it's magazine | issue no. 3

it’s ISS UE NO.3 | TI ME FOR CHANGE | S EP TEMBE R 201 9

3

letter from the editor

4-12

it’s hannah

13-19

it’s important

20-28

it’s our home

29-35

it’s what we wear

36-48

it’s nourishing our bodies

49-57

it’s being in good health

58-63

it’s where we go

64-66

it’s real

67-69

thank you

table of contents

it’s been a FAST month.

As soon as issue 2 was released, I packed my suitcase and headed to Texas for some much needed R&R. I ate my heart out, met some new friends, then traveled back to start my junior year of college. it’s definitely took a backseat for a while...a few weeks actually. It was hard for me to focus on issue 3 when I had so many other things going on, especially mental health wise.

As the release date quickly approached, I found myself falling back in love with writing in-depth articles, interviewing interesting people, and taking time to design the spreads. However, the clock’s ticking and I’m already a bit late.

I wanted to do something different with issue 3 mainly because 1: I’m realizing I can’t spend as much time as I could in the summer working on it’s and 2: My vision changed a bit so it’s more of “our voices” situation rather than “my voice and sometimes someone else’s voice.”

This issue is shorter than the last, consider it a test run of my new vision. It’s a cute lil baby version, but filled with more of a variety of people compared to last. I could have easily pulled things out of my ass and exceeded the 100 page mark for this issue, but this is something that means something to me, so I’ll save that method for my college reports, essays, and papers. issue 3 is smaller but still full of quality content. I’m always nervous to set a standard when it comes to page length, articles, sections, etc. because I’m the type of person to lose sleep over not hitting those marks. But at the end of the day, it’s whatever I want it to be, and quality comes first. issue 3 was a fun challenge, considering I had a lot less time to work on it. Having the help of a few others with articles made the process a lot easier, so I’m planning to get a small team together for issue 4 to really bring it’s to its full potential. Expect a full as frick issue next time.

I hope you enjoy everything in this issue, since it’s now free for the world to see, I’d love it for you to share this with friends, families, and whoever else might enjoy it.

Happy reading!

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

it’s

H

annah

“This is a story about fears, running in circles and feeling hopeless. But it is also a story about family, friends, taking your life back into your own hands; reward, love and feeling hope,�

thing the anxiety

When you hear the term “anxiety disorder,” one thing might come to your mind: Having disordered anxieties. While the name describes quite accurately the main feature of “the problem,” it fails to address the various facets, reasons and outcomes an anxiety disorder can have. Depending on what source you look into, there are numerous different forms of anxiety disorders, starting with a generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social phobia or agoraphobia, the latter I can call my own.

The theoretical background might not be as exciting, nevertheless, if we look at the prevalence of anxiety disorders (which seems to affect around 33,7% of the German population), it might be useful to take a closer look at its various forms. Anxiety is something as natural as hunger, and we all know that it saved our ancestors at some time from being the dinner of wild animals. So, seeing it from that perspective, anxiety can be a positive, even helpful thing.

But for me, personally, it is not as I am obviously in no danger of being eaten by anyone or anything (yet). As this is no problem for me, my agoraphobia makes me scared of other things. That includes public transportation, unknown food, strangers, drunk strangers, small rooms, big cities, crowded places, doctors, school classes and a lot of other unsure, unforeseeable situations.

My anxieties are not realistic, sometimes not even nameable: “Why are you afraid of public transportation?”

“Because I cannot escape quickly.”

“Why is that a problem?”

“Because it scares me.”

“Why?” I can have this discussion with myself for hours and still only get a few steps closer to the initial problem. Sometimes, my anxiety does not have an actual reason, so we continue spinning in circles.

Now, even though a lot of people experience anxiety and some also irrational fears, if you never had this feeling, I will try to explain it to you as best as I can.

Having an uncontrollable fear can feel like drowning. It feels as if you cannot hold your head over the water, as if you dive into your own mind with no possibility of getting back up and swimming against the tide.

It can feel like getting kicked out of a plane. You suddenly lose the ground beneath your feet, and you tremble into a great, dark unknown. The people that look out of the plane have full sympathy for you, but no one managed to grab hold of you.

It can feel like someone takes over your mind. Sometimes you feel a fear creeping up in your stomach or at the back of your neck, but sometimes it just hits you right in the face, takes over your brain and lets your rational sense go blank.

An error happens inside your head, and all you can think about is what catastrophic things will happen if you do not immediately escape.

But it can also feel like being tired. The fear lays over you like a grey, cloudy blanket, taking away all fresh air, leaving you crumpled up on the ground with nothing but tiredness.

To continue my story and give you further insight to my agoraphobia; with 16 I unknowingly dealt with it for a few months already, and in my head and I thought that I was physically sick.

Almost every night, I felt symptoms like nausea and dizziness, my head wouldn’t be quiet, my thoughts were running in circles, and all I wanted was to escape myself.

I didn’t want to feel like I was getting sick, I didn’t want to feel like I would have to be rushed to the hospital so I wouldn’t die and I didn’t want to have these thoughts, that everything was falling into pieces, that it wouldn’t get any better, I would feel like this forever and my body and mind were my two greatest enemies.

This all happened in the night-time.

“ I didn’t want to feel like I was getting sick, I didn’t want to feel like I would have to be rushed to the hospital so I wouldn’t die and I didn’t want to have these thoughts, that everything was falling into pieces, that it wouldn’t get any better, I would feel like this forever and my body and mind were my two greatest enemies,” My daytime consisted of forcing myself to go to school and staying there without feeling totally exhausted; I had to talk to people and participate in lectures while the feeling of panic crept up again deep in my guts, I had to go to the bathroom several times to be able to breathe normally again. I cannot tell you how many times I skipped school for a few hours or a whole day.

One of my passions by that time was to go to concerts and festivals, but month by month it got less. There were too many people; it was loud, it got crowded and chaotic. I would have to share the train with hundreds of drunk people, and the way back home would be even worse. I avoided what I loved and even more things that I didn’t, like parties, school and family gatherings.

Not only I suffered under my condition, but my mum also had the worst time trying to deal with me, my mood swings, my sudden explosions and crying marathons. She didn’t know what was happening, but she had to deal with it, trying to make me feel better but still persuading me to continue living my life normally. I lost friends, I disappointed family members, and I even stopped dating someone who could not deal with me.

All in all I was quite fucked at that time.

Now, I don’t want this to be an all-whiny complaining-type of story (which I am really good at so let’s try to avoid it), primarily because in comparison to others I was still very fortunate.

My parents tried to support me as best as they could, my best friends didn’t let me down and held my hand when things got gross, and I was in that type of financial and social position, that I could go to therapy almost immediately after having a few weeks of living hell.

And this, ladies and gentlemen was the start of a rollercoaster that made me anxious to ride but was totally worth it in the end.

My therapist and I clicked like two magnets. Only later on I realised through talks with friends that this is not always the case, so I was extra lucky.

One of the things that stuck in my head from that time was that we always had something to laugh about, even when he explained me a theory, even when I talked about my latest panic attack. I always felt comfortable with him, but I did realise that there was some kind of glass wall I used with other people and sadly he was one of them. It took quite some time until I let all my guards down and now when I occasionally see him again for an appointment, I know that the wall is back.

I am a person that loves organisation, everything that can be packed into a list or summarised on sticky notes cannot be saved from me when I am in my element. One of the first things we did was putting all the fears I had into a hierarchy, ordering them by intensity of scaredness and potential panic level. A task so simple, yet so ground-breaking for me. Suddenly my anxieties were not just a giant, crumpled up mess inside my head but ordered into a list, including everything I can think of and sorted by how problematic they were for me. I had ordered my head, and suddenly it was way easier to work with it.

During those 18 months of therapy we made a habit out of referring back to the list with its intensity levels and comparing it to my current state. There was the fear “Driving in a bus”, ordered on place 5 with an intensity of 7. It was a relief and quite a satisfying feeling to push it down in the hierarchy on place 8 with an intensity of 3.

Everything under 3 was bearable. If my anxiety landed under a level of 3, it was not anxiety in that sense anymore; it was just an uncomfortable feeling. And I could deal with an uncomfortable feeling once in a while.

Slowly but steady, I introduced things back into my life.

I started taking the train to a city and going back on a bus.

I did both ways with the train.

I took it further and went to another city with another train.

I went to my classes and tried new things like going to the gym and going on longer vacations.

I also did a few things together with my therapist; we visited a hospital (Fear on place 2 with an intensity of 7) and spent time in an ambulance (intensity of 8) which was actually quite fun to do together.

Lastly, after all that time, my last mountain had to be conquered. I needed to fly.

Flying was in the first place in my list and received an intensity of 9 out of 10. But I was on a high, I felt like I could do anything, so no wonder I agreed when my mum offered to book a vacation just for myself in a host family on Malta, an island of which I haven’t heard of until then (shame on me because it is absolutely beautiful and more than worth to visit).

Only a few weeks later, I realised how risky that was. No one to rely on would be with me in the plane, no one I trusted was on that island, I had no possibility of coming back earlier.

And I was only 17. I wasn’t even a real adult yet.

That morning, a friend of my mum drove me to the airport.

I could not bear to see my mum shortly before leaving, and I was sure that I would back off, and she would let me. So, her friend drove, and we had a good time. One thing that really helped was that everybody around me told me that I did not have to do it if I really didn’t want to. But we all knew that I wanted to. I wanted to finish what I started; I wanted to feel good about achieving this very last point on my list.

While going to the airplane I was shaking and talking on the phone to my mum’s friend who ensured me that she would stay at least another 20 minutes at the airport after the plane departed. When I sat down and shut my phone off, I couldn’t help but cry. Out of fear but also out of relief. I did it and to actually go into the plane was the hardest part; that I knew.

Flying wasn’t even that bad. And with that attitude and some more shed tears I survived the next two and a half hours.

I don’t want to say that it was an easy ride and afterwards I felt totally exhausted and just wanted to be back home immediately. But there was still a week of Malta left for me.

Needless to say, it was hard. I cannot emphasise it enough, I was only 17, and it was the first time I was really, truly alone for that amount of time. The first 3 days I only went out when I had to and moved solely on safe terrain. In the morning I went to a language school to improve my English.

The walk there took 20 minutes and led me along the harbour which was my daily relaxation time. That early, there were only few people on the streets, it was quiet, and the heat of the afternoon was still far away. After the language school I searched for something to eat and had a little afternoon crying session in my room (I am not even joking, by that time of the day I was usually exhausted enough to be whiny about everything).

My mum, besides being a few thousand kilometres away, still managed to drag me out of the apartment for two trips to bigger cities that were easily reachable with public transportation. In retrospective, I am so grateful for that because I would have never done that by myself. Even though

she was not physically there, she was just a phone call away and once or twice, when I got lost in a city or anxious I just called her, described where I was, and she either led me to the next bus station or to a calm park to cool down.

On my last day I went out with a few others from my language school, and on that evening, I realised that I would miss being here. Besides crying every day, missing my family and being overwhelmed with the situation, I got to taste the sweetness of travelling, of getting out of the routine and how all those new and exciting situations actually helped me get better and go further.

And with that, my therapy ended. Expected but still suddenly, I was on my own again, nevertheless, this time I was equipped with all kinds of tricks and concepts to deal with my agoraphobia.

The next year I spent with enrolling into University, studying and making friends, refinding my passion for exercise and doing short travels. During that time, I managed my anxieties pretty well and didn’t even spend so much time thinking about it anymore.

Until I realised that what I was studying was a waste of time.

This realisation came to me after I failed math for the second time and during a lot of talks I had with my fellow students, where it got clear that my interests had a really different origin and way to go than theirs. I was not made for business and economics, I was interested in completely different things, and I wanted to write.

So, I took a big weight off my chest by ex-matriculating immediately, being left with 9 months to spare until I was able to start a new study course.

So what now?

I felt pushed into the unknown again. I was so fixed in my routine; going to the gym, attending uni classes, going out with friends, that this was quite a challenge for me again.

Until the end of the year, I worked in a restaurant to save up some money while searching for internships to fill the next semester.

I’m not the most spiritual person, mind you, but by that time I started believing in the law of attraction more and more. I was honest with myself and stopped studying a course I did not enjoy, and somehow, the universe rewarded me with being able to find internships and accommodations almost immediately.

The first one was in an organisation that helps female migrants in Germany; the second one was in an international student exchange organisation. I’m not gonna go into detail about those times as this would require a very own article.

“But I can summarise shortly what those 5 months gave me,”

"Passion," During that time I enjoyed waking up early and coming home late.

I spent so much time outside, walking and exploring that I am actually surprised; I managed to always be at work on time. I lived in two big cities, and there was always something to do, a place I haven’t seen yet, a restaurant I didn’t try yet.

"Self-awareness," I knew my internships would be hard. Not only because I never worked full-time but because I would be confronted with a lot of new, scary situations. Especially while working in the refugee organisation, I knew I had to take care of myself. I started journaling every morning and built up a routine with some stretching, a tea and a good book to start my day on the right note. It did not matter what happened the day before, my morning me-time meant starting over and leaving the past day behind.

I also started doing more yoga, and through being really transparent about my feelings in front of my colleagues and amazing discussions I had with other interns, I felt like I was developing into a person I could only have dreamed of a year ago. I felt like I was getting to be more and more ME.

"Hope," Those months were not always so pleasant as I previously described them. They were also hard and draining. I lived in new cities together with strangers, and had to try to build up a base of people I could trust, just to have to say goodbye again after around two months. I worked in new organisations with topics I had never touched or heard before and especially in my first job, I saw some really ugly truths about humanity.

I had to go over my personal limits a lot and take more than a few steps out of my comfort zone. I had days where I felt defeated, worthless, not good enough.But my time there still gave me hope. I was still developing, still becoming, not fully me and I could transform myself over and over. I was able to deal with things I never would have even thought about a year ago, and despite having a lot of support from my parents and friends, I realised that I was able to manage a lot of things on my own and actually be happy in my company. For someone like me, who saw their body as an enemy for quite a long time, that was an epiphany that changed my life for the better.

it’s

IMPORTANT

MEET THE CANDIDATES THE WORLD IS ON FIRE

ME E T TH E CANDI DATE S Need a refresher on who’s running for president in 2020? Here’s a list of the candidates, along with some basic information about their stances on political issues.

THERE ARE 20 DEMOCRATS AND 4 REPUBLICANS RUNNING Democrats: • • • • •

Michael Bennet Joe Biden Cory Booker Steve Bullock Pete Buttigieg

• • • • •

Julian Castro Bill de Blasio John Delaney Tulsi Gabbard Kamala Harris

• • • • •

Amy Klobuchar Wayne Messam Beto O’Rourke Tim Ryan Bernie Sanders

• • • • •

Joe Sestak Tom Steyer Elizabeth Warren Marianne Williamson Andrew Yang

•

Donald Trump

•

Joe Walsh

•

William (Bill) Weld

Republicans: •

Mark Sanford

As the election season officially begins, it’s important to learn more about the candidates you see all over social media and news sites. Here’s a little about each of them to get you familiar so you know who to research more about on your own time.

MICHAEL BENNET (D) | SENATOR FROM COLORADO He’s been in the U.S. Senate since 2009, before that he was superintendent of Denver Public Schools, and announced his presidency on CBS This Morning, after a prostate cancer diagnosis and surgery.

• • •

Increase infrastructure spending In favor of assault weapon ban Plans to reduce food waste by 75% by 2030

• • •

Wants to expand/fix debt-relief programs Doesn’t support Medicare For All Wants to keep troops deployed overseas

JOE BIDEN (D) | FORMER VICE PRESIDENT Having ran for president twice before, he is giving it one last shot. He is well-known for working along side Barack Obama, and appeals to the working class.

• • •

Wants stronger financial security for low-income workers Wants to eliminate private prisons Supports raising the federal minimum wage to $15/hour

• • •

Supports increasing teacher wages Supports taxing carbon emissions In favor of universal background checks

CORY BOOKER (D) | SENATOR FROM NEW JERSEY He’s known for being a gifted orator, and is often seen as running a campaign similar to Obama’s in 2008. He gained popularity online, when he was mayor of Newark, for answering a call to shovel an elderly man’s driveway.

• • • •

Pushes for criminal justice reform Wants to raise taxes on the wealthy Supports raising the federal minimum wage to $15/hour Wants to eliminate the electoral college

• • • •

In favor of universal background checks Expand/fix debt-relief programs Restore voting rights to those release from prison End new oil + gas leases on federal land

STEVE BULLOCK (D) | GOVERNOR OF MONTANA Coming from a red state, he is used to being challenged for his views as a Democrat. He uses this to his advantage, by gaining the support of Republicans for liberal priorities.

• •

In favor of assault weapons ban Supports raising the federal minimum wage to $15/hour

• •

Supports capital punishment in limited consequences Doesn’t support Medicare For All

PETE BUTTIGIEG (D) | MAYOR OF SOUTH BEND, IN As an openly gay millennial and war veteran, he is often seen as a leader for the next generation of Democrats. He has a strong social media presence, appealing to the younger audience.

• • •

Supports eliminating the electoral college Supports canceling some student debt Supports raising the federal minimum wage to $15/hour

• • •

Increase infrastructure spending Supports taxing carbon emissions In favor of universal background checks

JULIAN CASTRO (D) | FORMER SECRETARY OF HOUSING After serving as mayor of San Antonio, he served under Obama as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. He is also seen as the next big thing within Democrat politics.

• • • •

Supports raising the federal minimum wage to $15/hour Wants to eliminate private prisons Supports free college Wants to eliminate the electoral college

• • • •

Tax carbon emissions Increase infrastructure spending Increase taxes on the wealthy Supports universal free meals in schools

BILL DE BLASIO (D) | MAYOR OF NEW YORK CITY He is a big advocate for progressive issues and primarily focuses on the working class.

• • •

Supports paid sick leave Supports raising the federal minimum wage to $15/hour Supports free pre-k schooling

• • •

Supports Medicare For All Increase taxes on the wealthy Supports abolishing capital punishment

JOHN DELANEY (D) | U.S. REPRESENTATIVE OF MARYLAND He’s been aggressively running since 2017 and has already visited every county in Iowa. He focuses on bipartisanship, however he supports many liberal stances.

• • •

Pushing for criminal justice reform Supports universal healthcare Supports raising the federal minimum wage to $15/hour

• • •

Supports keeping the electoral college Supports taxing carbon emissions In favor of universal background checks

TULSI GABBARD (D) | CONGRESSWOMAN FROM HAWAII She’s an Iraq war veteran who is seen controversial, especially with her brief history of working for an anti-gay advocacy group.

She is known for her strong views on foreign policy.

• • • •

Supports raising the federal minimum wage to $15/hour Less war and overseas military conflict spending Supports free college Eliminate the electoral college

• • • •

Supports bringing the troops home Increase infrastructure spending In favor of universal background checks Supports ending capital punishiment

KAMALA HARRIS (D) | SENATOR FROM CALIFORNIA She’s known for her tough questioning towards Trump administration officials, which have gone viral online. She is a former district attorney and state attorney general.

• • • •

Expand/fix debt-relief programs Supports raising the federal minimum wage to $15/hour Increase teacher pay Supports eliminating the electoral college

• • • •

Supports taxing carbon emissions In favor of universal background checks Supports Medicare For All Doesn’t support additional wall funding

AMY KLOBUCHAR (D) | SENATOR FROM MINNESOTA She works to encourage Democrats to win back Midwestern voters, leading by example. She promotes bipartisanship, though she often leads left on issues.

• • •

Increase teacher pay Supports raising the federal minimum wage to $15/hour Supports nuclear power

• • •

Supports paying farmers for climate-friendly practices Brings attention to the opioid crisis Addresses cost of prescription drugs

WAYNE MESSAM (D) | MAYOR OF MIRAMAR, FLA Serving as his city’s first black mayor, he has a strong platform that targets education and gun control. He is the son of immigrants, which he hopes will work in his favor during his campaign.

• • •

Supports eliminating the electoral college Supports canceling some student debt Supports raising the federal minimum wage

• • •

Supports banning assault weapons Supports Medicare For All In favor of universal background checks

BETO O’ROURKE (D) | FORMER CONGRESSMAN FROM TEXAS After losing to Ted Cruz for the Senate seat, he received widespread recognition and support. He has a strong social media presence, using it to promote red-state liberalism.

• • • •

Supports raising the federal minimum wage to $15/hour Supports increasing teacher pay Supports felons voting rights while incarcerated Create a cap-and-trade program for carbon emissions

• • • •

Increase defense budget Increase infrastructure spending Supports bringing the troops home Supports universal background checks

TIM RYAN (D) | CONGRESSMAN FROM OHIO He considers himself to be a voice for the Midwestern blue-collar voters.

• • •

Supports paid sick leave Supports raising the federal minimum wage to $15/hour Supports free pre-k schooling

• • •

Supports Medicare For All Increase taxes on the wealthy Supports abolishing capital punishment

BERNIE SANDERS (D) | SENATOR FROM VERMONT He is a controversial figure, known for being aggressively progressive, and labels himself as a Democratic socialist. He is seen as a national progressive leader and was the runner up in the 2016 Democratic primary.

• • • •

Supports raising the federal minimum wage to $15/hour Pushing for criminal justice reform Supports raising the tax on the wealthy Supports free college

• • • •

Supports canceling all student debt Increase teacher pay Supports imposing government regulations for emissions Aggressively supports Medicare For All

JOE SESTAK (D) | FORMER CONGRESSMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA He’s a former Navy admiral and served under President Bill Clinton’s National Security Council staff. Having tried twice to make it into the Senate, he is now running for president.

• • •

Expand/fix debt-relief programs Raise corporate taxes, but lower than before 2017 Increase taxes on the wealthy

• • •

In favor of universal background checks Doesn’t support Medicare For All Supports wall funding if experts recommend it

TOM STEYER (D) | HEDGE FUND EXECUTIVE He is big environmental activist who has also spent millions to push for Donald Trump’s impeachment. He is known for being a voice for climate activism.

• • •

Supports ending new oil + gas leases on federal land Supports ending offshore drilling Supports paying farmers for climate-friendly practices

• • •

Supports universal background checks Doesn’t support Medicare For All Doesn’t support additional wall funding

ELIZABETH WARREN (D) | SENATOR FROM MASSACHUSETTS She’s know for her wide range of detailed plans, as well as being the first major Democratic candidate to enter the race. She gained recognition during the 2008 financial crisis when she created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

• • •

Supports universal child care Supports federal funds to build more houses Supports raising taxes on the wealthy

• • •

Supports free college Supports Medicare For All In favor of universal background checks

MARIANNA WILLIAMSON (D) | SELF-HELP AUTHOR She’s written more than a dozen self-help and spirituality books, and previously ran for Congress as an independent in 2014, but lost.

• • • •

Supports raising the federal minimum wage to $15/hour Supports free college Supports eliminating the electoral college Supports some limits on abortion

• • • •

Supports Medicare For All Increase infrastructure spending Increase the tax on the wealthy Supports universal background checks

ANDREW YANG (D) | ENTREPRENEUR He helped turn a small testing company in a multi-million dollar venture. His campaign focuses on the idea of a universal basic income, funded by the government.

• •

Doesn’t support free college Supports leaving the minimum wage up to the states

• •

Supports restoring voting rights after prison Supports taxing carbon emissions

MARK SANFORD (R) | FORMER GOVERNOR OF SOUTH CAROLINA He believes the Republican Party has lost their way and emphasizes the need to focus on our debt. He is openly running against Trump, who he supported in the 2016 election.

• •

Supports decreasing government spending to reduce national debt Supports private health care options

• • •

Supports funding for the wall Doesn’t have a strong platform for climate change Doesn’t support trade war with China

DONALD TRUMP (R) | U.S. PRESIDENT Throughout the years, he has changed political parties 5 times, but has returned to the Republican party. Before entering into politics, he was a businessman and a television personality. It’s hard to say what his stances are on most political issues, as they frequently change.

• • •

Supports funding for the wall Supports the use of fossil fuels Supports immigration reform policies

• • •

Supports capital punishment Hasn’t shown support for universal background checks Supports states to decide whether to legalize marijuana

JOE WALSH (R) | FORMER CONGRESSMAN FROM ILLINOIS He’s a member of the Tea Party and has served one term in the House. In the past election, he has shown his support for Trump, but no longer does. He currently works as a conservative talk radio host.

• •

Reduce national debt Doesn’t support Medicare For All

• •

Supports funding for the wall Doesn’t support trade war with China

BILL WELD (R) | FORMER GOVERNOR FROM MASSACHUSETTS He ran for vice president as a Libertarian in the 2016 election and considers himself to be a voice for mainstream conservatives and alienated moderates.

• •

Supports abortion rights Supports rejoining the Paris Agreement

• •

Doesn’t support Trump’s deportation policy Supports expanding Medicare options

FI R ST TI ME VOTE R? The 2020 election is currently gaining higher voter interest compared to previous elections, and it’s not even for another year. Democrats and Republicans both agree that this is a pivotal and important election.

• • •

Do your research. Decide what you want in candidate, who believes in the same things you do, and learn about their previous careers and leadership skills. Watch their interviews for consistency in answers. You want someone fit and qualified for the job.

Tune into the debates. During the presidential primary, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) plans to have 12 debates. Only candidates who meet the threshold for polling + grassroots fundraising can participate. This is when you can hear the candidate’s stances on political issues.

Remember, the Primary Election is just as important. This is when we determine the candidates who will represent each political party before the General Election.

YOUR VOTE MATTE RS .

Millennials are currently the largest group of first-time voters. In the 2008 election, 131 million votes were casted, and first-time voters accounted for more than 15 million of those votes.

• • •

High school + college students make up the largest group of first-time voters, however the U.S. Census shows eligible voters between the age of 18-20 are consistently the least likely to actually go out and vote.

Those between the ages of 18 and 24 make up 46 million eligible voters, compared to 39 million senior voters. This means the youth population has more influence.

Won’t be at home? You have options. In 27 states, they offer early voting. In all 50 states, you can vote absentee, but 20 states do require an excuse before hand. College students should check their home state and state where they attend school to clarify which address to use.

ARE YOU R E GI STE RE D TO VOTE? Depending on your state, you can register online or download the mail-in form. You can also register in person. Register to vote here.

For more information on changing your voter information, verifying your address, or finding out registration deadlines, check this website out.

Sources: https://bit.ly/2lUR4Rm https://to.pbs.org/2kBoLai https://bit.ly/2V04f02

https://to.pbs.org/2lRKmeG https://politi.co/2mhmK3p https://nyti.ms/2FPFuyw https://bit.ly/2kiCaUm

https://bit.ly/2kizxSt https://bit.ly/2mjJlwj https://bit.ly/2lWNTIw

TH E WOR L D I S ON F I R E Climate scientists have been warning us for years on the consequences of climate change, and we’re learning about them the hard way.

When the Amazon rainforest was discovered to be burning at a catastrophic rate, the sense of urgency unified the world.

It also shook people to their core.

However, wildfires in the Amazon aren’t uncommon, the rainforest is known as “fire-resistant” because of its natural moisture and humidity. While the dry seasons in Brazil help promote favorable conditions for these fires, these fires are still produced by humans.

Deforestation is believe to be the cause, as cattle ranching is the largest driver of deforestation in every Amazon country.

As for these favorable conditions for the wildfires, NASA released information that climate change has played a part in the intensity and frequency of the droughts. Brazil is just now at the beginning of what they call their “dry season,” so the fact that this record-breaking wildfire happened before the middle of their fire season is extremely alarming.

Climate scientists have noticed an increasing amount of wildfires with rising global temperatures in places like Australia, Chile, Western Europe, and Alaska.

In the United States, wildfires has increased in the last two decades, with an average of 72,400 wildfires clearing about 7 million acres of land each year. In 2015, the U.S. experience the largest wildfire season in history, which burned over 10 million acres of land.

The Environmental Protection Agency classifies wildfires as natural disasters, but that’s hardly the case. Only 10-15% of wildfires naturally occur. However, these naturally occurring wildfires are important in nature. These burn the dead or decaying matter to return nutrients back into the soil. They also work to disinfect disease-ridden plants and harmful insects from an ecosystem. There are even some trees, like

sequoias, that rely on fire for the seeds to open to grow.

So the problem are the man-made wildfires. According to National Geographic, wildfires consist of three ingredients: • Any flammable material surrounding the fire • Oxygen for a fire to burn • A spark hot enough to ignite it In the right conditions where heat and drought are common, anything can spark it, even the sun.

The health risks are obvious. The smoke contains toxic pollutants and they release large amounts of carbon dioxide that affects the global climate. Once the fire starts going, firefighters work fast to slow it down.

There are a few traditional methods used to put out the flames.

The first one is what you probably pictured in your head: the use of water and fire retardants.

The second is working in teams to clear the vegetation to contain the fire until it eventually runs out of fuel. This is known as a firebreak.

The last is known as controlled burning, or backfires. These controlled fires help remove undergrowth, brush, and litter from the forest to deprive it from fuel.

Along with fighting climate change, the main focus right now is to thin forests near heavily populated areas to limit the damage that could potentially be done.

According to the Fourth National Climate Assessment, the annual area burned in the Western U.S. is predicted to increase 2-6 times what it is currently. Wildfires are difficult to predict, since we are uncertain what the spark will be that sets them off. Though we often think they only exist in certain areas of the world, they can happen anywhere.

Wherever you go, avoid discarding cigarettes, matches, etc on the ground, never leave a fire unattended, follow ordinances when burning yard waste, just be aware.

Check this website out for what to do if you are caught in a wildfire.

As for reducing favorable conditions, read up on how to do your part in fighting climate change.

Sources: https://on.natgeo.com/2ADcBRE https://bit.ly/2Nz9VgD

https://bit.ly/2ZmY1ws https://rdcrss.org/2yxpcFA

https://bit.ly/2mhsLNx https://on.natgeo.com/2lRPJdQ

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OUR HOME

2 VOICES FOR CHANGE A GREENER MUSIC INDUSTRY EASY SHOWER + BATH SWAPS A THRIFTED HOME SUSTAINABLE ROOM DECOR

2 voic es for change Geevie and Sophia are twins that help promote low impact living as well as spreading plastic pollution awareness. They started their online shop, sustainyoself, to sell their sustainable and natural products to those who may not have access to these products where they currently live.

i sus ta i nyos e l f

H ow d i d yo u r guy ’s jou rn ey w ith sustainability start?

I li ke to th i n k tha t w e’ve a lw ays been env ir o nm ent a l l y c o ns c io us . We ha v e a l m o s t a lw ay s r ec ycled, us e d reu sa ble ba gs a t the sto r e, a nd c o m p o s t ed , b ut it w a s n’ t unt il o ur f r es h me n y ear o f c o llege tha t w e tru ly u nderstoo d w ha t s us t a ina b il it y m ea nt a nd ho w t o r ea l l y i mplem e n t i t into ou r lives. We ca me a c r o s s a v id eo o nl ine o f a gr o c er y s t o r e t ha t w a s c o m pletely “zero w a ste” a nd pla stic- fr ee; a s t o r e w her e y o u w o ul d f il l y o ur c o nt a iner s wi th b ulk pr odu cts a nd only pay for t he c o nt ent s . We t ho ught t he c o nc ep t w a s genius a n d i ns pi r ed us to redu ce the tra sh w e w e r e p r o d uc ing in o ur d a il y l iv es . We w er e l iv ing i n S av an n ah , Georgia a t the time w here r ec y c l ing p r o gr a m s w er e c l o s e t o no n-ex is t ent . O u r s ch o o l di dn’t even recycle, mu ch less c o m p o s t . We s t a r t ed s eeing a l l t he t r a s h ev er y w h e re we we n t: li ttering the streets, overflowing in ga r b a ge c a ns , ev en p r e-t r a s h l ik e s ingl e - u s e plas ti cs at r esta u ra nts a nd coffee sho p s . This t r a s h ha d a l w ay s b een t her e, b ut w e’d n e v e r r eally n o ti c ed it or pa id it mu ch a ttent io n. I t w a s w hen w e d is c o v er ed t ha t t her e w a s a wh o le mo v em ent dedica ted to redu cin g p er s o na l t r a s h t ha t w e r ea l iz ed t he im p a c t s ga rb a g e a nd po lluti o n ha ve on the pla net.

Q&A

H ow d o yo u stay positive w hen c limate c hange news is always so ne gative ?

I t c an b e r eally difficu lt to stay posit iv e c o ns id er ing a l l t he nega t iv e env ir o nm ent a l n e w s o ut th er e an d the never ending w a rnings a b o ut c l im a t e c ha nge, l o s s o f b io d iv er s it y, o ce a n po lluti o n , etc. Admittedly, I go ba ck a nd f o r t h w it h my o p t im is m f o r t he f ut ur e, b ut I kn o w I ’m do ing everything in my pow er t o l iv e a l o w -im p a c t l if e, a nd I w o r k ev er y day t o s pr e ad awar eness throu gh socia l media . I l ik e t o d o r es ea r c h o n p o s it iv e env ir o nm en t a l ac co m pli s h ments orga niza tions ha ve a c hiev ed , l ik e b r inging b a c k p a nd a s f r o m nea r e xti n cti o n , ma ss- bea ch clea nu ps in Ind ia , Tha il a nd p l a nt ing m il l io ns o f t r ees , et c . I t h i n k i t’s r e ally i m porta nt to focu s on the p r o gr es s a nd r em em b er t ha t t her e a r e p eo p l e o ut t h e re r eally maki ng a difference.

Als o , r ec ei v i ng messa ges from people w ho c l a im t ha t w e ins p ir ed t hem t o m a k e c ha n g e s i n t h ei r pe r s o n a l lives for the environm ent r ea l l y up l if t s us a nd m o t iv a t es us t o k eep go i n g i n ac ti v i s m f o r the environment.

SUSTAINYOSELF SHOP “We never expected to have an online store, much less start a small business ever. Even when we started our Instagram, selling products was never our intention. It wasn’t until a follower sent us a message asking to buy our DIY body care creations that we considered it. We realized that not everyone has the resources, time, or ability to make their own natural, zero-waste products at home, so selling our products just made sense.

Our business keeps growing every day. We are so appreciative to everyone whose supported us through this journey and we also thankful to be able to provide natural, safe, and sustainable products to people who want to live a more sustainable lifestyle. We currently wholesale to a local zero-waste store here in Minneapolis called Tare Market, an online shop called Zero Waste Store, and another shop called Wildfire in Duncanville, Pennsylvania. We’re also in the process of working with a handful of other wholesalers, and are optimistic for the future as we expand and grow,”

Deodorant | $14 Specifically for sensitive skin, you can purchase their grapefruit & bergamot scent or their unscented version in 2.0 oz size or 4.0 oz size. Here are some highlights: • • • •

Made without baking soda Uses organic ingredients and is zero-waste Jar is meant to be repurposed Labels are made from 100% post-consumer waste

Lip Balm | $10, $12 Their lip balms use beeswax, consciously purchased to support sustainable and ethical bee farming that focuses on the growth of bee populations in urban landscapes. You can purchase their original formula, try it out in peppermint, or go for their tinted version.

• • •

Uses local beeswax Tubes are 100% biodegradable, so they can be composted Can be used on your hands and feet as well

Detox Face Mask | $22 Specifically for oil/acne prone skin, this will make about 25-30 masks, making each one less than a dollar. It also serves as an armpit detox when transitioning to natural deodorant.

It’s a powder so you can choose the liquid (aloe vera, toner, etc) to better fit your skins needs.

• • •

Can work as a face scrub as well Has a shelf life of 2+ years Powder keeps it in its pure form, without the need for preservatives

Lotion Bar | $16 Lasting longer than liquid lotions, this is also perfect for traveling. It’s made with only three ingredients and will help soothe dry skin. It comes in the original scent as well as a lavender scent.

• • •

Uses local beeswax Comes in a 100% steel container, which can be repurposed to hold shampoo bars Easy to use, just warm it up in your hands

EVEN MORE COOL STUFF

They make everything sustainably in small batches All of their products are biodegradable They come in recyclable, reusable or compostable packaging Ship plastic-free Locally source their ingredients when they can Use organic + minimal ingredients

“Every time you spend money, you’re casting a vote for the kind of world you want,” -Anna Lappe

a greener mu s ic indus tr y The music industry often gets a bad rep for the amount of waste festivals produce, the emissions musicians release when traveling, and even the platform they choose to stream on. But things are changing, for the better.

SOME BACKGROUND + FACTS For anyone who’s been to a concert or festival, by the end of the night the ground is covered with plastic water bottles, straws, lids, and any other disposable items. To get a more tangible idea, in 2015, the Bonnaroo festival ended their four day event with 679 tons of waste.

Let’s look at transportation in the UK music industry in 2007. They were responsible for 540 tons of GHGs. 43% calculated was audience travel. As for the performer and their whole team, a study showed they produced up to 3,000 tons of CO2 annually.

But it starts even before that, with the recording process. Between getting to different music studios and recording tracks, this produces 10,000 tons of GHGs per year. Then they have to make the CD’s and vinyl records, store them, and distribute them to retail stores. 65,000 tons of GHGs were produced by the packaging and materialization of physical records, while manufacturers produced 10,000 tons of GHGs. Finally, the distribution centers produce 6,000 tons, with transportation of the product emitting 16,000 tons. And this is just the UK. And then there’s streaming. Research recently done in the U.S. showed that streaming music isn’t as clean as you may think it is. From the early 2000’s to now, the amount of plastic used to make physical records went from 61 million kilograms to 8 million kilograms. However, GHGs for music consumption rose from 157 million kilograms in the early 2000’s to somewhere between 200-350 million kilograms, to account for transmitting streaming music from the cloud operations. Keele University lecturers, Sharon George and Deirdre McKay, suggest it’s more environmentally friendly to buy the physical album if you plan to listen to it repeatedly. It turns out 27 full streams of the same record would likely use more energy than it takes to produce and manufacture it.

WHAT HAS COME FROM THIS? Well a lot of things. Sustainability has been slowly improving throughout the years, with organizations like Reverb and Sustainable Concert Working Group rising up to tackle these issues. Let’s put the spotlight on a few of the most innovative projects and groups so far: • • •

Reverb: They are a nonprofit that partner with musicians, festivals, and venues to make them more green. They’ve worked with Maroon 5, Dave Matthews Band, and Jack Johnson.

DGTL: A Dutch music festival that is planning to be the world’s first circular and climate-neutral festival by 2020.

Rethink Music: An initiative of the Berklee Institute for Creative Entrepreneurship to focus on the future of music.

While more work needs to be done, large festivals like Lollapalooza have also begun to bring awareness to reducing waste and plastic at their own events.

WHAT ABOUT THE ARTISTS? There are a few who have been in the sustainability game for a while now. Support these artists who are making the effort.

• • • • • • •

Dave Matthews: He partners with Reverb to educate their fans on climate change. They have also managed to neutralize their carbon footprint for the entirety of their touring career.

Radiohead: For traveling overseas, they send their gear by ship instead of planes, their buses run on biofuel, and these encourage their fans to use public transportation to their shows.

Green Day: They bring awareness to clean + renewable energy.

Sheryl Crow: She’s a co-founder of the Green Music Group and uses biodegradable and compostable catering on tour.

Cloud Cult: They build their recording studio on an organic farm, powered it with geothermal energy, and founded the Earthology Institute, an nonprofit that advocates green living.

Justin Timberlake: He created a carbon neutral footprint while touring and has an eco-friendly golf course.

Maroon 5: They also partner with Reverb and teamed up with Vote the Solar to promote renewable energy.

easy shower + bat h s waps One of the easiest places to make sustainability swaps is in your bathroom. I know we all have our favorite shower brands, but here are a few eco-friendly products you should consider switching to.

SAFETY RAZOR The EPA estimates that 2 billion disposable razors are thrown away each year. Safety razors are meant to last a lifetime, and you only need to replace the blades, which can easily be recycled. The body of safety razors are made of either steel or chromed zinc alloy, which can be properly disposed of once it reaches the end of its life, though now some are incorporating bamboo/wooden handles.

It’s pricier than your average razor, but you save a lot of money in the long-run and end up with a closer shave. They seem intimidating at first, but it’s easy to use. You’ll notice safety razors are heavier, which means you don’t need to apply pressure when shaving. This one from Etsy uses an FSC-certified handle and this one from Amazon is a more classic style.

SHAMPOO, CONDITIONER, + BODY WASH BARS You can make your whole shower routine plastic-free. These are also great for traveling/flying and can last even longer than liquid products. These bars are often seen as multipurpose, however, new bars focus their ingredients + formulas on specific parts of the body.

Not all soap bars are the same and it’s tricky to find the right one for you, but luckily you have a lot of options. A great place to find these minimally-packaged are local boutiques, farmer’s markets, and health stores. If you need to buy online, try Lush or Meow Meow Tweet.

BATH ESSENTIALS Had a long day or just want to take a nice relaxing bath? You can easily DIY or find low waste options to make that happen.

You can make your own bath salts by simply taking Epsom salts and adding your favorite essential oil. Here’s a recipe for zero waste bath bombs too. If you like scrubs, make your own using sugar, oil, lemon, and honey. DIY your own face mask with ingredients you have around the house. If you prefer to buy these items, local stores and boutiques will most likely have these products already made in-house.

THESE ARE SWAPS ANYONE CAN DO So whether you live in a dorm, apartment, or large house, these are easy to implement in your everyday life.

Curious about what else you can swap in your bathroom?

Check out this list on bathroom zero waste swaps to get started.

g e o r gette’s t h r i fted home “Ashlee Piper’s book “Give a Shit” is what originally got me interested in lowering my waste. After reading her book, I tried to think of things that would significantly lower my impact and thrifting just made sense. I enjoy shopping and filling our home with curated finds. But now instead of making a Target run, I shop second-hand,”

i s us tai n ab l ys a g e

Wh e re d o yo u like to sh op ?

Q&A

I like to mix it up. I go to Salvation Army and Goodwill at least once a week and I also use OfferUp and FB Marketplace pretty regularly. I have keywords like “wicker” saved to alert me with new postings and have found some great things this way! There’s also a mid-century modern resale shop in town that has a more curated selection.

W h e re d o you get your in sp iratio n f rom ?

Some comes from Pinterest and other low-waste Instagram accounts. I also try to draw inspiration from our travels. Tulum has been a major inspiration for all the greenery in our home.

Wh at’s b e e n your favorite find s so f ar?

Oh that’s a hard one! If I have to choose, I’d probably go with our rattan room divider that I’m using as a brace for our fiddle leaf. I had been eying at Target for months and ended up randomly finding it brand new at a thrift store for such a steal. I also love our vintage military cot I found on OfferUp. Coincidently we also use it for plants.

A ny ti p s f o r beginn ers or people who have a hard tim e f inding anything?

Go often. Thrift stores regularly switch out their merchandise so I try to go once or twice a week to see if there’s anything new. Most thrift stores also have sale days so ask about those for the best deals! Thrifting can be a little overwhelming sometimes so I have a running list of things I’m looking for and inspiration boards on Pinterest to help me narrow my search once I’m at the store.

TAKE A LOOK AROUND HER HOME TO FIND A FEW OF HER FAVORITE THRIFTED FINDS

sustaina ble room dec or Moving to a new place often means out with the old and in with the new. As we get ready to furnish and decorate our new space, here are a few places to check before heading to the nearest department store.

SHOP SECONDHAND It’s always best to a support a circular economy and you’d be surprised as to what you can find.

• Thrift stores: Go in with a few ideas in mind and walk up and down the aisles! Anything from candles and baskets to dressers and chairs can be found for a fraction of the price.

• Facebook Marketplace: Like going to Goodwill, but you can stay in bed instead. You can easily search for an item, adjust the location + filters, or just browse different categories.

• Local antique stores: Furnishings with a story. You can find some • Poshmark: They recently launched their Home marketplace, so you can buy small pieces + decor, and even sell your own.

• Etsy: You can support a small business while getting some cute room decor. They also have reclaimed furniture, which uses old wood to make new pieces. Etsy also offsets their shipping emissions, so it’s a more sustainable option too.

SHOP NEW Looking for a specific item? Check out these stores: • West Elm: Over 90% of their products in–house are organic, handcrafted, sustainably sourced and Fair Trade Certified. By 2020, 50% of their wood will be sustainably sourced.

• Crate & Barrel: They make FSC-certified furniture, use energy–efficient alternatives to traditional foam, and have a sustainable distribution system, all we keeping things affordable.

• Medley: It’s custom-made furniture made with eco-friendly materials, using no fire retardants and harsh chemicals.

• VivaTerra: They work with Fair Trade partners as well as artisan communities around the world.

• Urbangreen: They locally design sustainable furniture using responsibly sourced wood, and offer a few products made from recycled materials.

• The Joinery: This certified B corporation uses FSC-certified wood for the majority of their products, use solar + wind energy for their facilities, and reuse their scrap lumber to make new products. Their in-house products are crafted by one woodworker, guaranteed to last a lifetime to avoid landfill waste.

READY TO DECORATE BUT DON’T KNOW WHERE TO START? The bedroom is an easy room to redecorate, and here are a few different places to get inspiration from, click the blog to head on over:

Coco Kelley Old Brand New Cool Lapine Design Savvy Home Apartment34 Can I Have That?

CocoCozy

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WHAT WE WEAR

A NEW WAY TO THRIFT SUSTAINABLE FASHION 101 LET’S TALK ABOUT THRIFTING RENT INSTEAD OF BUYING WALK A MILE IN THESE SHOES

a n ew way t o t hr i f t “Sustainable fashion was a topic in many of my fashion merchandising classes at the Fashion Institute of Technology, and those were probably the first times I had ever heard how harmful fast fashion is to the environment. We watched documentaries about companies like H&M, Zara, Forever 21 and how unethical their production processes are, and it really opened my eyes. I didn’t want to have any part in supporting those companies, so I slowly started to make my closet as sustainable as I could,”

i it s ta yl erm ari e

Wh at we re th e first few steps you took towards this?

I’ve always loved thrift shopping and finding cool used clothing, but I really started trying to find most things that I wanted from thrift stores rather than buying it new. I also started shopping occasionally from sustainable brands like Everlane and Reformation when I did want to treat myself to new items. I’m still not perfectly sustainable, but I do my best and I believe that really any kind of

Q&A

How wo u l d you d escrib e you r style of f ashion?

I would describe my style in many ways, a few key words I think: modest, feminine, simple, Parisian and New York inspired, and vintage meets modern. I also love to mix masculine and feminine, maybe by wearing a structured blazer with a dress or skirt, a pair of belted trousers with a cute blouse.

W h at a re a few of your favorite brands?

I follow a lot of brands on Instagram, even ones that aren’t sustainable because it helps me keep track of trends and stay inspired for my personal style and my shop. I like to follow Rouje, Faithfull The Brand, Mango, Bottega Veneta, Vince, Jonak Paris, The Row, With Jean… there’s just too many. Practically none of these are know n for their “sustainable practices” so I know that’s not very helpful, but I think keeping up with brands like these helps you keep a sharp eye for when you go to vintage and thrift stores because you know what to look for. In my opinion thrift shopping and vintage shopping is the most sustain able you can get, so if I’m being technical I would sooner support resale shops than a sustainable brand which still has some environmental impact.

H ow d o e s Moon River su p p ort sustainable f ashion?

Moon River (@shoptheriver) is an Instagram shop I started a few months ago where I sell vintage and thrifted clothing. Basically I go and do the digging for you to find used clothing pieces that would work with today’s fashion so that anyone can bring sustainability to their closet. There are I’m sure billions of tons of clothing already in existence on our planet, and since fashion tre nds are really just a continuous cycle, I don’t think you even need to buy anything brand new. Every trend has already existed in some form and is either just sitting in a thrift store, someone’s closet, or a landfill. By buying used clothing and supporting vintage stores like mine, you aren’t giving your money to companies that are quickly destroying the planet in their production processes, and you’re giving those pre-loved pieces a new home!

s ustainable fas hion 101 We all know how important sustainable fashion is yet getting started in it can seem daunting! Here are the basics so you can started to cultivate your own sustainable wardrobe.

WHERE TO BEGIN?

1

Take inventory

Go through your closet and organize your clothes. Going through and doing a major clean out of your current clothes is crucial to start. Organize everything into piles of stills fits, doesn’t fit, no longer like, and special occasions. Once the clothes are sorted begin to separate based on what you’re keeping and what you plan to get rid of. There’s no use in keeping clothes that don’t fit so set those aside to donate or sell as well as any clothes you simply do not like.

2

Sort it out

Once you’ve cleared out the clothes that no longer fit or serve your style, start evaluating what’s left. Ask yourself the question, “Will I really wear this more than 15 times?” or “How many ways can I wear this shirt to make a new style?” If the article is something you wear often or can pair with many others pieces then go ahead and keep it! If you answer no to one of those questions then decide whether the article is meant for special occasions such as weddings or concerts and if it’s not, simply add it to the donate or sell pile.

3

What’s next?

Personal style + trends are constantly changing and it’s okay to want new clothes and a fresh style. The key to doing this sustainably is by getting creative and being conscious of your purchases.

A unique way to expand your closet is take those clothes that you ‘don’t like’ and make them into something you do like. For example, I had multiple T-Shirts that were too large and baggy.

I had set them aside to donate but I got my fabric shears and cut 4 inches off the shirt bottom and cut a large ‘V’ shape along the neckline. What resulted was a casually chic, off the shoulder mid crop shirt that got me tons of compliments that night.

LET’S GO SHOPPING Now that you’ve cleared out the clothes you no longer need and want, you may be looking for a few new pieces to add to your wardrobe. The key to doing this sustainably is through sustainable fashion brands, thrifting, or renting!

• Although thrifting is the best option, shopping sustainably can also work. Look for brands depending on your purpose, style, and budget that will meet your needs. For casual yet stylish wear, check out brands such as Everlane or Pact. These companies are transparent about their practices in sourcing, production, and work conditions. An added perk of Everlane is their “Choose What You Pay” option where the purchaser decides what price is fair for select pieces.

• For athletic and leisure wear check out brands such as Outdoor Voices and Tala. Each of these brands support sustainable practices in sourcing, production, and packaging. An added perk of Outdoor Voices leggings is the durability and ‘hidden’ key pocket along the waistline! Completely undetectable and perfect for a key or tissue while out and about!

• For special occasions and specific style needs check out the brand Reformation. These prices may be higher but Reformation offers a more classy style perfect for that weekend wedding, school graduation, and more!

• As mentioned before, thrifting truly is the best way to find new clothes without affecting the planet at all! Thanks to the internet thrifting has become so much more than going to your local goodwill. With sites such as Poshmark, ThredUp, and vintage thrift, the possibilities are endless! Poshmark is full of name brand clothes sold by individuals who post and price their own pieces. If you’re looking for more dependability, ThredUp is an online thrift store that sorts and judges each piece of clothing donated before putting it up for sale. The site offers filters for price range, size, styles, and more with a complete profile of each piece so that you know the exact details of it before purchasing.

• And as a new way to ‘shop’, independent thrift stores can be found for a more personalized experience. Tayler McKellop of the instagram @itstaylermarie is a prime example of someone with a desire for sustainability as well as an entrepreneurial spirit. On her alter instagram, @shoptheriver, Tayler models thrift store finds with complete details and size included.

Better yet the transaction is simple and easy through instagram and the packaging is even eco friendly!

• A rising force in the fashion and sustainability field is the concept of ‘renting’ clothes for a specific style/need, effectively ending the ‘one time’ purchase of clothes for that special event. Rent The Runway is an online service that provides high fashion clothing for rent that not only saves women money but also waste! Why spend hundreds on that ‘special occasion’ dress (that you’ll more than likely never wear again) when you can simply rent one. Order your styles, try them on, then decide what suits you best!

Article + feature provided by: Emily Feikls i thrive_onlife

l e t’s tal k ab ou t thr if ting Conscious consumers everywhere absolutely love thrifting. It helps promote a circular economy, sustainability, and gives back to the community. Since it’s #secondhandseptember, let’s highlight the benefits of thrifting.

WHAT’S A CIRCULAR ECONOMY? Currently we live in a linear economy, so we make a product, use it, then dispose of it. It’s an unsustainable way to live, because Earth has finite resources, so this is where a circular economy comes in. The name says it all: it minimizes waste and makes the most out of resources. Recycling plays a much smaller role, as resources in a circular economy are meant to be designed to absorb back into the manufacturing process. In simpler terms, there is little to no waste at all because these resources can be reused, biodegrade into the Earth, remade into another product, etc.

So thrifting, or shopping secondhand, means you’re buying an item already in circulation. This means little-to-no energy had to be used for the item you are currently purchasing secondhand, because it’s not new. Since you are repurposing and reusing the product, you are helping it avoid getting sent to landfill, aiding in water preservation, and lowering your carbon footprint.

STILL NOT BUYING INTO THE IDEA? I get it, who wants to buy something used and spend the time searching for an item? Well actually, our generation does.

Millennials and the Gen Z generation are adopting secondhand shopping 2.5x faster than other age groups.

Americans throw away about 10.5 million tons of clothing each year, and 60% of clothing is made from synthetic materials, like plastic, so that’s where it’ll stay for hundreds of years. The greenhouse gases emitted while driving over 80 miles is equivalent to the production process of one pair of jeans. 20% of pesticide use worldwide is used on cotton plants, which ends up polluting water supplies.

Shopping secondhand can help decrease all of that. It’s all about being a conscious consumer.

LET’S GET STARTED I hope I got your attention now. Here are some ideas + tips to start cultivating a secondhand wardrobe: • Stick to “classic” styles. The idea is to still buy something you will keep for a long time, so buying staples + basics will most likely stay in style for years to come. However, if you find something printed and fun, go ahead and try it on!

• Donate the old stuff. Once you get tired of your old items, drop it off at Goodwill, sell online, or give to a friend. This will clear up your closet and you helped keep those items out of the landfill.

• Go in with a game plan. Do you need more jeans? Dresses? Sleep shirts? A light jacket? This will make looking through endless racks a bit easier.

• Try to look for brands you already love. If you’re a fan of Levi’s, look to see if you can find them at a fraction of the cost.

• Choose the right days. Most have discount days (like Goodwill) and some even offer student discounts as well. It might even be worth asking how often they restock, so you can plan ahead and go in when there’s newer items.

• DIY that shit. Cut shirts to make crop tops, use low impact fabric dye to design on jeans, or click here to get more inspiration.

• Don’t forget accessories. Check out jewelry, sunglasses, bags, hats, etc and see what you can find.

• Don’t get picky. The item might not always be in perfect condition, but if it’s free of stains, feels high quality, and fits your style, go for it. It may just be your new favorite item.

There are so many places for you to shop secondhand now, a popular place is even right on Instagram, through accounts selling secondhand items to people around the world.

Stay in bed, browse around, and help support an amazing movement to end fast fashion for good.

HERE ARE SOME PEOPLE’S FAVORITE THRIFTED FINDS TO HOPEFULLY INSPIRE YOU TO CONSIDER SECONDHAND SHOPPING MORE OFTEN. “My favorite is an Adidas jacket, I found on an Instagram page that sells vintage/thrifted clothes. Thrift shops in my country aren’t really structured and they’re pretty rare, but there are some IG pages that do the same thing, even though I prefer ordering from this one since it is based in my city and so shipping is avoided. Another thing I dig about thrifting is the price! The jacket cost 130 MAD (Moroccan currency) which is approximately 13,45 USD, and the shirt cost 149 MAD =~ 15,42 USD, which is crazy considering new Adidas jackets cost at least 60$,”

- Douaa Mouline

“I found this adorable strawberry print strainer at Goodwill and fell in love. I repurposed it as a pot for one of my vines. This is by far one of my favorite thrift finds!”

- Carrie Tate

“I got a vintage Disney shirt from a thrifting account here on Instagram! It’s got old school Mickey on it, says “American Original” and has a shot of him from the back on the back too. Super cute!”

- Nicole

IT’S SECONDHAND SEPTEMBER, RISE UP TO THE CHALLENGE!

rent instead of buying Need a dress for a special night and you know you’ll only wear it once? Consider renting it instead. Not only can you help reduce textile waste, you can also save a lot of money too.

RENT THE RUNWAY | STARTS AT $30 Rent designer dresses, bags, and accessories for up to a week. You can browse by occasion and book in the outfit in advanced.

They offer free returns, as well as a backup size too in case you pick the wrong size. They offer membership plans too.

LE TOTE | STARTS AT $79 PER MONTH It’s a fashion subscription service that sends you a tote full of clothing items you pick each month. Wear them as much as you want before returning, you can also keep the pieces you like for up to 50% off retail value. They also offer a maternity tote.

GWYNNIE BEE | STARTS AT $49 PER MONTH A subscription service that started off exclusively for sizes 10-32, but now offers sizes 0-32. You can pick up to 10 items per month to wear, then return. You also have the option to buy the item at a discounted price compared to retail value.

THE MS. COLLECTION | STARTS AT $59 PER MONTH Each month, you get a suprise pack with clothing handpicked by different stylists, based on your style profile, sizing, and preferences. They also have a Mr. Collection.

STYLELEND | PRICES VARY BY LENDER It’s a community of people who can lend + rent designer items. This is a more sustainable option, since you’re lend your own styles and renting styles from others for less.

ARMOIRE | STARTS AT $149 PER MONTH They recommend styles, which you can swap out if you’d like, then they ship out 4 items. Infinitely keep the items, once you send it back, they’ll mail you a new one. They offer maternity clothing too.

BUT KEEP IN MIND Not everything is ethically + sustainably made, it’s just a way to reduce textile waste by avoiding purchasing an item you were going to wear once and most likely just throw out later.

It’s up to you if you want to rent an outfit this way, but in the long run, it’s still a more sustainable option.

walk a m ile in t hes e s hoes Fortunately, we live in a time where ethical fashion is becoming widely available. From tops to pants to even shoes, brands are out there helping end the fast fashion movement.

ALLBIRDS | $$-$$$ Allbirds is a certified B corp and they created a wool fabric for their footwear. They use 90% post-consumer recycled cardboard for packaging, partner with Soles4Souls to donate their lightly-used shoes, use natural materials, and are currently working to go carbon neutral by the end of this year. You can find more indepth information on their story, committment, and materials on their website.

They offer simple styles for women, men, and children. They have running shoes, slip ons, high tops, and more styles.

ALICE + WHITTLES | $$-$$$ Alice + Whittles was founded by Sofi and Nick, who met while working with the UN Refugee Agency. They are a sustainable company, and use natural + recycled materials that are FSC-certified. They work to ensure their workers get fair pay, safe working conditions, and equal opportunities for women and other disadvantaged groups.

They have minimalistic-style sneakers and rainboots in multiple colors. Full mtaterial details are listed on each of their styles, showcasing their transparency.

NISOLO | $$-$$$ Nisolo is a sustainable and ethical company, and they pride themselves in giving their workers fair pay and treatment, as well as promoting a circular economy. They also have a Shoe Reclamation Program, where they partner with Soles4Souls so you can send in your used shoes in exhange for $30 credit.

They have everything from sandals to sneakers to boots, and offer styles for women and men. You can buy accessories like belts or bags too.

SAOLA | $$-$$$ Saola gets their name from the animal, one of the rarest animals in the world, which is currently on the endangered list. Saola donates 1% of their proceeds to the MWALUA WILDLIFE TRUST, a wildlife conservation organization. Saola makes their footwear out of recycled plastic bottles, organic cotton, cork, and algae foam.

They have different styles of casual shoes for men and women.

CURIOUS ABOUT OTHER BRANDS? The Better Shoes Foundation puts the spotlight on whether shoe brands are vegan and fair trade, and looks into other sustainabiltiy + ethical measures as well.

Check this out to find out more.

it’s

NOURISHING OUR BODIES

AVOIDING FOOD WASTE WHAT’S IN MY PANTRY SPILLING THE TEA THE 411 ON BUYING ORGANIC AVOCADO SUMMER PASTA SALAD

avo i ding f ood wa s t e “I was taught to never throw away food growing up. Both my parents are from the Philippines and saving food has always been second nature. Once I started working in food service, I immediately noticed the amount of food that is thrown away because a pastry didn’t ‘look right’ or was broken,”

i madel ei n eats

W h at k i n d s of thin gs d o you d o to try to individually re duc e f ood waste ?

When I used to work at Panera Bread, I always had openings shifts where I would slice the bread for the line. When I was being trained, the person training me threw out the ends of the bread because they weren’t going to be used. It was hard to watch so, I saved all the bread pieces that weren’t going to be used and gave it to family because I knew someone was going to eat it. I also took up closing shifts when I switched to the Panera at school. When I left, I always took home 2-3 large bags full of bread + pastries and donated it to a local food pantry a little off campus. During this summer, I worked at Summer House Santa Monica and I did the same thing. I took home all the leftover country loaves and gave it out to family + friends. I also put a bag on the counter and labeled it “broken cookie fund” so whoever was working with me knew to put the broken cookies in there instead of the trash can. After saving so many loaves, the restaurant decided to start saving them themselves and use them for crouton the next day!

Q&A

Wh e n g i vi n g away food , d o you eve r ge t judge d?

A lot of people I’ve worked with often questioned why I care so much about throwing away food and my response is always along the lines of, “why throw away perfectly good food?” I always encourage others to save food, and I just remind them that they don’t have to keep it for themselves because someone else out there WILL want it. I’ve met a few people who care as much as I do but it’s ve ry rare. Even if I get judgmental looks I just look at them and say something like, “what’s your excuse?” because there really is no excuse. If you can save the food, save it. While a lot of pe ople don’t really care, I have also been commended a lot for saving as much food as I do and even inspired other coworkers to start doing the same even when I’m not around. A big part of it is the culture I grew up in. No one in my family takes food for granted and it’s just natural for me to not t hrow anything away because of that. Often times it’s easy to forget how lucky we are to have access to food as there are millions out there who don’t have the same privilege.

How a re yo u work in g toward s he lping f ix the f ood waste proble m?

One way is to take mason jars with you when eating at a restaurant. This way you can take your leftover food home while reducing your plastic usage. Another tip is for anyone working in food service, I always encourage people to do what they can behind the scenes to ensure their restaurant or wherever they are working can save as much food as possible. As food service workers, you can’t really control what customers do but we can control what our company does. I hope to create a restaurant somewhere down the road that focuses on sustainability! I want to create a Southeast Asian fusion r estaurant that provides mainly plant based foods and use products that are sustainable as well. I really want to incorporate a composting system in said future restaurant to reduce food waste and have key principles that I would pass down onto customers.

w hat’s in my pantr y “My name is Jazz Leaf, I am the girl behind the Instagram of @ recipes4health. I am a Certified Nutritional Therapist, a personal chef to professional NBA athletes, I teach local cooking classes in the Indianapolis area and I am an indoor cycling instructor!

With all of that said, I obviously love to cook and play around in the kitchen. However more often than not, I am low on time when it comes to making meals for myself. That is why having my pantry stocked is a MUST for me. I always browse the sales going on at different stores and stock up on the items that won’t go bad. That way when I am pinched for time, I don’t have to run to the store to buy all of the ingredients. I have it all in the comfort of my own home!

I am going to give you guys an exclusive look on what my pantry looks like, my must haves, which brands I buy and what meals I come up with!”

i reci pes4h e a l th

pa st as + g ra i n s Banza Chickpea Pasta: This is my favorite quick dinner since its high in protein and made with chickpeas. I just boil the chickpeas and toss in some pesto or olive oil.

Earthly Choice Sprouted Blend (Brown Rice, Millet, Quinoa): Sprouted grains tend to be easier on the digestive system so this is a great side dish to any lunch or dinner.

Earthly Choice Quinoa: I love making a big portion of quinoa at the beginning of the week, then I can toss it into my salads of have it as a base to my salmon. It adds a lot of protein! Tip for super flavorful quinoa is to cook it in chicken or vegetable broth!

Earthly Choice Wheat Berries: Try cooking wheat berries in water, then serving it warm with almond milk, pecans, raisins and cinnamon. It makes for the perfect cozy breakfast.

Earthly Choice Farro: Super high in fiber and is very similar to quinoa!

Organic Quick Oats: Oats are a staple. I typically make overnight oats the night before, with some nut milk, protein powder and chia seeds. Just shake it up and leave it in the fridge to absorb the liquid. The next day you have an awesome bowl of oats you can heat up and top with your favorite toppings!

Brown Rice Cakes: This is a staple in our home as a quick snack. We often top our rice cakes with peanut butter and jelly. It makes for a wonderful pre-workout snack.

can n e d g o o d s Wild Planet Foods Wild Skipjack Tuna: One of my go-to, quick lunches or dinners is mixing this tuna with some dijon mustard and having that with some crackers!

Wild Planet Foods Wild Sockeye Salmon: I love tossing this salmon with some lemon juice and kale and making a homemade Caesar dressing for a salmon caesar salad!

Organic Garbonzo Beans: This is one of the most versatile foods ever. Toss into salads, make a hummus or even make some blondies for dessert.

Organic Black Beans: I love making my black bean cookies or having beans with some corn and tomatoes for a light Mexican dish!

Canned Pumpkin Puree: Add this into your smoothies for an amazing pumpkin pie flavor!

Canned Corn Canned Jackfruit: Jackfruit resembles pulled meat, so just add some bbq sauce to it and enjoy on a sandwich or a salad!

fl o u rs Thrive Market Almond Flour: Almond flour is a great gluten free flour substitute as it can be used 1:1 with any flour recipe.

Bob’s Red Mill Cassava Flour: Cassava flour is a great substitute for anyone that is allergic to nuts and wants a gluten free, nut free flour substitute!

Bob’s Red Mill Coconut Flour: Coconut flour is the perfect add in to homemade energy balls!

Caulipowered Cauliflower Flour: Try making a pizza crust out of this!

Buckwheat Flour: This makes for the most wonderful low FODMAP pancakes. I have a killer blueberry pancake recipe on my feed with buckwheat flour!

s a uces, oils , condiment s Avocado Oil: I use avocado oil to cook with high heat. I usually end up sautéing veggies in it!

Avocado Oil Spray: This is my best tip to roast veggies. Spray with avocado oil spray for an even coat, then roast at 400 for about 15 - 30 minutes depending on the vegetable!

Coconut Oil: I love sautéing my fruit in coconut oil to top my oat bowls!

Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Makes for the most flavorful salad dressings. Try mixing olive oil, lemon, balsamic vinegar and dijon mustard for the best dressing ever!

Apple Cider Vinegar: Mix this with equal parts lemon juice and drink this as a natural immune booster!

Red Wine Vinegar: When making any type of greek dish, add this on top along with some lemon juice as a delicious and flavorful dressing!

Sir Kensington’s Dijon Balsamic Dressing Sir Kensington’s Golden Citrus Dressing Sir Kensington’s Dijon Mustard Sir Kensington’s Honey Mustard Sir Kensington’s Ketchup Sun-dried tomatoes

g ra n o l a Safe & Fair Sweet & Salty Granola: This company makes snacks that are free of the top 8 allergens!

Grandy Oats Coffee Crunch Granola: They make grain-free granola that is super delicious!

Nutsóla Peanut Butter Superfood: Such a versatile product. You can either use the mix to make your own superfood bars or use it as a topping for your smoothie bowls! Feel free to use the code Jazz15 for 15% off your order + free shipping on $30 or more.

Nutsóla Vanilla Almond Superfood

nuts, seeds, dried fruit Raw Walnuts: I love topping my breakfast bowls with walnuts as they add some crunch!

Raw Cashews: Cashews make a fantastic dairy free alternative to any creamy sauce or dessert.

Raw Pecans: I love snacking on pecans!

Raw Pepitas/Pumpkin Seeds: I love making a homemade trail mix with my nuts and seeds and then munching on it when I get hungry!

Pistachios: We love pistachios while we are watching a movie or just as a conversational snack.

Costco Ground Flaxseeds: I use flaxseeds as my egg substitute! Just 1 tbsp of ground flaxseeds with 3 tbsp of water and set aside for 10 minutes to gel.

Costco Chia Seeds: I make chia pudding with my chia seeds and flavor it in any way I want! Sometimes I mix with chocolate protein powder to make a chocolate flavor, sometimes I add strawberries and make it fruity!

Manitoba Harvest Hemp Seeds: Hemp seeds are honestly a main source of protein for me! There are about 11g of protein for every 2 tbsp of hemp seeds.

Dried Cranberries: Try adding dried cranberries into your salads for a sweet flavor.

Raisins: Raisins are one of my favorite add ins to oatmeal in the morning.

n u t & se ed butters + sweeteners

Barney Butter Unsweetened Powdered Almond Butter: I add powdered almond butter or peanut butter into my smoothies when I want to give it a peanut butter flavor as it’s lower in fat and calories but provides the same taste!

Barney Butter Chocolate Powdered Almond Butter PB Fit Powdered Peanut Butter: Feel free to use code Jazz for 10% off your order.

Abbey’s Better Coffee Almond Butter Seedible Sesame Butter: This is a great nut-free alternative to nut butter!

The Honey Bee Doc Anti-inflammatory Honey: This is the best cure for a weak immune system.

Beekeepers Natures Cacao Superfood Honey: Try using this on top of toast or even as an add in to hot chocolate!

protein powde rs Girl and the Sea Marine Collagen: This is my favorite collagen! Its made from snapper fish so theres no beef involved. It doesn’t taste like anything and it dissolves into any warm drink. Feel free to use the discount code SAVE3JASMINE for $3 discount off the normal price.

Detox Organics Chocolate Superfood Powder: By far my favorite superfood. When I am feeling bloated or hungover, this is my go-to. It packs so many different superfoods and you cant taste any of them. It just tastes like a chocolate shake when blended with nut milk! Feel free to use the code Jazz for 15% off your order.

Orgain Plant Based Chocolate Protein Powder: I love mixing this protein powder with some nut milk and some powdered peanut butter for a chocolate peanut butter protein shake!

Orgain Plant Based Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Powder Nuzest Plant Based Vanilla Protein Powder: Feel free to use the code recipes4health for 15% off your purchase and free shipping over $50 (this code is not applicable on sale items or bundles).

Nuzest Plant Based Unflavored Protein Powder: This is my favorite protein powder to add into oatmeal because it doesn’t have a flavor and just packs the clean protein!

Nuzest Plant Based Coffee Protein Powder: Try blending this with some cold brew and nut milk for a super frothy coffee protein shake!

te a Further Food Turmeric Tonic: I love mixing this with some warm nut milk or water to make a delicious golden milk latte. Feel free to use the code RECIPES4HEALTH for 5% off.

From The Reserve Matcha Latte: By far my favorite matcha on the market. It’s great quality!

From The Reserve Choco Glow Latte: These on the go packets are so perfect to mix with hot water and have your adaptogenic warming drink anywhere in the world!

Organic Dandilion Root Tea: This is great for detoxification and it most resembles the taste of coffee!

Trader Joes Well Rested Tea: Perfect for pre-bedtime!

Trader Joes Ginger Turmeric Herbal Tea: Fantastic if you feel that tickle in your throat!

Aloha Beauty Herbal Tea: Love this for a little glow in the skin.

superfood powde rs Bare Organics Mushroom Immune Blend: When I feel a tickle in my throat I love adding a spoon of this adaptogen into teas or smoothies.

Maju Superfoods Ashwagandha Root Powder: Fantastic for releasing stress and reducing inflammation!

Native Coconut Manna (Coconut Butter): This makes any latte super thick. Try blending a teaspoon of coconut butter into your matcha and just recognize the froth it creates.

From The Reserve Organic Honeysuckle Powder: This is a great anti-bacterial and anti-microbial superfood that I love adding into my matcha!

From The Reserve Coconut Powder: This is also a staple in my morning matcha!

From The Reserve Organic Chaga Powder: This adaptogen is great for healing heal the gut.

Unicorn Superfoods Berrylicious Blend: Such a great antioxidant that can be added into pancakes for a purple color!

Square Organics Dark Chocolate Nootropic Elixer: This is a great hot chocolate type of drink. I just mix it with some nut milk along with the Beauty Elixir below, and it makes such a great warm morning drink. Feel free to use the code recipes4health for 20% off your order.

Square Organics Coconut Milk Beauty Elixir: This is a blend of collagen, hyaluronic acid and L-theanine which is great for reducing stress and promoting relaxation! Feel free to use the code recipes4health for 20% off your order.

Beekeepers Naturals Bee Pollen: This makes for the absolute best smoothie bowl topping!

s n ack s + b a rs Orgain Chocolate Almond Sea Salt Plant Based Protein Bars 2Fit Vanilla Crunch Protein Bar + 2Fit Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bar Kuli Kuli Moringa Energy Bars Orgain Kids Bars (Chocolate Chip): I love this as a sweet dessert. It tastes like a chocolate chip cookie!

Lesser Evil Paleo Puffs The Good Bean Fava Peas Hippeas Vegan White Cheddar Puffs: Probably my favorite snack ever.

AshaPop Popped Water Lilly Seeds: This is a lower calorie crunchy plant based snack!

IWon Organics Protein Chips: Feel free to use the code AMB30 for 30% discount site-wide.

“It’s so easy to be overwhelmed by the complexity of the superfoods or fads out there. But the more simple whole foods you eat, the easier a healthy lifestyle will be able to be maintained. If you are still confused, I am actually in the middle of creating my very first recipe eBook! It’ll be 10 breakfast recipes, 10 lunches/ dinners, 10 desserts and 5 snacks. All of the recipes are made with real food, will take less than 30 minutes to whip up and will consist of less than 10 ingredients. This eBook is being designed for the busy hustlers out there who want to take care of their health but don’t have all day to put extravagant dishes together in the kitchen. Stay tuned on my social media for the launch date & more fun prizes around it!”

- Jazz Leaf

spi l lin g t he tea With the rise of popular drinks, like matcha lattes, teas are slowly becoming a part of people’s daily routine.

Whether you prefer green, black, or hibiscus tea, they all come with a good amount of health benefits.

GREEN + MATCHA TEA Matcha is actually a type of green tea, which is made by grinding young tea leaves into a fine powder, which means your drinking the whole tea leaves, compared to regular green tea.

Both green and matcha teas contain antioxidants called catechins. Matcha specifically is high in one called EGCG, which is believed to have cancer-fighting properties. Matcha also contains a bit more caffeine per cup compared to green tea, so it’s great for this who need a little extra energy in the morning.

Like anything you want to make sure you’re getting a quality product. Here are a few matcha + green tea brands to try: • $5.99 | Numi Japanese Green Tea: It’s organic, fair-trade, and non-GMO. Numi itself is a certified B-corporation as well.

• $9.95 | Jade Leaf Matcha: They’re transparent in their sourcing, and they make a quality, affordable, and organic matcha.

• $4.99 | Pukka Supreme Matcha Green Tea: It’s a mix of organic matcha + other green teas, which comes in a plastic-free tea bag.

HIBISCUS TEA These teas are fruit and sweet, sometimes tart, and are loaded with vitamin C. These are also caffeine-free and full of antioxidants.

It’s known across the world by dozens of names, but it’s all just steeped dried hibiscus flowers that can be served hot or cold.

Since it is a bit tart, sugar is often added to make it sweeter.

Give these a try: • $5.29 | Traditional Medicinals Organic Hibiscus: It’s harvested from Egyptian organic farms, and they are a certified B-corp.

• $5.99 | Gaia Organic Hibiscus w/ Mandarin Orange: The orange adds a citrusy twist, and their teas are tested for pesticides, heavy metals, microbial, and identity.

BLACK TEA Similar to green and white teas, black tea is made by using the whole leaf. This tea is the most processed, as it is oxidized the longest and has the highest amounts of caffeine than other teas. For reference, one cup of black teas is about half the caffeine content of one cup of coffee.

There are many different types of black teas, Earl Grey is a popular one, and all have high amounts of antioxidants, specifically EGCG, similar to matcha. Its caffeine amount also makes this a great source of energy, since it also contains L-theanine, which helps you sustain the energy over a period of time rather than crashing a few hours later.

There are a lot of black teas on the market, here are a few to check out next time: • Varies | Art of Tea: They are an eco-conscious company that sells a variety of organic/fair-trade teas at different prices.

• Varies | Arbor Teas: All organic and fair-trade black teas from around the world.

• $3 | Brandless Organic English Breakfast Black Tea: Organic and affordable, it’s sourced from India, Rwanda, and Kenya.

No matter which tea you pick, it’s a good way to keep hydrate while taking advantage of all the health benefits it has to offer.

Sources: https://bit.ly/2J8DHXe

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the 41 1 on b uy in g or ganic You’ve heard the terms “Clean 15” and “Dirty Dozen” on Instagram, news articles, and just online. But what exactly is on the list, and what else should you know before buying organic?

LET’S BREAK THE LISTS DOWN The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is the organization that puts together the two lists. They use data gathered from the Pesticide Data Program report, which monitors pesticide residue on crops. Each year, new lists are created to reflect current data, so here’s the 2019 version.

The Dirty Dozen are the twelve crops that have the highest amounts of pesticide residue, so because of this, the EWG recommends you buy these organic when you can.

1. Strawberries 2. Spinach 3. Nectarines 4. Apples 5. Grapes 6. Peaches 7. Cherries 8. Pears 9. Tomatoes 10. Celery 11. Potatoes

The Clean 15 are the 15 crops that have the lowest amount of pesticide residue, so you don’t always have to purchase these organic.

1. Avocados 2. Sweet corn 3. Pineapples 4. Cabbages 5. Onions 6. Sweet peas 7. Papayas 8. Asparagus 9. Mangoes 10. Eggplants 11. Honeydews 12. Kiwis 13. Cantaloupes 14. Cauliflower 15. Broccoli

SHOULD YOU ALWAYS BUY ORGANIC? You’re tight on cash, you’re a college student, or you just don’t have organic produce available to you: understandable. Use these lists as a guide to help save a little more money, but still take care of your body. It’s also important to note that foods with thick skins or rinds, like bananas, melons, squashes, etc don’t always need to be purchased organic. These serve as protection to the inside, the good stuff, so save your money for produce on the Dirty Dozen list.

Also, these lists focus on produce, but meat and dairy should also be purchased organically too to avoid growth hormone and antibiotic exposure.

SOME OTHER TIPS We all know that our local farmers market and grocery store will most likely have organic produce available, but there are other options to explore too.

• If you have trouble finding a large organic produce selection to choose from or you’re just super busy, try an ugly produce box. Brands like Misfits Market, Imperfect Produce, and Hungry Harvest offer monthly plans, which include organic produce, to ship “ugly” produce that typical grocery stores refuse to sell. This helps greatly reduce food waste too.

• Compare costs. Organic meat is a lot more expensive than organic beans, so you can save money there by going meatless a few days a week.

• For organic dry goods, buy these in bulk. These will be A LOT cheaper, and stores sometimes will have sales in these sections too. Dry goods last for a while, so this is a perfect time to stock up.

• Freeze it. If you know you won’t use up your produce, meats, or organically baked goods in time, freeze them for later.

This way, you don’t have to waste food and money buying them again.

avo cad o summer p ast a s ala d Fall might be coming up, but there are still a few days left of summer to try out this delicious and freshing salad from food blogger, Casey Colodny.

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

Summer Pasta Salad

1. Cook @eatbanza pasta according to package instructions and set aside.

2. Make your sauce by adding all ingredients to a small food processor or use a hand blender until combined and dressing is smooth. Add sauce to cooked pasta and stir to combine.

3. To a large saute pan, add 2 tbsp of olive oil over medium heat.

Once hot, add diced red onion and saute for 3-4 minutes or until onion starts to brown.

4. Add drained & rinsed corn kernels to pan and cook for an additional 5-8 minutes, until corn starts to brown.

5. Add sauteed onion/corn to bowl of cooked @eatbanza rotini, along with cherry tomatoes and chopped fresh cilantro. Serve immediately or chill and eat later. Can also be reheated and served warm.

1, 8oz box rotini 2 tbsp olive oil 1 small red onion, diced 1 can whole kernel corn, drained & rinsed 2 cups cherry tomatoes, cut in half lengthwise ½ bunch cilantro, chopped

Avocado Sauce

1 ripe avocado ¼ cup olive oil ¼ cup water 3 cloves garlic, peeled 2 tbsp lime juice (~2 limes) 1 tbsp nutritional yeast 1 tsp salt Black pepper, to taste

“Nut bu tter, ch ocolate, an d avo c a do loving food blogger behin d the b l o g , t he Mindful Hap a. I’m also a f re e l a n c e c ont e nt creator and work with b ra n ds o n re c ipe d evelopment, food p h otogra p hy, a n d vid e ography. W h en I’m n ot worki n g , I l ove going on day dates with my husb a n d t o our f avor ite climbin g gym h ere in D a l l a s , and s pe nd ing my mornin gs at the do g p a r k w ith our boxer pup, Th eo ,”

y n d o l o C y e s - Ca i th em i ndf ul h a pa

it’s

BEING IN GOOD HEALTH

LEARNING BALANCE IN COLLEGE TAYLNNE’S CURRENT PLAYLIST SELF-LOVE AND LOVE LANGUAGES DOCUMENTARIES TO WATCH TRUST THE PROCESS

le ar ning balan ce in co llege “Now I know all the pain and frustration isn’t worth the 10 lbs difference - my happiness means so much more. I’ve made it my mission to speak out about these feelings and frustrations because I know there is someone out there who feels helpless and so alone like I did. We are resilient and we can all practice body love and positivity!”

i avos_ and_a bs “I’ve always been a curvy girl and felt bigger than my friends. I remember first feeling uncomfortable in my body in middle school when my friend pointed at my cellulite on my thighs and asked: “what’s that dent?” Throughout my entire high school experience, I tried everything imaginable to shrink my body - I drank DIY diet teas, weighed in weekly with Weight Watchers, visited nutritionists, counted calories on MyFitnessPal, counted macros, completed the Kayla Itsines Bikini Body Guide program...I tried it all. Everything worked for a couple of months at a time and I dropped some lbs, but nothing was sustainable. My weight always fluctuated, I still felt insecure and I hated depriving myself of food I loved to eat. I hated that in order to be thinner, I had to turn down social plans so I wouldn’t be exposed to the “junk food” that my friends ate. I resented the fact that it seemed I always had to choose between my health and my social life.

I was so miserable to the point that I would sit in front of a mirror and uncontrollably sob as I picked apart every aspect of my body I hated. Hating myself and my body was the norm, and I couldn’t understand why none of my friends felt this way. I felt like I was the only one who struggled with my insecurity about my body image.

Once I started college in 2015, it was almost as if all my worries disappeared. I was so mesmerized by my new life as a college student that I didn’t even think about my body once - which was a blessing in disguise. I stopped going to the gym and overindulged in the dining halls. I started going out with friends and binge drinking multiple times per week.

The weight began to pack on, but I didn’t even notice. I was having the time of my life and enjoying every moment of my freshman year of college. But by the end of my freshman year, I looked at myself in the mirror and decided it was time to start treating my body with respect.

Soon after, I got a breast reduction surgery. Once I fully recovered, I began to reintegrate exercise into my lifestyle,

and I quickly fell in love. I found myself going to the gym as my escape and started going to kickboxing classes. I loved the way the post-workout endorphins made me feel more confident and alive. At the beginning of 2017, I left college in the United States to study abroad for a semester in Australia. Moving across the world for 4 months is a bit unsettling, so I turned to the gym to cope with my anxiety.

But I became too obsessive about fitting in my workouts and turned down happy hours for gym sessions. The thought of taking a two week trip to Thailand with no access to the gym caused me lots of anxiety. I started tracking macros again and found myself binging late at night with giant tubs of ice cream because I failed to nourish my body all day. I became so consumed with counting my macros that I even stressed about eating a small apple because of the number of carbohydrates it contained. My abroad friends stopped inviting me to go places with them because they knew I would turn plans down to go to the gym instead.

Physically, I looked well...but mentally, everything was wrong.

I felt so lost. I was incorrectly using food and exercise as a method to feel like I had control of my life. When I returned home from studying abroad, I realized I needed to get rid of these restrictive behaviors because they were impacting my friendships and relationships.

A friend recommended the “Intuitive Eating” book to me, so I ordered it, read it, and I haven’t looked back since!

“Intuitive Eating” truly shifted my perspective and changed my relationship with food. I no longer view food as the enemy - rather, I see it as a way to fuel my body. I try my best to tune into my body’s hunger cues and cravings. Two years have passed and I’m still making my way through my “health journey”. Veggies are my favorite, but I love the freedom of ordering french fries with no guilt. I’m still in love with working out, but I love taking rest days just as much. Have my insecurity and body image issues magically disappeared?

Absolutely not - I’m human,”

“I res e nt e d t he f a c t t hat it s eeme d I a l ways ha d t o choos e be twe e n my he a l t h and my s o c i a l l i f e ,”

“Just because I drink socially doesn’t mean I’m not a healthy person, and just because I’m passionate about health and fitness doesn’t mean that I can’t enjoy drinking with friends. It’s really all about understanding that health isn’t just black & white! You can have your cake and eat it too! Or mimosa, or whatever your drink of choice is ;) Some of my friends definitely judged me on occasion when I would turn down drinking because I had an early workout planned for the next morning. Most nights I actually did want to go out with friends and drink, but some nights I preferred to stay home and bake banana bread. Initially, I think my friends were worried about me and feared that I was turning down a night out to restrict myself from drinking alcohol (and all the calories that came with it). But I think over time, they learned that I simply love my own company just as much as I love being around friends. Some of my friends understood and even felt the same way I did and would stay in with me. I think there’s a big misconception that college students want to party and get wasted every night, but that’s not always the case!

If I’m in the mood to go out and drink with friends, then that’s what I’ll do! I usually try not to go overboard if I’m out with friends so that I can feel my best the next day. However, that doesn’t always happen, so I make sure to hydrate a TON during and after drinking, as well as giving my body rest the next day if that’s what it needs. Once I feel better, I hop right back into my daily routine! If I work out the day after drinking, it’s because I feel that it’s best for my body to get some movement. What I eat/drink/do during a night out does NOT affect the decisions I make about what I eat/drink/do the next day. I don’t ever try to eat less to “make up for the calories” and I don’t ever force myself to workout to try and reverse my actions.

This whole idea of “finding balance” in college can seem daunting because everyone just loooooooves to remind you about the “freshman 15” when starting college (seriously, can’t we find anything else to talk about?),” Do what YOU want to do, not what others want you to do.

You’ve probably heard about “peer pressuring” all throughout middle and high school, but it’s a real thing! If you don’t wanna drink, don’t drink! College is a crazy time in life in which you have the opportunity to explore and get to know who you really are, but that doesn’t always have to involve drinking if it’s not for you. There are plenty of things to do in college that don’t involve drinking.

If you want to drink, then do it! Don’t hold back out of fear of losing “balance”. Say yes to spontaneous nights and live in the moment. Remember, one night of drinking will not drastically change your body. Late nights out with my friends were some of my favorite memories during college.

But also...learn when to say no. Listen to your mind and your body. If you’re not interested in going out, then don’t!

Sometimes, a night staying in watching movies with a face mask can be just as gratifying.

Know your limits. Don’t go too overboard, or else you’re not going to feel like yourself the next day. BUT if the occasional hangover happens, take it easy - don’t force yourself to exercise if it doesn’t feel right. In case I haven’t said it enough, listen to your body!

Plan ahead. This is a big one for me because I LOVE to plan...probably a little too much. If you know you’re someone who doesn’t like to work out the day after drinking, make that day one of your rest days when planning workouts for the week! Maybe even meal prep for the next day so it’s easy peasy to put nourishing, delicious meals together when you might not have a lot of energy.

Make friends who do both. Surround yourself with likeminded people who like to have fun but also understand that you prioritize your healthy lifestyle.

One of my best friends, Hadley, was my rock during low points. It really helps to have someone who understands your situation and really listens to your thoughts and feelings. I also relied on Instagram to feel less alone. Whenever I speak about my experience on Instagram, I am able to connect with so many others who feel the same way as I do. Just hearing someone say “I’ve been there” or “I struggle with that too” instantly makes me feel at ease.

Mentally, I’m working on navigating change in my life and reminding myself that I am where I’m meant to be in this moment. I just moved to New York City and started a fulltime job over a month ago, so I’ve been working on adjusting to this major life change. Hint: I don’t do well with change, so I’ve been accepting the fact that it’s okay to feel anxious and confused. I’m also working on living more in the present moment - I tend to reflect on the past more than I’d like to, and I often spend my time planning for the future rather than taking advantage of the present. Additionally, I’m working on trusting my body and practicing body love and positivity every day. But it’s not something you achieve, it’s a practice that I have to continuously work on!

“ Say ye s t o s po nt a ne o u s ni g ht s a nd l i ve i n t h e m o m e nt . R e m e m be r, on e ni g ht o f dr i nki ng wi l l n o t dra st i c a l l y c ha ng e you r bo dy. Lat e ni g ht s o ut w i th my f r i e nds we re s o m e o f my f avo r i t e m e m o r i e s dur i n g c o l l e g e ,” As for my physical goals, I want to be more in tune with my body’s signals. I’m working on listening to my hunger cues and full cues. I really would like to learn how to indulge without overdoing it (I’ve gotten a lot better about this recently). As for my workouts, I challenge myself to get stronger and faster every day. I’m starting to pick up heavier weights while lifting and I’m overcoming mental roadblocks by pushing faster speeds to improve my endurance. Lastly, I want to incorporate more stretching and meditation! We could all give our bodies more time to stretch and to practice mindfulness,”

“Living a healthier lifestyle did make things tough sometimes. It’s not easy to feel like your best self after a night of drinking till 3 AM. But it was so worth it to me - those were the most fun and memorable nights of college, and I would never trade the memories to be 5 lbs smaller. However, I would never say living this lifestyle was/is inconvenient in any way. It’s just the way I choose to live my life and it’s just simply who I am!”

m o o b e s r a K a n i -G

talynne’s cur rent playlis t “As a person highly fond of most genres of music, my favorites at the moment are a little scattered across the music board. Although I am from California as opposed to a classic Southern state, country music is still a must in the car! The songs I have chosen exhibit how I am not tethered to one genre, but do enjoy a bit of everything, especially country!

TESTIFY | NEEDTOBREATHE This song never fails to leave me in a better, lightened mood. Something about the way this song is sung makes it relaxing and empowering at the same time. I highly recommend this song if you’re looking for a peaceful and hopeful song! It will make you want to sleep, pray, dance, and make it a great day all at the same time.

SOFIA | ALVARO SOLER Such an uplifting, happy, bubbly song! It is in Spanish, but Soler pronounces the chorus very well that pretty much anyone (including me) can sing along and totally enjoy the song. This is a song that my friends and I always add to queue when jamming out in the car. Do with that information as you choose. :)

i ur goodhea l th

HOLD US TOGETHER | MATT MAHER This song is my epitome of finding someone to relate with about my struggles. The whole song talks about how everyone is basically a mess. About how we don’t have jobs, can’t pay rent, how we can’t fix our lives in “5 easy steps”... relatable! It’s whole teaching is that we don’t need to fix our lives, and that love will hold us together! Worth a listen for a little pick me up in lonely times.

COME AS YOU ARE | CROWDER No, this is not that same song as “Come As You Are” by Nirvana. This song has gotten me through many, many rough times. It is all about accepting your burdens, and going to God as you are! Flaws and all. Even if you are not religious, this song is still meaningful and worth the listen.

KNEE DEEP | ZAC BROWN BAND Need to relieve stress? Need an escape song? You’ve found it. This song takes me to the beach in my mind every time I listen to it. It helps me forget my struggles even for a minute or two. Also, it just rocks! It has a country feel but also just an “uppy vibe”, if you will. You can rock to this song, or let it take you to the beach. Either way I highly recommend it!

CHANGING | JOHN MAYER This is one of those songs that I just put on when I am upset. I love this song, however, because it always gives me hope, because I am “not done changing”. This song is always the perfect reminder that we are always growing, progressing, moving.

Nothing is a constant, and this song always helps me to see my life from a new perspective, with more hope and gratitude.

ALL THE DEBT I OWE | CAAMP This song catches you from the very first second! It is a good morning car ride listen, or late at night. Not a very hype song, but just one that seems to lighten my mood a bit. You’ll have to just listen to this one for yourself and see if you like it!

sel f- l ove and love language s Camillia Nwokedi shares her views on self-love, and how she discovered her own love languages to get a better understanding of the concept.

It seems like everyone is always talking about self-love, but loving yourself fully and consistently is hard. Although we all want to love ourselves and can agree that selflove is a beautiful thing, it’s not something that we simply achieve by waking up one day and stating, “Today is the day I start loving myself”. Self-love is a skill. It requires constant practice, and requires a foundation of self-respect, self-care, and self-appreciation. When first meeting someone, love doesn’t usually just ensue— there is first attraction. You might look at how they carry themselves, how kind they are, how they appear, their strengths and weaknesses and a bunch of other little things. The same goes for one’s self. Self-love is the most ideal state of being attracted to yourself and the energy that you put out into the world. Taking the time to understand yourself, or ‘date’ yourself, is one of the nicest things that you can do for yourself because self-awareness paves the way for respecting one’s self. If you spend time assessing who you are as a person and what you have the capacity to do despite adversity, you can increase your perspective, gratitude, respect, and admiration. Plus, actively checking in with yourself and gaging where you are in your life or self-love journey automatically gives yourself an advantage over the average person who is not. Given this additional perspective, you now will have the ability to identify and appreciate the positive aspects of yourself and/or acknowledge and aspire to change the negative ones.

I was first introduced to Love Languages in high school. In my senior year religion class (I went to a private catholic high school), we all took a 5 minute Love Language quiz, and to this day I am forever grateful that we did. The point of the quiz is to provide individuals with some insight as to how they like to receive love, and perhaps how they naturally think to express love (although how one prefers to receive and express love may differ). There are five love languages in total: Physical Touch, Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Acts of Service, and Gifts. The quiz consists of situational questions like, “What would be more meaningful? A hug from your partner or a gift from your partner.” to determine your ‘score’. There are no wrong answers and scoring higher in one Love Language is not better or worse than scoring higher in another. In fact, we all to some degree are all of the Love Languages. The one you score the highest in is simply your dominant one. In short, the quiz is a useful and introspective tool that will allow you to go out into the world with a better understanding of how you love to be loved. With this information, one can gain more perspective into how they, their friends, and/or their partners work. As we have already established, better understanding leads to self-awareness, which leads to self-respect, which are key practices necessary for eventually reaching an ideal state of self-love.

So what does it mean to have a Love Language of Physical Touch, Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Acts of Service, or Gifts?

PHYSICAL TOUCH If you are physical touch, like me, then you LOVE hugs, kisses, shoulder rubs, and overall physical affection. If your partner is on the couch, you are either sitting right next to them or on their lap. You hate to be that person but you also can’t help but commit a little PDA…or a lot. You’re the person who meets a new person for the first time and goes in for a hug, while simultaneously declaring, “I’m a hugger!” Basically, you thrive off of physical touch and intimate connection, even if that means just physical proximity.

Meanwhile, if you are the opposite of physical touch, you don’t understand the “I’m a hugger type”, nor do you want to. If someone stands too close to you in line you probably resent them, and you probably want to die if someone wants to sleep with their arms, legs, life wrapped around you. That’s okay! The whole point of Love Languages is to better understand people and the way their senses are wired to receive love. It is not a tool to be used against someone or yourself, or to construct judgement of any kind.

WORDS OF AFFIRMATION Another possibility is that you are Words of Affirmation. Instead of a hug, you might prefer a reassuring pep talk, a compliment, or a written card. You thrive off of verbal affirmations and in order to know that your partner/friend/family/ self loves you, you need to HEAR it. Theoretically, if you were to do something nice for your partner, then it would mean the world to you if they verbally acknowledged how amazing and kind you were to have done that for them. Words carry a lot of weight for you if you score high with this Love Language, which means that negative speech can also really impact you.

It does not mean that you are sensitive, it just means that you really take in what you are being told. I also scored high in this Love Language and have found that starting my day with a positive self-affirmation such as, “I am kind, intelligent, and compassionate, and I have the capacity to do great things.”, does amazing things for my mental state and confidence.

QUALITY TIME If you scored highest in Quality Time then you simply value time with your partner. You also value attentiveness during your interactions. You most likely are a good listener and appreciate being heard by your partner in return. Quality Time does not necessarily mean that you are an introvert that prioritizes spending time alone or one on one with your partner, it just means that you might prefer activities where you and your partner can engage in something together. Scoring high for this Love Language also does not mean that you are clingy, it simply means that you love and appreciate quality time with the people that you love. When you don’t have the chance to engage with people who are close to you, you might feel neglected or overwhelmed by a hectic schedule for example. But fear not, a quick coffee date or FaceTime chat can be an amazing way to engage and show some love to a Quality Timer who may not have a lot of time!

ACTS OF SERVICE Acts of Service is driven more by action as you might have guessed by the name. If you score highest here then you really appreciate a helping hand when it is needed. If you have had a crazy week at work/school and come home to see that your partner has cleaned the house, made dinner, and folded all of the laundry that has been piling up for the last week and a half, your heart may melt just a little. Even a small gesture such as someone holding the door for you is something that you probably notice and appreciate. Scoring this Love Language does not mean that you aren’t independent. It just may mean that you value a little teamwork here and there. If this is your Love Language, then you most likely will not value friendships or relationships with people who don’t have the time or perhaps even the resources to be there for you when you need them.

This is because you yourself probably express love by being extremely helpful for others. It is not because you are needy :)

GIFTS If you score highest in Gifts as your Love Language do not worry or feel the need to explain yourself to others. It does not mean at all that you must be materialistic (although you totally could be which is also fair), it just means that you value being thought of. You might love waking up to find that your partner has gifted you a little cup of coffee on your nightstand that morning. Or, you might love the engraved bracelet that your best friend got you five years ago because not only did she think about you when she was buying it, but now every time you wear it you think of her. You may love gifts because they act as physical reminders that the people in your life love you and know you well. On the other hand, because gifts hold so much weight with you, you might also be hurt if you receive a gift that is purely materialistic. Most chances are, you love the thought, effort, and sentimental value behind gift giving more so than the actual item itself. Also, if your love for gifts gets abused— such as having a partner only shower you with gifts instead of being a present partner who offers you more than just things— than your feelings can equally be hurt.

You do not have to be in a relationship with someone to benefit from learning about your Love Languages.

There are multiple versions of the quiz from different perspectives so that you can take it if you are single or have kids/teens that you want to better understand and love! Finding out and knowing my Love Languages has seriously changed my life. It has allowed me to enter into the most beautiful relationship with my boyfriend and more importantly, with myself. Investing in your relationship with yourself is invaluable and I hope that you always take time to ‘date’ yourself.

You can take the quiz here.

d ocum ent ar ies t o watc h From animation to murder to animal abuse, here are some new documentaries to add to your list next time you feel like watching something new.

BLACKFISH | NETFLIX + AMAZON PRIME It’s the story of a performing killer whale, Tilikum, that killed a few people while in captivity. The documentary shows the cruel treatment of the species and the pressures they faced, as well as the controversy over keeping killer whales in captivity. It also features footage from trainers attacked by these killer whales and interviews from those who witnessed them.

KNOCK DOWN THE HOUSE | NETFLIX It takes place during the campaigns of progessive Democrats Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Amy Vilela, Cori Bush, and Paula Jean Swearengin. Their highs and lows are showcased on camera as they attempt to make their way into Congress and take down wealthy politicans, with only AOC winning the election.

THREE IDENTICAL STRANGERS| HULU Triplets are adopted by separate families and grew up living their whole lives without being aware they had brothers. They were subjects of a scientific twin study, to measure their individual development in different circumstances. After they turned 19, they found each other and are left to understand why they were separated in the first place.

THE PIXAR STORY | NETFLIX It’s about the history of the Pixar Animation Studios, and how it was able to build itself from the ground up. It gives insight into the creative progress of films, and how much Pixar itself has change throughout the years,

AMANDA KNOX | NETFLIX It’s the story of Amanda Knox, who was twice convicted and eventually acquitted for murdering her roommate while in Italy.

She spent four years in an Italian prison, before standing in front of the Supreme Court of Cassation. The documentary shows interviews of Amanda, her ex-boyfriend, the Italian prosecutor, and others involved.

UNTOUCHABLE | HULU This film is about Harvey Weinstein and the sexual abuse allegations involving him, focusing on the interviews from his accusers. It also shows interviews from his past employees and the journalists who helped share the story to the world.

APOLLO 11 | HULU Focusing on the 1969 Apollo 11 mission, this film shows archival footage never been released to the public. There is also no narration, interviews, or any modern recreations of previous moments. You can watch the first moon landing in a different way.

20 FEET FROM STARDOM | NETFLIX It tells the Oscar-winning story of the lives of background singers for big stars like Judith Hill and Lisa Fischer. Many talented singers never made their own solo careers and remained for years in the shadows of these artists, transforming their songs from good to legendary.

trust t h e proc es s A big part of college for many freshmen is greek life. Most people envision themselves living with dozens of others in a giant house, but here’s a story one girl who found out during the process that it wasn’t for them.

“Trust the process.” This is what I was told going into sorority recruitment. I was an excited freshman hoping to find my place on a big campus. I would see girls on Instagram with their matching outfits and pretty smiles exclaiming how they loved their sorority and I wanted that. Since my mom was also in a sorority, for a while I thought that was what I had to do to be happy and have the ultimate college experience. Turns out, that life isn’t for everyone.

Going into rush week, where you meet every sorority back to back, I was nervous but so excited. The first couple houses I went to went great and I even got called back to a high-ranking house for the next round, but as the week went on, I began to slowly start getting turned down from a lot of houses. I think maybe part of the reason was I was a little too honest and would tell the girls I was wearing leggings under my jeans to stay warm in the -10-degree weather instead of wearing ripped jeans. At the beginning, I took this personal and wondered what was wrong with me and why they didn’t like me. After a few rounds one of my favorite houses turned me down and I was crushed. That feeling of rejection really hit me hard. But then I began to see maybe sorority life wasn’t what I wanted.

As I went from house to house, I would notice I didn’t want to small talk with girls that I probably wouldn’t talk to again and how at the end of the day I felt really drained. At one house, the girls pushed their beds together and slept like that every night and I knew that would drive me crazy. Introvert me needs some personal space. I realized while I liked meeting new people and hanging out with good close friends, it wouldn’t be a good fit for me to live in a house with that many other girls all the time. So, as I was getting disappointed that these girls weren’t calling me back, I realized I was giving off the impression like I was rejecting them as well, so I dropped out.

“What I want you all to know is that you don’t have to be in a sorority and post on Instagram with your ‘big’ if that’s not who you are. If you have gone through the process and it didn’t work for you like me and a few other girls I know, don’t let it get you down. I am happy now with a group of friends that aren’t in sororities or frats and they are completely normal! I have one roommate, my bestie, not 100 roommates. I have definitely grown a lot from that experience and developed thicker skin. After dropping recruitment, I thought the statement “trust the process” was crap, but what I realized is that the process worked, just not in the way I expected,”

it’s

WHERE WE GO

TRAVELING SUSTAINABLY SAN ANTONIO + AUSTIN, TX

travel i ng s us tainably Thinking about making a trip soon? Check out this guide to get some ideas on how to make less of an impact when you go see the world.

HERE ARE SOME IDEAS • •

• • • • • •

Shop secondhand + borrow: If you have to replace a suitcase, need a new rain coat, or just looking for an item specifically for the vacation, consider buying it secondhand or loaning it from a friend. Saves you money and time!

How to get there: Usually, driving will always be better than flying, especially if you’re going with multiple people too.

Public transportation, like buses and trains, are the best option overall. For transcontinental trips, flying will be faster which makes it more efficient. It’s a case-by-case basis, so consider where you’re going, how long will it take, and who you are traveling with and try to pick the most eco-friendly option.

Offsets: An easy way to try to do some good when traveling. If you’re flying, some airlines actually will give you the option to purchase carbon offsets for your trip. If you’re driving or prefer to use an outside service, TerraPass has a personal carbon offset calculator that lets you find out how much CO2 your trip will emit, so you can purchase offsets accordingly.

Bring your reusables: Travel with a tumbler, set of cutlery, straws, cotton bags, bamboo cotton rounds, and any other single-use item you would typically use on vacation.

Be aware of your trash: Your guests in a new city, town, forest, etc. Don’t treat it like a landfill. Keep your plastic bottles, soda cans, and any other trash off the ground, be considerate.

Traveling around: See what’s available to you. If you’re in a city, try public transportation or rent a bike/electric scooter. If you take an Uber or Lyft, try ridesharing.

Eat local: Give back to their community by supporting local restaurants and farmers. Less of a carbon footprint, especially if you choose plant-based options, plus you can get a real feel for their culture there. Stock up at a farmer’s market or local grocery and get a few snacks + food there in case you don’t want to eat out for every meal.

Stay closer to home: Honestly, traveling sustainably is difficult, but the closer you are to home, the easier it’ll be. Look at the towns around you and see if you can find a hidden gem of a place. Travel by public transportation with a friend and start making memories.

But these blogs can probably give you better insight on how to travel sustainably: • • • • • • • • • •

Green Global Travel: They promote ecotourism, national parks and reserves conservation, and more.

Ethical Traveler: A nonprofit organization that uses ecotourism to protect human + environment rights.

Every Steph: Luxury + glamor meets sustainable travel.

Travel With Kat: Read travel experiences by the only individual ever to win the AITO Responsible Tourism Award (which is normally given to companies).

Green Traveler Guides: Your source for eco-friendly destination guides.

Breathedreamgo: Experiences based on solo female travel in India, Canada, and other destinations.

Burger Abroad: A vegan who eats her way around the world, while making time to pet-sit too.

The Nomadic Vegan: A blog dedicated to finding vegan options in the most unlikely places.

One Upon a Saga: Since 2013, this traveler has been traveling to every country without flying.

Wanderlust and Lipstick: A blog that encourages women to travel solo.

All these blogs + websites give tips, guides, reviews, and more on different places around the world. For those who are beginning to be conscious travelers, these are great resources to check out first.

San Ant o n i o + Au st i n , TX This summer, I visited the most visited city in Texas, San Antonion, as well as one of the sunniest cities in the country, Austin. These places are specifically know for their Mexican culture, healthy eats, and historic monuements. And when they say everythings bigger in Texas, they weren’t kidding.

My trip was short, so for a few days, I ate as much tacos, regional foods, and sweets that I could, as well as see a few tourist attractions.

So here’s my traveling guide, filled with all things foods, including a few places I plan to try out next time.

SMALL BITES + DRINKS Pearl Farmer’s Market 312 Pearl Parkway San Antonio, TX 78215 It’s a giant farmers market with over 45 vendors, all located within 150 miles. They sell produce, meat, eggs, baked, goods, prepared foods, and more. Along with typical finds, like fresh produce, you can also find things like kombucha, caramel candies, succulents, and beauty products. It’s a two day market, where the first day is for producer-only goods, and the second day is focused more on artisanal and prepared foods.

Pictured here is a vegan empanada and a plate of spicy sichuan noodles with a pork steam bun.

Shotgun House Roasters San Antonio They turned an old Crossfit gym into a serene coffee shop, serving coffee, local eats, and more. They’re known for their seasonal drinks, like the Fall Campfire Latte, and they also offer coffee subscriptions to brew your own cup at home.

They serve coffee, breakfast tacos, sweets, sandwiches, and make their syrups in-house.

Revolucion Coffee + Juice San Antonio + Houston This is a plant-based coffee and juice shops. This was also the first San Antonio cafe to sell cold-pressed juice. They make the majority of their goods in-house, like their nut milks, acai bowls, and more. They have typical menu items, like coffee but also more fun items like Golden Milk, Raw Chocolate Pudding, and more.

Along with their cafe products, they have prepared grab-and-go foods as well. They have a small selection of wellness + beauty products too.

Berry to Bean San Antonio This place is known for their unique drinks, like their Beet Supreme latte, as well as their smoothies and juices. It’s a chic place that gives you plenty of opportunities for a cute photo with your Instagram-worthy drink.

You can find traditional coffee drinks, smoothies, cold-pressed juices, and sweets like donuts here.

Bakery Lorraine San Antonio + Austin If you want a sweet treat with your morning coffee, this is the place. They’re known for their small pastries and treats like macarons, tarts, and éclairs.

Aside from the sweets and coffee, they have savory lunch options like sandwiches and toasts.

BREAKFAST/LUNCH/DINNER Picnik Austin They started as a food trailer, and quickly gained recognition for their butter coffee. Picnik finally opened their first restaurant in 2016. Everything they serve is gluten-free, corn-free, peanut-free, and soy-free. They focus on real, locally + ethically sourced food, and serve a variety of plates, shareables, and sweets.

The have breakfast foods, tacos, drinks, salads, and more.

Sanchos Cocina y Cantina San Antonio It’s a bar, but also has delicious Mexican food. It’s locally known for being a hidden gem and it’s laid-back style. Their award-winning nachos are a classic and they also make all of their corn tortillas in-house. At night, it’s a full service bar with live music.

They have classic Mexican food like tortas, tacos, and empanadas, a drink menu for those over 21, and they offer a few vegetarian and vegan options.

Earth Burger San Antonio They are known as one of the first plant-based fast food options in the country, and are started to expand. They have vegetarian cuisine, and try to cater to those who are not exclusively vegetarian and vegan. They are also eco-conscious as well.

They have typical fast food options: burgers, fries, sandwiches, drinks, and also have bowls, salads, and other healthier options.

MORE SAN ANTONIO RESTAURANTS ON MY LIST • • • • • • • • • •

The Cove | Sustainable, organic, and local food + creative tacos, burgers, and more.

Evergreen Organic Restaurant | All organic versions of classics like fries, burgers, lasagnas, and pizza.

Grayze | Known for their comfort food + brunch options.

Chisme | Free chips and queso during Happy Hour, brunch, and dinner options.

Dough Pizzeria | Pizza loved by the locals.

The Broadway 5050 | Based on the 90’s with a big focus on Pulp Fiction (like the Royal with Cheese burger).

La Fonda on Main | Past president’s have eaten here! Classic Tex-Mex cuisine.

Henry’s Puffy Tacos | A famous San Antonio dish, puffy tacos use fried tortillas for fluffy tacos.

The Cookhouse | Known for it’s New Orleans cuisine.

Cured | Charcuterie plates on charcuterie plates.

SWEET TREATS Voodoo Doughnuts Austin It started off in Portland, Oregon before opening a location in Austin. They’re known for their unique and original handmade doughnuts topped with ingredients like M&M’s, Oreos, cookies, bacon, and more. They even cater at weddings and other special occasions.

They offer raised yeast doughnuts, cake doughnuts, and specialty doughnuts.

They also have vegan options on their menu.

5 Points Local San Antonio Their focus is on clean gluten-free food. They have a big menu, but they’re known for their sweets like their tarts, vegan twinkies, and banana bread.

They offer coffee, lunch, dinner, and sweets. They also have vegan, vegetarian, and paleo options.

Amy’s Ice Creams San Antonio + Houston + Austin Amy’s handcrafts artisan ice creams, fruit ices, and frozen yogurt. They’re known for their Mexican Vanilla Ice Cream, but have over 350 flavors in their rotation. It was founded by Texa’s First Professional Female Boxer, Amy, how cool is that?

Along with ice cream, fruit ices, and frozen yogurt, they have baked goods too. If you’re looking for a plant-based option, you can find that here.

Bird Bakery San Antonio They serve freshly baked goods daily, and they also donate their leftovers to local nonprofits. They have comfort food too if you’re looking for something more savory.

Aside from sweets like muffins, nutella bread, and lemon pound cake, you can also find lunch options.

HERE’S SOME INSTA-WORTHY SWEETS TO TRY • • • •

Bubble Waffle Bar | Build your own bubble waffle and add your favorite ice cream + toppings.

The Art of Donut | Handmade donuts with toppings like Fruity Pebbles and Lucky Charms.

Churro Co | Churros for days.

The Baked Bear | Monster-sized ice cream sandwiches.

it’s

REAL

INSATIABLE YOUR BODY IS NOT A TEMPLE

Insatiable I lie awake I try to think of all the things I could do To try and make myself—stop loving you It’s a lonely, lonely road— If I just keep calling you home I don’t know what else I can do to stop loving you Spinning circles in my head Wondering if I will ever love someone else instead I don’t know what else to do but keep loving you Will this go on to avail Will there ever be a saving grail Your haunting my dreams, as the ghost of me— runs away with you And now I can’t breathe Cause’ I’m starting to see There’s nothing else I could possibly do but keep loving you So I’ll keep lying awake Knowing that my hearts been yours to take I’m feeling every bone begin ache I don’t know what else I can do There gotta’ be some day that I’ll stop— loving you Will I grow old As I keep waiting for my love to expire Or will my life be held back by my relentless desire Your love may be my futile ail I cant imagine that I would prevail I don’t know what else I can do to stop loving you

Your Body is Not a Temple Your body is not a temple.

For temples become ruins, Destroyed by years of turmoil And jarring weather.

Your body is a mountain Of peaks and valleys, Constantly changing its terrain As years pass.

Your body is a river; Flowing, ceaselessly, nourishing the life Of your souls garden.

Your body is a field of grass, Stretching on forever, Boundless in its simplistic beauty, Growing stronger, greener, With every passing storm.

Your body is not a temple, But everything that is alive and succulent.

You are a mountain, A river, A field of rolling grass.

You are vivacious and divine and alive And nothing can destroy you.

u o y thank

FOR READING.

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it’s

I’m restless.

Things are calling me away.

My hair is being pulled by the stars again.