¡Cinco de Mayo #FiestaVerde!

There are COUNTLESS ways to go #green for Cinco de Mayo, so #SustainableVenice compiled a few tips just for you…

Let’s just cut to the chase and talk about what’s on everybody’s mind...

Comida y Bebidas

Muchos munchies:

Supporting your local Mexican joint is the best place to start! Here in Venice we have La Cabana, El Tarasco, Casa Linda, Tacos Por Favor, and the nearby Lula Cocina Mexicana, to name a few. Not to mention, there is never a shortage of taco trucks that are clearly the real deal! You can’t deny it... they’ve saved your life more than once after 2:am.

However, if all the taquerias are bursting at the seams due to the sudden influx of sombreros, swing into another local eco-friendly spot that will likely be serving up some Mexican specials in spirit of #CincoDeMayo. Eateries like Café Gratitude, Plant Food + Wine, and Superba source their ingredients from nearby farms and from neighborhood gardens like The Cook’s Garden right here in Venice!

Let’s continue with the next obvious eco-tackle (often the “elephant in the room”) and vouch for a #MeatFreeFriday! I know, it’s not #MeatlessMonday, but any day with just one less meal that includes meat is an environmentally conscious avenue and would cut food related emissions by 63%. We won’t go into the nitty-gritty, but The Guardian highlighted a study done at Oxford Martin School and stated “[research] found that shifting to a mostly vegetarian diet, or even simply cutting down meat consumption to within accepted health guidelines, would make a large dent in greenhouse gases.” Lead author of the Oxford Martin School study, Dr Marco Springmann, commented that “adopting healthier and more environmentally sustainable diets can be a large step in the right direction.”

If you’d like to push your #FiestaVerde even further, be food-conscious about not just land, but also sea. Unsustainable seafood consumption is threatening our oceans and the creatures that call them home; so, if you do eat fish, make sure your are sourcing it responsibly. To find out what types of fish are sustainably sourced and where to buy them, check out the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch App. You can also talk to restaurants about their seafood selection process and encourage environmentally responsible options.

Bebidas at your favorite watering hole:

Naturally, you’ll order some kind of liquid to wash down your tasty treats. Whether it be a Cadillac Margarita or just a classic Mexican Coke, remember to #refusethestraw when you dine in! Ask your bartender or server to hold the plastic to avoid creating even more unnecessary pollution in our oceans and on our streets. Check out this short article by 5 Gyres and follow their partnership with Lonely Whale Foundation on why we should #StopSucking! The incredible research and work they’re doing sheds immense light upon the plastic pollution problems of today, and beyond. If you have a minute - or 10 - watch the shared TEDx video stating that Americans use 500million straws a day and why we need to curb our addiction to plastics!

If you find that you absolutely cannot live without a straw (or spitball fights) just bring your own! Maybe one created by the simply awesome Simply Straws! Bonus: Simply Straws is currently holding a BOGO sales with promo code: CINCODEMAYO! Get ‘em while they’re hot!

Party Hopping:

We are a culture that has become more conscious of the benefits of the #sharingeconomy. From sharing our homes on AirB&B to sharing our outdoor sports equipment on StokeShare, we have hacked the system and are slowly making our way to more efficient and environmentally-conscious lifestyles. Our modes of transportation are not any different and, probably more than most, they are a testament to the changing times. Venice has a handful of options and the first in our list is FREE!

Venice Free Ride is a GREAT option for those last minute “am I TOO drunk to drive?” or “can my feet handle these stillettos just one more block?” internal inquiries. Just look for the FreeRide flower signage at select bus stops and hail one on its route!

Another gift is Santa Monica’s Breeze Bike Share. They have installed a few pick-up / drop-off locations in Venice and are an excellent resource for commuting between cities in our little corner of Los Angeles.

Throwing your own fiesta:

From Papel Picado and pinatas to sombreros and moustaches, we tend to deck out our homes, and ourselves, in pretty much everything we think gets us closer to temporarily (re)incarnating as an actual Mexican... like no one would notice this mystical transformation. But, before the moustache adhesive begins to melt, take time to create the perfect costume by using everyday items found right in your home closet! If supplies are low, swing by your local art store for the eco-friendly items that you’ll need to piece together your glamorous garments! Events are always more fun with DIY decorations - especially when using recycled, reusable, or environmentally conscious materials; so, get creative and make decor that lasts longer than a night and feels warm-n-fuzzy to the spirit.

For inspiration, check out this blog on 3 ways to throw an eco friendly fiesta.