Five lucky winners of “The Future is Organic” giveaway will receive a year of Organic Valley products (in the form of 52 free product coupons.) Three lucky winners will receive a $25 membership in and a $250 gift certificate from Seed Savers Exchange, a non-profit organization of gardeners dedicated to saving and sharing heirloom seeds. Plus, the 25 most nominated schools will receive a copy of Center for Ecoliteracy’s “Smart by Nature: Schooling for Sustainability.”

Since it is Renewable Week, I would like to give a shout out to The Seed Savers Exchange. Though their certificate is not the grand prize, they definitely take the cake for promoting an important farming practice. Saving seeds in order to re-plant is an integral part of a sustainable gardening system. This practice was widely used by farmers until the commercial introduction of the genetically modified seed in the 1970’s. Since then, not only have farmers begun to grow genetically modified crops almost exclusively, but they are also not allowed to save their seeds anymore, as the genetically modified seeds and their offspring belong, by patent, to the company the farmer bought them from (usually Monsanto). So, even if you don’t enter, please support the Seed Savers Exchange as they work to promote a sustainable future for us all.

Enter here.

Arielle Gervasi is an intern with Mission: Sustainable

According to a news article from the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Americans are using less energy, which is helping to boost the use of renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, hydro, and geothermal. Less energy demand coupled with technological advances in the field of renewable energy makes alternative energy a much more viable option in the eyes of politicians.

“‘Energy use tends to follow the level of economic activity, and that level declined last year. At the same time, higher efficiency appliances and vehicles reduced energy use even further,’ said A.J. Simon, an LLNL energy systems analyst.”

The use of coal is thus declining in favor of these eco-friendly alternatives.

Help reduce your energy consumption at home and at work in order to further encourage the renewable trend:

1. Unplug your appliances when not in use. Plug home electronics, such as TVs and DVD players, into power strips; turn the power strips off when the equipment is not in use.
2. Air dry your dishes. Choose to wash by hand or just don’t use the drying cycle on your dishwasher if it comes with one.
3. Install energy efficient light bulbs. Consider using high-intensity discharge (also called HID) or low-pressure sodium lights
4. Close the window! Remember that new windows must be installed correctly to avoid air leaks around the frame. Look for a reputable, qualified installer.
5. Turn down the A/C. Turn down the thermostat when you go to bed. Or if you live in a newer model home, you may have multiple thermostats for each room; turn the heat or air conditioning down when you leave the room.
6. Consider renewable! A viable option for your home is solar power. What’s more is that you get paid for having a solar panel! Utilities are required to pay you for the power you put into the system. Visit solarhome.org for more info on how you can make solar a reality for your home.

Check out the U.S. Department of Energy’s website for more energy saving tips!

Arielle Gervasi is an intern with Mission: Sustainable

For Renewable Week, the coupon features furniture from VivaTerra. They are a business that demonstrates how we need to think about having a “closed loop” lifestyle. Things should not be thrown away; they should be reused, recycled or turned into other products, extending the life of an item as long as possible. Renew, don’t ruin!

So, in honor of this concept, enjoy savings up to 25% off during VivaTerra’s annual furniture sale event. There is a wide selection of furniture on sale — dining tables, side tables, chairs, bed headboards, storage units — all featuring eco-friendly materials like reclaimed wood, old railroad ties, sustainable mango wood, and more. Long live furniture!

Shop here.

Arielle Gervasi is an intern with Mission: Sustainable

Get your walk on…in Rwanda!

Register to become an online member of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International (it’s free to join) and you’ll be entered into a giveaway for a Gorilla Trek for Two to Rwanda with Baobab Expeditions. The prize consists of a four day/three night safari for two people that starts and finishes in Kigali, Rwanda. You’ll not only trek to see mountain gorillas; you’ll also have an opportunity to visit Karisoke Research Center, the only gorilla research center in the world, and enjoy dinner with some of the Center’s conservationists.

Enter here.

Arielle Gervasi is an intern with Mission: Sustainable

Walking. The alternate-alternate mode of transportation as it’s sometimes thought of. However, this week, with summer weather in full swing, I decided to make walking the theme. Especially as Walk Score is rolling out its newest addition: Transit Score. “What are these Scores?” you may ask. First, let me share some thoughts on urban sprawl and how where we decide to live affects how we will ultimately decide our transportation mode.

Think back to 1955. I mean, the 1955 of the hit movie Back to the Future, of course! The movie transports Marty McFly back to 1955 Hill Valley—a very different place. The downtown is the heart of the community; the city plaza with fountains, restaurants, businesses, City Hall, apartments, clothing stores, the high school; virtually everything needed for daily existence is downtown or within walking distance of downtown. The 1955 downtown Hill Valley was a walkable urban place. This stands in contrast to what is known as “urban sprawl,” where areas are spread out and almost always require wheels to get from point A to point B.

Now…back to the Walk Score, Doc!

Thanks to Walk Score, the super handy online tool that measures a neighborhood’s walkability, millions of people now know if they live in a Walker’s Paradise (with a score of over 90) or an area where it’s notably harder to get by without a car (below 70). There are over 2, 508 neighborhoods in the database!

But even more news! Yesterday, Walk Score is rolled out the Transit Score, which measures how well an address is served by public transit. The goal of this mission-driven business (Walk Score) is “to promote walkable communities for environmental, economic and health benefits,” says CEO Josh Herst, from Walk Score’s Seattle-based headquarters. “We introduced transit information so you can decide where to live and work based on services and amenities, and understand your transit options.”

Check out the Walk Score

…and the new Transit Score!

Arielle Gervasi is an intern with Mission: Sustainable

For walking week, it is important to remember how important it is to stay active and in tune with your body as a part of a balanced lifestyle. Exercises like yoga are a perfect example of a low-impact workout that keeps you toned as well as more relaxed and aware of your body. If this sounds like just the thing for you, or you just like wearing comfy activewear, check out Beckons Organics!  

Beckons Organics is having a sitewide 40% off clearance sale on their organic cotton and hemp yoga tops and bottoms for women (dresses too!). According to the website, “It’s more than just yoga clothing, pilates clothing and activewear. It’s everyday wear for active women. “At checkout, use coupon code.

Coupon code: CLEAR

Shop here.

Arielle Gervasi is an intern with Mission: Sustainable

Today I will be hiking up on Mt. Rainier’s Summerland trail. So, in honor of walking week, take this short survey to test your knowledge of some basic hiking tips, and get you thinking about when you want to plan your next hike!

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Well, I may have to spoil the last question of the quiz, but before you go on your hike, you should probably know The Ten Essentials:

1. Map
2. Compass (optionally supplemented with a GPS receiver)
3. Sunglasses and sunscreen
4. Extra food and water
5. Extra clothes
6. Headlamp (outdoor)/flashlight
7. First aid kit
8. Fire starter
9. Matches
10. Knife

Happy hiking!

Arielle Gervasi is an intern with Mission: Sustainable

Soup. Ingredients go into a pot; scrumptiousness comes out. I love making soup because after the ingredients are all chopped up, the recipe basically cooks itself over your stove. So if you like making soup, give this creamy classic a try. As a note, I have found that dill—with its wonderful buttery texture and taste—makes a good substitute for the parsley.

I hope you’ll humor me for the picture…this recipe always me think of the Pokémon called Farfetch’d (see to the right). This character, from what I can tell, is a duck that carries around a leek which it uses to attack other Pokémon. So, while at the grocery store picking up your ingredients, feel free to pick up a few extra leeks to have around…as it appears they can serve many purposes!

Enjoy!

Potato and Leek Soup:

• 1 medium boiling potato (about 1/2 pound)
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/2 medium onion, chopped fine
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 2 medium leeks (white parts only), halved lengthwise, sliced thin crosswise, and washed well
• 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
• 3 tablespoons heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leafed parsley leaves (wash and dry before chopping)

Preparation

Peel potato and dice fine. In a 3 1/2- to 4-quart saucepan cook garlic and onion in butter over moderately low heat, stirring, until onion is softened. Add potato and leeks and cook, stirring occasionally, 2 minutes. Stir in broth and simmer, uncovered, 15 minutes, or until potato is very tender.

If desired, in a blender purée soup in batches until very smooth (use caution when blending hot liquids), transferring to another saucepan. Stir in cream, parsley, and salt and pepper to taste and heat over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until hot.

Arielle Gervasi is an intern with Mission: Sustainable

Peta2 is running a “Cruelty-Free Makeover” contest for young people ages 13-21. The winner receives three cruelty-free back-to-school outfits courtesy of Forever 21 as well as beauty products from The Body Shop (ARV of prize package $300.) To enter, submit a photo of yourself in “I need a makeover” moment. There will be one guy and one gal winner, based on both voting totals and judges opinions of who has the tackiest outfit.

Enter here.

Arielle Gervasi is an intern with Mission: Sustainable

Care about using sustainable back-to-school products? So does Kate’s Caring!

Kate’s Caring Gifts is offering 20% off site-wide on its wide selection of eco-friendly, sustainably-made gifts. If you’re looking for products like backpacks, lunch bags and servingware, made from hemp, organic cotton, bamboo and recycled plastic, check out Kate’s! At checkout, use coupon code.

Coupon Code: SCHOO0L2010

Shop here.

Arielle Gervasi is an intern with Mission: Sustainable