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As we celebrate Earth Day and embrace the spirit of sustainability throughout April, it is important to cherish the profound impact of small, individual actions. In the U.S., food is the single most common material sent to landfills, comprising a substantial amount of municipal solid waste.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the total municipal solid waste landfilled in 2018 was alarmingly high, underscoring the urgency for sustainable solutions (“EPA Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: 2018 Fact Sheet”).

Compost for Life, a Miami-based compost community initiative, spearheaded by Francisco Torres, shares this sentiment. The initiative aims to unite residents of Miami Beach and beyond in a shared mission of living a life that supports efforts to maintain and enhance a healthy planet. Serving Miami-Dade County and Broward County, this innovative business simplifies nature’s way of recycling and offers one of the most powerful actions we can take to reduce trash in landfills, address climate change, and build healthy soil in an easy and accessible manner.

Participating residents simply deposit their food scraps in a Compost for Life pink bucket, and they handle all the rest. Every six (6) months, a portion of the collected decomposed food scraps and yard trimmings are returned as nutrient and carbon-rich soil to the community for individual use or for donation to local farmers and community gardens to improve soil quality, support plant growth, and build resilience in our local ecosystems.

Speaking at the 2024 Aspen Ideas Conference in March, Francisco emphasized the transformative potential of composting: “Food scraps should not be seen as waste; food scraps can transform and regenerate our planet’s soil.”

“At Compost for Life, we believe composting food scraps is one of the best things we can do for our planet,” says Francisco Torres. “Through our daily habits, we decide if we make food scraps waste or if we compost it by putting it in the pink. Our community impact, through composting, is directly linked to the volume; imagine how much change can be made if composting was a county-wide initiative,” explained Francisco. He further highlighted the astounding biodiversity fostered by composting: “In one handful of finished compost, there is an estimate of 50 billion microorganisms; there is more life in a handful than human beings on our planet.”

Additionally, Compost for Life has established partnerships with renowned establishments such as 1 Hotel, Miami Beach Convention Center, Milam’s Market, Julias & Henry, The Continuum, and The Frost Museum. These collaborations strengthen the initiative’s reach and impact in promoting sustainable practices. Glass for Life, the sister organization, repurposes old glass bottles into new materials, providing a sustainable solution that reduces waste and greenhouse gas emissions.

Currently, Compost for Life serves a diverse clientele, including residents, businesses, and commercial buildings committed to embracing eco-friendly practices. Join a community making a positive environmental impact that fosters a sustainable future for our community and beyond by visiting the Compost For Life website. 

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‘Be kind to your mind’ is the mantra this April. Earth Month is the annual celebration of the multifaceted power of sustainability and environmentally conscious living in  our community. Nestled amidst the rambunctious and spirited energy of Collins Avenue, Blue Lavender Café & Market embraces this intonation and offers a nook of peace and serenity serving sustainably sourced food and products produced to limit negative impact on our health, environment, and future. The curated menu, décor, and ambience deviate from what most envision about Miami Beach.

Owners, Veronica and Juan D’Onofrio, are a married couple with deep roots in the city, which led to the creation of this recently launched business concept in January 2024. The D’Onofrios have owned and managed the adjacent hotel, Nassau Suites, since immigrating from Buenos Aires, Argentina in 2002. After raising kids and navigating the business landscape in Miami, the couple took a leap of faith, while redeveloping Nassau Suites, and transformed a parking garage into an inviting and open café.

Juan, an accomplished Miami Beach hotelier, humbly expressed how the couple diligently and intentionally visualized the Blue Lavender space. “We are brewing healthy emotions”, is painted on the walls of the café, setting the tone of the ambience and café character. The menu features an array of healthy and tasty options, including a majority of gluten free selections. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Juan is passionate about promoting nutrition and conscious healthy eating and appreciation for wholesome and delicious food. The D’Onofrios are proud to serve the community, whether it is residents or locals stumbling upon the café during errands or a walk or run, visitors looking for a light bite and respite, or tourist seeking something special that fits their dietary restrictions.

“The next generation is very health conscious, as are families”, Juan said. “Our kids eat everything on our menu; they could not tell the difference between a regular pasta and gluten free or vegan pasta. They just like yummy food.” We are ‘Happytarians’ – people who embrace healthy living, thinking and eating and appreciate and advocate for clean food for our  family, neighbors and community – which no doubt inspires the Blue Lavender’s  mission, vision and values.

Health and sustainability are inseparable. By providing a varied menu of healthy and clean culinary options, Blue Lavender offers a natural approach to nourish your mind and body without giving up taste. Specialty items include sugar free cookies with monk fruit. Popular all-day items include cold pressed juices, pastries, and scrumptious zucchini bread. Blue Lavender’s all day dining is robust with appetizing organic, natural and green choices, from proteins, salads, grains, teas, and spirited libations.

“The City of Miami Beach is thrilled to welcome and champion businesses with distinctive missions that distinguish them from the rest. Blue Lavender’s dedication to accommodating individuals with dietary restrictions is commendable. We take pride in being an inclusive city, offering something special for everyone,” says Rickelle Williams, Assistant City Manager.

The café brews healthy emotions with outdoor and indoor, seating that sets a light, airy and peaceful atmosphere that casts a warm and welcoming glow upon the curated space. In the heart café stands a living centerpiece, a striking tree with trunk, grounding the space and providing a visual ode to the ethos of sustainability. For delicious treats, nourishing food, and stellar service, visit Blue Lavender Café & Market located at 1414 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139 where they are keeping it healthy, tasty and simple.

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Over one century ago, on March 26, 1915, Miami Beach was originally incorporated as a town with only 33 registered voters. The humble beginnings of one of America’s most popular cities included plans for mass coconut and fruit farming in the late 1880s and early 1900s. The landscape eventually proved unsuitable for this task, leading investors to envision Miami Beach as a place of unbridled potential for seaside resorts, casinos, and other tourist attractions.

In 1912, Ocean Beach Realty Company was established by the Lummus Brothers, Avery Smith, and others. Located on the northeast corner of Ocean Drive and Biscayne Street, the Company’s wood-frame office became the location of Miami Beach’s incorporation as a town, in response to requests from majority landowners to formally recognize the area.

Miami Beach quickly outgrew township status and was re-incorporated as a city in 1917, but the original incorporation marked the beginning of its transformation into the vibrant, lively community we know today.

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In the heart of Miami Beach, where the iconic bridge proudly boasts the “Welcome to Miami Beach” sign, lies a historical connection to the city’s roots – Julia Tuttle, fondly known as the “Mother of Miami.” Beyond the familiar landmark, Tuttle’s tale stands as a testament to resilience, entrepreneurship, and the transformative power of women in shaping the vibrant tapestry of our local community.

Following the passing of her father, Julia DeForest Tuttle embarked on a remarkable journey from Cleveland, Ohio to Fort Dallas, Florida in 1891. Accompanied by her two children, the 42-year-old widow leveraged the land inherited from her father and her late husband’s resources to acquire 640 acres in the region that would become Miami, setting the stage for a visionary undertaking.

Undeterred by the challenges of the tropical terrain, Tuttle exhibited a pioneering spirit, establishing the area’s first bakery, dairy, and laundry. Recognizing the untapped business potential, Tuttle persisted in her efforts to attract developers and visionaries to join her in building the foundation of a thriving Miami. In a letter to a friend, she wrote, “it may seem strange to you, but it is the dream of my life to see this wilderness turned into a prosperous country.”

Tuttle’s tenacity bore fruit in 1894 when a devastating freeze crippled crops across Florida, sparing only those in Miami. Seizing this opportunity, Tuttle sent fragrant orange blossoms to the influential industrialist and railway tycoon, Henry Flagler. Through her persuasive efforts, Flagler was convinced to extend his railroad to Biscayne Bay in exchange for a portion of Tuttle’s property.

By 1896 the inaugural trains arrived; paving the way for the city’s incorporation and solidifying Julia Tuttle’s place in history as the sole woman to have founded a major U.S. city. Her visionary spirit and unwavering determination continue to resonate in the very fabric of Miami Beach, serving as an inspiration to local businesses and entrepreneurs.

As we celebrate Women’s Month, let us not only acknowledge the profound impact of Julia Tuttle but also draw inspiration from her legacy to foster innovation, collaboration, and the relentless pursuit of turning dreams into reality within our beloved Miami Beach community.