it's magazine | issue no. 7

it’s I SSUE NO.7 | LAR A | MAR CH 2020

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letter from the editor

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it’s lara

9-20

it’s important

21-32

it’s our home

33-55

it’s what we wear

56-60

it’s being in good health

61-69

it’s where we go

70-72

it’s real

73-80

meet the team

81-82

thank you

table of contents 2

it’s been a crazy past few weeks, hasn’t it?

Social distancing is the move for a while now, so hopefully you can add this to your list of things to read while staying in.

This is the first issue to have an official team contributing. Designers, writers, and editors all came together to create this issue, just for you. Lots of different voices, and (hopefully) interesting content!

As always, if you want to join the team, we are always looking for new creatives! The back few pages has more information. it’s has grown so much since the first issue and I can’t wait to see where it goes.

Enjoy! Take care of yourselves, make smart choices, and happy reading.

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

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L

ara

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“But all of a sudden, something switched—and I decided I had to become my best self, physically. I guess because I was no longer focusing on someone else 24/7, I felt like I had no other choice but to focus on myself, in a kind of ultra-selfcare that quickly became dangerous,”

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Around the same time I got Instagram a few years ago, my life fell apart: my mom broke up with her then-fiance, we had to suddenly move, and I left a toxic relationship.

I felt depressed, lonely, and confused. As happens on Instagram, I started seeing pictures of perfect girls with food accounts promising to look like them and feel your best with this or that diet, or by cutting out this or that food. Until then, I had never really been conscious of how my body looked. But all of a sudden, something switched—and I decided I had to become my best self, physically. I guess because I was no longer focusing on someone else 24/7, I felt like I had no other choice but to focus on myself, in a kind of ultra-self-care that quickly became dangerous.

I started running, and doing workouts in my bedroom every day. I also followed several food and fitness accounts, while binge-watching “What I Eat in a Day” videos on YouTube that eventually led me to believe I couldn’t eat certain foods, although at that point I was still eating everything. When school started, I joined the cross-country team. Soon after, my mom went on the Whole30 diet, and, combined with the various “advice” I was getting from social media, I became convinced that a paleo diet was the only way I could eat. I cut out bread, sugar, grains, oils, dairy, and legumes, and essentially only allowed myself to eat meat, vegetables, and fruit. I started panicking every time I had to eat out or at a friend’s house, convinced that if I was exposed to any of those forbidden ingredients, my body would…

Honestly, I can’t tell you what my actual thought process was—it was so irrational and skewed from my messed up mentality—just that I could not allow myself to eat those foods or something terrible would happen. My family also got a gym membership and began going consistently, so that I was running in the mornings and doing workouts at night, while slowly eating less and less. At some point during this time, I started losing weight, although I never noticed it, or rather, refused to, for several months. My behavior with food didn’t start because of how I looked or how much I weighed; it was purely a psychological fear of eating “unclean” foods, which I would later find out is called orthorexia.

On Valentine’s Day, I experienced a turning point, although it wasn’t the good, call-to-reality type. Instead, I went to a party and binged on all the foods I had been restricting that I got so sick I couldn’t move. That night I swore I wouldn’t let myself get out of control again… and the only way to ensure that would be to not eat those “trigger foods” at all.

Looking back, that was the moment my disordered eating went completely downhill. Out of control.

Whatever words you want to use. I won’t go into specifics because they can be triggering if you have experienced an eating disorder, but my obsession with eating “clean” manifested in a multitude of dangerous behaviors, patterns, and fears around food that took over my life for the next year. I started hearing more concerned

comments about my weight, but when I looked in the mirror I didn’t think I looked “skeletal” or any of the words my family kept mentioning. Rather, I thought I looked fat and bloated all of the time. I adopted the habit of lifting my shirt to check if my stomach had gone down every time I passed a mirror. But it seemed to only get larger instead. I became obsessed, this time with getting a completely flat stomach.

Well, let me tell you something about genetics. First, we all have different ones. Not a single person, past, present, and/or in the future, has the same genes as you.

Which consequently means that no one’s body can look exactly the same, and no one’s body reacts the same.

Also, obviously, you don’t get to choose the genes you inherit. Unfortunately, our society glorifies only one body type, which happens to be the rarest (less than 8% of all women have anything close to the ideal hourglass-shaped body). It’s a conservative standard that promotes things like eating disorders, low confidence, and body image issues. But I didn’t understand that at the time. I fell straight into the trap of comparing my own, unique body to someone’s who has completely different genes than me. And when you try to manipulate your body into something that it’s not meant to look like, every part of you suffers as a result.

“I fell strai g ht into th e trap o f comparin g my own , uniq u e body t o someone’s who h a s completely differe nt genes th an me. An d when you try t o man ipulate yo u r b ody into somethi n g that it’s n ot meant t o look like, every pa r t of you suffers a s a resu l t ,” 6

For me, my weight continued dropping, obscured from me by the body dysmorphia that clouded my mind. Internally my body was shutting down: I hadn’t had my period in a year, my hair was rapidly falling out, and I was constantly cold.

Still, when I looked in the mirror, I only saw fat. One of the things that finally clued me in that things had gone too far was when I could no longer lean against a wall or lay on the ground because of how much it hurt my spine, which was now sticking out. I physically couldn’t see it in the mirror, but with all the comments, I finally began to think “This isn’t normal.”

It was actually my spine and hair that first made me want to change. I missed being able to sit normally, and I was extremely self-conscious about the fact that I was balding at 14. I realized that in order to fix these things I had to restore my body to a healthy weight, so almost two years ago I committed to gaining weight. At the time, something like a dietitian or a counselor wasn’t available to me, so I essentially had to navigate recovery by myself. Despite good intentions, my family didn’t always say the right thing, or didn’t know what to say at all. I mean, what do you tell someone who’s sobbing because they ate peanut butter with salt in it instead of unsalted? There were a lot of tears. A lot of doubt and fear.

I had to learn to give up control. To live with uncertainty. To sit with discomfort. Actually, thinking about it now, recovery is f*cking brave. There’s not really a mapped-out plan for it.

You encounter obstacles you don’t expect, that might push you back a step but you push straight through them the next time and come out on the other side a little bit more free.

You learn a lot about yourself too, as cheesy as it sounds. You have to face a lot of demons, from your past as well as your

present. I don’t think I’ve ever journaled as much as when I was recovering. But it is the most liberating, worth-it thing you can do for yourself.

Since I finally made that decision, I’ve gained over 40 pounds. You deserve to know it’s probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Even now, despite how far I’ve come and how many more good days I have than bad, I still struggle with my body. Some days I still cry. Every now and then I’ll eat something and feel a twinge of an urge to revert to old habits, but I am learning how to deal with them. What I’ve never done is wish for the old me. I may hate my body every now and then but I will never wish it looked like the one in old pictures, the sickly one I am finally able to see with clear eyes. That girl wasn’t happy. She was barely even living, only focused on what food she would eat next. Food can contribute a lot to life (health, community, etc.) but it should never be solely your life.

I’ve gained life back, my life. I’ve conquered fears of foods I never thought I could eat again, and am currently at the best relationship with food since pre-ED me. I eat foods I previously would’ve deemed “unclean” every day. As I write this, I actually just got back from a trip where the only vegetable I ate in 5 days were pickles on a fried chicken sandwich. So if you’re struggling with an eating disorder, or recovery, or any point in between, I just want you to know it’s possible. To be honest, I don’t know yet if I believe in full recovery. But I know firsthand that recovering your life is possible. Relearning how to act normally around food is possible. Placing food back into the second-tier spot in your life it deserves is possible.

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“And if you don’t have an ED, all I have to say is, don’t start overthinking it. I believe the best example for food we have are children. When they’re hungry, they eat. When they’re full, they stop. If they want ice cream, they eat it. If they don’t want it, they don’t eat it. I don’t know at what point we started thinking about food more than at this level, but it’s completely unnecessary and has only caused harm if you ask me. Be conscious about fueling your body with enough nutritious foods from a place of respect and care for your body. Don’t forget that eating things like pizza and candy are also a form of respect and care. And when it comes to your body, I want to remind you that your body isn’t the problem. Our culture is.

No matter what your body looks like, devaluing any body is plainly wrong. So don’t be ashamed, or feel pressured to change this or that, because you are not the problem. You are made how you’re supposed to be,”

-Lara

i l a ra e a tswe l l

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it’s

IMPORTANT

IT’S THE MOST WASTEFUL TIME OF THE YEAR WHY RECYCLING ISN’T ENOUGH COPING WITH THE CORONAVIRUS WHAT’S THE BUZZ ON BUZZWORDS? PAINTING THE TOWN GREEN

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I T ’ S TH E MOST WASTE F UL TIME O F TH E Y E AR Holidays are something that many of us look forward to. Whether it be getting gifts, giving gifts, dressing up, or celebrating with those we love, holidays are an important part of our lives. But these celebrations do not come without cost. The EPA estimates that between Thanksgiving and New Year Americans send more than 1 million tons of trash to the landfill which equates to 230 bags per American . 1 This 25% increase is not only harmful to our plate but it wastes millions of American dollars. Each holiday comes with its own set of gifts, decorations, feasts, and traditions. All of this adds up both in our bank accounts and our landfills. But it begs the question, how can we celebrate holidays more effectively?

HALLOWEEN For children and adults alike, Halloween is a magical day where you can let your imagination run wild and enjoy a night of wonder. On average, Americans project to spend $6.9 million which equates to $75 a household on Halloween festivities 2 consisting of candy, costumes, and decorations. This holiday spending helps contribute to 30% of the packaging waste that is found in American landfills. Most candy wrappers cannot be recycled because they’re made of mixed materials plastic . Some families attempt to swap candy for more healthy and 3 eco-friendly options such as fruit but there are few options. Some families have attempted to make DIY Halloween treats but many families shun the idea. Costumes also generate a lot of waste. Textiles make up 30% of the global landfills . Instead of recycling costumes or DIYing costumes, 32.8% of Americans are 4 expected to get new Halloween costumes every year.

THANKSGIVING Thanksgiving is often a time for families to come together as well as indulge. On average Americans waste anywhere from 30 to 40 percent of their food which equates to nearly 133 billion pounds of food . In the month of November $277 of 5 turkey will end up in the landfill . 6 This is a mounmuntious amount of wasted resources. To put in to perspective the amount of resources wasted is equivalent to supplying water for New York City for 100 days which is equal to the greenhouse gasses emitted from 800,000 car trips from San Francisco to New York City . This is only the amount of turkey that is wasted on 7 Thanksgiving, these statistics do not include the amount of produce and dairy products wasted for making the sides.

CHRISTMAS For most Americans, Christmas is known as a time for giving and being with family. But many don’t realize the amount of waste that most families will send to landfill during this holiday season. On average during the Christmas season, Americans will send about 25 million tons of garbage to landfill . 8 During the Christmas season Americans will use about 38,000 miles of ribbon, enough to wrap around the world . In addition to the amount of ribbon that’s wasted, 9 Americans will utilize nearly 45,000 football fields of wrapping paper . In addition to 10 the amount of wrapping paper and frill that’s wasted during the Christmas season, Americans often waste gifts by either having them sit in the back of closets or in some cases, just throwing them out.

Overall there is one way to ensure that you have a sustainable holiday season; be mindful with your purchases and your plates.

Instead of focusing on random recipes that you won’t make again for another year, make something that the family enjoys year round. Focus on seasonal produce and try to buy local when you can. When giving gifts, look for things your loved ones truly need. Instead of giving objects give experiences that you can enjoy with your loved ones. As for Halloween, focus on making up for the waste that your family might create. DIY costumes or thrift costumes in order to minimize your carbon footprint and remind those around you to do the same. But most of all, focus on what makes you and your family feel whole and together during this holiday season.

Contributing Writer: Hannah Schewtschenko | i the_badenvironmentalist 10

S OUR CE S •

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Wallander, Mattias. “Frightful Waste: Making Halloween Green.” HuffPost, HuffPost, 17 Dec. 2013, www.huffpost.com/entry/frightful-waste-makingha_b_4116531. 2 Wallander, Mattias. “Frightful Waste: Making Halloween Green.” HuffPost, HuffPost, 17 Dec. 2013, www.huffpost.com/entry/frightfulwaste-making-ha_b_4116531. 3 Wallander, Mattias. “Frightful Waste: Making Halloween Green.” HuffPost, HuffPost, 17 Dec. 2013, www.huffpost.com/ entry/frightful-waste-making-ha_b_4116531. 4 Wallander, Mattias. “Frightful Waste: Making Halloween Green.” HuffPost, HuffPost, 17 Dec. 2013, www. huffpost.com/entry/frightful-waste-making-ha_b_4116531.

5 Thanksgiving Is One of the Biggest Days for Food Waste in the US.” WTKR.com, 29 Nov. 2019, localtvwtkr.wordpress.com/2019/11/28/thanksgiving-isone-of-the-biggest-days-for-food-waste-in-the-us/. 6 GreenBlue, greenblue.org/ways-to-avoid-food-waste-over-thanksgiving/.

7 GreenBlue, greenblue.org/ways-to-avoid-food-waste-over-thanksgiving/.

8 “Frequently Asked Questions: Holiday Waste Prevention.” Frequently Asked Questions: Holiday Waste Prevention | Land, Buildings & Real Estate, lbre.stanford.edu/pssistanford-recycling/frequently-asked-questions/frequently-asked-questions-holiday-w aste-prevention.

9 “Frequently Asked Questions: Holiday Waste Prevention.” Frequently Asked Questions: Holiday Waste Prevention | Land, Buildings & Real Estate, lbre.stanford.edu/pssistanford-recycling/frequently-asked-questions/frequently-asked-questions-holiday-w aste-prevention.

10 “Frequently Asked Questions: Holiday Waste Prevention.” Frequently Asked Questions: Holiday Waste Prevention | Land, Buildings & Real Estate, lbre.stanford.edu/pssistanford-recycling/frequently-asked-questions/frequently-asked-questions-holiday-w aste-prevention.

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W HY RE CYCL I NG I SN’ T E NOU GH ?

Since the turn of the century, our recycling system was based on the principle of “out of sight, out of mind.” Until 2018, every year the US would export 7 million tons of recycling waste across the world to China to be broken down and processed into raw materials. But the truth is that even before China started refusing recycling shipments, our recycling system was fundamentally breaking down. We are living at a crucial moment in history–one where sustainability is more important than ever, yet a recent report suggests that only 9% of the world’s plastic ends up recycled.

The modern recycling system that took America by storm in the 70s and 80s was vastly different from our current method. The system was based on the principle of multistream recycling, where plastic, glass, paper, and metal were all separated at home before being shipped off to recycling facilities. People were encouraged to sort their recyclables, remove labels, and clean food waste before tossing them in appropriate bins. While this system may have been tedious, it reduced recycling contamination, which increased the proportion of recyclables that ended up actually being processed. Multi-stream recycling is also cheaper, and results in higher quality and more valuable recovered materials.

However this all changed in the late 90s when Chinese companies began accepting any and all recyclables from countries like the US and the UK. Being a booming manufacturing economy, China was in great need of raw materials to fuel their growth, and lax environmental regulations meant they were willing to accept unsorted recyclables, regardless of quality. Thus began the shift towards a global system of single-stream recycling, where every recyclable is tossed into one large bin and shipped overseas to be sorted.

If this system seems far too good to be true, it is. Much of the recyclables sent to China were contaminated and useless, and so began the era of “trash islands.” Plastic began to choke our waterways and the animals living in them. Still, the countries responsible for all this plastic pollution ignored it, and kept sending millions of tons of waste across the world.

The system came crashing down in 2018 when the Chinese government, done with being the world’s trash can and determined to address it’s environmental pollution, banned plastic imports. The country still accepts plastic, but the contamination restriction (below 0.5%) is so strict that hardly any US recyclables pass the test, with an average contamination rate of 25%. Before the ban, China had imported two-thirds of global plastic waste in 2016, so this announcement was devastating to the global recycling system.

That restriction was over 2 years ago, and since then, Southeast Asian countries have had to take on some of the massive burden. The plastic they can’t handle ends up piling up in US landfills, and now less than a 10th of recyclables are actually processed. However the system was breaking down long before 2018.

We must ask ourselves why, given what we know about the ineffectiveness of the recycling chain, must we even use plastic at all? After all, stopping the consumption of plastic altogether would be far more effective, especially since recycling is now just a long detour on the way to landfills.

Perhaps we are motivated by that warm, feel-good sentiment associated with recycling. We are filled with a false sense of doing good, and can settle back and relax thinking we’ve done our part to save the planet. But why is it that recycling makes us feel so good? To answer this question we must closely examine the rhetoric built around recycling.

All this buzz around recycling has distracted us from the source of the problem: the plastic industry. Industry leaders have pushed this narrative of recycling as the end-all process to solve the issue of plastics altogether. They have led a massive push to suppress meaningful attempts at recycling, while still convincing consumers that the process works.

In fact, the recycling narrative shifts the blame away from the manufacturers altogether, instead pointing fingers to the consumer. We constantly blame pollution on those who don’t recycle, never on the multinational corporations killing our planet with every plastic bottle. This is how the plastic industry can continue to produce single-use plastic without blame, and manages to thrive on a dying planet.

It can be easy to feel hopeless. After all, what can we do in the face of massive corporations and a dying planet? We must focus on the other “R”s of the holy trinity: reduce and reuse.

Actively work to reduce your plastic waste. Buy groceries in bulk and use reusable bags. Bring your own water bottle and ask for reusable cups at coffee shops (or bring your own!)

Also try to reuse what you already have–there are countless creative ways to repurpose plastic bottles, from bird feeders to bowling pins! Secondly, plastics is a top down issue, and it’s clear our planet can’t sustain our current rate of plastic production. Ask your local governments to pass plastic ban legislation and let plastic producers know you’re serious about ending plastic production. Tell your representative you support the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act. Above all, spread the message of sustainability throughout your community, so that perhaps one day, we can live in a world without plastic polluting our planet.

Contributing Writer: Reha Kakkar

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COPING WI TH TH E CORONAVI RU S Also know as COVID-19, this respiratory virus is all anyone can talk about, and for good reason: it’s officially characterized as a pandemic by the World Health Organization. The majority of us have heard about the symptoms, cases, and ways to reduce the spread from the news and the CDC and WHO websites. Instead of reiterating the same information, let’s talk about the next steps: ways to cope with COVID-19.

LISTEN TO EXPERT HEALTH ADVICE • • • •

Prioritize washing your hands with soap and water. In a pinch, use alcohol-based hand rub.

Maintain social distancing. When someone coughs or sneezes, they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.

Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth.

Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough or difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance.

Follow the directions of your local health authority.

GET YOUR NEWS FROM REPUTABLE SOURCES • • •

The CDC: They have a dedicated area for COVID-19 where they share updates, information on how it spreads, answers to frequently asked questions, and more.

The World Health Organization: They provide a global perspective of the virus, give travel advice, and share regular updates on things like vaccine funding.

Local news sources: Reading reputable local newspapers and online news sites can give you updates on what’s happening in your community.

BUT ALSO TAKE A BREAK FROM READING THE NEWS AS NEEDED • •

Limit your screen time when it comes to social media. Try only allowing yourself a few minutes of updates every few hours instead of constantly staying plugged in.

Limit yourself to only a few reputable sources, like the ones above, to not overwhelm yourself.

HELP OUT WHERE YOU CAN • • • • •

Don’t overbuy and shop responsibly. Demand can cause prices to rise, affecting low-income individuals, or you can take product away from someone who absolutely needs it.

Donate to food banks, and volunteer if you can.

See if your local charities need any help.

Look out for the most vulnerable groups that live in your community. See if you can assist with buying supplies, getting internet access, or whatever else they may need.

Do your part to help reduce the spread. Be responsible, follow expert advice, limit time in public spaces, avoid large gatherings, just make smart choices.

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TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF • • •

Stay in virtual contact with friends and family.

Only listen to reputable news sources, avoid those reporting rumors, especially on social media.

Stretch, meditate, eat healthy, get plenty of sleep, avoid alcohol and drugs.

AND WHEN STAYING AT HOME • • •

Try to stay active. Do an at-home workout, clean your home, dance to music, build it into your daily routine.

Try to stay in a routine. Schedule time for work and homework, and your free time can be for watching Netflix, reading, taking a nap, cooking, etc.

Get around to doing those things you didn’t have time to do before like deep cleaning your closet, working on side projects, digitally cleaning out your laptop or phone, etc.

sources: • World Health Organization • Huffingtonpost.com

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WHAT’S TH E B UZZ ON B UZZWOR DS? Usually I think trends are overrated, but living in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way is a trend I fully support. It’s amazing how such a positive movement is gaining popularity because people want to make more informed and ethical choices. However, it can be confusing to make informed decisions when there are so many different buzzwords without clear definitions. You see phrases like sustainable, fair-trade, cruelty-free and zero waste, but they are used so often (and sometimes misused), it’s hard to know what words they really mean.

Don’t become overwhelmed! I know it is a lot to navigate your way through, but sometimes we just need to know a clear definition so we can understand what products to buy or practices to engage in. Here is a list of some of the most popular buzzwords and their definitions. I hope this helps you make choices that are best for you and your goals.

CRUELTY-FREE Products that are labeled cruelty-free means that they were not tested on animals. However, some companies that use the label “no animal testing” or “cruelty-free” are just referring to the final product and not the ingredients within the product. If you want to make sure the product you are using is certified cruelty-free, look for the Leaping Bunny logo. The Leaping Bunny is an organization of eight different national animal protection groups that came together to ensure that companies are actually producing cruelty-free products. Companies must promise that they do not use animal testing at any stage of the product development. They must also guarantee that their supplies do not use animal testing either.

ECO-FRIENDLY (ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY) This is by far one of the most over-used phrases. Basically, eco-friendly means something that does not harm the environment.

It can refer to anything from organic to sustainable to recyclable and anything in between. Living in an eco-friendly way is a goal we can all strive towards. Conserve Energy Future defines eco-friendly living as “the act of living with intent.” Making choices like shopping locally, supporting companies that use sustainable and buying eco-friendly products. However, it can be difficult to determine that the products we buy are actually eco-friendly. It’s a term that is mostly used by products because it is so vague, they don’t have to meet a set of standards to claim their product is eco-friendly. If you want to ensure that the products you buy are actually eco-friendly, research how it is made, what it is made of and how it affects the environment.

FAIR TRADE Fair trade is a global movement in which companies ensure that farmers and workers are paid a fair price for their work.

The Certified Fair Trade mark means the product has met Fair Trade standards. The standards include fair labor practices protecting workers rights and responsible land management. Ethical trade is different than Fair Trade. While ethical trade has the same meaning as Fair Trade, it is not certified, so always check that the companies are actually participating in fair and sustainable practices.

Contributing Writer: Esme Park | i balanceforyou 15

ORGANIC A product must meet a strict set of guidelines set by the USDA to be labeled organic. These guidelines include (1) not using artificial preservatives, colors and/or flavors, (2) not using GMOs, (3) raising animals in natural living conditions, without giving them antibiotics or hormones and feeding them 100% organic feed and (4) not using substances prohibited substances (like most pesticides) for three years prior to harvest. Products labeled “100% organic” can only contain organically produced ingredients and/or processing aids while products labeled “organic” must contain a minimum of 95% organically produced ingredients and/or processing aids.

SUSTAINABLE (SUSTAINABILITY) According to the United States Environmental Protective Agency, to practice sustainability means “to create and maintain the conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony to support present and future generations.” The problem with the term sustainable is that there is no clear definition and/or standards. It is easy for companies to claim that their products are sustainable because there are no standards they must meet to use this term. As a simple guide, products that are actually sustainable usually produce little to no waste, they are partly or completely made from recycled material, and they are usually made in a responsible way (energy efficient and fair treatment of workers).

VEGAN Veganism is a way of living that minimizes harm done to animals and the environment. Vegans do not eat or use animal products, byproducts and products that contain animal derived ingredients. If a product is “certified vegan,” it means that it wasn’t made with animal products or byproducts and has not been tested on animals. This also means that the companies must prove that they take the appropriate steps to sanitize their production area if they produce vegan and non-vegan items to prevent cross-contamination. If you are looking for vegan products, keep an eye out for the “Certified Vegan Logo” or “100% vegan.”

ZERO WASTE Zero waste is a movement in which people try to create as little waste as possible. As Going Zero Waste says on their website, “We aim to send nothing to a landfill. We reduce what we need, reuse as much as we can, send little to be recycled, and compost what we cannot.” It is impossible live a completely zero waste life, however you can adopt more zero waste practices that will help our earth. Examples of zero waste actions include thrift shopping for clothes, buying reusable products, limiting use of plastic and composting.

sources: • https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/diet-nutrition/a28224713/ what-does-organic-mean/ • https://www.nsf.org/consumer-resources/cooking-cleaning-food-safety/ food-safety/organic/organic-labeling-requirements

• • • •

https://vegan.org/certification/ https://ecocult.com/whats-the-difference-between-green-sustainable-ecofriendly-ethical-fair-trade-clean-organic-non-toxic-and-conscious/ https://www.fairtradecertified.org/why-fair-trade https://www.epa.gov/sustainability/learn-about-sustainability#what

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https://www.goingzerowaste.com/ https://www.leapingbunny.org/ https://homeguides.sfgate.com/ecofriendly-mean-78718.html https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/10-steps-to-become-ecofriendly.php

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PAINTING TH E TOW N GREEN Everywhere we look we’re now bombarded with companies offering us a more sustainable option. In the age of digital marketing, we’re now able to pick and choose what companies to support based on whether or not they support our personal ethics.

But, for those of us who are tiring to live a more ecoconscious life, what do we do about greenwashing?

Greenwashing is a pretty simple marketing principle that originated in the 1960s. While it started as hotel chains attempting to save water by encouraging visitors to reuse towels , it’s become so much more. Now, companies attempt to seem 1 more eco-conscious by pushing commercials and advertisements that promote the company’s sustainability initiative. Two companies that are known for such things are Lush and Everlane.

Lush is a beauty and wellness company out of the United Kingdom that started in 1995. Lush quickly made themselves known as a company that prided itself on their transparency and awareness. Since Lush’s inception, the company has strived for total transparency between their products, their suppliers, and their consumers.

This transparency garnered Lush loyal customers and notoriety as the go-to company for holistic wellness. There are six main components to Lush’s’ mission statement : 2 1. Utilize fresh organic fruit and vegetables as well as the finest essential oils.

2. Work with companies that do not promote animal testing.

3. All products are made by hand using only vegetarian ingredients and an open supply chain.

4. Promote a culture of self-care as well as self-love.

5. Put names and faces on packages to promote pride in workers.

6. Generate a good value, make profit, and the customers are always right.

These six core principles have governed Lush for almost twenty years and are essential to understanding whether or not Lush is making good on it’s promise. Stichting Onderzoek Multinationale Ondernemingen, an international non profit research network working on the social, economic, and ecological issues surrounding sustainable development , review’s various companies. In a 2012 report 3 SOMO outlined whether or not Lush was fulfilling its mission statement, and their results are extremely positive.

Let’s look at Lush’s energy policies. On Lush’s website they claim that they are working towards lowering their CO2

output . SOMO found that as of 2012 Lush was on 4 target to fulfill their annual 5% energy reduction . In order to make this possible, Lush 5 suspended all air transport for products in the UK and require that their employees pay a £50 carbon tax on all international flights . Lush has also transitioned all of 6 their store light bulbs to LED energy efficient bulbs . 7 Another thing Lush prizes itself on is their supply chain transparency. Lush stresses that their products are handmade, use only vegetarian ingredients, and rely on transparency with their suppliers. As of 2012, Lush has phased out palm oil and no 8 longer buys vanilla from Madagascar due to political strife and environmental damages . This directly support’s Lush’s mission to uphold environmental standards 9 as well their motive to be more socially conscious.

Not only is Lush killing it when it comes to their environmental awareness, but they also are upholding some of the highest industry social standards. In 2011, Lush donated £1,586,000 to various charities including many environmental organizations.

This was done mostly behind closed doors and through their Charity Pot program. 10All of these factors go into making Lush one of the most transparent companies and one of the leaders in sustainable beauty.

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Across the pond, Everlane has been taking the fashion community by storm since 2010. The San Francisco based retailer is the top result on Google for ‘sustainable fashion’. If you go to the ‘about’ section on Everlane’s website you are greeted with the company’s supply chain information.

Everlane has one true motive; to bring its customers the best pieces as without hurting our environment. They call this initiative ‘Radical Transparency’ and it’s one of their biggest buzzwords. On Everlane’s website they claim to only use factories that score a 90% or higher on their compliance audit . In theory, this is a wonderful idea, 11 but there is little to no information on what’s in this compliance audit.

On their website you can find a map with small indicators over each of Everlane’s factories. Upon further inspection you can find information on how many employees work at the factory, where the factory is located, and the factory’s specialization . But, there isn’t a lot of readily available information about the 12 working conditions of the factory, the environmental conditions, or work salaries.

Next to no information can be found in regards to Everlane’s factory information, which seems to negate their goal of ‘radical transparency.’ Everlane claims that their products are designed to last, but many reviews of the products beg to differ. Notable sustainability blogger, Levi Hildabrand, noted that the pieces he bought from Everlane left a bit to be desired . I have two bras from 13 Everlane and I found the sizing as well as material quality

to be vastly different between the two pieces. One is nearly falling apart even though I’ve only owned it for a few months.

One of Everlane’s calling cards is creating pieces that can last.

In my experience, they’re falling a bit short on that goal.

One department Everlane is excelling in is price transparency. In their about section there is a price breakdown for many of their most popular pieces. For instance, the price of their denim is broken down into five different categories, materials, labor, transport, duties, and hardware. This all equates to their asking price and Everlane goes as far as to compare it to other market options. This does allow producers to clearly track where their denim is coming from and outlines Everlane’s somewhat steep prices.

Everlane is onto something. Though they’re not on the same sustainability and transparency level as Lush, they’re trying. Compared to companies like H&M, Everlane is making strides to become more conscious as well as transparent. The initiatives they have in place now are a good stepping stone towards a more sustainable company.

Greenwashing is something that we have to remain conscious of. Lush often floods their website as well as social media with information on how to be more sustainable and socially conscious. At a base level, Lush is greenwashing but the difference is their money is where their mouth is. Lush is consistently one of the leaders in sustainable beauty. Everlane has the possibility to become a leader in sustainable fashion and with more time I’m sure they will be.

S OUR CE S •

Kenton, Will. “What You Should Know About Greenwashing.” Investopedia, Investopedia, 30 Jan. 2020, www.investopedia.com/terms/g/gre Steinweg, Tim, and Jos van Seteren. “Lush Cosmetic Ltd. Quick Scan.” Stichting Onderzoek Multinationale Ondernemingen , Stichting Onderzoek Multinationale Ondernemingen , Nov. 2012, mitheringsfrommorningside.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/quick-scan-lush-cosmetics-final.pdf.

3 Gijsbertsen, Ronald. “The Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations (SOMO).” SOMO, 10 Mar. 2020, www.somo.nl/.

4 Web-Services. “Our Environmental Policy.” Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics UK, 19 Sept. 2019, uk.lush.com/article/our-environmental-policy.

5 Steinweg, Tim, and Jos van Seteren. “Lush Cosmetic Ltd. Quick Scan.” Stichting Onderzoek Multinationale Ondernemingen , Stichting Onderzoek Multinationale Ondernemingen , Nov. 2012, mitheringsfrommorningside.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/quick-scan-lush-cosmetics-final.pdf.

6 Steinweg, Tim, and Jos van Seteren. “Lush Cosmetic Ltd. Quick Scan.” Stichting Onderzoek Multinationale Ondernemingen , Stichting Onderzoek Multinationale Ondernemingen , Nov. 2012, mitheringsfrommorningside.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/quick-scan-lush-cosmetics-final.pdf.

7 Steinweg, Tim, and Jos van Seteren. “Lush Cosmetic Ltd. Quick Scan.” Stichting Onderzoek Multinationale Ondernemingen , Stichting Onderzoek Multinationale Ondernemingen , Nov. 2012, mitheringsfrommorningside.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/quick-scan-lush-cosmetics-final.pdf.

8 Web-Services. “Our Environmental Policy.” Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics UK, 19 Sept. 2019, uk.lush.com/article/our-environmental-policy.

9 Steinweg, Tim, and Jos van Seteren. “Lush Cosmetic Ltd. Quick Scan.” Stichting Onderzoek Multinationale Ondernemingen , Stichting Onderzoek Multinationale Ondernemingen , Nov. 2012, mitheringsfrommorningside.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/quick-scan-lush-cosmetics-final.pdf.

10 Steinweg, Tim, and Jos van Seteren. “Lush Cosmetic Ltd. Quick Scan.” Stichting Onderzoek Multinationale Ondernemingen , Stichting Onderzoek Multinationale Ondernemingen , Nov. 2012, mitheringsfrommorningside.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/quick-scan-lush-cosmetics-final.pdf.

11 Everlane, www.everlane.com/about.

12 Everlane, www.everlane.com/about.

13 Hildebrand, Levi, director. Is Everlane Really Ethical? Youtube, Levi Hildebrand, 5 Nov. 2019, www.youtube.com/watch?v=x47di-8jt8I. 1

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Contributing Writer: Hannah Schewtschenko | i the_badenvironmentalist 18

CURRENT P OL I TI CAL CANDI DATE S With the 2020 general election on the horizon, the Democratic party has one big decision to make: who is going to take on Donald Trump for the position of president of the United States of America? In order to make this choice, primaries and caucuses are held across the country, giving voters the opportunity to help decide who the best candidate for the job is. The United States, however, does not choose candidates by popular vote alone, but rather through a system of delegates. To put it simply, the people vote for who they want to become the nominee, and the states delegates make the final votes, based on who their state has voted for.

The details can get tricky; in the democratic party, there are pledged delegates and then there are superdelegates. The pledged delegates are generally supposed to vote with the popular vote of their state, although they can stray from that in some states, while superdelegates are not bound to the popular vote and are comprised of party leaders and elected officials. In order to win the nomination, a candidate needs 1,991 delegates. Super Tuesday is an incredibly important day in the presidential primary season, with 1,357 delegates at stake across 14 different states. This year, Super Tuesday was held on March 3rd, following initial caucuses in Iowa and Nevada, and primaries in New Hampshire and South Carolina.

As Super Tuesday rapidly approached, the once very large Democratic primary field finally began to narrow. On the night before the big day, Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Senator Amy Klobuchar both dropped out of the race and threw their weight behind Joe Biden. Biden registered a successful South Carolina primary, reviving his campaign after a series of disappointing early finishes. With Mayor Pete and Senator Klobuchar out of the race, the candidates vying for success on Super Tuesday included Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Joe Biden, Tulsi Gabbard and Michael Bloomberg.

The results of the day were clear: the race for the nomination is down to Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders. With Biden winning 10 states, including Texas, and Bernie walking away with 4 states, including California, Biden has taken the lead as the Democratic party frontrunner. Tulsi Gabbard’s only win was in American Samoa, while Elizabeth Warren and Michael Bloomberg both failed to secure any wins. After Super Tuesday, Bloomberg and Warren both dropped out of the race. Bloomberg endorsed Joe Biden, but Warren has yet to make any endorsements. As of March 6th, Joe Biden holds 664 delegates, Bernie Sanders holds 573, and Tulsi Gabbard has secured 2.

As the race has narrowed, a fight for what the Democratic Party’s future will look like has begun. Joe Biden represents the moderate side of the Democratic party, with a base mostly comprised of older voters, and Bernie Sanders represents the progressive left, with a coalition of minority voters and young people. For many, this race represents what will either be a leap forward to progressive ideologies, or a retreat back into the policies that laid the framework for the current administration to be in power. The young people have overwhelmingly shown support for Sanders, and the exit polls have shown overwhelming support of the policies Sanders believes strongly in. The case for many voters comes down to the argument of “electability”. The message being conveyed by the establishment is that Joe Biden will beat Donald Trump, and Bernie Sanders will not. Bernie’s campaign is knocked day in and day out for his supporters, referred to as “Bernie Bros”, for their lack of commitment to the democratic cause outside of Sanders. Biden is being touted as a “return to normalcy” and “the moderate who can appeal to a wide base”. As the race narrows, it seems highly unlikely that the conversation of beating Donald Trump will be set aside in favor of actual policy. It is of the utmost importance that we do not forget about the ideology behind our vote. That we do not throw away the chance of a progressive future on the assumption that a return to moderate politics are the only way to beat Trump in November. We need a candidate that the people want to rally behind, a candidate that inspires hope. That candidate is Bernie Sanders.

It is important to not get lost in arguments of electability; the 2016 race between Sanders and Clinton proved that appealing to moderate politics does nothing up against the unified right. There is too much at stake to push a candidate forward that does not have a commitment to being on the right side of history. The most important thing we can do is vote for a candidate that embodies the values we want to see in this country. Moving collectively toward a future that is not dictated by the upper class, for the upper class. Toward a future that is built by working class people, for working class people. Bernie Sanders has shown these values his entire life, fighting tirelessly for the people he represents.

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It is of the utmost importance to know where the candidates stand on the issues that impact our nation. Joe Biden does not support Medicare For All, erasing student loan debt, or legalizing marijuana. While Bernie touts the cornerstone of his campaign, Medicare for All, Joe Biden suggests a public option. Joe envisions a system where insurance companies are in tandem with a federal plan, where healthcare is affordable.

The key difference is that Bernie Sanders believes healthcare is a human right. He wants free healthcare for all Americans, regardless of income or employment status. He also hopes to slash $81 billion in medical debt. Joe Biden wants to make two-year colleges free, while Bernie Sanders wants to make all public colleges and universities free, as well as cancel student loan debt. Bernie has advocated for an end to fracking, while Biden does not call for this in his climate change plan. Bernie supports the Green New Deal, while Biden does not. Biden’s goal is to be carbon-free by 2050, and Bernie wants to be carbon free by 2030 and fossil fuel free by 2050. Bernie wants to abolish ICE, while Biden just promises to not deport anyone that hasn’t committed serious

crimes. The list goes on and on. If you want a candidate to fight for progressive causes, Bernie Sanders is that candidate.

If Biden becomes the nominee, it is of the utmost importance that we push Biden every single day to adopt the policies that will protect working class families, not big banks and billionaires. But it is not over yet. Bernie is down, but he is not out, and organizing matters. This campaign has shown that community matters. #NotMeUs is not just a twitter hashtag. It is the opinion of the people that we must fight together for progress.

We cannot allow ourselves to fall back on old, failed politics.

We must forget on, knowing we are up against hard odds. We have been since 2016, and Bernie has fought this fight for the last 40 years. Protect the working class. Protect people of color, undocumented individuals, industry workers, the LGBTQ+ community, and every other minority group in this country. Look up to the candidate who believes every person in this country deserves education and healthcare. The candidate who looks out for our most vulnerable populations. This is the time for change. This is the time for progress.

“This is the time for change.

This is the time for progress,”

Contributing Writer: Samantha Vincent 20

it’s

OUR HOME

THEIR ECO-FRIENDLY LIFE HOW TO DRIVE A LITTLE GREENER EATING HEALTHY ON CAMPUS STUDYING SUSTAINABILITY TODAY WHAT I EAT IN A DAY EATING OUT SUSTAINABLY THE GIRL BEHIND NW BULK MARKET

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t h e i r ecof r i e nd ly li fe We are Frances and Moe, and we’ve been together since 2015. Both born and raised in the UK, we’ve always loved adventure and the outdoors and knew in nature is where we feel most at home. We have always loved to travel to new places, but found the best trips involved being in a cosy place somewhere quiet with our two dogs – even if it wasn’t so far from home. In early 2019 we decided to leave everything behind in the UK and follow our dream life to France; involving a beautiful rural location, a lot of land, and an old stone building and barn.

- Frances & Moe

Q&A

i

ou re cof r i e nd l yl i fe

W h at m a d e you b oth want to m ove to Franc e ?

We were searching for our future home together, but knew we didn’t want the financial burden of a typical mortgage. We looked at buying a boat, building a cabin, even van life at one point - but once we crunched the numbers nothing was working out quite as we wanted it to. We started looking at land to buy, to maybe be able to build our own house. It was then that Moe started randomly looking at houses for sale across the world - one of those places being France. We couldn’t believe the prices of some of those houses! We started to do the numbers and realised it was not only something we could afford, but would give us the dream life we never thought would be possible. A large, beautiful house, and lots of land, with the ability to be completely self-sufficient in time, with no long lasting debt.

Wa s i t a d i fficu lt tran sition ?

Absolutely! It has definitely been a challenge but it’s been worth it so far. It was hard work getting all of our belongings over and setting up the house to be liveable in those early days. Especially as it hadn’t been properly lived in for the best part of 20 years! It took us 3 weeks to get the electricity hooked up as well. The language has also been a challenge, despite Moe having a good understanding of French before we came. There is a lot of paperwork here and things are done very differently to what we are used to back in the UK so that’s definitely been an adjustment.

W h at su sta in ab le measures d o you like about your own c ountry?

We think the UK is definitely trying to be more sustainable in lots of different ways. Zero waste shops are popping up everywhere and a lot of take-out places are being more mindful of their plastic use by either offering reusable dishes/cutlery or wooden/bamboo options. A lot of major supermarkets are actively trying to reduce their single plastic usage especially in the fresh produce departments. Everyone takes their own reusable bags when they go shopping now. There’s still a long way to go, but there is definitely a reduction of single-use plastics, so hopefully it continues!

W h at a re you su stain ab le project are you c urre ntly working on?

Currently we are working on restoring the internal stone walls in our home! They are crumbling away and need to be re-pointed (which means the part in between the stones needs to be redone). We have been working hard on chipping the old mortar out and replacing it with fresh lime mortar. Lime mortar is a great sustainable material that is made simply from lime, sand and water. Lime is actually a carbon neutral building material as it reabsorbs the carbon dioxide it produces during manufacture as it dries.

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how to drive a little greener 23

easy eco -dr iv ing tips There are three main areas we are going to concentrate on: car maintenance, daily habits, and how you drive.

We’ve given you practical tips that you can start implementing today to start your eco driving journey!

CAR MAINTENANCE It is so important to take care of your car as you can prolong its life, so you won’t have to buy a new car earlier than you really have to. By making sure the car is well maintained you can also reduce the energy usage as it won’t have to work as hard.

1. SERVICE YOUR CAR: Ensure you regularly and properly service your car to make sure everything is running how it was designed to. This prolongs the life of your car and keeps the engine running efficiently.

2. CHANGE THE OIL: Change the oil when your car needs it and make sure it is the correct oil. Most cars will tell you on the dashboard or you can look in the handbook. Using the correct oil in your car is very important as there are components of the engine that require a specific oil to operate correctly. These components contribute to the efficiency and cleanliness of the engine.

3. CHECK YOUR TIRES: Regularly check tire pressure and condition. Under inflated tires means the car has to work harder and therefore uses more fuel. Don’t be tempted to over-inflate as this has safety implications.

4. BUY FUEL-EFFICIENT TIRES: Check consumer labels on tires for fuel usage, noise and wet weather grip information.

They are very easy to understand (similar to what you see on white goods) and can help you buy tires that are more fuel efficient.

5. CHECK FLUID LEVELS: Regularly check fluid levels such as oil and coolant as these contribute to keeping the engine operating at optimum conditions and prolong the life of your car.

DAILY HABITS You can do little things every day to reduce your carbon footprint, here are a few of our favourite tips to get you started!

1. BULK CAR JOURNEYS TOGETHER: We always tie in our food shop with a visit to the DIY shop, and also a visit to our second hand store instead of going on separate days. It’s not only better for the mileage saved but also for the car as it isn’t having to use up more energy to warm up the engine for journeys on separate days.

2. DON’T CARRY UNNECESSARY WEIGHT: Extra weight in the car can increase the fuel usage, so make sure you empty your car of items if you don’t need them on your journey.

3. GIVE YOUR CAR 30 SECONDS TO WARM UP: When you get into your car, turn on the engine and give it 30 seconds to warm up. It does not need longer than this, however make sure you drive mildly initially to give the engine time to fully warm up. This helps save fuel in the long run.

4. USE AIR-CONDITIONING INSTEAD OF OPENING THE WINDOWS: Open windows actually create more turbulence in the air and so the engine has to work harder to maintain the same speed. Air con actually uses very little fuel, as well as being better for your health due to the air filter! (The only time it is technically more eco to open your windows is if you’re driving 30mph or slower – but then you’re likely in a city/traffic situation and so breathing in all the fumes is not good for you. Air conditioning has air filters).

HOW YOU DRIVE How you drive can have a massive impact on your fuel consumption! Learning to drive in a more eco conscious way will not only save you fuel and be better for your car, but will often be a safer way of driving too.

1. DRIVE WITH GRADUAL, LINEAR ACCELERATION: Driving gradually instead of speeding up rapidly and slowly down quickly will save so much fuel, therefore reducing your carbon footprint 2. PLAN AHEAD: Make sure you plan ahead for speed, braking and cornering so you don’t brake unnecessarily. Braking when not needed uses more fuel as you will have your foot on the accelerator more than is needed, causing more fuel usage.

Slowing down earlier and for longer distances rather than short, heavy braking as well helps with reducing fuel usage.

3. DON’T CRUISE IN NEUTRAL: Don’t cruise in neutral as doing so requires the engine to use fuel to keep itself going, it’s best to stay in gear using the momentum of the car to keep the engine going.

4. KEEP ENGINE SPEED IN THE POWER RANGE: The fuel usage is greater at lower revs with more accelerator than higher revs with less accelerator. So keeping the engine speed in the power range will help you save fuel.

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eati ng hea lt hy on c am pus Being a college student and living on campus probably means you’ll be eating a fair share of your meals in a dining hall.

Traditionally, dining halls are seen as places that only serve bad for you & bad for the environment foods, but this isn’t necessarily true. Dining halls, especially those that are buffet style, can feel daunting at first. The key is learning how to be creative to make delicious, healthy & sustainable meals!

TIP #1 Take advantage of different stations! For example, if there are sauteed veggies at one station, grab some there and add to pasta with olive oil from another station to make an easy pasta primavera. Another great option: when my school has eggs at dinner at one station and fajitas at another, I’ll add eggs to my fajitas to make a huevos rancheros style meal. Yum!

TIP #2 Visit the salad bar! This is your best place to have a variety of fresh fruit and veggies, and salads don’t have to be boring. One salad I love to make at my dining hall is: spring mix, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, raw mushrooms, chickpeas, sunflower seeds, feta cheese and dried cranberries, all tossed in oil and vinegar. This salad is a perfect way to get carbs, protein, fat, and tons of vitamins and minerals.

TIP #3 Love cereal, but it gets boring? Add more ingredients! I love to make a bowl of granola topped with hemp seeds, dried cranberries, chocolate chips, peanut butter & non-dairy milk. It’s SO good! You could also skip the milk and do yogurt instead.

TIP #4 Don’t be afraid to branch out and try something new! College dining halls are awesome because you can take small amounts of something to try it, then decide if you want more of it later! This will help you get more variety into your meals too.

TIP #5 Remake classic meals you know and enjoy to find something new you’ll love! Do you love grilled cheese, but feel like you need an upgrade? Next time you are in the sandwich line, ask for cheddar cheese on multigrain bread and add any veggies or fillings you love (I recommend spinach, red onion, tomato, and pesto). Then grill your sandwich in a panini press for the ultimate grilled cheese.

TIP #6 If your school has a vegan station, try to go there often. Plant-based proteins have a lower carbon footprint, and you can still get plenty of protein ;)

TIP #7 Take only what you need, especially at buffet-style dining halls. This allows you to be a more conscious consumer and reduce food waste. You can always go back for more!

Contributing Writer: Gabby Guzdek | i honestly_gabby 25

st u dyi ng sust ain ab ility tod ay Micaela Yawney is a an Environment, Resources and Sustainability major, studying at the University of Waterloo. She gives insight on what it’s like to be a sustainability major today.

Being a sustainability major today is highly relevant as society comes to terms with the need to effectively and efficiently pose meaningful and innovative solutions to the climate crisis. In general, studying sustainability within today’s society is about learning how to think critically on all topics related to sustainable development. The Brundtland Report, also known as Our Common Future, published in 1987 by the World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED) defines sustainable development as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (WCED, 1987). With this definition in mind, it is also important to beg the question, development for whom? Learning, understanding and critically analyzing the ways in which sustainable development can be achieved are all explored by those who chose to be a sustainability major within today’s society.

Within the realms of studying sustainability, thinking critically on all topics related to sustainable development is required.

Various topics that may be explored as a sustainability major within today’s society include: • Holistic thinking and analysis.

• Complex socio-ecological systems thinking and analysis.

• Environmental and sustainability behavior thinking and analysis.

• Environmental governance and politics.

• Climate advocacy.

• Environmental resource sustainability, management, conservation and restoration.

• Foundations of ecology.

• Translational ecology and sustainability science.

• Environmental communications and writing.

• Creative pursuits to communicate perspectives on sustainability (photography, art, writing).

These areas of knowledge encompass the key foundations to understanding sustainability within today’s society. Along with these key areas of knowledge, it is of the utmost importance to recognize that everything we do is interconnected. We live within a complex society that is influenced by various ecological, economic, institutional, bio-physical and social systems that all play a role in how our society operates. Studying sustainability is about understanding that we must challenge the complex systems within which we operate to improve the lives of all living beings, regardless of race, class, gender, sexual orientation, religion or any other identity markers, and the environment at the same time.

Studying sustainability is about learning how to build the adaptive capacity for people and institutions within society to respond to the uncertainty, complexity and change that we see as a result of climate change. This is about challenging the ‘business as usual’ model to foster social change that is focused on resiliency and living in harmony and respect for all living beings and the environment, taking into account the knowledge of Indigenous peoples as keepers of this land.

As Robin Wall Kimmerer writes in her book Braiding Sweetgrass, “Sustain the ones who sustain you and the earth will last forever” (Kimmerer, 2013). This is what studying sustainability within today’s society is all about.

sources: Kimmerer, R.W. (2013). Braiding Sweetgrass.

World Commission on Environment and Development. (1987). Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development: Our Common Future. UN Documents.

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w hat i eat i n a d ay My peeps! What’s up? My name is Skylar, the human behind @ happyearthhabits on the gram. I live in New York City and I am learning all the ways to support our planet!

Cooking is one of the easiest ways to make a big positive impact. Why can food be so important? Well, everything has a carbon footprint behind it and since you know‌ we eat 3 times a day means we go through a lot of food. This is an easy area to focus on going greener!

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HERE ARE THE QUICK-FIRE WAYS TO MOVE INTO LOW WASTE COOKING: 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 grocery’s 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: CHIA SEED BOWL Guys… I have cracked the code on the best chia seed pudding HOLY CRAP, it is so good!

This is one of my current fav breakfast ideas. I usually throw it all in a jar and then take it to work/school and put it there.

INGREDIENTS • 1 can of coconut milk (the CANNED kind is very important) • 3 tbs of chia seeds

• ½ tbs of vanilla • 1 tbs of maple syrup • Whatever toppings you choose, I used peanut butter, bananas, raspberries, and almonds

DIRECTIONS • Put all the ingredients (not toppings) so the canned coconut milk, chia seeds, vanilla and maple syrup in a jar and mix it together.

• Put the jar in the fridge overnight or for at least 5 hours for the chia seeds to expand.

• Then in the morning scoop it out and add whatever toppings you have.

WASTE INFO: • • • •

Buy chia seeds, almonds and maple syrup in bulk/BYOC Vanilla and peanut butter can be bought in glass jars that get recycled Canned coconut milk is in an aluminum can which can be recycled Fruit is package free or buy local/at the farmers market so there is less plastic with it

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LUNCH: NOODLE SOUP Soup is another one of my favs… because it is easy and I am all about easy because your girl is busy and soup is easy.

INGREDIENTS • 1 cup of chopped carrots

• 1-2 cups of noodles

• 1 cup of chopped white onion

• Olive oil

• 1 cup of chopped celery

• Dried Turmeric

• 1-2 tbs of minced garlic

• Dried Parsley

• 4-5 cups of vegetable broth (you can make this from your food scraps)

• Salt and Pepper

DIRECTIONS • If you are making your own veggie broth all you do is take your veggie scraps (onion, kale stems, carrot shreds, broccoli stems… pretty much any veggie) throw it in a saucepan with water, garlic salt and pepper then boil for 30 mins and then take the veggies out.

• In a separate saucepan (a big one) take you garlic, carrots, celery and onion and saute them in the pan till they are soft.

• Add broth in and spice to your tasting into the pan and bring to a boil.

• Add noodles and cook till the noodles are done.

• Top with more salt and pepper as needed.

WASTE INFO: • Carrots, onion, celery and garlic are all package free • Veggie broth (make your own) and its package free and zero waste • Noodles, olive oil, and spices shop in bulk/BYOC

AFTERNOON SNACK: ROASTED CHICKPEAS The most delicious thing to snack on and usually replaces chips for me. That way I don’t have to buy chips wrapped in plastic.

INGREDIENTS • Chickpeas

• Cumin

• Salt

• Paprika

• Avocado oil

DIRECTIONS • • • •

Drain and rinse your chickpeas.

Lay them on a baking sheet and coat in avo oil and some salt.

Bake for 30 mins on 350 degrees.

Take them out and add cumin and spices then put them back in the oven for like 5-10 mins or until crispy.

WASTE INFO: • Buy your chickpeas in a aluminum can to be recycled • Buy your spices in bulk/BYOC • Buy avo oil in a glass jar to be recycled or with refills

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DINNER: LETTUCE WRAPS Life hack: Instead of using a tortilla or a wrap, opt for lettuce because it’s package free! This is a great option for a very delish dinner

INGREDIENTS • • • • • • •

Cauliflower Avo Oil Cashews Vegan Mayo Lemon Sriracha sauce Lettuce

SAUCE • ¼ cup Coconut aminos • 1 tbs Sesame oil • 1 tbs Coconut sugar • 1 tbs Garlic • 1 tbs Ginger • ½ tbs Rice vinegar • ½ tbs Sriracha sauce • ½ - 1 tbs Cornstarch

DIRECTIONS • • • • • • • •

Cut up all your cauliflower and lay them on a pan.

Season them with avocado oil.

Bake them in the oven for 20ish mins at 375 degrees.

While cooking mix together all your ingredients for your sauce (I blend mine up) then heat it up in a saucepan it will become a thicker consistency.

In a separate bowl mix together juice of half a lemon ½ cup of mayo and some garlic and salt. This is you sriracha mayo.

Chop your cashews.

Put the sauce all over your roasted cauliflower and bake for 5 more mins Assemble all the ingredients into a leaf of lettuce and ENJOY!

WASTE INFO: • • • •

Buy all your cauliflower, ginger, garlic and lemon without plastic Buy your greens plastic free also Shop bulk/BYOC for your cashews, coconut oil and cornstarch Buy you avo oil, vegan mayo, sriracha, coconut oil, sesame oil, rice vinegar.

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eating o u t s us tainably There is a common misconception that to be “sustainable” we must sacrifice our own wants and needs to do so. We have to make everything from scratch and rid ourselves of the conveniences of the modern world (this includes eating out). I’m here to tell you this is not true at all! In my opinion, it’s also not sustainable. If you’re making choices at your own expense, chances are you are not going to want to maintain those choices. “Sustainable” means doing things in a way that they are able to be done in that same manner long-term. All of our little choices add up. Making them work for us rather than for unattainable ideals is the best way we can make “sustainability” achievable for everyone! Here are a few ways you can make more sustainable choices when eating out!

Sometimes being prepared to refuse waste is the most powerful thing you can do. If you have a chance to do some prep before going out to eat, here are some ideas:

BRING YOUR OWN TAKEOUT CONTAINERS You can leave them in your car and go grab them at the end of your meal. This means less single use to-go containers used!

BRING YOUR OWN WATER BOTTLE We all know the struggle of asking for no straw at a restaurant. You say “no straw, please” when you order, force of habit takes over, and your server brings you one anyways. If you bring your own water bottle to drink out of, you can eliminate any confusion or awkwardness when dining out.

This being said, some restaurants/dining places may not allow you to use your own reusables. When in doubt, just call ahead and double check!

Being prepared is great, but sometimes it just doesn’t work out that way. Maybe you’re riding with a friend so you don’t have any containers with you to use. Perhaps you’re out running errands and you’re starving so you make a stop. It happens! Try not to stress too much. There are still plenty of ways to make your dining experience a little more sustainable, even with no preparation.

DINE IN RATHER THAN TO GO If you’re able, opt for a dine in option, as you are less likely to get single use items when eating inside the restaurant. Even if you don’t have reusable take out containers on hand, there are still powerful practices you can do (see below)!

TAKE HOME (AND ACTUALLY EAT) YOUR LEFTOVERS Food waste is one of the biggest contributors to our waste. Even if you do take a single use container home with you, you can still cut down on waste by actually eating the leftovers! If I’m ever eating out, I would rather take food home than throw it out just to avoid a plastic container. Bonus: if you do take home leftovers in plastic containers, you can still refuse the bag they offer you, plastic utensils, and consolidate your meals. My husband and I will usually just share, as we usually can fit our leftovers in a box together. As someone who has worked in the food service industry, I’ve seen first hand how much food gets thrown away in restaurants every day. You can do your part to fight this by being responsible for your own meals when eating out!

RECYCLE OR REUSE YOUR TAKEOUT CONTAINERS If they are sturdy plastic, wash the containers and reuse them at home! The more use you get out of an item, the lower the impact of said item. If they are not, still take them home with you and make sure they get disposed of properly (most restaurants do not recycle or compost)!

Hopefully you’ve gotten an idea or two you can implement next time you go out to eat! Sustainability looks different for everyone, so just make choices that make sense for you and your lifestyle. Eating out can be a big producer of waste, but it can also be a great opportunity to spend quality time with loved ones and treat ourselves! It’s all about balance.

Contributing Writer: Natalia Soria | i _greenswitch 31

t h e girl beh ind nw b ulk ma rket NW Bulk Market isn’t your typical online market. We like to compare ourselves to a farmer’s market, just online. After a brand and it’s products are approved to join the NW Bulk Market, we set them up with a virtual Shop where you can not only see what they make, but learn a little bit more about the people behind the products. NW Bulk Market is a 100% collaboration and we are so grateful for the 15+ small businesses that trust us to help promote their businesses.

- Nicole

Q&A

i

nw bul k m a r ket

W h at i n sp i red you to create NW Bulk Marke t?

As @lettuceturniptheeats I’ve been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to represent health food brands I love.

Along that journey, I came across quite a bit of products out there posing as “clean” but the ingredient list would suggest otherwise. So I wanted to create a space people could trust, where everything in the market is made with real ingredients, no exceptions.

So as I started my research on products I noticed that small, owner operated businesses for the most part are making the cleanest products out there right now. But because these businesses are keeping things real instead of sacrificing quality over cost and profit, it becomes more of a challenge for them to get their products into big box retail.

This really inspired me to create a NW Bulk Market, which is really just a culmination of everything I’ve always wanted in a grocery store. A place where you can shop food, beauty and household items that are more than wellness buzzwords, but ALL REAL, while also supporting small businesses and being as environmentally conscious as possible.

W h at’s yo u r favorite part ab ou t having your own busine ss?

My favorite part of owning my own business is working towards something I am truly passionate about. Seeing what I envisioned and worked so hard on, come to life and having people subscribe to it, is really powerful.

H ow d i f f i c ult was gettin g every thing up and running?

It was a bit of a challenge to get everything up and running. We were trying to create something outside of the usual ecommerce template. We got there but it look a bit of development.

Wh e re d o yo u see th is goin g in the f uture ?

We at NW Bulk Market see a bright future, and one that continues to promote small businesses and the amazing products they work so hard to create. First and foremost we want to continue to grow the amount of businesses we have in the market. Long term, we envision deepening our small business support by sourcing wholesale ingredients at lower costs, maybe even an indoor brick and mortar farmer’s market.

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WHAT WE WEAR

TREEN I OUTFIT REPEATED FOR A WEEK MEET CHLOE ALYSSE VINTAGE LOOKBOOK

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tre en

A killer wardrobe without killing the planet.

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m e e t the founde r cat a nder son Treen came to life after founder, Cat Anderson, found it too hard to shop positive impact fashion easily in one place. Clothes she actually wanted to wear, pieces we tag to a wish list and share with friends on Instagram. Cat believed there was no reason why your personal style should be affected by the fact you care and started up the store last year as a vegan fashion retailer (both offline in their Edinburgh based store, and online shipping worldwide!) bringing positive impact brands to the conscious woman. With plenty more to come, this year hold some exciting new moves - including branching into menswear!

Q&A

A s a su sta i nab le company, w h at doe s transpare ncy m e an to you?

It’s everything! I feel it is so important to remain real with our customers. No hiding behind a clever marketing strategy or pretending something is special just to make a sale. We are about sharing genuine products and real content that resonates with those who shop, window shop and follow us. We are not only transparent about the brands that we stock but also our service.

Wa s i t d i f f i cult at first to on ly se ll ve gan produc ts?

Honestly, no. Maybe it helped that people use the words vegan or sustainable at least once at day at the time we launched, but I feel when a piece of product is just that good, that well-made and that positive, it’s not about it being ‘vegan’ anymore. It’s about how that item makes you feel when wearing it, and the good you feel you are doing. We are conscious about what vegan materials are on offer at treen. The materials used in any vegan item we stock is cruelty-free, PVC free and with a lower environmental impact. A few other cool vegan fabrics we stock include Cupro and Lotus Silk, look, fall and feel like silk but aren’t. Also, Ocean Down made from plastic collected from our oceans. This is the filling inside the puffer jacket we stock. To name a few.

W h at a re some favourite items o f yours or your be st se lle rs?

Oh, big question. Everything? Can I say that? Ok, top 5 - 1. Athena Mules, you will be blown away by how much these open up your wardrobe (30 wears? Try 100). 2. An Embassy Jacket - it’s a tough job working with the different styles hanging in the store daily, they are all wonderfully functional, well made, and timeless. 3. Ace Sneakers by Good News. 15/10 for comfort and style. We spotted Lucy Williams in hers the other day, style inspo right there. 4. Inga Jeans by Armed Angels, it doesn’t get much better than ethical denim. These, somehow, fit like a dream, hold you in, but aren’t too tight, and don’t stretch. I mean… 5. Anything from OhSevenDays. This brand amazingly sourced ‘old’ rolls of fabric that would normally be burned or end up in landfill and turn them into beautifully made, versatile garments. They work within super tight time frames and still produce outstanding work.

Best sellers - Paige Biker in black, Inga High Rise Skinny Jeans, Girlfriend Collective everything (seriously, these don’t hang around long), anything Embassy of Bricks and Logs, and OhSevenDays.

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treen

Our aim is to bring positive impact fashion to the conscious woman.

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Treen , 1 2. St Step hen Street , Ed inb urg h EH35A L shop treen.com ins ta g ram .com /shop tre e n_

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Th e r e is a n o p r ea ch po l i c y at t r e e n a n d our d oor s a r e o p e n to any one a n d e ve r yo n e.

We at t r e e n b el i e ve , i f g ive n a c h o i c e, p e o ple wan t t o m a k e a p o s i ti ve on e . T r e e n i s h e r e to m ake t ha t c ho i c e ea si er.Â

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We li k e to k eep things i n ter esti n g by cr eating ou r ow n i m agery, sha r i n g gen u i n e content ou r cu stom er a ctually w a n ts to r ea d and gen er a lly open i ng up tha t a ny on e ca n access bea u ti fu l, w i s h-list w or thy pr odu cts that are a lso kind.

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1 week. 16 pieces, 5 very different outfits A few months ago, I stumbled upon a video by Refinery29. In it, their fashion editor wore the same exact outfit for a month. Every morning while getting ready for work, the editor would find herself face-to-face with far too many options, or as she calls it, “option fatigue”. Like many of our closets, her wardrobe was large, causing dressing to be time-consuming and downright stressful. To cleanse her palette, the editor decided to turn her outfit game on its head. For 31 days, she wore the same combination of jeans, cardigan, and loafers in the hopes of putting more creative energy into her job and saving some extra minutes during the morning rush.

But much to her surprise, the 31-day challenge did not lead to a renewed sense of style—or a smaller credit card balance. In fact, she finished the month feeling creatively drained and, to cope, ended up making more impulse buys than she would normally.

After watching, I started to wonder whether I could do what the editor did? Given the choice, would I really want to wear the same outfit over and over again? As much as I preach the gospel of sustainability, my honest answer is no, not really.

We live in a kind of fashion paradox right now. On one side, people are Kondo-ing and capsuling. Valuing quality over quantity, this environment offers pretty widespread acceptance of wearing garments or outfits multiple times.

However, on the other side of the spectrum, the atmosphere is quite the opposite. On this side, social media and our digital lives have created a situation where “wearing an outfit more than once is seen as a fashion crime” So here we are, like so many things, stuck between two poles. But the reality of fashion today is that the answers don’t need to be so stark. Just because you can’t see yourself committing to wearing the same outfit for 31 days doesn’t mean you can’t take a note from the same book.

My own experience with outfit repeating happened almost accidentally.

The winter weather had me waking up late without time to peruse my closet. And repeat takeout orders from my favorite Asian place began to compete with the waists of my jeans. Every day, I’d stand there starring at my clothes with no idea of what to do. Too often, I’d go to work in something I didn’t really feel comfortable in and just sit there, counting down the hours until I could go home and change. After work, I found myself in stores looking for something to make me feel better about my style. And more often than not, I’d leave empty-handed. After all, I realized, just like the Refinery29 editor, I didn’t need more clothes—I needed a fashion reboot.

After some reflection, I gathered up the pieces in my wardrobe that still fit well and made me feel stylish. This was the most critical part of my process; if I didn’t have the best ingredients, this cake was gonna suck.

Wanting to play each day by ear, I mentally bookmarked my favorite pieces and then set out to create my first look of the week.

Contributing Writer: Alexis Powell | i dressed_to_sustain 42

MONDAY I started Monday’s outfit with a silky Free People skirt I had recently had tailored. The green/gold sheen is one of my favorite colors and adds immediate elegance to any outfit. With temperatures still below 40 degrees, I put on some very necessary tights and a long, flowing black sweater. Finishing the look was none other than my trusty Everlane boss boots—thank you, Poshmark—and a necklace from GLDN.

TUESDAY But unlike the video, on Tuesday, I would not be repeating this whole look again. Instead, that morning, I grabbed for the same sweater as the day before, throwing it over a cropped polka dot t-shirt, some Current Elliot jeans, and Everlane heels. Instantly, a whole new outfit was born!

Even though Monday was heavy in boho vibes, Tuesday was a 360, leaving me looking like a proper young professional.

WEDNESDAY Wednesday, the preppy vibes were still going strong so I put on the same jeans, a vintage Talbots blazer, basic long-sleeved shirt, western-style belt, and my thrifted Vans. Put it all together and I had a perfect business casual getup.

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THURSDAY Okay, Thursday, I think it’s clear I hit a wall. I woke up late (hence, the puffy eyes). In fact, I was about to bag the whole challenge. But after looking my closet over a few times, I decided on my Vans again, the same belt, some formal slacks, a graphic t-shirt, and my denim jacket. It’s probably my least favorite look of the week, but that’s what you get for waking up at 8am on a workday.

FRIDAY Friday. Payday. TGIF. Needless to say, I woke up on time and with refreshed enthusiasm. I threw on a thrifted t-shirt and sassy pleather jacket, finishing the look off with my boss boots and go-to belt.

There you have it: One week. 16 pieces. Five very different outfits.

So, what did I get from this little experiment? Firstly, cycling the same clothes throughout the week reminded me of the styles and pieces I feel most comfortable in. Although my style is pretty well solidified, this experiment did reaffirm what kinds of styles are worth an investment down the road and which have fallen to the wayside (aka the back of my closet).

I also found myself spending less time in the morning trying to figure out what combinations paired well together.

Knowing I had to layover at least one article from outfit to outfit eliminated some indecision from the process of getting dressed. Now, if only I could apply that approach to what I want for dinner...

Finally, and most importantly, working with a reduced wardrobe showed just how far each item can go during the course of a week. You don’t need an enormous closet to put together unique outfits every day. A few of the right pieces can make your wardrobe feel even more substantial than many items you don’t feel a lot of attachment to.

That, and you won’t have to do as much laundry.

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f ind the magic i n the mundan e

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m e e t chloe aly s se Fashion is something I’ve been interested in since I was a little girl because of the important women in my life: My mother and grandmother. Their love for style has always influenced me and allowed me to think of getting dressed as a creative endeavor. In college, I loved living with roommates, thrifting together, sharing clothes, and constantly coming up with new outfit combinations. Clothing holds some of my most cherished memories: The dress I wore the day I got engaged, an embroidered top I thrifted on a trip with my best friend, the coat my grandmother handpicked for me. I’m very sentimental and enjoy being reminded of all of these moments when I’m putting together an outfit.

- Chloe Alysse

Q&A

i chloea l yss e

D e sc ri b e yo ur sty le!

My style is both quirky and classic. I love taking an outfit I’ve worn a million times and adding a funky thrifted piece or finding a vintage photo and trying to recreate the outfit with modern pieces. I love a very simple Audrey Hepburn or Jackie O inspired look one day, and the next I might be wearing something totally out there! Even though I know what I like and what I feel comfortable in, I always like to be playful and experiment! I think there’s something wrong if I look back on my outfits from the last few months and love every single look! I want to be constantly growing and changing, but that doesn’t mean I need a brand new wardrobe every year.

W h e re d o yo u sh op ?

I have always enjoyed thrifting most of all! I love the idea of finding a one-of-a-kind piece or a piece that needs a new owner and an opportunity for another life! Other than that, I love Tradlands for tops and sweaters, Nisolo for shoes, Madewell for jeans, and Boody for basics! Once I know I love a brand, I’m very loyal!

D o yo u h ave any sty lin g tip s?

Find what works for YOUR body type, not the trends that will come and go. High-waisted jeans are “in” right now, but I’ll never stop wearing them because they make me proud to have my curves. There are certain styles that get trendy but don’t make me feel confident about my body, and I avoid that at all costs. Feeling good is so much more important than looking a certain way. Another tip is to take daily outfit photos! You don’t have to share them online, but taking photos has helped me learn about my style more than anything else. If an outfit is difficult to photograph, there’s probably a reason I don’t feel totally myself in it. If it’s easy to snap a quick shot, there’s something that I can learn from for next time!

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sustainable pieces

Tribe Alive Dress

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sustainable pieces

Cotton Babaa sweater

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sustainable pieces

Leze the label blazer

Brass Clothing blouse

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sustainable pieces Thrifted

Thrifted

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sustainable pieces

Tradlands jacket

Basis Dress

Beara Beara Purse

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vi n ta g e l oo kb o o k 52

This time of year is crazy when it comes to shopping and spending; you’re probably on the hunt for Christmas gifts for your loved ones (or even purchasing some things for yourself). However, you don’t always have to buy the next big new thing, and you may be surprised that some of the latest trends are in your local thrift store or second hand shop. In the second installment of my Vintage Lookbook Spotlight series, I’ll show you my finds from Goodwill and how they can be styled to go with current fashion trends or classic pieces that you will always need in your closet. Be sure to look for my best thrifting tips in bold and keep them in mind next time you’re on the hunt!

Goodwill has been a huge part of my life ever since I can remember. My grandma used to work at one and when I would visit her in Kansas, we would hit up the local Goodwill and raid every garage sale we could find. This always sounded fun until I realized she wanted to get up at 6 AM to find some good deals, but looking back on it, I appreciate that she instilled a love of thrifting in me at a young age. I tend to always go to the Goodwill in Fountain Square because I always find gems there! I’d say my number one tip when it comes to thrifting is figure out what kinds of people live in the area near the store and if you like the looks you see those people wearing, try the store out! These stores usually take donations so you could find something you like or give things you’re just not into anymore!

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PIECE #1: MIDI SKIRT I am definitely for it since I feel that they are tall girl friendly and can be styled with so many different pieces. When your legs are 75% of your body, it can be difficult to find a skirt that doesn’t make you look like you’d rather be at the club. I found this skirt near the end of my Goodwill trip and was shocked to see that it was from Forever21, a brand I regularly shop from in store. This goes to show that you can find current stylish pieces in these kinds of thrift stores and save way more money! I will say that I found out the skirt has a small hole in the seam so my number two tip would be to check the item over a few times for holes, staining, or any other issues that might be a surprise to you when you take it home or if you’re not trying it on. One of my bad habits is not trying clothes on because I’m lazy so don’t be me! Try on and inspect!

PIECE #2: ELEGANT TURTLENECK I originally had grabbed it because I gravitate toward “the groutfit” look and my entire closet is grey but second guessed it because I didn’t know if I really needed just a basic turtleneck sweater. I’m so glad I gave this a chance because the SLEEVES y’all!! They have these little slits on the side which gives the top that much more character instead of just being basic and makes it a little more elegant. Turtlenecks like these are easily paired with something like the above midi skirt, black jeans, or even slacks for an easy but put together look for work. My number three tip is take your time! When thrifting, it’s best to allot an hour or two to really scour the store and make sure you haven’t missed anything that you’d love to have in your closet.

PIECE #3: CLASSIC CARDIGAN I’ve been on the hunt for a cardigan in this color to add to my wardrobe because it fits with my standard color scheme: mustard yellow, olive green, and oxblood maroon. I seem to always love pieces in these colors so I’m so excited that I finally got a cardigan in the one color I’ve been missing. Cardigans are perfect for any time of year: in the autumn and winter they can be layered over a sweater with some cute jeans or leggings and in the spring and summer they can be perfect to throw on during chilly mornings or when you’re on a rooftop bar enjoying a fruity cocktail.

My number four tip is to always be on the lookout for pieces that you can use in any weather and season. This keeps your closet versatile and cuts down on the cost of buying more clothing to fill that void.

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PIECE #4: CUTE DRESS My favorite color is yellow, but I always have trouble finding the perfect shade that fits my skin tone and doesn’t clash with my blonde hair. This dress called out to me mostly because IT HAS POCKETS! I also love the length, because it feels a little more modest and covered up (not that the opposite is a bad thing, it’s just when you’re 5’8” your legs don’t need more attention). I kept trying to find ways to justify this dress, I wasn’t completely sold on it. But then I used my number five tip and pulled up Pinterest to find inspiration! This is one of my favorite things to do before, during, and after thrifting because it helps you keep a curated list of things you want in mind when you’re shopping. It also helps avoid buying unnecessary pieces, [which] may end up being donated by you a month later when you’re cleaning out your closet.

PIECE #5: KHAKI PANTS These pants were definitely out of my comfort zone. I hardly ever buy pants of any kind, at a thrift store or fast fashion places. They never fit and I never have the motivation to try them on so I just stick to fun leggings, cute skirts, or dresses that are just an excuse to not have to match two separate pieces. However, I decided to use my number six tip and to step out of my comfort zone and head over to the pants section of Goodwill and try it out. I was surprised to find brands like Levi’s and current trends like the bell bottoms that are making a comeback. I didn’t try these pants on but I’m so glad they fit! I am excited to style these since they will be more of a challenge because I’m not used to styling jeans but I love the color and I think they will be great this holiday season.

My name is Hayley and I write and create content as City of Shay. My blog and Instagram revolve around lifestyle, local culture, and affordablility content! If you are a young 20-something in Indy looking to save money and be financially responsible, but also have some fun and live a little, look no further! Check out cityofshay.com and @cityofshay on Instagram!

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BEING IN GOOD HEALTH

WHAT IS THE ENNEAGRAM FUN DRINKS TO TRY

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what is th e enneagram “I’m a type two!”

“Wow, it’s so obvious you’re a nine now that you’ve said it; I don’t know how I didn’t guess that.”

“Originally I thought I was a type four, but it turns out I’m actually a six. Who knew?”

Comments and discussions like those above are becoming more and more common both in real life and social media. These numbers and “types” are referring to the nine personality types that come as a result of taking the enneagram test. Every person is one core type, although they may show traits of other types as well. People of the same type are characterized by specific traits and commonalities, but, as pointed out by Eclectic Energies, can be extremely different. The website also makes the point that a healthy version of one type looks extremely different from an unhealthy version of the same type.

The nine types are as follows (and these are the names used by the Enneagram Institute):

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

The Reformer The Rational, Idealistic Type: Principled, Purposeful, Self-Controlled, and Perfectionistic

The Helper The Caring, Interpersonal Type: Demonstrative, Generous, People-Pleasing, and Possessive

The Achiever The Success-Oriented, Pragmatic Type: Adaptive, Excelling, Driven, and Image-Conscious

The Individualist The Sensitive, Withdrawn Type: Expressive, Dramatic, Self-Absorbed, and Temperamental

The Investigator The Intense, Cerebral Type: Perceptive, Innovative, Secretive, and Isolated

The Loyalist The Committed, Security-Oriented Type: Engaging, Responsible, Anxious, and Suspicious

The Enthusiast The Busy, Fun-Loving Type: Spontaneous, Versatile, Distractible, and Scattered

The Challenger The Powerful, Dominating Type: Self-Confident, Decisive, Willful, and Confrontational

The Peacemaker The Easygoing, Self-Effacing Type: Receptive, Reassuring, Agreeable, and Complacent 57

It is believed that your type develops during childhood, however, genetics do play a role as well, according to the Enneagram Institute. This site is a site similar to Eclectic Energies, and has information on what the enneagram is, the different types, what it can mean when relating to others, sexual influences, etc. They also make the point that not all characteristics of your type will apply to you, but also you do not change from one core type to another. You may show traits of another type or may have been mistyped, but your actual type does not change.

So cool, you know what the enneagram is and you’ve taken a test. What does this all mean, though?

The Enneagram serves as a unique way to understand ourselves and others. We are able to narrow down what we truly value, what motivates us, explain to others what we need and what is encouraging, and we are able to understand the same things about others. It can help as a way to be a more effective communicator, as well as relationship-builder. We can see what unconscious forces may guide us in decision making, and we can even try and distant ourselves from those motivators if they’re unhealthy or going against current needs.

Also, if you’re showing signs of being on the more toxic side of your type, you can make the appropriate changes in your behavior and mindset to try and be in a more productive place. For example, a close friend of mine thought she was a type two. However, after a discussion and some reading online, she came to the conclusion she had been mistyped and was actually a type four. When type fours find themselves in codependent situations or are experiencing emotional unrest, they begin to resemble a version of a type two. However, by finding out her true type she has been able to reevaluate her current relationships and behavior patterns and make the appropriate changes.

Honestly, the Enneagram can also be a lot of fun just to explore and follow. There are numerous tests, websites, and even social media influencers where you can learn more about the Enneagram itself and what it may mean in your life. There are also more and more accounts on Instagram being created that are all about the Enneagram and even have art dedicated to it. Some of my favorites are: • @Enneagramashton • @chalkandleaves • @enneagramandcoffee • @enneagrammemes

I encourage you to learn more and even t a k e t h e t e s t y o u r s e l f ! Yo u n e v e r k n o w what you might learn about yourself, and m ay b e y o u’ l l f i n a l l y h av e s o m e a n s w e r s t o your own questions about yourself and your p e r s o n a l i t y.

sources • https://globalleadershipfoundation.com/deepening-understanding/enneagram/ • https://www.eclecticenergies.com/enneagram/introduction • https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/how-the-enneagram-system-works

Contributing Writer: Nicole Coppage 58

f u n drink s to try If you’re 21+, here are a few easy drinks to make at home.

SAGE & CITRUS ZING INGREDIENTS • 1.5 oz of Hard Truth Distilling Co. Gin • 3 oz of tonic water • 1 slice of blood orange • 1 sage leaf • 1 slice of grape fruit

DIRECTIONS 1. Peel the grape fruit and the blood orange. Slice a 1/4 an inch slice from each citrus and then cut each into eights. Once done, set in the bottom of your glass.

2. Cut a 1 1/4 inch slice of each fruit and cut the slice into eight pieces.

3. Take a spoon and mash the sage and citrus together until it is well mixed.

4. Add the gin and the tonic water. Mix until the drink has a slightly red hue and everything is well blended.

5. If you want the drink to be nonalcoholic, simply forget the gin and enjoy!

SHIMMERY 75 INGREDIENTS • 2 oz. Hard Truth Distilling Co. Gin • 3/4 oz. simple syrup • 3/4 oz. lemon juice • Your favorite champagne

DIRECTIONS 1. Mix gin, simple syrup, and lemon juice in a shaker with ice.

2. Shake until the outside of the shaker is very cold to the touch.

3. Pour into a coupe glass and top it off with champagne and a spiral of lemon twist if you prefer. Stir in some glitter for a shimmery 75!

• Edible glitter

MUDSLIDE INGREDIENTS • 1 oz. Baileys Irish Cream • 1 oz. Kahlua

DIRECTIONS 1. Put all the ingredients in a blender.

2. Blend until a smooth consistency is achieved.

3. Pour into a chilled glass.

• 1 oz. vodka • 1 oz. cream • ice

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CRANMOSA INGREDIENTS • 2 parts sparkling wine • 1 part cranberry vodka

DIRECTIONS 1. Fill a champagne flute up about half way with vodka.

2. Add cranberry vodka and OJ.

• 1 part orange juice

BLUEBERRY MARGARITAS INGREDIENTS • 1 pint (2 cups) fresh blueberries • 3 ounces freshly-squeezed lime juice • 5 ounces blanco/silver tequila • 2 ounces of orange liqueur • ice

DIRECTIONS 1. Add blueberries and lime juice together in a blender and pulse until smooth.

2. Strain out the juice through a fine-mesh strainer into a cocktail shaker, discarding the berry pulp (Kudos if you compost it!).

3. Add the tequila and orange liqueur to the cocktail shaker, and stir to combine.

4. Fill the glasses with ice, then pour in the blueberry margarita mixture. Serve immediately.

ORANGE CRUSH INGREDIENTS • 1 ounce of tequila • 1 ounce Aperol • 1/2 ounce orange liqueur

DIRECTIONS 1. Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Cap and shake until well-chilled.

2. Strain into a short tumbler filled with ice.

• 1/2 ounce fresh orange juice • 1 ounce fresh lime juice • 2 dashes orange bitters

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it’s

WHERE WE GO

BARCELONA

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barc e lon a

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If you ever happen to be in Europe, there are tons of places I would advise you to visit. Through a considerable amount of small to medium-sized countries pressed together on a few million square metres, there are a lot of opportunities to travel fast and easy from a place like Norway to the coast of Italy. A place I always return to, since I have been there the first time around four years ago, is Spain. I would go so far as to call Spain a little Europe itself, no city is similar to another, and the Spanish culture is as versatile as a whole continent.

While I have been to around half a dozen Spanish cities by now, I have to admit that Barcelona is my favourite and a place I usually try to fit into my travel route every time.

Barcelona is a city that offers you basically everything. You got an old town and a vibrant city centre; you can go to the beach or hike up on the mountains, you get the nightlife and the cute little breakfast cafes. Altogether I have already spent over a month in Barcelona, and there are still so many places I got to see and things I want to do. I will try my best now to introduce you to the city, and its sights, food places and secret spots and I hope that you will want to visit it as much as I do year after year.

Little reminder: those are my own personal favourites and by no means the only or best places to visit.

- Hannah 64

PLACES Park Güell This park is not only a famous spot for tourists, but it is also a place for relaxation and lounging for citizens. The park, constructed by the famous artist Antonio Gaudi around one hundred years ago, is only a few stops with the metro and a little hike away from the city centre and provides the calmest atmosphere you might get in Barcelona. Some of the areas are only accessible with a ticket, but even without it, you get to explore quite a lot and have a beautiful view of the city.

Barceloneta Beach and the harbour The beach is beautiful 365 days a year; whether it is hot and you visit it for swimming or tanning, or you take a walk on a mild day, it is always worth the way. The beach is a popular place for running, but it also provides a little outdoor gym you can use for free. It is also a great place for food if you are able to pay a bit more (for the view). The harbour is close to the beach and also a great place to walk along, with a lot of cafes and restaurants and a shopping mall close by.

Park de la Ciutadella My favourite place to go this year was this park close to El Born. If you want to relax in nature but don’t want to make the way up to Park Güell, this is the perfect alternative. Popular among locals, this park provides you with meadows to sit on, a palace-like construction you can head up on, little cafes and a small lake where you can lend boats. My personal favourite place to do yoga, take a walk, journal or just sit and watch people.

Gothic Quarter and El Born Those two city areas located in the lower part of Barcelona are my recommendation to book accommodations in. Both quarters; basically just divided by a big street, are vibrant and versatile, in every street, you find cafes, restaurants and local stores and there are a lot of hidden gems to explore around almost every corner.

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PLACES Gracia Another part of the city, located in the upper part and close to Las Ramblas with an architecture that will leave you in awe. At least two of the famous Gaudi buildings are located in this quarter but also almost every other building looks like straight out of a movie. If you have some time on your hands, have your accommodation there or decide to walk back down from Park Güell, take some time to explore this area, and I promise you won’t be disappointed.

FOOD Flax and Kale This franchise has a few stores in Barcelona and was constituted by the vegetarian Chef Teresa Carles and are flexitarian health-focused restaurants, with each dish having its own little unique twist. My example: A vegan bacon and cheese bagel with coconut-based bacon, the typical Catalan tomato salsa and vegan ricotta crème.

The cream For plant-based food lovers like me, this was heaven: A little café and ice cream shop with vegan soft serve variations, bubble waffles and various cake creations. Located in the heart of El Born and the best thing about it: It is open until midnight.

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Cookies demaise Next to “The cream� you can find this bakery that sells mostly cinnamon rolls in all different designs, but also cookies, cakes and hot drinks. Here as well you usually find at least one vegan option, I can highly recommend the vegan cinnamon rolls and their cute merchandise!

Takumi If you ever find yourself craving a good, warm soup, this is the place to go.

Takumi already has a few stores in other countries, in Germany where I come from, people wait in line, sometimes for hours, to get a spot inside and try their famous Ramen soup. In Barcelona, it still seems to be an insider tip, as you most likely get a place without waiting. Highly recommend!

Tapas When talking about Spain we can of course not neglect the famous tapas; you get in almost every cafĂŠ, bar or restaurant. Tapas is a little portion of a certain dish people usually order several of them to share or just one or two to keep them satiated. While tapas are often not plant-based, a lot of restaurants serve some vegan options like hummus with bread, the popular Catalan tomato bread or patatas bravas without the aioli on top. Must-try in Barcelona!

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RECOMMENDATIONS AND SECRET GEMS Post office gothic quarter This franchise has a few stores in Barcelona and was constituted by the vegetarian Chef Teresa Carles and are flexitarian health-focused restaurants, with each dish having its own little unique twist. My example: A vegan bacon and cheese bagel with coconut-based bacon, the typical Catalan tomato salsa and vegan ricotta crème.

Vintage stores and cafes around the place de la Universidad Areas around universities in Europe are usually always worth a visit, mostly for their alternative stores, cafes and people. The place de la Universidad is closely located to Las Ramblas and around it, you will find a lot of vintage stores and healthy cafes.

Maremagnum on a Sunday Maremagnum is a shopping mall close to the harbour and reachable through a big wooden bridge. It is open on Sundays and includes a variety of shops but also restaurants directly at the water. I would recommend this place for all kinds of weathers and also for people who don’t want to spend money in shops. You can just sit at the water or have a drink in one of the bars; you won’t regret it!

Travel by train, Bus, or walk In my two weeks, I have spent this year in Barcelona; I only took the metro twice.

Other than that, I walked everywhere. You want to know why?

1. Even though the metro is cheap, almost every place is easily reachable by foot 2. When you decide to walk instead of taking the metro, you get to see a lot of hidden gems and beautiful architecture you might have missed otherwise 3. Less money for the metro means more ice cream!

In Spain, it is effortless, comfortable and fast to travel to other close cities by train.

Madrid, for instance, is not even three hours away from Barcelona, Valencia, about four hours and countless other small cities within an hour. If you are already there, you might want to try to see whether you want to visit other cities close by!

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Wa l k eve ryw h e re and do n’ t f o rg e t to look up

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it’s

REAL

COMPARISON HOW TO SUPPORT A LOVED ONE

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compar ison Billions and billions of people All with distinctive characteristics Struggling for a place to exist, to be heard, and to be loved The soul of a living being yearns for understanding For communication and acceptance It is what binds humanity together It keeps the world turning and the population growing So then why do we neglect Why do we rank Why do we restrain the powerful words that uplift And forbid the actions that unite It is only us all together So then love your neighbors and keep them close Like the moon needs the stars The body desperately needs comfort and intimacy in order to flourish

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how to support a l oved one Supporting a loved one who is struggling with an eating disorder and/or disordered eating isn’t always easy. It can be worrying over deciding what to say, if you should say something, pointing out behaviors, or knowing where and when you can help. The fact that you want to be there for your loved one is a great starting point, and those of us who are struggling know it isn’t an easy spot to be in. Here are three simple things you can do to offer support to a loved one who is struggling: 1. Offer to be their accountability partner when and if it’s needed. This may look like making sure they ate to their meal plan or skipped the gym if their providers have suggested exercise restriction. ED’s thrive on secrecy, so holding them accountable is both supportive and pushing their recovery!

2. Be a rock for them. Don’t be afraid to point out a lack of reason in ED-driven thoughts, eat with them on a day their challenging a “fear food,” or hang out with them as a distraction. Just letting them talk or vent, even if you don’t understand, can be a huge help.

3. Be conscious of how you talk about food, activity, and weight. We live in a culture that is engrossed in diet culture and bringing ourselves down. I’ve said comments myself along the lines of “wow, I’m so bad for eating this” or “I need to go workout now.” Comments like these can be extremely triggering and harmful to those in recovery. Plus, you don’t deserve to be a victim of diet culture, either!

Here are some other simple “do’s and don’ts” that you can keep in mind when trying to support a loved one.

• Do: Educate yourself on eating disorders, the stigmas and myths surrounding them, and what may be warning signs that a relapse or lapse is occurring.

• Don’t: Oversimplify the problem or ignore it. ED’s are serious psychiatric illnesses with biological effects, and you don’t want the problem to escalate too far.

• Do: Have a conversation with your friend on what they’re going through and how you can be of support to them.

• Don’t: Judge foods, discuss weight fluctuations, or preach about “fitness” even if it is reference to your life, not theirs.

• Do: Recommend that they seek professional help, whether that be a counselor, doctor, or dietitian.

• Don’t: Place shame on them. There is already so much stigma regarding ED’s that the last thing they need is for you to make them feel ashamed or guilty.

sources • Personal Experience • Theprojectheal.org • Nationaleatingdisorders.org

Contributing Writer: Nicole Coppage 72

thank

Let’s meet the team!

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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS HAYLEY •

I graduated almost a year ago with my Masters in Museum Studies from IUPUI. I currently work part time in an archive processing audio visual materials and doing basic data entry. I also blog and create content on social platforms as City of Shay, focusing on content relating to lifestyle, local culture, and affordablility that helps young 20-something’s in Indy live within their means but still allow them to have some fun.

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I love to read, especially classics, like Gone With the Wind or the Great Gatsby. I also love to cook, my boyfriend and I recently decided to try out being vegetarian and so we’ve had a lot of fun finding new recipes and substitutes for our meals.

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I love writing about sustainable fashion and thrifting finds. I decided not that long ago that I’m actually not a fashion blogger, however, I still do love fashion and being stylish. This change allowed me to create content more broadly and focus on one of my brand pillars, affordablility, that way I can still write about fashion like in my Vintage Lookbook Spotlights but stay on brand.

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I love that it’s strives to use the voices of people trying to make a change and impact that world for the better. I also love that Jen is local and Indy based since I want to focus on more local collaborations and partnerships. I’ve always loved to write and this is a great place to do so!

KHLOEE •

Currently on a gap semester between high school and college, working as a hostess and busser at a local restaurant

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Playing tennis, trying new restaurants with my friends, writing, thrifting, cooking and baking

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My favorite topic to write about is food in a way that is informative yet hopefully appeals to people that may have struggled with their relationship with food in the past like I did.

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I love everything it’s stands for and I knew that I could learn a lot from reading it’s while practicing my writing skills by making my own contributions. All of the articles in it’s are unique and contain a personal touch from the contributing writer which makes it a magazine that keeps you flipping through the (digital) pages

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NICOLE •

Double majoring in English literature and communications. I work part time as a housing services clerk.

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I’m an editor for my school’s literature magazine, I’m VP for our eating disorder awareness club, and I’m also incredibly involved with a student ministry on campus! I also love trying local restaurants and coffee shops, as well as exploring downtown Tampa.

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I enjoy writing personal stories, as well as pieces about self love and positivity.

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I enjoy editing, especially when it’s more personal content. I love for all that Jen and the magazine stands for.

SKYLAR •

I am a student at The Fashion Institute of Technology studying Fashion Business with a specialization in Product Development and I am minoring in Ethics and Sustainability. I am graduating in May 2020.

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I love to ski, hike, dance, cook, listen to podcasts (Almost 30 is my fav). I love to go on long walks, I love biking and I love to work out. I also am obsessed with Marvel, and am just now bingeing all the movies. (I know i’m late to the game)

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I love writing about low waste cooking and I also love writing about Slow Fashion and how we can make mama happy with what we are wearing!

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I love writing and I love connecting with people and this is such a fun way to do it!

NATALIA •

I am a recent college graduate! I just earned my bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a minor in Environmental Studies. I currently run my own website and Instagram page where I share my journey to living a non-toxic, lowimpact life. I hope to expand this into my community to help others transition into more non-toxic and low-impact lifestyles through one-on-one consulting.

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My interests include anything regarding human health, wellness, and our role in the environment. I love connecting seemingly unrelated ideas together to see the “bigger picture”. I love learning new things, reading, cooking, and investing in my relationships with friends and family.

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I am passionate about topics surrounding consumer behavior and products as they relate to health and sustainability. Consumers often don’t realize the very real influence they have over businesses and the marketplace. This includes things like conscious consumerism and spreading awareness of the negative effects (both on human health and the environment) of conventional consumer products.

In addition, I also love exploring the interconnections between sustainability, wellness, health, etc. The complexity of these topics never cease to amaze me!

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I was drawn to contribute because it seems like such a positive and creative space to connect with other like-minded people. I love content creation of all kinds and thought it would be a great learning experience to get involved! I read It’s and think it’s such a well-designed platform for connection and education.

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GABBY •

I’m a student at Wesleyan University & I run Honestly Gabby

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I am a collegiate student-athlete (field hockey) and I love cooking, yoga, reading, wellness, thrifting, and coffee!

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I love to write about food, mental health, sustainability, and injuries.

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I love the goal of it’s to spread both information and happiness in an accessible manner! I also love seeing the contributions from other writers in it’s :)

ALEXIS •

I’m a copywriter working in advertising for T.J.Maxx

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[I love] sustainability, the environment, fashion/personal style, social justice

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[My favorite topics to write about are] fashion sustainability—thrifting, sharing economy, consumerism, accessibility, buying local, women/minority-owned businesses, size inclusivity

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I love grassroots initiatives and coming together with people who have similar interests & motivations

LAUREN •

A University of Rhode Island Marketing student working as a freelance Personal Assistant and Digital Marketing Intern

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Lover of animals, sustainability, and could spend hours in a grocery store

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Clean beauty, eating plant based, sustainable fashion, and conscious consumerism

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it’s is a growing community filled with like-minded individuals driven by a deeper purpose. I love that it’s a real and diverse place to share, connect, and empower others.

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MICAELA •

I’m an Environment, Resources and Sustainability student at the University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada, Part-time Freelance Environmental Writer

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I am an outdoor enthusiast who loves to rock climb, trail run, snowboard, cross country ski, swim, paddle board, canoe and hike. I also love to sing, draw, paint, bake and write poetry. Spending time with my family, friends and community is very important to me as well!

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My favourite topics to write are within the realms of sustainable fashion, gendering environmental politics and governance, complex systems thinking, sustainable development, eco-anxiety, sustainable agriculture, permaculture, environmental racism and zero waste lifestyles. I also love to write about the technical aspects of outdoor adventures as well as the more personal and emotional side related to people’s connection to nature and the outdoors.

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I want to contribute to it’s to bring forward a different perspective on important topics to a public and engaged audience. It’s Magazine is a place to share diverse thoughts and opinions on important topics and I want to be a part of that movement.

HANNAH •

I am a student, currently studying gender and diversity studies and working as a waitress :)

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My hobbies include travelling, writing, reading, going to the gym, baking and filling coloring books

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The last years I wrote a lot about my anxiety disorder, now it shifted a bit to mental health in general, travelling and sometimes fiction stories

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Honestly the effort Jen put into setting the magazine up and its design and content made me want to be a part of this project!

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LAUREN L. •

I am a grad student, English and French teacher, and aspiring social media manager in Toronto.

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I am interested in beauty, fashion, holistic living, health and wellness, and selfimprovement. I pick up new interests all the time, and some of my (old and new) hobbies include: making (and drinking) kombucha, developing my own skincare recipes and concoctions, and testing out different recipes.

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My favourite topics to read about are on sustainable living, and female success stories

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I have always been interested in writing and editing content. Discovering it’s has helped to make me feel connected to an online community of incredible women working to better themselves and the world. I absolutely love the message behind it’s, and am so thrilled to be a part of it!

HANNAH S. •

I’m currently an English and Social Studies teacher while I study to go back to school to get my master’s in public policy.

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I love to create; whether it’s baking, cooking, painting, or writing I always feel like I need to be doing something creative. When I’m not feeling the need to create or if I need some inspiration I always take to the outdoors. When the weather is nice you’ll find me hiking, camping, or hammocking.

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I mainly write about current events and sustainability. I want to educate people on how to become more sustainable as well as how to be civically minded especially during an election year.

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What drew me to It’s was its sustainability and forward-thinking mindset.

Ultimately, I love to teach and write so It’s provides me with the perfect outlet to be creative while educating others on how to be more sustainable and how to make their voices be heard in politics.

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CONTENT PLANNER LAUREN K. •

I am a full time student at Michigan State University majoring in Public Health Nutritional Science with a minor in Health Promotion. This summer I am beginning my masters at Grand Valley State University in Clinical Dietetics.

From there I hope to enter the field of nutritional therapy. I also work part-time at Starbucks, Ideal Wellness (a health clinic), and as a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA).

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I am on e-board for MSU’s Slow Food Club as PR. IT IS SO FUN. Other hobbies are being obsessed with Yelp - finding new restaurants and coffee shops is what I live for.

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I like the health portion of it’s the best. I like the news one too because I don’t think I always know what’s actually happening and because -it’s- is made by people like me its actually topics I are about.

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I’m not really sure how I got interested in it’s. I think it was more because Jen started it. ((I used to be in VIM (a fashion/lifestyle magazine at MSU and that was pretty fun) But I like how it has all the different topics that I care about and I want to be a part of something that is relatable to other people like me and have my voice heard!

COPY EDITOR MADELEINE •

I graduated in 2017 with a degree in Mass Communications and a double minor in Business Administration and Marketing. I currently work in Baltimore doing in house marketing and administrative work for a small business in the entertainment and tourism industry.

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My interests include cooking, baking, crafting (crochet, embroidery, sketching, journalism, graphic design), working out (running and biking), and spending time with my dog and boyfriend. I also recently bought a house, so I’ve been all about thrifting home decor items and working on DIY projects lately.

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I like writing about food (cooking and baking), sustainability, self-care, DIY projects, and cannabis.

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I feel that my morals and values align greatly with the mission that it’s magazine is trying to achieve. After checking out the magazine, I love the overall themes, aesthetics, and cultures that it’s magazine exhibits. I, myself, am working towards improving myself and working towards a more healthy and sustainable lifestyle, so I am so excited to be a part of this project.

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SOCIAL MEDIA DESIGNERS RAYANNE •

Recently graduated in Fashion Design and moved from Brazil to Sweden. Apart from trying to adapt and learning the language, I’m working as an intern in a secondhand store where I upcycle pieces that were to be discarded, fix vintage items and also do visual merchandising. I’m currently working on a portfolio for my master’s application and planning to study Sustainable Development this fall.

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I love art and its possibilities, I’m addicted to cheesy songs, I like being outdoors hiking in the woods on weekends, I spend most of my life travelling around the world and making friends on the way. I engage in so many hobbies it’s even hard to keep up, I’ve been pole dancing for over 2 years now, recently starting learning how to play ukulele, I also like reading and learning new skills whenever I can.

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I like minimal designs, a hint of color, a hint of abstract, but somehow poetic.

Doing more of these designs is something I’ve been promising myself but kept putting off, joining ‘It’s’ is more of a personal challenge to do more of something I like while contributing for something bigger that I am passionate about.

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I’ve always wanted to work in a magazine, even when I started college in 2015.

I used to take extra classes in editorial design just because I was curious about the process of bringing a magazine to life but then I kind of gave up on them when I realised magazines were disappearing and they also promoted too much consumerism. I am just so happy to be part of one now that it’s online based.

LAURA •

I graduated from the University of Delaware this past December and am currently a PR intern at Weber Shandwick NYC looking for a full time job (pls hire me :)))).

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I love to draw and write, am obsessed with baking, and almost always have some sort of baked good in my house!

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My favorite thing to write about is honestly just my life...I love to share my stories in the hopes of helping or relating to someone.

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I have recently gotten very into sustainability and am a huge advocate for mental health awareness and overall wellness. Contributing to it’s just seemed to make sense!

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want to join the team?

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, design experience, content planning, and the opportunity to connect with different brands and people.

We’re also on Patreon!

Find us at https://www.patreon.com/welcometoits! Contributing helps us support our team, gives you access to exclusive content, creates the opportunity to vote for future content, and more!

It would mean the world if you donated.

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I NEED THE PEOPLE IN MY LIFE TO KNOW THAT THEY ARE POWERFUL AND BRILLIANT. I WANT EVERYONE I LOVE TO FEEL FREE TO BE LOUD AND OPEN AND BIG. I WANT THEM TO TAKE UP SPACE. I WANT THEM TO KNOW THAT THEIR VOICES AND STORIES ARE IMPORTANT AND VALID. I WANT THEM TO BE HEARD. AND I WANT THEM TO BE SEEN. AND I WANT THEM TO BE FREE. 82