Eco-chickagoan Event!

Chickagoan - the go to website for all things healthy, wealthy, and wise for the ChicKago woman - is hosting the "Eco-Chickagoan: Incredibly Healthy Organically Fabulous" event on Tuesday, November 16th, at Bull and Bear, downtown Chicago.

This first annual event connects Chickagoan women with green living vendors for some organic drinks, eco networking, and green education!

Part of the Chickagoan mission is to encourage the women of Chicago by connecting and sharing with other Chicago women. And here is your opportunity - at the FREE event where you will find other Chickagoans who are interested in healthy, spiritual, active lives in the City.

There will be raffles and prizes as well as eco goody bags for the first 25 guests. Bring a friend, bring a colleague, and join your peers at Bull and Bear on 431 N. Wells from 6pm - 9pm. Check out the local green scene and find out what's going on!

Green Holiday Guide: Interviewing Green Business Owners

Interview with Ellen Sternweiler, Owner of Bellybum Boutique, and mother of three.

RM: Ellen, tell me about Bellybum Boutique.

ES: Bellybum Boutique opened in February, 2009. We are an eco-conscious store devoted primarily to Mama Bellies and Baby Butts (specializing in Maternal Transition, Nursing and Children's Wear; Cloth Diapers; Gear & Accessories) and the pre-and-postnatal and parenting resource and education center.

RM: What sorts of products and services do you offer at your boutique?

ES: Overall, we offer healthy lifestyle choices and education—fostering moms (pre and post natal) and parents to make informed decisions for themselves and their families. All of our bath and body products, most of our children's wear, and as much of our mommy wear and parent gear are all-natural, organic or eco-friendly products. I also go out of my way to carry as many locally produced products as possible, as well as supporting other small businesses, work at home moms and globally conscious companies.

RM: What has been your biggest challenge in running your boutique?

ES: The economy has been the biggest factor since I opened. Opening in the middle of a recession was not exactly part of my business plan. The whole thing is a constant learning experience. Every day brings new challenges and rewards.

RM: What is the main goal of Bellybum Boutique?

ES:To help moms feel good about themselves and provide much needed resources and support to those that face challenges before, during and after their pregnancies. As well, I want to empower parents in our community—through education and knowledge. I want to encourage them to make healthy choices for themselves and their families—while providing a place where they are respected for the choices that they make.

RM: What's next for you and Bellybum Boutique?

ES: A more robust support network for families with children with developmental differences. We are also introducing our new "swop and stock" night—a once-a-month, shopping night where parents can bring in their old cloth diapers to trade or donate for a discount. Used diapers will be donated to a shelter for pregnant, at risk, youths, where we will be doing cloth diapering education.

Thanks Ellen!

Bellybum Boutique is located in Chicago's Northcenter neighborhood at 4347 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL 60618. They are open Wednesday through Monday. Check online for details regarding hours and the many wonderful programs and resources offered at this eco boutique.

Ellen Sternweiler grew up in Cleveland, Ohio and now lives in Lincoln Square with her husband, 3 kids (Jonah 6, Elijah 5 & Hannah 2) and their Chocolate Lab (Mazy). When she isn't helping other families, she likes to spend time with her own.

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 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!

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.