When we describe the United States, “sustainable” is not usually the first word that comes to mind. Our nation is the leading contributor to global warming, and high material consumption has long been taken for granted. But in little pockets across this country, people are forming communities that embrace environmental sustainability as a way of life. And not only environmental sustainability, but social sustainability too. We’re starting to learn that in order to form communities that can endure and thrive, we must not only manage our ecological resources wisely, but also our personal and emotional resources. We must learn to care for and understand each other if we are to form truly sustainable communities.
This Saturday, an exciting new film, Within Reach, enjoys its world premiere in Berkeley. The film chronicles a young couple’s 19-month bicycle journey across the U.S. in their search for what they call “sustainable communities.” They visited 100 communities that seek to live sustainably, exploring not only how these communities interact with the Earth, but also how they practice commerce, how they raise children, and how they build a cohesive social structure. The communities visited are diverse: they range from an electricity-free “radically simplistic” farmstead in Missouri, to a household of Buddhists in Wisconsin (who flourish while spending only $40 each per month on food), to the urban, creative Berkeley Student Housing Co-ops right in our backyard. Not all visits were harmonious—on the outskirts of Austin, Texas, the filmmakers were chased out of a secluded squatter community by an unstable man—but overall, the directors Ryan and Mandy discovered that living in loving harmony was a common thread amongst these communities, which not only brought them together but also sustains them.
At Café Gratitude, we attempt to cultivate a loving, supported community--a socially-sustainable community!—that is also nourished in an environmentally sustainable way. After all, shouldn’t the two go hand-in-hand? More importantly, can they exist without each other? For when we learn to love each other, the people around us, we learn that we can extend this love to future generations as well by protecting our environment. And when we take care of our planet, we nourish all her people. Achieving a sustainable nation may still be a long-term goal, but we can start right now in our own communities.
We are back from Maine and our precious visit with Matthew's parents. We are so grateful to still have them living and count our time with them as such a valuable gift. I was able to read an autobiography of Carl's (Matthew's father) father who was born in 1873 and lived to be 96 years old. It was such a beautiful look at some of the strengths and endearing qualities of the Engelhart family: thier love of people and gathering of community, and their acceptance of different ways of thought and appreciation of others. I was also able to experience some living history from a very personal perspective.
Nine years ago I had the privilege to live with a family in Southern India for a month.
This is a view from the kitchen window of Matthews parents home on an island off the coast of Maine, Vinalhaven.
We just returned from leading our newest workshop in Kansas City on Community Building to over 120 folks there. So inspiring to see what a community will do to have a Cafe Gratitude and the spirit that comes with it to their city. We may just take it for granted sometimes... it is always a good check in to travel to out laying areas. Thank you Natalie and Mike for your generosity and love. 
I just came back from a two week traveling adventure across the East Coast of the United States. I visited over nine states, a rare opportunity that I've not had in the West Coast. I've lived my whole life in California and haven't spent more than a childhood vacation anywhere else. I visited my great friends in Washington DC and traveled with my partner's family from New Jersey to Portland, Maine. We walked the historic freedom trail in Boston, marveled at the mansions in Rhode Island, touched the petrified wood shore at Cape Elizabeth, sunbathed on a private beach in the Hamptons and cheered on friends in the 
I am thrilled to be back from our Rome trip, and am loving being in our Central Kitchen doing the work to fine tune our operations! Besides it takes me out of the rain and cold!
Yeah, it is corn planting day! 
Valentina came from Germany finding us through 
While I was travelling through Europe for three months, I was very present to my 
Before departing for the trip, I vowed I would not buy one single plastic bottle of water and I didn't - in three whole months, that is. Then it got me thinking, how many plastic bottles could I have used and how much waste would it have caused? Not only waste, but how many environmental resources did I save? To top it off: How much money did I save? After a quick calculation - based on at least 1 bottle + €2 per day - I saved approximately €180.00 which allowed me to eat more delicious food, let me tell you; not to mention seeing more exquisite pieces of art in the myriad of museums!