A Taste of Fall - Launch Party for The Positive Plate on 11-11-11

Alright folks!!  Here is the official launch party of The Positive Plate - Orange County's newest, hottest restaurant sustainability program spearheaded by Jesse Baker PhD of Ecofficiency!  We have an amazing line up of food from some of OC's best "green" restaurants in addition to stellar music (including Common Kings, Jacob Luttrell and American Idol's Michael Castro)!  It's all happening this Friday on 11-11-11 at an incredibly unique and fitting venue - The OC Food Bank in Irvine, CA.  Tickets are still available but they are going fast!  You can purchase them here for $60 a pop.  Each ticket includes unlimited food and drinks.

 

Sending a special THANK YOU to our restaurant and beverage sponsors.  AND, we are lucky enough to have Paul Schafer of PS Photo Media as our sponsoring photographer along with Fusion Linens as our linen donor.  Of course, Floral Sense will be there with sustainably designed arrangements decking out the event!  There WILL be a give-away of some arrangements too.  

Can't wait to see you there!!

Yours Truly,

Joanna

The Positive Plate: Launching September 1, 2011

I am SO excited to finally announce the launch of The Positive Plate!  Take some time to browse the website here.  In essence, The Positive Plate is "an Orange County based sustainability program, helping restaurants, food trucks, and caterers implement individualized and comprehensive sustainability plans. Our mission is to help inspire a comprehensive and verifiable movement toward sustainable food production, service, and consumption from within Orange County’s dining culture. All restaurants participating in our program make significant commitments towards operating sustainably, and deserve your support."

Jesse Baker, Founder to Ecofficiency.org, has been working on this project for as long as I can remember.  His hard work and dedication is finally paying off! If you are looking for sustainably certified restaurants to eat at, just check out the beginnings to a great list on the website.

To socially responsible eating!

Yours truly,

Joanna

Fibonacci's Dirty Little Secret

Alright, so maybe it's not really a secret but its dirty! Fibonacci's Campus Pointe Bistro has its own farm from where they harvest their own produce. And its just a walk away from the restaurant on a patch of real dirt! Check it out:







Just a little side thought - The florals on this dill plant look so much like a filler flower I like to use called Queen Anne's Lace. So what's to say that I can't use the florals from an edible garden to design with?


There is also a composting area. All composting material begin in the first bin and is moved/turned once a week into the following bin.


The progression eventually moves here where the soil is sifted. Its so easy, even the kids can do it!


So what even compelled me to visit the garden during my visit at Fibonacci's on Sunday? I noticed that all the disposable plates and utensils were made of raw, biodegradable material which was enough cause for applause. Then I had to find the trash cans after I was done with my meal.


I found a small crowd of people by the trash receptacle sorting through their garbage. Standing ovation? Getting there.


There were four different compartments: Compost, Fibonacci's Compostable Dinnerware, Recycle and Trash. Each label included a description of acceptable materials.


This composting material can be used for Fibonacci's very own garden! I love it! The system has been set up to sustain itself. (Insert standing ovation here)

Well done!

Inspired Buyer in Newport Beach, CA

About a week ago, Jesse Baker from Ecofficiency.org asked me if I would be willing to do a sustainable floral demo for their Inspired Buyer event coming up.



So how could I say no! Of course, I love any opportunity to share the knowledge that I have gained over the past year in Greening Up Floral Sense. I'll have a posting on the demo later on but if you are interested in attending the event, it is free! And you'll have an incredible opportunity to meet some great businesses and tour the ENC in Newport Beach, CA.



Here's the quick 411:
What: Inspired Buyer
When: Sunday November 21, 2010
Where: Environmental Nature Center
1601 16th Street, Newport Beach
What: The Inspired Buyer is a one day sustainable shopping event showcasing the finest environmentally and socially conscious businesses in the region. Geared specifically for the upcoming holiday season, the goal of the event is to inspire our community to celebrate sustainably. In addition to fabulous vendors selling holiday gifts, The Inspired Buyer will also feature do-it-yourself gift demos, nature tours, live music, kids activities, and lots of healthy food and drinks. The entire event will be powered by the sun and is absolutely free to attend!

Hope to see you there!

Environmental Nature Center in Newport Beach, CA

I am SO excited to share my latest Green Venue find. It is the first LEED PLATINUM certified building in Orange County and is located right in Newport Beach!

Welcome to the Environmental Nature Center:






Isn't she pretty? The building is single story at 9,000 square feet with a plethora of sustainable features including solar electric system and waterless urinals (that's right....waterless!)

Not only is the ENC available as a venue for a fabulous event, it is open to the public on weekdays for you to visit and peruse the premises. The center is committed to education, equipped with programs, a nature trail and even a butterfly house.

Visit and I'm pretty sure you'll be impressed!

Photos from ENC website.