Treading Lightly

Did you know that Connecticut was one of the first states in the nation to license Naturopathy - the alternative medicine that stresses the body's ability to heal itself?  One form of Naturopathy that's gaining popularity is an Indian approach to medicine that dates back thousands of years.  There are only a dozen centers in the country that practice this ancient and non-traditional approach to me... read more

 The Ethel Walker School is a girls’ school in Simsbury, known for its equestrian tradition.  Now the school is enhancing its reputation with its commitment to the environment…. Christina DeFranco has more in our Treading Lightly report. ... read more

Oil supplies may eventually run out…but algae keeps on growing and growing. Scientists at the University of New Haven are working on turning it into fuel.  Treading Lightly reporter Christina DeFranco, heads out onto Long Island Sound to learn more.  ... read more

Beaver Brook Farm in Lyme, CT is an all-natural farm that’s been in the Sankow family for 175 years.  It started as a dairy farm, but is now the state’s largest sheep farm.  The Sankow’s produce wool, meat, award winning cheeses, yogurt, ice cream, and milk.  They recently added chickens and are starting to produce poultry.  They don’t use any pesticides or fertilizers to produce their products.  ... read more

Avon resident Terry Walters started giving tours at health food stores and teaching cooking classes in her home.  She’s written and self-published a cookbook that features recipes that are nourishing and seasonal – with an emphasis on eating local.  Her book will be re-published this fall by a major publisher who will take “Clean Food” internationally.... read more

Seaside Naturals is a small company with a strong ethic of Corporate Social Responsibility. Located in North Branford, they started out making medical kits for kids after the founder's child had a bad reaction to an over the counter medication.  Since then, the company has grown rapidly.  Now they’re creating pet care products, cleaning solutions, and more.  Customers describe cleaning with their... read more

Environmentally-conscious brides now have the option to plan a  "green" wedding; where every choice from caterer to florist to sound system takes into account the impact on the environment.  Christina DeFranco meets up with a caterer who sources most of her food from local growers, a jeweler who works with conflict-free gems and recyclable materials and a company that's sounds systems are powered... read more

Two Connecticut women are creating trendy bags out of used billboards. To date, they’ve kept 7000 pounds of vinyl out of area landfills. They’re products are sold in boutiques all across the country and in Puerto Rico.... read more