Skinny Bitch: The Ultimate Everyday Cook book

I'm not a Vegan, but I'm open and I love FOOD. A few weeks ago there was a cookbook taste test for Kim's next book, Skinny Bitch: The Ultimate Everyday Cookbook. Many compliments to Chef Nori's creations. Thanks Laura and Chasidy for joining:)

Eco- Holiday gifts

My friends and family know me so well and that is why I got a new SIGG bottle from my roommate and an eco-coffee mug from my cousin. Great way to bring in the the NewYear!

WE love Veggie Grill

I have to admit I have the best of friends always looking out for me. My gal pal Victoria introduced me to Veggie Grill and it was pretty tasty. I recommend the Sweetheart fries and the Carne Asada protein-style.

A Day without a BAG

Just a friendly-green reminder about a day without a bag. Read more about this event at healthebay.org

Recycling on the move

It pays to recycle.

The rePLANET concept has been developed by TOMRA as a solution specifically designed for the deposit system framework established in the state of California.
rePLANET accepts CRV (California Redemption Value) aluminum cans, glass bottles, and plastic bottles rePLANET provides a clean, safe and convenient place to recycle CRV containers
Containers can be redeemed automatically with the TOMRA reverse vending machines available at the centers rePLANET also has Recycling Specialists on hand to assist you during daytime hours.

To find your nearest rePLANET center, click here - or call toll-free 1-877-737-5263 for more information about rePLANET recycling centers in California.

~ The above information was quoted from www.replanetusa.com

Get your Beauty on with BUDDHA NOSE

I can't get enough of Buddha Nose Lip Balm. It's made with certified organic sunflower oil, hemp seed oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil, aloe vera, beeswax, and the organic essentail oils of lemongrass, lime and ginger root as well as non GMO tocopherol (vitamin E). Click on the link and get yours today! http://shop.buddhanose.com/?Click=12

Giving Back on Thanksgiving

This year on Thanksgiving Steven and I served the senior citizens of Santa Monica. Thanks to the restaurant Back on Broadway for giving back!

Bringing some GREEN to Nine Zero One Salon

Doesn't matter where you are in the world, GREEN travels! I'm bringing some green with me to Nine Zero One Salon in West Hollywood and I'm so excited. Stay tuned and check out my new home at ninezeroonesalon.com (310)855-9099

FRIEND-ly Green Tip

Every now and then my friends give me some food for thought. I thoroughly enjoyed eating Foie Gras surrounded by cotton candy the other night at the Bazaar restaurant. However, we must not forget that there can be some animal cruelty that occurs during this process. Thanks Sheila! Read more at farmsanctuary.org and nofoiegras.org

My parents are GOING GREEN

This is an example of my parents taking some environmental responsibilty. They have intergrated solar lighting into their landscaping and the set up was really easy.

Green meets Girl is back to GREEN

Although Breast Cancer awareness month has come to an end, the search for the cure never ends. Last Month with the help from my sponsor Pink Link marketing, Coco de Ville, along with Playboy Radio hosts Jessica Hall and Brandie Moses, gift bags, raffle donations, camera crew, sherburne photography, and plenty of guests we were able to raise almost $2,000 for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. The PINK party was an amazing event and 100 percent of the proceeds from the PINK-tini drink were donated! Thanks again to everyone who supported the event.

Green meets Girl meets WORLD

While visiting friends in Canada, Blake and Lindsay Angier, I came across a "BUY LOCAL" campaign. It's nice to know that these campaigns not only exist in Santa Monica, CA. I had to add this picture of us gals because it was during our wine-tasting tour where I came across this campaign.

From Brentwood to Newport Beach

Yes, that's a mini palm tree attached to my bike. I'm wondering if this could be considered "bringing a little green" to Newport beach? If not, at least it's an Eco-way to accessorize.

Green Meets Girl featured in the Santa Monica Mirror

Vol. 11, Issue 15
Sustainable Works Annual Fundraiser: A Fun Raising Night!
Tim Broughton, Mirror Contributing Writer
The evening of Thursday September 10th saw the annual Sustainable Works Fundraiser, at The Writer’s Boot camp at Bergamot Station in Santa Monica. Under the banner of “Tomorrow Starts Today,” it turned out to be a highly successful, and fun shindig for the many interested parties in attendance. The core of the evening was a silent auction of a huge variety of goodies donated by dozens of local businesses and artists, whilst the main stage was the setting for speeches, awards presentations, and entertainment.
The introduction of the evening’s presentations was performed by Lisa Harrison, Development and Program Coordinator for Sustainable Works, who did a sterling job of cajoling the large crowd to attention after they had been engrossed in feasting from the delicious organic buffet and wine (everything in the building on the night appeared to be natural or organic, thus preserving the eco thrust of the organization). There were many speeches presented, including a sincere declaration of appreciation by the Executive Director of Sustainable Works, Barent Roth.
The evening’s entertainment was furnished by the hilarious comedic observational commentary of Jake Johannsen, who provided welcome levity and laughs about a topic that normally is wrapped in a resolute blanket of austerity. Later on in the evening the crowd swayed, wobbled, and danced to some cool grooves courtesy of KCRW DJ Michael Barnes.
The awards presented on the night were in recognition of outstanding efforts in the following trio of Sustainable Works programs pertaining to enhancement, eco-awareness, and energy conservation.
BUSINESS GREENING PROGRAM
Nicole Leal
The Doves Salon
Outstanding Achievement for Sustainable Businesses
RESIDENTIAL GREENING PROGRAM
Scott O’Brien.
The Green Life.
Outstanding Achievement for Sustainable Communities.
STUDENT GREENING PROGRAM
Yohanan Ermias Bekele.
Former Santa Monica College Student who attends UCLA as Geography/Environmental Studies Major.
Outstanding Achievement for Sustainable College Campuses.
The event was also attended by staff from Senator Fran Pavley’s office, and it was announced that Sustainable Works would be working with the Senator to “green” her office in the very near future.
The Sustainable Works evening resulted in the raising of several thousand dollars (exact amount unavailable at time of going to press), that will be used to further their mission to continue to conduct environmental education and outreach in Santa Monica, and the greater Los Angeles area.
smmirror.com

Drink a beer and recycle...

Look what my roomie Amber came across at the Puiallup, Washington Fair...

Green Meets Girl turns PINK!I

It's National Breast Cancer Awareness month and how are you getting involved? For the month of October I will be donating $1-5 for every client that comes in the salon and gets a hair service by me. Donations will be given to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. For more information visit http://www.komen.org/

Oh, and I'm auctioning off my wig. Bid starts at $50 and all proceeds will go towards the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

The Online Carbon Footprint

Why does reducing our carbon footprint have to be so complicated? My roommate ordered herself a new pair of UGG's online and although most of the packaging is recyclable, why even package it at all? Wouldn't the boots in the box be enough? Is packaging excessive? The plastic bag states that it's biodegradable, but that remains debatable...

All about Green Guys Media...

This is what Green Guys Media had to say about me...

Get a haircut...clean the ocean!
Ever wonder what happens to your hair after you get a trim at the salon? In most cases it simply ends up in our waste streams. But, for a progressively green selection of salons that are starting to turn up, their hair trimmings are cleaning up our oceans and our beaches.
A company called Matter of Trust is on the forefront of this movement. They are currently working with a variety of hair salons across the country, taking their hair trimmings and turning them into “oil spill hairmats”. When the hair trimmings are collected they are weaved into highly adsorbent mats (as in "clings to" unlike absorbent which is to "soak up"). These mats are used on beaches and oceans across the country to clean up oil spills.
Have you ever noticed how greasy your hair can get? I know I have. But then again, I rarely shower. Gotta keep it green! The reason human hair gets so greasy is because it is very efficient at collecting oil. While this may be considered slightly unsanitary for some, it makes human hair ideal for cleaning up petroleum spills. These hairmats are also very efficient for drip pans during oil changes or under leaky cars, and as booms for storm drains. After the hairmats are used they are broken down and used as fertilizer. That is some truly effective recycling!
I have to give a shout out to the person who introduced me to this very cool process, Nicole Leal. She currently works at The Doves Studio in Santa Monica, where she, with the help of the salon’s owner Sonya, implemented the collection of hair trimmings and distribution to Matter of Trust. Nicole is an active environmentalist/blogger/hair stylist/make-up artist and all around awesome person I recently met at the 2009 Sustainable Works “Tomorrow Starts Today” Fundraiser, where she was recognized and awarded for her tireless environmental efforts. For more on Nicole check out http://www.greenmeetsgirl.blogspot.com/ and http://www.nicoleleal.com/. She flippin rocks!


By Erik Lingvall - Green Guys Los Angeles, Everywhere U.S.A.

http://www.greenguysmedia.com/blog/2009/9/18/get-a-haircutclean-the-ocean.html

Giving Back...One-class-at-a-time!

Not only am I a hairstylist, but I also teach color/haircutting classes. For every class that I teach through the Doves Academy a portion of the proceeds gets donated to a non-profit of my choice. Not only are the stylists that attend my classes getting exposed to the newest trends, but they are also giving back. My Sept. 20th, 2009 color/haircutting class supported Sustainable Works. Thanks again to Bruce and Kimi and the many other stylists who will have the opportunity to support several non-profit organizations to come!

Green T at the Sustainable Works Silent Auction

Thanks Green T for the info...

Nepalese Teen Creates Cheap Solar Panel From Human Hair
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Sep 09, 2009 09:00 am. Written by Rochelle Bailis
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Malin Karki, an 18 year old student from rural Nepal, was inspired by a Stephen Hawking book to harness static energy from hair, using melanin as a conductor. After creating several hair-powered prototypes that charged a cell phone and battery pack, Karki created a solar panel that uses human hair, rather than more expensive silicone, as a conductor. Karki’s creation could slash the price of solar panel production dramatically, and help bring affordable and renewable energy to developing nations—hair is, after all, a renewable resource that could be replenished by the owner of the panel as it wears out. To read more about this incredible discovery, see this article at the Daily Mail.

Green Meets Girl is an Eco-Star!

I was honored the Sustainable Works Eco-Star Award at the Sustainable Works Fundraiser!!!Since the Doves salon opening in 2007, I have been an inspiration and leader in making our business green! I have organized monthly salon beach clean-ups for the adopt-a-beach program and have dedicated a lot of my time to teaching our team how to save energy and recycle materials with the help of the Santa Monica Sustainable Works team. My dedication to the environment doesn’t stop when I leave the salon.

I took this picture at the funraiser and you'll never believe what this ballgown is made of... TRASH (marine debris)! For more information check out these links:

a.k.a. Anne Shackman

http://www.washedup.us/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fd_nf65vZ4

Nicole Leal on Santa Monica CityTV's "Be Green"

Eco-Fashionista: TOMS shoes

If you haven't heard about TOMS shoes, it's not to late. For every pair of shoes you buy, TOMS will donate a pair to a child in need. Shoes start around $44 for men and women. If you're not into the shoes they also carry some really cool apparel. The best part is that they also give away a pair of shoes for every shirt, sweater, or hat you buy. Check them out at tomsshoes.com

Eco-Gifts

Thank you Sheila for my eco-gift! This all-in-one basil kit is amazing. Everything you need is included (soil, seeds, and a growing pot). I'm looking forward to having basil in a couple of weeks.

Got LETTUCE?

Over the summer I have been growing lettuce in my patio. It's convenient, easy and taste great in sandwiches.

The Green Life- Sustainability WEEK

On Friday, September 25th we will be entering every client who comes in for a hair service in a raffle for a $50 giftcard for the Green Liffe Eco-Boutique located at 2409 Main Street in Santa Monica. Visit thegreenlifeco.com

Sustainable Works- Sustainability WEEK

On Thursday, Sept. 24th we will be hosting a Green Living 101 workshop for Sustainable Works from 6:30-9:30pm.
To register please visit:
www.SustainableWorks.eventbrite.com

Heal-the-Bay for Sustainability WEEK

On Wednesday, Sept. 23rd the Doves Studio will be donating 10% of all hair service
profits to Heal-the-Bay. Visit healthebay.org

American Forests- Sustainability WEEK

On Tuesday,Sept. 22nd the Doves Studio will be planting a tree for every client that comes in and gets a hair service. Check out americanforests.org

Forte Animal Rescue- Sustainability WEEK

Want to adopt-a-pet? The Doves Studio will be hosting a pet-adoption for Forte animal shelter on Sunday, Sept.20th from 11-5pm. Check them out at farescue.org

Sustainability WEEK at the Doves Studio

Currently, I have been taking the salon through a "Business Greening Program" thanks to Sustainable Works. This organization focuses on how to live sustainably in the areas of water, waste, energy, transportaion, buying & purchasing and travel. During the week of Sunday, Sept.20th- Sept.25th we will dedicating an entire week to Sustainbility. Check out what we have planned on the above postings...

Bootcamps for the Orphans in Zimbabwe

My friends Berny and Tucker Sides Hosted this:

Here's a win-win fundraising for everyone. Your sweat and hard work will be truly earned, not just for your overall health, but towards helping orphan children in Zimbabwe. We are trying to raise money to support a team of missionaries to Zimbabwe, Africa (called the Golden Harvest Community Project). This team of missionaries will be holding a camp for young children at an orphanage on "creativity" and "leadership."

Zimbabwe, a country with the world's highest inflation rate, lowest life expectancy (34), with over 10% of residents, orphaned children under age 14 (and 100,000 child-headed households), is an extreme example of a country with failed leadership. The key drivers of this project is Productivity, Sustainability, and Leadership.

Check out the Golden Harvest Project and awaken.org

The Cove Movie

Former dolphin trainer Ric O'Barry ("Flipper") came to realize that these deeply sensitive, highly intelligent and self-aware creatures must never be subjected to human captivity again. His mission brings him to Taiji, Japan where, under cover of night, fishermen driven by a multi-billion dollar dolphin entertainment industry and an underhanded market for mercury-tainted dolphin meat, engage in an unseen hunt. The nature of what they do is so chilling—and the consequences are so dangerous to human health—they will go to great lengths to halt anyone from seeing it. So O'Barry joins forces with filmmaker Louis Psihoyos and the Oceanic Preservation Society to get to the truth of what's really going on in the cove and why it matters to everyone in the world. With the local Chief of Police hot on their trail and strong-arm fishermen keeping tabs on them, they recruit an Ocean's Eleven-style team of underwater sound and camera experts, special effects artists, marine explorers, adrenaline junkies and world-class free divers who will carry out an undercover operation to photograph the off-limits cove, while playing a cloak-and-dagger game with those who would have them jailed. The result is a provocative mix of investigative journalism, eco-adventure and arresting imagery that adds up to an urgent plea for hope.

(Information taken from the Landmark movie theater site)

Visit them at thecovemovie.com or takepart.org/thecove

Got TREE?

There is nothing better than going over to my parents house and picking fresh lemons and limes. Oh and oranges and grapefruits. It's never to late to plant one of these trees if you can.

First "green" street in Santa Monica

Bicknell Avenue Green Street – Grand Opening Event

Please join the City of Santa Monica in celebrating the opening of its first “green” street, a street that has numerous features to harvest stormwater runoff and its pollution, and infiltrate it into the ground, keeping runoff pollution out of the Santa Monica Bay. The project was funded by the State Water Resources Control Board and the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission, and the City’s Measure V Clean Beaches and Ocean Fund.

The opening will consist of a short presentation by City representatives including the Mayor and Council members and the state funding agencies, to be followed by a walk-through and explanation of the watershed features, including climate-appropriate plants, drip irrigation and solar-powered irrigation controller, and the finale, a rain simulation where we will observe how runoff passes along the road and into the various harvesting features.

Green Meets Girl MEETS Playboy Radio

Jessica Hall, the host of "The Morning After" on Playboy Radio invited me on her show as a guest. My topic: Being Green in the Bedroom. Here's a top five list of how you can do your part. ENJOY!

#1. Just in case you need something to get you in the mood, why not start with VeeV, which is an alcoholic spirit. What makes this green? Well, for starters it's a neutral carbon company and for every bottle sold they donate a $1 to the Rainforest Preservation.

#2. Roll around on bamboo sheets. Bamboo is one of the world's fastest, greenest, most renewable resource.

#3. Conserve water by showering together, but remember not to leave the water running if you move to the bedroom.

#4. Purchase the Earth Angel, which is the World's First Green Technology Sex Toy. If the Earth Angel is to high-tech for you, please use rechargable batteries for your vibrators.

#5. Consider using Organic Lubricants. I have heard great reviews about a brand called Good Clean Love.

Being Green at the Doves Studio in Santa Monica

I have taken the role as the Green Ambassador at the Doves Studio, or as Natalie Horton would say, the Green Goddess. By the end of the year we will have completed the "Greening program" through Sustainable Works. Sonya is focusing on all recyclable items, Christopher is making sure to use Eco-friendly cleaning products and Melissa and Rachael are getting ready to take the packaging materials to the post office so that they can reuse them. Here are a few pics of some of our weekly Eco-friendly duties.

Adopt-a-Beach Program

Join the Doves Studio for the last beach clean-up for the summer!
Where: Meeting location at the Doves Studio
2000 Main Street, Santa Monica
When: Sunday, July 19th
Time: 5-6pm
Just bring yourself and dress appropriately. For additional information and directions call the Doves Studio at 310.399.7654 or find us online at thedovesstudio.com

Junk in the Trunk

I live in Brentwood and you would think that my apartment building would have a recycling bin. Well, it doesn't. So, every week I carry my recyclable items to work with me and recycle them in the bins there. I know I probably look like a bag lady, but taking a little social responsibility is that important to me. I reuse the paper bags, but an even better alternative is to keep all recyclable items in a plastic container. So, then you are always reusing the container.

My monthly "Green" read

I just finished reading In Defense of Food: An Eaters Manifesto by Michael Pollan and I think you can get some quick insight by just reading the Introduction. My top five favorite qoutes from the book were:

#1. "Dont' get your fuel from the same place your car does." (p.192)

#2. " They point out that in 1980 less than 10 percent of Americans owned a microwave; by 1999 that figure had reached 83 percent of households. As technology reduces the time cost of food, we tend to eat more of it." (p.187)

#3. "Don't eat anything your great grandmother wouldn't recognize as food." (p.148)

#4. "We are becoming a nation of orthorexics: people with an unhealthy obsession with healthy eating." (p.9)

#5. "As long as the new fake foods were engineered to be nutrionally equivalent to the real article, they could no longer be considered fake." (p.36)

This book overall allows for a consumers voice and provides you with some food for thought.

ECO- Fashionista: JBrand Jeans

Thanks to Ms. Laura Crogan, I'm in love with my JBrand Jeans. The best part about JBrand is their "Green Label". According to JBrand, "Green Label is made with 100% organic cotton with washes that use vegetable dye to reduce the ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT." Go to JBrandjeans.com and check out the Green Label. It's never too late to be fashionable and eco-friendly.

Drinking VeeV and being eco-friendy...

If you haven't tried VeeV you're missing out. My gal pal Kasey Blaustein has introduced me to probaly one of the best spirits out there in my opinion. VeeV is one of the first acai spirits. The company is carbon neutral and eco-friendly. The best part is that $1 per bottle goes to Rainforest Preservation. GO ONLINE TO VEEVLIFE.COMDrink responsibility and don't drink and drive!

B.Y.O.B is that easy!

So for those of you who haven't jumped on the bandwagon of bringing your own bag when you shop, it really can be easy. I just received this reusable bag from Heal the Bay and what I love about it is that it folds up into a medium size wallet and is small enough to throw in my purse. I now have no excuses for forgetting my reusable bag when I shop.