| Green And Organic |
Ed Begley, Jr. approves. Apparently, it’s a “build it and they will come” thing. The unlikely appearance of the Hollywood actor drawn to the equally unlikely appearance of Michigan‘s only certified organic restaurant—as well as one of the nation’s greenest. And so, the famous eco-activist scrambles up to the roof with owner Mike Plesz to inspect the 2.5kW photovoltaic system, which supplies all the electricity that isn’t generated by the wind or other alternative sources. He checks out the geothermal system, piping buried deep underground that borrows the earth’s constant 55 degrees to heat in winter and cool in summer. And the ERVs (energy recovery ventilators), which use the exiting stale air to heat or cool the incoming outside air. And the on-site greenhouse, with its own rainwater storage tank, that supplies the culinary team with fresh herbs, along with exotic peppers, heirloom tomatoes and other produce. The restaurant composts everything in sight and produces less waste than many households.
Ed Begley, Jr.: up for solar
At Mind Body & Spirits, in a renovated century-old building on Main Street of the toney little town of Rochester in the distant suburbs of Detroit, it goes on and on like this. As a model of how eco-friendly a restaurant can be, this place is amazing. But the good news doesn’t end here. What comes out of that very green kitchen is not only organic, it’s local, family-priced and very good indeed.
Greenhouse: very local, very organic
Plesz hosts an annual farmer’s dinner that showcases products from more then 40 area farmers. He educates children and young adults about sustainability and local organic foods by hosting field trips for schools and local organizations. Thousands of kids have listened to his enthusiastic green spiel as they munch spuds from Cinzori Farms cut into fries dusted with pink Himalayan salt and served in a cone with housemade ketchup.
Certified organic: roasted chicken
“It’s the right thing to do. This is a real-world representation of what the world should be,” Plesz says.
We approve, too.
Green eggs and ham: Mike & the kids
