Beth Lapides

I began my activist career selling happy face buttons for her B'nai B'rith girls group's Z.P.G. (Zero Population Growth) campaign, and took my own advice to heart by not having any children of my own. They say it takes a village to raise a child. I guess that makes me the village.

I'm committed to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Re-think and I'm currently putting a lot of energy into being 'emotionally green', by reducing my personal negative energy emissions into the biosphere.

Among other things, I...

• wrote TV spots for the Union of Concerned Scientists about reducing CO2 emissions

• taught communication skills to teens of the Environmental Youth Experience, Deserrt EYE for Leaders Conference

• recycle building and decor materials (like discontinued wallpaper) in my art

• make my own almond milk and use the 'leftover' pulp for a facial scrub

• constantly research and spread the word about cutting edge techniques and tools for enlightened living like utilizing the desert sun for 'sun cooking' bread

• am part of a 1-car family. I say 'My Other Car is a Yoga Mat". Of course now that's the name of my column, but I also actually manufacture and market the saying on license plate frames that are made in America from recycled materials

• frequent and support the eco-system of vintage and used clothing stores

• do my own sprouting in a hemp sprout bag

• shop at local farmers markets and source my food to minimize my carbon footprint

• am phosphate-free and cruelty-free in consumer spending

• consistently support Tree People and proudly hug trees any chance I get. I love trees. Also quite fond of almost any plant

• even insisted on coloring my website green!