Permaculture Workshop This Sunday

We're offering only one workshop during the (often vacationing) month of July, but it's one you won't want to miss.

Permaculture for Easy Living

with Melinda Joy Miller from the Shambhalla Institute 
Sunday, July 13th

6:00 p.m. to  8:00 p.m.

@ All Shades of Green
$25.00


Permaculture design fits easily into modern needs for eco-friendly, green and sustainable design. This evening of discovery and discussion will explore how to use the principles of permaculture for an easier life, healthier land, and happier pets.

The lecture will cover the following:
· Definition & history of permaculture's sustainable technology.
· How permaculture aligns with feng shui.
· Solutions for building healthy soil.
· Placement of pets indoors or outdoors.
· Ways to attract butterflies and birds to your environment.
· What to place at the front door, kitchen or back door for easy living.
· Conscious landscape design that conserves water.
· Which plants offer good nutrition for you and your family.

Melinda Joy Miller has been studying permaculture and geomancy for over 20 years. She is a renowned feng shui master, medicine woman and cultural anthropologist with an extensive background as a sensorimotor-integrative therapist, with training in child and cognitive development. She founded the Shambhalla Institute in 1991 for the study and application of how environment directly impacts one's quality of life. Today the Shambhalla Institute has branches in Los Angeles, Orlando and Vancouver BC. Each branch offers eco-interior design, feng shui and shamanic consultations, training and retreats.

Contact Kim at the Shambhalla Institute for more information; call (323) 309-2945 or email kim@shambhallainstitute.com

Pre-registration is required, so please call us at the store to reserve your spot at (323) 665-7454.

Buzzing Off, Naturally

We've got some perfect strategies for keeping bugs away from your dinners at dusk, ones that don't contain harsh pesticides.

A kinder, gentler way to discourage bugs and mosquitoes from cramping your style outdoors is to use incense or candles that contain lavender, sage, lemongrass, or rosemary.

There's the DANI lemongrass/lavender candle in two different sizes (5.50 or 15.00).  Made from 100% soy, it's totally biodegradable and totally non-toxic, unlike conventional paraffin candles that have lead wicks and are made of petroleum, often doing more harm than good. DANI's are soot-free, insect-repelling ambiance.

We've also got an array of incense and incense holders to help in this department.  Choose from Maroma sticks in a variety of scents or our bundles of fresh, dried sage.  Not only will sage help deter pesky pests, but Native Americans have been burning it for thousands of years to help clear negative energy and lift the spirit.  It smells lovely, too!

Packing Lunch With a Punch

What better way to celebrate the outdoors than to eat there?  A picnic is great way to slow down, do something different and turn a meal into an event during a day of hiking, swimming, or camping, or on a balmy summer evening in your neighborhood. It's also a way to play around with creating a zero-waste eating experience.

We can help with that.

Whether you're truly picnicking or bringing a lunch for a conference or workday, doing it in style with little impact is truly easy and much more fun once you get the hang of it.  All you need are a couple of handy supplies that will last through years of packing and eating.

Like To-go Ware's  signature product, the two-leveled stainless steel food carrier (with an embedded plate) that allows you to carry food with you, keep it hot or cold, and keep your peach away from your pumpernickel.

If you're packing more than finger food, we've got bambu utensils sold separately or in sets for big hands and little ones.  Aside from being a fast-growing, sustainable plant, bamboo is super-lightweight and thus a convenient choice when you're hoofing a meal to work or up a mountain.

Check out the To-go Ware snazzy utensil set (chopsticks, fork, spoon, and knife) encased in a recycled plastic folding case (we've got sets in fabric, too):

Being a zero-waste eater means you're avoiding plastic, that convenient petroleum-product that ends up in landfills and waterways, harming everything and everybody all around.  By following the first "R" and reducing your consumption of plastic, you are helping to sustain the reusable revolution.

Americans toss out enough plastic cutlery each year to circle the equator 300 times. 

Want to know more? Find out at To-go Ware.

Celebrate the Outdoors!

Our theme at All Shades in July is CELEBRATE THE OUTDOORS.  We can't let our warm weather go to waste without some outdoor activities that connect us to nature, our communities, and each other.

Here are some resources that may come in handy as you plan your local outdoor excursions this summer:

*Heal the Bay's Beach Report Card: Heal the Bay tests our coastal waters monthly to let swimmers and surfers know if the beach they're frequenting is safe.  Each stretch of beach gets a grade, from A to F, according to the current bacteria levels.  Check here before the surf's up!

*TreePeople's Full Moon Hikes: TreePeople offers summer and fall evening hikes under a full moon that promise information about local flora and fauna and a good time had by all.  You can choose from a variety according to your fitness level or the age of your kids, should you bring them.  The next one is Thursday, July 17th. Learn more here.

*LAMountains.com: Full of parks, hikes, and bike trails, this is the online source for L.A. area mountain adventure planning.  Check it out here if you're cooking up a camping or wandering trip soon.

And for other outdoor celebrating, like picnics and concerts and barbecues, we've got all the stuff you need in the store.  Like what?  Reusable or compostable dinnerware, SIGG bottles galore, carry-with-you utensils and food containers, mosquito-repelling incense, and even the sustainable, stylish clothes (and walkable shoes) to wear while you're at it.

Summer Solar Barbecues

As things heat up and barbecues abound, we want to remind you of the solar cookers from Solar Cookers International that we carry at All Shades.

They're simple to use--all you need is a patch of outdoors and the sun.  You put your food in your pot, fold it into the paneled cooker and voila, in a few hours you've got a meal. You get all the benefits of cooking outdoors--a cool kitchen when you come back in and the fun of being outside, for example--without burning any fuels or creating any smoke!  Plus, it's a huge conversation starter if you've got friends around.

Read our original post about these handy culinary gadgets here.

And find out about the good work the company is doing providing safety, security, and environmental health to African families by providing solar cookers here.

Green Renovations With Our Design Center (and a deal for business owners)

If you're doing any renovating this summer, whether it be replacing a light fixture or re-imagining a whole room, we hope you'll consider making your renovation green.

By applying green building techniques you can save 30-50% in energy costs, create healthy indoor air for you and yours, and use resources wisely, leaving more to go around or stay where they belong in the first place.

If you don't know where to start, don't worry.  Natalie, our Green Building Professional at All Shades knows the ins and outs of sustainable design and can direct you to an eco-friendly home building product for almost any project you're cooking up.

Some of what's in our showroom:

*Cork, bamboo, and reclaimed hardwood flooring.

*Water-saving appliances and fixtures (low-flow toilets, showerheads, and faucets).

*Natural, sustainable cabinetry made from wheat, sorghum,  and sunflower seed hulls that doesn't contain formaldehyde.

*Countertops and vanities made from concrete, recycled glass, aluminum scrap, and bamboo.

*Energy-efficient lighting (LEDs and CFLs).

*Elegant, innovative eco-resin room dividers.

*Window treatments and shades made from natural fibers.

And, if you're a local business owner, we've got a special deal going on for tankless water heaters and dual-flush toilets through July.  Buy a Takagi tankless water heater or Caroma toilet, and get 15% off one or or 20% off if you get one of each.

As things heat up, energy and water costs go up with the temperature. With a tank/conventional water heater, for every dollar spent heating the water, only $0.62 is going to heating.  The rest, $0.38, goes down the drain, so to speak.

Tankless varieties use only what's needed for the job--wasting nothing.

Learn more about Takagi Tankless Water Heaters here.  

And here's the scoop on Caroma dual-flush toilets that save up to 18,000 gallons a year.

Bicycle Commuting Workshop Tomorrow!

We hope you'll join us for a timely workshop tomorrow.  With gas prices on the rise, there are more and more folks dusting off their bikes and braving the roads on two wheels to get to work.  If you want to find out all the ins and outs of how to bike commute in the city practically and pleasurably, come by and talk with an expert, Rick Risemberg of Bicycle Fixation.

Cycles of Continuance: 

Sustainable Transportation Using Bicycles or How to Bicycle Commute in L.A.
with Rick Risemberg of Bicycle Fixation
Saturday, June 28th
10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
@ All Shades of Green
Price: $20
Optional bike maintenance and accessorizing following the workshop.

Please give us a ring at the store for more information or to reserve your space. (323) 65-7454.

And, learn more about what you'll learn tomorrow here.

Water-Wise Living in the Heat of Summer

You may have heard these before, but the Summer Solstice is often a good time to check in and reflect on what's going on in your world, including as it relates to your environmental awareness and action.

So, here is the must-do list of water-saving actions to be sworn in as a full-fledged conservationist living in drought:

• Turn the faucet off when you brush your teeth. You'll save up to five gallons of water per day, depending on your brushing habits.
• Reduce your shower time--even cutting back one minute will save five to seven gallons of water every time!  (We've got the 4-Minute Shower Timer in the store for 15.50 to help you keep your commitment.)
  
• Most of our water use is outside, so plant drought-tolerant and native plants in your garden that don't need a lot of water to flourish.
• If you have a lawn you can't part with or are growing edible goodies, make sure to water in the early morning or evening before any moisture is lost to evaporation. 

For more in-depth water conservation, check back for future workshops on the subject or step into the store where anyone in an All Shades t-shirt can tell you everything you'd like to know.

California Baby Sunscreen

California Baby products are for California babies (and all other babies, no matter where they're from) as well as grownups with sensitive skin.

Take its sunscreen, which we've got in the store.  It's 30+ SPF for serious UVA/UVB sun protection, important for all of us and especially little ones whose skin is still thin and extra delicate.  

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that wee ones fewer than six months old stay in the shade, but if some sun exposure is unavoidable, non-chemical sunscreen like this is your best bet.  And, as they grow, California Baby goes with them.

It's made with organic ingredients, natural essential oils, and even has a built-in bug repellent (citronella)--perfect for beaches and baseball games.

The proof is in the research, and Skin Deep Database, an excellent project of the Environmental Working Group, gives California Baby a thumbs up with a zero hazard rating--a coveted, difficult kudos to earn.

So, if you're looking for safe, sensitive sun protection, look no further.

Eco-Travel Tip: Eco Tours

If you're planning a vacation, why not pick one that has an educational, ecological bent?  That way you can benefit from all the normal vacation pluses--time off of work, seeing new sights, no alarm clocks--but do so while learning from experts or exploring exciting places guided by folks who help you leave little trace.

The Better World Club is best known for being the only environmentally-friendly auto club. With them, you can get perks like discounts for having a hybrid and bike roadside assistance. Meanwhile, they'll donate 1% of their profits to environmental causes.

BWC also partners with eco-travel companies and destinations.

 You can browse a list of eco-tour possibilities here.  From Costa Rican rainforest treks to safaris to vegetarian travel tips to working on a farm in Honduras, you can take your pick of sustainable, stylish packages and places.

Before and After

So that you can see the full effect of the May "Slow It, Spread It, Sink It" Storm Water Workshops and project in the All Shades parking lot, we thought we'd bring you some of the before and during shots for contrast.

What a difference some know-how, shovels, dedicated people, fruit trees, and native shrubs will make for beautification, community engagement, fun, and--the main attraction--capturing and filtering rain water runoff.  We're super thankful and enjoying the payoff of hard work by those involved!

Many thanks to the Silver Lake Chamber of Commerce, the City of Los Angles Environmental Affairs Department, and Materials and Applications.  Get more information on the program here.

Parking lot before shots.

The process.

Results: a beautiful new rain barrel.

Results: fruit trees (loquat here), native shrubs, and pineapple sage--yum!

Eco-Travel Tip: Green Hotels

Another way you can be an eco-traveler is to stay in a certified green hotel.

What's are green hotels?  They're establishments--hotels, motels, and bed and breakfasts--using sound environmental management practices to reduce their impact (less energy, less waste) while saving money and providing what more and more of us are demanding: environmentally conscious lodging alternatives.

You can learn more from the Green Hotels Association here.

And, search their listings for a green hotel where you're going here.

If you can't find one where you're going, you can always ask about environmental practices like non-toxic cleaners, composting, and energy efficiency when you book your room.

Kids' Clothes

Some of our kids' clothing  is 20% at the moment, like enlightened designs from Mystic Monkey, so stop on in and check those out.

Plus, we've got loads of new summer clothes for tots, too.  We're crazy about Speeses threads (pictured throughout) for small ones that are made with organic cotton, low-impact dyes, no PVC, and are made by folks who are paid and treated fairly and well.  Read more about its practices here.

Ride the Rails Urban Expedition

C.I.C.L.E. (Cyclists Inciting Change Through Live Exchange) is working to create a bike-riding Los Angeles.  Cycling is good for the planet and the community, so it's encouraging all of us to hop aboard a two-wheeler during its monthly community rides and then stay on the seats for errands and work commutes in the weeks to come. (And, if you come by the  store on one, we'll give you 5% off your purchase.)

You can join some like-minded friends this Saturday for its Ride the Rails event during which cyclists will enjoy a leisurely tour of Downtown L.A.'s landmark rail and trolley lines--the stuff legends and movies have been made of since the beginning of the last century.

First stop: Union Station.  Last stop: Los Angeles State Historic Park.  In between: Angels Flight and historic neighborhoods Angelino Heights and Bunker Hill.

Here's are C.I.C.L.E.'s event details:

Where: Meet at Union Station, 800 N. Alameda St.
Who: C.I.C.L.E., M.T.A., Angels Flight Foundation, Angeleno Heights Trolley Line, Inc., California State Parks, and You!
When: Saturday, June 21, 2008 at 9:15am. Ride tour starts promptly at 9:45am.
How: Free!
What to Bring: A bicycle in good running order (please have your bike inspected and tuned at least once a year at your local bike shop). All participants under 18 must wear a helmet and be escorted by a parent or guardian. Children under age 9 should be on a tag-a-long, bike trailer, tandem, or other safe child-carrying device.

You can get more information on C.I.C.L.E. here.

How To Live Water-Wise In L.A. (in the heat of summer) Workshop

How To Live Water-Wise in Los Angeles (during the heat of summer)
Wednesday, June 18th
7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
@ All Shades of Green

$25.00

Here's what we'll be up to tomorrow night:

Staff Sustainability Coach, Deborah, and Landscape Designer of Swamp Pink, Gabrielle, will help you along the path to conserving water inside and outside your home.

Gabrielle has over 11 years of landscape design experience and as a Los Angeles native, she wishes to improve the health of our city by implementing water-wise landscapes. She's worked on an array of residential and non-profit projects with that principle in mind.  Take a peek at the work she does here.

With the first day of summer just around the corner (June 21st), we're here to help you think creatively and consciously about saving our most precious resource as you enjoy all that the heat has to offer.

Hope to see you there!

Please give us a call for more information or to reserve your space at (323) 665 -7454.