 930 Hilgard Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90024, For dinner reservations at the Backyard restaurant, call: (310) 443-8218. Web:  http://www.starwoodhotels.com/… Email: RSVPwlaevents@whotels.com

Heads Up For Next Week:  Organic Tamalada (Tamale Making Class)

Debra, the “White Girl” Tamale Maker of La Guera Tamalera is hosting an Organic Tamalada (aka a tamale-making party) where you can learn how to make your own delicious tamales using fresh, organic farmer’s market ingredients.  The class will include lunch, a brief lecture and hands on instruction.   The class costs $58 per person but if you mention Your Daily Thread you can get two people in for $100 (so $50 each.)  For more information please visit http://www.gttamales.com/event and to RSVP call 213-880-0277.

Location: 1326 E. 1st Street, Los Angeles CA 90033  Date/Time:  Saturday, July 11  12 to 2:30 p.m.   RSVP:  By July 7th to 213-880-0277   Web: http://www.gttamales.com/event

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Nothing quite says summer like fresh, seasonal strawberries and lucky for you they are in season all across the USA right now.   So in honor of the 4th of July this Saturday, celebrate with this delicious and EASY strawberry shortcake recipe from Kat Odell of Eater LA and Cuisine by Kat.  You’ll be sure to turn heads at any party you go to.

Seasonal Strawberry Shortcake

Babi’s (Grandma’s) Strawberry Jam

• 2 quarts strawberries
• 1/3 cup sugar (or more to taste)

Wash and remove stems from strawberries. Place in medium pot and add desired amount of sugar. Simmer on medium low for about an hour until strawberries have softened and liquid has reduced to jam-like consistency. Set aside.

Biscuits (Makes 6)

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 2.5 tablespoons sugar
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 stick unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup whole milk
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream

Preheat oven to 400°F and grease a baking pan. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in bowl. Cut butter into 1/2-inch cubes and add to bowl. Using hands, mix together until coarse meal forms. Add milk and mix. Form dough into 6 balls and place on baking sheet. Brush with heavy cream. Bake 20 minute until biscuits are lightly brown. Let cool and slice in half.

To serve, place a spoonful of strawberry jam on biscuit, followed by a dollup of clotted cream. Top with biscuit top and serve.

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If you’ve got some extra time, check out Kat’s step by step video that takes you from the farmer’s market to the kitchen and showcases the scrumptious final product.

ydt Farmer’s Market: Delicious, local strawberry shortcake from Your Daily Thread on Vimeo.

Images via Cork & Rind and muffintop.wordpress.com

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According to the EPA, our current vehicles get only 21 mpg on average. The Obama White House has unveiled an aggressive standard for auto manufacturers to boost the overall fuel economy by 40% over seven years.

The Obama Administration passed a new rule on May 19 requiring an average fleet fuel efficiency of 35.5 mpg by 2016. The old federal standard sought that efficiency by 2020.

Under the new system, all vehicles will need to meet or exceed a target adjusted to their vehicle size. For example, a Chevy Tahoe, which is 55 square feet, will be required to get about 24 mpg by 2011. Currently, the vehicle gets about 15 mpg. Additionally, this vehicle will have to continually improve from that point on. A senior administration official states that this transition will “remove 900 million metric tons of carbon dioxide from the air, take 177 million cars off the road, and shut down 194 coal-fired power plants.”

By the time these changes come into effect, it is estimated that gas prices will be closer to $3.50 - translation - people will flock to their mini compact vehicles and leave their SUVs hibernating in the garage. The Obama Administration states that the cost per fuel-efficient vehicle would increase to an optimistic $1,300 per new vehicle. It would take less than a few years to visualize the benefit of fewer trips to refuel our vehicles’ empty bellies.

How do gas-guzzlers suddenly become fuel efficient? No drastic changes need to be made to the infrastructure and many manufacturers have found that only minor modifications to the vehicle and engine design are necessary. So the only question left unanswered is: why have we not done this already?

For those of us who do not plan to purchase a new vehicle anytime soon, here are some tips to reduce your trips to the gas pump: Decrease aggressive driving, avoid excessive idling and maintain properly inflated tires. By following these tips you can significantly improve your vehicle’s fuel economy. Remember, the best gas mileage comes from adjusting our driving habits.

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If you’re ready to move to action, either with permission from the city or without, become a guerilla gardener and take matters into your own hands. Begun in London circa 2004, the Guerilla Gardening movement, as the organization’s website states, sprouted to life in an attempt to, “wage war against neglect and scarcity of public space.” Here in L.A., green-thumb revolutionaries as young as 10 and as old as 80 have come together to be a part of the L.A. Guerilla Gardeners-our local chapter-making a difference by getting down and dirty to transform barren or rundown spaces into thriving gardens.

Garden Before LA Guerilla Gardeners

Don’t worry, there are ways to contribute to this movement without potentially getting arrested for renegade, middle-of-the-night missions to rip out dead space and replace it with life. LAGG’s website talks of ways to make seed bombs for your private lands, tips and tricks on starting your own garden, ways and tools to donate and how to volunteer on one of their planned, not-so-illegal digs.

Animo Film and Theater Charter High School student, Blanca Perez, helped to organize LAGG’s Seed Bomb Workshop at her school. She thinks this type of radical environmental movement brings light to dark places in our cities. “Coming together to beautify our community brings us closer and makes a safer environment,” she said. Seems like a win-win situation…solidarity and beautification in the name of safety for our environment and our youth.

Join the army of gardeners in the Revolution of Consciousness by getting your hands in the dirt and filling your belly with home-grown food planted by Comrades in the fightto go green!

Here are some organizations walking the walk, ready for you to walk with them:

L.A. Guerilla Gardeners
http://www.laguerrillagardening.org/

Southern California Resistance Youth
http://www.myspace.com/southcentralyouthgarden/

Los Angeles Food Not Bombs
http://www.lafoodnotbombs.org/

Images courtsey of LosAngelesGuerrillaGardners.org

Garden After Guerilla Gardeners

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Created by Mark Simmons, a former consultant for Al Gore’s Alliance for Climate Protection, and Kathy Fletcher, who has extensive experience in non-profits and human rights advocacy, USELESS aims to produce items that leave as little impact on the environment as possible - from the 100% post-consumer packaging to manufacturing all of the items in the U.S.

In addition, 10% of the profits from the purchase of USELESS products go to charities like Wherever the Need, a non-profit that helps provide water supply to underserved countries worldwide.

Items available for purchase include organic tees, the BPA-free USELESS Water Bottle ($15), which encourages people to use less disposable water bottles, and the USELESS Utility Tote ($40), made of recycled advertising billboards.

One of the most provocative products is a handmade recycled stainless steel “USELESS” Logo Stencil ($40) - so you can brand your own items as “USELESS”. In addition, you can also purchase Earth - made of 100% nothing ($25) - 100% of the amount goes to water and sanitation projects.

You can learn more about USELESS by visiting their website.

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On Thursday June 25th, join Darren Moore of Alter Eco on Planet Green as he talks trash for teaching at Rush Street Bar in Culver City from 6 - 9 p.m. Support this local school program (which is sadly close to shutting its doors) that provides repurposed materials for children to utilize in the arts and sciences. There will be half price refreshments and appetizers. Your gracious donations will also be accepted at the door. To learn more about Trash for Teaching, check out www.trashforteaching.com Location: Rush Street Bar, 9546 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232, RSVP: kathy@trashforteaching.org Phone: (323) 262-3400

Dwell on Design Conference Kick Off

Location: LA Convention Center SOUTH HALL, 1201 S. Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90015, Tel (213) 741-1151, web: http://www.dwellondesign.com/

Eco-fest, Education and Entertainment Combined

Location: Venice Beach at Windward Ave, Tel (888) 295-8372, web: www.earthdayla.org/veniceecofest/contact.html, email: info@earthdayla.org

Truth Movement- Alternative Energy Concert Packed with Star Power

Location: Universal Citywalk, 100 Universal City Place, Universal City, CA 91608, web: Info here

Green Girls Anniversary arty

Saturday is action-packed with all kinds of events and for all Angeleno night owls out there, you can check out the Green Girls Anniversary party at Ecco Ultra Lounge from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. The Green Girls site brings together people that are all shades of green and this celebratory event will feature treats from food and drink to celebrity DJ Rob Patterson (Korn). You must confirm your attendance online (RSVP info). The party also supports a great cause: a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma society. Location: Ecco Ultra Lounge, 1640 North Cahuenga Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028, web: http://www.thegreengirls.tv/, To purchase tickets and to RSVP check out http://www.thegreengirls.tv/bash.asp.

Sunday Sample Sale, Doie Designs

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There are times when despite our best efforts, our only options just might be fast food. Summertime is vacation time and that means lots of quick bites no matter your form of transportation or destination. On a road trip or in a Podunk town with little to zero options for a healthy meal, I’ve found ways to navigate the fast food menu. I do not, I repeat, do not, advocate the consumption of fast food except when in a pinch . The quality of food at most fast food joints is extremely low to keep the prices affordable. That equates to very high sodium, GMOs, lots of preservatives, high fructose corn syrup and other crap you can’t pronounce that shouldn’t be crammed into your face. I advise steering away from the meats and dairy products because those are the highest vehicles for insane amounts of sodium, cholesterol, and other nasty things I will spare giving the details on. You gotta wonder, if it’s so cheap, how can it be remotely ok to ingest? So, I suggest you print this article, eat as veg as you can stand and keep it in your wallet in case of emergency! Weather you are health-conscious or not, it’s great to be informed and to know before you go.  Also visit Greenopia’s guide more eco friendly fast food chains.

Here are some of the biggies:

* Subway - This is one of the most health-friendly places if you are in a bind. You can always go with a veggie sub on Italian bread (9 grain wheat contains honey), hold the cheese and mayo and sub mustard (virtually calorieless!!), while piling on the veggies, avocado and other fixins. You can also get this wrap style or forgo the carbs and chomp on a salad. They do have veggie patties; however, if you’re vegan, it’s a no go as they contain egg. For allergy-sensitive folks, stick to the salads.

* Taco Bell - Everything is still full of high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated oils BUT the menu can be worked. And again, don’t make this a habit. Their new Fresco Style menu is easy to change up. Order the tacos or burritos Fresco style and swap the meat for beans and voila, no cholesterol or mystery meat. The crunchwrap supreme can be “lightened” by tossing the meat, cheese and sour cream and subbing beans and guac. You can also have a 7 layer burrito minus the layers of cheese and sour cream and BAM, a cholesterol free, more health then fat wealth, 5 layer burrito! So yes, the ingredients in all of these are vegan but certainly not the best thing for you. Like I said, in a bind, it’s fine. Make sure, for allergy sensitive diners, to check the site as each item contains different allergens. Their site is very comprehensive.

* McDonald’s - Oh yes, the golden arches. It can be done if there is no choice. Don’t even think about the fries if you’re vegan as they contain beef and milk. Not even kosher! Although you can go for a side salad and ask for the cilantro lime as that one, despite being chemical-laden, is still cholesterol free and low fat. Or opt for salt, pepper and a lemon wedge. The other salads can trim the calories by picking off the croutons and cheese. And you can get its new iced coffees sans milk.

* Jack in the Box - Oddly enough, here is a place you have some ok options outside of a salad. The Teriyaki Rice Bowls are a good alternative to a burger. Veg-ize it by dropping the meat and packing on the veggies. Sugary ones, but veggies nonetheless. Go for a taco here by ordering it with black beans instead of meat and leaving off the cheese. Fries and hash brown sticks, while fattening, are vegan friendly, lower in cholesterol and only if you must! In addition, Jack food is all made to order so you’re likely to get a fresher meal here than the burger royalty.

* Domino’s - Another place to go light and choose veggies on a thin crust to cut down on salt and calories. It’s easy to go overboard on Italian pie! Crunchy thin crust is the only vegan crust (contains soy for those sensitive to it). Pizza sauce is dairy free so load up on the veggies and order up! Salads are ok without cheese and any of the Italian dressings. Skip the breadsticks as they contain dairy as well. Go ahead and get the pasta primavera but swap the alfredo for pizza sauce (not marinara as it has cheese in it).

* Baja Fresh - I love Baja as everything is made fresh with no lard, msg, etc. Order smart and get anything grilled and if you choose meat, drop cheese and vice versa.  Go nuts on salsa; it’s good for you! I go for the tostada salad with no meat, cheese or sour cream and pile on salsa, guac and all their cool fixin’s from the salsa bar. It’s chock full of beans, rice and crispy veggies. You can also go for the veggie burrito or tacos with no cheese or sour cream!!

* Starbucks - Opt for tea over coffee if you can.  Go for the new skinny lattes, iced or hot. Also, try to avoid any flavorings as those syrups are terrible for you and the sugar-free ones are even worse! Soy latte, soy tea latte, soy chai latte = yum. If you absolutely need the extra flavors, ask for only one  pump, that’s it. They are chemical-heavy and high fructose sugary. Sorry vegans, no Frappucinos for you as they won’t make them with soy milk.

Remember, you are what you eat so do it wisely.  These fast food options should only be used when you really have no other real options.  Ideally if you can, pack a cooler with you so that you never have to deal with these places.  Good luck out there foodies and bon appetit (to the best of your ability!)

Learn More:

Read a more detailed post from Carolyn on additional healthy options when in a fast food bind read here. Also check out this interesting post on the Greening of Fast Food from the Huffington Post and the dangers of Fast Food from Vegan Soap box.

Images via Carolyn “The Healthy Voyager“, the Huffington Post, The Daily Green and VeganSoapBox.

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