In Memoriam: Craig Winters

In Memoriam: Craig Winters, Oct. 1, 1951 - July 3, 2009

Craig Winters, the founder and principal driving force behind The Campaign to Label Genetically Engineered Foods, passed away July 3, 2009, in Seattle, Wash. after a long bout against cancer. Winters was an activist who worked for years to educate people about the problems surrounding "Frankenfoods," and coordinated with Sen. Dennis Kucinich's office to introduce legislation that would require genetically engineered foods to be labeled.

Winters was a co-founder of Citizens for Health, a co-founder of The Campaign to Label Genetically Modified Foods, and established the first chapter of Earth First in the country.

On a personal note, Craig was responsible for introducing me to the movie, The Future of Food, by Deborah Koons Garcia. He was a true champion of real food.

Support Local Farmer's Market

Click on the link below to vote for your favorite farmer's market. They could win $5,0000. If you don't have a favorite please vote for the one that I manage, the Cagan Crossings Farmer's Market, in Clermont, Florida.

Action News Jacksonville Goes Green

Kudos to fellow green comrade and Girls Gone Green founder Julie Watkins for her part in the new Going Green section of the Action News CBS 47/FOX 30 website.

Meteorologist by trade and green guru by inclination, Julie is doing her part to bring the real green revolution to mainstream media. Not one to shy away from the controversial this green chica won't be duped by greenwashing on her watch.

Check out the site, you'll recognize some familiar visuals, and be sure to bookmark it and visit often. The more hits the better. Let's help the Girls Gone Green get that tv show slot.

Sustainable Florida Announces Finalists for 2009 Best Practice Awardsd

Sustainable Florida - Collins Center is a statewide organization committed to the balance of economic interests with the need to be socially and environmentally responsible. They are doing a great job of connecting green leaders in the state of Florida.

One of their annual projects is the Best Practice Awards. Now in its 11th year, the event solicits nominations, recognizes and honors businesses, organizations and individuals whose work demonstrates that a healthy environment and a healthy economy are mutually supportive.

Awards categories include Small and Large Business, Leadership, Non-Profit, Government, Business Partnership, and the Green Building. The Health Chic team is hoping to be nominated in 2010.

Honoring the recipients is only the first step. Promoting winning practices statewide is equally as important so that others may benefit from their accomplishments and ultimately implement similar or equally successful practices.

Sounds totally in line with the philosophy here at The Health Chic House. This year the award ceremony will be held in Orlando and the winners get to spend some time with Governor Charlie Crist.

Polk IS Florida-Friendly, one of our Earth Day sponsors has made it to the finals this year. We wish them lots of eco-luck!

Polk County Builders Association is the lead agency on the Polk IS Florida-Friendly program, a cooperative education project funded primarily by the Southwest Florida Water Management (another supporter of Earth Day) with additional funding from the Polk County Board of County Commissioners.

The goal of this program is to promote landscape best management practices by teaching the nine Florida-friendly landscaping principles to the residents of Polk County.

The program will create materials, including a list of plants specifically suited to Polk County’s climate and soil conditions. There will also be a touring map that will direct citizens to more than 15 publicly-accessible demonstration gardens around the County where the nine principles of Florida-friendly landscaping can be seen put into practice.

All materials created will be distributed free of charge throughout the County and will be made available for events and workshops. Along with our partners we will be hosting workshops and participating in community events. Materials will be available at the new Aromatherapy Home & Garden Studio inside The Health Chic House.

Improving School Lunches

As cloned meats, sugary breakfast options, and other nutritionally void foods continue to find their way into school lunches some parents are pushing back.

Improving school lunches can be a daunting task. Here are some resources that can save you time.

The Appleton school lunch program was featured in the film Super Size Me. Their manual A Roadmap to Healthy Foods in School is a detailed planning guide based on their success.

Cost is usually the first obstacle concerned parents will face when approaching their school about improving food options. A study by the University of Minnesota found that healthy school lunches don't necessarily need to cost more.

The National Farm to School Network helps connect local farmers and schools. Currently there are over 8,000 schools from 41 states participating in the program.

The Edible Schoolyard (pioneers of the Berkeley edible schoolyard gardens) share their many years of success with their various "how to" guides. This was one of the stops on the very first tour with The Health Chic Mobile.

Using Earth Day Principles in the Real World

Sunday, May 10th, Free
The Health Chic House

Did you miss Earth Day? Looking for a unique and useful gift for mom?

Plan to spend this Sunday at The Health Chic House and learn about the hottest trends in sustainable living.

11am- Rain Barrels
Create and install a rain barrel from start to finish then learn learn how to attach it to a micro-irrigation system. Hands on demonstration.
Barrels are available for $30 each.

Noon- Composting
Step by step guide to starting your own compost system. Workshop starts with the basics of composting kitchen waste, then transferring it to an outside compost system.

Advanced composting topics include incorporating earthworms into your system and using compost for lawn and garden.

1pm- Aquaponics & Container Gardens
Create an edible and sustainable backyard by incorporating aquaponic and container gardening systems. See a working system in progress.

This is an outside location. Bring a lawn chair, sunscreen, and hat.

This event is possible through a grant from the Alafia and Peace River basin boards of the Southwest Florida Water Management.

Earth Day 2009 at The Health Chic House Haines City

Save the Date!
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Eco-Greetings!

The 2nd Annual Earth Day Celebration at The Health Chic House will take place on Saturday, April 11th, 10am-7pm. There is already a full day of workshops and activities scheduled. See the list at Earth Day 2009.

We are currently accepting applications for vendors, workshop presenters, and entertainers. School/civic groups are encouraged to enter their Earth Day projects. Prizes will be awarded for creativity, content, and usefulness.

Visit the Photo Album to see the highlights from last year's event.

If you are interested in volunteering for the event, or for more information call Wendimere Reilly at 863-419-8584 or email healthchichouse@mac.com.