I’m hosting a discussion on on sustainable food issues with food politics writer Jill Richardson this Thursday evening in San Francisco, along with writer-farmer Jason Mark from Alemany Farms. If you saw the movie “Food, Inc.” and care about changing our food system, Jill’s blog “La Vida Locavore” is one to follow.

Jill will talk about what current important food issues we can all participate it in right now. including food safety and school lunch reform Jason will provide some tips on how we can get involved in food production in our own backyards.

Jill Richardson is the founder of La Vida Locavore, one of the top ten blogs on sustainable food according to Mark Bittman at the New York Times. She also contributes regularly to AlterNet. She’s a member of the Organic Consumers Association policy advisory board and the author of “Recipe for America: Why Our Food System Is Broken and What We Can Do to to Fix it.“

Jason Mark is a writer-farmer active in the sustainable food movement. He is a co-author of Building the Green Economy: Success Stories from the Grassroots and the editor of the Earth Island Journal. His writings have appeared in The Nation, The Progressive, Utne Reader, San Francisco Chronicle, Gastronomica, Alternet.org, and Grist.org. He co-manages San Francisco’s Alemany Farm, a four-acre organic fruit and vegetable garden in the city.

Event starts at 6:30pm and goes until 8pm at Viracocha, a new arts space/store at 998 Valencia. Make sure to RSVP here or directly to me at vera00 (at) gmail.com. I’ll have donations from fair trade chocolate company Alter-Eco and Bi-Rite market too, and the space is quite cool!

I hope these Etsy finds inspire you to dress up when you go see the movie. Some you can try to re-create at home! Please share links if you got something to share.

Papercut bookmark - $6.50
Ruffled legwarmers - $58
Clock necklace - $11
Queen of Hearts Resin pendant - $18
Queen of Hearts skirt - love it, though price is steep - $72

7 x7 Magazine’s also got some cute Etsy finds around San Francisco. My favorite is the the cocktail ring for $11 (I’ve seen this at Crossroads)

When: Memorial Day weekend
Where: Oak Canyon Ranch, Irvine

Ticket prices are as follows, with info:

Tier 1: $165
Tier 2: $190
Tier 3: $205

Buy Tickets
(ticket link will go live at 10am on Friday the 5th)

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Car camping and RV passes

A limited amount of car camping passes and RV passes will be made available in the coming weeks. Stay tuned to this newsletter for details and the on sale date.

Layaway tickets

Layaway plan for tier 2 pricing level starting March 8th and available through March 31st. You will have the option of putting 20% down with 2 remaining payments in April and May, or putting 50% down with 1 remaining payment in May.

Free water all weekend with the LIB reusable water bottle

Volunteers, Vendors, and Art Submissions

Online application forms for all volunteers, vendors, and art submissions will be up on March 15th.  Please wait until then for all inquiries and ideas regarding those areas of the big event.

“Thank-you all so much for your love and support - it means the world to us! love, The Do LaB”

In about ten days, 175 representatives will meet to vote on this ban at CITES ( “the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, which is an international agreement between governments to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.)” Several European countries have already given their thumbs up, while Japan says thumbs down though, so this is not entirely good news yet. According to the Washington Post article, the proposal needs a two-thirds majority to pass and the EU has this week to decide whether it will approve or decline the ban.

According to the End of the Line blog,

“23 out of the 27 EU countries now support the species being protected by CITES (the organisation which regulates trade in endangered species). It also means there is no longer any effective block to stop the EU reaching a common position (at a previous vote, it had been blocked by the Mediterranean countries).”

The Washington Post article explains:

“Over the past half-century, the adult population of eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean bluefin tuna has declined 74 percent, much of it in the past decade. In the western Atlantic, the population has dropped 82 percent in 40 years. The declines came even as bluefin fishing was being governed by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, which sets catch quotas for the fish and is supposed to curtail illegal fishing”

After watching End of the Line and more recently watching The Cove - nominated for an Oscar along with other powerful documentaries this year, like Food, Inc. - I’ve been so disheartened about the fishing industry and marine life conservation. The last time I went out for sushi I felt too guilty to go back. Lately I limit my seafood intake to omega-3 rich fish like anchovies as a condiment in my salads, abundant fish like talapia from time to time, scallops or wild salmon for the occasional treat.

I hope a ban like this goes through. We as consumers need to spread the word and participate to make it happen. But as the films I mentioned show us, we need laws to help the cause.

The film is inspired the book ”Half the Sky” written by Pulitzer winning journalists, Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. Kristof’s N.Y. Times column follows the problems that face women living in poverty, including crises like violence and rape in the Congo. But “Half the Sky” is a hopeful collection of stories about women overcoming these struggles. The book inspired Marissa Tomei and Lisa Leone to produce the film Woinshet.

The premiere is this Thursday at theatres across all major cities in the U.S. at 7:30 p.m. in an event that includes performances by India Arie, Angelique Kidjo, Michael Franti, and more.

This International Women’s Day, Celebrate the Movement

That’s Changing the World One Woman at a Time

On Thursday, March 4, CARE Presents Half the Sky LIVE – an Uplifting Evening of Songs, Stories and Celebrity Discussion – in Movie Theatres Nationwide

ATLANTA (February 8, 2010) – Today the poverty-fighting organization CARE announces its second annual International Women’s Day event. On Thursday, March 4 at 7:30 p.m., CARE will bring the best-selling book “Half the Sky” to life onscreen for a special one-night-only event in movie theatres nationwide. Visitwww.halftheskylive.com for more information and to purchase tickets today.

Inspired by moving stories from the critically-acclaimed book “Half the Sky” by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, Half the Sky LIVEwill feature an uplifting night of music, celebrity discussion and the world premiere of “Woinshet,” a powerful short film directed by Academy Award^® winner Marisa Tomei and Lisa Leone that chronicles the struggles of an Ethiopian woman who triumphs over violence and discrimination.

“Woinshet is an inspiration to the millions of women across the globe who face violence and oppression,” says Marisa Tomei. “My hope is that people will leave theatres not only cheering her on, but demanding that we end discrimination and horrible cruelty towards women.”

Building on the success of A Powerful Noise LIVE, CARE’s 2009 International Women’s Day event, Half the Sky LIVE will feature appearances by India.Arie; Maria Bello; Michael Franti; Dr. Helene Gayle; Angelique Kidjo; Nicholas Kristof; Rachel Mayanja (UN): Sarah, Duchess of York; Marisa Tomei; Sheryl WuDunn and other notables. The exclusive two-hour event is sure to be one of the most visible International Women’s Day celebrations on the planet. A percentage of ticket sales will support CARE’s work in more than 70 countries.

“CARE is proud to once again celebrate International Women’s Day with a rousing one-night-only event in theatres across the country,” says Dr. Helene Gayle, president and CEO of CARE. “Half the Sky LIVE is more than just a night at the movies – it’s a rallying cry to stand up and join a growing worldwide movement to empower women and girls to fight global poverty.”

Featured on Oprah, CNN, and Dateline NBC, “Half the Sky” remains a New York Times bestseller and is a critical favorite across the globe. Tom Brokaw says the book’s stories about real women “will pierce your heart and arouse your conscience.”

Half the Sky LIVE will be featured in more than 450 theatres in the U.S. and Canada on Thursday, March 4 at 7:30 p.m. in all time zones, with ticket prices ranging from $10-$12.50 USD. Visit www.halftheskylive.com for details, theatre listings, and to purchase tickets today.

Half the Sky LIVE is supported by Delta Air Lines, Meredith Corporation and Walmart.

About CARE

Founded in 1945, CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. CARE places special focus on working alongside poor women because, equipped with the proper resources, women have the power to help whole families and entire communities escape poverty. Working in more than 70 countries, women are at the heart of CARE’s community-based efforts to improve education, health and economic opportunity. Learn more at www.care.org.

I love that she rides a unicycle, wears angel wings for no reason, and prescribes fun physical activities with her mental exercises. It may sound shallow, but I know that for me, hooping, a high energy step class with weights, and dancing all affect me differently. One allows me to let go and get “in a zone” while another works to make me feel stronger. It’s good to have choices in one’s  toolbox.

Below is her philosophy on being a Loveatarian:

“So how do you choose love over fear? The most crucial tool is forgiveness. The act of forgiveness is to the loveatarian as a wheat grass enema is to the raw foodie. Forgiveness guides us to remove all of the old fearful scenarios and clear space for love. Begin your loveatarian diet today. Proceed with the following plan:

Breakfast: Pray to God/ Universe/ Inner Guide or as Kris would say Jesus, Buddha, Elvis whatever… Talk to whoever you think is listening and ask for help. Ask the power greater than you to align your thoughts with love just for today. Following your prayer, add in a five minute meditation. In your meditation recite the mantra, “I choose love over fear.” Repeat this out loud throughout your five minute meditation.

Snack: Make a list of all the people you need to forgive.

Lunch: Start forgiving. Go down the list and send a silent blessing to them all. Say out loud or in your mind, “I accept you, I forgive you and I release you.”

Afternoon Snack: Send a loving email or text message to someone on your forgiveness list. Keep it simple. If you’re having a hard time forgiving just write, “I hope you’re having a great day.”

Dinner: Make a list of everything in your life that you’re grateful for that day.

Late Night Snack: Pray again. Thank (God/ Universe/ Inner Guide or whoever you speak to) for another beautiful day. Say a prayer for anyone in need and everyone on your forgiveness list. Turn your day over and set your intention for a peaceful night sleep.

Like any great diet, true transformation will occur with daily repetition. Begin with a thirty day commitment to start seeing some positive results. By choosing to follow the loveatarian plan for the next thirty days you will begin to re-program your thoughts from fear back to love. If you dig the results, stick to the plan and commit to a life as a loveatarian. Trust me, you’ll feel much lighter!”

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Tourdates:

March 5: 11am-2pm Book signing & “Clear Your Fear in Career” lecture at UC Berkeley, Senate Chambers Room in Eshleman Hall RSVP

7:30-9pm Book signing & “Add More ~ing to Your Life” lecture at Lululemon RSVP

March 6:

2pm Book signing at Copperfield’s Books RSVP

7pm Book signing & Q&A at Borders–Union Square RSVP

March 7:

2:30-6pm “How to Apply the ~ing Equation” lecture & workshop at Sports Basement RSVP

According to this KQED article, In just a week or two it’s expanded to over 50,000 members with discussions on the best brunch in the city to the best cafe to read a book (I suggested Atlas Cafe for their sweet potato-beet pizzas, magazine selection, location and space)

The idea came from the Secret London group and expanded now to most major cities. I wish you could do detailed searches on it, but it’s fun regardless if you want to learn about Rusty Wells’ affordable yoga, like I do, discuss places to get a healthy mani-pedi (Polished Lounge, here I come), or suggest awesome hooping classes (Hoop The Flow in the Mission).

As far as secret food, Mission street food is as underground as it gets in the bay area. I learned about it through my journalist friend Gregory, who came over for blueberry kombucha recently and recently wrote a piece about “pop up” SF restaurants for the NY Times. Last Thursday Mission Street Food held a secret vegan benefit dinner for Food not Bombs and its next dinner is planned for the 28th. Chefs take over a Chinese restaurant and experiment once a week, with proceeds going to charity. Awesome!

I asked if they could have an event to benefit the Congo, but they mostly donate to hunger organizations. They’re looking for investors to give $500 to fund a restaurant that will give all proceeds to charity, in fact, but they don’t mention anything its focus being sustainable or plant-based.

I’m sure there’s tons of secret foodie stuff going on in the east bay too. To keep track of the smaller food carts throughout the area, Twitter and this calendar site help.

Let me know anything I missed : )

Lots of performing and visual art, including a performance by fabulous tribal belly dance teacher I took a class with at ODC Dance School recently - Jill Parker, lots of visionary art, and VJ performances.

The event’s put on by the new Village Arts Space’ 11,000 sq ft, 2-story warehouse in SoMa, and it celebrates the Lunar New Year with “Paintings! Visuals! Sculptures! Interactive Craft! Live Creation! Tumblers! Dancers! Delicious Vittels! Fashion Design! Kissing Booth Operators! DJs! Live Performance! Chocolate! And Every Face a Different Shade at the ART OF LOVE gallery-warming masquerade ball!”

Other goodies this weekend include benefit yoga at Laughing Lotus on Saturday benefitting Haiti at 11am with Jasmin, whose class I love, and a love offering at 9am on Sunday and love sermon at 11am on Sunday.

And the food sounds interesting!

Serving:

Tasty Bike Blended Smoothies  (gotta try that)
Food from Soul Cocina, Bike Basket Pies
Beer from 21st Amendment Brewery
Lavender, jasmin, and roasted green tea Kombucha on tap by Housekombucha (better than our own blueberry?)
Organic HonestTeas From Honest Beverages

Stop by on Friday, Feb 5, at Cellspace starting in the evening.