Green Restaurants

I love when businesses take the proper steps to help the earth. It not only shows that being green is cool but that it is possible to run a successful company and take care of the planet at the same time. Here are some restaurants that explore being green.

Habana Outpost - Brooklyn, NY
Located on the corner of Fulton Street and South Portland Avenue you will find Habana, NYC's first eco-eatery. Open during all seasons except winter, this green restaurant uses solar panels for its energy, rainwater for its bathrooms and has recycled furniture for its customers to sit on. They also provide charging stations for your cell phones and laptops. Not to mention, the option to mix your own margaritas by riding a bike! Their menu is fun and interesting just like its environment. They only have a few vegetarian dishes but it is definitely a place you should check out. On weekends from 12 - 6 pm they open their outdoor market where you can find clothes, art and other unique items and they also have a kids corner complete with gardening, crafts, face painting and more. I love how they teach children about the earth and how to take care of it. If Habana seems like a good time to you, check out their site and read more of what they are about.



Uncommon Ground - Chicago, IL
If you like honey than this place will hit the spot. On the roof of this restaurant are four active bee hives that thrive naturally. They house over 195,000 bees! The fresh honey is used for most dishes on the menu and the bees have a new home. Producing about 40 pounds of honey a year I would say they are pretty busy. Owners Michael and Helen Cameron decided to help the bees find homes when they suddenly started to abandon their hives a few years ago. I think they did a great job! They are also the first restaurant to have a certified organic rooftop farm. How cool is that!



5 Seasons Restaurant & Brewery - Atlanta, GA
Not only does this brewery make natural, efficient beer but it has great food too. Their rainwater filtration system on the roof of the restaurant collects about 900 gallons of water each 30 minute pour. If you didn't know, rainwater has a lower pH and mineral content so its better for you. This resulting in really good beer! Owners Dennis Lange and David Larkworthy have a passion for natural foods and drinks and turned this idea into a very successful business. Not only is this place providing good food and service to the community it saves it about 3,000 gallons of water a month! Now thats being green.



Chipotle - Everywhere
If you like mexican food than you will love Chipotle. If you haven't eaten there yet than where the hell have you been? They are awesome. Their food is natural, fresh and delicious and they run their company in an eco-friendly way. Plus, their prices aren't so bad either. It costs $10 to feed my boyfriend and I and that my friend is smart eating. My favorite combination: burrito bowl with rice, extra peppers & onions, a little corn, tomatoes and cheese. Yummo! I found a good article that talks about all the green choices Chipotle has made so check it out. I promise you will be impressed! Ecofriend Don't forget to check out Steve Ells brief to the Senate about the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act. Chipotle is definitely evolving for change!



These are just some of the places that are taking the necessary steps toward a better earth. Do your research and see if there any places in your area that are green and doing their part. Here are a few more to add to the list and some websites to visit for more infmation:
Mixt Greens - San Francisco
Solar Roast Coffee - Pueblo, CO

Going Greener
Green Restaurant Association
Tree Hugger
The Great Green List

Best Green Companies for Your Kids

I don't have children yet but I have about 5 years of experience under my belt with them. Working in a daycare and being a nanny really helped me to understand kids and know what is important for them to live healthy lives. Whether they are your kids or someone else's all America's children play a big part in this country. It is our responsibility as parents, teachers, mentors and family to give them the best ingredients of a happy life. They learn from all of us. I can't stress enough how important healthy food and natural products are to a child's well being. In April's issue of Working Mother they list the best green companies for America's children. I really liked this article and was impressed that the magazine featured it. Here are the companies:

Annie's Homegrown
You might know this company by it's mac 'n' cheese but Annie's Homegrown has a nice array of products that your kids will sure to love. The company was founded 21 years ago by Annie Withey who herself is a mother of two. It's line of products are all natural and grown without pesticides, fungicides or synthetic fertilizers. From meals to snacks, Annie's mission is to create real, authentic food. Not only do they support over 75 organic family farms they also donate products to programs that educate children on organic gardening. In addition, their Cases for Causes gives $50,000 in scholarships to students who plan to study sustainable agriculture. They use recycled packaging for all their products and helps out the earth by supporting NativeEnergy. I have personally eaten some of their food and it is really tasty. Next time your in the supermarket try one of their products. I promise you won't regret it!



Clorox
I must say that I am not a fan of Clorox. Just thinking about bleach makes me sick. Yuck! All those chemicals! But I have to give credit to the company for the small steps they have been taking to help the environment. First of all, they bought out Burt's Bees. Then it brought us Green Works which is a line of natural plant derived cleaners. Because of this their profits rose by 23 percent. It just goes to show that despite a recession people want better products in their homes. Last year the company also agreed to stop using and transporting chlorine gas which causes air pollution. They partnered up with Sierra Club which now endorses the Green Works label. Besides all this, Clorox hosts clothing swaps for children in hopes to eliminate some of the 23.8 billion pounds of clothes that end up in our landfills each year. Now thats a great idea! Although, I am not a fan of the brand Clorox I have to admit they are making wiser decisions. In a perfect world, their chemical filled products would be taken off the shelves and the company would just sell the natural ones. But I guess this is better than nothing!



Intel
For the last 15 years this company has supported education and renewable energy. They invest about $100 million a year to education alone with a focus on math, science and technology. Between their science fairs and their own Climate Savers Computing Initiative they give support to teachers, students as well as underprivileged communities. Trying to create more efficient computers at reasonable prices is yet another focus of the company. Their new Intel Core design eliminated 15 million tons of carbon dioxide over the past three years! If that wasn't enough they earned the top spot on the EPA's Fortune 500 Green List last year due to the use of renewable energy. Almost half the company's energy is produced by solar and wind sources.



Starbucks
I don't drink coffee but this company surely got my attention. Their mission to help protect the planet is proven by the work of its Social Entrepreneurs Fund. In 2008 alone it issued $2.1 million in grants to organizations that support young innovators. They also partnered up with Save the Children to do their part in helping to educate coffee farming communities and improve health. Their plan is to raise their sourcing of responsibly grown and ethically traded coffee to 100 percent by 2015 and make all their cups 100 percent recyclable or reusable. You also might notice the stores getting a makeover. With additions like eco water fixtures, energy efficient lighting and the use of renewable sources for energy they will be sure to make an impact. Plus, all their new stores are being built according to LEED standards. These are great steps to a better future!



Johnson & Johnson
This company has been around for a very long time. They surely have stepped up to the plate when it comes to helping the planet. Focusing on climate issues it reduced its use of fossil fuels by 34 percent and have been investing in renewable energy sources. The company has the highest amount of hybrid vehicles in the world! Their philanthropic efforts have made a difference in women and children's lives everywhere and with their help programs for health literacy like Safe Kids Worldwide really get to make a difference. They are a member of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition and its Aveeno line has partnered with TerraCycle to host national recycling drives.



Here are some other companies to look out for: Northstar Moving, Rain Bird and Green Truck