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Articles by Kait Spielmaker
One of the Many Ways to Become a Walkability Advocate
By Laura Groenjes Mitchell In March 2014 I got a new job in downtown Denver, about 5 miles from my home. I had a hybrid schedule and on the days I was required to work from the office, parking cost $10-$20/day (depending on how far I was willing to walk to the office after parking). It seemed really wasteful to spend so much money to store my car nearby while I worked when I could be spending that money on lunch from a nearby restaurant (or on other, more fiscally responsible choices).
Ready for Safer Vehicles for Pedestrians?
How to speak up in support of new USDOT regulations USDOT wants to hear from you! There are not one, but TWO opportunities to speak up supporting new regulations to make vehicles safer for pedestrians. Right now, America’s top traffic safety authority has two proposals on the table: one to rate cars based on how safe they are for pedestrians, the other to require new cars to have life-saving technology that detects pedestrians and applies the brakes before hitting someone.
The Freedom to Move Series
To read this blog in Spanish, click here. When we think about walkability, we often focus on physical surroundings – the streets, public spaces, and amenities that make walking and rolling safe and accessible. However, for those who feel exposed or unsafe due to intolerance, harassment, or threats of violence, walkability is denied.
Congressman Raskin Leads Call for Safer Vehicles for Pedestrians
Pedestrian fatalities on our roads are at a ten-year high in the United States and larger cars and trucks contribute significantly to this crisis. Now, 32 members of Congress are calling on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to update vehicle safety ratings so they take into account protections for people outside of vehicles.
The Movement to Decriminalizing Walking Notching More Wins
Denver is the latest place to eliminate harmful “jaywalking” laws that are enforced unfairly. By Angie Schmitt The movement to decriminalize walking continues to make rapid progress. Decriminalizing Walking in Denver The latest place to join the decriminalization movement is Denver, Colorado (population: 700,000), where City Council voted 10-3 to strike jaywalking from the city’s codes last week.
It’s Time to Embrace ‘Deinfluencing’ Car Culture — and Gen Z is Leading | MATR
“Influencer Culture Is Ruining Modern Generations: If we don’t stop somewhere, things are only going to get worse.” The same sentiment can be applied to the culture of a car-centric world. Gutting the status quo is the only path forward.
WEBINAR: Trends in Transportation for 2023
With Janette Sadik-Khan and David Zipper Pedestrian deaths are rising, cars, SUVs, and light trucks are getting bigger, there has never been more money for infrastructure, and more DOT’s are claiming they ‘get it.” What does it all mean for 2023? Are we regressing, turning the tide, or even progressing?
Walkability Is About the Details, Not the Size of the City
Posted October 6, 2022 in Blog By Mike McGinn Sometimes people think that walkability is about big cities, but really it is about neighborhoods and places. A small town can have a great walkable and rollable core. And a big city can have horribly hostile places to people outside of cars. It comes down to the details – calm streets, accessibility, mixed uses, trees, plazas, sidewalks, a welcoming attitude, and more.
WEBINAR: The Week Without Driving campaign
Posted October 5, 2022 in Blog, Webinars WEBINAR: The Week Without Driving campaign What it is, why it matters, and how to do it in your community The Disability Mobility Initiative just completed its second and very successful Week Without Driving campaign to draw attention to the transportation needs of non-drivers.
How Your Wellness Routine Could Be Hurting Local Livelihoods
When wellness is mass-produced and commercialized, a lot of the origin and reason for practice gets lost in the messaging. Take palo santo, my favorite aroma of all time. Palo Santo is a tree species found in Central and South America. While it is not technically endangered at an international level, some local palo santo habitats are destroyed for commercial use. Palo santo was originally harvested from dead trees that had fallen naturally and part of native spiritual practice.
A Year of Living Low Waste and a Transformative Mindset
Low waste on the hiking trail Part 9 – A Transformative Mindset By Kait Spielmaker It has officially been one year since I began my waste reduction journey. Recognizing issues in the world around me such as overconsumption, convenience of single-use items, and litter overtaking our oceans and hiking trails is what ignited my drive to pursue this. This past year has been transformative, shifting my mindset to a more conscious lifestyle; being low-waste has become an innate part of my routine.
Savor Sunday: Feel Good Foodie's Golden Milk Turmeric Latte
On this Savor Sunday, we’re featuring Feel Good Foodie‘s decadent Golden Milk Turmeric Latte from Yumna Jawad. This easy recipe is chock full of ingredients that strike the perfect balance between providing health benefits, while also being completely delicious in the process. Photo of Yumna Jawad of Feel Good Foodie.
The Impact of the Border Wall to Southwest Indigenous Lands
It’s mid-October and I’m driving west along the border of the U.S. and Mexico near Yuma, Arizona on the way to San Diego. It’s the first time in my life I had ever seen the U.S.-Mexico border—the same place where the weight of everything I know about its environmental and social implications (particularly for Indigenous communities), sunk in. The past year has lifted the veil and revealed to many people the numerous inequities that exist within this country.
Why Nature Should Remain Secret
The unexpected consequences of geotagging By Kait Spielmaker What is Geotagging? If you are someone who is tuned in to the 21st century and the role that social media plays in our everyday life, you probably notice the interactive Instagram feature that allows your photos to be tagged at a specific location. If you are not so technologically inclined, geotagging (or tagging) is an Instagram tool that allows you to tag a specific spot such as a restaurant, city, or hot springs.
Simone De La Rue, Celebrity Trainer, Shares Health Tips for the New Year
With the new year comes an abundance of personal resolutions and dreams—and while most are created with good intention, the real challenge is in maintaining these goals beyond January. Celebrity trainer and fitness expert, Simone De La Rue, wants to help people create effective habits for a well-rounded lifestyle that are manageable all year.
How President-Elect Joe Biden Plans to Tackle Climate Change
Joe Biden is going to be the 46th President of the United States. There is no argument that we will see many changes as the transition from a Trump to Biden White House takes place. The stances held by each administration are in stark contrast to one another on virtually every issue. Trump rolled back over 100 Obama-Era environmental protections, such as opening up protected land for oil drilling. Biden is making climate change one of the top issues to address when he takes office.
Cruz Farms: From The Farm to Your Table
This advertorial has been sponsored and paid for by Cruz Farms. Cruz Farms is a fourth-generation, family-run farm that’s committed to natural and sustainable farming. The farm’s mission is to produce high-quality, pasture-raised eggs and to grow the finest herbs and fruits that help to not only nourish families, but the greater community as a whole.
Green Living Magazine Holiday Gift Guide for the 2020 Season
In Green Living‘s Sponsored Holiday Gift Guide, we compiled some of our favorite local businesses to help you narrow your gift search this season. Corona Quartz Rare Halloysite Included aka Mango Quartz from Cabiche Unique to the extensively beautiful and quartz-rich terra of Boyaca, Columbia. Everyone who is re-awakening needs one. Activates the 7 and higher chakras, and accelerates our journey to all the planets and asteroids, and helps tap into the collective truth.
Celebrate 10 Years with Sustainable Solutions from Green Living
Home Good Celebrate 10 Years with Sustainable Solutions from Green Living Living a green lifestyle isn’t just about making conscious choices or supporting eco-friendly brands—it’s about finding ways to make living green more fun through sustainable solutions, and empowering others to do the same in the process. At least, that’s our belief here at Green Living.
How to Reduce Waste in Your Holiday Gift Giving
For our third installment of Green Living‘s Sustainable Holiday series, we’re breaking down how to reduce waste in your holiday gift giving this year. This past year has been a struggle for most of us, and while we might not be celebrating the holidays as we have in years past, there is no reason we can’t spread holiday cheer. In the fashion of all things eco and sustainable living, we have compiled different ways to share gifts—zero waste style.
Why You Actually Shouldn't Recycle Gift Wrap
Recycling paper is good right? Usually, yes—but recycling gift wrap might actually cause more harm to the Earth than good. Consider implementing some gift decorating alternatives this holiday season. The holiday season is upon us, and that means it’s officially time to start gathering gifts to put under the tree. For as cheery and beautiful as the holidays can be, they’ve also proven to be incredibly wasteful—particularly over the last few years.
This Giving Tuesday, Support These 5 Sustainable Organizations
Part of giving well is actually giving to organizations and charities that are effective in their approach to supporting causes—and who put your donations to good use, in the process. On this Giving Tuesday, here are five sustainable organizations to support: Seeding Sovereignty This Indigenous and womxn-led conservation organization seeks to diversify the environmental movement through focusing on systematically oppressed communities.
Sponsored Content: In Cottonwood, You Are Welcome Here
Cottonwood is the heart of Arizona Wine Country. It isn’t just because of its perfectly situated location, close enough to Sedona, just down the road from Page Springs, or at the bottom of the hill from Jerome. It’s the location along the banks of the Verde River, the base of Mingus Mountain, and the center of high desert terrain with a unique climate, making a perfect mix for the science and art of wine making.
Tips For A Sustainable Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving will undoubtedly look a little different this year. But as we make accommodations to our celebrations in the hopes of combatting the spread of COVID-19, we should also be sure to adjust our typical holiday habits to help combat another growing issue within our world that deserves just as much attention—climate change.
Very Vessl - Green Living Magazine
Vessl™ is truly a unique product—one that CEO Walter Apodaca is excited to share with the market, and one that has drawn GRAMMY® Award-winning singer, songwriter, producer and global artist Miguel to join the team as a creative advisor and sustainability ambassador. What is Vessl? It is a patented, pressurized dosing and dispensing system in the form of closure or bottle cap, which automatically propels and instantly mixes concentrated ingredients into a base container.
October 2020 Cool Outrageous Stuff
Say ‘Om’ Need to de-stress from the holidays? Get your Om on in an eco-friendly way when you use this mat from Corc Yoga. Corc Yoga’s 100% sustainable yoga mats are completely natural and biodegradable, and contain zero rubber or plastic. And, thanks to its honeycomb structure, cork is the ultimate anti- slip surface, as well as naturally resistant to dust and bacteria. It’s also lightweight, making it the perfect travel companion and space saver.
Brands We Love: Kate's Real Food
While Wyoming-based adventurer, Kate Schade, was balancing a life made up of skiing, working, and constantly being on-the-go, she found herself in need of an energy source that could preserve her spirit and ensure that she showed up as her best self everyday. The food industry is made up of a number of different energy bars and refined granola brands—but while many make big promises on the quality of their products, their ingredients often tell a different story.
3 Things to Expect From This Week's TEDxGreenStreet Event
The TEDxGreenStreet discussion series is set to take place this week, in collaboration with Countdown—a global initiative that works to champion and accelerate solutions to the climate crisis, turning ideas into the action. The goal is to build a better future by cutting greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030 in the race to a zero-carbon world—a world that is safer, cleaner and fairer for future generations.
September 2020 Cool Outrageous Stuff
The Case to Ditch Plastic Guided by their mission to create a waste-free future, Pela has created sustainable and eco-friendly phone cases that are 100% compostable. Although most modern cases are made from plastic that will end up hurting our planet, the Pela phone case will help our planet thrive and recuperate from the harm it has endured. Additionally, Pela donates its time and resources to important causes that help clean and protect our oceans and coastlines.
August 2020 Letter from the Editor
August is typically our back-to-school issue, so this was a difficult issue to write (you’ll notice we don’t have a ton of stories on the subject!). While we worked on this in June and July, and when we went to press, there were still many discussions about what the upcoming school year will look like. This personally affects me as well—I have two school-age kids.
Back to School (Kinda): Cool Outrageous Stuff
Back to school, well kinda, it looks much different this year, but here are some Cool, Outrageous, and eco-conscious essentials for the upcoming year, be it in person or virtual. From Mother Earth, for Mother Earth Bee’s Wrap has found a way to eliminate single-use plastic wraps and bags. Made from sustainably and ethically sourced ingredients such as organic cotton and beeswax, its products are washable, reusable, and compostable.
Climate Justice - Raising Awareness and Creating Equity for All
Photo by Kait Spielmaker By Kait Spielmaker They say that hindsight is 20/20. When we look back on this moment in history, is that what we will say? Within 2020 specifically, we have seen just how vulnerable we are in the wake of a pandemic, raising questions of our resiliency to existential threats in our society, such as climate change.
Scottsdale's Historian, Joan Fudala, on History and Best Scottsdale Spots
As schools start up again—some online, some in- person—one lesson to remember is that not all educators teach in schools. For some, the community is their classroom. One such educator is Scottsdale’s Joan Fudala, who for three-plus decades has robustly served her city and the Valley as an author, communications executive, lecturer, preservation advocate, historical consultant, and member of numerous commissions, committees, and nonprofits.
Good for the Belly
Good for the Belly Mama’s Lil’ Mocktail Recipe courtesy of Suzette Smith, founder of Garden Goddess Ferments, www.gardengoddessferments.com Ingredients 4 oz. Ginger-Lemon Kombucha 2 oz. cranberry juice 2 oz. Pick Up the Beet Juice 1 squeezed lime Directions Pour kombucha, cranberry, and Beet Kvass in a glass, spritz with lime, and there will be no hangover. This drink is a fun and refreshing probiotic soda that even the most discerning palates will approve of.
Sustainable Swaps for Back-to-School (or Home)
his hidden Tempe gem is the epicenter for upcycling aficionados and zero-wasters. Founder and Executive Director Sherrie Zeitlin and her team divert tons of materials from the landfill (paper, paints, fabric, bottles, containers—almost anything imaginable) and offer it for reuse to artists, educators, nonprofits, and the general public, completely free of charge. The Art Resource Center (ARC), located at 910 S.
How to Celebrate National Wildlife Day
Our planet—and the wildlife it supports—deserves love every day. But since today is National Wildlife Day, it’s the perfect excuse to practice even more gratitude for the incredible and abundant wildlife that surrounds us. Our planet boasts an array of unique animals and diverse species that deserve protection and freedom.
4 Ways To Have an Eco-Friendly Labor Day Weekend
Photo Courtesy of Eric Nopanen on Unsplash Labor Day weekend is the perfect opportunity to bid adieu to summer—between neighborhood block parties, family barbecues, and even final dips into the backyard pool, it feels like the beautiful transition that leads us into the fall season.
The Mental Benefits of Yoga
Courtesy of Chelsea Gates on Upsplash By Tony Barrera Tony is a writer and editorial intern with Green Living magazine. Yoga has become increasingly popular in the last decade. People of all ages have noticed the positive effects that this practice has on their mind and body. However, this practice is not new whatsoever. In fact, it is believed that the origins of yoga date back to nearly 5,000 years ago. So, why are more and more people turning to this discipline in modern times?
How to Celebrate National Wildlife Day
Photo by Solen Feyissa on Unsplash. By Kyley Warren Our planet—and the wildlife it supports—deserves love every day. But since today is National Wildlife Day, it’s the perfect excuse to practice even more gratitude for the incredible and abundant wildlife that surrounds us. Our planet boasts an array of unique animals and diverse species that deserve protection and freedom.
Sustainable Swaps for Back-to-School (or Home)
his hidden Tempe gem is the epicenter for upcycling aficionados and zero-wasters. Founder and Executive Director Sherrie Zeitlin and her team divert tons of materials from the landfill (paper, paints, fabric, bottles, containers—almost anything imaginable) and offer it for reuse to artists, educators, nonprofits, and the general public, completely free of charge. The Art Resource Center (ARC), located at 910 S.
Back to School (Kinda): Cool Outrageous Stuff
Back to school, well kinda, it looks much different this year, but here are some Cool, Outrageous, and eco-conscious essentials for the upcoming year, be it in person or virtual. From Mother Earth, for Mother Earth Bee’s Wrap has found a way to eliminate single-use plastic wraps and bags. Made from sustainably and ethically sourced ingredients such as organic cotton and beeswax, its products are washable, reusable, and compostable.
Good for the Belly
Good for the Belly Mama’s Lil’ Mocktail Recipe courtesy of Suzette Smith, founder of Garden Goddess Ferments, www.gardengoddessferments.com Ingredients 4 oz. Ginger-Lemon Kombucha 2 oz. cranberry juice 2 oz. Pick Up the Beet Juice 1 squeezed lime Directions Pour kombucha, cranberry, and Beet Kvass in a glass, spritz with lime, and there will be no hangover. This drink is a fun and refreshing probiotic soda that even the most discerning palates will approve of.
Scottsdale's Historian, Joan Fudala, on History and Best Scottsdale Spots
As schools start up again—some online, some in- person—one lesson to remember is that not all educators teach in schools. For some, the community is their classroom. One such educator is Scottsdale’s Joan Fudala, who for three-plus decades has robustly served her city and the Valley as an author, communications executive, lecturer, preservation advocate, historical consultant, and member of numerous commissions, committees, and nonprofits.
August 2020 Letter from the Editor
August is typically our back-to-school issue, so this was a difficult issue to write (you’ll notice we don’t have a ton of stories on the subject!). While we worked on this in June and July, and when we went to press, there were still many discussions about what the upcoming school year will look like. This personally affects me as well—I have two school-age kids.
Cutting Sugar From Our Diets
Sugar cane plants. By Ric Coggins The USDA’s first nutrition guidelines were published in a farmers’ bulletin in 1894. As science expanded and food lobbies became involved, the guidelines also evolved over the years.
Climate Justice - Raising Awareness and Creating Equity for All
Photo by Kait Spielmaker By Kait Spielmaker They say that hindsight is 20/20. When we look back on this moment in history, is that what we will say? Within 2020 specifically, we have seen just how vulnerable we are in the wake of a pandemic, raising questions of our resiliency to existential threats in our society, such as climate change.
Sustainability Students Offer Their Take on Environmental Issues
By Rachel Lee With more and more students studying sustainability in school, a mutual sense of responsibility has emerged from the youth to advocate for a more sustainable future. For this story, I had the opportunity to speak with three students who are studying sustainability at universities throughout the country. These individuals are exemplary of our generation’s disposition when facing these unprecedented challenges.
Zac Efron’s Netflix Series ‘Down to Earth’ Explores Sustainable Travel
Summary: In Netflix’s new limited series, Zac Efron travels the world to learn about global climate solutions. By Kyley Warren Netflix’s new limited series “Down to Earth” features actor Zac Efron in the role of television host, as he travels the world with wellness expert Darin Olien in search of understanding how different cultures interpret sustainable living.
Battery Electric Vehicles and Why You Should Consider Them
You read Green Living Magazine. You try to live a greener life. You recycle waste, have a smart thermostat, maybe you eat less meat, buy local, and have made other sustainable lifestyle changes—yet you still drive a gas-powered car. But there is that nagging feeling that you are polluting the air everywhere you drive and that you are contributing to climate change by burning fossil fuels.
Gardening in Arizona’s Summer Heat
The best options for a thriving garden By Rachel Lee Gardening has a variety of benefits for our health and the environment. When planting produce, you not only know where your food is coming from, but you get to reduce the number of trips made to the grocery store, and, you get to eat fresh-picked items, that offer the most nutrients. Adding flowers to your garden is great too, as it attracts bees and birds to your backyard and provides shade for other plants.
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