it's magazine | issue no. 6

it’s I SSUE NO.6 | L IV | FEBRUARY 2020

3

letter from the editor

4-9

it’s liv

10-14

it’s important

15-29

it’s our home

30-46

it’s what we wear

47-50

it’s what helps us glow

51-60

it’s being in good health

61-67

it’s where we go

68-70

it’s real

71-74

thank you

table of contents

it’s

nice to see all of you again! It’s also nice to see some new faces around here too.

It makes my heart go :) when I think about how many new readers it’s has been getting! My audience is growing and it makes me even more motivated to create quality, informative content.

This issue is full of inspirational stories, new people to meet, and surprisingly a lot of recipes! There’s also a fun feature on slow travel which is something we should all be learning about as we continue to live on Momma Earth!

I hope you enjoy this issue. I’m already working on issue 7, and I can promise you, big things are happening! Happy reading.

a i r r a v a h - Jen C Edi tor-I n -Ch i e f

L

iv

“To say every day was a struggle for me is a huge understatement. Each day was ruled by the eating disorder and the only things that took up space in my head had to do with it,�

“ T h i s i s a s t o r y a b o u t a g i r l ’s str u g g l e w i t h h e r e at i n g d i s o rd e r.

M o r e s p e c i f i c a l l y, t h e l a s t s i x y e a r s o f my l i f e ; c h a ra c t e r i z e d m a i n l y by surrendering to, living with, and r e c o v e r i n g f r o m t h e w o r l d ’s m o s t d e a d l y m e n t a l i l l n e s s ,”

“I like to say it was written in the stars that I got an eating disorder. As a child, I would always line up the guest’s shoes, tidy the house, and put my gifts in a basket at my birthday party. I loved to draw and color precisely two things: rainbows and perfectly symmetrical princess castles. In school and soccer, I always strived to be the best, and often would not settle for less than the highest possible score. I was persistent and disciplined, but no one, including myself, could have known that those qualities would be the driving force of a demon inside of me.

I was young, I was happy, and I was wild. I was the girl from Holland who could speak two languages, lived between two cultures, had two sisters, a mom and dad, two cats, and lived in Boston; one of the most beautiful cities in the whole world. What could possibly go wrong?

When I was in the fifth grade, I started running with my parents around the muddy river, right outside of Boston, MA. Because I played soccer and was also practicing gymnastics at the time, I was strong and fit. If you ask my dad, he’ll tell you I ran so fast that he was actually running after me. Running gave me a sense of freedom and peace, and was just something I absolutely loved to do. I continued to run every few days, continued to play soccer, continued to practice gymnastics. I think that’s where my eating disorder came in. You’re so fit and healthy, I told myself.

You better start putting healthy things in your body, too. I wanted to be perfect. I wanted to be the definition of fit and healthy. I started cutting out sweets. I didn’t eat the cupcakes the birthday kid would regale at school. I didn’t eat the brownies the soccer mom would bring us after the game. I wouldn’t eat the cookie dough I so happily made for myself almost every single day when I got home from school.

People started to worry as soon as I lost a few pounds. I was always the smallest girl of my class, even though I was born two weeks late. I was born from a C-section because the umbilical cord was wrapped around my neck, twice. After my traumatic birth, I was sent to an incubator and couldn’t be held by either of my parents for the first two hours after being brought into the world. Some of the therapists I’ve talked to believe that those first hours had an influence on my obsessive and disordered behaviors, but I guess I will never know.

After a couple weeks of not eating sweets, I felt I could do better. It was still not good enough. I started skipping breakfast like the other kids in my class said they did. I

wouldn’t eat the Chewy granola bar my dad packed me for snack. If he forgot to pack me veggies or fruit with my sandwich and yogurt, I wouldn’t eat lunch at all. My weight dropped like apples from a tree. With my naturally high metabolism and small frame, my limited food choices quickly put my body in a dangerous position. I was barely eating anything, constantly running, and had barely any energy.

Finally, the beginning of seventh grade, I was admitted to Children’s Hospital Boston and stayed there for three weeks.

The three weeks in the hospital were total hell, but I loved them at the same time. I no longer had to fight my eating disorder. I could just lie back all day and be fed. Eating was a major shock to my system, so it was tough, but slowly, I gained back the weight I had lost. After I was discharged from the hospital, I went back to normal life with my healthy weight, but my eating disorder was still extremely present. I lost weight again, and eighth grade was not a good year for me. In the summer of 2014, my doctor told me I really had to gain weight because it was affecting my growth.

Since fifth grade, I had not grown an inch. If I failed to do so, I would have to go to treatment.

That was not going to happen. My eating disorder completely took the reigns and told me the only way out of this threat was to manipulate my weight.

For six months, I was able to make my weight curve up beautifully. Of course, no one besides my eating disorder and I knew. My doctor was proud, my therapist was proud; I was doing so well.

Of course, I could only keep this manipulation up for so long. In the beginning of freshman year of high school, I had my monthly doctor’s appointment and could no longer hold it in. That day, I peed all over the hospital scale and, like we say in Dutch, I “fell through the basket”. My doctor told me it was the most extreme weight manipulation she had ever seen, and my only option at that point was to go to treatment. I was sixteen, and had no choice. For almost 6 months, I spent my life bouncing between residential, partial, school, intensive outpatient, and inpatient stays at Walden Behavioral Care.

I finally gained quite a bit of necessary weight, and I even grew a couple inches because of it. Still, my eating disorder was highly present. In the spring of 2015, my mother received a job offer in our home, the Netherlands, and accepted it.

Could it be a new beginning for me? Was it meant to be?

Could I start a new life back home, the place of my birth, and become free from my eating disorder? It was worth a shot,”

“ I th i nk that’s w h ere my e ati ng d isord er came i n . Yo u’r e so fi t a n d hea l t hy , I told myself.

Yo u b e t ter sta r t pu tti n g hea l t hy thi n gs i n y ou r b o d y, t o o. I wanted to be p e rf e c t. I wanted to be th e d e f i nition of fit an d healthy,”

“In the summer of 2015, I moved with my mother, father, and two sisters to Utrecht, Netherlands. I was really hoping it could all get better. Unfortunately, things only got worse. I lost all the weight I had gained during treatment at Walden, and was now back at my lowest weight. I missed the first half of my year at my first high school in the Netherlands, because of being inpatient at Rintveld, a Dutch eating disorder clinic. There was no structure, no groups, and no care for the patients whatsoever. I exercised for hours a day and manipulated my weight worse than I had ever before. I even walked all the way home from the clinic three times—a two-hour walk—and no one in the clinic knew I was gone until I was already home.

Clearly, Rintveld was a horrible place for me where nothing was going to get better.

After four months of staying inpatient there, the psychiatrist discharged me, saying I was a hopeless case and things were never going to get better. This was the most devastating news I had ever received. In my life. From there, as you could imagine, things only went downhill until I reached my lowest weight ever. I got daily panic attacks, would not eat unless I weighed it on my food scale, and was back to running every single day. I was truly in an abyss with my eating disorder. In the spring of 2017, I finally—finally—realized I needed to do something and could no longer live this way any more. I was dying from the inside out. That’s when I said I needed help. Real, professional, help. There was no place in the Netherlands that offered what I needed, so I had to seek help elsewhere—the United States of America. After days of researching, calling, and comparing, I decided I wanted to go to Carolina House, as they were one of the only programs in all of the United States that offered an adult eating disorder program for girls of 17 years of age. I had finally found my match.

There was one catch. It was expensive. Very expensive. And I had no insurance outside of the Netherlands. Still, I did not give up hope. I believed there was a way I was going to make this happen, and my mom made this a reality for me. Together, my mother and I started a GoFundMe , and my sister was kind enough to make a video that perfectly illustrated how badly I needed help. Thanks to everyone who donated, I was able to go to Carolina House and finally recover—for REAL. The six months I spent at Carolina House were definitely not easy. They came with many tears, much pain, and lots of anger. Now, looking back, I realize Carolina House saved my life. Actually, no. I saved my life with the help of Carolina House.

I wanted to recover so badly, I was so motivated. I knew there was a better life for me,”

“I held hope that there was an end to the horrible hell I was living in. With that hope and motivation and that discipline my e at i n g d i s o rd e r h a d t a ke n advantage of, I used that d i s c i p l i n e t o f i g ht my e at i n g disorder head-on. I was home t h e d ay b e f o r e C h r i s t m a s o f 2 0 17 a n d a m tr u l y d o i n g amazing. I am enjoying food, going out to eat, laughing, baking, cooking, b e i n g p hys i c a l l y active, and just l o v i n g l i f e ,�

-Liv

i l iv l abel free

it’s

IMPORTANT

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL ROLLBACKS WHERE THE FASHION INDUSTRY IS HEADING THE SIMPLE TRUTH ABOUT BMI

TH E TRUMP AD M INI STR ATI ON AND ENVI RONME NTAL ROL L BACKS Every day we wake up to breaking news. We are bombarded by never ending notifications updating us in real time about the next big story.

We barely have time to process before we receive a new notification, and just like that, we’ve already forgotten the last piece of news. It’s easy to see how many of us aren’t aware that in the middle of the chaos and barrage of unending news clips, the Trump administration has been rolling back environmental acts. To be specific, they’ve reversed or are in the process of reversing almost 95 different rules and regulations.

These regulations were targeted just days after Donald Trump was elected president. His administration introduced “America First Energy Plan,” which promised to lift environmental rules that restricted America’s energy output. The Trump Administration claimed that by loosening or revoking them, energy will be more affordable and more jobs will be created. However, these rollbacks come at a steep price.

The NY Times has put together a list of 95 regulations that have been targeted and categorized them into groups; air pollution and emissions, drilling and extraction, infrastructure and planning, animals, toxic substances and safety, water pollution and other. In total, 58 have been completed and 37 are in the process of being reversed. Here are a few that have been completed: • Withdrew a requirement for owners and operators in the oil and gas industry to report methane emissions

• Revoked California’s authority to set its own climate-protective vehicle emissions standards • Reversed regulations on water pollution for fracking on federal and Native American lands • Lifted the ban on drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge • Rescinded an order to factor climate change and long-term public interest while managing natural resources in national parks • Altered the Endangered Species Act so that it is now more difficult to protect animals from threats caused by climate change • Revoked the ban on hunting predators in wildlife refuges in Alaska • Ended a program that was created to reduce risks of workers developing a lung disease called silicosis • Rolled back a proposed rule that would minimize pollutants at sewage treatment plants • Reversed limits on the sale of plastic water bottles in national parks • The rest can be found on the NY Times.

It is important to note that some of the rollbacks have been blocked in court. These rollbacks are cited as not following proper procedure. For example, on March 21, 2018 a judge ruled that the E.P.A. was acting illegally when it tried to delay a rule that would regulate the certification and training of pesticide applicators. Including that ruling, there have been 10 rules that were reinstated after they were challenged.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Weakened federal rules regulating the disposal and storage of coal ash waste from power plants. A court later ruled the administration was attempting to weaken rules that were not stringent enough.

Reversed course on repealing emissions standards for “glider” trucks — vehicles retrofitted with older, often dirtier engines — after Andrew Wheeler took over as head of the E.P.A. Delayed a compliance deadline for new national ozone pollution standards by one year, but later reversed course.

Suspended an effort to lift restrictions on mining in Bristol Bay, Alaska. But the Army Corps of Engineers is performing an environmental review of an application for mining in the area.

Delayed implementation of a rule regulating the certification and training of pesticide applicators, but a judge ruled that the E.P.A. had done so illegally and declared the rule still in effect.

Initially delayed publishing efficiency standards for household appliances, but later published them after multiple states and environmental groups sued.

Delayed federal building efficiency standards until Sept. 30, 2017, at which time the rules went into effect.

Reissued a rule limiting the discharge of mercury by dental offices into municipal sewers after a lawsuit by the Natural Resources Defense Council, an advocacy group.

Re-posted a proposed rule limiting greenhouse gas emissions from aircraft, after initially changing its status to “inactive” on the E.P.A. website. In May 2019, the agency confirmed it would issue the rule.

Removed the Yellowstone grizzly bear from the Endangered Species List, but the protections were later reinstated by a federal judge. (The Trump administration appealed the ruling in May 2019.)

It is important to note that some of the rollbacks have been blocked in court. These rollbacks are cited as not following proper procedure. For example, on March 21, 2018 a judge ruled that the E.P.A. was acting illegally when it tried to delay a rule that would regulate the certification and training of pesticide applicators. Including that ruling, there have been 10 rules that were reinstated after they were challenged.

If you want stay up to date on these rollbacks and other environmental news, check out The Daily Climate (dailyclimate.org), Climate Desk (climatedesk.org), Climate Central (climatecentral.org) or Yale Climate Connections (yaleclimateconnections.org).

Contributing Writer: Esme Park | i balanceforyou

WH E RE TH E FASHI ON I ND USTRY I S H E ADI NG The future of fashion looks sustainable. Inclusive.

Ethical. And it’s all because that’s what consumers are asking for.

According to ThredUp, in 2018, 72% of consumers preferred to buy from environmentally-friendly brands.

59% of consumers expect retailers to create clothes ethically and sustainably. 96% of senior retail executives surveyed want to advance their company’s circular fashion efforts by 2020.

Companies are quickly finding out there is no room for unethical and unsustainable practices. Many are dealing with the aftermath of these practices exposed to the public, such as ASOS being caught on camera having child and forced labor in their supply chains.

While fast fashion brands take a hit, new sustainable brands are coming to steal the spotlight like Reformation and Maggie Marilyn. Consumers are slowly able to find sustainable clothing in any style.

But I also said fashion will become more inclusive.

Business of Fashions reveals an annual list of 500 people who are shaping the fashion industry. The list includes: • Kalpona Akter: a former child worker from Bangladesh, now an activist and executive director of the Bangladesh Center for Worker Solidarity.

• Yara Shahidi: an actress, model, activist, and first year Harvard student.

• Virgil Abloh: the first black artistic director at Louis Vuitton.

The industry is starting to see more and more visionaries they have never seen before. These are the creatives that are driving the movement.

We have Patrick McDowell, a fashion designer who upcycles products and fabrics. There’s Eleanor Nadimi, using recycled fabric from fashion textile factories to create her pieces. One can find Katie Briggs, founder of The Textile Review, helping plan fashion events to avoid fabric disposal.

Vogue predicts 2020 will be the year we see more closed-looped companies, companies that depend on using what already exists, to give more value to our clothing. The goal is to create little to no waste.

Then there’s secondhand.

“Consumers today are not necessarily excited about owning, particularly the younger population. We see that across categories—whether that’s cars or real estate—and it’s true also in clothes.” The CEO of Ralph Lauren, Patrice Louvet, said this at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland this year.

The secondhand market is on its’ way to becoming a $51 billion industry within the next five years.

Millennials and Generation Z shoppers are the ones growing this market. There was a 37% growth of secondhand shoppers from 2017 to 2018 within the Millennials group, and a 46% growth within the Generation Z group.

We’re also donating more too. In the UK, a study found that 50% of 25-34 year olds were selling their unwanted clothing, compared to 35% of all consumers.

In the middle of secondhand and new shopping are rental services. 54% of Generation Z respondents said they have rented or would be interested in renting clothing. Rental clothing is one of the top 3 fastest growing fashion categories, according to ThredUp. “The idea of ‘reusing, reducing and recycling’ has the potential to be a big disruptor in the fashion industry,” said Chana Baram, Mintel Retail Analyst. “Young shoppers seem to be emulating their grandparents, who were forced to ‘make do and mend’ during World War II. As the climate crisis continues to gain headlines, consumers’ perspectives are shifting. It’s no longer enough for clothing to be priced well, or to reference the latest trends; fashion brands and retailers also have to think about working towards a goal of providing more sustainable options.”

The fast fashion era may be coming to an end, but it’s up to us to make that decision.

sources: https://bit.ly/2GUzR1q | https://yhoo.it/37YxLcW | https://bit.ly/36SKwEl | https://cnn.it/31mIT0K | https://bit.ly/2GVwCHe

TH E SIMP L E TRUTH AB OUT B M I Everyone has heard of BMI before, short for Body Mass Index. It is a tool that is used all around the world to classify people into ‘healthy’, under, or overweight based solely on height and weight. Several factors such as age, sex, and body type are not taken into account when assessing someone’s health using the BMI tool.

BMI is derived from a simple math formula. It was devised in the 1830’s by Lambert Adolphe Jacques Quetelet, a Belgian astronomer, mathematician, statistician, and sociologist. Quetelet was nowhere near a medical doctor, but he developed a passion for probability calculus that he applied to study human physical characteristics.

He was best known for his sociological work aimed at identifying the characteristics of l’homme moyen, meaning ‘the average man’ in French. This ‘average man’ was Quetelet’s representation of a social ideal, an ideal Quetelet believed was the mathematical mean of a population.

These studies led him to conclude that other than the spurts of growth after birth and during puberty, ‘the weight increases as the square of the height’. In formula, this is BMI = weight (kg) / height 2. The equation was known as the Quetelet Index until it was named Body Mass Index in 1972 by Ancel Keys, an American physiologist who studied the impact of diet on health.

A very important aspect in the invention of the BMI is the time frame in which it took place. Quetelet’s studies were published during the early 19th century, a time when there were no computers, electronic devices, or calculators that could accurately assess or examine the human body like we can do with the technology of today. He developed a system based on a simple math formula, while we now know that no number can ever capture the complexity of our bodies and associated health issues.

Not to mention, the 1800’s were also a boom time for racist science. Quetelet’s studies were based solely on the size and measurements of French and Scottish men, meaning people of color, immigrants, poor people, and disabled people were not taken into account. Not to mention, zero women were part of this study! That

is, the Index was devised exclusively by and for white Western European men.

By the turn of the next century, the BMI system quickly gained popularity as a tool to assess whether people are over, under, or healthy weight. Even today, BMI is used as a means to determine overall health, which is flabbergasting considering so many factors aren’t taken into account. Think about muscle-fat-ratio, bone density, body type, sex, and age. Furthermore, bodies recovering from illnesses such as eating disorders or injuries often require a (sometimes temporary) higher body fat percentage than prior to ensure proper healing.

The science has disproved many common myths about size, health, and weight loss for years, so why are we so obsessed about our place on a BMI chart?

Like any other historic tool, BMI is a product of its social context. With all the technological advances made in just the last couple of decades, is it not questionable that medical professionals use something as simple as a math formula to determine whether someone is ‘healthy’ or not? Patients with a history of eating disorders are being told they “Even today, are ‘recovered’ BMI i s used because they have reached a ‘healthy’ as a means to BMI. But what d ete r mi n e overall about the mental aspect? What h e al th , wh ich is about the absence fl ab b ergasting of menstruation (in women) or the c on si d ering so mental hunger many factors indicating the body (still) feels aren’t take n into restricted? Back acc ou nt ... so why in the 1800’s, BMI was created are we s o ob sessed solely because ab ou t ou r place there was no better alternative. on a BMI c hart?“ Contributing Writer: Liv van Aarsen | i livlabelfree

it’s

OUR HOME

ALL NATURAL CANDLES SUSTAINABILITY ACCOUNTS TO FOLLOW WHAT I EAT IN A DAY SUSTAINABLE THINGS TO DO TODAY A DIFFERENT KIND OF ONLINE SHOP

a l l n atural c a n d les We’ve always been OBSESSED with candles, we love the comfort and warmth they add to a space, but also how different scents can transform the way a space feels and how you feel. We wanted to create high quality candles that don’t cost an arm and a leg, candles that can fill a room and calm your soul while being reasonably priced. They’re such a beautiful self care tool and something we’ve always felt is a necessity in our lives.

- Laura & Amy

Q&A

i

m a de i n thy m e

D e sc ri b e the process b ehin d creating the c andle s.

We started off with scents we knew we loved and practiced making them until we’d perfected the recipe, knowing the standards we wanted of our candles was the MOST important! We always make sure we’re in a good headspace when we pour, we love making them and want to make sure we put the most care and energy into what we’re doing to deliver the best quality! We talk about fragrance options, talk about scents we love and scents that compliment rooms. We also create mood boards for the type of feel we’re going for to find scents that fit. We spend a lot of time mixing scents and finding the perfect balance of scents and combination of them! We then have a group of people who are our allocated testers, people who will test our scents in their own environments to ensure quality of our products and make any adjustments required before we launch them!

W h at’s m a ke you stan d ou t?

We make high quality soy candles while ensuring they stay affordable, without ever compromising quality of prod ucts. We use this particular soy wax because it’s completely natural and vegan, being environmentally friendly in anyway we c an is so important to us! It also binds with fragrances deliciously so you get the most beautiful scents when you burn them! They are minimal and calming in design and will go with any decor and living space. We use plastic in the most limited way possible and avoid it every way we can and we also offer discounts to refill your glass jars to encourage re-using and recycling! We’re also looking at expanding our ranges and looking into different ways to package and ship in more sustainable ways!

W h i c h o n e do you each like b est?

My personal favourite (Laura) is salted caramel all day every day, but burn BlackBerry and Lavender at night to wind down every evening before I go to sleep! Or Lime and Lemongrass when I’m in the mood to feel fresh and awake! Very dependent on mood for me honestly!

Amy’s favourite is either white peach and musk or Chai Latteè! However truthfully, we always have different scents on rotation at any given time!! We’re always burning different scents depending on our mood or what we’re up to!

sustainability accounts to follow

i n stagram : @imp act for good

in stagram : @t ay lor.p forwords

i n st a gram : @wh oles omely _he r

instagram: @kb.ab ode

i n stagram : @st acys ullivan_

w hat i eat in a day

My name is Skylar, the human behind @happyearthhabits, my Instagram where we talk all things for a low waste lifestyle. I am a tree-hugger who lives in the concrete jungle known as NYC, learning all of the ways to help make mama earth happy.

THE BASICS: 1. Buy lots of fruits and veggies, they are naturally package free and leave the lowest environmental footprint behind them.

2. Shop bulk and #BYOC (bring your own container). Hit up your groceries bulk section, local food co-op or bulk store with your containers ready to shop package free.

3. Less meat, less processed food, less animal products. Now it’s a label free zone here, but I love to cook vegan recipes. Whether you eat vegan always, sometimes or never, I love to inspire people with yummy recipes to whip up that are plant based and vegan because they have the lowest environmental footprint.

4. Become a regular at your local farmers market and eat seasonally. The carbon footprint is way lower on local and seasonal foods because it travels less distance.

5. Shop for food in glass jars and aluminum cans because they can be reused/recycled the easiest.

BREAKFAST: GOOD MORNING GREENS SMOOTHIE I love to start the day off with a smoothie, it’s fast and I can take it to go because I usually sleep in until the very last second. Oh and I get my greens in.

INGREDIENTS • ½ Frozen banana • ½ Room temp banana • 1 cup Frozen mango

• Plant based vanilla protein powder • Ground flax seeds • Oat milk

DIRECTIONS • Throw it all in your blender and blend!! Don’t forget your metal straw… DUH

WASTE INFO: • Cut up and freeze your own fruit rather then buying them in plastic bags • Buy your protein powder and flax seed in bulk/BYOC • Try making your own oat milk (I have a tutorial video on my insta @happyearthhabits #subtleplug)

LUNCH: THE BEST BRUSSEL SPROUT SALAD I always pack my lunch and most of the time it’s a salad. I will have everything prechopped in the morning, that way I throw it all in a container and am ready to go.

INGREDIENTS DRESSING SALAD • ¼ cup olive oil • Brussel sprouts, chopped • 2 tbs dijon mustard • ½ cup of almonds and pine nuts that I roasted in some • 1 tbs maple syrup olive oil (or any nuts of • 1 tbs apple cider vinegar choice) • Garlic, salt and pepper to • ½ cup of chopped red onion taste • ½ cup dried dates, cut in quarters and cranberries (or dried fruit of choice) • 1 cup up red apple, cut in small bite sizes

DIRECTIONS • Chop or shave your brussels, cut up your apple and onion as well

WASTE INFO: • Shop bulk/BYOC for your nuts and dried fruit • Bring your own produce bags for your brussels, apple, and onion • Refill or purchase glass containers for your dressing ingredients. Most bulk stores have spice refill section as well as oil refills.

• Put all salad ingredients in the bowl • In a separate jar put all your dressing ingredients and screw the lid on and shake it • #protip: I usually pack my lunch and this is the best salad ever! I will pack my salad in a container and bring my dressing in the jar I made it in! Don’t forget to pack your own fork so you don’t have to use a plastic one!

AFTERNOON SNACK: ZERO WASTE POPCORN I am #teamsnacks, and this is one of my favs. Warning… you will get addicted.

INGREDIENTS • Popcorn kernels • Salt

• Avocado oil • Nutritional yeast

DIRECTIONS • Coat the bottom of your saucepan with avocado oil • Pour the kernels in and add some salt • Cover the pan and wait till you hear popping (like 2 mins) • Transfer the popcorn to a bowl and sprinkle some nutritional yeast and a little more salt to season it with.

WASTE INFO: • Buy your popcorn, salt and nutritional yeast in bulk • Buy avo oil in a glass jar to be recycled or with refills

DINNER: ROASTED VEGGIES OVER GREENS OR GRAINS Dinner for me is usually something easy because I usually come home starving and want to eat ASAP. So my go to is any roasted veggies over either greens or grains. I usually have some kind of rice or pasta prepared for the week and I always have some washed up greens in my fridge.

INGREDIENTS • Any kind of veggies (I love mushrooms, onions, peppers, zucchini and onions) • Salt and pepper

• Garlic powder • Avocado oil • Rice • Lettuce

DIRECTIONS • Cut up all your veggies and lay them on a pan • Season them with avocado oil, S&P and garlic powder • Bake them in the oven for 20ish mins at 375 degrees • Make your rice and cut up lettuce.

• Put it all in a bowl and ENJOY!

WASTE INFO: • Buy all your veggies without plastic • Buy your greens plastic free also • Shop bulk/BYOC for your spices and oils as well as rice

Cooking is a huge part of my life and I have found one of the easiest places to make an impact for the planet.

I wanted to take you along with me as I went through my day full of yummy, low waste meals and lots of tips.

- Skylar

s u st ainable t hin gs t o do tod ay Starting a new lifestyle can be intimidating. Here are some things you can do today to get you closer to living a more sustainable lifestyle.

SWITCH YOUR INTERNET BROWSER Ecosia is an internet search browser that plants trees everytime you search.

• • •

They were the first German company to become a Certified B-corporation.

They publish their monthly financial reports and tree planting receipts.

In 2019, they planted 60 million trees.

•

That same year, they also built a solar energy plant to power each of their searches.

According to Ecosia, if they were as big as Google, they could absorb 15% of all global carbon emissions.

WASH YOUR CLOTHING IN COLD WATER This switch can reduce washing machine energy by up to 80%. Most clothing recommends washing in cold water anyways, it prevents shrinkage and color fading.

EAT A PLANT-BASED MEAL FOR LUNCH OR DINNER 1700 gallons of water is needed to produce 1 pound of beef, whereas only 302 gallons of water is needed to produce 1 pound of tofu. A 2012 study even found plant-based to be more economical.

START CARRYING REUSABLES WITH YOU Store them in your backpack, purse, and car, even if you won’t need them that day. This will help create the habit of always having things like a cup, straw, utensils, etc, with you.

TAKE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION OR WALK If your work is close enough to walk, do that! Maybe you can take the bus to classes instead of driving. Or if you like to drive, carpool with a friend.

FOLLOW SUSTAINABLE ACCOUNTS This is a great way to stay up-to-date with any current sustainable news, as well as get tips, DIY ideas, and more sustainability content. I’ll share my favorites.

• • • • • • • • • •

@impactforgood @root_for_food @dressed_to_sustain @thesustainablefashionforum @lesswastejae @kb.abode @wholesomely.her @taylor.pforwoods @loren.miche @sustainyoself

a d i f ferent kind of o nline sh o p I’d been sharing all my recent thrift scores to my instagram stories, and was regularly receiving messages along the lines of “I can’t find ANYTHING like that in my area!” It made me feel bad! I was urging people to buy secondhand, not quite realizing what a privilege it is to have access to a thriving, local secondhand economy. After a handful of friends (probably jokingly, in hindsight) suggested I start my own shop, I was like yeap, I’m doing that! I started nonlocal.thrift in May of 2019.

Q&A

i no nlo c a l .th ri f t

W h at’s th e p rocess like of fin d ing the se pie c e s?

I s ear ch lo c al thrift stores for a ll my inv ent o r y. I f ind it t o b e a l it t l e if f y a s f a r a s e t h i cs g o to pur ch ase something from a n ind iv id ua l , s ay, Of f er U p o r Fa c eb o o k Ma r k et p l a c e , o n l y t o mar k i t up a nd ma k e a profit. By s ho p p ing a t t hr if t s t o r es , I ’m c o l l ec t ing it em s t h e do n ato r pr o b a bly didn’t va lu e enou gh t o s el l t hem s el v es , A N D s up p o r t ing a go o d c a u s e !

Many th r i ft stores a re nonprofits w ith c o m m unit y -d r iv en m is s io ns a nd p r o gr a m s . Th e o n e I fr e quent the most a dvoca tes envir o nm ent a l a w a r enes s t hr o ugh r eus e. H o w o f t e n I g o v a r i e s f r o m w eek to w eek , bu t I definit el y r ec o m m end go ing a s o f t en a s p o s s ib l e! The re i s a pr o v er b that says you ca n never step int o t he s a m e t hr if t s t o r e t w ic e.

H ow d o yo u d ecid e p ricing on ite m s?

T he way I pr ice my items depends on t he it em it s el f. I f it’s v int a ge, I ’ l l r es ea r c h t he p a r ti cular i tem on secondha nd resa le s it es a nd p r ic e l o w er t ha n t he a v er a ge (s inc e I h a v e a lm o s t n o o v erhea d). If it’s a one- of- a -kind p iec e, l ik e a ha nd m a d e b ud v a s e, I ’ l l s et t h e p ri c e b as e d o n w ha t the item is w orth t o m e, p er s o na l l y. H o w m uc h w o ul d it c o s t f o r me t o wan t to par t w ith this gorgeou s thing? I a l s o k eep in m ind w ha t I o r igina l l y p a id f o r t h e i te m an d ho w mu ch w ork w ent into fi nd ing, c l ea ning, r es ea r c hing, p ho t o gr a p hing, a n d p a c kag i n g i t.

W i th th e ri s e of second h an d store s, how do you atte m pt to se t yourse lf a pa r t ?

I n ev er i n ten ded to set nonloca l.thrift a p a r t , r ea l l y. I f it is s p ec ia l o r unique in a ny w ay, i t wo uld b e b eca u se everything I pick f o r t he s ho p is s o m et hing t ha t I w o ul d p r o ud l y u s e a nd di s play i n my ow n a pa rtment. A l it t l e s el f is h! B ut t her e’s a l w ay s a c ha nc e t ha t a p iec e wo n’t s ell, in w hich ca se I ca n keep it f o r my s el f ins t ea d o f r et ur ning it t o t he w a s t e s tr e am . I als o ship a ll orders u sing rep ur p o s ed m a t er ia l s t ha t c a n b e r ec y c l ed , c o m po s t e d , o r r e us ed ag a in. From boxes to shipp ing l a b el s , ev er y t hing is z er o w a s t e!

“Shopping secondhand is beyond important to me.

I t’s h a r d t o f i n d t h e w o r d s b e c a u s e i t’s c h a n g e d my l i f e t h a t m u c h ! No t o n l y h a s t h r i f t i n g s av e d my f a m i l y t h o u s a n d s ove r t h e p a st t h re e ye a r s , i t m a ke s m e f e e l c o n f i d e nt t h at I ’ m d o i n g my share in preventing the waste that comes along with manufacturing new products. Thrifting has also enabled me to opt out of that consumeristic cycle of seeing something, wanting something, and b u y i n g i t n o w. W i t h b u y i n g u s e d , y o u ’ r e a l m o s t r e q u i r e d t o h u n t f o r i t . I t m ay t a k e m o n t h s i n s o m e c a s e s ! B u t w h e n y o u d o f i n d w h a t y o u’ r e l o o k i n g f o r , i t ’ s l i k e t r e a s u r e ,”

n o s i ll A -

it’s

WHAT WE WEAR

MEET RACHEL’S LOOKBOOK STYLING WITH THE BASICS WHAT TO DO WITH OLD CLOTHES SUSTAINABLE 2020 ACADEMY AWARDS STYLING WITH A MINI CAPSULE WARDROBE

m eet rach e l ’s lookb o o k

I re a l l y st a r te d g e tt i n g i nt o fashi o n dur i n g my s e n i o r ye a r of hi gh s cho o l . I wa s re a l l y s hy i n hi gh s cho o l a n d a l ways wa nt e d t o g o wi t h t h e f l ow a n d try t o “bl end i n” . F i n a l l y, my s e n i o r ye ar I g o t brave r a s I f i g u re d I woul dn’ t s ee m o st o f t h e s e p e op le again a nd st a r t e d t a k i n g m o re r i s ks wi t h wh at I wa s we a r i n g to expres s mys e l f. Mo re a n d m o re peopl e st a r t e d t o c o m m e nt o n my sty l e a nd how t h ey l i ke d w h at I put t o g et he r a n d wo u l d o ft e n ask where I p u rc h a s e d s o m e t h in g from. My l ove o f f a s h i o n g rew as I wat ched P ro j e c t Ru nway t h e s ummer betwe e n s e n i o r ye a r a nd fre s hma n yea r at c o l l e g e , a n d o n ce I ma de i t t o c o l l e g e , I s p e nt my study brea ks b rows i n g t h ro u g h old i s s ues o f Vo g u e i n t h e l i b ra ry. I bec a me OBSE S S E D w i t h f a s h ion an d i t ha s be e n a s u p e r i m p o r tant part o f who I a m t o t h i s d ay.

Q&A W h at d o yo u d o for a liv ing?

I am a par t-time M a rk eting Coordinat o r a t a l a w f ir m in d o w nt o w n B o s t o n. Pr io r t o t h at, I was a Produ ct M a rk eting M a n a ger a t a s o f t w a r e s t a r t -up in Minnea p o l is . I h a v e b een i n m ar keting for more tha n 8 ye a r s , b ut my ex p er t is e is in w r it ing a nd c o nt ent c r e ati o n . I lo ve a ll a spects of ma rk eti ng a nd ha v e b een l ea r ning a l o t a b o ut ev ent p l a n n i n g t h r o ug h my cu rrent role. There is a mix o f c o nt ent c r ea t io n, s o c ia l m ed ia m a na gem e n t , e v en t plan n i ng, gra phic design, a nd b us ines s d ev el o p m ent in my c ur r ent r o l e. The re s t o f my ti m e i s f o cu sed on my blog a nd so c ia l m ed ia c ha nnel s ! I l o v e b eing my o w n c r ea t i v e di r ec to r an d coming u p w ith new con t ent id ea s .

D e sc ri b e yo u r sty le!

T h i s i s always ha rd for me beca u se I LOV E s o m a ny d if f er ent t y p es o f s t y l es a nd t r y o u t a lo t o f v ar i o u s styles, bu t I’d say my s t y l e is f em inine a nd c l a s s ic w it h a t w is t . I l o v e a g o o d f ull s ki rt a nd a stra nd of pea rls, b ut a l w ay s t r y t o inc o r p o r a t e a n ed gy d et a il in t o my o u tfi ts . Ov e r all thou gh, I love to incor p o r a t e a l l t y p es o f s t y l es int o my l o o k s - I l o v e b o h o s tyles , mas c uline styles, ca su a l, etc. I w o ul d s ay I jus t t end t o w ea r m o r e f em inine pi e ce s t h an anythi n g else.

W h at tre n d s are you lov ing right now? W hat about brands?

I am lo v i n g the poofy sleeves + sheer s l eev es t r end . A l s o , p o l k a d o t s a r e s up p o s ed t o b e b ig ag ai n thi s yea r... does it get a ny m o r e f em inine a nd c l a s s ic t ha n t ha t (p er f ec t f o r my p er s o n al s tyle bra nd)?! I LOVE polk a d o t s a nd ha v e s ev er a l p o l k a d o t p iec es in my c l o s e t ( mo s tly v i n tage polk a dot pieces). I’m s t a r t ing t o get int o m o r e et hic a l a nd s us t a ina b l e f a s hi o n b r an d s this yea r. I’m loving TA L A f o r a t hl et ic w ea r a nd Vet t a C a p s ul e. Vet t a h a s s ome am az i n g pieces tha t you ca n w e a r in s o m a ny d if f er ent w ay s - f o r ex a m p l e - t he i r t r e n ch can also be w orn a s a trench v es t b y s im p l y unz ip p ing t he s l eev es ! A c l a s s ic t h a t ca n b e wo r n f o r yea rs + be w orn a s a vest? I t’s s im p l y genius ! They ha v e s o m e o t her c o nv e rt i b l e p iec es li ke this tha t a re rea lly a ma zin g a nd ha v e a s t r o ng c l a s s ic s t y l e.

I have always be e n a n avid t hr ift er and love d th e ide a o f re us ing c lot h i n g , howeve r, I also us e d t o s ho p at a l o t of fast-fash ion st o re s . I a m c e r t a i n l y not perfec t, but I a m m a k ing m o re consciou s c h oic e s a bo ut w he re I s h o p and th e imp ac t o f fa st fa s hio n. I h ave watch ed a few s hows de t a iling how f a st fashion imp act s t he e nviro nme nt a n d how some f ast - fa s hio n re t a ile r s treat em ploye e s, an d it’s quit e ja r r ing t o l earn th e h u ge e nviro nme nt a l im p a ct of fast fash ion a s we ll a s how po o r l y some p lac e s tre at t he ir e m ploye e s .

T hi s was a h u g e wa ke - up c a ll fo r m e.

Asi de f rom that , I have a ls o t a ke n T hredUp’s n ew quiz t o s e e w he re I ’ m at on th e su sta ina bility s c a le . I am happy to say t hat I’ m do ing we ll n ow!

Bu t b etween b uy i n g way t o o m any cl o t h es a n d s h o es wh en I wa s you n ge r a n d s h o p p i n g at m a ny f a st -f a s h ion st o res , I d ef i n i t el y wa s n o t m ak in g et h i ca l / s u st a i n a b l e f a s h i o n a p riority.

I n ow t h i n k b ef o re I b uy - H ow o f ten a m I g oi n g t o w e a r t h i s ? Wi l l I wear t h i s a y e a r f r om n ow ? C ou l d I fi n d s om e t h i n g s i m i l a r a t a t h r i f t s t o r e? D O I R E A L LY n e e d t h i s ? H ow d oe s thi s p u r c h a s e i m p a c t t h e e n v i r on m e n t? D o es t h i s c om p a ny t r e a t i t s e m p l oy e es well, w i t h r e s p e c t a n d p a i d f a i r l y ? A gain , I ’m cer t a i n l y n o t p er f ect wi t h et h ic al an d s u st a i n a b l e f a s h i o n , b u t i t’s b e c om in g m o re i m p o r t a nt t o m e t h a n eve r an d l u cki l y a s a n av i d t h r i ft er f o r m ost o f my l i f e, I h ave h a d a n ea sy tim e a d j u st i n g s o m e o f my f a s h i o n h ab its.

LOOK 1 I l ove t hr i ft i n g wo r kwe a r !

My fi r st j o b o u t o f c o l l e g e was bus i nes s p ro f e s s i o n a l an d I wa s o n a t i g ht b u d g e t at the t i me. I e n d e d u p ge tti ng two su i t s , s eve ra l butto n-up bl ou s e s a n d a f ew pen ci l s ki r t s t h at s e t m e u p for succes s . I n t h i s l o o k , I t hr i ft ed t hi s b u tt o n - u p a n d bl ac k penci l s k i r t . I st i l l have t hi s cl as s i c b l a c k p e n c i l s ki r t a nd g o t i t f o r a f ra c t i o n of the pr i ce b uy i n g b ra n d new, yet i t i s S T I L L h o l d i n g up to t hi s day.

LOOK 2 I me nt i o ned p o l k a d o t s b e i n g on e o f my favo r i t e tre n d s an d, i n g enera l , i s o n e o f my favor i t e pr i nt s . T h i s d o u b l e polk a do t l o o k i n c l u d e s a t hr i ft ed t o p a n d s k i r t , both o f whi ch I ’ve wo r n mu l t i pl e t i me s . T h e t a n k t o p i s p er fect und e r c a rd i g a n s for wo r k o r wo r n c a s u a l l y as shown here . T h e s k i r t has been o ne o f my f avo r i t e purc ha s es t o d at e ! I t’s beaut i ful , un i q u e a n d f i t s me p er fect l y. I p u rc h a s e d i t f o r $ 5 at a Go o dw i l l i n Iowa wi t h my m o m . T h i s i s why I’ m s o p a s s i o n at e a b o u t t hr i ft i ng - I wo u l d h ave neve r fo und s o m e t h i n g t h i s beaut i ful t hat f i t s o we l l s hop pi ng at th e m a l l .

LOOK 3 I LOVE t hr i ft i n g c l o s e t stap l es t hat yo u c a n l i t e ra l l y we ar wi t h a ny t h i n g . Fo r exam pl e, t hi s s h o r t - s l e eve ch am bray t o p I t h r i ft e d f ro m G oodwi l l . I h ave wo r n t h i s SO m a ny ways ove r t h e ye a r s .

It’s ea sy t o d re s s u p o r d ow n .

1. In t he fi r st l o o k , I d re s s e d i t up wi t h a s e q u i n cardi g a n f ro m No rd stro m Ra ck, fl o ra l p a nt s ( g i ft e d t o me), a nd a p a i r o f p e a c h heel s fro m Ju st Fa b . I wo re t hi s l o o k to wo r k w h e n I wo r ked fo r a c o m p a ny t hat ha d a b u s i n e s s c a s u a l po l i cy. Ea si l y c o u l d b e wo r n wi t ho u t t h e c a rd i g a n an d a pa i r o f f l at s f o r a mo re ca s ua l l o o k .

2. I n t he s ec o n d l o o k , I creat ed a m i x o f p a r ty + bus i nes s . T h e c h a m b ray t o p + pi nk s c a r f d re s s e s down t he b l a c k s k i r t a n d wedg es . Ch a n g e o u t t h e wedg es fo r f l at s o r s a n d a l s t o ma ke i t eve n m o re cas ua l .

3. I l ove t he way t h e d a r k bl ue l o o ks a g a i n st a b l a c k & whi t e str i p e d s k i r t .

Thi s ca s ua l s p r i n g sty l e can be a b i t d re s s e d u p wi t h wedg e s , a s I d i d h e re .

Or pa i r wit h s a n d a l s o r s nea ker s fo r a n eve n m o re cas ua l vi be .

To m e , f a sh i o n + sty ling is th e only way I c a n f u l l y exp ress w h o I am.

Bei n g a b l e to c urate an ou tfit that tr u l y e x p re sse s my un iq u e self is o n e o f th e m o st amazing th in gs I d o each a n d eve ry d ay. Ad d itionally, I feel l i ke I h ave gained a lot of con fi d e n c e i n myself by being ab le t o b e cre ati ve w i t h w hat I wear. When I h ave th e p e rf ect mix of cloth in g t h at f e e l s tru l y like me, I walk ou t t h e d o o r w i th s o much confid en ce.

S o , i t m e a n s E VE RY T HI NG to me.

Th r i fti n g a l so means every th in g to m e! I h ave b e e n a th rifter for q u ite s om e ti m e a n d I h ave my moth er t o t h a n k f o r that. S h e always used t o t a ke m e sh o pp in g at p laces like Go o dw i l l , S a l vation Army, local v i nt a g e sto re s and secon d - han d item st ore s. A s a te e n ager, I th ou ght i t s uc ke d … I wanted every thin g t o b e b ra n d n ew an d from “cool” p l a ce s. Now I can ap p reciate th e st ory b e h i n d vintage cloth in g or t ake so m e o n e e lse’s th row - aways an d re-p urp o se th e m in my closet. S h e i n st il l e d th e i mp ortan ce of resu in g a n d sh o p p i n g at thrift stores from a very yo u n g a g e, an d I ’m SO than k ful fo r th at. T h e f act th at thrifting m a ke s m e th i n k of my mom makes it extra sp e c i a l ! My mom is one of my b est f ri e n d s a n d I love being ab le to s h are my th ri ft find s w ith h er now.

I h o n e stl y wo uld rather shop at a t h r i ft sto re th an th e mall or on lin e o n e b e c a u se I k n ow I am helpin g out wi t h re u si n g someth in g + it won’t b e a s e x p e n si ve an d two, I feel like wh at I f i n d i s a lways so much more u n i q u e . H o n e stly, the pieces that l a st th e l o n g e st in my closet h ave b een i te m s I ’ve th rifted or pu rchase d at a vi nta g e store.

- Rachel

z ra chel sl ook bo o k .co m

styling with the basics

My styl e i s very plain an d simple, you c an se e I d o n’ t l i ke m u ch p attern! I stick to the basic s so I ca n m i x a n d match an d make the m ost out of my cl o th i n g . . . a l so I ’m lazy. T h is ou tf it is c omf ortable an d su p e r c a su al + laid b ack . I love an ove rsiz e d l oo k b e c a u se it just really d resses down the whole ou tf i t.

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Caribbean Joe top: Deals on Designers

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White jeans: Urban Outfitters (my last fast fashion purchase)

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Shoes: Vegan Dr. Martens

T h e l i g ht c o l ors comp ared to the dark brown t u rtl e n e c k m a kes it stand ou t. I like this c olor p al e tte o f d i f f erent n u d es, w h ites, and browns.

T h i s i s a n o u tfit th at cou ld easily be c om e a new on e j u st by sw itchin g ou t on e of the pie c e s.

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Turtleneck: Goodwill

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White jeans: Urban Outfitters

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Sports jacket: Goodwill

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Strappy mules: Goodwill

An o th e r ove rs ized look . T h is feels like supe r ca su a l wo rk attire.

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Blazer: Deals on Designers

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Trousers: Goodwill

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Madewell loafers: Poshmark

T h i s i s a sh i rt I wear so often ! I t c an work with any o u tf i t, I p u t it over a floral d re ss to mix it u p . I t’s o n e o f my favorite look s to we ar. This ent i re o u tf i t is from Goodw ill! I be t you c an f ind very si m i l a r pieces at your Goodwill to re c re ate a similar look.

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White top: Goodwill

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Floral dress; Goodwill

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Black boots: Goodwill

T h e b l a z e r tren d is someth in g I ’ve wante d to try o u t! I l i ke how d ressed d ow n a blaz e r c an l oo k , a n d I thin k a tu rtleneck make s it look eve n b ette r. I h a d to cu t th e shou ld er pads out of this b l a z e r, b u t i t’s really comfortable to we ar!

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Blazer: Goodwill

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Black jeans: Goodwill

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Grey turtleneck: Goodwill

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White Reeboks: Depop

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Belt: Goodwill

An a l l w h i te look is someth in g els e I’ve be e n wa nti n g to try ! I t ju st look s so clean and c lassy t o m e . I f i n a l ly fou n d a similar colore d swe ate r to wea r w i th th ese ripp ed jean s.

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White sweater: Deals on Designers

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White jeans: Urban Outfitters

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White strappy mules: Goodwill

w hat to d o wit h old c lothe s DONATE Here are a few places to donate your old clothing: • • • • •

Dress for Success: An organization that empowers women to thrive in work and life. Donate your old work attire.

Career Gear: An organization that supports men entering and re-entering the workforce. Donate old work attire.

One Warm Coat: A non-profit that gives coats to those in need. Donate your coats and jackets here.

Goodwill: They use their revenue to fund employment training and job placement services for people in their community. Donate your clothing here.

Big Brother Big Sister Foundation: They pair at-risk children with adult mentors. Schedule a pick up to donate old clothing.

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Check at the store you purchased the item from, they may have a recycling program of their own, and may even offer you a discount if you take advantage of it.

Or try places around you like local churches, community outreach centers, local thrift stores, homeless shelters, and school clothing drives. Just contact them with any questions you may have and make sure your clothing is in good enough condition to donate!

RESELL Consignment stores or resell stores like Plato’s Closet are great for higher quality items. Try Poshmark or Depop too.

HOST A CLOTHING SWAP Grab a few friends and do a clothing swap! You can find new pieces you love and it’s a fun way to hang out with friends.

UPCYCLE Take your old clothing and turn them into cleaning rags, facial rounds, produce bags, or turn them into a new piece of clothing to wear!

RECYCLE IT Whatever you do, don’t throw it out! Here’s a list of places trashfortossers.com compiled so you can sustainably recycle old, unwearable clothing: • • • • • • • • • •

Terracycle Fabrics and Clothing Zero Waste Box: Purchase a box to fill with clothing and fabric to ship to Terracycle to be re-purposed.

The Bra Recyclers: An organization that will find a way to recycle, reuse or repurpose bras. You can find a drop-off station or mail old bras directly to them.

Soles 4 Souls: A national shoe recycling program.

Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles: An online platform that will help you find the nearest textile recycling outlets near you.

H&M, Don’t Let Fashion Go To Waste: You can drop off your textiles from any brand, in any condition, at any H&M store globally and they’ll recycle it.

Donation Town: A site that helps you find a local clothing donation pick-up service in your area.

Nike, Reuse-A-Shoe: Nike collects old athletic shoes from any brand that they grind up and use to create courts, fields, tracks and playgrounds.

Patagonia, Common Threads: Bring back your unwanted Patagonia clothing and accessories to any Patagonia store and they’ll recycle it and give you store credit!

The North Face, Clothes the Loop: Recycling clothing and shoes from any brand at North Face stores.

Madewell: The take back old denim jeans of any brand and give you a discount towards your next Madewell pair.

s u stain ab le 20 2 0 a ca demy a war d s The Academy Awards is known for the stars that grace the red carpet in the most jaw dropping looks. This year, there was a green spin.

There were a few stars that decided to wear vintage, pre-loved, or sustainable fashion on the red carpet. Let’s take a look at just a few.

KIM KARDASHIAN WEST

SAOIRSE RONAN

She wore an archive dress, the Oyster gown from Alexander McQueen’s spring/summer 2003 collection, rather than buying a new dress.

She wore a Gucci gown with a bodice created using the surplus fabric from her BAFTAs dress.

ELIZABETH BANKS

LÉA SEYDOUX

She wore the exact same Badgley Mischka gown she wore to the Vanity Fair Oscars after party 16 years ago.

Seydoux wore Louis Vuitton at the 2020 Academy Awards, which was made from sustainable materials as part of the Red Carpet Green Dress (RCGD) campaign.

styling with a mini capsule wardrobe I build caps u le wardrob e s w i th 1 0 it ems mont h ly, a nd then ad d s hoes , acces s or i e s a nd innerwear t o comp le t e my everyd ay looks . It may s ound d iffi cult to sty le a wh ole m o nt h o f outfi ts u s ing ju st 10 ite m s a s the core p ieces . Howeve r, the id ea is not about maki ng 3 0 d i ffere nt ou t fit s ; t he i de a o f # MyC lose t Roat ion is t o: 1 . Si m pl i fy out fit plann ing , save time and ener gy in t he m orni ng.

2 . Spark creat iv ity, try new ways to wear your clot he s .

3 . Feel sty lis h and p ut -t o g e t he r.

-Luna

z l i vi ngpeti te.co m | i l i v i n g. pet ite

EXAMPLE LOOKS FROM MY JANUARY CAPSULE WARDROBE •

Secondhand cashmere beanie - ThredUp

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Jeans & Wool Coat - Everlane

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Bag - Matt and Nat

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Cashmere scarf - Nordstrom Rack

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Sweater - H&M conscious collection

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Boots - Nordstrom

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Down Coat - Vero Moda (bought in 2017)

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Sweater - H&M conscious collection

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Wool hat - Nirvanna Designs

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Bag - Matt and Nat from Nordstrom

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Boots - Blondo Waterproof from Nordstrom

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Jeans that are hidden under the coat - Everlane

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Waterproof boots - Blondo Waterproof

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Recycled nylon tights - Asos

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Secondhand shorts - The Real Real

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Sweater - H&M conscious collection

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Faux leather bag - Matt and Nat

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Tunic sweatshirt - Amour Vert

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Secondhand pants - Crossroads Trading

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Bag - Matt and Nat from Nordstrom

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Sneakers are from China

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Secondhand leather belt

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Top - Amour Vert

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Jeans - Everlane

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Waterproof boots - Blondo

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Bag - Matt and Nat from Nordstrom

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Top - Eco-friendly Chinese brand Ecoleco

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Secondhand shorts - from The RealReal

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Sweater Tights - from YesStyle

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Boots - from Nordstrom

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Bag - Matt & Nat

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WHAT HELPS US GLOW

KAYLA’S NATURAL SKINCARE ROUTINE MOISTURIZERS FOR EVERY SKIN TYPE

k ay l a’s natu ral ski n care r outine Skincare is one of my favorite forms of self-care EVER. I started a skincare routine my senior year in high school, but since that was almost three years ago, the products I use have changed. I started using more natural skincare products around a year ago and have noticed such a difference in my complexion. I definitely have occasional break outs, but my skin has improved tremendously from how it used to be in high school. I think it’s important to find skincare that not only works for you but is also healthy for your skin and the environment if possible.

i ka ys b owl

CLEANSER: KORRES GREEK YOGHURT FOAMING CREAM I love this as a morning cleanser to help waken my skin and as a cleanser to remove my makeup! It’s gentle, but not too gentle to where you feel as if it had no effect on your skin. It makes removing makeup so simple and leaves my face with a smooth, hydrating, fresh feeling. I use this daily, morning and night.

TONER: THAYERS WITCH HAZEL I like using this to help further remove any excess oil or dirt on face that the cleanser may not have reached. Also, it is amazing for making sure I don’t have any makeup left on my skin. It is one of the best toners I’ve tried and is affordable for the amount of product you get. I use this morning and night.

SERUM: VERSED CLARIFYING SERUM Oooohhh I love this SO MUCH! I discovered this a few months ago during a time my skin was flaring up and the word “clarifying” really caught my eye. It won’t remove your breakouts immediately, but it helps control new ones from popping up.

I put a few drops on my face and massage the serum all the way to my neck morning and night. It’s so soothing and doesn’t irritate those fresh breakouts. This product is also easily available to purchase at Target, which is a plus!

MOISTURIZER: DAY- KIEHL’S ULTRA FACIAL CREAM (SPF 30) This moisturizer during the daytime…BOMB. It leaves my skin feeling so hydrated and with the SPF in it, I feel protected from the sun’s rays. It’s not too hydrating to where I look greasy but hydrating enough to provide that natural glow and make sure my skin doesn’t dry out when it’s cold.

NIGHT- BOTANICS HYDRATING NIGHT CREAM WITH HIBISCUS This moisturizer is a lot thicker than the Kiehl’s one, which I love for nighttime. It’s super hydrating and just makes the skin feel really nice. When I wake up in the morning, my skin feels rejuvenated and fresh. If you’re looking for a night cream, this is the one!

SOME EXTRAS COCOKIND CHLOROPHYLL MASK THIS IS MY FAVORITE MASK EVER. I said what I said. If you haven’t gone around to trying this, it’s a must.

Cocokind in general is such a cool brand because all of their products are made from really natural ingredients.

You leave this mask on for around 20 minutes, and then it easily is removed with water. It detoxifies and cleanses your face without leaving your face dry or dull. It’s so perfect and you get plenty of product for the price! I like to use this 2-3 times a week depending on how I am breaking out!

KORRES HYDRA BIOME MASK Okay if you have dry skin, this is the way to go! It’s super fresh and has probiotics in it to help soothe and hydrate your skin. It has such a nice texture to it and leaves your face feeling the same way after. I usually use this one a week since my skin isn’t too dry at the moment, but when it is, I probably use it 2-3 times a week!

FRESH ROSE FACE MASK This was actually one of the first face masks I have ever tried and ahh the smell of it takes me back to high school (lol). It has the texture and smell similar to honey, but it is super gentle on the skin. There’s been times where I have it on my skin and forget because it is so light and isn’t harsh on your face. I like to use this if I want a do a face mask, but something very mild.

COCOKIND TURMERIC SPOT TREATMENT Y’ALL Cocokind really kills the game and every product of theirs that I have tried is amazing. This turmeric spot treatment is my go-to if I am breaking out a lot. Sometimes I will add some of the product to the spots I am breaking out and then use the chlorophyll mask on top and wow the combination of the two is amazing. This product is a solid 100/10, not exaggerating.

S o t h o s e a r e t h e p r o d u c t s I u s e ! I t’s p re tty s i m p l e ( t o m e at l e a st ) a n d i s n o t very time consuming at all. What w o r k s f o r m e m ay n o t w o r k f o r y o u , s o t h a t’s w hy i t’s i m p o r t a n t to experiment and see which products work with your skin!

- Kayla

m o i sturi zers for every s kin typ e All ingredients are either handmade, vegan, sustainable, non-toxic, or all the above. Oily, combo, or dry skin, no worries, we have a list of a few you can try.

OILY SKIN • • • • •

Origins Original Skin Matte Moisturizer with Willowherb Avalon Organics Intense Defense Oil-Free Moisturizer Naturopathica’s Rosemary Oil-Reducing Moisturizer Pai Organic Geranium & Thistle Rebalancing Day Cream Moisturizer The Body Shop’s Tea Tree Night Lotion

COMBO • • • • •

100% Pure Restorative Extra Riche Créme Acure Brightening Day Cream Herbivore Pink Cloud Rosewater Moisture Creme Origins Zero Oil Oil-Free Moisture Lotion With Saw Palmetto & Mint Bliss Fabulous Face Lotion SPF 15

DRY • • • •

Ursa Major Golden Hour Recovery Cream Nourish Organic Ultra Hydrating Face Cream Ama.la Hydrating Face Cream Weleda Skin Food Ultra-Rich Cream

LOOK HERE FOR MORE! They list out 13 All-Natural Moisturizers You Can Find In The Kitchen! A great budgetfriendly option.

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BEING IN GOOD HEALTH

MEET MIKAELA PLANT-FOCUSED LIFESTYLE PLANT-BASED RECIPES VEGANUARY : ALL IN OR IN AT ALL?

m i k aela joy de s i g n s For a year and a half after college, I worked at a small design studio about 45 minutes from me. It was a great learning experience, but I knew it wasn’t for me. I wanted to work with my own clients and be able to design the way that I thought best for each project. The work environment wasn’t great and I was being given the small and easy design work. Also, the commute (especially with these Michigan winters) are not fun at all! So, I knew it was time to take the leap.

Q&A

z mikae la jo yde s ig n s .co m

Wh e re d i d you stu dy graph ic d esign?

I went to Calvin University and got a Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design. I took multiple courses on the subject, but also took many business classes

W h at i s yo ur d esign p rocess like?

I try to keep my design process simple and easy for my clients. Once they sign the contact a nd pay the first payment, we get the ball rolling with a short questionnaire that I ask them. This helps me get to know their business a bit better and what their style is. They can send examples of lo gos/ brands that they love and any other things that they think I’ll need for design inspiration. Then I create some logo options for the client and send them over to see which direction they’d like to go. If they have the branding package, I will then create the alternate logo, submarks, color palette, fonts, pattern, and moodboard that really bring their brand and business to life.

Wh at’s b e e n your favorite d esign/c lie nt so f ar?

It’s hard to say my one favorite design project or client. But, I absolutely love working with female small business owners. They are so great to work with! Some of my favorite clients have been ethical clothing store, photographer, wellness blogger, vegan cheese maker, crepe shop owner etc. I love being able to design something that sets my clients apart from the rest of their industry.

Wa s i t h a rd to start up at the be ginning?

Yes, it was hard in the beginning becaus e I never knew if I was going to have clients each month.

To this day, some weeks are busier than others, but that’s just apart of the design world. Sometimes my clients will ask for design work all at once and then it’’ll be quiet the next day. You just have to realize that it will happen and it’ll all work out! I’ve always been pretty motivated, so even when it’s slower I’ll find work to do or update my own business and work on things that need to get done for myself!

“Des ig n is ex tre m e l y i m p o r t a nt t o m e.

First , be ca us e i t’s my j o b a n d I l ove i t.

S eco nd a nd m ost i m p o r t a nt l y, i t p l ays a hug e ro le in eve ry b u s i n e s s a n d t h eir su ccess. I t hink g re at d e s i g n i s key t o s e tting busine s s es a pa rt f ro m a n o t h e r i n a c rowd .

I f you have a sim p l y b e a u t i f u l d e s i g n t hat i s timel ess t he n th at s ays s o me t h i n g t o your audienc e. T hey ’ ll wa nt t o i nve st i n yo u /your b us iness a nd b e l oya l c u st o me r s ,”

- Mikaela

pl ant- focu s ed lif es tyle Khloee Lathrum shares her tips and tricks to plant-focused eating in her beginner’s guide to a plant-focused lifestyle.

Although many influencers interpret the idea of a “plant-focused” diet in their own unique ways, a plant-focused diet is not a complicated concept. When I think about the word focused, I think about the cornerstone of a house.

It is what the rest of the building is founded on. That being said, it does not mean that there are not other contents inside the house such as furniture and people. These things are included, but the stone structure is what makes it a quality home for a family.

That is what I believe a plant-focused diet is like. It is not a vegan or even a vegetarian diet. A plant-focused diet emphasizes the importance of making the majority of our meals filled with plants in order to create healthier environments from the inside out. Like the furniture is to a house, animal products can be incorporated into a plant-focused diet in a way that nourishes our bodies and the earth while enhancing the quality of the meals we eat.

The plant-focused diet is fabulous for many reasons besides the obvious ethical, environmental, and health purposes. First of all, it’s not restrictive. Many fad diets force individuals to adjust their lives according to its rules, creating deprivation and an unhealthy relationship with food. A plant-focused diet is not only a way of eating, but it is also a lifestyle. Because it is a lifestyle, you make eating plant-focused revolve around your needs, not the other way around. This is a great concept for individuals who want to participate for the purpose of ethical and environmental activism, yet do not want to conform to a restrictive vegetarian or vegan diet. While these are great lifestyle diets for some people, they can be triggering for an individual with a history of disordered eating. This makes a plant-focused diet part of a simple and relaxed yet mindful and purposeful lifestyle.

The plant-focused diet is also easy. Like I said before, you make the rules. It’s your lifestyle. It’s your food. It’s the way you want to live while helping the Earth and your body. There’s no more anxiously googling a menu before going to a restaurant or picking delicious items off of a pizza for the sake of “health.” This is a lifestyle where you control the steering wheel and it works for YOU. Still not sure how to start? Here are some of my favorite plant-focused meals to help you get inspired.

BREAKFAST Oatmeal Oatmeal in its many forms is a very popular breakfast choice for plant-focused eaters for a variety of reasons.

The first reason is that it is quick and easy to make. A basic oatmeal recipe requires oats, water, a microwave, a spoon, and approximately three minutes of your morning routine. Secondly, it is a very versatile food that can be customized to the plant eater’s preference. Not a fan of berries? No problem! Add your favorite fresh or frozen fruit to the prepared oatmeal. There are even many ways to add vegetables to oats such as grated zucchini and pumpkin puree. Lastly, oatmeal is good for the body and for the planet. Oatmeal provides a source of fiber and protein for the body, creating a full and happy tummy. As far as toppings go, the nutritional value of an oatmeal breakfast is vast. Greek or plant yogurts, nuts, and spices are all some of my favorite toppings to create a delicious and nutritious breakfast. Oats are a gluten-free food, but for someone with allergies it is important that they select a certified gluten-free container. Oats are often processed in the same facilities as wheat and rye, so these specified containers will ensure a safe and delicious meal for the individuals who have conditions that require the absence of gluten. On the environmental side, oats are a food that help with the conservation of crops and soil, making them a great choice for plant-focused eaters who are concerned for the wellbeing of the environment.

Smoothies Smoothies are an excellent convenient and portable way to get plenty of plant-focused nutrients to start off your day. Thanks to their versatility, even the pickiest of eaters should be able to find or create a smoothie recipe that suits their needs. Smoothies are a great option for people who tend to turn their nose up to green veggies. Green smoothies often include extremely nutritious veggies such as spinach and kale and they usually taste nothing like them. The taste of fruits, veggies, proteins, and liquids that you add blend together to form a delicious taste that, if done right, is not overpowered by one ingredient or another. Some great plant-focused proteins to add to smoothies are nut butters, plant protein powders, chia seeds, oats, and ground flaxseed. Plain Greek yogurt is also a good non-plant option.

Toast Toast is a simple way to get creative with plant-focused eating. Whether you prefer sweet or savory, there is a toast out there for every type of eater. The first step of creating a plant-focused toast is to select a whole-grain bread (or any bread for that matter) that you enjoy. If you wake up craving something sweet, some great toppings are vanilla greek yogurt, any type of fruit you enjoy, cinnamon, honey, maple syrup, and nut butters. On the savory side, my personal favorites are free-range eggs of any style, baby spinach, avocado, extra-virgin olive oil, garlic powder, ketchup, mushrooms, and bell peppers. If you have the time and resources to make a protein-packed, boujee breakfast, some wild salmon with cream cheese and veggies might be just right for you.

LUNCH Bean Salads Thanks to diet culture, salads often unfairly get a bad rap. Regardless of what you have heard, salads can be an easy and delicious lunch for on-the-go or at home! They are easy to prepare ahead of time and fit perfectly in a lunch box or bento box. First, you select your base of greens. My personal favorite is baby spinach, but some other options are kale, cabbage, romaine lettuce, collard greens, arugula, or a mixture of multiple. Then, add your extras! Chopped carrots, sliced almonds, goat cheese, feta cheese, dried cranberries, corn, sweet potato, and peas are all choices that I use frequently but the possibilities are endless. Next, add your choice of beans. Kidney, black, cannellini, and pinto are all conveniently found canned in stores and are easy to pop into your salad by draining and rinsing. Finally, add a dressing. I am a caesar fanatic but I also love poppyseed, sesame ginger, honey mustard, and Panera’s fuji apple dressing. Quick tip—if you are packing the salad for the night before, it is best that you store the dressing in a separate container from the rest of the salad to avoid sogginess.

Soup You love the idea of plant-focused eating, but how will you EVER find the time to actually start? Soups are excellent plant-focused foods because they can easily be meal prepped at the beginning of the week for a week’s worth of warmth, deliciousness, and healthy bodies and environments. Pinterest is a great location to find plantfocused recipes, no matter your animal-product preferences. Vegetable minestrone, creamy cauliflower, sweet potato and black bean, tomato bisque, and vegan wonton soup are a few that my sister and I love to meal prep and have throughout busy weeks.

Hummus Sandwiches Bread and hummus are two of my favorite foods, so it didn’t take me long to start making the combo. To make this, I used two slices of whole-grain bread, a few slabs of roasted red pepper or garlic hummus, diced bell peppers, and chopped baby spinach. Throw it all together and you got yourself a delicious and creamy sandwich that will make you think, “How the heck have I not tried this before?” This sandwich pairs perfectly with some baby carrots, apple slices, or crackers. Get creative and experiment with different types of bread, hummuses, and vegetables to create your ideal sandwich!

DINNER Cauliflower Crust Pizza We’ve all heard the motivational saying, “In a world where cauliflower can be pizza, you can be anything.” It’s time for you to make this saying true for yourself! When I make a cauliflower crust pizza, I purchase a Green Giant cauliflower crust and prepare it according to the package. Then, I add Ragu pizza sauce, chopped broccoli, bell peppers, red onion, and spinach. After adding the veggies, I sprinkle the pizza with mozzarella and/or feta cheese along with Italian seasoning and extra-virgin olive oil. Finally, I add cannellini beans for an extra plant-focused protein boost. After all of the items have been placed, I put the pizza back in the oven for about ten minutes and wa-la! You can keep it in the oven for a longer or shorter period of time depending on your desired crispiness. These are great dinner options as they are simple and can be personalized to your liking.

Butternut Squash Spaghetti To create a twist on one of my favorite foods, I cook up some butternut squash spaghetti when I am craving veggies. To make this you will need a package of butternut squash noodles, rice vinegar, extra-virgin olive oil, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, McCormick’s all-purpose seasoning, kidney beans, chopped spinach, and mozzarella or parmesan cheese. Simply prepare the butternut squash noodles according to the package over a skillet. Then, add your desired amount of rice vinegar and extra-virgin olive oil and stir. Add the kidney beans, minced garlic, and spinach. Remove the skillet from the heat and add McCormick’s all-purpose seasoning and Italian seasoning. Transfer to a plate or bowl and you got yourself a plant-packed delicious dinner!

Ne e d m o re re c i p e s ? Ke e p re a d i n g f o r additional plant-based recipes.

Contributing Writer: Khloee Lathrum | i almondbutterarchives

p la nt -b ased reci pes CHICKPEA/BLACK BEAN SALAD INGREDIENTS • 1 15oz can chickpeas rinsed and drained • 1 15oz can black beans rinsed and drained

DIRECTIONS 1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl, store in the refrigerator and enjoy!

• 1 15oz can diced tomatoes rinsed and drained • 1 1/2 cups corn (can use canned, fresh, or frozen, just cook/ prepare accordingly) • 1 large avocado Optional dressing: • 3-4 tbsp olive oil • 3-4 tbsp lemon or lime juice • Garlic powder, salt, pepper, and cumin to taste

BLACK BEAN SWEET POTATO QUINOA CHILI INGREDIENTS • 1 cup black beans soaked overnight • 1/2 cup dry quinoa • 1 large sweet potato cubed • Two tomatoes, chopped (or one 15oz can of diced tomatoes) • 1/2 large bell pepper, chopped • 2 large carrots, chopped • Thyme • Rosemary • Garlic powder • Onion powder • Black pepper • Paprika • Chili powder • Cumin • 3-4 cups vegetable broth (depending on desired thickness- it will thicken as it sits in the fridge)

DIRECTIONS 1. Put all ingredients into the crock pot or slow cooker (could also use the stovetop) and cook 6-8 hours or overnight.

BEST VEGGIE POWERHOUSE SANDWICH INGREDIENTS • 2 slices sprouted/whole wheat/multigrain toast (fresh bakery slices are recommended) • Hummus • Avocado • Alfalfa sprouts • Tomato • Spinach • Shredded carrot • Cucumber

DIRECTIONS 1. Begin by toasting both slices of bread 2. While the bread toasts, chop your desired veggies (the possibilities are endless) 3. Once the bread is done roasting, spread hummus on one slice. Mash half an avocado onto the other slice.

4. Now time to assemble: pile on all the veggies, place the top slice of bread on, and you’re done!

VEGAN CARROT CAKE MUFFINS INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

Batter

Batter 1. First, mix all wet ingredients then add dry ingredients and mix thoroughly 2. Divide batter evenly between 12 cupcake liners 3. Bake for 18-20 minutes at 350 degrees F or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Icing 4. Microwave cream cheese for 30-45 seconds or until somewhat softened 5. Add in powdered sugar and vanilla extract and mix well 6. Refrigerate icing for about 30 minutes or until it reaches a thicker consistency 7. Wait for muffins to be completely cooled, ice, and enjoy!

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (could sub other flours if gluten free) • 1 tsp baking soda • 1/4 tsp salt • 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon • 1/4 tsp nutmeg • 2-3 large carrots, grated (about 1 cup) • 2/3 cup organic sugar • 1/3 cup + 1 tbsp unsweetened applesauce • 1 flax egg (1 tbsp flax mixed with 2.5 tbsp water) • 1/2 cup almond milk (or any nondairy milk) • Optional but recommended: 1/2 cup chopped walnuts Icing • 4 oz vegan cream cheese • 1/4 to 1/3 cup powdered sugar (depending on how thick you want your icing- more powdered sugar = thicker icing) • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Contributing Writer: Belle Shipley | ibllshipley

ve g anuary: all in or in at al l ?

What to do when Veganuary becomes February? Simple ways you can make plant based choices that help the environment January has officially come to an end and so has Veganuary. If you haven’t heard of Veganuary, it is a challenge put forth by vegan activists every year to encourage non-vegans to try being vegan for the entire month of January. At the end of every Veganuary, there are the same two questions: how many people were able to successfully complete the challenge and how many of them will continue to be vegan?

I think it’s incredible that people try veganism for a month and it can definitely inspire some people to continue being vegan after the challenge ends. However, some people will give up after the first week or will stop eating vegan after the month is over. The problem with this challenge is that the “all or nothing” approach doesn’t work for everyone. I’ve been vegan for almost three years. I made the decision to go vegan after researching the environmental impact of animal agriculture on our environment. This led me to reading about the treatment of animals and the health benefits of going vegan, but originally I was concerned with climate change and I wanted to do my part to help. I cut animal products out of my diet all at once. It was an easy decision for me and I never had trouble switching to a vegan diet. When I tell this story to people, the most common response I receive is, “Well, I could never switch to a vegan diet overnight!” And the truth is? Maybe you couldn’t- and that’s okay. There’s nothing wrong with slowly transitioning into a plant-based diet. One approach isn’t better than the other because they both end up at the same place. Some people will tell me that they can’t switch to vegan diet at this point in their life and that’s okay too. You don’t have to be vegan to make positive changes that benefit for the planet! If you didn’t participate in Veganuary, didn’t complete Veganuary or finished it successfully but you’re not sure you want to commit to a vegan diet yet, this article is for you! You can make choices that lead you to a more plant-based way of eating every day of every month- not just January! Before I touch on some steps you can take right now to transition into a more plant-based diet, let’s quickly review the history of Veganuary and the how the environment is affected by our diet.

WHAT IS VEGANUARY? Veganuary became a trend in the recent years. In fact, more than a quarter million people took the online pledge to try a vegan diet for the month of January in 2019. This idea was created in 2014 by a UK based non-profit organization called Veganuary. Two vegans, Matthew Glover & Jane Land, founded the organization in hopes that they could bring attention to the movement. The organization aims to encourage individuals to go vegan for the month of January. Veganuary also inspires people to try veganism year round, but obviously it’s most well known for their January challenge.

However, some people have problems with this movement. Veganuary can throw people into a new way of eating and living without much preparation. It can be overwhelming for people to suddenly switch to a new way of eating without transitioning slowly. This can lead to individuals feeling restricted and unhappy. It can give people the wrong idea of veganism because they are making the change without doing any research or really asking themselves why they are choosing to make this change.

Everyone needs a reason to choose a vegan lifestyle and if you’re looking for a source of motivation, our environment is a good place to start.

DOES A PLANT-BASED DIET REALLY HELP THE ENVIRONMENT? The short answer- yes.

The long answer- yes and here’s why. According to BBC news, food production contributes about a quarter of the greenhouse gas emissions in the world. This is due to the methane gas animals’ produce. Greenhouse gases raise the earth’s temperature, which causes flooding, droughts and fires, such as the ones that are occurring in Australia. Due to the constant demand for more livestock and therefor, more pasture space, deforestation is another consequence of animal agriculture. CNN reports that 80% of all Amazon deforestation is caused directly by pasture space for cattle. Farm livestock uses 83% of all farmland and almost a third of the world’s freshwater is used for the crops that feed the livestock (Wired UK). It can seem like this is too big of a problem for any of us to try to fix, but we can make a difference by evaluating what we choose to eat. We can stop 80% of the projected increase in global greenhouse gas emission caused by food production by 2050 if the majority of people switch to a plant-based way of eating (CNN from a study published in Nature). It is widely believe that people need to adopt a plantfocused diet to save the planet. It is unrealistic to believe that everyone is able to go vegan or that everyone will want to go vegan, but that doesn’t mean that people can’t modify their diets to be plant-focused and earth friendly.

HOW DO YOU BECOME MORE PLANT BASED? It can seem very overwhelming to make a lot of changes at once. You don’t have to do it all in one month! The key to transitioning into a plant-based way of eating and living is to make small, realistic goals for you and do them consistently. You don’t need to wait for “Veganuary!” Make your own challenge each month and implement a new change. Here are some ways you can include more plant-based choices into your life: 1. Try going vegetarian! Start by cutting out meat for a period of time and then you can begin omitting eggs, dairy and other animal byproducts.

2. Go vegan one day a week and then slowly add more days as you begin to adjust.

3. Try finding vegan alternatives for your favorite foods. Next time you want a hamburger, try the Impossible Burger. Use almond milk in your coffee instead of creamer. These small changes can really add up.

4. Try a new vegan recipe every week. There is a misconception that vegans only eat salad. You’d be surprised how easy it is to make delicious vegan meals! Try the One-Bowl GF Banana Bread from the Minimalist Baker or Veggies Fajitas from Vegan Richa. Challenge yourself to try a new recipe every week and expand your diet!

5. Make a list of easy vegan meals on keep it on your phone or on a post it note! Vegan recipe blogs and Instagram accounts are great but sometimes they post the most complicated recipes. Sometimes you just don’t have time to make a spirulina banana acai bowl with freshly baked cinnamon paleo granola and homemade almond butter. Your list can be as easy as “pasta with tomato sauce” or “oatmeal with banana.” It’s good to have a list on hand for when you want to eat plant-based but don’t have the time.

6. While you’re making lists, try listing some foods you already eat that are vegan! You’ll be surprised by how many vegan meals and snacks you eat without even realizing it! Oreos? Vegan. French fries? Vegetable soup? Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches? Tortilla chips with guacamole and salsa? All vegan! Once you have your list, you can make a conscious effort to choose these snacks and meals more often.

7. Try replacing half your animal-based protein sources with plant-based protein! Many people worry that they won’t be able to get enough protein as a vegan. It’s actually very easy to get enough protein from plant sources and this will help introduce you to these protein sources. Make scrambled tofu instead of scrambled eggs. Use vegan protein powder instead of whey. Make your burrito with beans instead of beef. Swap yogurt with Silk Soy yogurt.

8. Be patient with yourself and celebrate any change you make. It’s hard to feel good about the positive choices you are making when you are always telling yourself that you should be doing more. We can always do better, but that doesn’t mean you can be happy with what you’ve done now! The more you encourage yourself now, the easier it will be to continue to make environmentally friendly choices.

HOW DO YOU BECOME MORE PLANT BASED? If you’re curious about veganism or plant-based living and want to learn more, here’s a list of resources you can look at:

Documentaries • • • • •

Before the Flood Food INC Game Changers Cowspiracy Vegucated

Instagram Accounts • • • • • • •

BOSH! By Henry & Ian (@bosh.tv): easy and delicious vegan recipe videos Genesis Butler (@genesisbutler_): a vegan activist and she’s only 12!

Greta Thunberg (@gretathunberg): environmental activist Jasmine Briones (@sweetsimplevegan): vegan recipes and lifestyle posts Lucy Watson (@lucywatson): vegan influencer, founder of Creature Jewelry and cofounder of Feed Me Vegan UK, Tell Your Friends Restaurant and All Hearts Global Taylor Wolfram (@taylorwolfram): vegan nutritionist and health writer We Are Veganuary (@weareveganuary): educational posts

Recipe Blogs • • • • • •

Beaming Baker Loving It Vegan Minimalist Baker Oh She Glows Thug Kitchen Vegan Richa

Websites • • • • •

Live Kindly One Green Planet Vegan Health Vegan Society Veg News

Contributing Writer: Esme Park | i balanceforyou

it’s

WHERE WE GO

SLOW TRAVEL WHERE TO STAY

s low tra v e l

ch atting with a sl ow tr aveler There is something about slow travel that allows you to truly experience a place and appreciate all it has to offer. I just wanted to feel as though I “lived” there even it was just a day or two. Additionally, the general concept of sustainable tourism and respect for all of the world’s phenomenal locations is something so important to me. Protecting this planet for future generations is essential. If we all take part in slow travel, respect the places we travel to and prioritize sustainability, we can preserve these amazing locations for future generations.

i thegirlwiththemaps

PLANNING A TRIP I have thoroughly explored my own country Canada and my neighbouring country, the United States.

I’ve been to Italy, Iceland (multiple times - it’s my favourite country in the world) and this time last year I lived in Indonesia (Bali and Flores) for 3 months.

I think the secret to intentional living whether you’re traveling or not is preparation. If you plan ahead and have the resources you need its a lot easier to make sustainable choices. For example, when I travel I always bring my water bottle with a filter, a collapsible mug, cutlery & straw (except the knife if you’re flying), a container, a packable reusable bag, and so much more. By bringing these things I just eliminated the need to use any single-use plastic item. Then you need to do your research and shop local - I usually find the nearest farmers market if that’s an option I would say research is the most important, I do a lot of reading and intentionally plan a route but I also plan time for local exploring. I also think it’s important to plan “pause days” where you plan to do nothing that day and go make your own adventures. In terms of packing, I try to pack a capsule wardrobe meaning that every item I wear will “go” together.

I also pack laundry soap (bar form) to wash my clothes. This eliminated space from clothing helps me pack other things like reusable items that I need. I also always pre-pack travel food (no thank you to the airplane disposable plastics) - eliminating the need to buy anything unnecessary at the airport, gas station or on the plane. Otherwise, bringing the items I already use daily - shampoo bars, deodorant paste, toothpaste tabs, my stasher bags, water bottle etc. I take my daily living on the road with me instead of buying disposables along the way.

SOME TIPS AND TRICKS I think the most important one is to pack appropriately and make a plan. For example, when I traveled to Iceland both times - I brought reusable bags for grocery shopping (the ones that fold down very small), cutlery, containers, reusable sandwich bags for leftovers and a water bottle! I always pre-plan ahead to see what I might need so I can eliminate the need to buy anything unnecessary/disposable like a raincoat for example - there is no need to buy one of the plastic bag type things when you can bring a small packable raincoat. The other thing I always recommend is to do research on the location you’re traveling to - the more research you do the more you will understand the significance of the locations and earn greater respect for the events that transpired there or the nature that grows there. Many of the people who walk on Iceland’s flora and fauna might not understand it takes between 80-100 years for it to grow back - if you don’t do the research then you won’t know. My last tip is to ALWAYS follow the signs and rules at tourist sites. Those signs are there for a reason and despite the desperate need to #doitforthegram the protection of that site is more important than you damaging 100-year-old flora and destroying the location for future generations.

If you can take the train to the location or fly - I would choose the train. If you can take the subway or hire a private car service, I would take the subway. To me, slow travel is almost going and living in that location for a few days, weeks or months. Getting to know the people, doing research on the best local restaurants, making new friends. This is all part of slow travel. Many people state that slow travel has to be at least 1 week and truthfully this is a good option if you’re traveling somewhere you need to fly to, as this helps to reduce your carbon footprint.

To m e , s l o w t r av e l c a n b e s t b e d e f i n e d a s l i v i n g l i ke a l o c a l . No t o n l y a re yo u c o n s c i o u s l y t r av e l i n g a n d m a k i n g d e c i s i o n s to eliminate your carbon footprint as much as possible, but you are eliminating the 30item daily itinerary and just visiting the places that truly interest you. Getting to know the people, doing research on the best local restaurants, making new friends. This i s a l l p a r t o f s l o w t r av e l . B u t s l o w t r av e l c a n b e p ra c t i c e d a ny t i m e . I t d o e s n’ t n e e d t o be an extended period of time. It just needs to be mindful & conscious of the earth, the local people and their culture.

- Jess

w here t o s tay Going on a trip? Here are some of the greenest places to stay overnight in.

1 HOTEL They’re a luxury hotel found in a few cities around the US. Their hotels are full of reclaimed materials, use wooden keys, feature shower timers, offer seasonal produce, and have chalkboards instead of notepads.

HYATT This one’s easier to find, they have a 2020 Environmental Sustainability Strategy. They also encourage employees to volunteer, have a corporate responsibility called Hyatt Thrive, where they practice corporate responsibility.

SANDOS They are an all-inclusive resort that offers Green guest rooms, which reduces CO2 emissions by 70%. They also have an on site herb garden and nursery, onside reproduction programs for endangered species, and on site recycling, water conservation, and electrical energy programs.

KIMPTON They are known for their funky design and ambiance. They are certified by the Green-Key Eco-Rating program, support the LGBT community, and support Dress for Success.

AIRBNB According to Airbnb, their properties consume less energy than hotels per guest by 63%. They also have lower greenhouse gas emissions, lower water consumption, and less waste.

it’s

REAL

INTRODUCING THE NAKD PODCAST

introd ucing t he na kd podcas t I believe that everyone has a story worth sharing and I wanted to just that. As much as I love Instagram, I find that your message can get lost through long captions or stories. I wanted to share my voice in the most authentic way I know how, which I believe is through conversation and sharing one’s experiences.

i thenakdkitchen

Q&A Wh at m a kes you rs stan d ou t fro m othe r podc asts?

The Nakd Podcast shares a variety of topics from mental health, sustainable fashion, e ntrepreneurship, and more. Everything The Nakd Podcast encompasses is my interests and what I think serves value to others. I’m the type of person that if I’m not 100% invested or interested in it, then I won’t present it to an audience. Therefore, I believe that what makes my podcast stand out from others is that every episode is a direct reflection of my own interest and of my community’s interests.

W h e re d o you see th is goin g in the f uture ?

I want to continue to bring guests on that have powerful and meaningful advice to deliver to listeners. Hustlers, creators, and dreamers. I can see the podcast growing into live recordings and g rowing my community offline.

W h at’s th e process of creatin g and making a podc ast?

To start the process of recording, I first approach guests to see whether or not they are interested in being on the podcast. If so, we set up a recording time, and I record via. Zoom meetings. After the recording session, I download the file as an MP3 file. I then export the file to GarageBand, edit the episode- which can take a few hours depending on the episode. After editing, I will upload it to my hosting site; I use Simplecast. Once uploaded to Simplecast, the episode will automatically be uploaded to Spotify, Apple Podcast, Stitcher, and more.

Meet the Host I always wanted to start my own podcast, but never really had the confidence to. When 2019 was coming to a close, I started to ask myself what it was that I really wanted to tackle in 2020. Which was to share my voice and others in a different medium. I’ve recently started to take the whole “just do it” mentality in life, and that’s what I want to make this year and beyond.

I absolutely love “Talking Tastebuds” and “How I built This.”

Anything and everything. Any topic can interest me if I am chatting with someone who is passionate about a certain topic. However, I love talking about experiences. I believe that we all have valuable experiences to share with one another.

Emma in three words: Caring, creative, and goofy.

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contributing writers

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Liv van Aarsen Khloee Lathrum Esme Park Skylar Belle Shipley

Liv van Aarsen Emma Hyslop Allison Korte Luna Mikaela Mannes Kayla Martinez

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Madeinthyme Rachel Sobieck Jessica Yawney

I’d love for your help on future issues! it’s is looking for: • • • •

copy editors (experience needed) contributing writers graphic designers (for social posts) content planners

All on a volunteer basis, but you get the chance to build your portfolio and make me (Jen) a billion times less stressed out <3 Also the ma jority have no prior experience needed! Woohoo!

Email me if interested: jenc.4378@gmail.com

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There are updates on content posted weekly! You also get the opportunity to help vote on content to be featured in future issues.

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but wanna be a part of the official

TEA M ?

Email me at jenc.4378@gmail.com with the subject line “ it’s | i’m in!”

While most people work on an issue or two, I’d love an actual team to rely on down the road as it’s continues to grow.

You’ll get loads of writing experience, content planning, and the opportunity to connect with different brands and people.

Let’s do this!

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