Green Holiday Guide: Interviews with Green Businesses

Interview with Tim Winkler of Mindful Metropolis

Tim Winkler is an integral member of Mindful Metropolis, Chicago's Magazine for connecting it's Conscious Community.

RM: Tim, it's an interesting story. Can you tell me how Mindful Metropolis came to be?

TW: On March 24th, 2009, Chicago’s Conscious Choice magazine and its four affiliate magazines in New York, Los Angeles, Seattle and San Francisco were shut down by their corporate owner. The team from Chicago, myself included, met the very next day at Andie’s Restaurant in Andersonville, and decided to forge ahead and launch a new independent employee-owned publication, and Mindful Metropolis was born. It all happened so fast, we immediately scrambled to create a logo and identity, a mission statement, a temporary website, and re-sign advertisers in time to produce our first issue in May, not skipping a beat.

I'm still not sure how we were able to accomplish it. We just did what needed to be done to make it happen. With any other team of individuals, I’m not sure that it would be possible. I believe it happened because all of us were so mission driven, and did not want to leave Chicago without an eco-health and wellness publication. Most importantly, we had great faith, and trust in one another, without which, this herculean task, even if we were flush with funds, would not have happened.

RM: What is Mindful Metropolis' Mission?

TW: I like to summarize it as follows: I want us to educate and engage. I want Mindful Metropolis to be an independent, non-corporate influenced community media vehicle that shines a light on good people, doing good things for themselves, their community, and the environment.

Since launching Mindful Metropolis the reports from our delivery driver have been that the magazine is getting picked up at rates much higher than Conscious Choice, the response from the community has been phenomenal. Ultimately, we need to transform this enthusiasm into greater advertising and other revenue, so that we can increase our circulation and educate and engage greater and greater segments of metro Chicago’s population.

I’d like to see us to continue to give visibility to good people doing good things. Other media do this as well, but it is more essential to our mission than most. My hope is that when folks pick up Mindful Metropolis, they learn a little, are inspired to act in some small way, and become just a little bit more connected to their community and their planet.

RM: Tim, how does Mindful Metropolis connect with your own goals?

TW: I cannot tell you how surprised I am to find myself as an owner operator of a local community magazine. It was never in my plans, nor my dreams, but once I tried it on for size, I realized how well it fit.

My passions had always been those of an international or intercultural nature. I pursued traveling, studying and languages with fervor (Portuguese & Spanish). As I approached my late 30s I realized what I needed most for myself was a sense of being rooted in community, a community that was also close to family, and I fell into a job with Conscious Choice. I never thought I could sell an ad, or that I was personally a hyper-green conscious individual.

I arrived to the sustainability movement different from many, in that, although I cared about the planet, my focus was more on sustainable, respectful, autonomous, human community development. I realized how much the challenges we face in Chicago are not so different than those facing communities across the world. People are social animals. They cannot live in isolation. I’m learning that most people, most non-profits, and most business, work when they function in collaboration with others, and most importantly with kindness, my favorite human trait. I pushed hard for this section our mission statement: “We never forget that kindness is an environmental mission”. And there I had it, my past life, my past work, joined the environmental movement and became one, and whole. I couldn’t be happier.

RM: Where can readers find Mindful Metropolis?

TW: Mindful Metropolis is distributed at more than 600 locations around metro Chicago. Over 20% of our circulation is in metro Chicago Whole Foods Stores. We circulate everywhere from a street box, acupuncture clinic, to your local green business.
You can find the complete list of locations and search by zip code here: http://www.mindfulmetropolis.com/DropSpots
Additionally, individuals may opt to get a home subscription if they choose, for only $24/year at: http://www.mindfulmetropolis.com/Subscribe. We also have an e-flip digital magazine viewer that may be seen online at http://digital.mindfulmetropolis.com

RM: Tim, anything else you would like to add?

TW: A shout out to our readers, to let us know what you think. Call us, write us, send your ideas and feedback. We listen and we want to hear from you.

Thank you Tim!

Tim Winkler grew up in Peoria, Illinois, where much of his family still lives. He is very active in the Chicago Community, and involved with Victories of the Heart, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping men build more authentic personal relationships and more satisfying lives. He is also a huge White Sox fan (go Sox!), and is spending some personal time reconnecting with his favorite childhood activities: bowling, camping, and fishing.

Mindful Metropolis can be found online at http://www.mindfulmetropolis.com/Home where you can find Mindful Gift Ideas for the holidays.

World Toilet Day: Plumbing and Water Poverty

My family is full of plumbers, my Great Grandfather, Grandfather, Uncle and cousin all made or make their living as plumbers. So I know a little bit about plumbing.

But I don't normally think about the fact that many places in the world don't have plumbing or adequate plumbing.

End Water Poverty is an organization that is raising awareness about this issue and World Toilet Day, November 19th, is one way the word is spreading.

Facts taken from End Water Poverty's website:

884 million people don't have clean water and 40% of the world’s population suffer without a safe toilet, that’s 2.5 billion people.

This crisis kills many and dramatically affecting life in developing countries:

Health: Preventable illnesses spread by the crisis heavily overburden health systems. More than half of hospital beds in Sub Saharan Africa are occupied by patients suffering from sanitation and water related diseases.

Children: 4000 children die from these diseases every day. They're the biggest killer of young children, killing over five times more than HIV/AIDS and twice as many as malaria.

Education and gender: With children too ill to go to classes, education is suffering. Young girls simply don't attend as there aren't toilets at school, or they aren’t safe and private. Other girls spend hours of their day walking to fetch water or caring for ill siblings and have no time for an education at all.

Economies: It’s drastically affecting developing economies too - in Africa, an estimated 5% of GDP is lost to illnesses and deaths caused by dirty water and the absence of sanitation.

Climate change: And climate change is making things worse – with increased pressure on water resources.

What is End Water Poverty doing?

The End Water Poverty campaign is demanding that governments provide sanitation and water for the world's poorest people. We are calling for:

• One global action plan for sanitation and water monitored by one global task force
• 70% of aid money for sanitation and water to be targeted at the poorest countries
• Water resources to be protected and shared equitably

If you would like to learn more or get involved please visit the End Water Poverty website. You can also visit I Count for My Earth for other suggestions, links and information on this topic.

Green Holiday Guide: Interviews with Green Business Owners

Interview with Helen Cameron

Helen Cameron is the Co-owner of Uncommon Ground, now two restaurants in Chicago, one in Wrigleyville, the other in Historic Edgewater. Beyond great food and great service, these restaurants are leading the way in community, local flavor (music and food), and sustainability.

RM: Tell us about your restaurants.

HC: Uncommon Ground restaurants are full service, community-oriented restaurants, featuring locally produced, sustainable and organic food and beverage, along with art galleries and live music nightly.

We are currently working at both locations to become certified with the Green Restaurant Association. Our Devon location has the first organically certified Roof Top Farm in the country that is focused on promoting organic urban agriculture, eating locally and seasonally. We also provide a weekly Farmers Market in our parking lot in the summer.

RM: How else is Uncommon Ground environmentally responsible?

HC: We look at every aspect of how we operate, and when it makes good business sense, we work to be greener in everything we do. We work to educate our staff and guests and to lead by example. We also host a monthly eco-mixer called the Green Room Sessions to provide a fun way to learn about Green issues and inspire everyone to act.

RM: How have things changed since you started in 1991?

HC: Over the past 18 years we have steadily evolved into the business we have become. We just keep asking "How can we improve?" and continually work to get better at what we do. For15 years, it was a full-on struggle, and it was because of our sheer tenacity (Helen and husband/partner Michael) and will to succeed that we have survived and grown. The biggest change for us, when we opened at 1214 West Grace St, the only employees were Mike and myself. Now we have around 150 employees working at both restaurants. It feels really great to be able to provide solid jobs in our communities.

RM: What are your goals at Uncommon Ground?

HC: To provide happiness and comfort to our guests by serving locally produced, sustainable and organic food and beverage, providing an art gallery and live music nightly.

To provide a great workplace for our staff and to educate them on the importance of improving our food chain, so they can pass the word to our guests.

To provide a community center-- a place for our neighbors to meet and come together and support each other.

To educate our community about urban agriculture and other green issues.

RM: What's next?

HC: Certification with the Green Restaurant Association, starting a 501c3, holiday preparations and setting up our New Year's Eve parties.

RM: What would you like to say about going green?

HC: Going green shouldn't be difficult and doesn't have to cost more money. If everyone chooses one simple thing to change or improve, the difference we can make is substantial. Do what you can when you can afford to do it. The important thing is to act and get involved!

Thank you Helen!

What an inspiration to business owners everywhere! You can check out the Uncommon Ground restaurants at 3800 N Clark Street and 1401 W. Devon Avenue.

Helen grew up in Chicago. She currently lives in the Lincoln Square neighborhood with her husband and business partner Michael, and their two cats and hopes one day they will have time to travel.

Green Holiday Guide: Interviews with Green Businesses

Interview with Juan D. Ribes

Juan D. Ribes is an Economist and works as an Export Manager at the Polycart Group in Valencia, Spain. The Polycart Group has developed a shopping cart that is safer for children and better for the environment.

RM: Tell me about your product and why it is important for the environment.

JR: We make all plastic single block shopping carts which are better for the shops, customers, their children and the environment. The Polycart is the most efficient shopping cart from the environmental point of view. It is an eco friendly shopping cart in all the aspects of its lifespan: manufacturing, transport, use and recycling.

Clean Manufacturing Process.
Made of 100% recyclable plastic.

All manufacturing scrap parts are reground at our factory and recycled into other products.
Unlike the metallic shopping carts, no chrome plating processes are involved in the manufacturing of the Polycart, therefore it avoids entirely the use of chromic acid, hydrochloric acid, nickel chloride, nickel metal, nickel sulfate or sodium bisulfate and the corresponding residues.
The manufacturing process of plastic injection molding involves and efficient and responsible use of water, which is only intended for the refrigeration of the moulds in a closed circuit. No toxic substance is ever dumped to the water.

It has a longer lifespan, is easier to clean and recycle, and is safer for children.

RM: How did the Polycart come about?

JR: Shopping carts were invented in 1937. And little has changed since then. We are a plastic injection moulding company with lots of experience. Mr. Morcillo and Mr. Pamies, the owners of Polycart, recovered a former project by adapting the product working together with specialists from several countries and optimizing the production process to launch a new shopping cart worldwide at a competitive price. We are positive that the Polycart will change the way people look at shopping carts specially concerning maneuvering, effort and sustainability.

RM: Is the Polycart available now, and, if so, where can people find it?

JR: We started working in may 08 with two different models P220 and P180 which have been available since January 09. We launched the Polycarts starting in Spain at a couple of major retail chains and we also provided with Polycarts to some retailers in Poland. We have representatives and distributors in many countries such as Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Switzerland, Turkey, Venezuela, The United Arab Emirates and The United Kingdom who are dealing with the major retail companies in order to start providing them with Polycarts.

RM: How have people responded to the Polycart?

JR: Thanks to the feedback we have received from many people, (customers, distributors, representatives, experts and final users) we have worked on continuously improving the design and features of the Polycarts. Our customers have been able to check and confirm the benefits the Polycarts provide to themselves as well as to their final users, so we are growing.

RM: If there is one message you would like to tell people about the Polycart, what would it be?

JR: We make shopping carts that are designed to be better and safer for the final users, the retailers and the community.

Thank you Juan!

I never even thought about shopping carts and all the heavy metals and materials used in manufacturing.

Juan D. Ribes grew up in Madrid where he studied economics. He studied abroad in Oklahoma and now resides in Valencia where he works for the Polycart Group.

Holiday Green Guide: Interviews with Green Business Owners

Interview with Tim Magner

Tim Magner is an author of Children's Books at Green Sugar Press who educates children about the environment and encourages them to get outdoors.

RM: As an Author, how did you decide to start Green Sugar Press instead of having your books published with a traditional publishing company?

TM: After reading a few contracts with old school publishers and seeing what they offered, I went the other way. I didn't want to print in China. I didn't want to wait two years for a book to be published. I wanted to reach an audience outside just the bookstore. Finally, I wanted an opportunity to give a few books away and to sell at big discounts to school children, especially ones that don't own any books.

RM: What inspired you to start this business?

TM: I wanted to spend more time with kids again. I had jobs working with kids, beginning with high school at Loyola Academy. Once I "grew up" and began wearing a suit-and-tie, I still spent some time with kids, e.g. Big Brother Big Sisters, school boards, tutoring. Being with kids is more fun.

RM: Did you write any books before Green sugar Press?

TM: No, but I did write, as a history major at Boston College, a keeper of journals and a letter writer to newspapers and elected officials. That being said, I wrote children's stories for a few years before releasing the initial ones. It took a while to produce any that I felt were good enough.

RM: What are your goals for Green Sugar Press?

TM: 1. Get kids fired up to play outside. Nature engages the senses in ways electronics never can.
2. Make sure kids grow up understanding how nature works.

RM: What's happened since you started Green Sugar Press?

TM: I've been given an opportunity to meet many of the millions of people that are doing work for good. To change mindsets takes time and it will be generational. But what is being done, and the progress we are making, is inspirational and keeps me optimistic.

RM: What's next?

TM: School visits for Kindergartners through sixth grade. With the younger kids, I mostly get them excited about how cool nature is. With the older kids, I spend most of the time with the challenges of writing. Plus, we're working on further developing the Teacher's Guide for An Environmental Guide from A to Z. It's full of activities that help teachers incorporate nature nearby into the curriculum. And we've got a matrix which links the activities to IL State Standards 1-27. Send me an email at http://www.blogger.com/tim@greensugarpress.com if you're interested in setting up classroom visits.

RM: If there is one message you want people to take from your books, what would it be?

TM: May I have more than one message?
1. Unstructured outdoor play is a lot of fun (and an important part of healthy childhood development).
2. Nature teaches us everything we need to know to live better.

RM: Tim, is there anything else you'd like to say?

TM: The 21st century is the most exciting time in the history of the world to be alive. Things are changing for humans faster than ever before. We're moving past the "make-take-waste" system of the Industrial Revolution and toward a system where we mimic how nature works. We'll cycle our nutrients and run off the current energy of the sun. Sure, the forces of the status quo are powerful, but the tide is turning. Education is essential.

Thank you Tim!

Tim Magner grew up North of Chicago and spent summers at his grandparents' homes in Michigan and Wisconsin. He lives here in Chicago now where he is close to his seventeen nieces and nephews. Tim also has about 1,00 red wigglers living under his kitchen sink happily eating his garbage.

You can find his books, for toddlers, kids, and preteens, at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Green Genes, The Bookstall, The Green Grocer, and True Nature Foods. They can also be purchased online at Amazon.com.

Holiday Green Guide: Interviews with Green Businesses

Interview with Harry Rakfeldt

Harry Rakfeldt owns his own business and is a Direct Distributor of AMSOIL Synthetic Lubricants, helping people drive as green as they can, with their conventional cars.

RM: When did you become an AMSOIL Direct Dealer?

HR: I’ve used these products for over 29 years, but didn’t begin to ‘work the business’ until some 12 years ago.

RM: How long has AMSOIL Synthetic Lubricants been around and how would you describe them?

HR: AMSOIL was developed in the early 1970's by A. J. Amatuzio. In 1972 AMSOIL premium synthetic engine oil was recommended for up to one year or 25,000 miles between changes. That was a quantum leap in technology. They are the most advanced lubricants on the market today; they significantly outperform conventional products in all applications and criteria.

RM: What makes AMSOIL Synthetic Lubricants environmentally responsible?

HR: From cradle to grave, AMSOIL synthetics tread more lightly on the environment. First they do not use crude oil; we immediately have resource conservation. Because synthetics perform much longer than conventional products, fewer products overall are produced for a given customer’s needs. There is less packaging, less resultant waste, less disposal, less handling, less time and inconvenience, and less energy used in production, distribution and in use.

RM: So how did you get involved with AMSOIL?

HR: Having been associated with advanced technologies during my naval career, it was logical that when I learned about synthetics and their virtual night-and-day performance improvements over conventional products, I became a user because I wanted the best products available and later wanted to provide insight to others that there is an option to regular oil that benefits people and planet.

RM: What are your goals as an AMSOIL Direct Dealer?

HR: First, make people aware that there is a viable option to regular oil. Second, convert as many as I can away from conventional oil. Third, make people feel good about doing good when using AMSOIL synthetic lubes, The Right Environmental Choice.

RM: What is the one message you would like to give people about your business?

HR: AMSOIL – It’s How to be GREEN – even save money -- with OIL!

RM: Any Holiday gift suggestions?

HR: Surprise someone with or give yourself an AMSOIL (drive green) oil change for the Holiday. And for those who have larger inventories of cars, boats, equipment and I will show them how to buy at Wholesale as a Preferred Customer – direct to the Factory.

RM: Harry, anything else you'd like to tell readers?

HR: When we strive for conservation and efficiency in many areas, shouldn’t we look for the same in our lubricants? Yes. Yet, the common thinking is that ‘all oils are created equal.’ Fact: They are not. The “best” oils are man-made synthetic hydrocarbon lubricants. Let me show you how and why true synthetic oils are superior to traditional petroleum oils. Then it’s your choice.

Thank you Harry!

You can contact Harry at 877-4-TOP-OIL (486-7645) or www.syn-lubes.com, www.4topoil.com

Harry Rakfeldt lives with his wife Marlene and cat Sasha, in Belfair, Washington on five acres of forested land.

Green Holiday Guide: Interviews with Green Businesses

Interview with Dennis Salazar

Dennis Salazar is the President and Co-Founder of Salazar Packaging, Inc. along with his Wife, Lenora Salazar.

RM: Your company is Salazar Packing, but aren't you also known by another name?

DS: Yes, we are best known for our Globe Guard Product line, so many people know us by that name.

RM: What inspired you to make the Globe Guard product line?

DS: As a career packaging person I saw our industry being the primary focus and in most opinions, culprit of our environmental woes. As an industry we deserve much of the criticism and Salazar Packing, Inc. saw an opportunity to correct and repair that image by making eco friendly packaging products available and affordable to anyone who wants them.

RM: What are your company's goals?

DS: We like to think we are bringing the green and packaging communities together through product development, market knowledge, and education of both communities. We spend a lot of time overcoming misconceptions and dispelling myths about green expectations versus packing capabilities.

RM: How have things changed since you started your business?

DS: The economy has forced green packaging products to be price competitive and that is a very good thing. Manufacturers and suppliers who felt they could insist on a "green premium" have come to understand that though most people want to use green products, few are able or willing to pay an up charge for that effort.

RM: What's next?

DS: Innovation is the key. We try to keep our fingers on the proverbial pulse of the green community so we can determine where they are headed and get there as quickly as possible with our products and solutions. A great example is the resurgence of glass packaging for use on organic products. Glass is the preferred primary packaging but it creates unique shipping problems compared to the plastic containers it usually replaces.

RM: If there is one message you want people to take from your business, what would it be?

DS: That we sincerely care and are eager to help other people and companies who are as enthusiastic of protecting the environment as we are.

Thank you Dennis!

You can contact Salazar Packaging, Inc. at www.GlobeGuardProducts.com or www.SalazarPackaging.com. They service many types of companies from Fortune 500 companies as well as small start-up, home based companies. They are members of Green America and the Chicago Sustainable Business Alliance. They have recently been nominated for Green America's 2009 Green Leadership Award.

Dennis was born and raised in Chicago and now lives in Plainfield IL. with his wife, kids and dog Gateway, just two miles from his warehouse.

Green Holiday Guide: Interviews with Green Business Owners

Interview with Maria Onesto Moran

Maria Onesto Moran is the Owner and President of Green Home Experts, an eco-friendly building and home supply store at 823 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL.

RM: Maria, what inspired you to open Green Home Experts?

MM: I’ve always had a tough time finding green products for my own home, so I wanted to open a store that was a one-stop shop for all things green.

RM: Tell me about the kind of products you carry.

MM: We specialize in eco-friendly building and home supplies, offering green alternatives for everything in the home. Our products vary, but we concentrate on the following:
Made of recycled and/or recyclable materials
Made of renewable resources
Water or energy efficient
Non-toxic
Made with biodegradable ingredients
Not tested on animals

RM: When did you open?

MM: Green Home Experts opened in February, 2008.

RM: How have things changed, if at all, since you started?

MM: Oh gosh, I could write a book about this. I’ve never been so exhausted—or happy—in my life. The store has experienced tremendous growth since we opened, offering a larger variety of product. The community looks to us as the go-to source of information and product. We really enjoy answering people’s questions, helping solve their problems, and offering green alternatives for every day living.

RM: What's next?

MM: We’re looking to expand to personal care products and possibly add a shopping cart to our website.

RM: What's the one message you would like to give to people?

MM: Always trust your gut.

RM: Will you have any special products available for the holidays?

MM: Yes! We are rolling out the holiday products which include
Recycled glass ornaments; A variety of holiday gift soaps; Cutting boards made from locally reclaimed lumber; Messenger and grocer bags made from recycled plastic; Bamboo business card holders

Thank you Maria!

Maria Onesto Moran lives in Forest Park with her husband and two pitbulls, Butkus and Mia. She loves spending time with her dogs and working on her 95 year old house when she isn't at Green Home Experts helping other people with their houses. Green Home Experts is open Tuesday through Sunday at 10am, closing at 7pm T - F, 4pm Sat, and 2pm Sun.

Local Green Holiday Guide: Where do you live?

Friends of the Recycle Me Blog, I will be adding more interviews from the West Coast, particularly the Seattle, WA and Southern California areas because I know many of my readers are from those areas.

Most of my interviews are from businesses around Chicagoland because that's were Recycle Me is located.

If you live somewhere else and want to hear about Green Businesses in your area, or know a Green Business I should blog about, please contact me at alix@recyclemeorganictees.com with that request so we can get them in here!

Thanks!

Holiday Green Guide: Interviews with Green Business Owners

Interview with Andrew Baker

Andrew Baker is the Owner of Drew's Eatery, located in the North Central neighborhood of Chicago, at 2207 W. Montrose, where you can find yummy, healthy and satisfying treats any time of year.

RM: When did you open Drew's Eatery?

AB: March 14th, 2009.

RM: How would you describe your Eatery? What makes Drew's Drew's?

AB: It's an eatery with an emphasis on Organic, Local, and Natural foods. What makes it Drew's is that we offer a healthier choice for life's simple pleasures, using eco friendly packaging and to go supplies. Our menus are printed on brown paper bags and we take time to find environmentally responsible alternatives for our everyday supplies.

RM: What inspired you to start this yummy Eatery?

AB: When I lived in San Francisco for a couple of years I learned a lot about local and organic foods and just became more ecologically aware. That's just how I think about things now.

RM: How have things changed, if at all, since you opened last Spring?

AB: More and more customers who come in are educated and aware of their environmental impacts. We have a lot of families who are regulars here because it is important to them to raise their children in a healthy, more environmentally aware manner.

RM: What are your goals through your business?

AB: To make a difference while making a profit.

RM: What's next? Long term I would love to expand, but today it is day by day, building our business and getting the word out about Drew's.

Drew's Eatery serves items such as vegan and all natural beef hot dogs, vegetarian and meat chili, so it's a place where families and friends with different dietary palates can all be happy together. They also serve seasonal treats like pumpkin ice cream and a pumpkin non-dairy cream. And did I mention their food is delicious?

You can visit Drew's Eatery Tuesday through Sunday at 2207 W. Montrose Ave. You can also become a fan of Drew's on Facebook. You'll get updates on different seasonal treats, FB promotions, and invitations to some wonderful local artisan openings hosted by Andrew.

Mr. Baker grew up in Palm Springs, CA. He currently resides in Logan Square with his partner David Vail of Hazel Inc. (just East on Montrose) of 17 years, who share their pad with dogs Rocky and George.

Green Holiday Guide: Interviews with Green Business Owners

Interview with Jen Khatchatrian the Eco Chic Organizer

Jen Khatchatrian is the Author of www.EcoChicOrganizer.com and founder of www.ChicagoGreenFamilies.com, which she started in 2007. You can find environmentally friendly social events in Chicago for the holidays or any time of the year on her blog www.EcoChicOrganizer.com.

RM: What is your green business, in this case, businesses?

JK: I am the author of www.EcoChicOrganizer.com, a blog about stylishly going green with urban kids. I also created www.ChicagoGreenFamilies.com, a social organization dedicated to connecting families to conservation. We adopted 2 Chicago beaches this year with the help of the Alliance for the Great Lakes and the Chicago Conservation Corps.

RM: What inspired you to start these businesses?

JK: I created the blog because I didn't find a place for eco friendly luxury for families that had balanced humor with education. I created Chicago Green Families because I could not find an eco friendly summer camp for my kids. The first year we connected with families with three different summer camp classes, and this year we focused on water conservation.

RM: What are your goals?

JK: My goal for the organization is expanding to different neighborhoods within Chicago to showcase the benefits of stewardship in our own communities. We are planning on expanding the number of beaches in our water conservation program next year and would love to assign Board positions to finalize the 501c3 status. I also love to share EcoChic tips with families.

RM: Have you received any awards?

JK: In addition to getting my Chicago Conservation Corps Leader designation, I have been featured on WLIT-FM, A Fresh Squeeze, NBC Live Green Series and have been chosen a Green Hero of Chicago by Greenwerks.

RM: What's next?

JK: Increasing participation and making a bigger impact.

Thanks Jen! Before starting her Green Organizations, Jennifer Khatchatrian was a freelance writer. She resides in the South Loop with her husband and two kids. To get involved or contact her you can email Jen at chicagogreenfamilies.com.

Green Holiday Guide: Interviews with Green Business Owners

For the next several weeks we will be interviewing Green Business Owners about their business, products, or services in an effort to get you thinking green for your holiday shopping. Today is our first interview.



Interview with Author Jill Ammon Vanderwood.

Jill Ammon Vanderwood is an award winning author, writing children's books and non-fiction stories. In March, 2009 her book, "What's It Like, Living Green? Kids Teaching Kids, by the Way They Live." was published.

RM: Tell me about about your book "What's It Like, Living Green?"

JV: My book is a compilation of stories from families who live green, kids who are making a difference for the environment and tips as simple as putting on a sweater, rather than turning up the heat. It's not, just kids telling other kids how they live and teach by example. "What's It Like, Living Green" is a 148 page nonfiction book, for ages 9 and up.

RM: What inspired you to write this book?

JV: On the thirtieth anniversary of Earth Day, I began to wonder if we had made any difference for the environment in all those years. I was inspired by my neighbor, Nicole, who filled up the whole back of a pickup to recycle her aluminum cans for cash for Christmas presents. I was also inspired by my younger sister, Jeanette, who drives an older disel Mercedes fueled by used cooking grease.
One night I fell asleep with these ideas in mind and woke up the next morning with the idea of "What’s It Like, Living Green?" I knew that kids are the ones to teach this concept to other kids. My search began for kids and their families who live green.

RM: What have you learned from writing this book?

JV: Wow! I’m embarrassed to say how much I’ve learned. I was still drinking bottled water when I began this book, but that ended abruptly. We started a compost, increased our garden, and canned more this year. I would be at Garden Green level on the green scale now, but…even though I have a fuel efficient car my next step—is to drive less.

RM: What is the most important message you hope comes across from "What's It Like, Living Green."

JV: I think the most important message is that everyone can change something to make a difference. People aren’t expected to change everything all at once. Take one green step and then the rest will follow.

RM: Please tell us about your book awards.

JV: "What’s It Like, Living Green? Kids Teaching Kids, by the Way They Live", is the winner of three national book awards: The National Indie Excellence Award—in the ‘Green’ category; The Teen Development Award—in the Pre-teen/nonfiction category; and the National “Best Books 2009” award in the Environment: Green/Alternative Energy/Conservation" category.

RM: Where can we purchase your book?

JV: You can find my book through Amazon.com or you can order through your local bookstore.

Thank you Jill! Mrs. Vanderwood grew up in Portland, Oregon with 7 sisters and 3 brothers. She now lives in Utah with her husband, Bill, frequently making up stories for their grandchildren.