Your Guide to Traveling Consciously Get on board, and experience other places in our great world, find new inspiration, and inspire others along your way. Let's give a whole new meaning to "Bon Voyage", together. Content, product testing and layout by Borden Communications + Design
Traveling cannot really be considered an "eco" activity because it's definitely harder on our world than staying at home sweet home. But, I personally take great pleasure from getting out and experiencing the world, and learning what else is going on outside of my bubble. For me, a vacation away is a much needed break from my everyday routine (and my desk). It lends me unstructured time with my family, it is a time of adventure and sleep, sunshine in the winter months, a refreshing opportunity to experience other places in our great world, find new inspiration, and if I'm lucky, hopefully even inspire someone or something along my journey. But after acknowledging that it is an indulgence, and adds weight to my grand efforts at living lightly, I make sure that my conscious habits travel with me too. Get on board, and let's make a world of difference together!
A little Heavy Baggage to consider before you depart. Know before you go. Some surprises are not fun, so be prepared. (example, take your own safe, triclosan-free hand sanitizer to avoid the nasty chems and soap supplied.) Waste not, want not. Even before you board, air travelers throw away trash of all sorts including paper, plastic and food waste and airports and airlines recycle only a small portion of it, if any at all. A flight attendant told us that they fill one large bag of garbage per 60 people on a direct 3 hour flight alone! Eat before you leave the house. And pack lots of snacks...why choose from the small selection of overpriced, fake food, when you can take your favourite real food from home in reusables? Eat well, create less garbage and don't wait for a flight attendant to serve you, who might be busy - cleaning up someone else's mess. Stay hydrated. Bring your own bottle. No spills, waste-free and your reusable bottle holds more water than those toxic plastic/Styrofoam ones. Just make sure to keep it empty when you go through security. Travel lightly, it saves energy. Every pound you pack, takes more of your energy, more jet fuel, and more carbon emissions to get from one place to another. Doesn't it sound more appealing to travel somewhere you can relax, and not worry about twenty changes of clothes and shoes per day? Plus, taking only a carry on has a lot of bonuses. Don't wear perfume. Fragrance is the new second hand smoke. Sharing is Caring. Unread or partially read newspapers are not even used for the next flight, they are thrown out, or recycled without a second thought. Share with your travel neighbour, or refrain from taking one in the first place and read a great book (on your ereader) instead. Read through the pages in this guide for perspective, tips, tricks and must-have travel products to keep your time away as eco-happy as possible. Happy, light, eco-travel wishes!
Instant Eats To avoid airplane food (re: fake stuff wrapped in plastic) bring your own. These healthy choices are allergy sensitive (to respect those sitting near you who may suffer from allergies) and take barely any prep. Although these tasty treats may not be “fresh”, they can legally cross a border!
Made with organic, raw ingredients that are dehydrated at a low temperature, this energy bar is a “live” food that you can bring on the go. Packed with nutritional goodness like organic spirulina, banana, coconut and date, this bar can definitely tie over a hungry tummy for a few hours.
Ginger Snaps bite-sized organic cookies claim they're the “Traveller's Friend” because they fight against travel sickness. Ginger is known to be good for helping to calm stomachs, so eat a few before a flight and bring on the plane for kids to eat who don't travel well, or just want a tasty treat!
Loose-leaf is best (no wasteful packaging), but when travelling, take your organic and fair trade leaves to-go, in natural, biodegradable filter-paper tea bags over nylon or GMO-origin tea sachets. This collection has 18 amazing flavours in just one box so each cup is a new adventure.
Goraw Spirulina Energy Bar www.goraw.com
Shasha Bread www.shashabread.com
Numi Teas www.numitea.com
Get a dose of leafy greens for your snack, with a side of calcium, magnesium, iron and fiber, all with a delicious “chip” taste. The kids can polish off an entire bag and never know they’re munching on kale - it’s that good. (So is the rest of their line of dehydrated goods).
Vigilant Eats’ delicious, organic, vegan, gluten-free, non-gmo, Superfood Oat-Based cereal can be enjoyed anywhere just by adding water. This super nutritious snack comes with it’s own spoon. Bring it on your flight to avoid less-than-tasty plane “food” (This is a super filling meal in a cup!).
One little stick is filled with organic and gluten-free whole grains (brown rice, quinoa, amaranth and millet) as well as nutritious seeds (like flax, sesame and chia). Although the name may have you believe your eating a tree, these tasty pretzel-snacks taste anything but.
Kale Chips www.justpurefoods.com
Vigilant Eats www.vigilant-eats.com
Sticks & Twigs www.marysgonecrackers.com
Usey Reusables Just because you’re travelling doesn’t mean you have to leave your eco-thoughtful tendencies at home. Whether for food or drink, hiking or beach trip, smart and reliable reusables will take you from A - B to C and back again.
This translucent travelers envelope is airport security friendly and perfect for carrying your personals when you travel. This zipped pouch is made with recycled materials, so now you can leave those awful plastic zipper bags at home (or better yet, at the store!).
Made from 100% organic cotton, Hanky Books have multiple “pages” for your multiple uses. These brilliant little things will save you time, money and create less waste. It's perfect to keep around for the sniffles, unexpected spills or a quick face wipe - especially when travelling with kids.
Just because you’re away from home doesn’t mean you have to accept toxic, plastic straws from take-out bags, restaurant tables, or fast food joints. Pack up your already durable (made with a lifetime guarantee) glass straw in Strawesome’s unbreakable, BPA-free carrying case.
Meta Air Travellers Envelopes www.innate-gear.com
Hanky Book www.hankybook.com
Strawesome Glass Straw and Carrying Case www.strawesome.com
Pack the Reflect bottle in your carry-on and fill it at the airport (after going through security of course). No paint, and no plastic beats drinking from a toxic disposable cup or bottle any day. Plus, staying hydrated during air travel helps fight fatigue and helps fight the munchies too.
Get your hands on this stainless steel vacuum flood flask. This super sleek reusable is topped off with a lid made of cork, and comes with its own spoon that magnetizes to the side. It promises to keep your food hot for 5 hours, and it even comes with a 10 year guarantee!
Why wait for a flight attendant to give you a small, wasteful, and flimsy styrofoam cup when you can enjoy a full size bevvy in your own reusable? The Insulated comes with a leak-proof lid, so you can enjoy a hot or cold drink without having to balance your cup on those small (and shaky) tray holders.
Klean Kanteen www.kleankanteen.com
Black + Blum Thermo Pot www.black-blum.com
Klean Kanteen Insulated www.kleankanteen.com
Care-to-Go Less is always more, but even more so when you’re travelling. Multitasking accessories that everyone of all ages can share makes for lighter luggage and a lighter (travel) footprint.
Talk about a great travel trio - shampoo, body wash, conditioner, moisturizer and all purpose balm (yes, all in those 3 little bottles!). They may be used interchangeably on both skin and hair, and all three “travel” bottles are under 100ml so you can even pack them on your carry-on.
One pot of lip2cheek will take you from day to night, and from gloss to blush, in seconds. With a “1” ranking in EWG’s Skin Deep Database, Rose Marie Swift uses raw organic food-grade ingredients and combines hydration and protection with mineral colour, so you can look fresh always.
Skin irritations, scratches, and sunburns are common occurrences when travelling. Instead of relying on over-the-counter ointments or packing a different cream for each, bring one tube that heals everything and is a safe alternative to corticosteroids, anti-itch and antibacterial ointment.
WorldTRIOs www.world.ca
RMS Beauty Lip2Cheek www.rmsbeauty.com
TheraWise Skin Healing Ointment www.therawise.com
You don’t always need toothpaste to get a good brushing. These Crystal Animals Children’s Toothbrushes contain a natural mineral within the bristles of the brush, and due to it’s antibacterial properties, you only need to add water for fresh and clean teeth all day.
We’re past the days of laying out in the sun unprotected when we’re on vacation. Practice safe sun care with this mineral sunscreen that isn’t chalky or difficult to rub in. It soothes and protects your skin without any greasiness or dirty ingredients. This is truly safe protection for the whole fam.
Coconut Oil is so versatile, that travelling with it will eliminate ten other products you need to bring with you. It’s a rich body moisturizer, a gentle makeup remover, a silky lip balm, and even helps internally with stomach-aches. Welcome to your saviour product (if it isn’t already).
TheraWise Children’s Anti-Bacterial Toothbrush www.therawise.com
climbOn SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen www.skinourishment.com
Bali Sun Virgin Coconut Oil find at your favourite health food store
Takeoff Toteables Choosing the right luggage and travel accessories is just as important as choosing the right destination. Thankfully, these smart must-haves are fashionable, functional, luggable and eco-safe.
This bag’s versatile design transforms from a backpack, to a single strap shoulder bag, to an organizer bag inside your suitcase, making it the ultimate all-in-one travel bag. This featherweight tote won’t weigh you down on your travels, and bonus, it’s made from 100% recycled polyester.
Don’t leave home without a good hat. It protects you from the harmful rays, it covers travellers hair (re: bed head) nicely, or just wear to look good! Not to mention, this form fitting cap is made ethically from 100% organic cotton (keeping pesticides out of the water we drink). Go organic!
You certainly can’t leave home without packing the perfect pair of shades. Whether sophisticated or trendy, understaded or eyecatching, these handmade wood frames will keep the glare from your eyes while doing right by the planet - the perfect combo to gain attention anywhere you go.
Nau Lightbeam Tote www.nau.com
Patagonia 100% Cotton Hat www.patagonia.com
Wooed Sunglasses www.wooedbywood.com
Although most of us aren’t constantly purchasing new luggage, luggage production still requires quite a bit of energy and draining of resources. Thankfully we have options that are pvc and toxic-free like this perfect luggage duo. The duffel has a “never fall” design - making travel easier.
The unique thing about this carry-all is that its U-shaped zipper opens up into a miniwardrobe, making it a perfect carry-on or small luggage bag. The Jim, as the people at Home of Millican like to call this good looking traveller’s friend, fits most airline restrictions for carry-on sizes.
Reusable bags are all the same right? Wrong. Flip & Tumble’s are durable, machine washable and roll up (like a pair of socks) into a tiny ball . They are perfect for travel since you can stuff them anywhere and use for extra luggage, shopping bags, laundry bags, and beach bags.
Kilamanjaro 2 pc. Duffel Set www.ecogear-products.com
New Year Bundle www.homeofmillican.com
Flip & Tumble www.flipandtumble.com
Lightweight Luggables Get through any type of travel with these “don’t-leave-home-without-them” essentials. Small and lightweight, you can pack the below in your carry on, and know that these tiny lifesavers will come in handy at some point during your travels.
Don’t worry about leaving this travel essential behind. Berryplus laundry soap is only 55mls (under airplane liquid standards), yet this highly concentrated tiny bottle (think the size of your cell phone) effectively cleans 20 loads of laundry!
Rather than spraying something that feels like you’ve been doused in harsh chems, spritz this multi-purpose, anti-microbial mist on your hands and the air around you. This safe formula purifies, refreshes and keeps hands feeling moisturized.
Skip the plane’s plastic headphones and tune out with good-looking, form-fitting ones that provide superior sound. The company behind the Bob Marley inspired line uses FSC Certified woods, organic cotton, and recyclable aluminum.
Berry Plus www.berryplus.com
Jade & Pearl www.jadeandpearl.com
House of Marley Headphones www.thehouseofmarley.com
Attn: Shameless Plug alert!! We all need a good book, and The Alphabet of Avoidance, by Lisa Borden, is a short, to-the-point read about avoiding the “bad” and replacing it with something better, or nothing at all. It may even inspire you to leave some things behind. (Who doesn’t want lighter luggage?).
Although this 100% organic blanket targets pregnant moms, everyone can benefit from the RadiaShield fabric that protects us (and most importantly, our kids) from the dangers of everyday radiation (laptops, cell phones, and other wireless devices). Throw it over your lap and snuggle up!
When travelling around with your ipad 2, you should really have a protective case. The Pong is not only functional, but it’s the only iPad case that doesn’t decrease 3G reception. Most importantly, it reduces radiation by up to 75%. Warning: people adoringly staring is a side effect.
The Alphabet of Avoidance www.thealphabetofavoidance.com
Belly Armor www.bellyarmor.com
Pong ipad case www.pongresearch.com
If you aren't outraged, then you just aren't paying attention.
THE
Alphabet of Avoidance
LISA BORDEN A fun, inspiring and perspective-changing read that not only identifies what we should be avoiding to lead a healthier life, but also includes simple solutions to immediately replace the ‘bad’ with something better...or even, nothing at all.
Dreamy Destinations
It’s true, your eco vacation can also be luxurious. Refresh your mind, body, and soul in the beauty of a new natural setting, visiting an organic farm, experiencing a chakra balancing massage, and private yoga classes on the beach. Jade Mountain in St. Lucia is perfect for nature lovers, scuba divers, bird watchers, and all those who simply wish for a healthy get away.
If you’re used to sitting at a desk all day, a fitness getaway might be just what you need to refresh and refocus. A beautiful spa resort like Canyon Ranch can take the “work” out of “working out” with exceptional fitness classes and everything you could want for a holistic health holiday. Perfect for a solo excursion, romantic getaway, or trip with the girls.
Eco Luxury
Fitness Focused Getaway
Whether traveling for business or to site see, look for places to stay that reflect your commitment to green practices. Ask about your hotel’s eco initiatives, like energy and water conservation, waste management, and more. Kimpton Hotels is devoted to the greater good and are leaders with their innovative EarthCare program. We like a company willing to set new standards.
There is nothing like renting your own home, wherever you go (try www.vrbo.com). When traveling with family, how incredible is it to have separate bedrooms, laundry and tons of common space? And no need to waste precious vacation time trying to find a restaurant to accommodate diets and allergies when you can just grill up your own, and dine with a spectacular view.
City Slumbering
Home Away
What does Lisa Borden do? www.lisabordenworks.com