Green and Alternative Travel Blog by Desoto Inn

It’s finally time to graduate. No more teachers, no more books, and more recycled presents and green networking ideas for the South Florida grad in your life. They’ve worked hard, studied for countless tests, and paved the way for a bright future. Support their green lifestyle with these meaningful green networking ideas and gifts.

Gifts for High School Grads

This plantable journal is made from 100% recyclable paper and wildflower seeds. When your grad is done planning the future, he or she can plant the journal in the garden and watch flowers grow from their plans. Take advantage of South Florida’s many water sports and treat your grad to snorkeling lessons or a meal at South Florida’s Sublime.

Networking for High School Grads

Checking out a Broward-based Sierra Club group might be fun for just-graduated teens looking to make a difference. Young adults curious about eco-involvement at their future alma matter can search schools and types of networking/school clubs here. Florida schools are all listed here, as are national and international colleges and universities. Your high school grad can also choose from different kinds of eco-based activism and explore the kinds of clubs or groups hosted by each school.

Gifts for College Grads

Gifts for South Florida college grads can vary from a trip to the Keys to a glamour-filled day checking out what’s hot on South Beach.

Networking for College Grads

Networking for South Florida college grads is the next step in building a career they’ll be passionate about. Networking with like-minded people is a key way to create business connections. Direct them to South Florida Green Drinks. SFGD is a thriving network of young professionals who meet once a month in Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, or West Palm Beach. Their mission is simple – to provide a way for green/eco-aware professionals to connect in a laid-back, informal setting. This group would be perfect for the new grad looking to make business connections. The president is internationally recognized public speaker and entrepreneur Marci Zaroff. Zaroff serves on several industry boards, such as the Organic Exchange. She is the recipient of several awards for green business, including the Natural Product Industry’s Socially Responsible Business Award. South Florida Green Drink sponsors include Whole Foods and Aubrey Organics. Click here to find a South Florida Green Drink meetup.

By Marissa Cohen

Photo By Donostweets

Mother’s Day is just around the corner on Sunday, May 13. On Mother’s Day celebrate mom in environmentally friendly ways and give her a green Mother’s Day.

Body Care

Pamper mom with organic body wash and bath salts. (General body wash often has petroleum or parabins in it, both of which can cause cancer or have other dangerous, long-term side effects). When selecting bath goodies for mom, make sure that they are cruelty free and made without any animal byproducts. Alba Botanica has fantastic parabin/petroleum free body care items. There are many wonderful body scrubs out there, but green, organic scrubs and body washes will protect mom’s health while helping her feel like a queen.

Books

If mom doesn’t already have an e-reader, consider getting her one because the more you read, the greener of an option the e-reader becomes. If she’s an avid reader, pick her up a Kindle or other e-reader so she can download her favorites. If she really loves real books (and really, who doesn’t enjoy curling up with a real book?), get her some gently used books from a site such as Better World Books.

Traveling Mom

While nurturing her kids was probably a great adventure, it’s time for mom to see the world and explore new places. If mom enjoys packing a bag and seeing the world, make sure she’s got the eco-friendly supplies to do it. A stainless steel water bottle is a must have for any traveling mom. If mom’s taking a flight, get her some carbon-offset credits. If she’s the slow-and-easy type of traveler, you might want to plan a train trip for two, so that you and mom can see America from the window of a train. Plus, train travel is one of the greenest ways to explore.

Cards for Mom

While you could go with traditional Mother’s Day cards, let yourself get creative and make her a collage using pictures cut from magazines using what you already have. Get creative with pen, crayons, or even pictures from magazines and put your unique collage into a frame. If you’d rather go with a traditional card, find one printed on recyclable paper.

By Marissa Cohen

Photo By Etsy Ketsy

Agricultural industrialist James Deering built this gorgeous, sprawling Miami estate in 1916. Deering spent his winters on Viscaya for the next nine years until his death in 1925. Deering’s estate was inspired by centuries old European villas and of its 34 rooms; several are decorated with antiques and furnishings from the 15th to the 19th centuries. In 1994, Viscaya became a National Historical Landmark.

James Deering’s Vision

Decorated in the style of a grand European estate, Deering’s Viscaya exists as a tribute to art and nature. Deering himself was a passionate environmentalist who made a number of architectural decisions that supported his appreciation of the environment. Deering’s decision to build Viscaya facing Biscayne Bay was only one example of his love of nature. He chose to build his winter retreat in Miami in part because of his appreciation of the native hardwood hammock. Even throughout the grand main house, Deering’s love of nature can be seen in his choice of paintings. Even the decor occasionally reflects the wonder of the South Florida landscape – and the beauty of Viscaya’s grottos and gardens didn’t escape the notice of Martha Stewart herself, in this slideshow.

Nature and Beauty

Featured in many films, Viscaya’s unique beauty makes it one of the most noted and beautiful historic homes in America. The gardens are one of the most extradionary features of Viscaya, taking up ten acres of the estate’s fifty acres. At the time of its construction, Deering hired an estimated 1/3 of Miami’s population to build the grand house and the gardens. Stepping into Viscaya’s lush Italian-inspired gardens is like stepping back in time to the 16th century: water fountains, rich foliage, and hidden caves all make this an exotic and timeless hideaway. In keeping with Deering’s vision, Viscaya is a place where the beauty of Florida’s natural landscape meets the mosaic of the past.

If You Go

To learn more about Viscaya’s programs for children and adults, call 305-250-9133 or go here.  Viscaya is open daily except for Tuesdays, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Hours are from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Adults are $15, students and seniors are $10, kids 6 and older are $6, kids 5 and younger are free.

By Marissa Cohen

Photo By sherrivokey

South Florida natives often seem to be a little bit blase´ about all the beauty that surrounds us. Maybe we’re used to it. Some of us can’t imagine why the words “snow” and “plow” would ever need to be next to each other in a sentence, and if we’ve always called South Florida home, we can’t conceive of ever being more than forty minutes from the beach. The idea of people having to board planes to enjoy the beauty and serenity of our tropical state can be, admittedly, a little hard to grasp. But when people come from all over the world to visit South Florida’s beaches, there are many, many health and wellness benefits to be had.

Relaxation

Experts believe that listening to the sounds of the ocean can greatly decrease your stress levels. So, the next time you visit one of these beaches, take a moment to close your eyes and relax by hearing the lapping of the waves. Plus, the blue-green shades of the ocean will naturally allow you to relax, letting the stress of the day flow right into the sand.

Wellness

Ample chances for exercise surround South Florida beachgoers. Why not take a jog or walk on the sand? If you visit the famous Hollywood Boardwalk, you’ll be able to rent a bike or go roller blading along the 2.5-mile stretch of this paved promenade. (And people watching may not actually support physical wellness, but it could be considered a sport here.) Want a more spiritual side to your wellness? Consider taking a peaceful beachside yoga class and calm your mind while taking care of your body.

Beauty

If you’re a daytime beachgoer, take a moment to really notice the shifting colors of the Atlantic against the bright blue South Florida sky. However, there’s nothing more breathtaking than the fiery red and orange of a South Florida sunset to make you appreciate all that these beaches have to offer. The sunsets on Hollywood Beach or Fort Lauderdale beach (just a short ride from the Desoto) are truly awe-inspiring.

By Marissa Cohen

Photo By epitomized1

Earth Day is over for 2012, but here are some little-known eco holidays to give us an excuse to celebrate nature. Two holidays focus on penguins, one on trees, and one on….trains? Yes, trains because trains are a fantastic way to travel green (and if you can’t migrate on foot like the penguins, may as well hop a train).

National Train Day

On May 9, celebrate this green way to travel by hopping a train to Anywhere, USA. Remember, trains are a wonder for green travel because they release less carbon emissions than either cars or planes. Plus, train travel is often cheaper than either highway or air travel. On trains, you can get to know your neighbor and experience the beauty of the landscape.

Penguin Appreciation Day

I didn’t know that penguins had a day of honor, but apparently and much to my surprise, they have two. On January 20, penguin lovers now have an excuse to celebrate this adorable, flightless bird, and there are many reasons to appreciate them such as their friendliness and their highly social natures. Clearly, penguins are ready to party down – they even look like they’re wearing tuxedos. (That’s the only penguin joke in here, we promise.)

World Penguin Day

Just in case one 24-hour period to appreciate penguins isn’t enough, celebrate penguins worldwide on April 25. What does one do on penguin day? On either one of these days, learn about penguins by watching the Morgan-Freeman-narrated blockbuster March of the Penguins. You could also help protect these grounded birds from climate change, as researchers believe that penguins who live in Antarctica are in danger from recent warming trends that have impacted their population and their food supply.

Love a Tree Day

For those who feel that Earth Day is too all encompassing of a holiday, the single-minded focus of Love a Tree Day may be just the eco-holiday for you. On May 16, go out and show your trees some affection with Love a Tree Day. How to celebrate? Plant a tree, visit your favorite woodland area, water a tree by soaking the root system, or simply kick off your shoes and wander around a national park. There are plenty of tree traits to love: their shade, their beauty, and the fact that they produce oxygen and clean the air. So, spend some quality tree time on May 16th. (We won’t tell.)

By Marissa Cohen

Photo By U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Northeast Region

Since the start of March, I’ve been on a quest to find the perfect juice recipe, thanks to my new obsession with juicing. Even some of my favorite farmer’s markets were getting a little bit pricy, so when a friend of mine tipped me off about Stiles Farmer’s Market in Pembroke Pines (209 North Hiatus Road) I went over to check it out.

I was delighted. As a Floridian, I’ve started to despair that truly fresh produce will always cost an arm and a leg. Whether I’m going to standard grocery stores or organic health food stores, even most farmers markets seem to cause me to dig a little deeper into my wallet then I’m comfortable. However, Stiles is amazing. It’s tucked away in the Home Depot shopping center on Hiatus just before Pines (if you’re coming from the North), and only a short drive from the Desoto.

Locally Grown

While there were several organic and locally grown veggies and fruits, the majority of their stock seemed to be locally grown, as opposed to organic and locally grown, even though there were a few organic veggies and fruits here and there. Even for those who eat strictly organic produce, Stiles is worth a drive.

Produce and Prices

My personal indicator of whether or not I’ll like a farmer’s market is the price of ginger. In traditional grocery stores, I’ve seen ginger as high as $4 a pound. At Stiles, you can load up a plastic bag with ginger and one pound is only $1. Plus, there were rosemary stalks as big as my forearm. Not to draw a tight comparison, but in traditional grocery stores, herbs may be a low price but they are rarely if ever this large or this fresh.

A Lot For a Little

The veggie glee continued. I purchased huge cucumbers as large as my forearm for a fraction of the cost elsewhere, about three for a dollar.By the time I finally left Stiles, I had a mountain of produce for a mere $25. If I’d gone to a high end organic store, I probably would have spent twice that on vegetables.

Homemade Bread

Plus, on the weekends, Stiles sells homemade bread. There are several different kinds of loaves, from olive to wheat, all at a very reasonable price. Bring cash if you plan on taking the bread home with you.

If You Go

This place is a gem if you’re looking for farmer’s markets with a wide range of produce at reasonable prices. Find them at 209 North Hiatus Road, Pembroke Pines, FL 33026 or call 954-437-4852.

By Marissa Cohen

Photo By Strikkelise

When I was a kid, my parents took me to see Back to the Future. Ever since the first time I watched the Delorian speed through time, I was hooked. A few years later the sequel returned with a bona fide flying time machine. So, ever since the age of ten, I’ve had my fingers crossed that one day reality would catch up with the movies and we’d get to drive flying cars.

And soon, for the steep price of $279,000, we’ll be able to do just that. 

Part Car, Part Plane, All Groundbreaking

Released earlier this month, the Transition, a “roadable aircraft” developed by Terrafugia was shown at the New York International Auto Show. According to the Washington Post, the car has completed its first flight and a select few are slapping down the 10 grand deposit required for purchase. On its first test flight, it flew for eight minutes at 1400 feet. (Your average airplane flies for several hours at a height of about 35,000 feet.) However, the Transition won’t be able to get you out of bad I-95 traffic. Drivers of the Transition will need a runway to prepare for lift off.

The Transition has two modes: a driving mode and a flying mode. The idea is that drivers will be able to drive it to a nearby airport where they can take off. Upon completion of the journey, they’ll be able to land at their destination airport and drive it off site.

Green?

It’s a little too early to tell if the Transition will be eco-friendly, but if both cars and planes produce heavy carbon emissions, then what of the Transition’s carbon emissions? After all, this flying car is a machine that is both automobile and airplane, the love child of two of the biggest contributors to carbon emissions. What does the green future hold for new inventions like this? Undeniably, the Transition is a giant step forward from the days when we dreamt of Marty McFly’s Delorian or longed for the futuristic freedom of George Jetson’s flying car. What kind of fuel will it use? Will there be a green version? Will we one day purchase carbon credits for flying cars? As we soar into the future, it will be interesting to see.

By Marissa Cohen

Photo By lotprocars

Let your inner explorer out to play with these fun and local South Florida activities.

The Museum of Discovery and Science

Locals know the Fort Lauderdale Museum of Discovery and Science by the 52-foot-tall Great Gravity Clock, which stands in front of the museum. The Museum of Discovery and Science is home to many fantastic exhibits. True, while parts of the museum are geared to children, curious and young at heart adults will also enjoy the many things to see and experience, including the brand new EcoDiscovery Center, which features the Everglades Airboat Adventure and an otter exhibit. The Museum of Discovery and Science is also home to the biggest movie screen in South Florida, the Autonation Imax, a 300-seat, surround-sound theater with a screen that’s five stories high. For more information about the Museum of Discovery and Science, please go here. Adult admission is $13; Senior admission is $12; children from 2-12 are $11.

The Buehler Planetarium and Observatory

Tucked away on the Broward College main campus (formerly the Broward Community College main campus) in Davie, the Buehler Planetarium offers patrons a unique chance to gaze upon the night skies from one of the most advanced planetariums in South Florida. Experience the skies for free on observation nights, which are Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 8 to 10 pm. The planetarium also offers a variety of shows, from musical shows to story time for kids. Most of the planetarium events are extremely affordable. To learn more about the Buehler Planetarium, go here or call 954-201-6681.

South Florida Amateur Astronomers’ Association at Markham Park

Every Saturday from dusk to midnight, the South Florida Amateur Astronomers’ Association opens Markham Park’s observatory for an evening of stargazing. Founded in 1965 and incorporated in Florida one year later, the SFAAA makes its home inside Markham Park in Sunrise. This free event is a perfect way to spend an evening. All are welcome and its perfect for the curious. For more information, call 954-384-0442 or visit the South Florida’s Amateur Astronomers’ Association here.

By Marissa Cohen

Photo By osseous

When my favorite local and green bookseller Danielle recommended The Bucolic Plague: How Two Manhattanites Became Gentleman Farmers by Josh Kilmer-Purcell, I was intrigued just from her description. “It’s about this couple who leaves the big city and opens a farm. One of the guys used to work for Martha Stewart, I think. You’ll love it.” She took the book from the stand behind the counter and handed it to me. I took it home and then spent the next two days devouring it and laughing hysterically.

City Slickers Turned Country Farmers

New York Times Bestselling Author Josh Kilmer-Purcell (I Am Not Myself These Days; Candy Everybody Wants) and his partner Brent Ridge, a doctor and a former executive of Martha Stewart Living, are stars of the docu-series The Fabulous Beekman Boys, the Green Planet tv show which is now moving to the Cooking Channel for its third season. Consider The Bucolic Plague a deeper, witty look at the same premise explored in the show: a city couple decides to become farmers.

Living the Questionable Dream

We’ve all had this time-tested dream: leaving the big city with your significant other for a gentler, calmer life Away From It All. Anytime pop culture wants to chuckle with mingled jealousy and relief, we’re bound to watch a story about city slickers who try to take on country life. Usually, they go on vacation and find a gorgeous vacation spot surrounding a “fixer upper” house, and voila! It’s time to make arrangements to move to the countryside and Experience Life. What happens? The inevitable: stress, too much fresh air, and the growing horror that owning a tremendous farm may have its drawbacks.

And that’s exactly what happens to our heroes.

Honest and Hilarious

Josh and his partner Brent take a trip to upstate New York, fall in love with and purchase the two-hundred-year-old Beekman Mansion, and slowly become “gentleman farmers,” eventually starting the Beekman 1802 mercantile, a company that also partners with Williams-Sonoma on “the world’s largest community garden”.

The Bucolic Plague is hilarious and touching. This is the book that David Sedaris would have written if he’d decided to live on a farm. “The last time I saw 4 A.M., I was tottering home in high heels and a matted wig,” quips Josh in the opening lines of the book. That line starts one of the funniest scenes in the entire book as Josh transports five baby goats to from update New York to the city for their appearance on The Martha Stewart Show. However, Josh doesn’t listen to Farmer John, his caretaker, and promptly overfeeds the baby goats, resulting in a gagging Josh, a very smelly three-hour car trip, and an irritated Brent.

The Bucolic Plague is very, very funny and very honest look at life on a farm after big city life. For more Fabulous Beekman Boys fun, check them out on Beekman1802.com or look for the third season on the Cooking Network.

By Marissa Cohen

Photo By greginhollywood

The 42nd Annual Earth Day is almost here! Get ready for some fun family celebrations during the weekend of April 21. Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson founded Earth Day in 1970 at a time of extreme over-consumption. What began 42 years ago as a grassroots celebration has now become an internationally recognized day to honor the environment. Earth Day has become instrumental in many laws, including the passage of the Clean Air Act.

Celebrate sustainability and nature with two local festivals. They’re both on the same day, and both promise to be a blast. Why not be a green party animal and go to both festivals?

Hugh Taylor Birch State Park : Make Earth Day Every Day!

The first Earth Day festival is at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park on Saturday, April 21 from 10 am to 5pm. Be sure to bring little ones for this celebration. They’ll be activities offered for kids by organizations such as the Girl Scouts of America, Trash to Treasure, Camp Live Oak, the fantastic Kids’ Ecology Corps, and Lori’s Beakers and Bugs Company. For adults, they’ll be chances to volunteer (including a sea turtle rescue), ecology-focused workshops, organic and vegan food, and live music. Activities will also include free giveaways and live entertainment, including a drum circle.

Marando Farms: Earth Day Celebration

Come out to Fort Lauderdale’s Marando Farms on Saturday, April 21 from 10am to 2 pm. Kids can enjoy face painting and a bounce house. Adults will enjoy the many varieties of organic food available. There will also be live music and a guest speaker from GMO Free Florida, Trish Sheldon.

If You Go

The Hugh Taylor Birch State Park Make Earth Day Every Day celebration is located at 3109 East Sunrise Blvd in Fort Lauderdale. Go here for more information.

The Earth Day Celebration at Marando Farms is located at 1401 Southwest 1st Ave in Fort Lauderdale. Call Marando Farms at 954-294-2331 or go here.

By Marissa Cohen

Photo By dougww