ISSUE 19: SEP / OCT 2011
SMART. SEXY. SUSTAINABLE.
FRAN
DRESCHER TRASHES CANCER
3RD ANNIVERSARY ISSUE
EDITOR IN CHIEF
ANNA GRIFFIN
DIRECTOR OF TRANSMEDIA & BUSINESS DEV. KAREN SNYDER WEBMASTER CREATIVE DIRECTOR SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER EDITOR-AT-LARGE GUEST EDITOR FASHION DIRECTOR FASHION EDITOR
WOLFGANG KOVACEK K.Y. SNYDER LUKE TRIMMINGS STARRE VARTAN KELLY GALLAGHER MICHELE LLANOS SARAH GRIFFIN BERNS
ASSISTANT FASHION EDITOR
THUY NGUYEN
BEAUTY DIRECTOR
EMMA PEZZACK
BEAUTY EDITOR
LEILAH MUNDT
EUROPEAN EDITOR SASS BROWN FEATURES EDITOR
BETH DOANE
EVENTS EDITOR
VICKI GODAL
NY EDITOR MEN WE LOVE EDITOR
JOHANNA BJÖRK NIKKI LIN
WOMEN OF THE WORLD EDITOR
NICOLE LANDERS
TAKE ACTION EDITOR
HEATHER CARTER
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
ZEM JOAQUIN
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
VICKI GODAL NICHOLA ZED
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
JEFFREY FITERMAN RUSSELL BAER EVAN KLANFER
ASSISTANT PHOTOGRAPHER KEY HAIR STYLIST CONTRIBUTING HAIR STYLIST KEY MAKE UP ARTIST CONTRIBUTING MAKE UP ARTIST
ANGEL ROMERO JUDD MINTER BRIAN BOWMAN JULIANNE KAYE KELLY HUNT MIRIAM VUKICH
CONTRIBUTING STYLIST
ADEEL KHAN
COCO ECO MAGAZINEd is published by Coco Eco Magazine. a Copyright 2008-2011 Coco Eco Magazine. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the Publisher.
EDITOR LETTER TO YOU BY ANNA GRIFFIN LETTER TO YOU BY RUSTY ROBERTSON CONTRIBUTORS COCO ECO EDITOR LOVES
FASHION SHAPE ME UP!
Take advantage of the architectural proportions, bold color palette, and structured fem looks that strutted down this season’s runways. Whether you prefer a peplum skirt or a menswear-inspired jacket, these Fall trends are bound to lend you some glam drama.
ARTISANAL DENIM STOCKHOLM TREND REPORT STR DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT NEW YORK EDITOR LOVES SPOTLIGHT ON FASHION: Eco-Designers Support Breast Cancer Awareness
BEAUTY
10 12 14 16 18
Donna Karan, Alice Crisci, Janet Roberts, Kelly Gallagher, Dr. Sharyn Wynters and Robin Gray
WINNING THE WAR
26 32 46 50 52
COMETICS FOR A CURE
66 68 70
SPOTLIGHT ON BEAUTY: ODACITE: Food for Your Skin
WOMEN OF THE WORLD
TAKE ACTION
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BEAUTY DIRECTOR LOVES
FRAN DRESCHER TRASHES CANCER
WELLNESS GODDESSES
BACK TO BASICS
It’s the end of summer, your tan is fading, and that gorgeous glow you’ve rocked the whole season has turned to dull, dry, and drab. Prep. Prime. Perfect. Enjoy!
COVER STORY
MEN WE LOVE CANCER FIGHTING INNOVATORS Dr. Phil Harrington, Dr. John Gray, Dr. Jeff Spencer, and Dr. Joel A. Aronowitz
GO THE ECO-CHIC GUIDE TO LONDON, PARIS AND MILAN
72
80
86 90
96
LIFE MIRACLES IN THE MIST THE DIET DILEMMA UNCONDITIONAL LOVE BELLISSIMA’S BLISSFUL FOUNDER PINK WASHING
114 116 118 120 122
CONSCIOUS REVELLER BE AN ANGEL LOUISE ASHBY FARM SANCTUARY
SHOPPING CONCIERGE GET IT ALL HERE!
124 126 128 126
THE CANCER ISSUE Sept/ Oct 2011 / ISSUE 19
LETTER TO YOU THE CANCER ISSUE
I had many reasons for wanting to devote an entire issue of Coco Eco to the conversation about cancer, and faced varied responses to the idea, the majority being, “Great, just don’t actually mention the C word.” How to do an issue about this disease yet avoid mentioning its name? A really interesting concept, especially from my POV when my Dad lives with it and I have lost two Grandparents, three Uncles, an Aunt, and my best friend from differing strains. Although I have been spared experiencing the final stages of watching a loved one die from it, I have heard how utterly heart breaking it is to witness, and I can confidently say that cancer is a predatory and hostile illness that spares no mercy in its victims. So with that in mind, we needed a cover girl who was vociferous in wanting to kick its ass. Enter Fran Drescher. A busy woman on the go with her latest campaign, “Trash Cancer” about to launch via her non-profit Cancer Schmancer, and the second series of her hit TV show, “Happily Divorced” about to debut, she graciously found the time to step in front of celeb photog Russell Baer’s lens
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whilst having a quick chat with our Guest Editor, Kelly Gallagher. Fran brought her mega star wattage to our shoot, as she clearly does in her fight against cancer, promoting early detection and proactivity as the way forward for us girls. Anyway you look at it cancer is not pretty. With prostate cancer being the leading affliction for men, breast cancer for women, and a host of other invasive kinds that that will affect one in two men and one in three women, whilst 1,500 Americans die daily (that’s one every minute), isn’t it time we started talking about it? This word we are all trying to desperately avoid is becoming part of our everyday vocabulary and to deny it will only surrender more loved ones than we need to lose. Surely it is now time to powerfully confront it, and what better time than coming into October and our national Breast Cancer Awareness Month? With that in mind, there was no one else to guest edit than five-time cancer survivor, Kelly Gallagher. Kelly is somewhat of a phenomenon having survived five bouts against cancer as well as heart surgery, and yet powerfully walking amongst us as an educator and inspiration. In my world she’s a hero. We also couldn’t produce this issue without connecting with Stand Up To Cancer, and in particular our mentor and friend, Rusty Robertson. Rusty, as one of the Co-Founders of SU2C, is what I consider a Godmother in the fight against this illness, and she generously shares with us a tribute letter to her friend and fellow SU2C
| COCO ECO MAGAZINE | September - October 2011
www.cocoecomag.com
Anna Griffin with Surinder Singh
Co-Founder, Laura Ziskin. Laura lost her battle against breast cancer a few months ago. To further commemorate this edition, I have been given the very special opportunity to produce an online Cancer Awareness Week sales event via JP Selects (www.jpselects.com), with 100% of our profits benefitting Cancer Schmancer. I have hand-picked some very special brands to feature for sale, and we commissioned two limited edition pieces; a recycled cashmere scarf from Deborah Lindquist and a hand-made, stunningly rock n’ roll, fair-trade bracelet from Nialaya, both which you will see in my Editors Picks. Please visit www.jpselects.com and support when we launch the sale on September 25th, so we can come together to raise money, awareness, and make a difference, whilst also looking fabulous and caring for our planet. And that’s the point, really. If something is bad for Mother Earth, it’s bad for your body, and vice versa. Aside from sharing a very gentle yet poignant approach to this subject via this edition, I also want to encourage you to start seriously thinking about what you’re ingesting that might be hurting you. From your cosmetics to your deodorant, your skin care to your dry-cleaning, and your diet to your household cleaning products. If it’s toxic, you’re putting yourself in the line of fire, and there really is no need to do so. It is now possible to combine a non-toxic yet glamorous approach to life, and living
holistically has never looked so good. As I close this issue I dedicate it to my Dad who fights cancer everyday, and to my grandmother Joy Griffin, my uncles James Pilditch and David Moorfoot, and dearest friend Surinder Singh who all gracefully lost their battle. They were all incredibly special people whom I will never forget, and without them this important issue of Coco Eco wouldn’t have happened. They inspired me to make a difference for which I am eternally grateful, and hope this issue in turn inspires you to do likewise. Sincerely,
Anna Griffin Editor In Chief, Coco Eco Magazine
Photo Credit: Laura Ziskin, co-founder SU2C and Rusty Robertson
LETTER TO YOU RUSTY ROBERTSON GUEST LETTER
My dear friend Laura Ziskin, the legendary film producer we lost in June after she courageously lived with breast cancer for seven years, was one of eight women with whom I co-founded Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C). Our goal is to raise funds to speed the pace of “translational” cancer research, focused on getting new, less toxic treatments to patients in an accelerated timeframe, and to excite the public about supporting that effort. Laura’s accomplishments as a producer were, to borrow the title of one of her films, “As Good As It Gets.” Her credits included the Spider-Man franchise, Pretty Woman, and two Oscar telecasts, just to name a few. Laura had the courage to develop David Fincher’s Fight Club when no one else would and the heart to help make William Hurt’s performance in The Doctor possible. For all she accomplished in show business, though, her legacy in the fight against cancer will be the most lasting. As a person living with cancer, Laura played a key role in shaping SU2C’s patient-centric vision. One mantra Laura often shared with the Stand Up To Cancer scientists was “culture eats strategy for lunch.” She engendered a culture of “we don’t have time to wait.” Today, just three years after our launch, the five collaborative SU2C-
funded research Dream Teams have 34 clinical trials up and running. This is an incredibly promising moment in cancer research, with monumental discoveries occurring at a breathtaking pace. Laura never stopped thinking about how to get the average person jazzed about this progress, to absorb that we have the power to end cancer’s reign as a leading cause of death. She obsessed about how we could build a grassroots movement of people willing to do whatever they can to support the scientists working toward that goal. Serving as executive producer of our first two fundraising telecasts, Laura often commented that her tricky challenge with the shows was “to make cancer entertaining.” She succeeded, rallying an incredible array of stars to tell the stories of those taken by cancer, as well as the increasing number of people who survive it. Laura was a force to be reckoned with, her heart full of fierce love. A ferocity of spirit brought strength and confidence and belief into every room she entered; and her love did not temper that spirit, but infused it with purpose, with integrity, and with selfless caring - and made it grow big enough to touch others everywhere she went. A speech Laura made not long before she died ended with this wonderful line: “In my world, the hero always gets the villain, the boy always gets the girl, and cancer is no more.” We will continue to Stand Up To Cancer until that vision becomes reality, and invite everyone reading this to visit www.su2c.org to learn about the role you can play in this fight.
Rusty Robertson
Co-Founder Stand Up to Cancer, and Partner RSA
CONTRIBUTOR HIGHLIGHT
KELLY GALLAGHER
NICHOLA ZED
LEILAH MUNDT
VICKI GODAL
As a five time cancer survivor, five pacemaker surgeries, a bone marrow transplant and open-heart surgery, Kelly Gallagher inspires people with her radiance, grace and unyielding desire to always help people who have are facing health challenges and to guide them to wellness. Gallagher is an international speaker, health advocate, and also the creator of two foundations, “The Mouth Of Hope” and the “Ugottawanna Foundation”, both are health and wellness based.
Global traveller, Nichola Zed, has recently returned to Australia after studying and working in Paris, Florence, Brussels and the UK at some of the most respected contemporary art galleries, including Haunch of Venison in London. Having an MA in Art and Bachelors Degree in Architecture, Nichola has an abundance of experience and is only 28. In 2010, Nichola lost her partner to cancer. His death inspired her to keep following the journey they planned together; to educate the world about sustainable design and emotional and intellectual peace.
With over a decade of work in the beauty industry, Leilah Mundt has emerged as a leader in the green beauty movement. She is passionate about bringing awareness to products that blur the line between health and luxury. She resides in Southern California with her husband and new baby girl.
Godal is a journalista on the prowl for the who, what, where, when and why of eco-fashion and style. Intent on bringing this exploding green niche to the masses, Godal gathers inspiration and information through exploring sustainable fashion and eco style. Godal has covered stories for Fox News/LA, Interview magazine, Vogue, Seventeen, Malibu Magazine, the LA Times, The Malibu Times, The Aspen Times and Whole Life Times. Godal is the Green Life reporter for Examiner.com/ LA’s Home and Lifestyle column.
Guest Editor
www.ugottawanna.org
Contributing Writer
Beauty Editor
Contributing Writer
ADVERTISEMENT
DEBORAH LINDQUIST SCARF FOR CANCER SCHMANCER Created from reincarnated vintage cashmere, and designed exclusively for Cancer Schmancer, this limited edition scarf is available until October 31st, with 100% of profits benefitting CS. - $150.00 (From September 26th) www.jpselects.com
INDIGENOUS DESIGNS DRAPE NECK TEE Crafted from lightweight organic 100% cotton jersey, this tee features ruched detailing at the hips, and an elegant draped neckline. Low impact dyes and the fact that the tee is produced in a fair trade cooperative puts this garment in a category of its own. - $60.00 www.indigenousdesigns.com
JURLIQUE ULTRA FIRM AND LIFT CREAM
NIALAYA BRACELET FOR CANCER SCHMANCER
DERMABLEND PROFESSIONAL FOUNDATION BRUSH
A luxurious, triple action cream formulated with high performance botanicals, proven to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, boost skin elasticity, and redefine facial contours. Free of parabens, PEG’s, sulfates, synthetic dyes and fragrances.
The coveted brand of supermodels and rock stars, and hand-made in Hollywood using fair trade and ethically sourced beads, Nialaya has created this limited edition bracelet using Red Jade for balance and healing, Matte Onyx for strength and stamina, and hand set crystals to amplify prayers and wishes. Available until October 31st, with 100% profits benefitting Cancer Schmancer.
Made free of animal hair, with recycled aluminum and bamboo, the Dermablend Foundation Brush ensures a flawless finish without sacrificing the beauty of the planet.
- $70.00 www.jurlique.com
- $300.00 (From September 26th) www.jpselects.com
- $30.00 www.dermablend.com
COCO ECO EDITOR LOVES Look good, feel good, be good! CURATED by: Anna
JOHN MASTERS ORGANICS ARGAN OIL
AVEDA HAND RELIEFTM FOR BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
ORGANIC GLAM NAIL POLISH IN RED
Harvested and produced in Morocco by hand in the Argan forest, the production is carried out by a women’s cooperative that has established an ecosystem reforestation project to ensure sustainability. The income generated is providing healthcare and education for the entire community. Naturally rich in Vitamin E and Omega 6, and USDA Certified Organic.
A rich hand crème that helps soften and smooth hands whilst diminishing the signs of aging, with Meadowfoam seed oil, Vitamins A and E, Licorice extract and andiroba oil. Aveda will donate US$4 from the sale of each Breast Cancer Awareness Hand Relief to fund cruelty free research through the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Created using a unique customblend formulation free from DBP, toluene, formaldehyde, the new Organic Glam Nail Polish collection is chip resistant and durable, but with intense, vibrant and long lasting colors. This fast-drying formula provides a high gloss, flawless and professional finish.
- $38.00 www.johnmasters.com
- $22.00 www.aveda.com
- $16.95 www.organicglam.com
Griffin
100% PURE FRUIT PIGMENTED LIP GLAZE IN ELDERBERRY A gorgeous sheer wine color made from fruit pigments in a moisturizing base of avocado and cocoa butters, and nourishing your lips with vitamins and antioxidants. 100% Natural, 100% Vegan, Gluten free. - $15.00 (From September 26th) www.jpselects.com
COCO ECO |
FASHION!
Black hand-braided silk chiffon gown($7,150), ESHEL www.eshelcollection.com Silver earrings($235.00), GLYNNETH B www.glynnethb.com 18 | COCO ECO MAGAZINE | September - October 2011
www.cocoecomag.com
SHAPE ME
Up!
Take advantage of the architectural proportions, bold color palette, and structured fem looks that strutted down this season’s runways. Whether you prefer a peplum skirt or a menswear-inspired jacket, these Fall trends are bound to lend you some glam drama.
PHOTOGRAPHY by: Jeffrey Fiterman STORY & STYLING by: Adeel Khan MODEL: Livia with Photogenics MAKE-UP by: Julianne Kaye HAIR by: Marilyn Cole Shot on location at 5th and Sunset Studios, www.5thandsunsetla.com With thanks to Keith Vallot
Black wool shoulder shrug(price upon request), CAMELIA SKIKOS www.cameliaskikos.com Red lace bra(195.00) & teal high waisted shorts($175.00), MALIA MILLS www.maliamills.com Black suede laser cut-out Sweety boots($2,700.00), LA RARE www.larare.fr 20 | COCO ECO MAGAZINE | September - October 2011
www.cocoecomag.com
Black velvet & metal broach blazer (price upon request), MARIA FRANCESCA PEPE www.mariafrancescapepe.com Red Calender Girl underwear($95.00), MALIA MILLS www.maliamills.com Diamond necklace(stylist’s own vintage)
Ivory one-shoulder jumpsuit(price upon request) RONALD ABDALA www.ronaldabdala.com Black braided leather earrings($195.00), GLYNNETH B www.glynnethb.com
Blue wool peplum dress (price upon request), CAMELIA SKIKOS www.cameliaskikos.com Platinum & diamond bracelet (stylist’s own vintage)
Purple wool & black leather blazer dress(price upon request), MARIA FRANCESCA PEPE www.mariafrancescapepe.com Chartreuse high waisted shorts($175.00), MALIA MILLS www.maliamills.com Green crystal & lace necklace($465.00), RANJANA KHAN www.ranjanakhan.com 24 | COCO ECO MAGAZINE | September - October 2011 www.cocoecomag.com
Black faux fur cocktail dress($372.00), MIKE VENSEL www.mikevensel.com Black Couture Wings headpiece($285), ARTURO RIOS www.arturorios.com
COCO ECO |
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FASHION EXTRA!
| COCO ECO MAGAZINE | September - October 2011
www.cocoecomag.com
Artisanal
DENIM The Art of Manufacturing Eco Denim
WRITTEN by: Sass Brown PHOTOGRAPHY by: Artisanal
Denim
The premium denim market has been trending towards artisanal denim for quite some time now. However, what masquerades in advertising campaigns as hand distressed denim, too often translates to abysmal working conditions and production scale sand blasting, not individual hand deconstruction. The sight of lines of workers wearing protective clothing and welding helmets, or simple bandanas tied around their face, in factories already steamy from hot washing and dying processes, armed with high velocity sand blasting machines, the grit creating a constant rain, breaking down to silica particles, and responsible for lung disease, hardly constitutes fair trade. Nor does it gel with the TV imagery of the boyfriend lovingly toiling away with his hand tools to replicate the years of wear in his favorite pair of jeans, as a gift to his girlfriend. The Clean Clothes Campaign recently targeted denim manufacturers in a high profile campaign designed to raise awareness about the process of sandblasting in jeans production, and spotlight those who refuse to stop using this destructive practice. Turkey recently enacted a countrywide ban on sandblasting after 46 former operators contracted silicosis. Several manufacturers have also recently denounced its use and banned ARTISANAL DENIM | Continued
ARTISANAL DENIM | Continued
it in the production of their own jeans, including Levi’s and H&M. However, Giorgio Armani, Roberto Cavalli and Dolce & Gabbana steadfastly hold onto the practice, with what the Clean Clothes Campaign describes as “total indifference” to their campaign. Dolce and Gabbana raised particular ire when they returned a call from the Clean Clothes Campaign notifying them of their intent to target the company, with D&G reportedly saying “thanks for the information (but) it did not interest them”. There are some artisan jeans however, that are just that--hand-made, each one unique. Luxury denim is produced mostly in Japan and Italy, and sold exclusively through high-end retailers such as Colette, Paris. Dutch brand Denham is one such label, with an extensive line of hand-constructed denim jeans individually hand-sewn by artisans, in their production facilities in Hiroshima, Japan. As it says on their website “Made in Japan with 100% artistry, love, passion and NO shoes.” This is a place where denim finishing is considered an art, where the knowledge-base to perfectly deconstruct a pair of jeans is highly prized, not downgraded in a conveyor belt mentality of quantity versus quality. This is a company that ‘worships tradition’ while embodying the rebel attitude of James Dean or a young Marlon Brando. Their women’s Boyfriend jean for example, is made in strictly limited numbers, and ‘leaked’ to a highly select group of global retailers. Their production facility is the antithesis of a sweatshop--clean, Zen, and bright--where jeans are hand-finished and not constructed in the factory piece work system, where individual sewers do only one small repetitive task, to achieve maximum speed. Denham jeans are constructed wholly by individual sewers.
This is a place where denim finishing is considered an art, where the knowledge -base to perfectly deconstruct a pair of jeans is highly prized, not downgraded in a conveyor belt mentality of quantity versus quality.
The latest addition to the custom denim market is 3X1, so called after the standard right-hand twill weave construction specific to typical denim. Based in New York, they are taking luxury jeans to the next level, with total customization, for the denim connoisseur. Scott Morrison, a veteran from Paper Denim & Cloth, Earnest Sewn and Evisu, founded this unique retail store, showroom space and production facility in Soho, New York, as a reaction to economies of scale, and simply as a place to do one thing “really, really well”. The studio style environment beautifully merges with the old loft style building in New York’s Soho, and incorporates a custom tai28
lor shop, and a textile merchant (specializing in denim), all in one. A customer can order jeans on the premises from a multitude of styles, fits, denim, finish, studs and stitch color, with over one hundred different denims to choose from, and endless permutations of cut, fit, finish and material. Capacity production is twenty-five pairs of hand made, made-to-order jeans a day. This is truly denim as a luxury item, not to mention an antithetical statement to global branding, with no name and only a discreet selvedge tab folded inside the back right pocket. The use of vegetable dyes, natural indigo and water cleaning systems go a long way to improving a product that is responsible for major pollution, as well as labor violations. In a world where water is beginning to be valued as a non-renewable natural resource, that is being depleted at an alarming rate by agrifarming and bottled water companies, the embedded water content in a pair of jeans is alarmingly high. Traditionally made of cotton, a water hungry crop, the calculated embedded water content, the amount of water used to make a product from production of the raw materials, in an average pair of jeans, is 10,850 liters, which is approximately equal to 72 1/3 bathtubs full of water! With 450 million pairs of jeans sold annually in the US alone, that adds up to approximately 4.8 trillion liters of water, or roughly the equivalent of half of California’s entire yearly urban wa-
| COCO ECO MAGAZINE | September - October 2011
ARTISANAL DENIM | Continued www.cocoecomag.com
ARTISANAL DENIM | Continued
ter demand! Conventional cotton farming has long been responsible for upwards of twenty-five percent of all insecticide use worldwide, yet the denim market has been slow to embrace the use of organic cotton.The rules for organic cotton production, spinning and weaving are strict. It takes a farmer three full years to turn around a conventional cotton crop to an organic one, to ensure that all pesticides have been eradicated from the groundwater, and the soil where the plant is grown. During that time, the farmer looses the scale of cotton production only achievable through the use of pesticides and insecticides, while not yet able to gain organic prices for his crop; an expensive endeavor for a farmer who needs outside support to see him/her through this ‘transitional’ stage. All spinning, dying and finishing then needs to be wholly separated from conventional cotton, to prevent contamination. Nudie Jeans from Sweden are one of a few companies however that produce a full range of one hundred percent organic cotton jeans, along with blended organic and conventional denim, and recycled denim fiber.They also utilize potato starch and pre-reduced indigo in place of chemical alternatives. Working exclusively with natural indigo instead of the hydrosulfite synthetic version, which allows them to biodegrade the exhausted dye-baths through simple waste disposal systems, instead of polluting the environment. Proponents of the superior qualities of genuine indigo dye, as true denim elitists, they recognize the ancient and epic history of this ancient practice dating back to Pharaonic times. Denham recently launched a range of Virgin jeans made from paper selvedge. Consisting of fifty percent recycled Japanese paper pulp and fifty percent indigo cotton, the jeans are designed to be worn in more quickly, and have an ultra lightweight feel. They come packaged in a zip up denim laundry bag and are accompanied by a bar of Cathartic soap made of natural enzymes, and formulated to preserve the paper selvedge. 30
| COCO ECO MAGAZINE | September - October 2011
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Italian label, Naked Ape Eco Clothing, so named to represent our natural, naked, non-polluting past, work only with natural and wholly organic fibers, certified by a laundry list of accredited certification bodies, including Ecocert, USDA and the Soil Association. This is not a brand that does things by halves, their entire collection of denim and cotton twill; unisex pants are made from organic cotton. The full collection includes super skinny chino’s and carrot tops (how the Italians refer to low crotch styles), in a wide range of neutrals, pastels and brights; and include a full range of fits, cuts, washes and finishes, in a down-to-earth, democratic package. UK brand Monkee Genes was born in 2006 by Road Team. With a twenty-five year heritage in the denim industry, the founders were bored with the conventional denim market, and decided to produce their own change by founding the company, and invigorating it with a fresh, vibrant and youthful direction. Monkee Genes produce one hundred percent certified organic denim and cotton Jeans with a retro twist, innovative fits and styles, all in classic denim and vibrant cotton sateen. With an Indie Jean rebellious heart, their motto is “No blood. No sweat. No tears.” The brand focuses on the Fair Trade aspect of production, and were the first and only jeans manufacturer to be awarded the Soil Associations Global Organic Textile Standard, requiring that all factory working standards are considered as important environmental factors. Haikure is a brand new Italian denim label on the market from this fall/ winter season. The label name is based on the tradition of restrictive Japanese poetry – Haiku, combined with the endings of the words; nature, future and pure.This lifestyle brand proposes exclusive, elegant and refined denim garments, entirely created by means of eco-sustainable materials and processing. Each pair of jeans carries a QR label, which allows you to track all the production information of each individual pair of jeans through the use of any camera equipped mobile device, and an internet connection. With detailed information from the certification of the organic cotton, to the production of each trim and treatment, the brand aims at complete transparency, in a market that has traditionally been anything but. Denim jeans have become the great social leveler, with their history stemming from work wear, they are democratic by their nature, despite the price tag that comes with premium denim. Comparing the denim market to the mainstream fashion industry is a bit like comparing dog years to human years – the denim market has 7 new trends for every regular fashion season. At least now the latest trend seems to be sustainable denim! So now there is no reason to sacrifice style or fit to dress with conscience in the latest denim trend.** NAKED APE www.nakedapebrand.com
COCO ECO |
FASHION EXTRA!
Stockholm Trend Report
WRITTEN by: Johanna Bjรถrk, Goodlifer.com PHOTOGRAPHY by: Kristian Lรถveborg/ASFB
There were a few overarching themes in the collections of the designers showing at Stockholm Fashion Week. Coco Eco was there to take notes and guide you through the trend jungle of this upcoming spring.
Whyred 32 | COCO ECO MAGAZINE | September - October 2011
www.cocoecomag.com
LADIES IN RED Nothing looks more powerful or attracts more attention than a woman dressed entirely in red. In nature red signals danger, in fashion it shows that you have a whole lot of confidence. If full-on head to toe red is too much for you, try mixing in some neutrals like off-white, beige or gold.
Filippa K
Whyred
Filippa K
MiniMarket
Josefin Strid
Altewai Saome
Dagmar
DESERT SANDS Muted shades of beige and brown brings associations of desert, safari and sand. From slinky peace silk to sturdy organic cotton, any fabric works here. Mix in some faux suede and monochromatic patterns for texture.
Carin Wester
Tiger of Sweden
The Local Firm
STOCKHOLM TREND REPORT | Continued
Mayla
Dagmar
Filippa K
Whyred
Josefin Strid
HELLO SUNSHINE Greet the spring by dressing in the yellow-orange hues of the sun. There’s nothing that looks better against healthy, tanned skin than yellow, and it just makes you happy to look at, doesn’t it?
Josefin Strid
Rützou
Rodebjer
Altewai Saome
Dagmar
Mayla
Dagmar
Cheap Monday
SNOW WHITE Is spring the age of innocence? It would certainly seem so. Dressing in all-white is a powerful statement, and we love making those, don’t we? Mix in some (large!) gold accessories, lace and sparkles for additional drama.
Marie Jersild Viltoft
MiniMarket
Dagmar
STOCKHOLM TREND REPORT | Continued
Ida SjĂśstedt
Tiger of Sweden
MiniMarket
Nhu Doung
Carin Wester
NOTHING BUT BLUE SKIES We are looking upward, toward the blue skies, for inspiration. From dark indigo to dusty denim to bright Klein-blue to baby blue, all hues of this color are right for the spring. Dress in blue from top to toe or mix in some beige, white, black or patterns for a more subtle effect. Carin Wester
Filippa K
Hernandez Cornet
STOCKHOLM TREND REPORT | Continued
Filippa K
Carin Wester
Filippa K
Blue Hope
Blue Hope
WATERCOLOR If you’re going for pattern this spring, make it watercolor and make sure it’s bright. Like a vivid watercolor painting, it will ensure that you stand out from the crowd. For the DIYinclined, it’s time to bring out those tie-dye skills.
Josefin Strid
Whyred
Tiger of Sweden
Filippa K
STOCKHOLM TREND REPORT | Continued
Tiger of Sweden
Josefin Strid
Dagmar
SCANDINAVIAN
NOIR
In this part of the world, black is always the new black. Inspired by black metal, uniforms, Bergman films and icons like Greta Garbo, these dark-hued looks are as timeless as they are elegant. Who says you can’t wear black in the spring?
Altewai Saome
Nhu Doung
Pablo Ramirez
Marie Jersild Viltoft
Hernandez Cornet
Ida Sjöstedt
Stylein
V Avenue Shoe Repair
CHAMPIONS
OF SPORT
Sporty details were all over the runways of Stockholm. Highlights included masterly tailored scuba fabric at altewai. saome, colorful parkas and sporty eyeglass frames. The two details you can incorporate into any look: the cap and the backpack.
Altewai Saome
Busnel
Altewai Saome
Filippa K
STOCKHOLM TREND REPORT | Continued
Hernandez Cornet
The Local Firm
Altewai Saome
HORIZONTAL
STRIPES
By the looks of it, we will be donning stripes in the spring, horizontal stripes to be exact. They come in all colors, configurations and sizes and are a good way to add some interest to an outfit. Choose a more traditional stripe to make sure you have a garment that will last for life, because let’s face it, stripes never really go out of style. Carin Wester
Cheap Monday
Cheap Monday
Filippa K
Busnel
Carin Wester
RĂźtzou
Whyred
SKIRTS + PANTS Remember this staple-look of the 90s? Well, it seems that skirts or dresses worn over pants are making a big comeback. The easiest way to get away with this look is to combine similar colors and materials — you want it to look like a unity.
The Local Firm
Carin Wester
Cheap Monday
STOCKHOLM TREND REPORT | Continued
The Local Firm
The Local Firm
Tiger of Sweden
The Local Firm
Josefin Strid
GET SHORTY Shorts are now completely acceptable to wear to the office or any fancy restaurant. Different materials like silk and satin, and various lengths and fits give you endless options this spring. Dress ‘em up with a silk shirt and blazer or down with a worn-in tee and long cardi.
Carin Wester
Stylein
Busnel
The Local Firm
Whyred
Whyred
Mayla
COCO ECO |
FASHION EXTRA!
Stockholm Fashion Week
DESIGNER
SPOTLIGHT WRITTEN by: Johanna Björk, Goodlifer.com PHOTOGRAPHY by: Kristian Löveborg/ASFB
& Josefin Strid
Stockholm Fashion Week, which takes place at the beginning of August each year, has quickly become one of the more important fashion weeks of the season.Three days long, SFW is still fairly small compared to its Paris, London or New York counterparts but, in many ways, that’s what makes it all the more special. I was there in search of innovative designers who push the creative envelope without compromising on important matters such as ethics and sustainable thinking. The two that impressed me most were Josefin Strid and Camilla Wellton.
SFW DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT | Continued 46
| COCO ECO MAGAZINE | September - October 2011
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JOSEFIN STRID
A relative newcomer on the fashion scene is 24-year-old Josefin Strid, who has already managed to garner quite a bit of attention in the fashion world and was one of five nominees for the Swedish Fashion Council’s Rookie of the Year award this year. In her current Fall/Winter 2011 collection, Strid used waste material from the auto industry to create amazing slashed leather gowns, skirts, jackets and shirts. The vibe is more rock star than tree hugger, and these gowns would look great striding down any red carpet. Such intelligent, creative repurposing of scrap material makes an eco-fashion advocate like myself very happy. Strid’s Spring/Summer 2012 collection, which she showed at Stockholm Fashion Week, was inspired by the sulphur springs at Yellowstone National Park and features spectacular hand-dyed fabrics in a color-scheme that brings to mind Nature in all its splendor. The skillfully draped dresses, flowy tunics and transparent pieces are perfect for textural layering and are designed to be worn by men and women alike. Josefin Strid does not see a reason why men should not be allowed to wear dresses and tunics. “I think a lot about genus, gender, values, our history, men today and future men,” says Strid. “To be innovative doing womenswear is not easy. It’s hard to provoke or to start a debate — womenswear has had a revolution. I am more dedicated to develop the small things: techniques, fit, finish etc. Menswear is just about to start a revolution.” To push the fashion envelope, one has to dare to step out there with some controversial notions like this, something Strid manages to do quite beautifully. I see a very bright future for this young Swede, remember where you read about her first. JOSEFIN STRID www.josefinstrid.com
SFW DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT | Continued
CAMILLA WELLTON
Camilla Wellton’s show took place the day after the official conclusion of Stockholm Fashion Week, in a small gallery in Södermalm, the artsier part of town. I was highly impressed with Wellton’s skilled tailoring and avant-garde elegance as well as her extensive knowledge of ethical sourcing. Her pieces are timeless and highly wearable, and most of them are made using only sustainable fabrics. She would, however, not choose an organic fabric simply for the sake of doing so. “It’s a fine intention,” Wellton says. “Yet, fashion is at the heart of our business, so we will choose to use one only if it has a beauty and quality of the same order of or surpassing that of a traditional textile. Design and fit come first. Always.” She does, however, hope for a future where designers will not have to make this choice, where every fabric is sustainably produced. Wellton does not study or follow trends, instead she looks within and finds inspiration in yoga, meditation and her own thoughts and feelings. Her designs have a spiritual sensibility that, mixed with a retro edge and architectural powerfulness, creates something totally new and fresh. These experimental incarnations of classic feminine silhouettes enhancing and augmenting the natural female form without distracting from it is key to Camilla Wellton’s aestethic. She also recognizes the growing consumer demand for social responsibility, high quality workmanship and environmental empathy. True to slow fashion principles, Wellton believes in investment dressing and designs for longevity. “I want to transcend the material aspects commonly associated with fashion, and emphasize its ability to capture a person’s essence. To express elegant individuality in harmony with the whole is what I aim for.” For that ultimate investment piece, Camilla Wellton offers a 100% organic made-to-measure Eco Couture line of coats. Customers can choose their favorite fit and fabric and add on details like signature sleeves and hoods. If you don’t happen to be in Stockholm, you can do all this online. Place an order for the coat you like, choose the made to measure option instead of a size at checkout, then specify the details and fabrics. Camilla Wellton will get in touch with you upon receiving the order and let you know which measurements to send in. Three to four weeks later, you’ll receive an eco-fabulous coat that’s all you. CAMILLA WELLTON www.camillawellton.com
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YOGITOES PINK SKIDLESS YOGA TOWEL If you do Bikram yoga, or just sweat a lot (I do) one of these mats will transform your practice. The skidless towel is lightweight, super-absorbent, and has tiny clear rubber dots that grip to your yoga mat, which means that instead of worrying about slipping you can deepen your awareness and get more out of your yoga practice. A portion of each sale will be donated to the Dr. Susan Love Foundation. - $49.95 www.everythingyoga.com
VIBRAM FIVE FINGERS Exercise is another very important part of disease prevention. The benefits of running barefoot have long been supported by scientific research, and there is evidence that training without shoes allows you to run faster and farther with fewer injuries. Actually running barefoot may not always be so practical, but these five finger shoes are the closest thing to it. - $80.00 www.vibramfivefingers.com
ECOIST PINK HOPE CHICA ROSA This coin purse (or mini-clutch) is handmade in Brazil by Women’s Cooperatives, using 200 recycled aluminum pop tops, hand crocheted together. In support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Ecoist will donate 10% of sales of the Pink Hope Collection for the month of October. - $42.00 www.ecoist.com
BREVILLE JUICER The key to health is in prevention. Juicing fruits and veggies provides you with important nutrients and helps keep your body alkaline. A healthy and happy body is less prone to any kind of disease, particularly cancer, heart disease and diabetes. This juicer is affordable and will fit on your kitchen counter. - $299.99 www.brevilleusa.com
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ECO LOGICAL SKINCARE SUNSCREEN Keep your skin healthy by using a natural sunscreen that delivers maximum broad spectrum protection every day. This one’s light enough for daily use, works well under makeup and absorbs well. Bonus: it’s also loaded with antioxidants that reduce signs of aging, support cellular renewal and aid in circulation.
| COCO ECO MAGAZINE | September - October 2011
- $13.99 www.futurenatural.com
www.cocoecomag.com
NEWEDITOR YORK LOVES CURATED by: Johanna
Bjรถrk, Goodlifer.com
PINK HEMP BRACELET Call me sentimental, but I love the idea of cementing the bonds with the amazing women in your life by trading friendship bracelets. This one is made from eco-friendly hemp and available in custom sizes. - $7.00 www.etsy.com/people/customhemptreasures
CUSTOMIZABLE LOVE BOTTLE Make your green juice in the morning and carry it with you in this BPA-free reusable glass bottle with a watertight swing-top lid made of stainless steel, ceramic, and silicone. Customize your Love Bottle by adding stickers, bands or written affirmations for yourself or loved ones directly on the bottle. Write (with a permanent marker) on the clear part and it comes off in the wash, write on the printed part and your message stays. A portion of the profits will go to support Breast Cancer survivors. - $18.00 www.lovebottle.net
THE CHINA STUDY This is the most important book you will ever read. It may even save your life. Dr. T. Colin Campbell details the connection between nutrition and heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, and also its ability to reduce or reverse the risk or effects of these deadly illnesses. The China Study also examines the source of nutritional confusion produced by powerful lobbies, government entities, and irresponsible scientists. - $11.87 www.thechinastudy.com
COCO ECO |
SPOTLIGHT ON FASHION!
EcoDesigners SUPPORT BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
Swimwear model, Gabriela Dias PHOTO CREDIT: Angelo Kritikos
WRITTEN by: Vicki
Godal
PHOTOGRAPHY provided by: Each
Participant
This Spotlight on Fashion focuses on three eco-designers using their professional reputations to promote breast cancer awareness, education and early detection. Whether designing pink ribbon pieces for Susan G. Komen for the Cure or putting out exquisite breast cancer awareness collections, each designer helps women deal with breast cancer in her own unique style. Eco fashion pioneer Deborah Lindquist’s designs use elegance and fantasy for breast cancer outreach. Creating clothing with respect for the environment has always been the foundation of the Deborah Lindquist Eco Fashion Brand. Already famous for her edgy eco-bustier and corset re-creations, her skull-and-crossbones’ cashmere cardigans have made Lindquist an eco-icon. Lately Lindquist has been expanding her online presence while promoting breast cancer awareness via her designs for Susan G. Komen. Lindquist’s favorite breast cancer awareness design is a sweet, pink “think product” candy bar wrapper ball gown. According to Lindquist, she was inspired by one of the Komen fashion show organizers who also made nutritional candy bars. “Having lost her mother to breast cancer, she made the career choice to do something for women who battle breast cancer. That really inspired me,” Lindquist said. “While working on the show she said to me, ‘Wouldn’t it be cool to use some of my candy bar wrappers for a dress?’ I said, ‘Very!’” SPOTLIGHT ON FASHION | Continued
SPOTLIGHT ON FASHION | Continued
Lindquist received rolls of candy bar wrappers, and then made them into a ball gown.The breast cancer survivor that Komen chose to model Lindquist’s delicious candy wrapper creation in the fashion show was Stephanie La Rue. La Rue was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 30. She had shown lumps to her doctor, who was unconcerned because she didn’t fit the breast cancer profile. By the time La Rue was diagnosed, her cancer was at stage four and she was given a year to live.
jewelry designers in America, as well as a highly conscious businesswoman. All Claudia Endler Designs are produced sustainably in LA.
“At that time, I was designing the candy bar wrapper dress, so I had to call Stephanie to see if she had both breasts, a booby check if you will,” Lindquist said. “Then I met Stephanie and she’s a very uplifting person, such fun. She just has this love of life. “ According to Lindquist, La Rue took things into her own hands. “Stephanie went vegetarian and Deborah organic. She went to an acupuncturist and mixed a lot of naturopathic treatments with the chemo. Then she had the lumpectomy and came out of it,” Lindquist said. “Now, it’s five years.”
“In my early thirties, I had to make some tough decisions about my career, my relationships and myself. It came with a lot of change,” Endler said. “Jewelry is a way to discover, acknowledge, express and reveal the self, no matter what is going on around you. Plus, I’d been interested in supporting breast cancer research and education for a long time,” Endler said.
“We’ve been working with the same contractors for years,” Endler said. “Only those that provide safe working conditions and fair wages.” Endler uses certified recycled silver, gold and platinum while repurposing client’s own stones and metal as often as possible. According to Endler, her business provides value, contributes to the local economy, creates less stress on the environment and leaves a smaller carbon footprint.
“Having lost her mother to breast cancer, she made the career choice to do something for women who battle breast cancer. That really inspired me.” Lindquist
It started when a friend, in her early thirties, was diagnosed with cancer. Then another friend, also under 40, had breast cancer. Endler became involved on two levels, as a woman and friend.
”It really touched a nerve. For me, it’s such an important physical attribute and symbol of a female,” Endler said. “Yet women are not tested for breast cancer with mammograms until after 40.”
These days, La Rue does spokesperson work for early breast cancer detection and awareness. La Rue also models Lindquist’s breast cancer awareness designs in Komen fashion shows as well as others. Lindquist’s recent addition to her breast cancer awareness collection is a cashmere scarf embellished with a pink silk ribbon. Brought together by breast cancer, these women, now friends, work to get the message of early detection out to all women. Deborah Lindquist and Stephanie La Rue epitomize the beauty of women helping other women with breast cancer.
Endler designed the Center Point collection for breast cancer awareness as well as for breast cancer survivors. The Center Point collection is regal, dominating space through simplicity. Working with the Young Survivors Coalition, an organization focused on women under 40 which offers advocacy and awareness, Endler uses her jewelry designs to support and recognize these young survivors and all women.
Los Angeles born and based eco-designer Claudia Endler is one of the most critically acclaimed
Claudia Endler’s Center Point designs show how that light can shine.
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“To inspire people to believe in the possibilities and their own inner strength. The intention is never to forget your inner spirit,” Endler said. “It’s a light that shines. There is no measure to what that light can do.”
SPOTLIGHT ON FASHION | Continued | COCO ECO MAGAZINE | September - October 2011 www.cocoecomag.com
Claudia Endler Design’s chunky necklace PHOTO CREDIT Caesar Lima
Deborah Lindquist’s pink ‘think product’ candy wrapper ball gown
Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child In Deborah Lindquist
Claudia Endler Aquapendant PHOTO CREDIT: Caesar Lima
SPOTLIGHT ON FASHION | Continued
Brazilian designer Gabriela Dias recently launched her first swimwear collection featuring several designs for breast cancer survivors. Dias, a swimsuit model for years, used her modeling experience to guide her in launching G. Dias. “As the body behind numerous swimwear lines and now the designer of G. Dias, I have been in, tried on and seen everything on the market,” Dias said. “I work to illuminate tried and true industry staples in a modern, sophisticated and high quality way. As a designer and Brazilian woman, I pride myself on knowing what women want as well as what they prefer to wear and be seen in! I tell women all the time; nothing on photo shoots ever fits. They pin it, clip it or tuck it, to make it look good for the picture,” Dias explained. “Those bathing suits hardly ever fit me right.”
Claudia Endler, the designer
Dias has a strong swimsuit background to share with women but she also has an even stronger personal experience. Her own battle with breast cancer, which has killed several women in her family. According to Dias, “I first discovered lumps in both breasts when I was 18 or 19. I had the lumps removed right away, because of my family history. My mother had breast cancer before she was 30. My father’s sister died of breast cancer at 39. My grandmother’s sister also died of breast cancer and now, another sister has it,” Dias explained. “I have this in my life. Now I want to help others, in any way I can, to be aware of breast cancer.” Having had breast cancer, Dias knows the importance of the look and feel of the swimwear for breast cancer survivors. “When I had my lumps removed, they went in under my arms. I design one-piece suits that cover the sides of the breast. Scarring on the sides of the breasts or under the arms is totally covered.” Dias has designed five mix and match bathing suits for breast cancer survivors which include her own “Perfect Cups” to make the tops fit better. Putting her personal imprint into each of her handmade bathing suit designs has become Dias’ signature. G. Dias is a swimwear line that’s going places, preferably the beach.** DEBORAH LINDQUIST www.deborahlindquist.com CLAUDIA ENDLER www.claudiaendler.com GABRIELA DIAS www.gabrieladias.com
Swimwear model, Gabriela Dias PHOTO Angelo Kritikos | September - October 2011 56 | CREDIT: COCO ECO MAGAZINE
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COCO ECO |
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BEAUTY!
| COCO ECO MAGAZINE | September - October 2011
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BACK TO
Basics WRITTEN by: Emma
Pezzack, Beauty Director
It’s the end of summer, your tan is fading, and that gorgeous glow you’ve rocked all summer has turned to dull, dry, and drab. Welcome to the change of seasons! Color is a big story for Fall but we are profiling the must-have beauty products that set the stage for flawless, great looking skin to apply it all to. Prep. Prime. Perfect. Enjoy!
PHOTOGRAPHY by: Evan Klanfer STORY by: Emma Pezzack, Beauty Director MODEL: Barbara T, @ Hollywood Model Management MAKE UP by: Miriam Vukich HAIR by: Brian Bowman
COCO ECO BEAUTY | Continued
PREP
No amount of makeup in the world will make your skin look great if you haven’t done the work to get it there, or you’re not genetically blessed with a perfect complexion. Here’s how to get prepared for the cold months either way... OLE HENRIKSEN AFRICAN RED TEA ANTI-AGING STARTER KIT DR ALKAITIS NOURISHING TREATMENT OIL Nothing will get your skin looking radiant, soft and ultra hydrated faster than a serum used at night when your skin can upload all the nutrients without distraction. With powerful living ingredients and a base of aloe vera, this one will have you looking transformed by morning. - $60.00 www.futurenatural.com
Full of a potent blend of Algesium C, African red tea and vitamin C, this starter kit is ideal for whipping your skin into glowing, refined and perfectly prepped with just one use. - $110.00 www.olehenriksen.com
PURE&TRUE REFRESH FOAMING CLEANSER Pineapple & papaya enzymes brighten and even skin tone while stimulating cell renewal, and tea-tree gets rid of all impurities. Cleans thoroughly without over-drying & is great for all skin types.
GIOVANNI D:TOX PURIFYING FACIAL SCRUB A base of active charcoal and volcanic ash ensure all impurities are drawn from skin without over-drying, and the additon of Goji & Acai berries provides an extra antioxidant boost to brighten & refine. - $9.99 www.target.com
- $32.00 www.futurenatural.com
AFTERGLOW COSMETICS - ORGANIC LIP SOOTHER Lips don’t have an ability to moisturize themselves so it’s essential to make sure they stay soft & supple. These soothers come in four flavors and can be mixed with mineral makeup to create your own bespoke shade. - $18.00 www.afterglowcosmetics.com
PAI RICE PLANT & ROSEMARY BIOAFFINITY TONER Rather than use conventional alcohol, this new breed of toners contains pure, living water from plant sources that contain a myriad of bioactive ingredients that decongest, calm and rebalance skin. - $50.00 www.usa.paiskincare.com
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Prime
COCO ECO BEAUTY | Continued
Even the most perfect skin can sometimes be prone to breakouts, one too many late nights, or any number of daily occurrences that can disrupt how skin looks day to day. These brilliant products let you exercise damage control, however testy your skin is being... BARE ESCENTUALS NATURAL LIGHT FACE LIFTING DUO Just as important as how we look is the light that we’re seen in. This mineral powder set reflects light where you don’t want it and creates subtle highlight where you to do giving the appearance of radiant, flawless skin. - $26.00 www.bareescentuals.com
JANE IREDALE CORRECTIVE COLORS Get a perfect complexion no matter what your issues with this quad compact that does everything from cover redness to dark circles under eyes with instructions on how to use them. - $22.00 www.shopjaneiredale.com
JOSIE MARAN ARGAN PRO BLEND CONCEALER If you’re not sure what color will suit or want different shades for sculpting the perfect bone structure, these dual shades work to correct and conceal discoloration, lines and redness. - $28.00 www.josiemaran.com
LOGONA CLEAR SKIN ORGANIC MINT BLEMISH CONCEALER If your skin is acting up this concealer and treatment in one allows you to tackle two problems in one hit with extracts of rosemary, sage, mint and calendula to calm and balance. - $14.95 www.natureofbeauty.com
NVEY ECO CONCEALER BRUSH Trying to apply concealer with your finger can wipe off more product than you get on. Investing in a set of good quality brushes will help you get flawless application every time. - $26.00 www.nveymakeup.com
RMS BEAUTY UNCOVERUP - #22 Fast reaching legendary status, what’s genius about these uncoverups is that they are full of live, organic ingredients, they can be blended with moisturizer and used all over the face, or for spot use right out of the pot. - $36.00 www.futurenatural.com
COCO ECO BEAUTY | Continued
Perfect You’ve done everything possible to prime your skin to create the perfect visage short of going under the knife, now you need to make sure you have the right foundation to finesse the (gorgeous!) picture...
ORGANIC GLAM PHOTO FINISH ANTIOXIDANT PRESSED POWDER JANE IREDALE D20 HYDRATION SPRAY Makeup artists love this for its ability to resist evaporation which helps skin to retain moisture, it’s full of antioxidants & ingredients to calm skin, and it’s brilliant to ‘set’ your foundation.
Infused with green tea extracts, this powder has an innovative light reflecting and illuminating formula that adds the finishing touch to any look, day or night. - $69.00 www.theorganicpharmacy.com
- $18.50 www.shopjaneiredale.com
100% PURE FRUIT-PIGMENTED HEALTHY SKIN FOUNDATION WITH SPF20 - WHITE PEACH If you want something more than just a tinted moisturizer, consider this your go-to. The all natural ingredients work overtime to perfect your skin on top as well as underneath, and it applies like silk but ends up as a perfectly matte finish without looking dry. - $32.00 www.futurenatural.com
RAW NATURAL MINERALS ACTIVE VEIL SPF 18 Sheer, translucent minerals help set foundation and provide SPF protection while diffusing light for an airbrushed look that lasts all day. - $25.00 www.rawnaturalbeauty.com
VAPOUR ORGANIC BEAUTY - STRATUS INSTANT SKIN PERFECTOR Light reflective technology in this 3-in-1 foundation/moisturizer/concealer gives the appearance of flawless looking skin without adding any color. - $44.00 www.vapourbeauty.com PHYSICIANS FORMULA ORGANIC WEAR
100% NATURAL FOUNDATION SPF15 This lightweight and ultra-blendable formula is infused with orange water and tree fern extract, and can be layered to get a light to medium finish. - $13.95 www.physiciansformula.com
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COCO ECO |
BEAUTY EXTRA!
Cosmetics FOR A CURE WRITTEN by: Emma
Pezzack
The saying goes you are what you eat but the same can be said about your beauty products. Every time you apply something to your skin it gets absorbed into your body so it becomes critical to use personal care products that are clean, healthy and safe.
ACURE ORGANICS - EYE CREAM SUPERFRUIT + CHLORELLA GROWTH FACTOR A big dose of chlorella growth factor (clinically proven to protect and rebuild collagen), is contained in each one of these products. Dedicated to helping find a cure for breast cancer, $1.00 from every bottle sold is donated to the Breast Cancer Research Fund. - $18.99 www.acureorganics.com
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IT COSMETICS BROW POWER UNIVERSAL BROW PENCIL This new & revolutionary brow pencil creates natural looking brows but it also targets brow hair follicle health and promotes your brows healthy hair growth cycle. For every pencil sold, IT Cosmetics is donating a brow pencil to the American Cancer Society’s Look Good. Feel Better campaign for survivors and patients with cancer. - $24.00 www.itcosmetics.com
VAPOUR ORGANIC BEAUTY - HONOR ELIXIR PLUMPING GLOSS Co-founder Krysia Boinis is a breast cancer survivor, hence you won’t find anything but pure, organic & natural ingredients in this award-winning makeup collection. 100% of proceeds from the sale of this sheer, golden pink gloss goes directly to breast cancer research. - $22.00 www.vapourbeauty.com
JANE IREDALE - LIPDRINK SPF15
SKIN 2 SKINCARE 24/7 REJUVENATION CREAM
Directly recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation, this glossy balm is loaded with lip drenching ingredients such as macadamia nut & avocado oils, and the company is also an avid supporter of Living Beyond Breast Cancer. - $12.00 www.shopjaneiredale.com
As a brain tumor survivor and with 20yrs in the skincare biz, Ken Simpson developed this line to repair, rehydrate and encourage healthy cell growth using only organic & natural ingredients, boosted by peptide technology. For every Aging Intervention Cream or 24/7 Rejuvenation cream sold in the month of Oct, they’ll be donating 5% to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. - $78.00 www.myspashop.com
JOSIE MARAN GOGO INSTANT NATURAL VOLUME ARGAN MASCARA Not only does this mascara pump up the volume on your peeps, $1.00 from the sale of each mascara is donated to City Of Hope’s cancer research campaign and for each one purchased, they’re also giving one away to a cancer patient/ survivor. - $22.00 www.josiemaran.com
JOHN MASTERS ORGANICS - CACAO & CUPUACU HAND & BODY BUTTER Heal the skin that ails you with this intensive blend of cacao, shea and cupuacu butters, combined with emollient broccoli & cranberry seed oils. Consider it a Fall essential. - $32.00 www.futurenatural.com
STRANGE INVISIBLE PERFUMES LIMITED EDITION ASTROLOGICAL COLLECTION Launching with Pisces & Virgo, this incredible collection of twelve unique eau de parfums represent each sign of the Zodiac, housed in 1.7fl.oz custom engraved bottles and hand-painted with sterling silver. One word: Spectacular. - $275.00 www.strangeinvisibleperfumes.com
AMALA BEAUTY DETOXIFYING BATH CRYSTALS It’s that time of year again where the idea of soaking in a warm, relaxing bath feels like a great way to spend Friday night - more so when you add some aromatic and soothing bath crystals to the mix. - $48.00 www.amalabeauty.com
BEAUTY DIRECTOR LOVES CURATED by: Emma
Pezzack
Although the nude/bare look is huge for Fall, I always love the transition into a deeper, more lush realm for the colder months. Here are the products I’m loving right now to buff, glow and finesse my way through the change of seasons...
ONE LOVE ORGANICS - MY NEW BEST FRIEND SKIN SHAMMY
OM AROMA CO. PUMPKIN SEED NIGHT SERUM
I don’t know how I lived without these brilliant cloths! They gently and effectively remove any trace of grime, makeup or cleanser residue - not only that but you can keep one in your bag during the day and use to blot oil & shine. Two in a pack, each one is good for around 200 uses.
This intensive repair serum utilizes rosehip, pumpkin and meadowfoam oils to repair and regenerate - use at night and you’ll wake up looking like a new you.
Deep tones of violet and burgundy merge to form a gorgeous berry stain that’s pitch perfect for Fall, in these new organic lipsticks that offer sumptuous color and luxurious moisture all in one.
- $58.00 www.omaroma.com
- $24.95 www.iliabeauty.com
- $24.00 www.futurenatural.com
ILIA PURE LIP CARE - ARABIAN NIGHTS
COCO ECO |
SPOTLIGHT ON BEAUTY!
Odacite FOOD FOR YOUR SKIN WRITTEN by: Leilah Mundt PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED by: Odacite
“You would never think of eating an orange that was on the shelf for two years,” says founder and CEO of Odacite, Valerie Grandury, through an intoxicatingly chic French accent. “If fresher is better in food, why not skincare?” It was exactly this question that compelled Valerie to experiment with fresh plant ingredients for her own skin after a life changing battle with breast cancer in 2004 turned her world around. Having completed traditional western treatment, including chemotherapy and a mastectomy, she felt called to completely detoxify her life in order to create a terrain in which cancer could not grow again. From leaving her career in the high stress film business to uprooting her life in the fast paced Hollywood Hills and moving to a beautiful canyon outside of Malibu, her journey toward healing changed everything. As she adopted a fresh, raw food diet, she wondered why the same rules for healthy food didn’t apply to what we feed our skin everyday. Years of research and calling on her friends around the world for high potency oils and botanicals helped her formulate what is nothing short of magic…raw, fresh, active skincare that quite literally nourishes the skin into a glowing, radiant state you have never experienced. Her friends began demanding that she share the wealth with them, and Odacite’ was born. A word to the eco-beauty wise; don’t mistake this product line for the all-natural skincare next door. Every Odacite’ product contains ingredients and that have been expertly curated and purposefully 70
| COCO ECO MAGAZINE | September - October 2011
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included for high performance. The base of every product in the eight piece lineup is none other than fresh, organic aloe vera juice, which is healing, hydrating and contains over 200 actives that our bodies easily recognize and put to good use. Also noteworthy are organic jojoba oil, almost identical to human sebum and balancer for any skin type, and rosehip oil, a natural, bio-available form of vitamin C. Ever the visionary, Valerie was not satisfied with just creating exceptionally effective, organic skincare- it had to be fresh, for everyone. Odacite is specially made to order, delivered fresh to your doorstep, and marked with a “Freshiency” date, the window of time during which each ingredient maintains its full freshness and efficiency. The concept has won over the hearts, and faces, of many, from “hippies to divas”, as Valerie describes. She knows that devotees of the line are educated, eco-conscious women who are looking for effective, yet sustainable products that score high on luxury. And the only thing more luxurious than treating your skin every day to freshly made bliss? Life itself, which Valerie now enjoys seven years cancer free. “I had to look at cancer as an opportunity, to change into something better and to find the light to come into my life”. Odacite’ is truly an extension of that light, from a woman who is a truly inspiration to us all. ** ODACITE
www.odacite.com
CEO of Odacite, Valerie Grandury
COCO ECO |
COVER STORY!
PHOTOGRAPHY by: Russell Baer ASSISTED by: Angel Romero STYLED by: Sarah Griffin Berns, Fashion Editor and Adeel Khan MAKE-UP by: Julianne Kaye and Kelly Hunt HAIR by: Judd Minter | September - October 2011 72 | COCO ECO MAGAZINE
www.cocoecomag.com
FRAN DRESCHER TRASHES CANCER
WRITTEN by: Kelly
Gallagher
I am so excited to be the guest editor of Coco Eco for the 3rd Anniversary Cancer and Wellness Issue featuring Fran Drescher as our cover girl. When Anna Griffin and Nicole Landers asked me to come on board for this edition I knew that I had an opportunity to share my story, and called upon someone who inspires us all with her laughter, tears, truth and political activism. I’m a five-time cancer survivor who was blessed to cross paths with this hysterically funny, world-famous actress and comedian, during my own health journey. We were just two women who both were fighting a disease the best way we could. Now she is leading the fight for early detection of women’s cancers. Fran Drescher is not only an amazing talWardrobe and Earrings, FRAN’S OWN
COVER STORY | Continued
COVER STORY | Continued
ent, she is also a cancer survivor, a visionary activist on a mission to shift the paradigm, and she is my inspiration.... I had the opportunity to catch up with her at her Malibu home during the spectacular Coco Eco cover shoot. I got the scoop on Fran’s state of the world, what makes her tick and how she keeps it all together. The star of the hit show Happily Divorced, graciously fit us in between her recent African Safari and an upcoming political trip to Washington DC. With her TV show on TV Land and entering its second season, the Nanny star is using her voice to pierce the political world of cancer reform and shift the paradigm of medicine. Her goal is three pronged and focused; education, prevention and policy change, “We transform people into medical consumers.” Her new national campaign called Trash Cancer is the latest mission rolling out of the Cancer Schmancer Movement, unveiling the toxic truth about cancer. When I sat down with her, she immediately asked me if I know that nearly 80,000 chemicals on the market in the US are unregulated, under-studied and delivering toxic exposures to millions of unsuspecting Americans. Unfortunately, I do know that fact. I learned the hard way. I swam in chlorine for nine years and had a mouth full of mercury. As a documentary filmmaker and health activist myself, I could cry tears of joy to have a celebrity of this stature utter the word “toxic.”
One thing is for sure; when you see Fran Drescher you would never know she had been sick. She is not only healthy, she is a radiant beauty...before makeup and requiring little -to-no Photoshop. I know this. I was there.
“It takes just as much work to be happily divorced as it does to be happily married. I am very comfortable for the first time in my life being alone, living alone. There is an art to living life joyfully...practice it. - Fran Drescher
Fran had reached out to me for advice twelve years ago when she was sick and frustrated with her futile search for the truth about her own medical condition. She was having tremendous pain, visiting numerous doctors, and getting no answers. At the time, I was a green, organic five-time cancer survivor who had just gotten through a stem cell transplant for Stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Now life was coming full circle. I will never forget her first words to me over the phone. They were in true Fran form--hysterically funny, despite the tragic topic. “Everyone wants my autograph but no one wants to tell me what’s wrong with my coochie.” It was hard not to laugh about her candidness but it was tragic to know that even a celebrity of her global recognition couldn’t get answers. Fran noted, “What was worse was that 74
a simple life saving test existed and it wasn’t being given to the countless women who routinely needed it. The CA-125 test is cheap - an easy bio marker test for Ovarian Cancer!”
As we chatted, and despite the flurry of hair and makeup people, Fran’s funny focus got serious when it comes to her unwavering mission. “95% of cancer is environmental”, she says and immediately racks focus back to the job at hand, getting gorgeous for our photo shoot. Her eyes light up when she starts to talk about her organization again, its mission and the launch of a new and ground-breaking health challenge campaign on the nation, exposing cause as cure.
Motivated by the system’s failure to address her needs and the needs of women everywhere, Fran has stormed into the world of Ovarian health with the creation of the Cancer Schmancer Movement. Under the umbrella of the Movement comes a whole new revolutionary campaign shining the light on toxins as the potential causes of cancer: Trash Cancer. Coco Eco Mag: How did cancer change your life?
| COCO ECO MAGAZINE | September - October 2011
COVER STORY | Continued www.cocoecomag.com
Wardrobe and Earrings, FRAN’S OWN
COVER STORY | Continued
Fran Drescher: I gained some amazing life lessons out of the experience. I turned pain into purpose, which has given my life much more resonance. I started the Cancer Schmancer movement. CEM: Why did you write the book “Cancer Schmancer”? FD: I was furious about my lack of care and continual mis-diagnosis. I knew if this was happening to me it must be happening to others. So after surviving my own experience with cancer, I decided I wanted to share my story so that what happened to me wouldn’t happen to others. After writing the book, I realized the book was not the end of my story but instead, the beginning of a life mission to improve women’s healthcare in America. I founded the Cancer Schmancer Movement, a non-profit organization dedicated to saving women’s lives through prevention and early detection of cancer, and here we are.
The big question is what causes cancer? Is it emotional? Physical? Genetic? Toxicity? All of the above? One thing is clear--it’s time to protect ourselves from poisons and toxins and demand corporate responsibility. Making people pay for the polluters is a paradigm in need of shifting. As we all know, cancer doesn’t just affect the person with the illness. It affects the whole family, your circle of friends and your co-workers. It affects where we go, what we wear, what we do for fun, our priorities and our abilities. It’s expensive on a lot of levels and it doesn’t have to be this way. It’s easy to slip into a depression, isolate and not deal with any of it. But it’s not necessary to live like that. It’s time to Trash Cancer.
“We are living in an ever-increasing toxic world. Heavy metal toxicity to Genetically Modified ‘everything’ is threatening the future of our existence.”
CEM: Tell us about Cancer Schmancer Movement’s current focus. FD: We are living in an ever-increasingly toxic world. Heavy metal toxicity to Genetically Modified everything is threatening the future of our existence. I am not an alarmist nor am I a treehugging granola. I am a realist. I am conservative. I think we should conserve our air, our water and our natural resources. I believe we should take care of our planet, our people, and our children. Cancer doesn’t care whether you are a Democrat or a Republican, rich or poor. It doesn’t really care if you are a Tea Partier or what ethnicity you are or whether you are a man or a woman. 76
Our mission statement is STAGE 1 IS THE CURE. We are determined to not have anyone die of cancer due to late stage diagnosis, which is almost always the reason why. Now under our prevention umbrella, we are starting Trash Cancer which will reach out to every different age group and demographic, to have them see that they can take charge of their lives. CEM: What are your goals right now and what do you see as the necessary actions to shift a paradigm?
FD:The jig is up and what we hope to do is create a tipping point of consciousness in Americans to start equating that what we bring into our homes, put on our skin and in our mouths can increase or diminish our risks of cancer. CEM: As a result of having the illness, what good habits did you start and which bad habits did you lose? FD: I had to change some of my bad habits. I had already quit smoking but the most important thing is I don’t stress the way I used to. I eat mostly organic, a heavy vegetable diet and a little animal protein as well. I always start the day on an empty stomach with organic fresh fruit. Nothing else. For at least an hour or so. Until you really get hungry and then you can eat something else. Also, I only drink coffee when it’s like I can’t get through my busy day. I don’t start the day with coffee.
| COCO ECO MAGAZINE | September - October 2011
COVER STORY | Continued www.cocoecomag.com
Wardrobe and Earrings, FRAN’S OWN
COVER STORY | Continued
CEM: What do you do for exercise or mental wellness? FD: I like to do things outdoors. I like to fast walk or hike. Exercise mostly. I’ll also kayak or do Pilates. CEM: And how green is your home? FD: I don’t use pesticides, and all of my cleaning products are ecofriendly and biodegradable.
CEM: Any final thoughts you would like to share? FD: Interconnectedness is how I know we can survive, and how the planet is going to heal. And there is an art to living life joyfully...practice it.
FD: Happily Divorced is inspired by my real life. It’s about a woman who is married to a man for 18 years and then he comes out, but they are forced to continue to live together after the divorce. They can’t sell the house and they can’t afford to live separately until they do. It takes just as much work to be happily divorced as it does to be happily married. People think that once you divorce then you don’t have to put energy into the relationship, but in a perfect world you should re-invent the relationship. There is something that made you marry that person, but maybe that wasn’t the way to define that special something that you share.
Fran Drescher is an amazing woman. An actress, activist and the leader of The Cancer Schmancer Movement, a growing group of women committed to changing the conversation on cancer, she is an inspiration to those of us who have traveled on this cancer journey. She has stepped out and stepped up to assist the unaware and those in need with early detection, prevention and education. Her radiant health is a symbol of the possibility of ending cancer in our lifetime, and she is here this month to Trash Cancer, on both a scientific and human level. I am honored to be in the circle with her, pushing the envelope because at the end of the day, ugottawanna trash cancer.
CEM: What’s your biggest joy?
CANCER SCHMANCER www.cancerschmancer.org
CEM: Let’s discuss your show.
FD: I went to South Africa on Safari in Kruger. This year I went with a girlfriend. Last year I went with a boyfriend. I gotta go when I have a window. I can now go by myself, which is one of the great pleasures of my growth as a human being. I can sit with myself and have a good time...or I’ll go with someone. CEM: I know that all the Coco Eco fans really just want to if you’re in love. Are you in love? FD: I date different people. I am always on this quest to learn and improve, gain greater insight. I am still in psychotherapy, which I absolutely love. It has transformed me to the place where my fears don’t rule me anymore. My most recent significant relationship really helped me. That relationship with the help of my therapist helped me to conquer my father issues and stop projecting them onto everyman I’ve ever been with. I am very comfortable for the first time in my life being alone, living alone. I seek out men that complement my life rather than complicate it. Not an easy task but at least I finally know the difference. COVER STORY | Continued
CA 125 is a protein that is a so-called tumor marker or biomarker, which is a substance that is found in greater concentration in tumor cells than in other cells of the body. In particular, CA 125 is present in greater concentration in ovarian cancer cells than in other cells. It was first identified in the early 1980s, and the function of the CA 125 protein is not currently understood. CA stands for cancer antigen.
Wardrobe and Earrings, FRAN’S OWN Limited Edition Bracelet for Cancer Schmancer, NIALAYA www.nialaya.com Skincare, KELLY TEEGARDEN ORGANICS www.kellyteegardenorganics.com
COCO ECO |
WOMEN OF THE WORLD!
DONNA KAREN 80 | COCO ECO MAGAZINE | September - October 2011
www.cocoecomag.com
Wellness Goddesses WRITTEN by: Nicole Landers of eConnect Grp. PHOTOGRAPHY provided by: Each Featured Individual
Donna Karan is a force to be reckoned with. She is one of the top American fashion designers of our time and through her work and accomplishments inspires others in making a change. Donna openly shares, “After the loss of my husband in 2001 to cancer, I realized there was something missing in his care. He needed traditional western medicine. But he also needed healing that can be accessed from the heart and through the spirit. Out of my frustrations with the treatment at even the best medical facilities, Urban Zen was born.” In May 2007 in loving memory of her late husband, Donna held the first ten-day Wellbeing Forum, which took place at the Stephan Weiss Studio marking the launch of the Urban Zen Initiative, which became the Urban Zen Foundation. The Urban Zen Foundation creates, connects and collaborates to raise awareness and inspire change in the areas of wellbeing, preserving cultures and empowering children. The work from the Wellbeing Forum led to Urban Zen teaming up with the Department of Integrative Medicine and the Division of Medical Oncology at Beth Israel Medical Center in NYC to create and implement the Urban Zen Integrative Therapy Program, a unique pilot program designed to enhance the care of hospitalized cancer patients. Donna states, “Urban Zen’s goal is to treat the patient and their loved ones, not just the disease, and to have techniques of Eastern healing, proper nutrition, yoga, and meditation combined with Western medicine to fight illness.” Donna Karan’s dream and passion is to see Urban Zen centers in every city. “Urban Zen hasn’t changed my life – it is my life.”** www.urbanzen.org
WELLNESS GODDESSES | Continued
WELLNESS GODDESSES | Continued
KELLY GALLAGHER
Kelly Gallagher a five-time cancer survivor is on this planet to shift the paradigm of health and wellness. She is an international health activist, documentary filmmaker and professional “survivor.” Kelly likes to be referred to as a “Goddess in Progress” not only helping others but also aiding us in changing governmental policy. Kelly has been around the globe shooting a feature documentary about mercury for ten years and navigating the worlds of alternative and conventional medicine for twenty.
ALICE CRISCI
ALICE CRISCI A social entrepreneur, a young adult cancer advocate and an author, at 31 years old Alice Crisci was diagnosed with breast cancer. With her American Express card, she harvested her eggs to protect her opportunity to become a mom after surviving cancer. She realized there were limited resources to aid young women with cancer. Three weeks after being diagnosed with cancer and fueled by her personal experience, Alice founded a non-profit, Fertile Action. The mission is to eradicate cost as the primary barrier preventing women currently from preserving their fertility. Alice spoke candidly, “The most pressing issue today is access to actual services that support patients before, during and after cancer treatment. We allocate hundreds of millions of dollars to cancer research each year. While that research is critical, it does next to nothing for a newly diagnosed patient today.” Fertile Action has assembled a network of physicians who reduce their fees by more than 50% and in many cases to even 0% to ensure patients and survivors have the chance to actualize their dreams. Alice shared how immeasurably grateful she is for the work her comrades are doing for those touched by cancer. “Together, we are making a difference for one patient at a time. Life is worth living when you are doing something that helps someone else.” **
Kelly shared, “The biggest problem related to wellness and cancer today is the lack of education and common sense. We live in an increasingly toxic world driven by big business advertising products with chemicals that destroy our immune systems. If we want to understand why we aren’t healthy we really have to start asking questions about why things are the way they are.” Food is fuel for our engine. You don’t put crummy gas in your fancy car...why do you put crummy fuel in your body? It’s what saved Kelly’s life when she was diagnosed for a third time with cancer with no insurance. Having stage 3 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma using macrobiotics, raw food, and enzyme therapy she kept herself going. Now add 14 months of chemotherapy, a stem cell transplant, and over 100 blood transfusions, being a five-time cancer survivor and still ticking. The next hurdle for Kelly has been overcoming radiation induced cardiac disease. Five pacemakers later and a new heart valve, she has turned lemons into lemonade and her talents into a force for good one more time. As a filmmaker, she is traveling the world chronicling the search for the truth about health and the roots of chronic illness. She wants to know why we are sick and wants to share that with the world. Just launching the UGOTTAWANNA FOUNDATION, the mission is to help terminally ill patients connect with a network of affiliates; from homeopathic doctors, medical doctors, nutritionists, wellness coaches, other non-profits to work with the individual and their families. We connect patients and loved ones to receive the best possible care without hopefully financial devastation. Illness takes many in America down to poverty level. Kelly adds one final statement, “I am so grateful to be part of this issue and thanks to my best friend Nicole, I have been given the opportunity to share my story” ** www.Ugottawanna.org
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WELLNESS GODDESSES | Continued www.cocoecomag.com
KELLY GALLAGHER
JANET ROBERTS
JANET ROBERTS
ROBIN GRAY
An accomplished painter, a four-time cancer survivor, a mother of four creative and productive daughters, an environmental advocate, writer, accomplished horsewoman, and a philanthropist, Janet Robert’s work cannot be pidgeon-holed.
Robin Gray, a breast cancer survivor and entrepreneur, is the creator behind the advanced skincare treatment line, Stem Cell Beauty Innovation. While dealing with a chronic illness and suffering from hormonal imbalances, in 2009 Robin was introduced to stem cell supplements to help her with her own healing process. She noticed that within weeks she was feeling more energetic, her skin felt more hydrated, and her hair and nails were thicker and growing faster. The results were so impressive that it inspired Robin to develop Stem Cell Beauty Innovations line.
Her abstract art work is deep and thought provoking, and takes us into a world only she could manifest; brilliant, isolated and complex. Janet crafts her paintings with eco-sustainable materials; infusing soy, milk, clay and organic elements onto organic cotton and linen canvas, a “green” advocate well before it was fashionable. Janet took a risk and determined that if her work has value, why not mount a solo show, invite like-minded people, and collaborate with a nonprofit? Nine years and almost a million dollars later, Janet’s work has raised funds for college students whose families are struggling with cancer, to Cancer Wellness Centers such as the Benjamin Wellness Center. Janet states honestly, “Cancer, as tangled as the web it weaves is, is also an enormous gift. I know it sounds cheesy, and everyone pushing a survivor handbook on Oprah has said that. But it’s true. Cancer has brought me closer to my authentic self, and my higher good and offered me a bird’s eye view to forgiveness and a sense of empowerment I never would have felt otherwise. It allowed me to seek my best artist within, know real commitment, take risk.”**
www.janetrobertsfineart.com
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ROBIN GRAY
When many mainstream personalities, Kim Kardashian to Denise Richards, started knocking on Robin’s door, she knew she had created something groundbreaking. Flawless, youthful skin is a requirement for these women because they are constantly being photographed. Robin noticed that there wasn’t a lot of great beauty products that were holistic in approach. She shares, “Nutrition, life style, stress and environmental issues all contribute to ones health and general interest. It’s all about balance & healing from the inside out. My approach is a partnership between science and nature so we can help use natural resources to heal ourselves and come up with the best solutions.” **
www.stemcellbeautyinnovations.com | COCO ECO MAGAZINE | July - August 2011
WELLNESS GODDESSES | Continued
DR. SHARYN WYNTERS Dr. Sharyn Wynters is a cancer survivor, who is an accomplished Naturopathic Doctor as well as author who focuses on nutrition and education. She is constantly doing interviews and media to educate mainstream. The importance of healing for Dr. Wynters is teaching her clients to listen to their inner voice. “Healing is an adventure! Dr. Wynters positively states. “A person’s illness is the beginning of their journey into the discovery of what it is for them to become healthier. Illness is our body trying to teach us how to be well.” There are toxins everywhere in our air, water, food, personal care products, building materials, clothing; you name it,. …they are the biggest causes of cancer and most people just don’t know it. Dr. Wynters wrote a book all about it entitled, Survive that will take you to a new level of awareness about health and wellbeing. For example, a chapter in the book is dedicated to personal care products where you will learn what to watch for in shampoo, lotion, soap, toothpaste, deodorant, make up, lipstick, insect repellent, sunscreen and a lot more; and you will find a list of toxinfree alternatives. Dr. Wynters states, Most have no idea that the things that we put in, on, and around our bodies are causing all sorts of problems— from allergies, to immune problems, to attention deficit, and yes, even cancer. Knowledge is power; making people aware is the first hurdle. It’s something I have taken on as a personal mission.” People around the world are starting to wake up and a lot of people are doing their part to expose the truth. Dr. Wynters can attest to that, she has changed so many lives and will continue to do so. She is currently on the Faculty Board of Cancer Schmancer founded by actress and cancer survivor Fran Dresher. A portion of her book Survive goes to the organization as well as the book serves as part of the platform. Dr. Wynters shares with us her gratitude for Cancer Schmancer, “Fran Drescher is an incredible woman—someone who is really making a difference. What an honor to be a part of her team.”** www.wyntersway.com/survive.html
DR. SHARYN WYNTERS
COCO ECO |
TAKE ACTION!
WINNING THE
WAR
WRITTEN by: Heather Carter PHOTOGRAPHY provided by: As
Noted
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and according to the American Cancer Society one in every four deaths can be attributed to cancer. Cancer is a silent enemy that body and mind must defend like any soldier does his country. Coco Eco profiles four foundations that fight the battle, each for different reasons, yet for the same cause. THE SEANY FOUNDATION is a non-profit organization that was co-founded by Harlan Lansky, Mitch J. Robins and his wife Amy in memory of their Son Sean Lewis Robins. Sean was just 16 years old when he was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare bone cancer. Sean lost his brave seven-year battle with the disease but his spirit lives on through the Seany Foundation. The non-profit is dedicated to funding research to help find cures for pediatric cancers, and to improving the lives of children, teens, and young adults battling cancer. Every day in the United States, 36 children and 86
teens are diagnosed with cancer. Of these, seven will die; and 17 of the 28 who survive will suffer devastating lifelong side effects from harsh cancer treatments. One in every 330 Americans develops cancer before the age of 20. Cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children under the age of 15 in the United States. In the words of the late Sean Lewis Robins, “Sometimes hope is all we have.” Help keep that hope alive by visiting www.theseanyfoundation.org to donate online and become more involved in the cause. THE CANCER SCHMANCER MOVEMENT was founded by Actress Fran Drescher after she was diagnosed in 2000. Drescher was undiagnosed then misdiagnosed seven times before being told that she did, in fact, have Uterine Cancer. The verdict made sense to Fran as she had been extensively researching her symptoms. Luckily the cancer was in Stage 1 and was treated successfully. Had Fran not listened to her intuition and done her own research, she may have not survived. Not only did Fran survive – she prospered. Fran started the Cancer Schmancer Movement with the goal to shift peoples focus from battling cancer to early detection and prevention. Drescher explains, “I started the Cancer Schmancer Movement and Cancer Schmancer Foundation to transform women from patients into medical consumers, and to shift this nation’s priority from searching for a cancer cure towards prevention and early detection of cancer.” Her efforts do not end there. “I have successfully helped lobby to pass the Gynecologic Cancer Education and Awareness Act of 2005 which was signed into law by President Bush. It amends the Public Health Service Act and requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to campaign nationally to improve the knowledge of providers and women about the early warning signs and risks involved with gynecologic cancers.”
| COCO ECO MAGAZINE | September - October 2011
WINNING THE WAR | Continued www.cocoecomag.com
Sean Lewis Robins
Fran Drescher
WINNING THE WAR | Continued
STAND UP TO CANCER (SU2C) is a charitable program established by big names in the world of media, entertainment and philanthropy who have all been affected by cancer. SU2C aims to make a mega impact through raising substantial funds and funneling it into expediting cancer research and cures. SU2C’s celebrity ambassadors include Rob Lowe, Renee Zellwegger, Katie Couric, and Heidi Klum to name a few. All using their celebrity to raise awareness and gain support for the cause. The approach is revolutionary with large amounts of funds raised going to team grants that are awarded to multi-institutional groups of scientists who work collaboratively to develop new treatments now. The finding of such treatments could potentially save lives more rapidly. There are many interactive and fun ways to become involved, one of which being through the Constellation program. For as little as a dollar you can launch a star in honor of someone love. UGOTTAWANNA FOUNDATION was set up by five time cancer survivor Kelly Gallagher. First diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease at the tender age of 20 years old, cancer has since been in and out of her life like a bad relationship for 28 years. Perhaps what is most impressive about Kelly’s survival besides is that she is not just alive - she is living. A self-proclaimed rebel in her early years, it was only natural that Kelly fight back, and not just against her disease. Kelly sought for treatments conventional and unconventional that made sense to her and her body. In an excerpt from her new book U GOTTA WANNA, Kelly talks about listening to her inner-voice. ” I have found that when I get quiet and listen to my own intuition I usually make the right choices.” Kelly’s willingness to try everything and anything to beat her cancer is what she credits to still being alive today.
Through combined medical, mental efforts, and what Kelly describes as an ‘Army of Angels’ in the form of people Kelly stands today to inspire and empower others. Kelly explained to Coco Eco “Ugottawanna is a growing tribe of winners. People who see the world differently and are willing to do what it takes to turn lemons into lemonade. Everyone who knows me and/or my journey is amazed to see me still standing. So as much as I want to complicate what we are and what we do...It’s simple. I am here to inspire, educate and motivate people to follow their dreams, let go of their illness and turn victims into activists.” Take action today by uniting with foundations that seek prevention, cures and inspire us to live our lives to the fullest. No day is promised but as long as we are alive let us make a difference, and maybe we can win the battle and the war against cancer.** THE SEANY FOUNDATION www.theseanyfoundation.org THE CANCER SCHMANCER MOVEMENT www.cancerschmancer.org STAND UP TO CANCER (SU2C) www.standup2cancer.org UGOTTAWANNA FOUNDATION www.ugottawanna.org
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COCO ECO |
MEN WE LOVE!
90 | COCO ECO MAGAZINE |M.D. September - October JOEL A. ARONOWITZ,
2011
www.cocoecomag.com
CANCER FIGHTING INNOVATORS Dr. Phil Harrington, Dr. John Gray, Dr. Jeff Spencer, Dr. Joel A. Aronowitz WRITTEN by: Nikki Lin PHOTOGRAPHY by: As Noted
For our issue dedicated to cancer, Coco Eco sought out Men We Love that are innovators actively helping to improve awareness, prevention and patient recovery drastically. With regard to modern medicine, advancing technology and an evolving understanding of the human being these four men are paving the way to our healthier, more conscious lives along with access to better healthcare systems. For those or their loved ones living with cancer they teach us strength, perseverance and personal victory to keep us moving onward and upward in spite of it all. MEN WE LOVE | Continued
MEN WE LOVE | Continued
JOEL A. ARONOWITZ, M.D. Dr. Joel A. Aronowitz is founder of the Breast Preservation Foundation (BPF). He is a prominent plastic and reconstructive surgeon and served as Chief, Division of Plastic Surgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. The Breast Preservation Foundation’s mission is to educate women about skin-sparing mastectomies and its advantages for an overall better cosmetic result. For those who are candidates, a skin-sparing mastectomy, also known as breastconserving surgery, is a way to treat cancer, and save the breast skin. The skin-sparing technique significantly improves the cosmetic outcome and gives the best option for reconstruction. Coco Eco had a long talk with Dr. A, as his patients so fondly refer to him, about his work with BPF: “Improvements are found in early detection and treatment. With early detection breast cancer can be found and cured. One of the barriers is the fear that discovery will lead to disfigurement. The Breast Cancer Foundation is here to make people aware that with surgery and other techniques one can maintain the appearance of the breast and sometimes improve. We hope this will lessen the fear barrier of early detection so that people are not paralyzed to inaction. This overwhelming fear is counterproductive. I think the mindset is that once you have that diagnosis there is only one solution and you almost feel guilty that you worry about what it looks like. I think its normal for a woman to worry about how her breasts are going to look and she shouldn’t feel guilt that this is a concern, even with the presence of breast cancer.” Dr. Aronowitz is also a Clinical Assistant Professor of Plastic Surgery at the USC Keck School of Medicine and the Medical Director of the University Stem Cell Center in Santa Monica.** www.breastpreservationfoundation.org http://asbd.org
JEFF SPENCER, M.D.
JEFF SPENCER, M.D. Dr. Jeff Spencer, known as “Dr. Magic”, has worked with over 40 Olympic, National and World Champions including Lance Armstrong, the well-known cancer survivor and winner of the Tour De France. Spencer is known as a creator of champions, acting in the capacity of a personal development guru and physician to these word-class athletes. Says Spencer, “To finish the Tour, let alone win it seven-times in a row like Lance did, requires a super-human mind, body and spirit readiness to overcome the relentless challenges posed by the Tour. “ As Armstrong’s doctor, he helps with preparation to develop mental and physical readiness to maintain the focus and endurance required for the Tour’s severe physical stress and mental pressure over the course of 23 days and 2,400 brutal miles. As cyclists race up Mt. Everest-like peaks, the equivalent of racing five-miles straight up in a single day, before racing downhill at 70 mph in the rain, through wind and blistering heat, Spencer stays steadily close by. Five years ago, Spencer himself suffered from severe illness due to a near fatal case of mercury poisoning. After significant physical decline, doctors provided the diagnosis while Spencer was with Armstrong at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. But he prevailed with perseverance and careful physical regimen. “The key action to push through barriers and carry momentum forward even in downtimes is to unconditionally keep putting one foot in front of the other-day in and out. It’s the only thing you have control over and you never know when that single breakthrough step will happen that catapults your life to an exponentially higher level.”** http://championsblueprint.com
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JOHN GRAY, PH.D. Coco Eco spoke with the acclaimed writer John Gray about this issue’s very important focus on cancer. Gray is author of the New York Times best-selling book of the last decade Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus. Summit Entertainment has a feature film adaptation underway and expected release is in 2012. In his more recently published book Venus on Fire Mars on Ice, Gray ties together the connections between stress and behavior, chemical response and the significant effects on health. As one of the book’s focal points, Gray discusses the evolution of cancer in the human body as triggered by responses to stress. Gray told Coco Eco, “No matter how stressful the world is, you have this amazing brain, body and heart that can help you respond to stressors in a way that can lower stress for you. So the outer world being stressful is not the cause of cancer, it’s how you are reacting to the outer world.” The book reveals specific correlations between lifestyle decisions that we consciously make and hazardous effects on blood sugar and cortisol levels that could encourage development of cancer. The book encourages readers to cultivate a lifestyle that avoids these conditions and provides an understanding of chemistry between the sexes. Gray explains, “This is emotional intelligence, and add another level to that it’s gender intelligence. The outcome of this emotional intelligence, this gender intelligence; is better relationships which leads to better health and a cancer free life.” Gray is most certainly a man who shows us how to love.** www.marsvenus.com
JOHN GRAY, Ph.D.
MEN WE LOVE | Continued
MEN WE LOVE | Continued
PHIL HARRINGTON, M.D. Founder and CEO of the Human Health Project (HHP), Dr. Phil Harrington, has created a web-based social network platform for healthcare professionals anywhere in the world to exchange information and remotely discuss difficult health problems, free of charge. The Human Health Project was launched when Harrington decided to create a platform for discussion on rare and unusual health problems. The poor integration among the medical sciences sparked the idea for the HHP when his own health was threatened and he struggled to find a diagnosis for a rare illness. After the lackluster experience, he sought ways to improve the cohesion of healthcare resources and informational exchange. “Another important aspect of the Human Health Project is that all of this diagnostic, analysis and treatment information will be grouped and the outcomes summarized, and all information will be collected in a Knowledge Database available to members,” Harrington told us. This trend information will continue to grow and change as more data populates the HHP Knowledge Database over time,” he said. “For example, it may be determined that for certain types of cancer, a specific medication may be successfully combined with acupuncture, nutrition and chemotherapy for the best possible outcome. Over time this accumulated knowledge about what works from all around the world will be intelligently searchable by HHP members, researchers and members of the public.” Harrington is working with Prof. Gerald O’Sullivan who is Founder, Director and Head of the Cork Cancer Research Centre towards integrating HHP’s network into a more beneficial exchange. By providing a resource to healthcare experts, researchers and patients the Human Health Project provides awareness of risk factors, relationships between certain conditions in the body and the development of cancer, and also the merits of cancer screening and early detection. www.humanhealthproject.org 94
PHIL HARRINGTON, M.D. | COCO ECO MAGAZINE | September - October 2011
www.cocoecomag.com
COCO ECO |
ECO CHIC CITY GUIDE!
PHOTO COURTESY VISIT LONDON IMAGES 96 | COCO ECO OF MAGAZINE | September - October 2011
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ECO CHIC
GUIDE to...
London, Paris, & Milan WRITTEN by: Sass Brown
With Fashion Week upon us, three World Class Cities from an Eco Fashionista’s perspective.
ECO CHIC CITY GUIDE | Continued
TRAVEL! GETTING THERE – LA / NY TO LONDON London airports are well serviced by multiple airline carriers, and by rail from the rest of Europe. Continental Airlines has the most energy efficient planes, resulting in reduced emissions to the tune of 5%, and reducing ground equipment by more than 75% since 2000. Lufthansa is another good choice for environmentally conscious travelers; the German airline aims to derive 10% of its fuel from alternative sources within 12 years, and cut their carbon dioxide emissions by 25% from 2006 levels by 2020. Leading the way in alternative energy for aviation, is Virgin Atlantic, who have already completed the world’s first flight using a biofuelpowered commercial aircraft using 20% biofuel and 80% conventional jet fuel. Dedicated to finding a cleaner and more sustainable fuel, Virgin has dedicated all of its profits since 2006 to the research and development of alternative fuels.** www.continental.com www.lufthansa.com www.virgin-atlantic.com
GREEN TOMATO CARS All of London’s main airports are accessible by public transport, whether bus, train or tube. Should you prefer the comfort of a taxi however, you can pre-book a Toyota Prius from Green Tomato Cars through their website. Green Tomato’s fleet of cars is made up exclusively of the most environmentally friendly cars on the market, and they offset emissions through tree planting. One of the joys of London is its multiculturalism, sometimes a point of tension, but definitely part of what makes London such a unique city, its accessibility to so many different expressions of culture. If you look in the right place, you will find your tribe in London, no matter what it is. You will also find some of the best in world cuisine, not to mention home grown greats, such as fish and chips and micro brewery beer and cider!** www.greentomatocars.com
Photo Provided by VISIT LONDON IMAGES
Photo VISIT LONDON |IMAGES 98 | Provided COCO by ECO MAGAZINE September - October 2011
Photo Provided by VIRIGN ATLANTIC www.cocoecomag.com
ECO CHIC CITY GUIDE | Continued
STAY! THE ZETTER A former Victorian warehouse,The Zetter is now a 59-room boutique hotel with its very own borehole beneath the hotel, providing guests with fresh spring water. Situated close to the British Museum, the building was generally constructed from sustainable materials, such as recycled timber, environmentally friendly paint, and ozone benign refrigerants. Air conditioning and kitchen and heating appliances, all incorporate energy saving systems. The naturally lit restaurant features an acclaimed seasonal menu.** St John’s Square, 86-88 Clerkenwell Road, EC1M 5RJ. +44 (0)20 7324 4444 www.thezetter.com
HOTEL RAFAYE Situated in Battersea, the Hotel Rafayel enjoys easy access to central London, while acting as a peaceful retreat. This luxury hotel has reduced the carbon footprint of the average hotel visitor by 20%, through state-of-the-art air conditioning and heating systems. Construction and interior materials are sustainable or recycled, no plastic is used in the hotel, while the mini-bar is stocked with organic and fair-trade products. The hotel also features a spa and water sanctuary using only the best in natural and organic treatments.** 34 Lombard Road, Battersea, London. SW11 3RF. +44 (0)20 7801 3610/or 3603 www.hotelrafayel.com
Photo Provided by HOTEL RAFAYEL
Photo Photo Provided Provided by HOTEL by EPICRAFAYEL HOTEL
Photo Provided by THE ZETTER
Photo Provided by THE ZETTER
ECO CHIC CITY GUIDE | Continued
EAT!
Photo Provided by NATIONAL THEATRE LONDON
Photo Provided by THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE
Photo Provided by GATE RESTAURANT
TERRACE BAR & FOOD
DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE
GATE RESTAURANT
One of London’s premier theatrical venues, the National Theater, is also home to a sustainable restaurant and patio bar. The modern fusion cuisine menu of the Terrace Bar & Food Restaurant, includes many vegetarian options at a reasonable price. The restaurant features an urban garden that incorporates outdoor seating created from reclaimed materials. “Free-range” furniture designer Ryan Frank, created bench like seating that incorporate planters with beeifriendly plants, and where the restaurant grow their own herbs for the kitchen.**
The Duke of Cambridge is Britain’s first and only organic gastropub, certified by the Soil Association. Serving organic food carefully sourced from independent producers, they serve a fresh, seasonal menu that includes home baked bread and homemade ice cream. All produce is sourced locally with respect for animal welfare, and their fish buying policy is approved by the Marine Conservation Society. Obsessive about their carbon footprint, they re-use and recycle everything possible, while their electricity is generated from renewable resources.**
Arguably London’s most successful vegetarian restaurant, founded in 1989, the Gate Restaurant offers a culturally diverse menu, reflective of the founder’s background. The Indo-Iraqi Jewish cuisine includes a selection of vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options, using the freshest organic produce. Their wine menu offers a selection of vegetarian, vegan, bio-dynamic, organic and natural wines. Awarded Timeout’s best Vegetarian Meal award in 1992, the founders celebrate food through their blended Indian, Arabic and Jewish menu.**
South Bank, London. SE1 9PX. +44 (0) 20 7452 3555 www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/34934/food-and-drink/ terrace-bar-and-food.html
30 St. Peter’s Street, Islington, London N1. +44 (0)20 7359 3066 www.dukeorganic.co.uk
51 Queen Caroline Street, Hammersmith, W6 9QL. +44 (0)20 8748 6932 http://thegaterestaurants.com
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ECO CHIC CITY GUIDE | Continued
INDULGE! NEAL’S YARD Neal’s Yard is a British institution. Founded in 1981, they pioneered awareness in natural remedies through their ground breaking store in London’s Covent Garden. In the great tradition of an apothecary, Neal’s Yard specialize in scientifically formulated, certified organic natural remedies, skin and body care products. Neal’s Yard were the first nationwide high street retailer in the UK, to be awarded the CarbonNeutral brand mark for reducing their carbon footprint to net zero. Neil’s Yard also offer a range of naturopathic and holistic treatments.** 15 Neal’s Yard, London WC2H 9DP. +44 (0)20 7379 7222 www.nealsyardremedies.com
JUNKY STYLING Founded in 1977, Junky Styling area an innovative, designled label specializing in upcycling, re-cutting and redesigning traditional menswear shirts and suitings into a highly creative, avant-garde women’s wear collection of unique pieces. Described by the New Yorker as a “eccentrically chic line of mutant couture”, Junky Styling deconstruct, recut and completely transform the highest quality second hand clothing, in a process they describe as “wardrobe surgery”, to produce some of the best upcycled fashion anywhere.**
Photo Provided by SASS BROWN
12 Dray Walk, The Old Truman Brewery, 91 brick Lane, London E1 6RF. +44 (0)20 7247 1883
BRICK LANE Brick Lane is a microcosm of London’s shifting ethnic patterns, a weekend market in London’s East End once associated with poor slums and Jack the Ripper. This eclectic area is home to some of the best vintage stores in London, with pop up vintage markets in the old abandoned warehouses every weekend, mixed in with a glut of authentic Bangladeshi restaurants, and assorted clubs, café’s and bars. Brick Lane itself is famous for its graffiti, which includes work by Banksy, D*Face and Ben Eine.** www.visitbricklane.org
Photo Provided by JUNKY STYLING
Photo Provided by JUNKY STYLING
ECO CHIC CITY GUIDE | Continued
TRAVEL! LONDON TO PARIS IN COMFORT AND STYLE Getting you from the heart of London, to the heart of Paris is just over 2 hours is the Eurostar train; running from London’s St Pancras to Paris’s Gare du Nord. This environmentally friendly alternative to flying, is fast, efficient and comfortable. Since 2007, Eurostar’s Tread Lightly campaign has made a concerted effort to reduce consumption, practice responsible sourcing and recycle. With the aim of zero waste by 2012, they also plan to reduce their CO2 emissions per traveler journey by 35%. With prices starting at £69, you can take the Channel Tunnel, enjoy a gourmet meal and even check your email while on board.** www.eurostar.com
Photo Provided by PARIS TOURIST OFFICE BY JACQUES LEBAR
Once there, the best way to see Paris, is to simply get lost; yes make your plans and take your maps, but always take the time to turn down an interesting alley. The metro is the most convenient means of transportation in Paris, reasonably priced, easy to negotiate and fast. Factor in lots of travel time, this is a huge city with a lot to see, and metro changes are more akin to changing terminals at the airport! There is also an extensive rail system, which runs throughout Paris and its environs. Alternatively Velib offers a Paris wide bicycle sharing service, with bike docks every 300 meters across the city for pick up and drop off. You can buy a one or seven-day pass, with the first 30 minutes for free.** You can download a Paris metro map at www.aparisguide.com/maps/metro.htm You can download a Paris rail mat at www.aparisguide.com/maps/rer.htm For more information on Velib bikes visit http://en.velib.paris.fr
Paris, the city of light, also called the city of love and the city of fashion, its almost impossible not to fall in love with Paris. What’s not to love, with some of the best food anywhere in the world, where a simple bagette is elevated to baking artistry, the wine of course ranks as some of the finest in the world, then there’s the fashion, architecture, art…
Photo Provided by PARIS TOURIST OFFICE BY AMELIE DUPONT
102 |Provided COCObyECO MAGAZINE | September - October 2011 Photo EASY JET
Photo Provided by EUROSTAR www.cocoecomag.com
ECO CHIC CITY GUIDE | Continued
STAY! HOTEL GAVARNI Hotel Gavarni is a charming French hotel in the traditional style, rooms are bright and airy with crisp white linens, or regal, bathed in the amber glow of filtered sunlight through heavy brocade drapes. Within walking distance of the Eiffel tower and the Branly museum, this is a great location for a first time visitor to the City of Light. Awarded the European Eco label for its long commitment to ecology, this charming hotel recently celebrated its 100th anniversary. ** 5 Rue Gavarni, Paris 75116 +33 (0)1 45 24 52 82 www.gavarni.com
BEST WESTERN PREMIER REGENT’S GARDEN This elegant, contemporary, four star hotel, located close to the Champs Elysees, was originally the private mansion of Napoleon III. With the ambiance of a country house right in the centre of Paris, the Best Western Premier Regent’s Garden boasts an oriental garden and a spa. Awarded the European Ecolabel for the hotels commitment to the environment, the hotel makes conscious choices on everything from energy saving light bulbs to organic cleaning products, with even the bed linen certified fair trade.** 6 Rue Pierre Demours, Paris 75017. +33 (0)1 45 74 07 30 www.hotel-regents-paris.com
Photo Provided by HOTEL GAVARNI
Photo Provided by BEST WESTERN PREMIER REGENT’S GARDEN
Photo Provided by HOTEL GAVARNI
ECO CHIC CITY GUIDE | Continued
EAT!
Photo Provided by BREAD AND ROSES
Photo Provided by MERCI
Photo Provided by CRU
BREAD AND ROSES
MERCIE
CRU
You cannot visit Paris without indulging in what is arguably the best bread in the world! Bread and Roses is a lovely little deli, patisserie and bakery, just steps from the beautiful Jardin du Luxembourg. Offering a comprehensive range of bio breads, the location also features a small deli, a range of exquisite pastries - as only the French know how to make, and a petit café serving quiche, salad and cheese as well of course as their very own bio bread. **
Merci is one of the most important IT stores in Paris; a must see. Known for their tasteful clothing and home wares, they also sell organic body products and feature unique artisanal furniture. Their salad in the basement café is one of the freshest anywhere. Not organic, but local, and as fresh as it gets, in a city where fresh is taken to a whole new level, the delicate combination of flavors is simply unbelievable, and their berry crumble is to die for!**
Cru is set in the charming courtyard of the Village of Saint Paul, Marias, situated in one of the most vibrant areas in Paris. This raw food restaurant features bright red walls and a retro 80’s bar, a thirteenth century vaulted cellar, complete with candelabra’s for romantic liaisons, and a leafy summer terrace for enjoying their range of raw tapas. The cuisine is light, fresh and simply beautiful to behold, with exquisitely garnished plates of greens.**
7 Rue de Fleurus, 75006 Paris, France www.breadandroses.fr
11 Boulevard Beaumarchais, Paris 75003. +33 (0)1 42 77 00 33 www.merci-merci.com
Village Saint Paul, 7 Rue Charlemagne 7500 Paris. +33 (0)1 40 27 81 84 www.restaurantcru.fr
www.cocoecomag.com
ECO CHIC CITY GUIDE | Continued
INDULGE! LE PETIT ROBE NOIR
Photo Provided by LE PETIT ROBE NOIR
Le Petit Robe Noir, situated in the historic and beautiful Palais Royal, is an offshoot of Didier Ludot, the exquisite vintage store that features original Dior, Channel and Balmain designer pieces from the 40’s and 50’s. This is no flea market; each piece is in immaculate condition, hand picked and historic in its significance. As the name implies, Le Petit Robe Noir, specializes in the quintessentially French, little black dress, with a range of new and vintage dresses only in black.** 125 Galerie de Valois, Jardin du Palais Royal, Paris. +33 (0)1 42 96 06 56 www.didierludot.fr
MARIAGE FRERES Paris has long held a fascination for all things Asian, in particular Japanese designers and Chinese tea. Mariage Freres is a unique French experience; a tea apothecary. Founded in 1845, they offer over 500 different high-quality teas from around the world, including detox and organic. Stored in their distinctive, old-fashioned metal tins, you can buy their tea pre-packaged or loose, or enjoy the very French “art de vivre” (the art of tea) in their own tea salon.** The Te Emporium, 30 Rue du Bourg Tibourg, Paris. +33 (0)1 42 72 28 11 www.mariagefreres.com
Photo Provided by MARIAGE FRERES
LE WHIF Le Whif took the Cannes Film Festival by storm shortly after its launch in 2009. Created by a Harvard University professor, Le Whif is a breathable organic chocolate inhaler. A single puff form the lipstick like container deposits sprinkles of organic chocolate directly onto your tongue, with less than a single calorie! Available by mail order or in their newly renovated LaboShop within walking distance of the Louvre Museum, they also produce Green Tea, vitamin supplements and breathable coffee.** 4 Rue de Bouloi, Paris 75001 www.lewhif.com
Photo Provided by LE WHIF Photo Provided by JUNKY STYLING
ECO CHIC CITY GUIDE | Continued
TRAVEL! PARIS TO MILAN The easiest and cheapest way of getting from Paris to Milan is with one of the many cheap airlines that operate across Europe. The one I recommend is Easyjet, who fly from Paris Orly airport which is closer to downtown Paris than Charles de Gaulle airport, and is very easy to get to either with the Orly bus or the Orlyval train. Easyjet recently installed new energy-efficient engines in its fleet of Airbus airplanes, leading to a 25% reduction of mono-nitrogen oxide emissions, and a 1% saving on fuel consumption, which translates to a reduction of 200 tons of CO2 emissions per aircraft per year. When booking your ticket, you are also given the option of paying a carbon offsetting charge with your flight. Milan Malpensa airport is serviced by multiple bus lines as well as both the Malpensa express train and the regular Trenitlia service, all of which are better alternatives to a taxi, as Milan’s main airport is not close to downtown Milan. Milan still operates the old the wooden tram system, as well as a brand new fleet of eco buses, both of which make for a genteel and beautiful way to get to know Milan. Once in Milan, there is an excellent metro system as well as a really good bus and tram system, which runs across the city. Milan also offers an extensive bike hire service called BikeMi, which is cheap, easy to use, and offers over 200 drop of points. Although Milan is the business center of Italy, you shouldn’t be in a rush, or expect others to be; things get done when they get done in Italy. This is a sophisticated metropolis, with bars and restaurants to match, so do your research before visiting, so as not to waste your time. Like many highly sophisticated cities, the best destinations are a hidden from street view, and not right on the tourist routes. Nowhere in the world will you find better-dressed men than in Milan, the Italians know how to cut a suit. The Milanese popularized black as the ubiquitous fashion color, and you will see lots of chic Italians, both men and women who illustrate why, beautifully.
Photo BIKEMI 106 |Provided COCObyECO MAGAZINE | September - October 2011
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ECO CHIC CITY GUIDE | Continued
STAY! ARISTON HOTEL The Ariston Hotel is a pleasant, unassuming three star hotel in the traditional Italian style. Centrally located, it is close to the metro and the beautiful church of Sant’Ambrogio. The hotel boasts a bio bar and aperativo (the wonderfully civilized Italian custom of having cocktails with a buffet at around 7pm at night) exclusively for their guests. Designed to incorporate the rules of bio architecture, the hotel provides guests with a bicycle for the duration of their stay. ** Largo Carrobbio 2, Milan 20123. +39 (0)2 72 00 05 56 www.aristonhotel.com
ENTERPRISE HOTEL The Enterprise Hotel is a luxury four-star boutique hotel with an Asian flavor. Junior suites are a wonderful Zen retreat, replete with painted screens and heavy engraved chests, while executive rooms are more reserved and sedate, although still spacious and well designed. The hotel also boasts a spa, a restaurant that serves gluten free fare, a garden terrace, and a wine cellar. Although a little outside of the main city centre, it is only a 15-minute tram ride away.** Corso Sempione 91, Milan 20149. +39 (0)2 31 81 81 www.enterprisehotel.com
Photo Provided by ENTERPRISE HOTEL
Photo Provided by SASS BROWN
Photo Provided by ENTERPRISE HOTEL
ECO CHIC CITY GUIDE | Continued
EAT!
Photo Provided by 10 CORSO COMO
Photo Provided by PRINCI
Photo Provided by PIZZA BIO MILANO
10 CORSO COMO
PRINCI
PIZZA BIO MILANO
10 Corso Como is a magical place, a fairyland for the terminally fashionable. The restaurant is a fantasy of fairy lights, hanging plants and achingly good design; it had to be to match the best-merchandised fashion store in all of Milan! They have two gluten free, vegetarian pasta options on the menu, the food is always fresh and the desserts to die for. This is an adult playground, sophisticated and very tasteful. Not organic but their pomodorini and buffullo mozzarella that come with your drink, are the best I’ve tasted anywhere.**
Princi is a charming outdoor café and popular biological bakery. Situated directly outside metro Moscova at the end off the popular and fashionable Via Garibaldi, it’s the perfect place to stop for a well-earned shopping break. Serving couscous and Panini in their fresh bio bread, as well as pizza, this fashionable bakery is open 24 hours a day, serving a wide range of breads and focaccia made form wholemeal, organic, stone ground flours, naturally fermented and baked in stone wood-fired ovens.**
What would a trip to Italy be without pizza? Unthinkable! Not generally the healthiest of meals, so enter Pizza Bio Milano, who serve up an excellent pizza, along with a broad range of traditional Italian cuisine. This simple, pleasant neighborhood pizzeria, is not a trendy restaurant, just a good old fashioned Italian Pizzeria, only with the pizzas made from organic ingredients, and served in a pleasant, relaxing and casual atmosphere.**
Corso Como 10, Milan 20154 +39 (0)2 29 00 26 74 www.10corsocomo.com
Via Speronari 6, Milan 20123 +39 (0)2 36 56 87 85 www.princi.it
Corso Italia 16, Milan 20122 +39 (0)2 86 45 21 31
ECO CHIC CITY GUIDE | Continued
INDULGE! AMORINO
Photo Provided by AMORINO
Amorino is situated in Brera, with its charming cobbled streets, just a short walk from the Duomo. An artisanal gelateria with rows of artistically swirled iced delights, Amorino’s ices are completely natural, without artificial color or flavoring. Churned daily, their ice cream is made with free-range organic eggs and whole milk, or bio soy and yogurt. They also produce delectable crystallized fondant chips, in a wonderful array of colors and flavors, exquisitely packed, the recipe for which has remained unchanged since 1780!** Largo Carrobbio 2, Milan 20123. +39 (0)2 72 00 05 56 www.aristonhotel.com
OLFATTORIA
Photo Provided by OLFATTORIA
Olfattoria is a perfumerie in Brera offering a wide range of perfumes, including the all natural Honore des Pres. Physcial proof of the close connection between Italian and French culture, this 100% natural fragrance line is designed and produced by an Italian in Paris. A true organic perfume with delicate and distinctive aromas, her fragrances contain no petro-chemicals, are not tested on animals, and are not produced using any animal ingredients. Her fragrances are Angelic, sexy, sensual, citric and fresh, and packaged in recycled take out containers and reusable glass jars.** Via Bagutta 8, Milan 20121 +39 (0)2 76 00 12 18 www.honoredespres.com
ASAP LAB
Photo Provided by ASAP LAB
ASAP Lab, stands for As Sustainable As Possible. The store is located on Via Garibaldi, an extension of uber fashionable Corso Como, and sells a collection of minimal knit and woven T-shirts, dresses, sweaters and accessories made from recycled and organic fibers including yak, camel, cashmere, silk and linen. Products are dyed using natural and vegetal dye processes using flowers, leaves, berries and roots with no chemical additives. The collection is produced entirely in Italy under fair labor conditions.** Corso Garibaldi 104, Milan 20121 +39 (0)2 659 81 57 www.asaplab.it/en
Photo Provided by ASAP LAB
COCO ECO |
LIFE
DOLPHIN Expeditions
WRITTEN by: Kelly Gallagher PHOTOGRAPHY by: Jillian Rutledge,
Geoffrey Hanan & Kelly Gallagher
I have been trying to process my cathartic experience with Dolphin Expeditions for months. It was so unbelievable that I keep coming up with words that are inadequate. Although I grew up a swimmer and a surfer, on the beach in Venice, Florida, I had never swum with the dolphins before. I had no idea what to expect. I just knew that I had hit a wall in life and needed a time out. It was my friend’s birthday and I was determined to create happy memories. This was a last minute trip with no time for over thinking or expectations. I was thrilled to be going on an Eco-adventure. Just what the doctor ordered. I found out later that I was extremely lucky to have landed on this particular trip and on the most amazing magical boat called Indigo. Once I was there, I heard from everyone that Dolphin Expeditions is the best dolphin trip in the Caribbean and maybe the world. I’d now have to agree and I can’t wait to go back. 110
It starts with a great Captain, one you know you can trust when you first see him.That’s Captain Geoffrey Hanan. He has been navigating the waters of Bimini and swimming with these dolphins since the age of 10. The dolphins know him, his amazing crew and his 91 foot steel hulled custom dive boat. Anyone who knows anything about boating knows that without a doubt, the captain is as important as the vessel that he captains. The years he has spent at sea have instilled in him a deep love and respect for nature, especially for the wild dolphins. As well as an accomplished sailor, Captain Geoffrey is also a clinical hypno-therapist, body worker, breath worker, energy worker, paddle boarder and free-diver. His unusual characteristics truly are what make not only the day to day experiences aboard Indigo extraordinary, but the energy and life that he gives to all passengers aboard his vessel makes for an unbelievable journey. I am a five-time cancer survivor and was shocked to find out that Captain Geoff had also survived cancer. After transporting Indigo from New Zealand and spending months restoring it, he was diagnosed with lung cancer. He quickly discovered that the cause was from exposure to paints, resins, heavy metals and other extremely toxic materials that are commonly used in boat building. Surviving that experience has profoundly changed him and is part of the reason that his affinity to commune with the dolphins has been a part of his own healing process and why this transformational experience is a gift that he shares with everyone who has the opportunity to be aboard one of his trips.
DOLPHIN EXPEDITIONS | Continued | COCO ECO MAGAZINE | September - October 2011 www.cocoecomag.com
DOLPHIN EXPEDITIONS | Continued
Since the passing of his mother the dolphins have become his primary family along with his dogs, Bim and Storm, and he feels blessed. “It is a privilege and a joy to be able to share this life with others. Whether watching the dolphins from Indigo or my custom launch, or becoming a part of the pod while swimming with them, the eyeto-eye contact, the sense of feelings that pass between each dolphin and perhaps those of us in the water are unique to the individual and make for a remarkable, unforgettable, life altering memory.” As guests, we were privileged to witness first hand the incredible relationship Captain Geoff and his team have cultivated with the dolphins. “The dolphins themselves set the pace for our daily activities. The Bahama Banks are the only place in the world where wild dolphins are free to make their own choices about when and where to interact with us. Part of the beauty of this experience is following their agenda, not ours.” The number of dolphins that hang with this boat for hours evidences the trust these highly intelligent creatures have for his operation. The beginning of the adventure starts with very specific instructions on boat safety and procedure; followed by high quality gear and a swim check to verify your level of proficiency. We were first pulled behind Geoff ’s 24 foot Zodiac on towlines while dolphins swam and jumped around and under us. Amazing. As more and more dolphin pods came together we eventually stopped and just swam with them. I still can’t believe that I swam with more than forty wild dolphins in the middle of the ocean with nine other people. 112
Awesome. Healing. Life changing. We saw turtles, starfish, reefs, barracuda, and all kinds of beautiful fish while the dolphins swam and played with us. Captain Geoff ’s crew, Jillian and Bradley, took exceptional care of each and every one of us and every detail on the boat. On windy days they took us to play with stingrays and taught us yoga and breathing techniques on the beach. I loved petting the stingrays! We also visited the Shark Lab, explored reefs, and learned to free dive. While the Captain runs a tight ship, there was also time to read, relax and just be. Part Outward Bound, part cosmic cleansing, the trip reminded me of everything that was great about camp as a kid. It was perfect...everything I wanted on my eco-adventure. The magical team aboard Dolphin Expeditions is there to teach, inspire and fulfill your dolphin dreams. They make sure your experience is just that “experiential”. We all have a lot to learn from the dolphins. May you BE so blessed as to take a trip with Dolphin Expeditions and Captain Geoffrey Hanan on this life-altering vessel, the Indigo.**
| COCO ECO MAGAZINE | September - October 2011
www.cocoecomag.com
COCO ECO |
LIFE
MIRACLES IN THE
WRITTEN by: Beth Doane PHOTOGRAPHY by: Bethany
Armstrong
Deep within the lush forests of the Yucatan Peninsula there are two trees that can always be found growing only a small distance apart from each other. One is white, the other a deep red.The white tree should never be touched, for even the slightest brush on the skin can cause severe burns from its poisonous resin. The red tree, however, grows just a step away and mysteriously contains the perfect antidote to the poison – its bark heals the burn and stops the excruciating pain instantly. This is another perfect example of how nature provides us with the incredible power to heal if we know the right places to look. What’s profound is that when we look deep enough into our world’s forests we find that there is perhaps no other place on earth filled with more healing or medicinal power. 114
MIST The Nature Conservancy states,“Seventy percent of the plants identified by the U.S. National Cancer Institute as useful in the treatment of cancer are found only in rainforests and more than 2,000 tropical forest plants have been identified by scientists as having anti-cancer properties.” Originally, more than 6 million square miles of tropical rainforest existed worldwide, yet as a direct result of deforestation, today less than 2.6 million square miles remain. If this rate continues, 5–10 percent of our tropical rainforest species will continue to be lost per decade and so will our chances of discovering what scientists have determined is the place where our cure for cancer and a myriad of other diseases is very likely to lie. Take Brazil nuts for example: Over centuries, indigenous peoples of the Amazon rain forests have used the Brazil nut to cure liver disorders and heart ailments because the amount of selenium in one Brazil nut is equivalent to more than 2,500 times the amount of mineral present in any other type of nut. Geeta Sidhu-Robb, CEO and founder of the Nosh Detox, a cleanse designed to heal the liver and hinder the growth of tumors in the body also uses selenium as well as beta carotene to aid in blocking the growth of cancerous cells, and reminds us that, “What you put into your mouth determines your quality of life. It decides whether you will be healthy, energetic, and focused and how easily we will be able to recover from diseases such as cancer.” Another cancer-fighting food coming from the dense and remote mountain forests of China, Japan, and Korea is the reishi mushroom.
| COCO ECO MAGAZINE | September - October 2011
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These mushrooms contain certain complex sugars, known as betaglucans, that are known to stop the growth and prevent spreading of cancer cells and are now the subject of numerous scientific and medical studies all over the world. An easy way to consume reishi is in a pill form, known as Mushroom Defense Supreme, founded by Dr.Tea’s Tea Garden & Herbal Emporium. Dr. Tea’s products were created to boost the immune system so that it’s at its top level of functionality since a high-level immune defense is vital for fighting cancer. Another miraculous cancer-fighting agent is the acai berry, which is an inch-long red fruit. It comes from the acai palm tree native to the tropical forests of Central and South America and contains high levels of antioxidants that destroyed cultured human cancer cells in a study conducted at the University of Florida. The study first occurred in 2006 and was one of the very first to investigate the fruit’s myriad of purported benefits of the acai just as it was becoming popular in western culture as a health supplement. The study was later published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, and showed how certain extracts from acai berries triggered a self-destruct response in up to 86 percent of the leukemia cells tested, said Stephen Talcott, an assistant professor with UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. One of the best places to get the health and disease fighting benefits of Acai is in Dr. Bo’s Garden of Plenty mix, which contains over 150 nutritional ingredients and includes a slew of the world’s other rainforest super-nutrients from fruits and plants such as the Noni,
Wolfberry (Goji Berries), and more, along with probiotics, enzymes, vitamins, minerals and electrolytes. What’s even more amazing is what we can still gain from plants and herbs that have become extinct. Not every extinct species can offer us what a now-extinct periwinkle plant, found only in Madagascar, has. The plant was destroyed through extensive amounts of deforestation but has been found to increase the chances of survival for children with leukemia from as low as 20 percent up to 80 percent. Considering that even less than one percent of the plants in our tropical rainforests have been explored and researched for their medicinal properties, just imagine what else is waiting to be found. Now, it’s solely up to us as citizens of the world to keep these forests intact. The hope and keys to our very future likely lie within the depths of these magical forests, shrouded and protected deep within their mist, and hopefully they will stay there for us to discover for centuries and millennia to come. ** RAINFOREST-ALLIANCE
www.rainforest-alliance.org
COCO ECO |
LIFE
The Diet DILEMMA Can What We Eat Really Prevent Cancer?
WRITTEN by: Leilah Mundt PHOTOGRAPHY by: Peter J Fox
French fries linked to breast cancer, artificial colors linked to childhood cancers, and packaged “low fat” foods linked to all cancers in women are just a few of the horrifying studies that have made headlines recently. As we come together each fall to celebrate survivors, remember the lost and fight for a cure, one question inevitably arises; just what is causing so much cancer and how can we prevent this awful disease? There is no doubt that exposure to environmental toxins and genetics play a huge part, but some researchers now believe that diet alone can reduce the risk of all cancers up to 85%. But with so much conflicting nutritional advice, whom do we believe? While the doctors are fighting the cancer battle on the frontlines, many people, healthy and ill, are turning to alternative health specialists for advice.Three experts weigh in and help me understand just how powerful diet can be in living cancer free. 116
“There was very little cancer 100 years ago,” says Anne Dunev, Ph. D, a remarkably enthusiastic health advocate who practices natural medicine and nutrition in Los Angeles. Anne rattles off health statistics like an announcer at the Kentucky Derby. She tells me that we absolutely have to get back to eating the way we did before the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse (cancer, heart disease, obesity and type two diabetes) damaged the health of the world. This means avoiding processed foods ridden with chemicals and sugar and getting back to a whole foods diet. In order to do that, it means we make a major switch in the way we approach what to eat every day. Skip the white foods that spike insulin and enjoy organic fruits, vegetables and protein. It sounds simple enough. But just look down any city street and it is obvious what we really have an appetite for; burgers, pizza, tacos, donuts and ice cream. How then, with so much foul and fattening food available whenever hunger strikes, can we make any substantial change? The gem of practical advice I was searching for came from Robyn Openshaw, AKA the Green Smoothie Girl, who runs the wildly popular greensmoothiegirl.com. Quite simply, blend your greens. “Get the most raw, live, plant based nutrition you can because it is alkaline and fully oxygenates your blood, bones, cells and tissue, “ says Robyn. She goes on to say that although we know cancer feeds on sugar, we also know that it cannot survive in an oxygenated environment. And the single most effective way of creating this environment? By loading up on raw greens, blending them with fresh fruit to make them shockingly delicious…addicting even! One quart of this liquid gold has about fifteen servings of raw fruit and vegetables- that is over five servings more than the USDA suggests Americans eat in a full day. Robyn reports that people are typically missing some of the most nutritious greens on the
| COCO ECO MAGAZINE | September - October 2011
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planet in their diet; raw kale, collards and chard. She says those are exactly the ones we should put in our smoothies daily. And for the most eco-conscious among us, throw in the valuable greens that would normally get tossed in the trash, including the tops of beets and carrots. I don’t think there is a soul who would contest that fifteen extra servings of raw plant food daily would surely turn around the health of the world. But as the famous Ayurvedic expert, Dr. Pratima Raichur explains, balance in all areas of life, including nutrition, is truly the key to lasting health. Dr. Pratima is the founder of the uber-popular PRATIMA Spa in Manhattan, and author of the best selling Absolute Beauty. In addition to successfully transforming the suffering skin of many, she has a thriving medical practice in which she leads her patients to health through the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda, traditional Indian medicine. She tells me that her favorite cancer fighting foods are cruciferous vegetables, garlic and onions, and herbs such as turmeric, saffron and neem, which all help maintain strong immunity to disease. Dr. Pratima credits full internal cleansing every six months as another useful tool in practicing prevention. But she also explains that thoughts are digested in the body similarly to food, and in order to truly keep our bodies healthy, we must eliminate stress and change our perception. Her beautiful advice for us all looking to live a long and healthy life- be forgiving, be grateful and be loving. As different as these three health gurus approach diet, it is astonishing how similar their recommendations for a cancer free life are. In my conversations with all of them, the reoccurring themes were un-
deniably obvious; 1) lessen your toxic burden by steering clear of all packaged, processed and refined foods which contain harmful chemicals and preservatives, 2) help your amazing body heal itself through eating mostly whole, fresh plant foods as close to their natural state as possible and 3) seriously limit your intake of cancer causing foods, including red meat, fried foods, and refined sugars. Robyn Openshaw credits the Nutritarian, Joel Fuhrman with the quote “We now have more evidence that a plant based diet prevents disease than smoking causes lung cancer.” It is evident that we need to take an honest look at what we consume and make a real commitment toward whole body health. I believe Robyn said it best. “Eat incrementally more raw food and the better you feel. It’s like faith; experiment with it and you can’t go wrong.”** MY FAVORITE GREEN SMOOTHIE RECIPE 2 cups filtered water 1 bunch fresh organic spinach 1 bunch fresh organic dinosaur kale 2 pears 1 banana Blend well and enjoy!
COCO ECO |
LIFE
UNCONDITIONAL
LOVE
WRITTEN by: Nichola Zed PHOTOGRAPHY provided by: Nichola
Zed
Our many journeys in life come in an abundance of forms. Triumphant or tragic they provide wisdom to steer us through the rest of our lives. In December last year my partner lost his battle with cancer. Although heartbreaking, it allowed me to truly understand the power of the human spirit. It is this strength of human spirit, that I remember most about Surinder. Watching Surinder – or Sin, as he was known - overcome the mental battle with the disease was beyond inspiring.
with what was happening to his body, I experience an elated feeling of strength. As anyone would know, who has battled an illness, or supported someone doing so, there are good days and bad days. Sin would be hilarious on the good days, joking, misbehaving and planning his future. On the bad days, especially the really painful ones, he would meditate and remain still and quiet. I believe it was on these days that he was working through his deepest fears and sorrows. The world of cancer, I have learnt, is one of myth; there is no way of confirming a treatment will ever work. The inconvenient truth is that cancer cells will develop at a different rate and in a different direction or nature in each individual person. In his genius, Sin learnt to fight his battle a day at a time. His daily insistence that the disease that had invaded his body was going to go showed me how courageous he truly was.
Sin, 49 at the time, was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue in July last year. His cancer, as it comes in varying shapes and configurations, was highly aggressive. After undergoing a 12 hour surgery in late September to remove a tumor, it was only a matter of months before the disease took his life. There was not one moment in this time that Sin stopped fighting the cancer.
Sin worked in the film industry. His main passion was documentaries. He studied fine art and was a talented painter with an acute eye for light and perspective. This visual knowledge helped him capture significant moments on camera. His most impressive project is a documentary about the Vietnam landmine victims and their families. It was his mysterious nature and soft temperament that drew me to him on the night we first met five years ago in London. His first words to me were ‘we’ve met in a past life’, which at the time I thought were ridiculous, but now those words make more sense than I could ever imagined.There was an instant fascination between us and we spent the following six months in flirtatious banter over e-mail from different places around the world, from Australia to Saint Martin, Japan to Iraq.
When I look back at the months of Sin dealing
Through enthralling tales of foolishness we established a powerful
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Surinder with children Vietnam 2009
bond which led to Sin moving straight into my apartment when we landed back in Heathrow. His quiet, alluring character and unexplained disposition perfectly matched my ample free spirited energy. Sin had the ability to make fun out of anything. The next part of our love story was to brave the terrifying land of the ‘long distance relationship’. We spent a year apart while I was working in Australia. Our love thankfully kept us together, and I will never forget the overwhelming feeling of peace when we were in each others arms again. I do believe that a person’s spirit lives within one when they are gone. I get immense pleasure and a huge smile on my face when I say things or make hand gestures that I learnt from Sin. Whenever I get frustrated by anything, I hear a whisper in my right ear ‘be like water’, something he used to say to me and that I will remember forever.
Surinder Singh and Nichola Zed
with the strength he gained from the love and gratitude for his incredible life and the people who is shared it with. He had an abundance of support shown to him by his extended family, as he liked to call his circle of friends. Being with Sin through his last days, it felt like although the cancer had taken his body, it never touched his spirit.** “The best gift you can give to anyone, including yourself, is that of light, love and laughter...”
SURINDER SINGH
www.Stingrayartsfilms
This reassurance I would like to offer to anyone fighting the disease, that whatever the outcome, you will always live in each others hearts. If you are living with a loved one battling cancer, remember that the best gift you can give anyone, including yourself, is that of light, love and laughter. I was told once that ‘one’s life journey is a summation of one’s values’ and Sin’s true value was the happiness and security of those around him. He practiced this by showing unending love and generosity to people. He always had time to listen and would give freely his gentle words of wisdom - truly one of life’s great teachers. Even while in hospital, he would offer his guidance and listen to anything people wanted to talk about. Sin’s battle with cancer was fought 119
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COCO ECO |
LIFE
Bellissima’s BLISSFUL FOUNDER WRITTEN by: Beth Doane PHOTOGRAPHY by: Lis Rosa
Rio based designer Lis Rosa founded one of the hottest yoga brands to hit the market in a long time. Straight from the shores of sunny, steamy, sexy Brazil, Lis’ brand Bellisima is as tropically infused as it is fashion forward and super functional. It has celebrity fans like Lady Gaga sporting hot pink, lemon yellow and cool blue hues with class! Lis was raised in a small European colony in the southern Brazilian city of Porto Alegre and studied fashion design at schools in both Brazil and California before launching Bellissima in 2005. The name Bellissima came from her grandmother who lovingly called the women in her family “Bellissima”, which in Portuguese means ‘beautiful’. “I have so much gratitude and love for my grandmother,” says Lis, “And I wanted to honor the beauty of women everywhere with my brand. I used to see the girls outfits at the gym and yoga studios where I lived in San Diego, and had this vision that beautiful American girls could express even more of their feminine side through their athletic clothes.” Lis was lucky with her heritage: If there is one place on earth that really knows how to accentuate, beautify, and flaunt the feminine, it’s definitely Brazil. “Now, when I go back to the U.S. I see women who are happier 120
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with their bodies and wearing Bellissima’s apparel, and I have this feeling of accomplishment”, says Lis. Lis designed the line to add fashion where she felt it was missing in athletic apparel. The exotic colors, dramatic prints, and form flattering lines with titles like Isis, Goddess, Athena, and Lakshmi would leave even the most unimaginative maven feeling divine. Lis believes that very woman has a unique beauty and that having a “perfect” body is not really a positive goal, but to feel confident and fearless of showing our feminine power is liberating and an amazing part of being a woman today. Bellissima started very small with just few accounts in California and, after two years of hard work and dedication, the brand expanded across the United States with accounts in nearly every state and clients in Canada, Europe, Australia, The Philippines, Singapore, and Mexico. Bellissima also sponsored the 2011 Bikram yoga winner,Yukari Miwa, who is living in Japan and has selected Lex Ferrier as their ambassador. As Lex so beautifully states it’s all about, “Living a life where beauty has absolutely nothing to do with physical appearance, achievements, productivity, or success - rather a true quality of the soul. This shift brings yoga and clothing all together out of the ego realm and into a solid expression of celebrating one’s specific and unique beauty. ** BELLISSIMA
www.bellissimaactivewear.com
COCO ECO |
LIFE
PINK WASHING WRITTEN by: Johanna Björk, Goodlifer.com PHOTOGRAPHY provided by: As Noted
It’s that time of year again, when everything suddenly turns pink and a spirit of do-gooderness fills the air. While on a plane the other day, I was offered to buy pink lemonade or pink jellybeans for $2 each, half (in case of the jellybeans) or all (the pink lemonade) of my “donation” would benefit “the cause,” which of course was breast cancer. What’s wrong with that picture?
efforts before this) in 1992, by Evelyn Lauder, Senior Corporate Vice President of The Estée Lauder Companies and herself a breast cancer survivor, and the editors of Shape magazine, coinciding with the magazine’s second annual Breast Cancer Awareness Month issue. The yellow ribbon (representing soldiers overseas) and red ribbon (which stand for AIDS awareness) had been around for a while, so the inspiration was clear. The Susan G. Komen foundation had also been handing out pink ribbons to all participants at their immensely popular Races for the Cure, and continued to do so, focusing more and more of their marketing efforts on the pink ribbon.
Consuming sugary sodas or candy is not healthy. In fact, it makes us sick, and countless studies have shown that eating such “foods” can actually cause cancer. How can we promote women’s health and “the cure” with unhealthy products that most likely contribute to increasing the occurrences of the disease they are claiming to fight?
To marketers, all this pinkness was a gold mine — a cash cow just waiting to be milked. As a result, we now have pink cookware, appliances, fried chicken buckets, sneakers, slippers, airplanes, crystal necklaces, beer-pong floats, tool belts, bedazzled pins, martini glasses, t-shirts, lipstick, vending machines... if you can think of it, you can be sure there is a pink version of it. I’m not suggesting that this is all bad, but in many of cases it is very unclear what percentage, if any, of the sales of these products that actually benefit breast cancer research.
The pink ribbon was introduced to the mainstream (there were people doing their own grassroots, less commercial breast cancer ribbon
We all want to show that we care, and buying something pink requires very little thought or effort on part of the consumer. Marketers are using these emotions to sell us stuff — it even gave rise to
This was around the same time that cause-related marketing was rising through the ranks in Corporate America. Every big company wanted to be known for their Corporate Social Responsibility efforts. Breast cancer was a “safe” issue for companies, not as loaded as the other two ribbons — representing awareness of AIDS (gay) and soldiers (war).
Do pink airplanes really make a difference when it comes to fighting breast cancer? Credit: Andrew Cohen, Flickr/Creative Commons.
a new word, “pinkwashing.” My mother recently fought a battle with this disease, and I very much take issue with the way companies are benefiting from our concern for the health of mothers, sisters and friends around us. This brings me back to Estée Lauder, one of the masterminds behind the pink ribbon. The company offers a great assortment of “pinked” makeup and beauty products, while at the same time continuing the use of toxic, cancer-causing ingredients in many of their products. It’s clear that they have options, because Estée Lauder also owns companies like Origins and Aveda, both brands that use far less of the toxic chemicals so common in the parent company’s own line as well as their other brands. I say, quit the pinkwashing and start dealing with the real issue — removing cancerous ingredients from ALL their products.
Breast Cancer Awareness-branded vending machine on the street in Japan. Selling sugary soft drinks. Credit: jpellgen, Flickr/Creative Commons.
ly to the organizations doing important breast cancer research. Encourage your mother, sisters and friends to take better care of themselves in order to prevent illness — that means eating a healthy diet of unprocessed, whole foods, staying away from smoking and toxic environments, and, of course, stop using cancer-causing cosmetics. If you do want to buy something pink, just make sure to do your research. The website Think Before You Pink lists some crucial questions you should ask yourself before buying pink this month.** THINK BEFORE YOU PINK
www.thinkbeforeyoupink.org
One Breast Cancer Awareness initiative that I find interesting comes from the NFL. Football players have the option of wearing pink equipment at games, and the league features its pink ribbon logo prominently on the field throughout the month of October. Here, a women’s issue is being highlighted in what is very much a man’s world. It legitimizes the disease and spreads awareness among American men as well. I’d be interested to see how many more female fans and wives of fans have actually gotten screened for breast cancer as a result. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and we should proudly wear our pink ribbons on our lapels and continue to work toward raising awareness and finding a cure for this nasty disease. But instead of buying pink crap that you don’t need, donate money direct-
COCO ECO |
THE CONSCIOUS REVELLER!
BE AN ANGEL ANGEL CHAMPAGNE HOSTS CITY OF ANGELS BENEFIT
WRITTEN by: Vicki Godal PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED by: Annie
Bang
Angel Champagne recently hosted “City of Angels,” benefitting the “Be an Angel” charity at the Voyeur nightclub in West Hollywood. Celebrities enjoying the free flowing champagne and Christine Quartier La Tente’s french lingerie clad dancers included Sophie Monk, Tiffany Brouwer, Jayde Nicole, and Jenny Wade along with Matt Cohen, NFL player Keith Mitchell and Mandy Musgrave. Based in Houston, Texas, “Be An Angel” provides critical services and equipment to underserved children with multiple challenges and deafness that would otherwise be unattainable. Life changing supplies like wheelchairs, hearing aids and other adaptive equipment and services are given to individuals and institutions that need supplemental funding. “City of Angels” raised needed funds for “Be An Angel”.** BE AN ANGEL www.beanangel.org
Step Up 2’s Briana Evigan 124
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Actress Sophie Monk from Click and the Date Movie at City of Angels
The Help’s Tiffany Brouwer
NFL Player, the New Orleans Saints’ Keith Mitchell and a friend at City of Angels
Sparah’s Sarah Carroll and Spencer Falls
The Hills and Holly’s World’s Jayde Nicole, (center), designer Setorii Pond (right) of The World According to Paris and a friend
South of Nowhere’s Matt Cohen and Mandy Musgrave
COCO ECO |
THE CONSCIOUS REVELLER!
Louise Ashby LAUNCHES CHILDREN’S FUND IN MALIBU
WRITTEN by: Vicki Godal PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED by: LACF
Louise Ashby launched the Louise Ashby Children’s Fund in Malibu recently, to provide both information and support services to children living with medical and psychological challenges. According to Ashby, author of ‘Magic of the Mask,’ “This has been my dream for 10 years.” Sponsored by Learn It, Petit Ermitage Hotel and the Vintage Bar Group, guests were treated to Veev cocktails, Pink Taco and surprise entertainment by the sister singing duo, Ruby Summer. Guests included Alice Evans, Ioan Gruffud, John Lock, Anna Griffin, Kari Whitman, Marla Maples, Toby Moore and Tiffany Dunn. Those attending received gift bags containing gift cards and products from Loree Rodkin, VitaBath, Bionova, Freemon, Sportage Apparel Company, Hollywood Million Denim, JP Selects and the Petit Ermitage Hotel.** LOUISE ASHBY CHILDREN’S FUND www.lacf4hope.org
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Anna Griffin, Louise Ashby and Andy Ackerman at the
| COCO ECO MAGAZINE | September - October 2011 Louise Ashby Children’s Fund launch
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John Lock, Tiffany Dunn and Louise Ashby
Singing duo Ruby Summer
Actor Ioan Gruffudd and his daughter
Alice Evans at the Louise Ashby Children’s Fund launch
Marla Maples
COCO ECO |
THE CONSCIOUS REVELLER!
Farm Sanctuary PROVES NICE NASCAR DRIVERS FINISH FIRST
WRITTEN by: Vicki Godal PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED by: As
Noted
Vegan NASCAR and TRG Motorsports champions Andy Lally and Spencer Pumpelly visited New York’s Farm Sanctuary before respective races in the late summer. Farm Sanctuary provides lifelong care for nearly 1,000 cows, pigs, goats, sheep, chickens and other rescued factory farm animals and these animals deserve it.
Andy Lally and Blitzen at Farm Sanctuary. PHOTO CREDIT: Farm Sanctuary
“By this point in human evolution, we should be smart enough and kind enough to live without torturing other living beings, just so we can enjoy lunch,” Lally said. Farm Sanctuary President Gene Baur concurred, “These compassionate racing champions prove that nice guys finish first.” According to Lally. “I want to try to be peaceful to peaceful beings. Forget saving the environment for now. Let’s work on not killing other living beings first.”** FARM SANCTUARY www.farmsanctuary.org Spencer Pumpelly with a friend
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Farm Sanctuary’s Gene Bauer and Opie.
PHOTO CREDIT: Farm Sanctuary PHOTO CREDIT: Jo Anne McArthur | COCO ECO MAGAZINE | September - October 2011 www.cocoecomag.com
COCO ECO |
SHOPPING!
COCO ECO
SHOPPING CONCIERGE
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Black hand-braided silk chiffon gown($7,150), ESHEL www.eshelcollection.com Silver earrings($235.00), GLYNNETH B www.glynnethb.com
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Black wool shoulder shrug(price upon request), CAMELIA SKIKOS www.cameliaskikos.com Red lace bra(195.00) & teal high waisted shorts($175.00), MALIA MILLS www.maliamills.com Black suede laser cut-out Sweety boots($2,700.00), LA RARE www.larare.fr
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Black velvet & metal broach blazer (price upon request), MARIA FRANCESCA PEPE www.mariafrancescapepe.com Red Calender Girl underwear($95.00), MALIA MILLS www.maliamills.com Diamond necklace(stylist’s own vintage)
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Ivory one-shoulder jumpsuit(price upon request) RONALD ABDALA www.ronaldabdala.com Black braided leather earrings($195.00), GLYNNETH B www.glynnethb.com
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Blue wool peplum dress(price upon request), CAMELIA SKIKOS www.cameliaskikos.com Platinum & diamond bracelet (stylist’s own vintage)
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Purple wool & black leather blazer dress(price upon request), MARIA FRANCESCA PEPEwww.mariafrancescapepe.com Chartreuse high waisted shorts($175.00), MALIA MILLS www.maliamills.com Green crystal & lace necklace($465.00), RANJANA KHAN www.ranjanakhan.com
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Black faux fur cocktail dress($372.00), MIKE VENSEL www.mikevensel.com Black Couture Wings headpiece($285), ARTURO RIOS www.arturorios.com
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