Whether you are planning a family vacation, welcoming family or friends into town, or going away on business, the hotel you choose matters. Next time, when selecting a hotel, take into account factors that will affect your personal health and the health of the planet. We have evaluated hotels in a number of key areas, all of which directly impact both the hotel guest and/or the environment. Some of the hotels listed below have an official environmental policy to which they aspire to adhere. Others are making a concerted effort to be better planetary citizens. Our criteria is extensive and includes the following areas:

• Extent of recycling program.
• Efficient resource management including energy, water, and waste systems.
• Good ventilation and fresh air exchange for healthy indoor air.
• Use of nontoxic or low-toxic maintenance and cleaning products and practices.
• Environmentally sound purchasing practices.
• Green landscaping.
• Sustainable restaurant and food services.
• Eco-friendly building materials.
• Beds, bedding, towels, and other linens made of organic and/ or natural fibers; mattresses made of mostly organic, chemical- free, and/ or natural materials.

Of all the goods offered:

At least 25% meet the above criteria.
At least 50% meet the above criteria.
At least 75% meet the above criteria.
At least 90% meet the above criteria.

Although we looked at all sorts of ways a restaurant or café might demonstrate its commitment to sustainability, our primary focus was on the food, as we expect yours is. However, we also looked at other green aspects of the business-its composting, recycling, and energy efficiency programs-and whether or not available carryout containers were biodegradable, compostable, and/or were made with recycled, recyclable, and/or chlorine free materials. The restaurants and cafés in our guide have demonstrated an ongoing and concerted effort toward balancing the issues outlined above. Our leaf awards are based on the following:

• The percentage of produce purchased that is either certified organic and/or locally grown without pesticides and chemical fertilizers.
• The percentage of poultry and eggs that are certified organic and free-range/cage-free, and/or locally raised and free-range/cage-free without the use of hormones and/or antibiotics.
• The percentage of dairy products and grains that are certified organic; farm-raised, and, if farm-raised, the composition of its diet.
• The percentage of meat (or meat substitutes such as soy) that is certified organic and/or grass fed and produced without the use of hormones and antibiotics.
• The percentage of certified organic coffee, tea, juice, alcohol, and other nondairy beverages.

Of the food and/or beverages served during any given one-week period:

At least 25% meet the above criteria.
At least 50% meet the above criteria.
At least 75% meet the above criteria.
At least 90% meet the above criteria.

The chocolatiers and dessert purveyors included here were given leaf awards based on the percentage of certified organic ingre- dients used in their menu items and/or prepared food items. To determine this, we looked into the percentage of chocolate and dairy products they used that are certified organic, as well as the percentage of eggs that are either certified organic and free- range/cage-free, and/or locally raised and free-range/cage-free without the use of hormones and/or antibiotics. We also took a look at all the prepared chocolate and non-chocolate food items and determined what percentage is certified organic. In addition, we factored in whether or not the chocolate used qualified for fair trade certification and whether or not the available bags and carry- out containers were biodegradable, compostable, and/or made with recycled, recyclable, and/or chlorine-free materials.

Of all the goods offered:

At least 25% meet the above criteria.
At least 50% meet the above criteria.
At least 75% meet the above criteria.
At least 90% meet the above criteria.

Most of us spend a significant portion of our food budget every week at our local grocery store. We recommend spending that all-important grocery money on products that are healthier for you and the planet. A good way to start is by buying organic and/or locally grown products. Organic products are better for your health, and organic agriculture is better for the environment. And food that's locally grown tends to be picked at its freshest and tastiest. It purchase directly supports nearby farms and helps sustain local communities, while at the same time reducing the amount of fuel consumed and pollution created by transporting the products to market. Conscious shopping also demands that we purchase nonfood items (personal care products, cleaning supplies, paper products) that are also environmentally friendly. Look for shampoos and toothpastes that are organic or all natural. Household cleaners can be full of toxins, and many paper products are whitened with chlorine. Look for alternatives. We have evaluated our grocery stores in the fifteen product areas described below. In addition, we looked at whether or not the stores offered reusable bags to their customers, or if their bags and any available carry-out containers were biodegradable or compostable and/or made with recycled, recyclable, and/or chlorine-free materials.

Our leaf-award system is based on the following:

• For produce, we checked the percentage purchased that is certified organic and/or locally grown without pesticides and chemical fertilizers.
• For meat and meat alternatives, we determined the percentage that is certified organic and/or grass-fed and produced without the use of hormones and antibiotics.
• For poultry and eggs, we evaluated the percentage purchased that is certified organic and free-range/cage-free, and/or locally raised and free-range/cage-free without the use of hormones and antibiotics.
• With seafood, we checked into whether it was wild-caught or sustainably farm-raised and processed without chemical treatment.
• For dairy products, we checked the percentage of certified organic options or ones that were locally produced without hormones and antibiotics.
• For prepared foods, we determined the percentage made with certified organic ingredients and/or locally grown ingredients without pesticides and chemical fertilizers.
• For personal care products, we looked into the percentage that is organic or all natural.
• For personal care tools and household cleaning tools, we deter- mined the percentage made with environmentally friendly materials.
• We checked the percentage of available household cleansers, soaps, and detergents that are nontoxic.
• For household paper products, we looked at the percentage made from recycled content and whitened without chlorine.

At least 25% meet the above criteria.
At least 50% meet the above criteria.
At least 75% meet the above criteria.
At least 90% meet the above criteria.