The Monthly Newsletter of greenlight magazine

At greenlight magazine, we're collecting good ideas for our Winter issue and wonder if readers have some interesting approaches to Holiday entertaining, decorating and gift giving—traditional, festive, all that and earth-friendly as well.

I know that in my own family we've used living trees, large and small. You only need so many 75-foot Monterey pines and 2-foot dwarf spruces out back. We've also used natural greens from the garden, pine boughs, holly when we have it, California toyon (wish we had more). My kids have often used recycled newspaper comics to wrap gifts – more out of last-minute, no-plan panic than for ecological concerns, though.

What about you? Please send along any of your family's earth-friendly holiday ideas and (hopefully) see them inside greenlight.

• Inspiring new book
• How powerful a car?
• Saving the neighborhood
• Dreamy fresh tomato soup
• Find an eco-job
• Before you paint

It would not do justice to Laurie David's valuable new book -- Stop Global Warming: The Solution is You (Fulcrum Publishing, 92 pages, $9.95) -- to make too much of the charming and hilarious foreword written by her writer/comedian husband Larry David. But we can't resist directing you to the three pages in which he charts Laurie's progress from a "materialistic, narcissistic, superficial, bosomy woman from Long Island" to a "gal on a mission."

Laurie David's book is only 96 pages long, clear and easy to read whether she's explaining the science of climate change or the making of her own activism -- she founded StopGlobalWarming.org and the Stop Global Warming Virtual March. Among the many useful sections of the book are the list of resources, books, DVDs, and web sites that offer great depth on the world's climate crisis. David's message is most practical and down to earth in the chapter called "What you can do," in which she deals with plastic bags, paper clips, chargers, and all of life's daily nitty-gritty. For more about her family's everyday green life, see greenlight's fall issue.

Tip from www.greencar.com

For years, auto ads have emphasized performance rather than economy. This has encouraged buyers to opt for larger and more powerful engines without considering their unintended consequences. If you need more power for towing or hauling large loads, then bigger may be better. However, if your needs are commuting or general family duty, then you should consider a model's standard engine.

• All things being equal, the smaller base engine is generally the more efficient one. Models like Nissan's 2006 Altima and Honda's 2006 Accord provide good examples. The Altima's 2.5-liter four-cylinder base engine and the Accord's 2.4-liter both offer all the power one could possibly need for everyday driving.
• We should know. We have put more than 10,000 miles on each of these cars and both offer spirited driving characteristics.
• Stepping up to an optional V-6 engine loses 9% fuel economy in the Nissan and an eye-opening 18% in the Honda. And the larger engine option costs many hundreds of dollars more as well. Is it worth it? You be the judge.

– Ron Cogan, Green Car Journal

In your corner of the world, I'm sure there are groups and individuals doing more than their share to preserve and restore the planet. We'd love to hear about them by email. For example, in my area I can look up to the hills (actually the Santa Cruz Mountains, with elevations up to nearly 4,000 feet) and see dense chaparral, towering redwood forests, sparkling streams, wildflowers – with little of the crammed-together homes, cars, roads, shopping centers, and typical rat-race of the rest of the urban Bay Area. For this, we owe lots of thanks to Peninsula Open Space Trust. For nearly 30 years, POST has worked to protect the landscapes that give character to the region and the kind of open space that recharges our souls. What's the secret?

Under the leadership of President Audrey Rust since 1987, POST has preserved about 55,000 acres of land on the peninsula south of San Francisco. This has been accomplished using various conservation methods, often transferring land that POST acquired to other conservation buyers, such as public agencies and private individuals. No doubt it takes money. POST raised $200 million for its campaign to save the coast.

A fabulous new acquisition is the Driscoll Ranch, 3,681 acres of sprawling ranchland with grazing cattle, creeks, osprey, rolling grassy hills, the whole deal. POST bought the ranch four years ago, and recently transferred it to a local open space trust. Stay tuned for the day when the ranch trails open, and the public can experience a glorious piece of Old California.

Wherever you leave, please look in on POST to see what a dedicated, talented (and well financed) group can accomplish. And please let us know about similar success stories in your area.

In most parts of the country, fresh tomato season is winding down rapidly. But tomatoes just picked from the garden or farm – especially the intensely flavored organic ones – may be at their very best right now. How about celebrating the season’s end with flavorful fresh soup you’ll dream about all winter?

Here are two easy fresh tomato soups, one hot, one chilled, from Organic.org.

Italian Tomato Soup

For 4 servings:

• 2 Tbs. olive oil
• 2 Tbs. unsalted butter
• 2 carrots, scraped and finely diced
• 2 celery stalks, finely diced
• 1 large onion, minced
• 2-1/4 lbs. ripe tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped
• 2 Tbs. parsley, chopped

Heat the oil and butter in a heavy nonreactive saucepan over medium heat.

Add carrots, celery and onions.

Sauté for about 20 minutes or until very tender.

Add tomatoes and simmer 25-30 minutes. Stir in parsley and salt and pepper to taste.

Maria's Gazpacho

For 4 servings:

• 3 medium tomatoes, peeled and chopped
• 1/2 cup cucumber, seeded and chopped
• 1/2 cup green bell pepper, chopped
• 2 green onions, sliced
• 2 cups low sodium vegetable juice
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/4 tsp. hot red pepper sauce
• 1/2 tsp. dried basil
• 1 Tbs. lemon juice

Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

Mix thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for 3 to 5 hours.

For more recipes and tips, see Organic.org. This site is also a helpful source on food safety, especially news related to the recent problems with fresh spinach and E. coli. 

Q: Can you recommend any sources that list earth-friendly job openings? —Amy Jones

A. There are several online sources dedicated to connecting job-seekers with earth-friendly or socially responsible jobs.

Some list a broad array of employers that are considered socially responsible, such as Care2 JobFinder or Sustainable Business.com’s Green Dream Jobs. Others stick to a stricter definition of “environmental jobs,” listing primarily policy, engineering, and scientific jobs. If you are a college student or a recent grad, an excellent resource is The Environmental Careers Organization, a nonprofit organization that helps build careers in the environmental field through hands-on, paid internships. Other resources are the Environmental Career Center, GreenBiz.com, and OrionOnline.

According to a 2004 study by ECO, the environmental sector is seeing a surge in jobs, so it’s a good time to start the search. – Sharon Beaulaurier

Read more everyday questions and answers in our Fall issue.

Tip from GreenHomeGuide.com

Traditional paints contain many contaminants that harm indoor air quality. When shopping for "green" paint, make sure that the levels of VOC (volatile organic compounds) are measured after the tints are added. Look for paints approved by Green Seal, or consult GreenHomeGuide's green paints directory for recommendations.

See GreenHomeGuide.com for more tips on painting and other helpful home advice.

In the Fall 2006 issue of greenlight magazine: Real-Life Green Cars · Halloween Ideas · Greenest Airline? · Composting Made Easy · A Better Bathroom · Cozy Cashmere · Healthy School Lunches and Treats · Laurie David's Green Life · Top 10 Earth-Friendly Best Sellers · Click to Read!

Editor's Picks

The people speak: How to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

How sustainable is your city?

Snack bowls - choose jazz or rock

Toon Toonz creates art from recycled cans

Skateboard ramps become elegant deck chairs

Intense chocolate from organic beans

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