Saving the planet one cup at a time

Cafe Moto

2619 National Ave., San Diego, CA 92113

Store hours: M-F/8 am - 5 pm

Coffee. You drink it every day, so there's lots of time to ponder its impact on the planet. From an sustainability point of view, few foods are more controversial. What country is it from? How are the workers treated? Is it shade grown? Organic? Does it come in a styrofoam cup? Is it from a chain or the corner bistro? Fortunately San Diego is home to one very progressive little bean brewer: Cafe Moto.

GOOD: Cafe Moto is a small, family-owned business that sells only organic and fair trade products. They brew coffee and package their wares in a downtown building made of recycled materials and powered exclusively by the sun and natural gas. They even donate their old burlap coffee bean sacks to the San Diego Zoo. Apparently tigers love to play with them!

BAD: The actual shop is out of the way and while several local business sell their coffee, it can be hard to find. But then staying small (a good thing) is one of Cafe Moto's goals.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Buy Cafe Moto coffee, tea, chocolate, and other gear online or at their downtown headquarters. Or look for Cafe Moto coffee served at the Landmark Theatre in La Jolla. What could be better than an indie movie and cup of joe you can feel good about?

BOTTOM LINE: 5 Stars*****

Celebrating a Sustainable Valentine's Day... the San Diego Way

Chuao Chocolatier Cafes

The Lumberyard

937 S. Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, CA 92024

Del Mar Highlands Shopping Center

3485 Del Mar Heights Rd., San Diego, CA 92130

University Towne Centre

4465 La Jolla Village Dr., San Diego, CA 92122

Chuao Chocolatier (pronounced chew-WOW) creates "unusual, unexpected and delicious flavors using their secret blend of premium chocolate and fresh natural ingredients."

GOOD: Not only is Chuao chocolate locally made (in North County), its founders, two brothers from Venezuela, are committed to social responsibility. They give to local charities, are working to lessen their environmental impact, and have founded the Aguasanta Growth Initiative, a program dedicated to cacao restoration. In Venezuela, the source of Chuao cacao, farmers are typically paid well and treated fairly. However, the highly prized Venezuelan cacao crop itself needs help. The goal of the Aguasanta Growth Initiative is to provide the tools, education, and support necessary to grow and care for this special plant in a way that will preserve it for many generations.

BAD: The price. Good stuff doesn't come cheap, but yikes.

RECOMMENDATIONS: If you visit one of the local Chocolate Cafes, order a Winter Hot Chocolate with whipped cream or Spicy Maya gelato (depending on the season), then take home a Firecracker bar as a fun gift. This chipotle caramel fudge truffle with popping candy, salt, and dark chocolate is a real conversation starter. Chuao chocolates can also be found all over the country at places like Whole Foods, Bristol Farms, Wegman's, and Crate & Barrel.

BOTTOM LINE: 5 Stars*****

This place is just plain awesome.

La Jolla TJ's Produce Stand

(Near UCSD, in front of Trader Joe's)
8657 Villa La Jolla Dr # 210
La Jolla, CA 92037

GOOD: Living near a Trader Joe's is a great thing. Except for the sad produce selection that usually necessitates a bigger chain grocery store nearby. And frequenting the farmer's markets in La Jolla or Hillcrest sounds great, but only if you remember when they're open and happen to be in the area at that time. But the La Jolla Village Trader Joe's has a special bonus - an independent produce stand just out front. You can't beat the convenience. SGSD used to be skeptical of the produce man's prices and the origin of his wares (bought at Ralph's and sold for a higher price?), but recently he's started indicating exactly where each fruit and vegetable comes from. Turns out it's all local and seasonal. Fresh onions, tomatoes, avocados, strawberries, and more from Vista and Escondido. And now he takes credit cards.
BAD: The produce stand isn't always open, especially not later on weekday evenings. Some items might cost more than you could find in the Ralph's next door. And you have to be careful not to pick the rotten onions. But... a generous bag of mini avocados is only $2.
BONUS: the gorgeous smell of fresh berries and some friendly salesmen
RECOMMENDATIONS: choose recipes and make a list ahead of time - so you don't buy unnecessary veggies that end up going to waste - and bring your Trader Joe's reusable shopping bags.

BOTTOM LINE: 5 Stars *****
The price of everything is going up, but we've been paying too little for food of little quality for too long. Fresh, local, seasonal fruits and veggies are worth the extra money for the environment and your health. And, hey, here's a convenient place to get it all.

Stone Brewing Co. World Bistro & Gardens

1999 Citracado Parkway
Escondido, CA 92029
(not shown on Google maps, so check the website for directions)
http://www.stonebrew.com

GOOD: unique food; rich, complex beers; a dedication to fresh, organic, seasonal, and local ingredients; attempts to improve efficiency and sustainability in the brewing process
BAD: all the energy and waste generally involved in making and shipping beer; expensive food; all the gas it takes to get out there if you don't live in Escondido
BONUS: movie nights, lectures, "Beer University" classes, a book club, a neat gift shop that sells a gargoyle belt buckle that doubles as a bottle opener
RECOMMENDATIONS: make a reservation, eat outside in the garden, have the spud bud appetizer, try a beer that you can't find in stores (like Stone Pale Ale aged in a red wine barrel), and take a tour that ends with generous tastings. If you don't live near Escondido, look for Stone beers in grocery and liquor stores closer to home.

BOTTOM LINE: 5 stars *****
Stone definitely puts Escondido on the map. You can feel good about supporting a local brewery/restaurant that cares about other local companies and about finding new ways to be more eco-cool. Worth the extra money.