For napkins I use cloth, but go ahead and use paper if you must, but if you can, get the unbleached kind made from recycled paper—so what if they’re brown, you’re going to throw them away anyway. If you want to add a colorful accent wrap them with a piece of raffia tucked with sprigs of fresh flowers and herbs. Organic cotton, hemp or linen can be used for a splash of color as well as bandanas or vintage handkerchiefs and vintage dish towels. If you’re handy with a sewing machine, you can turn any soiled table cloth into a set of napkins-just cut and seam and voila- reuse at its best!

There are occasions when paper plates are the most appropriate choice, for those occasions I use the recycled paper variety from Seventh Generation but I also use compostable plates made of bamboo. Other washable options for plates include recycled glass, artisan-made earthenware. I’ve also been know to pull out the good china. Why not use your best china on a picnic table? ( Unless your sure you’ll freak out if it gets broken, but remember, that could just as easily happen on the way from the dining room to kitchen.) Might as well enjoy the decadence of using something special in the grandest dining room of all?

Utensils are now available in a biodegradable/compostable variety made from corn starch and/or potato starch, but you can also use lightweight utensils of any variety, just depends on the mood you are trying to create. There’s nothing wrong with collecting mismatched patterns from yard sales or flea markets and keeping those for picnics only.

Then if a fork gets left behind or goes home in someone else’s basket, you don’t have to worry about a broken set.
Drinking glasses also come in the biodegradable, compostable variety now, but you can also take along any sturdy glassware that fits the mood. I sometimes use mason jars, which can double as votives.

I found these way cool wrought iron things that convert an empty or sand-filled wine bottle into a candelabra- Another elegant option is to put votives inside carved out fruits and veggies— whatever is in season— anything large enough to hold a candle will work.
Be creative- pumpkins aren’t the only lantern option. Try hollowed out artichokes—depending on the size, they can work with tapers, pillars or votives.

Other essentials: insect repellant, yes, the natural kind, sunscreen and hats:

The trick and fun of it is to mix and match and be bold.
Don’t be afraid to grab that sterling candelabra from the dining room —the one you got as a wedding present that you’ve probably never used—why not try it with recycled paper plates and that Indian hand blocked wall tapestry you saved from your college days—don’t worry about the cigarette burns—cover them up with a basket of bread or flowers, pour yourself a glass of your favorite whatever and kickback and enjoy!

(c) 2006 Lili Wright

Welcome back to the second issue of WRIGHTAPPROACH.

Thank you all for the glowing comments that came in praising this publication and yes, of course you can pass it along to others! This new HTML format will make that even easier.

Each quarter, if you are on our mailing list, WRIGHTAPPROACH will automatically show up in your e-mailbox and will provide you with tips and articles assembled to inform you and keep you inspired to make healthy choices in all areas of your life. If you are not currently in our database be sure to sign up on our NEW WEBSITE!!!

New Website! Same Address

We launched the new site on Earth Day 2006, naturally! It’s packed with resources, information about upcoming events, and even has an Eco-Chic Boutique so you can shop till you drop. Not only will you find many of the eco-friendly options you’ve been asking me about, but a portion of all of your dollars spent will go toward global initiatives supported by Wright Design. We’ll be adding new affiliates and resources as we go along so keep checking back with us.

And speaking of Earth Day, even though it seems like forever ago, Wright Design had the pleasure of working with Whole Foods this year to create a educational display showcasing green design.
A mock bedroom was set up in a tent just outside the store and featured locally available, environmentally friendly materials and furnishings.
The very fabulous Homescapes of Carmel, provided some super stylish items to help spread the message that going green can be glamorous too.
To see photos of the spread, click here.

Beginning this Fall, Wright Design will be offering a tele-class series. Check the website for a schedule of upcoming topics and registration information.
Now you’ll be able to get all that info you’ve been wanting from the comfort of your own home! And if you’re too busy to be on the actual call, we’re even going to tape the classes so you can download them and listen to them at YOUR convenience!

Lights, Camera, Action!

Getting Hosed By your Water Bills?

Test your water IQ

4 gallons per minute

6 gallons per minute

How much water can a leaky toilet waste?

80 gallons per month

600 gallons per month

• The EPA estimates that the total amount of residential lawn in the United States ranges around 40 million acres, making turf grass the nation's biggest irrigated crop.
• Americans pour as much as 238 gallons of water per person, per day onto lawns during the growing season.
• The U.S. lawn industry is a $70 billion annual business.
• America's 50 million or so lawnmowers burn through 800 million gallons of gas every year.

Product Showcase

Classic, Stylish and Sustainable, this FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) Certified Wooden Patio set will have you dining al fresco a la mode!

Then go ahead and pour yourself a cool drink and toast yourself for being so with it!

Cold Hard Facts about global warming

By Lili Wright

People keep asking me if I’ve see the movie yet. Well, of course I saw this movie the first night it was in my neighborhood theatre. I had to go see this movie and so do you. Here’s why: For those of you who may not be sufficiently aware of the startling science that supports— no proves— the fact of global warming and our contribution to it, the movie will be an eye opener, or even perhaps, a life changing experience.

For those of us choir members who are already somewhat aware of what is happening, it is very interesting to see the way that Al Gore has presented the information. One friend of mine described it as the best science class she has ever attended and then went on to say, “in general, it's the first time I felt like anyone with expertise or authority actually stepped up and said, ‘Here's the big picture...here's the trending...here's the state of affairs...here are the politics around it.’”

Though I have to say, I was left wondering who the movie is really designed to reach. No doubt, the people I have polled found the presentation to be very effective in terms of driving home the urgency of the situation, but those were people who have already accepted global warming as a reality. What I’m curious to know is whether the movie will cause those same people to step up their accountability and take actions beyond what they are already doing, however inconvenient.

Since I live and work among those who are already deeply committed to sustainable practices, it’s hard to know or measure what kind of impact this movie is going to have, if any, on the mainstream. Will the buzz about it be sufficient to attract those who still consider global warming science fiction? I suppose one can only hope.

The first step is to encourage everyone you know, regardless of their environmental orientation, to go see the movie, then for tons more info on this topic go to www.climatecrisis.net. And then when your ready to green your living space, call Wright Design and schedule an appointment for a Wright Shade of Green Home Evaluation (see website for details). Given that our houses are bigger culprits than our cars when it comes to generating green house gas emissions, if you want to make a difference, it makes sense to start at home!

As the Chinese proverb goes: Before you set out to change the world look around your own house three times.

To calculate your impact go to http://www.climatecrisis.net/takeaction/carboncalculator/

Giving Back

Iced Coffee, Iced Tea, Banana Splits and Other Cool Stuff

Each Quarter this section of our e-zine features a non-profit organization that is doing work to address global sustainability issues. This month we are proud to feature TransFairUSA

TransFair USA, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is one of nineteen members of Fair Trade Labeling Organizations International (FLO), and the only third-party certifier of Fair Trade products in the United States. They audit transactions between US companies offering Fair Trade Certified™ products and the international suppliers from whom they source, in order to guarantee that the farmers and farm workers behind Fair Trade Certified goods were paid a fair, above-market price. In addition, annual inspections conducted by FLO ensure that strict socioeconomic development criteria are being met using increased Fair Trade revenues.

• A fair price: The Fair Trade Certified label guarantees that farmers and workers received a fair price for their product. The Fair Trade price means that farmers can feed their families and that their children can go to school instead of working in the fields.
• Quality products: By receiving a fair price, Fair Trade producers can avoid cost-cutting practices that sacrifice quality. The Fair Trade producers' traditional artisanal farming methods result in exceptional products.
• Care for the environment: Most Fair Trade Certified coffee, tea and chocolate in the US is certified organic and shade grown. This means that the products you buy maintain biodiversity, provide shelter for migratory birds and help reduce global warming.