WHAT MAKES A GREEN  PARTY? HOW CAN I GO GREEN? 

When entertaining “green” just remember the catch phrase that never seems to go out of style: 
RECYCLE, REUSE,  REDUCE. By going “green” you’re not only cleaning up your environment, you’re 
protecting yourself as well. (Suggested Reading: The Hundred Year Lie)

Need help putting together a green dinner party or event? Call Rachel at 314-210-7764. 

QUICK TIPS ON HOW TO GO "GREEN" 

*Tip: Buy food locally as much as possible. Buy in season. 
This is most important. Try to get your food locally and buy fruits & vegetables in season. Tomatoes 
in December? --where are the coming from and what conditions were they grown in? Apples in January?
 -- probably won’t taste that great out of season. Saint Louis has numerous farmers’ markets that have 
offer local growers who produce some wonderful fruits and vegetables. Not only are you supporting 
independent farming, think of the fossil fuel that is saved by not shipping your dinner to you. Plus, local, 
in season fruits and vegetables just taste better.  **Don’t forget, Saint Louis has some fabulous locally 
owned bakeries and fair trade coffee vendors. 

*Tip: Don’t forget the wine. Try a Missouri wine. 
 Missouri wines have come a long way and are great for easy entertaining. There are some nice table 
wines (dry and sweet) that go great with cheeses, pastas, fruit, chicken, pork and seafood. 

*Tip: If you don’t want to deal with the dishes, I suggest picking up Bambu (www.bambuhome.com) or 
another form of biodegradable plate ware and flat ware. I have used Bambu plates. They are absolutely 
beautiful! However, they are intended for a one-time use. Bambu plates are approved by the FDA and 
are bio-degradable in 4 to 6 months, so they don’t stick around in land fills. You can also compost them! 
These are great for formal dinner parties or backyard BBQs.

*Tip: Use flowers and plants from your home or garden. 
If you don’t have anything available, try a local grower or even a neighbor. If you must use a florist or the 
grocery, make sure you pick something that’s in season. Here are a few suggestions:
    -Use Asparagus Fern to wrap the napkins. This makes for a pretty presentation.          
    -Take just a few little flowers and float them in a nice bowl with candles for an understated presentation.          
    -Try potted moss or herbs from a local nursery. Potted plants make for great table presentation and can 
      be given as gifts at the end of the evening. Plus, indoor plants can remove harmful carbon monoxide in 
      closed rooms! 
    -Real flowers not an option? Try colored glass vases or bottles, candles and rocks, or even silk flowers. 

*Tip: Use soy candles. 
I like soy candles made locally by, Irie Star (http://iriestar.com/soy_candles.html). 
They are made with vegetable based wax is that is environmentally sound and best for your event’s air quality. 
Irie Star Soy candles are clean burning and do not include paraffin. (Paraffin is obtained from petroleum and 
give off  dangerous CO2 gases when burned.) 

*Tip: Be innovative! Reuse what you can.
I’ve reused jars that contained artichoke hearts and olives and made them into little hanging votives. Florists 
wire does the trick. Just twist the wire around the lip of the jar--nothing too complicated here. These are great 
f0r outdoor parties too. They look fantastic hanging from a tree over a buffet table. You can use them more than
once too. Once the candles have burned, just put a little hot tap water in them and scrape out the wax with a 
butter knife. 

For more information on how to plan a green wedding, party or event, call Rachel at 314-210-7764.