Green Festival: Planet Green
May 20, 2008
Reggie Brown, NBC5 Street Team
Well after eating all of that food, I had to work it off, and what better way than biking! In an attempt to bike fast enough to turn on three light bulbs, I learned about Planet Green. They’re a television network that works with different TV shows to promote greener living. I have to make this blog short — I’m still exhuasted from that ride. To learn more, check out www.planetgreen.discovery.com.
Marcus Riley, NBC5 Street Team (video)
So while we were strolling around the Green Festival, we ran into a group of students from the Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine program at National University of Health Sciences in Lombard, IL. I thought it looked like interesting stuff, so I interviewed one of the students while another performed an acupuncture procedure.
After we finished one of our groupies (yes, TV crews have groupies), suggested I do the interview with my shirt off while receiving a fire-cupping procedure. Whether she thought it would make for good TV, or she was looking for an opportunity to grope my bare back (which she did), I had to agree, it would make for a much better segment. So we re-did the interview, sans shirt.
Oh, by the way, you can get more information about Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine program at www.nuhs.edu. All of their treatments are natural and they don’t use any synthetic materials.
Green Festival: Totally Vegan
May 20, 2008
Reggie Brown, NBC5 Street Team
After Marcus spoke with one of the co-owners of Totally Vegan, he gave us some of the meals to sample. I’m not normally the vegan type, but it was awesome. I’d definitely suggest the sunflower seed pate, the raw carrot salad, the lasagna and the spinach quiche. But after he started talking about how much weight he’s lost, and how low his cholesterol is since he changed his eating habits, I knew we had to interview him again. For more information, hit www.totally-vegan.com.
Green Festival: A Couple Of Standouts
May 20, 2008
Fayth (aka Relaxocat), NBC5 Street Team
Green Fest was really exhausting as far as I’m concerned. So much information, so many people, and so many samples. I think I had enough flax seed to fill my Omega 3 Fatty Acid quota for the month. After all was said and done, there were a few standouts that come to mind to share with you.
Earth Paints Collection Systems – Ever wonder what to do with your unused latex paint other than leave it behind in your old apartment for the next person? One thing to do is bring it to an Earth Paints Collection Center where they will recycle it into 100% recycled, usable paint or turn it into an additive for other building products such as concrete. There’s a small fee for disposal, but it sure beats having old cans of paint around the house.
Greenmaker Supply Company – Co-owner Ori Sivan described the company as “Green Home Depot in the city.” Which is pretty accurate as far as I can tell. Greenmaker carries “energy intelligent”, environmentally sensitive, and healthy building products. Everything from construction products to kitchen and bath fixtures can be found at Greenmaker. If you’re looking for recycled glass tile, environmentally friendly flooring, or any number of home improvement products, check out Greenmaker.
Credo Mobile – I really wondered how a wireless phone company could be “green”. It isn’t so much that they are, but they help support environmental, humane and other charities through their mobile services. Running the on the Sprint network, you can get your service through Credo and have a percentage of your expense donated directly to charities included in the Credo group of charities. It’s not perfect for everyone, but the plans are simple to understand, include free “Credo-to-Credo” calling, and a number of other features. Best of all, your mobile phone can help you help a cause.
Green Festival: Peace Coffee
May 20, 2008
Reggie Brown, NBC5 Street Team
If there’s coffee around, I’m gonna drink it. I don’t care if it’s first thing in the morning to kick start my day, a quick cup before a work out, or a perfect accompaniment to my dessert, it’s going down. Walking around the festival was a little tiring so I followed my nose over to Peace Coffee and man am I glad I did. A lot of places claim to be ‘planet friendly’ or ‘green’ but this Minneapolis-based brand has really embodied the concept. For starters, their organic coffees come from free trade farmers in nine different countries around the world, each blend carrying their own distinct flavors, notes and characteristics. On top of that, all orders in the immediate Minneapolis area are delivered by bicycle and orders extending into the suburbs, by bio-deisel van. How cool is that? I will always stand up for the little guy and peace coffee provides the perfect pick-me-up that I would take over Starbucks any day. To pick up some peaceful coffee of your own, go to www.peacecoffee.com.
Green Festival: Chocolate Is Divine!
May 20, 2008
Megan Bowers, NBC5 Street Team
Now we go from chocolate nibs to chocolate bars! I understand that my last post involved a chocolate booth, but I’m a chocolate lover and I don’t care who knows it. Moving on, I noticed Divine Chocolates because of the people lined up to play their trivia game. The prize, if you couldn’t guess, was a large chocolate pod. That’s right. Pod. Similar to a bean pod but much better tasting. Even though I got most of the chocolate trivia questions wrong (I don’t know the stuff, I just eat it), I learned that Divine Chocolate gives a portion of their profits to cocoa farmers in Ghana. Giving back never tasted so good! To check out their website, go to www.divinechocolateusa.com.
Green Festival: Stop Beer Warming!!
May 20, 2008
Reggie Brown, NBC5 Street Team
Does this situation ever happen to you? You’re at a house party with your trusty plastic cup in hand. You’re slowly sipping on your beer and schmoozing with the crowd. And just as you’re about to take a final sip you get that grimace across your face which is the product of warm beer? No longer do we have to be victims to those last few disgusting drops. The Chillster is a new glass that makes sure you never have that problem again. After sticking it in the freezer, it’s supposed to keep your beer cold for up to two hours. Talk about cool. The premise behind The Chillster is to cut down on the waste of plastic cups. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to help the planet by taking down a cold one. To purchase The Chillster, go to www.stopbeerwarming.com.
Green Festival: Riot For Cacao
May 20, 2008
Megan Bowers, NBC5 Street Team
So after a couple hours of walking around the festival, I was ready for more free samples. After all, a girl’s gotta eat, right? This time my eye caught a row of martini glasses filled with chocolate candies. Nice. While I was savoring ‘Flavor 50′ I noticed rally signs around the Sweet Riot booth that said ‘I Riot For Cacao!’ and ‘Change the World!’ I don’t mean to profile, but I’d riot for chocolate any day. I found out that Sweet Riot is a candy company that sells “peaces” of cacao nibs. What in the world are nibs, you may ask? They’re little pieces of chocolate that are only one to two calories, so needless to say I sampled an entire handful without feeling guilty! To learn about how you can riot for cacao, check out www.sweetriot.com.
Green Festival: Eatin’ Vegan
May 20, 2008
Marcus Riley, NBC5 Street Team (video)
The words vegetarian and vegan don’t necessarily sit well with me. If there’s not a piece of meat on the plate, I feel like it’s missing something. That’s why I was a bit skeptical when I ran into Roxia, with Soul Gourmet. You can find her products at places like Treasure Island grocery stores, and she owns a restaurant called Vegetarian Life at 622 East 73rd Street. And I can add from personal experience — her cheesecake is phenomenal! I may not be going fully vegan anytime soon — or ever — but at least my mind is now open to the experience.
Green Festival: The Blade
May 20, 2008
Reggie Brown, NBC5 Street Team
All you gearheads, greenies and drivers out there, check this out! The Blade is a revolutionary new product that allows you to be eco friendly, while also saving you cash. The creators of The Blade claim that it not only cuts down on emissions from your car, but also increases fuel efficiency which is a definite plus. It is relatively inexpensive, and with today’s gas prices, practically pays for itself within a few trips to the pump. It simply attaches to your tailpipe and you’re ready to go! So whether you’re looking to reduce emissions, cut down on gas,trick out your ride or all of the above, you gotta get your hands on a Blade. To learn more about The Blade, go to www.bladeyourride.com.
Green Festival: Five Accessories
May 20, 2008
Megan Bowers, NBC5 Street Team
During the Green Festival, I got the chance to check out Five Accessories. A new company that sells handbags, laptop bags, picture frames, jewelry and all sorts of good stuff. Being the self-proclaimed accessories guru, I loooved their purses. But the vibrant and colorful selection wasn’t the best part about this company. A percentage of their profits goes to people in need in third-world countries. To check out their stuff, go to www.fiveaccessories.com
Green Festival: The Nuts And Bolts
May 20, 2008
Marcus Riley, NBC5 Street Team (video)
The NBC5 Street Team took a crew to the Chicago Green Festival at Navy Pier over the weekend. We spoke to several business owners and individuals about what they’re doing to improve the quality of this world we live in. More video segments to come, but check out my interview with Isabel Schechter, the regional director of the Green Festival.
Slideshow: Green Festival 2008
