Feeling guilty about throwing away burned music CDs with hits you now have in your mp3 player?

Of maybe getting rid of that CD with and old presentation you don’t want to ever think about?

Every year, millions of CDs and CD cases end up in landfills, and this is why the CD Recycling Center of America was founded in 2006. They try to recycle as many CDs as they can, and the best thing is they do it at no cost (ok, just a suggested donation but there is no obligation).

They work with individuals, but also encourage people to create CD recycling centers (boxes) at their jobs or schools. Their site has a lot of tips on how to get your coworkers thinking about CD recycling.

All they ask is for you to separate CDs, cases and booklets inside a box and ship it to them.

Visit their site for more information

Ignoring the environmental impact of their decision, Palm Beach County commissioners voted today to allow development by Florida Crystals on what was former Everglades land. Development will create more jobs, they argued.

The commission voted to change its development rules and allow industrial uses on 318 acres south of South Bay owned by sugar giant Florida Crystals, the Sun Sentinel reports.

The land is part of the hundreds of thousands of acres of former Everglades that was drained to make way for agriculture.

Commissioners argued that the warehouses that Florida Crystals plans to operate will create new jobs, even if this could happen years from now.

This was not an issue for the Everglades Coalition and 1000 Friends of Florida and other environmental groups such as that showed up at the meeting, worried that this decision will open the door to more development in the region, which will get in the way of Everglades restoration.

The commissioners did require that future development be planned in coordination with the South Florida Water Management District to make sure it doesn’t interfere with Everglades restoration.

State regulators must still sign off on the proposal. Let’s hope they have a problem with it.

Photo by bafefootinfla1

Medical centers in Miami Beach and in Margate are taking some environmentally-conscious steps to save money and the environment, all while creating a healthier setting for us.

Mt. Sinai Medical Center, in Miami Beach, and the Margate Health Care Center in Margate, are testing a “green” lighting redesign that would significantly reduce the hospital’s electric bill.

The new LED lights the facilities are considering will follow government regulations for required levels of light, meaning that exposure to light is kept at a minimum.

Also, the new lights will emit no infrared or ultraviolet light, making the lights far healthier for patients and employees.

Read more

Photo by Boliston

With an endless selection of organic -and mostly local- vegetables, fruits, mushrooms, roots, and herbs, Coconut Grove Farmers’ Market will make you feel proud of living in the Sunshine State.

Glasser Organic Farms, which dominates the farmers’ market, always has fresh, raw and organic ready-to-go vegetable pies, salads, sushi, pizza, hummus, pâtés and spreads, as well as more gourmet dishes like stuffed Portobello mushroom cups. Prices range between $4.95-$10. Get one of their fresh juice or coconut milk bottles for $2.50 to $4.25 ($9.50 for the family-size one).

But that’s not why you’ll keep coming to this market: they also have the best variety of nuts, seeds, grains, dried fruits and mushrooms, and prepared raw foods like flax seed crackers, granola bars, dressings, jams, olives and artichokes in oil, chickpea croquettes… and even 11 types of honey.

Don’t leave Glasser’s without a raw dessert, or take it to go: fruity cakes and pies, ice-creams, fruit salads, and brownies are just some of the treats you’ll find here.

Next to it is the raw food stand Lamoy’s Living Foods, where you can get a sample plate of five raw dishes, like curry pecan cuscus, raw Caesar salad, and a carrot, seaweed and beets salad, for $12. Like the main dishes, the dessert will change every week, but Lemoy (photographed below) will always have something for those with a sweet tooth (she had a raw raspberry pudding last time I was there).

Walk around and you’ll also find booths selling natural supplements and soaps.

If you go:
Coconut Grove Farmer’s Market
3300 Grand Ave.
Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

If you haven’t been to Little Haiti lately, Garden of Eat’in is a good reason to visit soon. Whether you are a vegan, vegetarian, or simply looking for healthy foods, the restaurant’s combination of spicy Jamaican, Haitian and Guyanese food with a vegan flare– no dairy or eggs- is worth a try.

The place is hidden behind a grocery store on back of a parking lot (I heard there are chickens sometimes rummaging the parking lot, but it was probably too hot when I went because there were none).

Immanuel Tafari, a native of Guyana, has been managing the restaurant since 2006. She buys the vegetables, grains, beans and spices –all organic when available- every morning at local farmer markets and cooks from scratch what she calls inspirational food: a lot of stews, baked veggies, soups, tofu dishes and veggie fritters, all cooked Ital style. There is no menu, which is why you’ll never get bored of lunching here.

During my visit, I started off with a pumpkin and white bean soup with onions and herbs.

Then I went for a sample plate that included BQ Jerk “fish,” a spicy fish-looking soy fillet wrapped in seaweed, which actually had a fish texture and taste. It came with a serving of soy and raisins “meatloaf,” some brown stew tofu (a traditional Guyanese dish I must sadly admit was a little over-cooked that day), rosemary potatoes, pumpkins steamed in coconut milk and a carrot and bean stew. It was all served over rice and beans with a pleasant clover after taste.

I also had a delicious natural ginger juice that combined the perfect balance of spicy and sweet flavors.

I was hoping to try their vegan blueberry muffins, but the plate was too big and had to take some home. That’s ok, I plan to go back soon.

Note it’s not just food you are getting here; the restaurant serves as a hub of Rastafarian culture and healthy-eating activists. There are weekly workshops, film screenings, and discussions. They even have drum sessions every Saturday evening.

If you go:
Garden of Eat’in
136 NW 62nd St.
305-754-8050.
Opens Mon-Sat 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Pizza Volante, which opened a few months ago in the Design District, offers tasty Italian food with a twist: most foods are organic and locally-produced when possible, including their cheese (who knew they made cheese in West Palm Beach?).

Try the Volante 100 Pizza, made only with toppings purchased within a 100-mile radius. This includes tomatoes, basil, eggplant, arugula and other locally available veggies and cheeses.

Match it with an organic beer (Florida brews go for $4) or wine (all bottles under $18) and you are ready to go.

Beware that not everything here is organic or locally-produced, so it’s best to always ask. Oh, yeah, and a 100-mile radius might not be local enough for some locavores. However, you have to give Pizza Volante credit for trying. Maybe more restaurants will catch up on this.

The restaurant offers an excellent appetizer concept: you choose between three cheeses -mozzarella di bufala, burrata, or a locally-grown cheese-, and then choose two accompanying sides, such as breaded zucchini fritti, organic tomatoes, breaded and fried fennel, or roasted peppers. You’ll get a heavenly sample place.

Classics like margherita and caprichosa pizzas range in price from $10-$14.

The restaurant also has daily specials such as organic chicken cacciatore with broccoli rabe ($10, Mondays), lasagna marinara with sheep’s milk ricotta ($12, Wednesdays), eggplant parmigiana ($9, Fridays), veal marsala with herb roasted potatoes ($14, Saturdays).

Check out their cheese bar, and get one of their local cheeses to go.

If you go:
Pizza Volante (no Web site yet)
3918 N. Miami Ave
305-573-5325

Once in a while, one has the urge to leave the city, the impulse to lock oneself in a Buddhist temple for a few months –if only one could forgo bills and long “to do” lists.

But if you have a day to spare, the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Palm Beach could help you find that peace of mind you’ve been yearning.

The museum is one of South Florida’s best-kept secrets. It was built in 1977 on the grounds of the Yamato Colony, a large Japanese farming community that settled there more than a hundred years ago, and houses more than 5,000 Japanese art objects and artifacts.

But the main reason to visit the museum is its 200 acres of Japanese gardens, with strolling paths, picnic and resting areas, a tropical bonsai collection, lakes, trails and small forests. The gardens reflect major periods of Japanese garden design from the eighth to the 20th century.

The museum serves as the center of Japanese culture in South Florida, promoting Japanese art and history through exhibitions, tea ceremonies, monthly performances and educational programs for children and adults. Check their monthly calendar for a list of activities.

If you go:
The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens
4000 Morikami Park Rd.
Delray Beach, Fl 33446
561-495-0233

Check out these vegan potlucks organized by SaveEarth, a non-profit educating the community about the impact our food choices have on the environment.

Vegans and those curious or thinking about it are invited. Socialize with like-minded people and learn something new; speaker at every meeting will discuss topics such as animal rights, food ethics, and natural medicine.

Note: free to members and children under 12; non-members pay $5. You must also bring a vegan dish for at least eight people, and your own utensils and plate.

Potluck schedule:

Sat., Aug. 29, 6:15 p.m.
VEGAN POTLUCK DINNER, organized by the Save the Earth Eco Center. Guest speaker David Cantor, a vegan, animal advocate and founder of Responsible Policies for Animals, will lecture on how devastating animal agribusiness is to our planet.
Where: Coral Gables Congregational Church, 3010 DeSoto Blvd.

Sun., Sept. 20, 5:30 p.m.
VEGAN POTLUCK DINNER, organized by the Save the Earth Eco Center. Guest speaker Michel Estopinan, a teacher and founder of the Humane Foundation, will lecture on the Hialeah High organization dedicated to creating a greener and humane school environment.
Where: Save the Earth Eco Center, 12399 W. Dixie Hwy.

Sat., Sept. 26, 6:15 p.m.
VEGAN POTLUCK DINNER, organized by the Save the Earth Eco Center. Guest speaker Frank Sabatino, health director o fhte Regency House Natural Health Spa in Hallandale Beach, will present, “Inspiration of Responsible Action For Health and Prosperity.”
Where: Coral Gables Congregational Church, 3010 DeSoto Blvd.

Sun., Oct. 18, 5:30 p.m.
VEGAN POTLUCK DINNER, organized by the Save the Earth Eco Center. Guest speaker Dr. David Newman, a chiropractic physician focusing on functional and anti-aging medicine, will talk about how arsenic, mercury and plastics become part of our biology.
Where: Save the Earth Eco Center, 12399 W. Dixie Hwy.

Sat., Oct. 31, 6:15 p.m.
VEGAN POTLUCK DINNER, organized by the Save the Earth Eco Center. Guest speaker George Eisman, author of “The Most Noble Diet, A Basic Course in Vegetarian and Vegan Nutrition,” will lecture on wild edibles.
Where: Coral Gables Congregational Church, 3010 DeSoto Blvd.
Cost: Free for members and children under 12; $5.00 for non-members. Bring a vegan dish for at least eight people, and your own utensils and plate.

We all have a drawer where the broken alarm clock, cell phone, chargers and extensions go. Sounds familiar?

Yes, we hope that one day we’ll find a use for them, or that someone will fix them. Unfortunately, most of these things end up in landfills, along with the thousands of computers, TVs, microwaves and other electronics we throw away every year.

While regular recycling programs don’t provide a way to dispose of e-waste, there are a few things you can do in South Florida:

>>The site Earth911 helps you find recycling centers in your area by item: paint, batteries, computers, etc.

??The site My Green Electronics allows you to find e-waste recycling facilities within your area by doing a zip code search (there are more than a dozen in or around Central Miami).

>>Call2Recycle helps you dispose of cell phones and batteries by providing you with envelopes and free shipping.

>>Some AT&T stores have broke or old cell phone drop-off boxes (no matter the phone’s brand). Check which one near you does here.

>>Best Buy has electronics drop off boxes in all of its stores, and hosts recycling events annually.

>>Earlier, I blogged on the Recycling Center for America, which disposes of CDs and DVDS.

>>You can also find a list of resources at the Environmental Protection Agency e-waste site.

Here are answers to the usual things we wonder before recycling electronics:

Privacy
Many people worry about their privacy and personal information that might remain in computer. Even if you delete all your information before donating a computer (which is highly recommended) technicians at the recycling facility must also follow a hard drive cleaning policy, so there’s nothing to worry about. If you still want to be sure, you can get a hardware cleaning software.

Cost
Many drop-off recycling centers will take your electronics for free, but some will charge you, especially if you are disposing of commercial waste. Call ahead to check of this and other policies. I know at least of one center that requires proof of residency.

Reusable electronics vs junk
Many recycling facilities are non-profits that repair electronics and donate them to schools and organizations. This means they won’t be able to do much with physically-damaged equipment. Check with them before dropping off anything.

What do you do with your e-waste? What has your experience been like with local recycling facilities? We’d love to read your comments.

Photo by greenbk

Floridians can proudly say the honey in their pancakes is 100 percent natural.

The state just became the first to ban additives, chemicals or other substances in honey produced, sold or processed in Florida, reports The Miami Herald.

To be more specific, the new regulation labels anything other than the ”natural food product resulting from the harvest of nectar by honeybees” as adulterated.

Apparently, honey producers asked the Food and Drug Administrator to establish the natural standard because of the number of unregulated foreign honey products entering the market.

The regulations take effect Tuesday.

Photo by BotheredByBees

There’s nothing wrong with volunteering, but it’s even better when you get something back besides feeling great about it.

The Wolfsonian is donating free museum memberships for those who complete 25 hours of service in some of its Wolf Pack Gives Back-sponsored events.

The next one, in collaboration with the Environmental Coalition of Miami Beach, will consist in cleaning up Monument Island on Aug. 22.

It’s a great way to make new friends, make the city look prettier, and enjoy free local art. You couldn’t ask for more.

Visit their site regularly to find out future Wolf Pack Gives Back events.

Not interested in the free membership? You can still help clean up Monument Island by contacting ECOMB.

If you go:
What: Monument Island clean up
Where: The group will meet at Maurice Gibbs Park on Purdy Avenue, just North of 17 Street/Dade Blvd., Miami Beach.
When: 9 to 11 a.m. Aug. 22
More info: RSVP required. Call 305-535-2644 or e-mail lydia@thewolf.fiu.edu to register with the Wolfsonian. Visit www.ecomb.org to do it with ECOMB.

If you missed last month’s screening of Food, Inc., Robert Kenner’s exposé on the food industry’s unethical practices, you have three nights in a row to watch it this month. The Environmental Coalition of Miami Beach is sponsoring the screenings Aug. 21-23 at the Miami Beach Cinematheque.

In Food, Inc., Kenner lifts the veil on our nation’s food industry, exposing the highly mechanized underbelly that has been hidden from the American consumer with the consent of our government’s regulatory agencies, USDA and FDA. Our nation’s food supply is now controlled by a handful of corporations that often put profit ahead of consumer health, the livelihood of the American farmer, the safety of workers and our own environment.

The documentary features interviews with experts such as Eric Schlosser (Fast Food Nation), Michael Pollan (The Omnivore’s Dilemma, In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto) along with forward thinking social entrepreneurs like Stonyfield’s Gary Hirshberg and Polyface Farms’ Joel Salatin, Food, Inc.

Attend Friday’s screening for an introduction and Q&A with a TBA expert.

If you go:
What: Food, Inc. screening
When: 7 p.m., Aug. 21, 22 & 23.
Where: Miami Beach Cinematheque, 512 Espanola Way, South Beach.
Tickets: $10 regular admission; $7 for students, seniors and members.
More info: 305-673-4567 or www.mbcinema.com