Zem Joaquin and her Thanksgiving Picks

A mutual friend that Zem and I know Lyn Lear describes Zem perfectly. She states, “there are two kinds of people: juicy ones and dry ones and Zem is one of the juiciest I have ever met!” It is true. Zem is indeed one of those incredibly passionate and energetic warriors that is squeezing every ounce of life. She started Eco- Fabulous back when being green was for the wacky hippies. She designs eco-stylish houses, writes for various publications along with her site, consults on green living, been awarded countless green awards for helping our planet, and more. She lives in a beautifully stylish yet green house in Marin County with her husband and two children.

Here are her picks for a healthier Thanksgiving and a mini interview!

1) How did you become a green warrior?

Having two children with asthma made me reactive but my childhood on a hippy commune made me proactive. I say that it was always in my genes but not until later was it in my jeans. Thankfully I found the book Cradle to Cradle and its co-author William McDonough, which gave me a foundation and a vernacular to become a warrior.

2) Are you hopeful about the state of our mother earth? There is more consciousness but also more corporate greed.

I’m an eternal optimist and see a serious consciousness shift, but I also see more people just struggling to get by. It is my job to help make it easier and more appealing (including more affordable) to go green.

3) What is your beauty secret?

No secrets because my whole life is about transparency, but my tricks of the trade include doing yoga regularly, eating a plant-rich diet, popping Smarty Pants multivitamins as a healthy boost and having a clean skin regimen.  I have very sensitive skin, so I am obsessed with gentle but effective skincare. I use Seventh Generation make-up remover pads, Yes to Blueberries cream face wash and serum, Marie Veronique sun oil, and a few different lotions: Tata Harper, Nude, Duchess Marden, TchaTcha rice cream. When I need a boost I use Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel for sensitive skin or a Pangea mask. For makeup, I’m a fan of Vapour (blush stick & lipstick), Couleur Caramel (everything), Jane Iredale (lipsticks), 100% Pure (mascara), Josie Maran (mascara) and Juice Beauty (lip gloss).

4) Are you a mermaid or forest fairy?

Both…I’m a Gemini so I need variety! I’m a diver and I love hiking.

5) What are three things we can do to live towards a green lifestyle?

Oh, there are endless things that we can do. Sign up for PracticallyGreen to find out more and sign up for Zem’s List (on ecofabulous.com) for hot picks as well.

  1) Eat less or no meat. Even giving up one meat meal per week reduces your carbon footprint dramatically, so try Meatless Mondays or Weekday Veg, like Graham Hill (founder of TreeHugger).

  2) Use non-toxic cleaning supplies like Seventh Generation.

  3) Hang dry your clothes whenever possible, especially jeans. It will make the clothing last longer and since your dyer is one of the biggest energy sucking appliances, it will reduce your impact.

6) What or where is your favorite meal?

My favorite meals are at the Jean Michel Cousteau Resort in Fiji and at Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur. Breakfast at Murray Circle at Cavallo Point in Sausalito California is another favorite.

7) What book is on your nightstand?

Right now I’m reading The Believing Brain from Michael Shermer, but always have a stack of kid books on my nightstand as well. My husband, kids and I read together every night… or at least every night that I am home!

 

	Good Gobble: Hormone-free leftovers are much tastier! Amp up the taste factor at this year’s T-giving meal with a flavor-packed, free-range heritage turkey. (Looking for a vegan option instead? Have a bird-free feast complete with traditional tastes using a Tofurky) (prices vary).
	On the Sauce: Fresh certified organic cranberries combine with a touch of oranges, apples, and pecans to give this classic cranberry sauce a distinctively autumn flavor ($8.00).
	Mashed in Minutes: Forgo all that time it takes to scrub, peel, cut, and boil potatoes and opt instead for these organic and gluten-free mashed potatoes, which can be ready in as little as four minutes ($13.80 for a pack of six).
	Life of Pie: Start the foundation of your holiday dessert the easy way with a ready-made Wholly Wholesome Organic Pie Shell as its base (prices vary).
	Up to Scratch: Here’s another way for the almost-from-scratch baker to make a sweet finish faster: Fill up that pie shell with tasty organic pumpkin pie mix ($2.89).
	Mull It Over: Simmer some deliciously aromatic organic mulling spices with a favorite organic apple cider (or red wine for a little extra fun) ($5.50).
	Toast the Coast: Raise a glass in thanks for one of our greatest gifts — oceans and waterways — with Iron Horse Vineyards 2007 Ocean Reserve Blanc de Blancs sparkling wine, created with National Geographic to help save our seas. ($40.00).
	Serve and Protect: During dinner prep, shield yourself from spills, splats, and burns with an organic cotton apron, dishtowel, and oven mitt colored with water-based dyes ($30.00 for the apron and towel; $12.00 for the mitt).
	Holiday Heat: Spice up your seasonal gathering with a healthy dye-free wax candle scented with fresh pumpkin and notes of butter, sugar, and spices ($16.00).
	Put a Ring on It: Decorate with the welcoming colors of autumn using this organic wreath of preserved salal, a small evergreen shrub found on the Pacific coast ($69.95).
	Lap of Luxury: They look better than those of the disposable ilk, plus they’re always better for the earth. Make your table stylish and more sustainable with reusable certified organic linen napkins like these ($80.00).
	Come into the Light: Create a naturally dramatic centerpiece with this chic candelabra of driftwood that’s been sculpted and worn smooth by wind and seawater (starting at $239.00).
	Dish It Out: Present entrees and sides in this stackable set of efficiently createdserveware by Haand studio. Elegant and minimal, the seven handmade pieces are available at a price that won’t bust your holiday budget ($17.00).
	Service with a Smile: Want to minimize cleanup? Choose a more-stylish-than-you’d-thinkcompostable party kit that includes plates, bowls, tumblers, utensils made from organically-grown bamboo, recycled-paper napkins, and compostable waste bags (starting at $44.00).
	Love Your Leftovers: There’s nothing more satisfying that post-Turkey Day meals. Help keep everything from green beans to stuffing safe and at the ready in these portable and nearly unbreakable tempered glass containers($17.99).