If you’ve been putting off your weekly exercise routine, maybe a free Gyrotonic class will inspire you to get back in track.

Try this unique exercising technique, plus get free healthy food samples and enjoy live music at at the “When Health and the Body Unite” open house July 25th at South Beach.

Gyrotonic is a type of exercise program that combines movements found in swimming, yoga, gymnastics and tai chi to improve flexibility, balance and strength. It’s a little similar to pilates, but has a little more emphasis in breathing patterns.

The South Beach Gyrotonic has partnered with other local health-conscious local businesses for an afternoon of health-wonderness.

Stop by at 5:30 for a free class, live music and free food sampling by the SoBe health foods restaurant and juice bar Juice & Java, and the vegan cupcake company BunnieCakes.

Movement Thru Rehab will be doing a presentation on physical therapy at 7p.m.

If you go:
What: When Health and the Body Unite
When: 5:30-9 p.m. . Sunday, July 25
Where: Miami Beach Gyrotonic, 1370 Washington Ave, Suite 307.
Why: Free health event. Gyrotonic class at 5:30p.m., Movement Throu Rehab presentation at 7 p.m. Juice & Java and Bunnie Cakes sampling all evening.
More info: Call 305-397-8070 for more information.

Enjoy your weekly calendar of eco-fun!

THURSDAY, JUNE 3

>Green Drinks West Palm BeachCome network with all your friends at a great location near the new waterfront off of Clematis Street. 6-8 p.m. at Pistache Bistro, 101 North Clematis Street, West Palm Beach.

>Organic Thursdays at Escopazzo: Weekly food and wine tastings at the SoBe organic Italian restaurant. Stop by between 7-9 p.m. for “We Do It Thursdays” and try 4 wines and appetizers for $20. 1311 Washington Ave.

>Tees for Trees at CAFEINA: Help the Bakehouse Art Complex get the landscape it deserves. $10 donation gets you a free cocktail. All proceeds go to BAC, a non-profit providing affordable studios, exhibition galleries, and professional development opportunities to local artists. A silent auction will feature tees created by resident BAC artists. 8 p.m. at Cafeina, 297 NE 32 St., Wynwood.

SATURDAY, JUNE 5

>Green House Tour:Lovers of good design and architecture shouldn’t miss this tour one of the first completely green houses in Dade County. Albert Harum-Alvarez -who’s running for Commissioner in District 8- and his family, will offer a tour of their energy efficient, solar-powered and environmentally-friendly home. The tour starts at 4 p.m. for design aficionados and at 5 p.m. for the curious yet less technical. Visit their site for more info and to RSVP.

>Volunteer at a local farm, then learn about permaculture: The urban farm Earth-N-Us will offer a free permaculture introduction class this Saturday in exchange of a few hours of volunteer services (note that this workshop is sometimes offered at the farm for a few hundred dollars, so the deal isn’t bad at all). Earth-N-Us is located at 7630 NE 1st Ave. Get there by 1 p.m. to complete enough volunteer hours. Email healthymarcus@gmail.com for details.

>Replenishing the kitchen: Get your weekly raw, vegan or healthy food supplies, plus buy fresh produce at the Coconut Grove Farmers Market, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., 3300 Grand Ave.

Image via mysza

Green living is about making better choices, including about what we wear – but if the tree hugging lifestyle is not particularly your call, maybe it’s time for a little eco-chic indulgence, like the 2nd Annual Go Green Fashionista Fashion Show & Shoe Drive June 18.

This eco-fashion show, benefiting the non-profit Barefoot 4 Haiti, will feature styles ranging from vintage clothing to original eco-friendly accessories and wardrobe vamping.

Some of the interesting designers will include Blooming by Inta, who specializes in creating Avant Garde pieces with newspaper, magazines and other recycled materials; and Jewelry by Catalina Mora, who uses orange peels, tagua, and coffee beans to create her accessories while having an amazing aroma to it.

You’ll be able to also sample the new Sheba Cloth Collection made from natural jute fiber grown in Bangladesh known to be rich in antioxidants and vitamin E, and 100% biodegradable.

If you go:
What: 2nd Annual Go Green Fashionista: Fashion Show & Shoe Drive for Barefoot 4 Haiti
When: 7 p.m. June 18
Where: MIA at Biscayne Ultra Lounge & Restaurant, 20 Biscayne Blvd. Miami.
More info: $10 admission. Bring gently worn or new shoes to provide footwear to the people of Haiti. Half off special drinks from 7-8 p.m. Fashion show starts at 8 p.m. More info at Soul of Miami.

Image courtesy of Fabienne Claude from Go Green Fashionista 2009

The list of fun eco-friendly weekend events has been getting longer and longer. Email me at editor@theecozine.com if you don’t see your event. Have a great weekend!

Thursday, May 27
>Green Drinks Boca/Delray: Mingle with eco professionals and locals in this green happy hour. Taste organic wines and foods while you learn how you start your company’s green team. 6:30 p.m. at 4th Generation Organic Market, 75 SE 3rd Street
Boca Raton.
>Organic Thursdays at Escopazzo: Weekly food and wine tastings at the SoBe organic Italian restaurant. Stop by between 7-9 p.m. for “We Do It Thursdays” and try 4 wines and appetizers for $20. 1311 Washington Ave.

Friday, May 28
>Free medication class: To celebrate Meditation Month, Ayama Yoga Center is offering free meditation classes and discounted packages to newbies every Friday in May. Stop by at 6 p.m. for your free class at the Ayama Yoga Center, 2624 NE 118th St., North Miami Beach.

Saturday, May 29
>Replenishing the kitchen: Get your weekly raw, vegan or healthy food supplies, plus buy fresh produce at the Coconut Grove Farmers Market, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., 3300 Grand Ave.

>Learn all about sprouting at the monthly SaveEarth potluck: The pro-vegan organization SaveEarth presents “Sprouting For Health,” a lecture to get you started on sprouting these rich, living and high-enzyme foods. Bring a vegan dish for 8 people and your own utensils. Free for members, $5 non-members. 6:15 p.m. at the Coral Gables Congregational Church, Fellowship Hall at 3010 DeSoto Blvd. Coral Gables

Sunday, May 30
>Tea ’n Sanity Health Fair: Celebrate the new address with organic food vendors, jewelry, aromatherapy, astrology, crystals, oils, and teas, plus yoga demos, Reiki, tai chi, karate, and chair massages. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Tea n’ Sanity, 12011 SW 131st Ave. 786-462-4341.

Tuesday, June 1
>Vegan Drinks Night: Bring your business cards and leave your worries for this fun, apres-work networking event! Meets 1st Tuesday of every month from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Sublime Restaurant & Bar 1431 N. Federal Hwy., Ft. Lauderdale, 954-615-1431

Image via audiinsperation

Tons of cool green events going on this weekend, starting today -cuz we know your weekend starts this early:

Wednesday, May 19
>Get fresh produce at the Roots in the City market: We’ve been alerted the market is still running despite rumors that it had closed for the season. Stop by 4-6 p.m. on the corner of NW 10th Street & 2nd Avenue.

>Join cyclists in a Ride of Silence: Show support for those killed or injured while biking during Bike Safety Month. The group will meet 6:30 p.m. at the Miami Seaquarium.

Thursday, May 20
>Get in the summer mood with this free Raw Picnic Class presented by Whole Foods. Learn how to make delicious and easy to pack raw vegan dishes. 2-3 p.m. at Whole Foods Miami Beach, 1020 Alton Rd.

>Organic Thursdays at Escopazzo: Weekly food and wine tastings at the SoBe organic Italian restaurant. Stop by between 7-9 p.m. for “We Do It Thursdays” and try 4 wines and appetizers for $20. 1311 Washington Ave.

Friday, May 21
>Free medication class: To celebrate Meditation Month, Ayama Yoga Center is offering free meditation classes and discounted packages to newbies every Friday in May. Stop by at 6 p.m. for your free class at the Ayama Yoga Center, 2624 NE 118th St., North Miami Beach.

Saturday, May 22
>Learn about local graffiti art while pedaling around town Emerge Miami brings us another Graffiti Bike Tour of Wynwood. Learn who are the artists behind the street art that has become distinctive of midtown. Meet 10 a.m. at 3501 NW 12th Ave. continue

Last week I blogged about BunnieCakes, the yummy vegan and organic cupcakes created by Miami vegetarian Mariana Cortez, who substitutes butter, eggs and refined sugar for natural, dairy-free ingredients. Did I mention they come in endless flavors including key lime and dark chocolate?

Now BunnieCakes is giving away a dozen cupcakes to a lucky Ecozine reader! All you have to do is comment on this post by May 24 at midnight. June 4 at midnight. The winner will receive 12 cupcakes in the two flavors of his/her choice delivered at his/her doorstep. continue

May is National Bike Month, the time of the year when cyclists speak up about the need for more bike-friendly roads.

During the recent years, Miami cyclists have been gaining a powerful voice behind groups such as Emerge Miami, a network of bike enthusiasts who advocate for more road safety. One of their most famous events is the monthly Miami Critical Mass, in which cyclists orderly bike around town to raise awareness about the lack of biker rights in the city.

But don’t be intimidated. You don’t have to be a professional cyclist to join the group. Many of their members are just looking for more environmentally-friendly transportation options. Increasingly, Emerge Miami has also put together hip outings, including a bike prom a few months back, and regular graffiti tours (see event list below for the next one).
continue

With Earth Month gone, the number of green events has been getting smaller and smaller. Still, there are a few cool things going on this weekend and early next week:

SATURDAY, MAY 8
>Bikes are awesome. Superhero costumes are awesome. Why not combine them? Put on a cape and mask and join Miami bikers in this “heroes and villains” themed ride around town. Ride will benefit the ComicEd, a nonprofit promoting literacy among the young. Free. Meet 10 a.m., Saturday May 8 at the University Metro Station. 305-579-0069.

>Farmer’s Market at Normandy: Shop for organic produce and natural juices. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., every Saturday. WHERE: 71st Street at the Normandy Isle Fountain, along the Rue Vendome, North Miami Beach.
continue

(Thanks to Betsy Martinez for contributing with this story and to Chris Cutro for the picture)

When Grisel Couto asked for a bundle of fresh cilantro, she got just what she asked for. The booth attendant hand picked them right in front of her and bagged the herbs – dirt clumps still clinging to the roots. That’s what makes this crop fields-meets-city veggie mart so unique: some of the produce is grown right before your eyes.

Roots in the City’s Urban Market, the first-of-its-kind farmer’s market, ran every Wednesday through April in Overtown, offering the freshest veggies and herbs in Miami.

And besides the freshness of the produce, or the fact that it’s grown on premises, or that it’s the first of its kind in South Florida, the market was special to the city because it offered those on food stamps twice continue

April is gone and with it all the cool Earth-Day related events that April brought us. However, there’s still a lot of fun and environmentally friendly things to do this week.

Wedneday, April 28
>Active lifestyle networking: Join Miami Active’s monthly meeting. The group encourages the free exchange of information and ideas to promote active lifestyles and business networks. Free. 8:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 28 at Whole Foods Coral Gables, 6701 Red Road. Meets in the Lifestyle Center,

>Hear environmentalist Bill McKibben discuss his new book, “Eaarth: Making a Life on a Tough New Planet.” Believed to be one of the first to warn against climate change in his book “The End of Nature” 20 years ago, McKibben now insists that we need to acknowledge that we’ve waited too long, and that massive change is not only unavoidable but already under way. He’ll be at Books & Books in Coral Gables, 265 Aragon Ave. 8 p.m., Wednesday, April 28. Free.

>Stroll the gardens of Vizcaya under the moonlight: Don’t miss this romantic moonlight tour of the Vizcaya gardens. Enjoy live music, wine and delicious refreshments. 6:60 to 9 p.m., Wednesday, April 28. Tours leave at different intervals throughout the night. Vizcaya is located at 3251 South Miami Avenue Miami. Tickets: $15 for general admission, $10 for students, seniors and members.

Thursday, April 29
>Chilean food & wine tasting: Wanting to help Chile recover but can’t get on a plane? Support the country by supporting its cheese and wine at this free tasting. 5 to 7 p.m., Thursday, April 29. Whole Foods South Beach, 1020 Alton Rd.

>’80’s themed free yoga: SoBe Pilates is having an ’80s-themed grand opening party with MC Miss Elaine Lancaster. Stop by for free fitness demos, refreshments and raffles. 7-9 p.m., Thursday April 29. Located on 950 Arthur Godfrey Rd., Miami Beach. 305-763-8878. continue

Edible gardeners, foodists or those simply interested in eating local and organic: Tomorrow is your last chance to visit the Food and Garden Festival at Fairchild ( event runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

Stop by to learn about summer gardening in South Florida, permaculture, horticulture and organic gardening, pick up a few summer seedlings and attend cooking demos from some of the best local chefs. It’s a great way to also learn about the many organizations helping make Miami more sustainable and helping protect Florida’s resources: SaveEarth, Sierra Club, Urban Oasis Project, Legacy Green Empowerment Program, Rescue Earth, and many others.

Plus you won’t get enough of the exquisite free samplings from the vendors.

Click here to see complete Sunday schedule.

I was there today and left with tons on information on how to improve my edible garden (the heat had started to take a toll on my tomatoes), picked up an arugula seedling, and attended a couple of very interesting lectures such as Gabriele Mariewski’s lecture on growing mushrooms (see the starting kits in the photographs) and the food blogger’s discussion on “Local Food in Miami: Where we are headed,” where they discussed the emerging and exciting local food movement.

I also found very interesting Noris Ledesma’s “Sustainable Living at the Fairchild Farm” lecture. She is the curator of the farm’s tropical fruits, including its mango tree collection -the largest in the world. It was interesting to learn about the farm’s summer camps and -although I don’t have a garden- to also learn how to grow mango trees.

And I didn’t leave without visiting all the vendors to discover exciting new local (and a few non-local but organic) products:

Romanicos Chocolate, made of organic and natural ingredients

Eat Well natural granola

Eel River organic beer from California

Sunny Days, Balmy Nights cooking book supporting children's music education

If you go:
What: Fairchild’s Food and Garden Festival
When: April 25, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (LAST DAY)
Where: 10901 Old Cutler Road Coral Gables, FL 33156
Admission: $20, but click here to print a $5 off coupon
More info: Visit Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Edible gardeners, foodists or those simply interested in eating local and organic: Tomorrow is your last chance to visit the Food and Garden Festival at Fairchild ( event runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

Stop by to learn about summer gardening in South Florida, permaculture, horticulture and organic gardening, pick up a few summer seedlings and attend cooking demos from some of the best local chefs. It’s a great way to also learn about the many organizations helping make Miami more sustainable and helping protect Florida’s resources: SaveEarth, Sierra Club, Urban Oasis Project, Legacy Green Empowerment Program, Rescue Earth, and many others.

Plus you won’t get enough of the exquisite free samplings from the vendors.

Click here to see complete Sunday schedule.

I was there today and left with tons on information on how to improve my edible garden (the heat had started to take a toll on my tomatoes), picked up an arugula seedling, and attended a couple of very interesting lectures such as Gabriele Mariewski’s lecture on growing mushrooms (see the starting kits in the photographs) and the food blogger’s discussion on “Local Food in Miami: Where we are headed,” where they discussed the emerging and exciting local food movement.

I also found very interesting Noris Ledesma’s “Sustainable Living at the Fairchild Farm” lecture. She is the curator of the farm’s tropical fruits, including its mango tree collection -the largest in the world. It was interesting to learn about the farm’s summer camps and -although I don’t have a garden- to also learn how to grow mango trees.

And I didn’t leave without visiting all the vendors to discover exciting new local (and a few non-local but organic) products:

Romanicos Chocolate, made of organic and natural ingredients

Eat Well natural granola

Eel River organic beer from California

Sunny Days, Balmy Nights cooking book supporting children's music education

If you go:
What: Fairchild’s Food and Garden Festival
When: April 25, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (LAST DAY)
Where: 10901 Old Cutler Road Coral Gables, FL 33156
Admission: $20, but click here to print a $5 off coupon
More info: Visit Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

These are eco-events for the week of April 21-28. Sign up for our weekly newsletter here and never miss a local eco-event. Don’t see your event? E-mail me details at editor@theecozine.com

>Organic drinks at The Palms: If you live in Miami, don’t miss the Earth Celebration at The Palms Hotel in South Beach this Thursday, April 22. Get complimentary eco-friendly drinks, neck and shoulder massages, live beats by Agape, and free samples and presentations by eco-friendly companies. A $5 donation for the Everglades Foundation is suggested. Also, there’s a $29 optional dinner. Event is from 6 to 9 p.m.

>Eco-Gala and Fashion Show: If you live in Palm Beach, don’t miss the Green Drinks South Florida gala, a black-tie event with a green-tie flair at the Boca Raton Resort and Country Club on April 22. Network with green business owners, enjoy an ECO fashion show, watch the ECO lifestyle awards, and have a delicious organic buffet dinner. Event is from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Admission: $125.

>Earth Day cooking class: Learn how to prepare an elegant, eco-friendly three-course meal comprised of Maryland-Style Cakes, Spinach Ravioli, and Key Lime “Cheesecake,” accompanied by an organic wine flight. Thursday, April 22, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Sublime, Tickets: $75.

>End of the Line screening: Part of Whole Food’s “Let’s Retake our Plates” film series. 5 p.m., April 22 at Cobb Theater, 11701 Lake Victoria Gardens Avenue, Palm Beach Gardens. Admission: $5.

>Food Inc. screening: The last of the “Let’s Retake our Plates” film series. 7:30 p.m., Friday, April 23 at Temple Bet Shira, 7500 SW 120th Street, Miami. Admission: $5.

>Miami Going Green expo in downtown: Stop by Bayfront Park for the second annual eco expo. Check out dozens of local vendors, environmental non-profits, and more. Plus, the team onboard the Bahamas to U.S. Solar-Powered Crossing expedition will arrive to Bayfront Park during the event. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, April 24 at Bayfront Park, 301 Biscayne Blvd, Miami. Free.

>Food and Garden Festival at Fairchild: Check out lectures on sustainable living, urban agriculture and gardening, culinary demos, a farmer’s market, and many vendors. 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., April 24-25, at Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Road Coral Gables. Admission: $20 but here’s $5 off coupon.

>Miami Bike Days: Have a blast at this no-cars allowed event at the Grove, when streets will close and only human-powered transportation will be allowed, in an attempt to remind us -or more likely show us- how things where in the old days. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., April 25 at Peacock Park, 2820 McFarlane Rd, Miami.

>Hear “The Real Inconvenient Truth:” The Animal Rights Foundation of Florida will give a one-hour presentation on the amount of carbon emissions generated by the livestock industry, while explaining how beneficial a vegan diet is for us and our planet. 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. April 25 at Sublime Restaurant, 1431 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale. Free. RSVP by 4/24 at 954-727-2733 ext. 205 or at james@arff.org

>Learn how to prevent cancers with a good diet: Registered Dietitian George Eisman will lecture on the benefits of a good diet. 6:30 p.m., April 27 at Sublime Restaurant & Bar ,1431 North Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale. Free. RSVP by 4/25 to coalitioncp@yahoo.com

>Stroll the gardens of Vizcaya under the moonlight: Don’t miss this romantic moonlight tour of the Vizcaya gardens. Enjoy live music, wine and delicious refreshments. 6:60 to 9 p.m., April 27 and 28. Tours leave at different intervals throughout the night. Vizcaya is located at 3251 South Miami Avenue
Miami. Tickets: $15 for general admission, $10 for students, seniors and members.

Photo courtesy of s-t-r-a-n-g-e

Don’t miss the Food & Garden Festival this weekend.

Stop by to learn about sustainability, urban agriculture, and to hear what local non-profits are doing to make the Magic City greener. Plus, pile up on edible seedlings for the summer months, buy organic produce, and learn a few tips to incorporate in your kitchen from the culinary demos.

Also… I’m very excited to announce that The Ecozine has been invited to participate in the blogger’s table, so I’ll be there taking pictures and blogging live from the event!

With the urban agriculture movement growing so fast in Miami, this festival seems even more promising than last year’s Edible Garden Festival. There will be dozens of tables from non-profits including the Urban Oasis Project, Save Earth Miami andFertile Earth Foundation.

The schedule is up already and the program includes lectures from recognized local agriculturists, gardeners and permaculturists.

Here’s my personal list of what you shouldn’t miss:

1-One of the problems with growing veggies in South Florida is that not all plants will sustain the warm months. That’s why you don’t want to miss Carolyne Coppolo’s “Keep Your Garden Growing Over the Summer” lecture (Sat. 10 a.m.).

2-No matter how much you know about agriculture, mycology is a whole new world. As someone who failed at growing shiitake from a mushroom log, I definitely won’t be missing Paradise Farm’s Gabriele Mariewski’s lecture, “Local Mushrooms in South Florida” (Sat 12 p.m.).

3-There’s a lot written about the problems with modern commercial fishing, however, it’s refreshing to hear it from someone who has been doing extensive research on it. Don’t miss Lisa Krimsky and Brian Fleuch’s lecture on “Seafood Safety and Sustainability” (Sat. 3 p.m.).

4-If you are interested in learning more about Miami’s sustainable food options but don’t know where to start, don’t miss “Local Food in Miami: Where we are headed,” a discussion with local food bloggers Trina Sargalski from Miamidish; Bill Jacobs from Tinkering with Dinner; Ellen Kanner from Edgy Veggie; and Caroline Hatchett from Occasional Omnivore. Paula Nino from Mango & Lime will moderate. (Sat. 3 p.m.)

5-Earth-n-Us Farm, a farm in the middle of Little Haiti has been gaining more and more recognition as a sustainable urban agriculture model that could be replicated in other parts of the city. Be inspired by the farm’s manager Marcus Thomson, who will be presenting “Permaculture for South Florida” (Sun. 10 a.m.)

6-Learn about community garden projects going on in your city and across South Florida, and find out how to be part of one. “Community Gardening,” will be presented by Dr. Marvin Dunn from Roots in the City (who recently launched a weekly fresh market in Overtown), CC Holloman from Legacy Initiatives/Roots of the Grove Garden; and Fairchild’s Alison Walker. (Sun. 12:30 p.m.)

7-And for more inspiration, learn what Ben Thacker from Gardens of Troy is doing to keep teens out of the streets in Little Haiti. Don’t miss “Empowering Miami’s Inner-city Teens by Growing Food.” (Sun. 2 p.m.)

Besides the lectures, there will be a spring plant sale, food demos, tons of vendors serving organic, vegetarian and/ or healthy food, plus you’ll be able to stroll the gardens and explore some of Florida’s wildest vegetation.

If you go:
What: Fairchild’s Food and Garden Festival
When: April 24-25, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: 10901 Old Cutler Road Coral Gables, FL 33156
Admission: $20, but click here to print a $5 off coupon
More info: Visit Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Don’t miss the Food & Garden Festival this weekend.

Stop by to learn about sustainability, urban agriculture, and to hear what local non-profits are doing to make the Magic City greener. Plus, pile up on edible seedlings for the summer months, buy organic produce, and learn a few tips to incorporate in your kitchen from the culinary demos.

Also… I’m very excited to announce that The Ecozine has been invited to participate in the blogger’s table, so I’ll be there taking pictures and blogging live from the event!

With the urban agriculture movement growing so fast in Miami, this festival seems even more promising than last year’s Edible Garden Festival. There will be dozens of tables from non-profits including the Urban Oasis Project, Save Earth Miami andFertile Earth Foundation.

The schedule is up already and the program includes lectures from recognized local agriculturists, gardeners and permaculturists.

Here’s my personal list of what you shouldn’t miss:

1-One of the problems with growing veggies in South Florida is that not all plants will sustain the warm months. That’s why you don’t want to miss Carolyne Coppolo’s “Keep Your Garden Growing Over the Summer” lecture (Sat. 10 a.m.).

2-No matter how much you know about agriculture, mycology is a whole new world. As someone who failed at growing shiitake from a mushroom log, I definitely won’t be missing Paradise Farm’s Gabriele Mariewski’s lecture, “Local Mushrooms in South Florida” (Sat 12 p.m.).

3-There’s a lot written about the problems with modern commercial fishing, however, it’s refreshing to hear it from someone who has been doing extensive research on it. Don’t miss Lisa Krimsky and Brian Fleuch’s lecture on “Seafood Safety and Sustainability” (Sat. 3 p.m.).

4-If you are interested in learning more about Miami’s sustainable food options but don’t know where to start, don’t miss “Local Food in Miami: Where we are headed,” a discussion with local food bloggers Trina Sargalski from Miamidish; Bill Jacobs from Tinkering with Dinner; Ellen Kanner from Edgy Veggie; and Caroline Hatchett from Occasional Omnivore. Paula Nino from Mango & Lime will moderate. (Sat. 3 p.m.)

5-Earth-n-Us Farm, a farm in the middle of Little Haiti has been gaining more and more recognition as a sustainable urban agriculture model that could be replicated in other parts of the city. Be inspired by the farm’s manager Marcus Thomson, who will be presenting “Permaculture for South Florida” (Sun. 10 a.m.)

6-Learn about community garden projects going on in your city and across South Florida, and find out how to be part of one. “Community Gardening,” will be presented by Dr. Marvin Dunn from Roots in the City (who recently launched a weekly fresh market in Overtown), CC Holloman from Legacy Initiatives/Roots of the Grove Garden; and Fairchild’s Alison Walker. (Sun. 12:30 p.m.)

7-And for more inspiration, learn what Ben Thacker from Gardens of Troy is doing to keep teens out of the streets in Little Haiti. Don’t miss “Empowering Miami’s Inner-city Teens by Growing Food.” (Sun. 2 p.m.)

Besides the lectures, there will be a spring plant sale, food demos, tons of vendors serving organic, vegetarian and/ or healthy food, plus you’ll be able to stroll the gardens and explore some of Florida’s wildest vegetation.

If you go:
What: Fairchild’s Food and Garden Festival
When: April 24-25, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: 10901 Old Cutler Road Coral Gables, FL 33156
Admission: $20, but click here to print a $5 off coupon
More info: Visit Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden